Surge Catcher Warranty

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jdmatt

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#157106 19-Nov-2014 22:03

Hi all, was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Dick Smith Surge Catcher warranties? I purchased two after a direct lighting strike two years ago that destroyed alot of electronics. Today we had a electrical storm pass through and this time I lost my 50" Plasma that won't turn on. They say these boards have a $75000 connected equipment warranty.

Now was wondering if anyone here has tried claiming on these connected equipment warranty and if so is it worth the hassle? Or should I just bite the bullet and claim through my insurance company?

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meow
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#1179867 19-Nov-2014 22:11

Just do it through the insurance company - will be quicker in most cases.

I've tried claiming for an iMac in the past connected to a surge protector and it took forever.

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linw

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#1179878 19-Nov-2014 22:19

Pretty brave, or stupid, offering a lightning strike insurance. Weasel words hidden there somewhere?

jdmatt

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#1179883 19-Nov-2014 22:38

linw: Pretty brave, or stupid, offering a lightning strike insurance. Weasel words hidden there somewhere?

Yes there is a wee clause in there that they won't cover a direct strike. Luckily this time it wasn't. Funny thing is I have another TV in the kitchen with no surge protection and it is going fine.

Will probably go and get it repaired and claim insurance, think last time it cost around $450 for a new PSU/Mainboard to be replaced.

DarthKermit

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#1179911 20-Nov-2014 02:22

From what I understand, most of those plug in surge protectors aren't much good. And even the best ones can't absorb the high voltage of a direct lightening strike.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

linw

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#1179928 20-Nov-2014 07:47

Only problem with an insurance claim is the excess. But a 50" TV is worth the claim. With TVs coming down in price so much, however, even they are getting close to the typical excess!!

Hope it all turns out good for you.

sbiddle

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#1179931 20-Nov-2014 08:15

I'd be very interested to actually see some fine print regarding the warranty and what it actually covers. You've effectively paid a $60 premium for a surge protected board over a $10 product which will deliver exactly the same outcome.

Aredwood

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#1180492 21-Nov-2014 00:27

Give all of the surge protector details to the insurance company. They might try to claim back their costs from DSE.

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dickytim

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#1180517 21-Nov-2014 06:33

Aredwood: Give all of the surge protector details to the insurance company. They might try to claim back their costs from DSE.

^^ This and I would be interested to see the results too.

I have a surge arrestor that offers $1 million cover! I never believed for a second that there was actually any cover with it, I am genuinely interested to see the results.

SepticSceptic

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#1180829 21-Nov-2014 15:28

Did you also connect the TV/Sat coax thru the surge protector ? Or the ADSL line ? Lightning power spikes can have multiple entry paths.

wasabi2k

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#1180834 21-Nov-2014 15:30

small print: not valid if appliance is plugged in at the time of strike..

Dunnersfella

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#1180851 21-Nov-2014 15:32

SepticSceptic: Did you also connect the TV/Sat coax thru the surge protector ? Or the ADSL line ? Lightning power spikes can have multiple entry paths.

Correct.
And people seldom connect standard gear like AV receivers correctly... let alone plug in their surge protector to the manufacturers specs!

mattwnz

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#1180856 21-Nov-2014 15:37

Very interesting case, and the device was sold at a premium price as it had the warranty with it. If I had purchased it, I would try to make a claim and see what happens, at least you can go into a store to make the claim. If you claim on your household insurance, then you will likely have an excess to pay, and may affect any no claims bonus. Plus you paid for that protection already with that device. If you do make a claim with the insurance company, they may require you tell them about the surgeprotector and it's warranty anyway.

jdmatt

28 posts

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#1181298 22-Nov-2014 15:38

Quick update.. Have managed to get the TV up and running. Did this by removing the the back panel of the TV and checked the 2 fuses on the Power supply one was blown and managed to pick another one up from town and fired it up no problems.

As for the surge protector I guess it has done its job, all other equipment plugged into it is good as gold. I have noticed the the light saying its protected is not showing for it and also for the other one in office.

I'm am glad that I didn't have to go through the claim process but I would have like to know if they would of payed out.

Sideface

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#1181300 22-Nov-2014 15:44

jdmatt: ... As for the surge protector I guess it has done its job, all other equipment plugged into it is good as gold. ...

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but most surge protectors only work once, with "sacrificial" components which cannot be replaced.
You need to replace your surge protector.

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jdmatt

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#1181302 22-Nov-2014 15:51

Sideface:
jdmatt: ... As for the surge protector I guess it has done its job, all other equipment plugged into it is good as gold. ...

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but most surge protectors only work once, with "sacrificial" components which cannot be replaced.
You need to replace your surge protector.

Yes I understand that and am already on the hunt for some new protectors.

For those interested in the DSE T & C's have attached a photo.

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