Washing machine insurance

Even the fanciest modern washing machines can be prone to issues like a burst or leaking hose, motor burnout and potential fire risk.

If something does go wrong, washing machine insurance – taken out as part of a contents or a combined home and contents policy – can cover you in lots of ways that a basic warranty won't.

What is washing machine insurance?

Today's washing machines are cheaper to buy and more environmentally friendly to run than their forerunners. The less good news is their lifespan isn't what it used to be. Today, it's estimated that we can expect a new washing machine to last 5 to 11 years, and some kind of mechanical issue to happen within 4 to 7 years.

A warranty will cover inbuilt electrical and mechanical defects for a set period of time, but insurance can protect your washing machine against a much wider range of issues, including fire and water damage (to it and by it).

Most contents and home and contents policies will include your washing machine as part of their standard contents coverage. Your contents insurance should cover (up to a specified amount) damage to and loss of the machine as a result of various insured events, with motor burnout coverage generally being an optional add-on.

If you take out home insurance, you can also get cover for certain types of damage that your washing machine causes (for example, water damage or fire).

How do I get washing machine insurance?

If you're looking for washing machine insurance, consider either a contents policy or a home and contents policy. You'll also be able to add on motor burnout cover if you want extra coverage.

• Contents insurance. By getting a contents insurance policy, you'll be able to protect all of your belongings (up to a certain limit) from things like water damage and theft.
• Home and contents insurance. If you want more comprehensive cover, a home and contents insurance policy can cover your washing machine and the damage it can cause to your home if something were to go wrong.

Get home and contents insurance to cover your washing machine

Compare the benefits of up to four different contents policies by checking the Compare box under the insurance brand's name. Once you've found a policy that's right for you, select Get a quote and we'll take you directly to the brand's website.

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Name	Product	Is my washing machine covered?	Contents Cover	Building Cover	Fire, Storm & Theft Damage	Electrical Motor Burnout	Online Discount
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance						Optional		Save 30% on your first year's premium when you purchase a new combined Home & Contents insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
St. George Home and Contents								Save up to 25% when you purchase cover online. Promo code: COVER	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Home & Contents Insurance						Optional - $2,000		Buy online and save 25%. Collect double flybuys points at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Home and Contents Insurance								Save up to 25% when you purchase cover online. Promo code: COVER	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Building and Contents Insurance								Youi Home Insurance takes the time to tailor a premium for you.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Home and Contents Insurance						Optional		Purchase a new eligible Virgin Home and Contents Insurance policy online and you'll also save up to 30% on your first year’s premium. T&Cs Apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Domain Home Buildings & Contents Insurance								Get 12% off your first year's premium when you purchase a new combined Home & Contents Insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Home & Contents Insurance								Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What does home insurance cover?

Under most contents policies, your washing machine should get the same level of cover as your other contents, and it should be covered against the same insured events: lightning and storm (including tree) damage, fire damage, water damage, theft, vandalism and so on.

Specific problems that can appear over the lifetime of a washing machine include:

• Damaged circuits and driver belts
• Burst or leaking inlet hoses
• Burnt-out motors and pumps
• Blockages caused by foreign objects
• Oversudsing from using the wrong detergent or using too much detergent

Lots of these problems can lead to leaks, as well as the risk of flooding or fire. While your insurance won't cover standard maintenance costs, if flooding or a fire was to happen as a result of your washing machine, most home and contents insurance policies would cover the resulting damage (up to a specified amount).

Pros and cons

What doesn't home insurance cover?

Cover for burnout of your washing machine's motor will generally be available as an optional add-on rather than included in your standard contents coverage.

When motor burnout happens, it often spells the end for washing machines and other appliances. (These days, the cost of replacing the motor often outweighs the cost of replacing the appliance.) When a motor burns out, it can also create a fire risk.

Motor burnout can happen because of:

• Electricity supply issues
• Power surges (caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits or lightning, for example)
• Other factors

Excessive vibrations and noise when the washing machine is being used can be a warning sign that the motor is on its last legs. Given the relatively low cost of motor burnout insurance, consider giving your washing machine the extra protection that it offers.

FAQs

• Will I be covered if my washing machine floods and damages other things?

  If you have a combined home and contents policy, then yes, in most cases, you'll be covered for water damage to your home and belongings caused by a flooding washing machine. This includes any damage to carpets, walls or skirting boards, as well as damaged or ruined belongings.

  If you're renting, some policies will cover your legal liability for any damage to your landlord's property that your flooding machine causes.

  If you only have a contents policy, you'll only be covered for damage to or loss of the items that are specified in the policy.

• Is it worth covering a washing machine with home insurance?

  If you're a homeowner, then yes. Contents insurance can cover damage to the machine, but home insurance will mean you're also covered for certain types of damage that the machine causes.

  That is, if a fault in your washing machine leads to a flooding or fire situation, contents insurance could cover the machine itself against damage or loss, but it might not cover any other damage it causes.

• What's the difference between warranty and insurance?

  Taking out a warranty on your washing machine doesn't mean that there's no need to insure it:

  • Most washing machine warranties and product care plans will only cover inbuilt mechanical and electrical faults (i.e. not damage or loss caused by you, the elements or other events).
  • Based on Australian consumer law, a warranty will only cover a washing machine for a "reasonable" amount of time after it's sold (retailers generally interpret this as one to four years).
  • A warranty won't cover any damage that the machine causes in a fire or flooding event.

Picture: Getty Images