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Home appliance insurance can help cover the costs of repair or replacement for household appliances if they break down unexpectedly. This might be due to mechanical failure or accidental damage.

Home appliance insurance can be bought as an individual policy, which can be a good idea if your appliances are expensive or hard to replace.

The following white goods and home appliances are typically included:

• Fridges and freezers

• Ovens, microwaves, and hobs

• Washing machines and tumble dryers

• Dishwashers

• Music systems

• Wine coolers

• Coffee machines

• Games consoles

• TVs and DVD players

More expensive items might exceed the single item limit, which is the maximum amount your insurance provider will pay out for any one item. If this is the case, you may need to list the item separately to make sure the full value is covered.

Whether home appliance insurance is right for you depends on the value of your appliances and whether contents insurance provides enough cover.

Under a typical contents insurance policy, you might find you have enough cover and don't need to take out extra insurance for your home appliances. But it's worth noting that contents insurance may not cover mechanical breakdown, repairs, the costs of parts and labour, or call-out fees.

You might need appliance insurance if:

• You have high-value items: expensive smart appliances or items you can't live without (fridge, washing machine).

• Your warranties are expired: Your manufacturer or store warranty has ended, meaning you need new cover for your appliances. New appliances usually have a warranty of one to two years, whereas home appliance insurance can provide cover for longer. Some insurers will offer a discount if you insure multiple appliances under one policy, which can also work out cheaper than extending your warranty.

• You would struggle to pay for repairs or replacement: If you wouldn't be able to afford repairs or replacement in the event of an appliance breakdown, home appliance insurance can help cover the costs.

• Your home insurance doesn't provide enough cover: Standard contents insurance usually only covers fire/flood/theft and excludes mechanical faults.

The lifespans of typical household appliances vary, with refrigerators and gas ranges lasting longest (14-19 years). Smaller items like microwaves and dishwashers often last around 10 years, and washing machines and dryers tend to run for 10-13 years. Having a rigid insurance policy in place can ensure you're covered in the event of any unexpected breakdowns and aren't left with hefty costs.

When finding the best home appliance insurance, you should work out the cost of your crucial home appliances. Once you know the value of your items, it's worth comparing providers to find a policy that suits your individual needs.

When looking for the right policy, it's a good idea to:

• Check appliance age limits: You should also check older appliances are covered, as some insurers have age limits.

• Consider the benefits of single or multi-appliance policies: Single appliance policies are good for insuring just one high-value item but often cost more per item than multi-deals. Multi-appliance policies often cover several appliances under one policy, which can be ideal if you have multiple big appliances.

• Look at customer reviews: Checking customer reviews is a great way to get first-hand testimonials about the provider and the policy coverage.

The best way to find the right home appliance insurance is to compare providers. We compare a variety of home appliance policies to help you find one that suits your need.