Making an Insurance Claim for Damage to Appliances
Household appliances keep you warm, wash your clothes, clean your dishes, heat your water, cook your food, and so much more. The average two-person American household has close to 14 appliances scattered around the premises.[1] All of them could get ruined during a fire, electrical storm, or other crisis.
If your appliances are damaged in an event covered by your homeowners insurance, you can repair or replace them with a little help from your policy. If the problem was triggered by something else, you might be on the hook for the cost.
4 Key Facts About Appliances Claims
Key Facts About Appliances Claims
- Damage to appliances from covered events (like floods or fires) is typically covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.
- Power surges can be complicated. Even though these episodes are covered, the company may not replace your appliances.
- Adding an endorsement to your standard homeowners insurance policy can offer additional appliance protection.
- Damage caused by wear and tear, neglect, or poor maintenance is never covered, even if you buy a special policy.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Appliance Damage?
Every homeowner’s situation is different. While the same storm might impact dozens of households, every claim payout will be specific. It’s always smart to read your policy and talk with your agent about what is and isn’t covered—before the next problem begins.
In general, however, appliance damage stemming from covered events is paid in a claim. Damage from non-covered events is not payable.
This table of hypothetical situations can help you understand what is typically covered or denied:
Covered | Might Be Covered via a Special Policy | Not Covered | |
Fire | X | ||
Lightning | X | ||
Power surges | X | ||
Flooding | X | ||
Earthquake | X | ||
Vandalism | X | ||
Theft | X | ||
Falling objects | X | ||
Freezing temperatures | X | ||
Wear and tear | X | ||
Improper installation | X | ||
Neglect or poor maintenance | X | ||
Rodent infestation | X |
When Is Appliance Damage Covered?
A standard homeowners insurance policy protects you from 16 types of events (or perils).[2] They range from fires to lightning strikes to vandalism. If something happens to your home and the event is covered, your policy will extend to possessions like your appliances.
When Is Appliance Damage Sometimes Covered?
Some homeowners buy policies to protect them from perils specifically excluded from their standard plans. For example, they might purchase plans to protect them from flood waters or sewer backups. Others might get plans for earthquake recovery. And some homeowners buy plans to protect their appliances no matter the cause.
If you have an additional plan or rider, your appliance damage might be covered. What is and isn’t subject to payment depends on what’s written in your policy documents. Check these to ensure you’re clear on the extent of your coverage.
When Isn’t Appliance Damage Covered?
Insurance companies rarely cover some types of damage, no matter how they start. If you don’t take care of your appliances or they wear out with time, filing a claim is a waste of time. If your appliance breaks because you didn’t install it properly, your claim could get denied too.
Rodent infestation is also rarely covered by any kind of insurance policy. Even appliance-specific riders only apply to mechanical or electrical damage (not critter problems).
Additional Appliance Insurance Options
Homeowners with very expensive or important appliances may opt for special plans. Several options exist, and they all work in tandem with the homeowner plan you already have.
Those options include the following:
- Equipment breakdown coverage: This protection is typically sold as an endorsement added to your policy when it’s purchased or renewed.[3] A typical equipment plan will cover costs associated with repairing or replacing equipment experiencing a mechanical or electrical breakdown.
- Flood insurance: Rising waters can ruin motors, damage electrical circuits, and wreck metal finishes. A flood insurance policy may cover your appliances, as well as your home, if you experience catastrophic water intrusion. Unfortunately, only about 4% of homeowners have these policies.[4]
- Earthquakes: When the ground shakes, your appliances can move across the room or fall onto the floor. They can also be damaged by collapsing roofing and ceilings. Earthquake insurance may help, but only about 11% of Americans have it.[5]
How to File a Claim for Appliance Damage
The steps you’ll take to file a claim depend heavily on the event that caused the problem. If only your furnace is broken and you’re using breakdown coverage, you’ll have slightly different steps than someone recovering from a fire.
In general, filing for a claim involves the following steps:
- Contact your agent and explain that you need to file a claim.
- Take pictures of the damaged appliances, along with anything else in your home that was harmed.
- Find receipts, model numbers, and other information that can help you prove how much the item is worth.
- Allow an adjuster to come into your home to inspect the damage in real time.
Small claims involving just one or two appliances will move faster than complex issues that ruined your home, property, and possessions. Stay in close contact with your agent and adjuster, and be ready to answer questions as they come up. The more evidence you have of the damage, the stronger your claim.
Pros & Cons of Appliance Claims
Insurance exists to help you recover from the unexpected. Your coverage can help you replace and rebuild. While a comprehensive policy is a critical part of responsible home ownership, using that policy isn’t always smart.
Benefits of Filing a Claim
If you’ve lost several appliances and sustained significant damage, a claim can help you get back on your feet. The total cost of recovery for a major event (like a kitchen fire) can total in the thousands. The small amount you might pay in a deductible is likely worth the cost.
Drawbacks of Filing a Claim
The average homeowner pays about $350 for a major appliance.[6] If one item breaks, your deductible might be more expensive than DIY fees associated with repairs or even replacing the appliance.
A claim can be a black mark on your record, allowing your insurance company to charge more in premiums the next year. As a worst-case scenario, your company might even drop your policy due to too many claims.
Always calculate the risks before you file a claim. You might determine that handling the problem yourself is a wiser course.
Protect Your Appliances
You can’t keep all events from touching your home and appliances. However, you can take reasonable steps to ensure your tools are more resilient and likely to survive with just minor damage.
Protection steps can vary by event type, but in general, these are good steps for homeowners to try:
- Use straps. Attach heavy appliances like water heaters to the walls so they don’t float in a flood or shake across the floor in an earthquake.
- Unplug when you can. Some appliances, including washing machines and toaster ovens, don’t need to stay connected to electricity around the clock. Disconnecting them can mean added protection from power surges.
- Try surge protectors. Ask an electrician to install a whole-house surge protector for added peace of mind.
Perform routine maintenance on your appliances to ensure they’re clean and working properly. Simple steps like vacuuming lint from refrigerator coils and scrubbing debris out of your washing machine could keep them running well for years.
Despite your best efforts, you could experience some type of covered loss. Prepare for these problems by taking an inventory now. Go room by room, taking photos and making notes about serial numbers and model numbers. Filing a claim is easier when you have this information at your fingertips.
Sources
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A Survey on Ownership of Home Appliances and Electric Energy Consumption Status According to the Number of Household Members. (October 2014). Scientific.net.
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Which Disasters Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance? Insurance Information Institute.
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Insurance 101: What Is an Insurance Endorsement or Rider? Louisiana Department of Insurance.
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Many Americans Lack Flood Insurance Despite Rising Risks: Here’s Why. (November 2022). NC State University.
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Earthquake Insurance. (April 2023). National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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How Much Americans Spend on Home Appliances in 2022. (November 2023). Today’s Homeowner.