HP experiments with notebook insurance
Published: 31 Dec 2003 09:25 GMT
Beyond routine product warranties, PC giant Hewlett-Packard has launched an insurance plan in Singapore to protect notebook owners against incidents such as theft and accidental screen damage.
Termed HP Wellness, the initiative is the result of a local partnership between the company and insurance firm American International Assurance Company. A HP spokeswoman said the plan will also be extended to other parts of Asia-Pacific but the launch timeframe has not been confirmed.
The programme is available to new HP notebook purchasers and existing owners who have bought their machines in the last three months. Users will have to pay S$93 (£30.67) for a standard plan for coverage in Singapore only but they can pay $10 more to upgrade to a platinum plan which provides worldwide protection.
In addition to replacement and repairs, HP said in a statement it will also offer subscribers perks such as a worldwide 24-hour hotline for information on legal and medical assistance when they are overseas.
Similar insurance packages have long been touted by independent insurers but consumers often need to sign up for these separately. To alleviate the hassle, PC makers are increasingly joining the fold to offer such protection plans at the time of purchase. For example, Dell currently offers an optional "CompleteGuard" insurance plan when users buy its notebooks and desktops online.
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