Most of us don't think about our appliances until one stops working. And when it does, it's often the first time we ask: "Hang on, am I covered for this?"
Appliance cover is one of those things people have strong opinions about, often based on half-truths. Here are six common myths, and what's really going on.
Myth 1: "My home insurance already covers my appliances"
This is the big one. Home contents insurance is designed to protect your belongings against things like fire, flood, theft and, if you've added it, accidental damage.
What it usually doesn't cover is mechanical or electrical breakdown, which is when an appliance simply stops working through wear and tear or a fault. If your washing machine's pump fails or your oven element burns out, a standard contents policy is unlikely to pay for the repair.
Tip: check your own home insurance policy wording for "mechanical breakdown" or "electrical breakdown". Some policies offer it as an add-on, but many don't include it as standard.
Myth 2: "The manufacturer's warranty covers me"
It does, for a while. Most manufacturer warranties cover faults for a limited period, often one or two years, and some brands offer longer. After that, you're on your own.
Warranties also tend to cover manufacturing faults rather than general wear and tear, and they apply one appliance at a time, each with its own terms and end date.
You also have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 if something is faulty. But the older the appliance gets, the harder it is to show the fault was there when you bought it. It's worth knowing your rights, but they're not the same as cover for a breakdown.
Tip: make a note of when each appliance's warranty ends. That's the point where a breakdown becomes your cost.
Myth 3: "Appliance cover is only worth it for old appliances"
Older appliances can be more likely to develop faults, but newer ones break down too. And modern appliances are packed with electronics, control boards and sensors that can be costly to diagnose and repair.
The other thing to think about is timing. If you wait until an appliance is showing signs of trouble, you may find a pre-existing fault isn't covered. The best time to get cover is while everything is working.
Myth 4: "It's cheaper to just replace it when it breaks"
Sometimes replacing is the right call. But a replacement isn't just the price of the new appliance. There's delivery, installation, removing the old one, and the days without a working machine while you shop around.
Plenty of breakdowns are repairable, from a faulty pump or door seal to a failed heating element. Repairing is often quicker and kinder to your budget, and it keeps a working appliance out of landfill.
Myth 5: "I'd need a separate policy for every appliance"
Many people picture a drawer full of separate plans, one for the washing machine, one for the fridge, one for the oven. Some providers do work that way.
But it doesn't have to. With Domestic Appliance Guard, you can cover an unlimited number of kitchen appliances on one plan. One plan, one monthly payment, one number to call.
Myth 6: "Appliance cover is just for homeowners"
Not at all. Tenants often own some of their own appliances, like a fridge freezer or tumble dryer they've brought with them, and those are usually their responsibility. Landlords, meanwhile, generally need to deal with repairs to appliances they provide in a rental.
Whoever you are, if you rely on an appliance and would struggle to pay for a sudden repair, cover is worth considering.
How to check what you're already covered for
- Home insurance: look for mechanical or electrical breakdown in the policy wording
- Warranties: list each appliance and when its warranty ends
- Tenancy agreement: if you rent, check which appliances belong to your landlord
- Bank accounts: some packaged bank accounts include extras, so check what yours offers
Once you know where the gaps are, you can decide whether cover makes sense for you.
The bottom line
Appliance cover isn't the same as home insurance, and it doesn't stop being useful once a warranty ends. Knowing what you're protected for, and what you're not, means a breakdown is an inconvenience rather than a nasty surprise.
Ready to fill the gap? With Domestic Appliance Guard, you can protect an your home appliances from just £3.50 a month.
Get your free appliance cover quote →
Are you a landlord? Take a look at our Landlord Cover, designed to keep the appliances in your rental properties protected.
