Home appliance insurance

Protect your fridge, cooker or coffee machine by finding the right deal on appliance insurance.

Written by

Home, pet and travel insurance expert

Posted

3 MARCH 2023

7 min read

What is home appliance insurance?

Home appliance insurance will cover the costs of any repairs to or replacement of your household domestic appliances due to mechanical failure or accidental damage.

Home appliance cover can be bought as a standalone policy. If your goods are expensive to repair or replace, this option could give you additional peace of mind.

Do I need extra insurance for my household appliances?

If you have a good home contents insurance policy, you might find you have enough cover and don’t need to take out extra insurance for your appliances and white goods.

That said, basic contents insurance may have some limitations:

It may not cover mechanical breakdown, repairs, call-out fees or the cost of parts and labour.
More expensive appliances that are worth more than the single item limit will need to be listed separately to ensure they’re covered to their full value.

New appliances may be covered by a warranty, but a warranty tends to last for only one to two years and covers specific items. Appliance insurance can cover your domestic items for longer. Some providers also offer a discount if you insure a range of appliances under one policy, and this can work out cheaper than extending your warranty.

A good tip is to consider the total cost of home appliance insurance against the cost of a new appliance. Without insurance, would you be happy to buy a new appliance if your existing one breaks?

What is covered by a home appliance insurance policy?

Cover can vary, depending on the provider. However, most policies should include cover for:

Repairs, including labour and parts, and call-out charges
Mechanical breakdown due to faulty parts or installation
Accidental damage.

Which appliances are covered?

Again, policies can vary but, in general, the following white goods and domestic appliances should be covered:

Fridges and freezers
Ovens, hobs and microwaves
Washing machines and tumble dryers
Dishwashers
Coffee machines
Wine coolers
TVs and DVD players
Games consoles
Music systems.

What isn’t covered by appliance insurance?

Most appliance insurance policies will exclude:

Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect the functionality of the appliance
Malicious damage or damage as a result of misuse or abuse
Wear and tear
Damage before you took out the policy
Appliances over a certain age.

Check the policy documents before you buy, so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s excluded.

Which items aren’t covered by appliance insurance?

Digital equipment like mobiles, tablets and laptops aren’t usually counted as domestic appliances, but they can be covered as part of your contents insurance. Alternatively, you can take out separate electrical appliance insurance or gadget insurance, which can also cover your devices when you’re out and about.

How much does home appliance insurance cost?

The cost of home appliance insurance varies, depending on the value of your appliances and the insurance provider. It can also depend on the type of policy you choose. For example, do you want specific kitchen appliance insurance or cover for all your domestic appliances, including your entertainment systems?

Insurance providers may need proof of purchase for your appliances so they can confirm their value, which will be reflected in your premiums.

Should I take out home appliance insurance or an extended warranty?

Some people choose to pay for an extended warranty rather than taking out appliance insurance. An extended warranty is, basically, an insurance policy provided by the appliance manufacturer, and it’s usually taken out and paid for when you buy the appliance.

However, extended warranties can often be more expensive than appliance insurance. Around one in five people are talked into taking out extended warranties when they buy new tech products or appliances. The government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) advises consumers not to feel pressured into buying an extended warranty at the time they buy the product. Instead, they should check to see if there are better options out there.

It’s also worth noting that an extended warranty only applies to the individual item you’re buying – you won’t be able to insure your existing appliances under it.

If you’re looking to cover a range of appliances under one policy, standalone insurance for multiple household appliances might be better value.

When would I not need appliance insurance?

You might not need home appliance insurance if:

You’re renting a furnished property or a property that includes white goods. You shouldn’t need appliance cover as it’s your landlord’s responsibility to get the items replaced or repaired.
You’re a landlord letting an unfurnished property. If your tenants own their white goods and appliances, it’s up to them whether they insure them or not.
You have brand-new appliances. They should be covered by warranties for a certain period. You also have statutory rights to receive a full refund or replacement if the appliance develops a fault within the first six months of being bought.
You have home contents insurance with added accidental damage cover. Your policy might be enough to cover fire, theft and flood damage as well as accidental damage to your domestic appliances. Just bear in mind that ‘mechanical breakdown’ is unlikely to be covered.
You have a packaged bank account with rewards and benefits. Some packaged bank accounts offer free extended warranties on domestic appliances, so it’s worth checking to see if you have this cover.

What should I look out for in an appliance insurance policy?

If you’re looking to take out home appliance insurance, here’s a few things to consider:

Are older appliances covered?
Which types of items are covered?
Is cosmetic damage covered?
Are accidental damage and theft covered?
Is there a no claims period at the start of the policy and how long is it?
Is there a limit on the amount that you can claim for overall and for a single appliance?
Is there a limit on the number of appliances you can cover?
What is covered? Are mechanical and electrical parts, labour and call-out fees covered?
Will you get a replacement if the home appliance can’t be repaired?
Does the policy have an excess? If so, is it worth buying?

What do I need to get a quote?

Comparethemarket doesn’t currently offer comparisons for standalone appliance insurance, but you can find contents insurance through us that offers cover for your appliances.

Just provide a few personal details and tell us about:

Your property
The total value of your home contents
Any individual items you want to insure
Your home security.

Get a quote

What our expert says...

“It could be worth taking out home appliance insurance once your appliance is out of warranty. But it’s a good idea to check the details of your contents insurance before buying a separate policy for your domestic goods. You might find you have adequate cover already – and there’s no point in doubling-up on cover if you don’t need it.”

- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert

Frequently asked questions

Can I insure more than one appliance?

Multi-appliance policies are available, allowing you to insure all your important appliances under one policy. They’re easier to manage, as you’ll have just one point of contact, and can even lead to a discount.

Will my home insurance cover my appliances?

Cover for kitchen appliances is often included in home contents insurance. This typically covers your appliances against loss or damage due to insured events, such as theft, fire, storms, water leaks and subsidence. However, it’s unlikely your contents insurance will cover mechanical damage or emergency call-out charges.

Is there a limit to the number of times you can make a claim?

Some insurance providers may offer unlimited claims, while others could have a limit. Check when you compare policies.

Will my appliances be replaced with new ones?

Some insurance providers offer ‘new for old’ cover for appliances. Check the policy wording, though, as many only offer to replace with new if repair costs are more expensive than a replacement and your appliance is under a certain age.

Does appliance insurance cover call-out charges?

Most policies should cover call-out charges. Just be aware that you might not be able to claim if an engineer is called out and subsequently finds there’s no fault with the appliance.

Does it matter how old my appliance is?

Most insurance providers will only cover appliances up to eight years old. The age limit can usually be found under ‘appliance(s)’ in the ‘Definitions’ section of your insurance policy.