To not expect friend to pay for broken laptop

[Macncheesewithbacon]

I'll try and keep it short. Please settle a debate that's building up into a row.

I have a MacBook that's about 4 years old. Had my old school mate and family over to stay, they camped nearby for a few nights then stayed with us for 3 nights. Last night we all had a few drinks, df got herself a pint of water and put it on the side table, her dog jumped up and knocked it over smashing a mug and the glass which spilled on a very precious vintage book and my MacBook.

We all cleared up, as best anyone could. Binned glass and mug, book in airing cupboard with tissue between pages and MacBook in rice. Df very apologetic and offering to pay for it all. I said these things happen, please relax. Next day she is insistent that she'll pay and profuse apologies. I say please forget it, you're my oldest friend and it was an accident.

Anyway, that was 3 weeks ago and despite following all advice and a trip to apple, the laptop is not repairable and we've spent £100ish on a new battery and charger which were no help.

I want to claim on insurance, DH adamant that df wants to pay and we should tell her. I feel this is unfair, it was an accident and she is struggling financially, we shouldn't mention it again. Who's right? Thanks

How much is a refurbished 4 YO MacBook?

It's what insurance is for. If she's struggling financially it would be really mean to ask her to pay for it.

Yes I'd claim on insurance, it's what it's there for

It was an accident. That's what insurance is for. If she had done it on purpose then that would be different.

I'd claim on insurance. It was an accident. In your friends position is be horrified and would absolutely pay for it but it would be a struggle to afford it. I'd be grateful to be given a reprieve so if do the same if I could.

Exactly!

I agree with others, it was an accident. There is Noway I could let my friend pay especially she is struggling financially. That's why you got insurance for. Presumably if yiou or your dh spilled liquid on it, you would claim on your insurance right!

Insurance. But he pleased this shows you've got a good considerate friend whose prepared to do the right thing.

Insurance definitely.

She sounds like a lovely friend too

Agree with you. It was an accident. She was right to offer to pay, you were right to say no need. Particularly if she is struggling financially.

If you had said "Please don't put drinks near the mac book" and she had ignored you and done it anyway then maybe, MAYBE I would consider that she perhaps should pay up but even then I'm not sure I really would want her to. Insurance is for exactly this. If you have an excess to pay then she could pay that if it makes her feel better. My contents insurance doesn't go up due to claims made - though it naturally goes up a little each year of course.

Claim on your insurance.

You both sound lovely, maybe if she really wants to help she could pay towards your insurance excess?

What a lovely friend offering to pay, but this is what insurance is for after all. Claim on the insurance and get it sorted that way, but bless your friend for offering.

This is what insurance is for.

Fine to expect a friend to replace something broken accidentally if it's under £20. But not a large expense like a computer.

I mean, what if your friend accidentally set light to a curtain with a candle and the whole house burnt down. Would your dh still be expecting your friend to pay for the house to be rebuilt?

You have a good friend. Keep her.

I'd claim it on the insurance. If she insists, maybe let her pay part of the excess, if it applies.

Thanks everyone. DH is very literal and struggles with subtleties.

I'll call insurance company tomorrow ☺️

It's an accident and there is another option other than her paying so I'd take the insurance route.

Accidents happen, that's what insurance is for.

Insurance especially as the laptop was left it where drunk friends and dogs could get to it.

I lost a laptop when I stupidly left it on the floor while my friends kids were playing over. Didn't even bother mentioning it to the kids mother

A 4 year old MacBook is worth very little and depending on your insurance an excess you might find that your insurance doesn't pay out or pays out very little.

I don't think I'd ask for a contribution. It sounds more like one of those things than an act of carelessness.

I think damage caused by pets is excluded on most policies. Just say water was spilled on it, just in case!

Insurance or just replace it myself. I'd be crap SS with myself & consider it my fault for leaving it where that could happen with visitors, especially with a dog.

Can you recover your data?

I hope your book isn't too damaged 🙁

4 years is ancient in computing terms - depending on the T&C you might not get much from your insurance.

Having said that, because 4 years is ancient in computing terms it's hardly fair to ask the friends to pay for a usable version of something when the broken item is hardly worth anything. So I'm with you, OP.