Apple reportedly denied an AppleCare+ claim for accidental damage after a MacBook Pro was destroyed in a car crash.
A Redditor told the story of his MacBook Pro being catastrophically damaged, and Apple denying him a replacement …
The owner’s account of the refusal (spotted by Macworld) is somewhat strangely worded. He says Apple denied his claim because the machine was too badly damaged, which would not be a legitimate basis for exclusion.
Sad story: my beloved MacBook Pro has been involved in a car accident. I have the Apple Care + plan for accidental damages. They are not going to replace the Mac because it’s ‘too damaged’. Money wasted…
Apple’s policy document says that it includes accidental damage claims.
If during the Plan Term you submit a valid claim notifying Apple that the Covered Device has failed due to accidental damage from handling resulting from an unexpected and unintentional external event (e.g., drops and damages caused by liquid contact from spills) (“ADH”), Apple will, at its discretion and subject to the service fee described below, either (i) repair the defect using new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements, or (ii) exchange the Covered Device with a replacement product that is new or comprised of new and/or previously used genuine Apple parts and has been tested and passed Apple functional requirements.
It goes on to list a number of exclusions, most of which would not be relevant in this case. There are two clauses which might apply. First an exclusion for certain events:
To repair damages caused by fire, earthquake, flood, or other similar external causes
While the intent here seems clear – to exclude natural disasters – the “similar external causes” part is very vague and might potentially allow Apple to argue that a car crash qualifies.
Second, there’s a reference to damage caused by “reckless” behavior:
To repair damage, including excessive physical damage (e.g., products that have been crushed, bent or submerged in liquid), caused by reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct
Since the owner admits that the crash was his fault, Apple could perhaps argue that his driving was reckless, and exclude on that basis.
9to5Mac’s Take
Unless there’s something we don’t know, which is always possible in these cases, declining cover seems surprising. Accidental damage cover is taken out precisely to cover damage resulting from, well, accidents.
The “reckless conduct” exclusion in insurance policies would normally be taken to mean doing something really dumb, and with an obvious risk of damage, like throwing it to someone and them failing to catch it.
We’ve reached out to Apple for comment, and will update with any response.
Photo: Redditor frk1974
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