Renting your home
In this case, the landlord will be responsible for repairing or replacing any appliances that come under the letting agreement.
Home appliance insurance
Compare appliance insurance quotes.
What is home appliance insurance?
Home appliance insurance will repair or replace your home’s white goods and other household appliances – such as dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, and fridge freezers – if they stop working.
Home appliances are often expensive, and having insurance can give you peace of mind that you won’t be without an appliance if it breaks, and that you won’t be hit with a big bill for a replacement.
What does home appliance cover?
-
What’s usually covered
Electrical breakdown
Accidental damage
Replacement parts
Labour required for repair
-
What’s not usually covered
Wear and tear
Pre-existing faults
Damage caused by improper use or neglect
Certain types of damage including damage caused by theft, fire, or malicious damage
Manufacturing defects
Appliances still under warranty
Unnecessary callouts
How to get home appliance insurance
New appliances are usually covered by a manufacturer warranty which typically lasts a year. When this expires, you may want to consider taking out home appliance insurance.
It’s best to compare quotes to get the best deal for home appliance insurance. Most policies will last for a year, although some insurers will offer longer durations.
Do I need home appliance insurance?
There's no specific requirement to take out insurance for your appliances. In fact, sometimes your appliances will already be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or home insurance.
You might need home appliances insurance if:
You don't have cover included in your current home insurance policy
Your appliance is not currently covered by a manufacturer’s warranty
You want the assurance that an engineer will be sent to fix or replace your appliance if it stops working
You don't want to have to pay the full value to replace expensive appliances or to cover the full cost of repairs or replacement parts
It’s always worth weighing up potential costs when thinking about if it’s worth insuring an appliance. For example:
Washing machine repair | Average repair costs |
|---|---|
New door seal | £80 |
Drum repair | £180 |
New motor | £325 |
You can typically get appliance insurance for a washing machine for around £5 per month, so you should consider if this represents good value for money for you, and if you could afford the upfront cost of an expensive repair should something go wrong.
Data from Checkatrade.com May 2024
Why should I take out home appliance insurance?
Appliances can be a big financial investment, and if they stop working you may not be able to afford to get them repaired or replaced straight away.
A new fridge could set you back anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand pounds, whereas a new oven usually costs at least £200 on top of average installation costs of £300.
Home appliance insurance can help:
Protect you from unexpected costs
Home appliances can be expensive, and repairing or replacing them can be a major financial burden. Home appliance insurance can help to cover the costs of repairs or replacements, so you don't have to pay out of pocket.
Give you peace of mind
Knowing that your home appliances are covered by insurance can give you peace of mind, especially if you rely on them heavily.
Extend the life of your appliances
Some policies offer preventive maintenance services, such as annual tune-ups and cleanings.
Cover you in a wide range of situations
Home appliance insurance provides more comprehensive cover than standard contents insurance. You’ll be protected for things like accidental damage, mechanical breakdown, and sometimes even cosmetic damage.
Who can benefit from home appliance insurance?
There’s lots of reasons why home appliance insurance might be right for you, but it could be particularly handy for:
-
Landlords
As a landlord, you're obliged to repair or replace broken appliances in a timely manner
-
Homeowners
You’re a homeowner with older appliances that are more likely to have problems
-
No emergency savings
You don’t have emergency savings, so wouldn’t be able to cover a large repair or replacement bill
Which appliances are covered by a home appliance insurance policy?
Most providers offer cover for household and kitchen appliances including:
Cookers and microwaves
Fridges and freezers
Washing machines and tumble dryers
Dishwashers
Wine coolers
Coffee machines
Does my home insurance cover kitchen appliances already?
Home contents insurance typically covers kitchen appliances in the event of theft, fire, or storm damage, with the caveat that the onus is on you to have listed high-value appliances when you took out your policy.
You can check exactly what's included in your cover by taking a look at your policy document, or getting in touch with your insurer.
Some of the key differences between home contents insurance and home appliance insurance are:
Home contents insurance | Home appliance insurance |
|---|---|
Covers all the contents of your home | Covers specified household appliances only |
Covers your appliances for fire, theft, and damage from storms | Covers your appliances for electrical breakdown, replacement parts, repair labour, and accidental damage |
Tends to be a higher cost overall, but better value per item | Tends to be a lower cost overall, but a higher cost per item |
Designed to reimburse for loss, and won’t usually fund repairs unless specified in the policy | Includes repairs, callouts, replacement parts, and labour |
High-value items only covered if specifically listed in the policy, and single-item limits might apply | Specific items are insured, so you have peace of mind that the full cost of repair or replacement will usually be covered |
So, for example, if there was a house fire and your fridge was damaged, home contents insurance would pay out. However, if there was an electrical fault and your fridge needed replacing, home contents insurance wouldn’t cover this but home appliance insurance would.
It’s worth noting that sometimes a standard home contents insurance with optional add-ons could be the best choice for you over home appliance insurance. For example, you could add accidental damage cover to your contents insurance at an extra cost.
When would I not need cover for my domestic appliances?
Here are some scenarios when you may not need home appliances insurance – or buying it would mean doubling up on cover you already have. Here are some examples:
-
-
Under warranty
Most appliances come with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty when you first purchase them. In some cases warranties may be longer, or you may have chosen to pay for an extended warranty.
-
Covered by contents insurance
Your existing home insurance policy might offer contents insurance for your appliances if they were damaged by fire or theft.
-
Covered with your bank account
Some fee-charging bank accounts come with rewards or benefits such as free extended warranties for your home appliances.
-
Covered by consumer rights
The Consumer Credit Act entitles you to a refund if an appliance is faulty, cost between £100 and £30,000, and was bought with credit. You can claim a refund anytime within six years of the date of purchase.
Should I take out home appliance insurance or an extended warranty?
When you buy an appliance it will normally come with a standard warranty. You can also choose to purchase an extended warranty, which can be useful for expensive appliances.
There are some key differences to understand between appliance insurance and extended warranties:
Appliance insurance | Extended warranty |
|---|---|
Taken out with an insurer | Taken out with the retailer or manufacturer |
Can cover multiple appliances | Usually covers one specific appliance |
Paid via a monthly or annual premium | Usually a one-time upfront payment made when you purchase the appliance |
Available to purchase at any time | Usually only available at the time of purchase or shortly after |
Usually lasts for one year, with an option to renew at the end of the policy | Lasts for a set period of time, usually from two to five years |
Usually covers accidental damage as standard | Usually does not cover accidental damage as standard |
Tends to be the cheaper option, depending on the appliance | Tends to be the more expensive option, depending on the appliance |
There are certain cases where it may be more sensible to take out insurance rather than buying extended warranties, such as:
You want to protect lower-value or older appliances
You want to protect multiple appliances at once
The warranty for your appliance has already expired
The terms of your appliance's warranty don't offer enough cover
How many appliances can I insure under one policy?
There's no hard and fast limit. Some insurers will allow you to cover up to 15 appliances on a single policy, while others let you cover for as many appliances as you like.
As a rule of thumb, the more appliances you add to your cover, the cheaper the cost of insuring each item.
Remember to check your policy carefully – some policies will have a single-item limit, meaning that there’s a cap on the maximum amount you can claim for a single-item, or a maximum total claim limit, meaning that there’s a limit to how much you can claim for multiple items together.
How much does home appliance insurance cost?
Prices vary, but multi-appliance policies often start from around £5 a month, depending on your appliances and cover level.
The premiums you'll pay for your home appliance cover will generally depend on a number of different factors, such as:
-
The number of appliances
Adding more appliances to your policy will increase your premiums
-
Their age
Older appliances are more likely to break down, so they are more expensive to insure
-
Their value
More valuable items cost more to replace or repair, so insuring them will add to your premiums
-
Your excess
By increasing your excess you can reduce the cost of insurance, although you will have to pay more to repair or replace your appliances
What do I need to get a quote?
Getting a quote is quick and easy as long as you have some important information about your appliances at hand. You’ll need the following information about yourself and your appliance to hand to get a quote:
-
The appliance's type, make and model
This information will help insurers determine the value of your appliance and how likely it is to break
-
How much the appliance cost
Appliances that are expensive to replace will usually cost more to insure
-
When and where it was purchased
Buying your appliance second-hand rather than from a licenced retailer may affect your insurance
-
The condition you bought it in
Insurers may not always be willing to cover items that were already damaged when you bought them
-
Proof of your purchase
This serves as evidence for the price you paid for the item and that it belongs to you
-
Your name, date of birth and email
This information is a standard requirement when purchasing any type of insurance
How do I make a claim on home appliance insurance?
Making a claim on home appliance insurance is usually a straightforward process. You should:
Check your policy to make sure you’re covered
If relevant, take photos or videos to show any damage or issues with the appliance
Gather together relevant information, such as your policy number, receipt of purchase, and any photo or video evidence
Contact your insurer
Your insurer will usually then ask you to complete a claim form. Once submitted, they’ll assess the claim to determine next steps, and if you’re covered.
They may send out an engineer to inspect the appliance. Don’t forget that many insurance policies have an excess which you’ll need to pay before the insurer will arrange a repair or replacement.
What should you look for in a home appliance insurance policy?
Before taking out home appliance cover, you should ensure you know exactly what cover you’ll get for your money. Keep an eye out for the following information:
-
What type of items are covered
You should know what appliances you need cover for, so make sure they’re listed in the policy documents to avoid any unpleasant surprises
-
Age limits
Insurers are likely to have an age limit in place, so older appliance might not qualify for cover – largely because they’re at a higher risk of breaking down
-
Cosmetic damage
It’s unlikely your provider will cover costs relating to cosmetic damage, but it is possible – so check the policy information to be sure
-
No claims period
You may face a no-claims period when you first take out your policy, usually up to three months, during which you won’t be able to make a claim
-
Claim limits
Insurers often have a limit for the overall value of a claim, as well as amount-per-item – so be sure you know what this is before taking out a policy
-
Limits on number of appliances
There may be a maximum number of items you can have on your policy – keep an eye out for this if you’re insuring more than one appliance
What are the alternatives to an appliance insurance policy?
If you’ve decided you don’t want or need to take out home appliance cover, you can still prepare for unexpected expenses arising from appliance breakdowns or faults.
Alternatives include:
-
Setting up an emergency fund
Setting aside £10-£15 per month could build a £700+ fund over four years, enough to replace many common appliances
-
Take out an extended warranty
Although this is generally a more expensive option, an extended warranty might suit you if you want cover for just one very expensive appliance
-
Exercise your consumer rights
Under the Consumer Rights Act you can claim for faulty goods. If goods are faulty within the first 30 days of purchase you can reject them for a full refund. After that, you can request a repair or replacement. You have up to six years to make a claim, and sellers or manufacturers are obliged to repair or replace if returned within the first six months
-
Contents insurance
Your home contents insurance will cover your appliances in some specific circumstances. You can purchase add-ons to flesh out your policy if you want added protection for your appliances
Our expert says…
If your white goods stopped working, could you afford to pay for the repairs or replacement? Our recent data shows that the average claim for a freezer breaking down was £332.47 between August 2023 and August 2024. For context, the annual premium that 51% of our customers paid for contents cover in August 2024 was £79.50
^ .While most white goods come with warranties and are protected under the Consumer Credit Act if they’re faulty, having the right insurance for your appliances offers that extra peace of mind, if you can afford it. It’s also worth checking if your home insurance offers appliance cover as standard to make sure you’re not paying twice for the same cover.
David McDermottroe Insurance & Personal Finance Expert
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
What’s the difference between appliance insurance and extended warranties?
Warranties on your appliances are offered by the product’s manufacturer, rather than an insurance company. It works as a guarantee that the appliance you’ve bought is free of any defects that prevent it from working.
They usually last a year, and while you can usually get them extended up to five years – known as an extended warranty – these work slightly differently to the original warranty period. During the extended period you’ll be entitled to repairs should your appliance become defective – this means the costs of parts, and usually labour and call out charges too, are covered.
Warranties are product-specific – meaning each warranty only applies to the appliance it came with. A home appliance insurance policy isn’t generally limited to one item, so you can use it to cover a range of appliances in your home under one policy.
Can I insure more than one appliance?
You can cover multiple home appliances under one policy. In fact, doing this often leads to a discount on the annual premium.
Do I need appliance cover if I’m renting?
If you’re a tenant then your landlord should have cover in place for any appliances they’ve provided, such as the fridge, cooker and washing machine – this won’t be your responsibility. However, anything you’ve bought and brought yourself, like your microwave, coffee machine or slow cooker, is up to you to cover.
If I’m a landlord, do I need appliance cover?
As a landlord, you aren’t legally obligated to take out insurance for any appliances you provide in your rental property. However, you are responsible for keeping the property in shape and up to a certain living standard – so you may find having the right cover saves you on shelling out in the future.
Will my home insurance cover my appliances?
Your home contents insurance policy is likely to cover your kitchen appliances against certain things, like theft, fire or storm damage, or escape of water. They may not however offer accidental damage as standard, so you’ll likely have to pay extra for this – and things like mechanical damage and emergency call-out charges will probably not be covered.
Does it matter how old my appliance is?
Older appliances are less likely to qualify for cover, simply due to the fact that they’ll be more likely to break down simply as a result of wear and tear. The limit will depend on the insurer, but expect it to be in the region of eight years as a maximum age.
Will my appliance be replaced?
Providers usually operate a new-for-old policy, which means you’ll be given a brand-new replacement, usually market-equivalent, for the damaged appliance. Check your policy details.
Does appliance insurance cover call-out charges?
Your appliance insurance policy should cover call-out charges, as this is partly what distinguishes it from standard contents cover. However be sure to check your policy to be certain.
Are there any restrictions with appliance insurance?
Most appliance insurance policies have an age limit, often for appliances over 10 years old. Some providers also have a compulsory excess if an appliance is over a certain age.
There can also be limits on the amount you can claim, or on the types of appliances covered, so be sure to check the policy details before buying.
Will appliance insurance cover other electronics, like TVs and games consoles?
Some providers may be willing to extend their cover to include items such as DVD players or vacuum cleaners. However, appliance insurance for the most part is designed to cover large home appliances like white goods, so it's not normal for policies to cover other types of home electronics like televisions. For these types of items, you will need contents insurance to cover them.
To cover smaller, portable electronics such as smart phones, tablets, or laptops, gadget insurance can keep your items protected both in and outside of the home.
What happens if my appliance is deemed unrepairable?
If your appliance is unrepairable, most insurers will cover the cost of a replacement. Policies tend to offer different levels of cover, so it’s worth checking your policy to how this will be paid, and the value of the cover.
Super save with MoneySuperMarket
You work hard to earn your money, and we don’t think you should waste a penny of it paying over the odds on your household bills. That’s why at MoneySuperMarket, we’re on a mission to save Britain money.
Whip your credit score into shape with Credit Score
Super save over and over again with Energy Monitor
There are always more ways to save with MoneySuperMarket
So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy something, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.
You might be wondering if we work with all the companies in the market, or if our commercial relationships with our partners might make us feature one company above another. We’ve got nothing to hide, and we want to give you clear answers when it comes to questions like these, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know on this page.
Level of service
We aim to show you home insurance quotes from as many insurance companies as possible, so that you can find the right policy for you.
Unfortunately, we can’t promise to show quotes from every insurance provider, because not all companies want to be included on comparison websites.
We won’t offer you advice or make a recommendation, but we will provide you with all the information you need to help you decide which is the right policy for you.
You can find out more about how we work here.
Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
The annual premium that 51% of our customers paid in October 2025 where the cover type purchased was contentsinsurance.