“Accidents, try to change them — it’s impossible. The accidental reveals man.” — Pablo Picasso

LaptopWhen I interviewed Abigail Garner, the author of Families Like Mine, I asked if there was a price attached to activism? Her answer, “The bigger question is what price is attached to being a small business owner, especially in a line of work that is often labeled controversial.”

“I’ve spent ten years without the comforts of traditional employment that someone with a bachelor’s degree is expected to have. I am responsible for my own health care, my computer upgrades and repair, office supplies, legal and accounting fees, any professional development…the list goes on and on. Those are the details that I spell out for younger people who say they want to ‘do what I do.’ They need to get the full picture of the business, not just the fun moments they see at a book signing.”

Running a small business? Hmmm… Garner makes an interesting point. When I have an issue with my laptop, you bet I know how to get a hold of my company’s IT guy / guru. Tech Support is available to me at any time, day or night, in this country or in the 3 others that I travel to on a regular basis.

I often take for granted the resources and support available to me as an employee. What options do the self-employed have? For starters, there’s insurance.

MetLife Auto & Home offers an optional Home Computer Endorsement. Their latest customer newsletter provides the skinny: “Wet Computer? Your soda spilled all over your laptop, which is now making odd noises and won’t reboot. With a deductible of just $50, MetLife will:

  • Cover mishaps like an accidental dousing
  • Provide coverage beyond your homeowners or renters policy
  • Provide as much as $15,000 of coverage
  • Replace a laptop stolen while you’re traveling worldwide.”

Insurance is a lifesaver for the self-employed, but of course, Yahoo Tech says, “The best way to prevent damage from a mix of liquid and electronics is to keep them as far apart as possible. Keep your laptop far away from cups of coffee, glasses of water, and cans of soda.”

“But in the real world, stuff happens. If you have a choice of poisons, take the water spill. A hot cup of coffee, a cold glass of soda, or a glass of wine are each bad news; all of them are slightly acidic. Acidic liquids are nastier than nearly neutral water because the acid can corrode metal contacts. And both coffee and soda can become gummy and sticky as they dry.”

They offer a 12-Step recovery program from a spill at the highlighted link. This is a good one to print and save in the Emergencies 101 paper file. As a back-up, call MetLife and get covered.