Home Appliance Insurance: What It Covers, Costs & Whether It’s Worth It

A domestic nightmare (e.g., washing machine leaking, fridge failing) can quickly turn your mood from good to bad.

Many don’t have a contingency fund for unexpected emergency repairs.

Home appliance insurance could save the day.

Read on to find out:

• How these policies work
• What they cover
• Whether they are the right choice for your home.

Home appliance insurance overview

Home appliance insurance (also known as domestic appliance insurance) is designed to bridge the gap between your manufacturer’s warranty and your standard contents insurance.

For a fixed monthly or annual fee, it provides comprehensive cover for the breakdown of your household appliances.

You can choose to take out a policy for a single essential item. Or you can opt for a multi-appliance package to cover all the white goods in your kitchen, such as:

• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Ovens
• Fridges
• Freezers.

Keep in mind that electronics like mobile phones, laptops, and tablets are generally not included and will require separate gadget cover.

Benefits of home appliance cover

1. It saves you money

We all know how expensive it can be to repair a washing machine or replace a fridge-freezer.

Rather than forking out hundreds of pounds for unexpected repairs, appliance insurance covers the costs of:

• Call-out charges
• New parts
• Labour

And it does it all for a small monthly fee.

2. It’s incredibly convenient

Having appliance insurance means you won’t have to go days or weeks without access to your fridge or oven.

If something goes wrong, your insurance provider will send a qualified technician out to fix it. It’s much more convenient than having to vet and organise your own repair engineers.

3. It fills the gaps in your other policies

Basic contents insurance protects you from natural disasters or theft, but it won’t cover breakdowns caused by everyday wear and tear.

Likewise, a newly purchased appliance typically only has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Appliance insurance offers peace of mind by protecting you once that initial guarantee expires.

What is and isn’t covered?

What is included

While policies vary from provider to provider, a comprehensive package typically covers:

• Breakdowns: Failures resulting from general wear and tear.
• Cost of repairs and call-outs: Paying for an authorised engineer’s visit and their labour.
• Appliance parts: The cost of any new components needed to fix the fault.
• Emergency replacements: If an expert deems your appliance to be “beyond economic repair”, the provider will usually supply a replacement within a realistic time frame.

What isn’t included

Not every policy is the same, so it is vital to check for exclusions. Common rules and exclusions include:

• Pre-existing faults: If a problem existed before you took out the policy, your provider likely won’t cover the repair costs.
• Cosmetics and consumables: You usually cannot claim for cosmetic damage, nor for the replacement of consumable items like batteries, bulbs, or fuses.
• Age limits: Some providers enforce age limits and will not insure an appliance if they deem it too old.
• Irresponsible use: If a breakdown is caused by using the appliance incorrectly or irresponsibly, your insurance may not cover the costs.

What to look for in a policy

Claim limits and excess fees

Check if there is a limit on the number of claims you can make, or if there is a maximum payout value for a single claim.

You should also check if you will be required to pay an excess fee whenever you make a claim.

Easy claims process

Look for providers that offer an emergency 24/7 helpline and aim to send a suitably qualified contractor out to you within 24 to 48 hours.

Insured vs non-insured plans

Be aware that some providers offer insured plans, which are underwritten by an insurer and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Others offer non-insured maintenance plans that are not backed by an insurer or the FCA.

Kitchen appliance insurance for landlords

While these policies are primarily intended for homeowners, landlords can also take out bespoke appliance insurance for their rental properties.

After all, safe appliances are part of a landlord’s responsibilities.

Protecting the white goods in a rented property ensures that tenants experience minimal inconvenience if a cooker or washing machine breaks down.

It also protects the landlord from suddenly having to pay unexpected, additional repair expenses out of pocket.

Expert boiler and appliance advice from Hometree

Need appliance cover, or worried about your heating? Get in touch with Hometree.

Our home appliance cover can can save you money, worry and domestic inconveniences!