Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Motor burnout insurance

Motor burnout insurance helps if appliances like your fridge, air con and washing machines go bust — these home insurance policies can cover you.

Home Insurance
1 - 7 of 34
Name Product AUFHO Electrical Motor Burnout Fire, Storm & Theft Damage Rebuilding & Repairs to your Home Accidental Damage to Home or Belongings Sum Insured Safeguard
Youi Building and Contents Insurance
Optional
Our verdict: Finder’s 2022 Insurer of the Year for Customer Satisfaction and our Top Pick for Fire Damage cover. It’s good if you want a tailored quote over the phone.
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
Best Rated BrandBonusFinder Award Finalist
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Optional
Optional
Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover and gives you up to 30% off your first year for new combined policies purchased online.
Bendigo Bank Gold Home & Contents Insurance
Our verdict: A good option if you want a well regarded brand. All come with automatic flood cover and let you pay monthly or fortnightly at no extra cost.
QBE Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Our verdict: Finder's Top Pick for Floods plus cover for other common claims such as fire and theft). Its discount is better than most – 20% off your first year with a combined policy.
Qantas Home and Contents Insurance
BonusFinder Award Finalist
Qantas Home and Contents Insurance
Optional
Optional
Optional
Our verdict: Earn up to 40K Qantas Points for joining by 29 January. Plus save 30% on your 1st year’s premium for purchasing a combined home and contents policy online. T&Cs apply.
ALDI Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Optional
Huddle Comprehensive Home and Contents Insurance
Our verdict: Save up to 10% on your policy in the first year.
loading
Washing machine against wall

What is motor burnout insurance?

Motor burnout insurance pays out when the motor in an electrical appliance suddenly dies. This is usually due to a power surge or excessive current, such as a lightning strike.

It's usually fairly inexpensive to add motor burnout insurance to a policy, but there are some key exclusions to be aware of.

How much does it cost?

The cost of motor burnout insurance varies depending on the value of appliances within your home, among other things like if you're the homeowner, a renter or even the landlord. To give you an idea on costs, we gathered quotes from a few different companies for a home and contents policy for a homeowner.

Our research shows that you could add cover to your home and contents policy for around $100 a year.*

BrandPolicywith motor burnoutw/o motor burnoutAnnual differenceApply?
Budget Direct LogoSmart Home & Contents$2,763.64$2,658.40$105.24
AAMI LogoHome & Contents Insurance$1,839.01$1,839.01No change in cost
NRMA LogoHome & Contents Standard$2,324.87$2,228.09$96.78
Allianz LogoHome & Contents Insurance$3,049.46$3,036.87$12.59
QBE LogoHome & Contents Insurance$3,670.85$3,670.85No change in cost

Is motor burnout insurance worth it?

Imagine a lightning strike or power surge burns out the motors in your fridge, washing machine and dryer. You could also have a motor in an electric gate or garage doors. That could easily cost hundreds of dollars, or more, for replacement or repair.

However, in many cases, you can add motor burnout insurance to your home and contents policy for less than $100 a year. If you have lots of appliances in your home, or you live in an area prone to lightning strikes and power surges, it's well worth considering cover.

Some motor burnout policies also include coverage for spoiled goods. So if the motor in your fridge freezer burns out, you'll be covered for the value of lost food inside. For bigger families and anyone who likes to stock up, that could be worth hundreds of dollars.

Of course, if you have adequate surge protection, then motor burnout insurance might be low on your list of insurance requirements. Older appliances are often excluded from cover too, so check the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully to see what the age limits are.

You can find cover in both home and contents insurance and contents only policies.

What does motor burnout insurance cover?

Motor burnout insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement if the electrical motor burns out in one of your appliances.

Types of appliances covered by this insurance include:

  • Fridges and freezers
  • Washing machines and dryers
  • Split-system air conditioners
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Ceiling fans
  • Electric garage doors
  • Electric gates

The level of coverage will likely vary based on the age of the appliances. Older motors may cost more to insure than new appliances do; they also may receive a smaller benefit or may be excluded from coverage altogether.

Some policies can also include a food spoilage clause, so if the motor in your fridge freezer burns out, you'll be covered for the cost of the food inside.

What is fusion insurance?

Is it the same thing as motor burnout insurance?
Pretty much. In fact, we checked a few policies and found that most insurers refer to it as 'motor burnout' instead of 'motor fusion'.

What kinds of exclusions are there?

Some common exclusions for motor burnout coverage are appliances that are:

  • More than 15 years old
  • Covered by a guarantee or warranty
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Used for a business
  • Not kept at your insured address

Each insurance type has a product disclosure statement (PDS) which you are encouraged to read to understand everything you are covered for and what you can claim.


Nicola Middlemiss's headshot
Senior writer

Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full bio

Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 231 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
  • Commercial business insurance

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site