Compare Washing Machine Insurance

What are the Benefits of Washer Insurance?

Urgent repair or replacement costs are not in most people’s immediate budget if something goes wrong with your appliance. However, internal devices such as washing machines are an essential cog in the working mechanism of every modern household.

Insurance takes the worry out of unexpected costs should something go wrong with your kitchen goods. It also helps you get things up and running again as soon as possible, with insurance companies putting you in contact with qualified engineers who can quickly come to your home and diagnose the problem.

Depending on your specific policy, you will be covered for any problems up to a limited cost. So, if your appliance needs a new part, engineers can replace this or even change the entire item if it is irreparable. Most policies also cover callout charges and labour costs, which are often overlooked extra costs rarely considered when fitting or repairing an electrical device.

Manufacturer’s guarantees commonly last for a year, but it is expected that any mechanical or electrical failures occur outside of this time frame. You would also hope to be able to keep such an essential appliance for a lot longer than this. Even if you have to pay excess charges or a certain percentage of the costs towards a new part or machine, it will likely be a lot less than the full cost.

What Will My Washing Machine Insurance Policy Cover?

All policies are different and will, therefore, cover different things. As standard, most will deal with costs up to a specific amount in regards to labour charges and replacement parts. Most will also offer to replace your appliance with a like-for-like model if an engineer decides that it is beyond repair.

Insurance companies work with approved, dedicated engineers who know all of the ins and outs of your particular appliance. They know what to look out for and how to correctly diagnose any problems, giving you peace of mind that your apparatus is in good hands. There is a broad scope of things that can go wrong with washing machines, and most issues are internal, so diagnosing the exact problem is a job for a professional.

Because of the way that washing machines are built, even the smallest of faults can render them unusable. They also deal with large amounts of water, which could create an even greater issue if something goes wrong. Common glitches include the drum failing to turn and spin (which could be a problem with either the motor or belt) or your machine neglecting to either fill with water or thoroughly drain. All of these issues can leave you with either unwashed clothes or clothes sitting in water for ages until you can remove it.

Most modern machines also have pumps and fluff filters which can become blocked; if you’ve lost a sock in a wash load recently, this probably is where it has travelled. Your washing machine may also start rattling loudly, become noisy or bounce about, which signals a problem with internal shock absorbers or balance sensors. There may even be debris caught under the drum, such as a stray coin or button. As washing machines also go through several programmes during an individual cycle, they can get stuck on a specific setting thanks to faulty heaters, carbon brushes or thermostats, which therefore don’t communicate to get the cycle to advance. Or, the door lock mechanism may stop working, which won’t allow you to either open or close the door efficiently.

Are There Any Incidents Not Covered?

Your policy provider will not cover you for any issues which you caused yourself. This includes using the appliance for something outside of its original use, not following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully or using the wrong cleaning products with the machine.

They will likely not cover you for problems caused by avoiding regular maintenance, such as if your machine starts to smell. This is a common problem due to people frequently using eco-friendly low-temperature washes and liquid detergents. Bacteria builds up within your machine, and without hot water washes, it cannot be removed. Excess liquid soap can also build up inside the drum as it is easy to overuse, which can only be removed with regular hot maintenance washes. Follow care instructions carefully and arrange for annual services for all your appliances.

You cannot usually claim for any costs which arose due to being unable to use the machine, such as laundrette charges or any damaged clothing. Most insurance companies also don’t include any extra costs which arise outside of the product being fixed, such as delivery and installation charges if you require a brand-new product or disposal of an old product.

Any pre-existing faults which are present when the policy is taken out cannot be taken into consideration. There may also be limits on the age of appliances which can be covered, or how many callouts/claims you can make during the duration of the policy.

Replacing fuses and lights on a washing machine will also not be covered.