Compare Washer-Dryer Insurance

Your washer dryer is an incredible appliance, taking convenience to the next level by doing the job of two machines while only taking up the space of one. But the downside to this is that there is almost twice as much opportunity for things to go wrong. If your washer dryer does stop working, you are technically left without the assistance of two separate pieces of equipment, which can bring your home to a halt immediately.

Using Insure My Appliance you can view and compare the best insurance deals on the UK market, making sure you get the right policy for your needs.

What Is A Washer Dryer?

Washer dryers combine a front-loading washing machine with a tumble dryer, which is often a condenser dryer. These work by capturing moisture from your clothes and collecting it in a tank which needs to be emptied manually or pumping it away via your mains water supply.

This doesn’t mean they are limited in features, typically offering all of the same attributes you’d see on the two conventional appliances. The smaller your house and kitchen space, the more of an advantage this is.

Both jobs are also done without any intervention from you, so you can put a load of dirty washing in the drum before you head to work and come home to dry clean clothes. Most can be used as two separate services as well, if you’d prefer to line-dry your clothes outside.

We compare insurance for both integrated and freestanding washer dryers.

Benefits of Insuring Your Appliance

A good level of cover can get you back up and running as fast as it all came to a standstill. Providers will often have 24/7 care helplines who you can contact should something suddenly go wrong. They can help you assess the problem and any action you can take to try and sort it yourself, but if this doesn’t fix the problem, they will arrange for a qualified engineer to visit your home as soon as possible.

The engineer will diagnose the problem, arrange for repairs or state that your appliance needs to be entirely replaced. Not only does this save you from having to do the legwork yourself, but the majority of any costs involved will also likely be largely covered.

This is good news, because as your washer dryer is two appliances in one, it will likely have cost over twice as much as a single stand-alone washer or dryer. Some high-spec models can cost well over £1000. You don’t want such an investment to be useless if it can be repaired, but you cannot afford the charges.

Taking out an insurance certificate will save you from facing any unexpected massive repair bills, which usually need to be paid before you can be up and running again. For just a small amount every month, you are protected against repair costs, callout charges and labour fees.

What Will My Policy Cover?

All policies are different regarding how much they will help you in your time of need. However, as standard, they will cover the cost of labour and callout charges should an engineer have to visit your home.

They will also provide aid towards the cost of any replacement parts you should need. There may be a limit on the maximum amount they will offer, but it will mean that you pay an awful lot less than the full cost should your problem be serious.

Some plans may also offer to replace your appliance with a like-for-like model should an engineer deem it irreparable, or at least reimburse the current market value of the machine if it is an old model. The former option saves you having to wait until you can fully afford a new washer dryer or popping it on a credit card/finance plan with hefty interest rates.

The most common issue with washing machines is that they won’t drain water. There can be various causes of this, but it generally means something somewhere is blocked. There are checks which you can carry out to see where the problem lies, but as you are dealing with such large amounts of water it isn’t ideal to leave the issue for too long should you be unable to fix it. The consequences could also be very messy if it all goes wrong. An engineer can be called out by an insurance company almost immediately to get everything under control.

Tumble dryers can stop producing heat, and if this isn’t due to blocked filters or vents, it probably signals that a thermostat or heating element needs replacing. This can only be done by a professional as it requires a lot of internal working.

Washer dryer insurance will cover replacement parts such as drums, thermostats, heat exchangers and door locks. They are vital parts of the working of your appliance, and without one the whole machine is unusable.

If your appliance will not stop shaking when in use, won’t drain or fill with water, or won’t automatically move on to the next part of the washing/drying cycle, look in the manufacturer’s guidebook for any troubleshooting advice. Should the problem persist, contact the helpline. Your insurance policy should cover you for most expenses and issues beyond this.

Are There Any Incidents Not Covered?

The vast majority of policies cannot cover existing faults, but some companies may offer to repair any existing defects before accepting you, which will be priced at regular charges.

If you have not routinely maintained your appliance, you may not be covered for any damage which has occurred as a result. Always make sure you don’t overload your washer dryer drum, clean out any filters and drain hoses and clean the detergent dispenser regularly. Some companies offer regular services on appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers, and they will be able to detect any problems before they become too serious as well as getting your appliance back up to top condition.

Always follow manufacturers instructions on how to use any appliance, as any misuse may result in invalidated claims at the engineer and insurance providers discretion. You may also not be protected from any damage which comes as a result of using improper products with your washing machine. The manufacturer will state if there are any products which cannot be used alongside your washer dryer, and not following recommendations are classed as deliberate damage.

There may be a limitation on the pay-out amount if you claim within the first 30 days of your policy being taken out. Some companies may not pay out at all, and others can charge you a substantial excess. This is to stop people taking out an insurance plan if their appliance has ended up on its last legs overnight but bear it in mind if your appliance is old and showing worrying signs.

Some policies may also have callout limits in place, so you can only request assistance a certain amount of times in a year. This could be problematic if you have a lot of appliances on your policy.

Age can also be taken into consideration. Some policies will only accept appliances under five years old and can refuse to accept any over eight. There may also be restrictions on the brands and models which certain policies will accept, so double-check with the provider first.

Any costs which arose from you being unable to use the machine, such as launderette charges, cannot be reclaimed. Replaceable accessories such as lights and fuses are also not covered.

FAQs

Do I Need Washer-Dryer Insurance?

Due to their added complexity, these appliances are more likely to break down than their separate conventional counterparts. This means that you could be left with a sudden repair cost to get your appliance up and running again at short notice.

There usually isn’t any sign that your washer dryer is about to stop working, so you’ll probably be taken by surprise. Insurance gives you peace of mind that if anything does go wrong, you can be assisted with the cost of getting up and running again.

The older your appliance is, the more likely something is to go wrong. Manufacturer’s guarantees usually last for about a year, but the majority of appliance problems start beyond this.

You may need to take out cover if:

Your manufacturer’s guarantee is about to run out. Leaving your appliance uninsured can be costly should something abruptly go wrong, especially when your appliance is as essential as your washer dryer.
Your appliance is expensive. Compare the overall cost of your chosen extended warranty policy against replacing it, bearing in mind what a similar model would cost in a few years’ time. If you wouldn’t be able to exchange it for a much lesser price, insurance provides you with added security.
You’d need it again ASAP. Insurance would prevent you having to save up for a new appliance, which could take a while. You can have a good-as-new or even a brand-new appliance before you even start to miss it.

How Much Does Cover Cost?

This depends on your level of care, which provider you choose and how old your appliance is. The cost also varies between single-appliance and multi-appliance policies.

Just like insurance policies for other appliances, prices vary from about £3 per month upwards of £20. Cheaper policies offer fewer care benefits, but there are some deals available.

Insurance providers often offer several different levels of care, too. A basic policy may give you the most straightforward care available but spending a few pounds more on a standard/premium/deluxe or bronze/silver/gold plan every month may mean less hassle and cost should you have to claim in a years’ time.

Many providers may offer you a discount if you take out a quarterly/annual policy compared to a pay-monthly one. Interest is sometimes added to monthly payment amounts, so paying larger amounts less frequently can work out better and cheaper for you in the long run. Its seen as a reward for loyalty – you can cancel most pay-monthly policies at any time, but annual contracts are long-term.

Why Doesn’t My Home Insurance Cover My Appliance?

Home insurance commonly only protects the appliances inside your home for forced theft and fire or flood damage. Any electrical faults or mechanical breakdowns are not covered, but still, double-check the small print of your home insurance certificate.

Should I get a Single- or Multi-Appliance Policy?

You are probably busy, so the last thing you need is having to manage multiple pieces of paperwork with individual insurance plans for every separate appliance in your house. A multi-appliance policy is the best option if you don’t want the hassle of keeping on top of multiple renewal dates and direct debits.

They’re also often a lot cheaper. For a set cost, they can cover up to an unlimited number of devices around your home. Individual insurance policies may cost £4 per month, but you could protect five items for just over £10. The price differs depending on plans and what they offer, but it’s the general rule of thumb.

There are broadly two types of multi-appliance insurance available. One cares for just your kitchen appliances and general white goods so that you can protect your fridge, freezer and washer all under one policy. The other type can include absolutely any electrical item in your house, such as gadgets and televisions too. Think about what it is you want insuring in your home and try all the options to see which insurance deal is cheapest for you.

A single-appliance cover will often be more dedicated towards your particular product. If you buy it directly from the manufacturer, they will have dedicated engineers on hand who know every last detail about how best to fix your appliance, and nobody knows the products like them.

However, unless your appliance was particularly expensive, it is usually unnecessary as any qualified engineer is likely to be able to fix any problems with your device. And if they can’t, you could be offered a new one or a reimbursement anyway.