[Ian Robinson]

Insurance claim .

Power surge , providing the sparky and the technician puts that was the cause on their written reports .

Bit of luck you'll get a new VCR and a new telescope and new computer gear cf of the insurance company.

Um this is one of the reasons why you paid for insurance is it not , so I'd not hesitate to put in my claim immediately , otherwize , why bother being insured at all.

It's also possible to cover pets under the household policy , we don't have any pets so don't have the need for it as an add on, was your dog covered ?

BTW surge arresting powerboards are not protection from lightning strikes , they are simply overwhelmed by the surge that results , turning power off at the switch is not either as there is still connection for the current to arc across the gap.
Only sure protection is to pull the plug out of the wall.

This is the reason why my permanent observing shed will NOT be connected to the mains , but will be DC powered from batteries , maybe I'll invest in a small portable generator if I need more current.