If you've dropped your laptop lately, or had a computer stolen from your home or workplace, you're not alone. 831,000 personal computers were lost or damaged in 2000, according to computer insurer Safeware of Columbus, Ohio.
Ninety-five percent of those computers were laptops. "The number of laptop computers is on the rise; people are replacing desktop PCs with laptops and dragging them all over," says Safeware President Donald Strejeck. "Accidents are the No. 1 cause of loss. Your average homeowners or business policy excludes this type of loss."
Among the survey's findings:
- Accidents — such as dropping a computer — account for 58 percent of all notebook-related claims. The next highest category for loss is theft, accounting for 28 percent of claims.
- Power surges, lightning, water, and other problems comprise the remaining 14 percent of notebook computer claims.
- Among desktop PC claims, accidents are the most common, accounting for 34 percent of all claims. Power surges were second-most common, accounting for 31 percent of desktop claims.
Notebook computer losses in 2000 |
| Cause of loss |
2000 dollar amount of claims |
2000 percent of total |
Accident |
$793,000 |
58% |
Theft |
$387,000 |
28% |
Power surge |
$84,000 |
6% |
Lightning |
$33,000 |
2% |
Damaged in transit |
$12,000 |
1% |
Water/flood damage |
$25,000 |
2% |
Other |
$24,000 |
4% |
| |
| Desktop computer losses in 2000 |
| Cause of loss |
2000 dollar amount of claims |
2000 percent of total |
| Accident |
$38,000 |
34% |
| Theft |
$16,000 |
14% |
| Power surge |
$35,000 |
31% |
| Lightning |
$11,000 |
11% |
| Damaged in transit |
$3,000 |
3% |
| Water/flood damage |
$3,000 |
3% |
| Other |
$7,000 |
6% |
|
