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iMac 27" dead by lightning

SkipperRi

SkipperRi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 11, 2015
103
14
Rijeka, Croatia
Last night I have absolutely worst experience in my IT life... Just finished working on 4K video on my iMac 27" 5K Retina (late 2015), and go check out some videos on YouTube. Outside was some light rain. When is thunderstorm near my place, I allway, but really allways disconnect all my equipment from electric power.
So, like in some bad movie, suddenly lightning strike in my house out of nowhere. I have UPS and two surge protected extension cord. In moment of impact, everything was power on; iMac, external Dell monitor, three external disks, printer, DSL router, TV, satelite, home theatre... Only iMac immediately was power of with some short sound as if something snapped inside. I was shocked, everything else was fine, no interrupt, no problems...
So, I tried power up iMac, no lucky. Strange, if I connect exkternal disk via USB, there is power on disk whn iMac is powered. I tried SMC reset, another power cord, another socket, nothing...
iMac is under warranty, tommorow I will contact local service and try to send iMac to them. I can't believe that only iMac was stricken. After that only one thunder lightning all night was quiet and calm. Horrible nightmare.
Guys, if there any chance that Apple repair my iMac under warranty? And do you have any idea what is damaged?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.
 
I can't imagine Apple would cover it under warranty as it's been caused by an external event (i.e. similar to accidental damage), but I guess there's no harm in asking the question
 
Phil A. said:
I can't imagine Apple would cover it under warranty as it's been caused by an external event (i.e. similar to accidental damage), but I guess there's no harm in asking the question
Click to expand...
Phil, thanks for the reply. I'm afraid that you are right. Also, I'm shocked that most expensive electronic device and also most protected in my house is only device damaged. TV is plugged in socket without and protection, satellite box also, home theater also, and they survived without any problems. And, just like iMac, all was powered on in the moment of strike.
 
Do you have homeowners or renters insurance, in Croatia? Here in the US our insurance would normally cover things like this. I've had the exact same thing happen and was fortunate to have insurance and got new gear. Hope everything works out OK.
 
RootBeerMan said:
Do you have homeowners or renters insurance, in Croatia? Here in the US our insurance would normally cover things like this. I've had the exact same thing happen and was fortunate to have insurance and got new gear. Hope everything works out OK.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have home insurance, but electronic devices are not covered. :(
I'm so frustrated. Still shocked. I have huge experience in IT, and I know that there is no ultimate protection when thunderstorm is around. Allways, but allways I power off and pull out my equipment from electric socket when lightning is in area. This time come from nowhere, just one and that's it.
Do you know what was damaged in your Mac?
Thanks for kindness and some hope.

Best regards.
 
Sometimes a UPS or surge protector comes with a connected equipment guarantee.

I have read the terms and conditions on mine and they are really prohibitive giving them every opportunity to weasel out of a payment. But if it's your last option it would be worth a claim.
 
steve23094 said:
Sometimes a UPS or surge protector comes with a connected equipment guarantee.

I have read the terms and conditions on mine and they are really prohibitive giving them every opportunity to weasel out of a payment. But if it's your last option it would be worth a claim.
Click to expand...
I checked out that, no guarantee :(

Thanks for advice.

BR
 
SkipperRi said:
Yes, I have home insurance, but electronic devices are not covered. :(
I'm so frustrated. Still shocked. I have huge experience in IT, and I know that there is no ultimate protection when thunderstorm is around. Allways, but allways I power off and pull out my equipment from electric socket when lightning is in area. This time come from nowhere, just one and that's it.
Do you know what was damaged in your Mac?
Thanks for kindness and some hope.

Best regards.
Click to expand...

Surely you shoukd be able to make a claim under the heading of storm damage?
 
Lankyman said:
Surely you shoukd be able to make a claim under the heading of storm damage?
Click to expand...
My wife signed insurance papers, we don't have covered this kind of damage according to her knowledge. But, just to be sure she's going to call insurers tomorrow.
And there was no storm in area, just one and only lightning strike. Unbelievable...
 
I know it doesn't help now but I'd advise you to look at an APC brand surge protector or UPS. Most of their equipment has a 100,000 USD replacement coverage if the equipment fails.

Sorry to hear about your iMac. Best of luck.
 
btrach144 said:
I know it doesn't help now but I'd advise you to look at an APC brand surge protector or UPS. Most of their equipment has a 100,000 USD replacement coverage if the equipment fails.

Sorry to hear about your iMac. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I know about APC, they are great but expensive. Also I'm not sure that in Croatia is such option for coverage.

nambuccaheadsau said:
Do you have homeowners insurance, also known as Home and Contents? If so you should be covered against this accidental damage:-


https://www.valuepenguin.com/homeowners-insurance-and-lightning-strikes
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I don't have that insurance.
 
SkipperRi said:
My wife signed insurance papers, we don't have covered this kind of damage according to her knowledge. But, just to be sure she's going to call insurers tomorrow.
And there was no storm in area, just one and only lightning strike. Unbelievable...
Click to expand...

A lightning strike should be counted as a storm. You certainly would be covered in the UK.
 
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