Domestic Appliance Insurance

If you have just purchased a new domestic appliance, it is unlikely that your first thought will be how long it will work without requiring repair or service. Major household appliances today are rightly expected to give many years good service without requiring any attention. Domestic appliances such as televisions, fridge freezers, hoovers and washing machines are sold with a minimum warranty period followed by the offer of an extended warranty. As a consumer you have the option to purchase the extended warranty from the product supplier but this is often an unnecessarily expensive option. It is well known that sales staff are trained to press their customers to buy these expensive extended warranty policies.

It is also worth remembering that it is possible to take out an extended warranty policy some time after you have purchased the product. As long as you buy the extended warranty before the expiry date of the minimum warranty, you will be able to buy the same policy at the same price, just as if you had bought the policy months before. One obvious advantage is that you can save nearly a year's premium!

Examples of Products Covered by Domestic Appliances Insurance

• Washing Machines.
• Stereo Systems.
• Televisions.
• Dishwashers.
• Showers.
• Lawnmowers.
• Computers.
• Cameras.
• Fridges and Freezers.
• Videos.
• Vacuum Cleaners.

The Extended Warranty Insurance Covers:

• New and old appliances protected: after the guarantee expires, it is still possible to arrange annual domestic appliance insurance until your appliance is 8 years old. Once you have purchased a policy, it can normally be renewed annually for the life of the appliance.
• New For Old Cover: if the insurer considers your appliance to be uneconomical to repair and it is less than 5 years old, they will normally offer to replace old with new.
• Accidental Damage Cover: accidents happen, but with an extended warranty you will receive financial reimbursement. this includes accidental damage that occurs during the manufacturer's guarantee period.
• No Bills To Pay: no need to pay and reclaim your bill. In most cases your insurer will settle the bill directly with the repairer.
• Vetted Network of Repairers: repairs should normally be carried out by the insurer's own network of qualified repairers, who should perform all work to the highest standards.
• 24 Hour Helpline: if you need assistance, check that there is a customer services help-line open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Renewable Protection: after the extended warranty expires you should normally be able to renew your cover every year, no matter how old the appliance gets.
• Cancellation: if you are not happy with the extended warranty, you can cancel it at any time during the manufacturer's guarantee period and providing you have not made a claim, you will receive a full refund.

Product Exclusions

As with all insurance products there are some exclusions. These are agreed with your insurer prior to your agreement to contract. For example, an exclusion maybe loss, damage or any costs incurred in respect of:

• Routine maintenance, descaling, cleaning, overhaul or modification.
• Corrosion, impact, malicious damage, theft or attempted theft or damage caused by fire or explosion.
• Loss of use or other consequential loss. Consequential loss includes loss or damage caused while gaining access to or reinstating fitted equipment.
• Equipment used for commercial or non-domestic purposes.
• Cosmetic damage.