Extended Warranties Can Help Unemployed Stay Connected

ATLANTA, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of people have resolved to make 2012 the year they land a new job – one of the 165 million vacancies projected to be filled this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the unemployment rate hovering around 8.6 percent, securing one of these coveted positions may prove difficult without the right tools working properly for you.

In a fiercely tight and competitive market, job seekers must rely on sophisticated technologies to expedite their job search and better manage networking opportunities. According to Careerbuilder.com, nearly half of human resources managers surveyed consider an online presence when screening applicants.

This new reality makes Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites critical online resources to connect with employers. And laptops, smartphones and tablets help job seekers access these sites to post resumes, scour career boards, produce video profiles and create other sales pitches. From uploading resumes to downloading apps, employment candidates depend on these electronic marvels as essential tools in their job hunting arsenal.

Can you afford to be without your tools?

Mary Gibbs learned the importance of having properly working tools after getting laid off from a telecommunications position in 2010. When her cats spilled soda on her laptop and damaged the motherboard, Gibbs faced a $275 repair bill adding to her unemployment woes. She opted to purchase a new laptop, but this time, she protected the device with an extended warranty.

A year later, Gibb's laptop screen became distorted with a blue line down the middle, so the Riverdale, NJ resident called her extended warranty company, Assurant Solutions. Within a week, Assurant Solutions replaced the LCD screen and the power cord so Gibbs could resume her professional pursuit.

"I got it back lickity split," said Gibbs, who initially panicked but improvised with her smartphone while her laptop was being repaired. "Sometimes you don't want to spend the money upfront, but when something happens, you're glad you did."

Extended warranties typically cover normal wear and tear plus accidental damage beyond what is provided by the product warranty. They also can offer 24-hour technical support such as basic troubleshooting, defragging and optimizing speed, expenses that job seekers can least afford to incur.

"Using smart devices is one way that job seekers invest all available resources in their search," said Joe Erdeman, president of extended protection solutions at Assurant Solutions, a global provider of extended warranties. "Protecting those devices with an extended warranty helps secure that investment."

To deliver superior service, Assurant Solutions enlists a national network of certified technicians and service providers to troubleshoot and resolve minor to complex technical problems. Electronics that cannot be repaired remotely can be sent in to a service center for prompt repair and return.

Assurant Solutions issues customized policies for consumer electronics, appliances, jewelry and other products that extend service well beyond the manufacturer's warranty. The policies provide millions of customers such as Gibbs with the assurance of knowing their products can be repaired or replaced.

About Assurant Solutions
Assurant Solutions businesses develop, underwrite, market and administer specialty insurance, extended service contracts and other risk management solutions through collaborative relationships with leading financial institutions, retailers, automobile dealers, funeral homes, manufacturers, wireless carriers and other entities. With operations in 25 locations, including executive offices in Atlanta, Assurant Solutions serves clients and their customers in 12 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia. www.assurantsolutions.com.

Assurant Solutions is also part of Assurant, a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and worldwide markets. Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has approximately $27 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue. Assurant has approximately 14,000 employees worldwide and is headquartered in New York's financial district. www.assurant.com.

SOURCE Assurant Solutions