Comparing appliance insurance to an appliance warranty

Do you know the difference between a warranty and insurance when it comes to your domestic and electrical appliances?

If you’re coming to the end of your kitchen appliance warranty, it’s worth considering your options before you take out an extended warranty or appliance insurance.

What is an appliance warranty?

Your appliance warranty is generally offered by the manufacturer of the product. This typically lasts around 12 months and guarantees that if your kitchen appliance breaks down within this time frame, that the manufacturer will either repair the problem or replace the item.

While most new appliances will come with the manufacturer’s warranty, the most common problems tend to occur outside of the warranty period. In this instance, you’ll either need to replace the appliance or pay the manufacturer to repair your item. This can be expensive and leave you out of pocket.

Extended warranty

Some domestic appliance manufacturers will offer an extended warranty to their initial 12-month warranty period. This is usually dependent on you registering your product online within a specified period after you bought your item. This type of extended appliance warranty may not cover as much as an appliance insurance policy would cover. There are also some third-party companies who will offer an extended warranty on your white goods.

You may also find that some extended warranties are described as warranty cover plans or maintenance plans. In this case, they may provide similar cover at first glance, but they’re not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and will often contain onerous restrictions. This means you’ll have limited protection if the provider fails to fulfill its obligations to you.

What is kitchen appliance insurance?

Once your warranty has expired, you may think your kitchen appliances fall under your home contents insurance. In this case, however, they’ll typically only be covered in the event your white goods are damaged or stolen; it’s unlikely they’ll be covered for mechanical breakdown.

Appliance insurance aims to bridge the gap between home insurance and your warranty once it’s ended.

Home appliance insurance with Home Emergency Assist can cover over 30 domestic and electrical appliances under one policy. This ensures you won’t have to go without your fridge/freezer, washing machine, oven, vacuum cleaner, and air fryer for long periods of time while they’re being fixed or until you can buy a new one.

It can also help you avoid unexpected costs, as your appliance will be repaired or replaced as part of the cover.

You can cover domestic appliances up to £7,500, and electrical appliances up to £7,500 for a total of £15,000 cover, including protection against mechanical or electrical break down, accidental damage and your call out, parts and labour costs. You’ll have access to an online claim form, available 24/7 365 days a year so you can report your issue as soon as it happens.

We’re also an appointed representative of Insure Group, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA to put your mind at ease.

Want to protect your appliances with insurance for mechanical and electrical breakdown plus accidental damage? Cover everything from washing machines, to ovens, air fryers and smart tech. Get a quick, free quote online to keep life running smoothly. Or explore our full range of plans, including boiler and heating, plumbing and drainage, or complete home emergency cover for total peace of mind.