Computer fried by power outage

What is the name of your state?
Indiana

Hi, my brother is a student at Indiana University. His computer was severly damaged by a power outage on campus a few days ago, probably requiring a new motherboard, RAM, and video card (total cost, about $550).

He has contacted the university housing division, and they said that protection from damages caused by power outages or surges are not covered in the student housing contract. They do not plan to give any compensation.

Can my brother seek compensation from the local power utility company or some other entity? I am not sure exactly what caused the outage, but we are trying to find out.

Thanks for any advice!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by KIFulgore
What is the name of your state?
Indiana

Hi, my brother is a student at Indiana University. His computer was severly damaged by a power outage on campus a few days ago, probably requiring a new motherboard, RAM, and video card (total cost, about $550).

He has contacted the university housing division, and they said that protection from damages caused by power outages or surges are not covered in the student housing contract. They do not plan to give any compensation.

Can my brother seek compensation from the local power utility company or some other entity? I am not sure exactly what caused the outage, but we are trying to find out.

Thanks for any advice!

My response:

No. He should have used a "spike strip" or an "Uninterruptible Power Supply." These technologies exist for a reason. Knowing that spikes and outages can occur at any time, your brother should have known that damage could occur, and that it was his responsibility to protect his own equipment.

IAAL

[driftbuster]

my son's belongings wre covered under my homeowners insurance while he was at college. This might be something to look into.

[tammy8]

In most states, power surges are NOT covered under homeowner's policies.

[mandy7181]

its called a surge protector. Your brother should try it. You can get one at Walmart for 20 dollars that will protect up to $75,000 worth of connected equipment. If your brother has more than that get 2 of them. Now i will warn you that if there is rapid power surges(like from a meter box exploding) then it may not work. But the company will usually pay for the equipment. Just make sure that lightning is covered

[crleslie]

A friend of mine had his home computer as well as some other appliances fried by a power surge about a year ago. He filed a statement, I think he just sent a letter or form in, with the power company and got some money for his damages. Granted, it wasn't nearly enough money to replace his computer, but it was a few hundred dollars and it took months to get any response.
This may not be an option because your brother is on campus housing, though, I really don't know how they work out contracts between dorms and power companies. Might want to give the power company a call just in case.
Also, we're out in California - and we do things weird sometimes...
I'll second mandy on the $20 surge protector - they've saved me lots of $$!