Compensation for broken laptop during travel

[travellerqff]

Asking for a friend:

Flying VA domestic this year. My carry-on bag with my personal laptop inside was just over 10KG during boarding, so cabin crew checked it in under the aircraft. Upon receiving it after the flight my laptop was completely smashed. Virgin Australia are not claiming responsibility. Does anyone have advice or suggestions on how to proceed with this and get a successful outcome of having my laptop replaced or being reimbursed after already getting it fixed?

Travel insurance was not purchased for the flight.

 

[JohnM]

I have to ask the question: why didn’t you take the laptop out of the bag and carry both aboard as hand luggage plus a ‘purse’, or alternatively check the bag and take your laptop aboard?

Checking a laptop is asking for trouble IMO.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Even if you had insurance, would it cover a checked-in laptop?

If the VA agent wouldn't let you take your laptop onboard (for whatever reason), then I think you have a case for compensation from the airline.

Otherwise, I feel this may be a life lesson.

 

[odysseus]

Agree, this would be a life lesson.

Moreover, as you've already had it fixed, there's no way anyone would cover it for you, even if there was a possible claim earlier. The incident has to be lodged at the time of it occurring, not after the event and especially subsequent repair.

That aint gonna "fly."

 

[cove]

I dropped my laptop going thru security and the screen was damaged. I got it fixed for $242 and it remains a favourite. It landed on an edge. Did not bother our travel insurer.

 

[pauly7]

Perhaps check to see if credit card that paid for flight has travel insurance attached?

 

[cove]

Always have travel insurance. We don’t leave home without it.
Many travel without insurance and when disaster strikes they have no solution other than attempting a Go Fund Me fundraiser.
I do hope you can get that laptop repaired for a modest cost.

 

[Pleb Status]

Travel insurance would most likely not cover the damage noted in any case.

An extract below from my QBE annual multi trip travel insurance policy (other policies are similar IME) -

What is not covered?
There is no cover under Section F1 for any of the following:

1. accidental loss or damage to or theft of:

c. damage to computer screens at any time, computer software or applications;

J. personal computer, communication or photographic equipment, electronic equipment, jewellery or watches checked in as luggage;

Edit: Message 3000 for me...

 

[cove]

Great message Pleb Status. I will look up our Chubb travel insurance because of your post.
I was lucky being able to get my ASUS screen repaired so it is back like new. I now try hard to not drop it at the security screening area.

 

[flyingjabiru]

Did they ask what was in the bag at the time of checkin it in airside? Amazing they would let a laptop (with a battery) in checked baggage.

 

[JohnM]

The OP has not posted again...

 

[travellerqff]

The OP has not posted again...

Thank you everyone for your informative posts.

I’ve spoken with the passenger and they claim they are partly to blame for not removing the laptop, but also partly the airline for not doing their due diligence in questioning them, as they actually saw them place the laptop in the bag.

The case was that carry-on was weighed (7kg limit) and was 10kg, and laptop weighed most.

The damaged caused is unlikely from the bag being thrown, but likely stood on or driven over.

Travel insurance was not purchased but due to travel being work related, and the employer has been contacted to question the contract inclusions with VA.

 

[ff-jr]

Good luck with this.

Early 2015 I had to push back an LAX-SYD flight (Y+) because I couldn't get out of BOS owing to blizzards. In the chaos, it didn't even occur to me to extend my flight insurance for the extra few days. When I eventually made the flight, an FA accidentally knocked my backpack out of the overhead (bulkhead, had some supplies up there) which fell to the floor. Once I got home, I discovered that my Macbook Pro, which had been functioning reliably at the gate before boarding, would not turn on.

I raised it with the airline, and they said they'd review. I was provided with a bunch of paperwork to complete, including assessment of damage and pricing of repair (deemed a write off by Apple, damage consistent with being dropped), a stat dec and a generic insurance claim form. I submitted it all pretty swiftly and heard nothing back. After a few weeks, I called, and they told me to wait a few more weeks. After two months, I called again, and they had no record of receiving my submission. So I did the process again, and the same thing happened; no acknowledgement of receipt, nothing processed; a pattern that repeated for almost three years. I eventually began pushing for escalation (including cc'ing execs), but nobody would accept accountability. In the end, they claimed that too much time had passed for them to investigate events of that particular flight. Even the JP who was witnessing my Stat Dec's was getting tired of it all.

It was a complete waste of my time in the end. I wish you a much better outcome!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good luck with this.

Early 2015 I had to push back an LAX-SYD flight (Y+) because I couldn't get out of BOS owing to blizzards. In the chaos, it didn't even occur to me to extend my flight insurance for the extra few days. When I eventually made the flight, an FA accidentally knocked my backpack out of the overhead (bulkhead, had some supplies up there) which fell to the floor. Once I got home, I discovered that my Macbook Pro, which had been functioning reliably at the gate before boarding, would not turn on.

I raised it with the airline, and they said they'd review. I was provided with a bunch of paperwork to complete, including assessment of damage and pricing of repair (deemed a write off by Apple, damage consistent with being dropped), a stat dec and a generic insurance claim form. I submitted it all pretty swiftly and heard nothing back. After a few weeks, I called, and they told me to wait a few more weeks. After two months, I called again, and they had no record of receiving my submission. So I did the process again, and the same thing happened; no acknowledgement of receipt, nothing processed; a pattern that repeated for almost three years. I eventually began pushing for escalation (including cc'ing execs), but nobody would accept accountability. In the end, they claimed that too much time had passed for them to investigate events of that particular flight. Even the JP who was witnessing my Stat Dec's was getting tired of it all.

It was a complete waste of my time in the end. I wish you a much better outcome!

Did you ever check with your travel insurance for the claim? Many policies will automatically extend your policy in the event of a travel delay outside your control. This is often automatic and free of charge.

 

[ozstamps]

I do not get it.

Signs everywhere and on all tickets saying carry on is 7 kilos.

10 Kilos breached that.

A laptop is a kilo or so - my large ASUS with battery is way under 1.5KG. Remove laptop and hand carry - issue solved.

No-one sane would even check a small bag with a laptop inside, IMHO.

These days no one takes any responsibility for their own bad decisions.