Compare Tumble Dryer Insurance

The Benefits of Protecting your Tumble Dryer

Appliance insurance covers your domestic equipment for repair costs should they suddenly break down. All policies differ in what they provide you with, but most will include any charges up to a certain price limit. Insurance takes a lot of worry out of what you would do if your appliance suddenly broke down, as most of the expense will likely be covered and you can guarantee that the problem is completely solved.

Insurers will often arrange for a qualified engineer to assess and diagnose your problem, and they will then take the necessary action to get your appliance working again. If it can be repaired, they can arrange for parts to be delivered and fitted, so you are up and running in no time. If your product is beyond repair, some insurance companies even offer like-for-like replacements and will cover most if not all of the price tag.

There are also a lot of overlooked extra costs concerned with repairing or replacing appliances, such as engineer callout and delivery charges. Depending on your specific policy, these costs will also be covered, so you have no nasty surprises once your equipment is running again. Some plans charge excess on claims, but this will no doubt be a great deal less than the overall cost of repairing your product. Most companies get rid of the excess fee entirely after about a month of you being with them.

Insurance acts as an extended warranty, beyond your manufacturer’s guarantee. Guarantee’s usually only last for 12 months but, as with all electronics, any problems are most likely to occur beyond this time. Tumble dryers are expected to work well beyond ten years, so you don’t want to get a few years use out of yours before having to render it ineffective as you can’t afford to fix or replace it.

What Will My Policy Cover?

Insurance protects your appliance against breakdowns and sudden faults. As standard, providers will be able to contact an engineer who can identify your issue and repair your device with the relevant parts. Some will also ensure that if your appliance happens to be irreparable, you will be offered a new one which is the most similar available to your current model.

There is sometimes a limit on the total costs that your insurance provider will cover, and you will be required to pay the rest of the amount or any excess charges. However, this is likely to be a significantly lower amount of money compared to the full costs required to fix or replace your item.

The majority of problems with tumble dryers relate to air flow or temperature regulation, due to the way they work. Typically, tumble dryers draw in external air and pass it over heaters, blowing it around your clothes and collecting the excess moisture via vents or condensers. This process differs somewhat between brands/types of tumble dryer but, as a rule, if the appliance can’t draw in cold air or efficiently pass it through the machine, it will not work correctly.

The most common fault is that the tumble dryer is producing no heat. Sometimes, this can be fixed by clearing out the filters and vents during regular maintenance checks. However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, then the thermostats or heating elements may need to be replaced by a professional. Another common problem is that the drum may stop turning, which signals a concern with the belt or internal motor, and engineers can also fix these problems through insurance.

If your appliance becomes noisy or starts to shake when in use, the bearings or jockey wheels may be faulty, or the felt pads may have become worn. Even if you know what the particular problem is in this case, it is not easy to solve it without expert help.

Self-condensing tumble dryers are a lot more complicated. As they get rid of condensation internally, they can often leak water and create excess steam when in use. Keep the condenser clear of any blockages and contact your insurance provider if problems persist. The cost of any replacement parts will likely be covered if necessary.

Are There Any Incidents Not Covered?

Insurance providers do not often cover the costs of any malicious or cosmetic harm. This includes damage caused as a result of improper use or not following manufacturer’s instructions correctly, as well as using unsuitable cleaning products.

It is also your responsibility to regularly maintain your appliance and arrange annual services. In the case of a tumble dryer, this may mean clearing out the air vent or filters habitually or organising for a valet to deep clean your appliance every year. If the engineer suggests the breakdown has been the result of improper maintenance, the insurers may not cover you for any necessary repairs.

The disposal of any old products will also likely not be catered for, such as if your appliance needs to be replaced entirely or there are any old parts to discard. If you need a new product delivered and fitted, these costs may also not be included in the overall payout, but this differs from policy to policy. Most retailers will offer the service at an extra fee.

There may be a limit on the number of callouts and claims you can make within a specific time frame, and an age limit on the appliances you can insure on your policy. Again, this depends on your particular plan.