How To Protect Your Student's Electronic Products

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Six out of ten claims filed for electronic devices are the result of accidents, according to Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) member company N.E.W. Customer Service Companies. A product service contract, often referred to as an extended warranty, can provide coverage for accidental product damage, repair and replacement.

"Extended warranties can cover accidental damage caused by use and handling," said Timothy J. Meenan, executive director of the SCIC. "And extended warranty coverage can typically be purchased on the spot or days after the product purchase."  According to Consumer Reports, "those are warranties worth considering."

The SCIC offers the following information for parents and students as they purchase electronic products for use at school:

• Parents should consider how many years they expect the teenager to use the product, how often and in what environments it will be used.
• Purchase a backpack with padding on the bottom as well as the sides to prevent damage from repeated contact with hard floors.
• Look for laptops and other electronic devices with a spill-proof keyboard, solid-state hard drive and an outer shell made of aluminum, or plastic that's been reinforced with fiberglass.
• After the manufacturer's warranty expires, without the protection of an extended warranty, the product owner incurs all repairs and replacement costs.
  • The cost to repair the LCD screen of a laptop computer (avg. price $649) is $346.
  • The cost to repair the main board of a tablet (avg. price $423) is $328.
  • The cost to repair the screen/digitizer of an E-reader (avg. price $149) is $130.
    * Data provided by N.E.W. Service Companies
• Extended warranties generally cost 10-20 percent of the purchase price of an electronic device, and a bit more for full accidental damage protection. 
• Extended warranties generally offer 24/7 phone and online technical assistance and troubleshooting support.
• Obtain a copy of the contract prior to buying. 
• Most extended warranties provide a 30-day, "free-look" period for consumers to review the contract and return it for a full refund if they decide not to purchase the service contract.
• Thoroughly read the terms and conditions of a contract and assess coverage, exclusions and limitation.
• Fulfill all responsibilities related to regular maintenance and handling, etc.
• Save the receipt, service-plan documents and all maintenance records.
• Research the warranty provider.  Most retail warranties are covered by independent third-party providers and are not affected if the retailer goes bankrupt.

ABOUT THE SCIC (www.go-scic.com) :
The Service Contract Industry Council is a national trade association that has been instrumental in working with state legislators and regulators across the country to develop laws to protect consumers.  The SCIC played a significant role in the development of the SCIC Model Act, a legal framework adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners whereby service contracts are defined, may be sold and are regulated on a state-by-state basis. Currently, over 35 states have adopted the SCIC Model Act.

SOURCE Service Contract Industry Council