It's ruddy good!
It's ruddy good!
By Rachel Simmons, Insurance & Consumer Affairs Editor
Household appliances are among the hardest-working items in any home — and when one fails unexpectedly, the cost and disruption can arrive at the worst possible moment. This guide explains how accidental damage appliance insurance works, what typically goes wrong with common white goods, how cover compares to warranties, what UK repairs actually cost, and how to keep your machines running for longer.
Accidental damage appliance insurance covers unexpected physical damage caused by mishaps — such as a cracked washing machine door, a knocked appliance, or liquid damage — alongside mechanical and electrical breakdown that occurs without warning. Unlike a standard home contents policy, specialist appliance cover is built specifically for white goods and kitchen appliances, and typically includes parts, labour, and call-out fees within the policy.
Row.co.uk's appliance insurance covers both accidental damage and breakdown, with cover available from £1.49 per month per item, up to £2,000 per item. Parts, labour, and call-out are all included — so if a repair is needed, there's no separate invoice for the engineer's visit or the components required.
It's worth distinguishing this from a standard home contents policy, which may treat appliance breakdown as a restricted add-on, often with significant limitations on which types of faults qualify.
Appliance faults most commonly stem from component wear, electrical failure, or physical damage — and UK repair costs vary considerably depending on the appliance type, brand, and specific fault. Knowing what a repair typically costs helps inform sensible decisions about protection.
Washing machines are among the most frequently repaired appliances in the UK. Drum bearing failure — a common fault on machines over three years old — can cost £150–£300 depending on the model and engineer. Heating element replacements typically run £80–£150, faulty control boards (PCBs) £100–£280, and leaking door seals £80–£150. A bearing repair on a mid-range machine can approach half the cost of a new one, which is worth factoring into your thinking.
Pump failure is one of the most common dishwasher call-outs in the UK, with repair costs typically falling between £100–£220. Spray arm blockages can sometimes be resolved with simple maintenance, but a seized pump motor or failed heating element will need a professional. Heating element replacements generally cost £100–£180.
Compressor failure is the most expensive fridge freezer repair, with costs ranging from £200–£400. Thermostat issues and fan motor failures are more moderate at £80–£200. On a high-end American-style fridge freezer, compressor repair costs can approach the price of a replacement model.
Oven element replacements are relatively affordable at £80–£150, but control board failures on integrated or smart ovens can reach £200–£350. Induction hob repairs tend to be more expensive due to parts availability, typically £150–£300.
To be eligible for appliance insurance with Row.co.uk, your appliance must be under 6 years old at the time of taking out the policy. This is a standard requirement across specialist appliance insurance — older machines carry a statistically higher risk of component failure, and sourcing replacement parts becomes increasingly difficult beyond that age.
If your appliance is approaching the six-year mark, it is worth arranging cover sooner rather than later. Once a machine exceeds the eligibility window, you'll be limited to paying for repairs out of pocket or replacing the item entirely.
For gadgets — smartphones, laptops, tablets — the eligibility window is shorter: gadgets must be under 12 months old when you take out the policy, reflecting the faster depreciation cycle and parts availability challenges in consumer electronics.
These three forms of protection are often confused, but they work quite differently in practice. Understanding the distinctions helps you choose what's right for your situation.
| Type | What It Covers | Typical Duration | Accidental Damage? | Lock-In? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Guarantee | Manufacturing defects only | 1–2 years (standard) | No | N/A (free) |
| Extended Warranty | Mechanical/electrical faults (terms vary) | 1–5 years | Rarely | Yes — paid upfront |
| Appliance Insurance | Breakdown + accidental damage | Monthly, cancel anytime | Yes | No |
A manufacturer guarantee comes free with your purchase and covers defects arising from how the appliance was made — not accidents or general wear. Most run for one year; some brands such as Miele and Bosch offer two years as standard, but the scope remains limited to manufacturing faults.
An extended warranty is typically sold by the retailer at point of purchase and extends mechanical breakdown cover for a fixed period. Cover terms vary considerably between providers, accidental damage is rarely included, and the full cost is often paid upfront — meaning you're committed to the term regardless of whether you claim.
Appliance insurance covers both mechanical breakdown and accidental damage, with no long upfront commitment. Row.co.uk's cover starts from £1.49 per month, you can cancel anytime, and there's no lock-in. If you're insuring more than one appliance, a multi-item discount of up to 20% applies — and there's a 5% discount on a second appliance.
Routine maintenance reduces the frequency of common faults and can meaningfully extend the working life of your appliances. None of these steps require specialist knowledge — they're straightforward household upkeep.
To make a claim, log in to the customer service centre at row.co.uk. All claims are handled online — you'll be able to report the fault, provide details about the appliance, and the team will arrange the appropriate next steps from there. Row.co.uk has a national repair network across the UK, and where a repair is not feasible, a replacement may be provided subject to policy terms.
Row.co.uk has protected over 200,000 items since launching in 2009, is an Insurance Choice Awards winner, and holds a rating of 4.72 out of 5 on reviews.io based on verified customer reviews.
Accidental damage and breakdown covered from £1.49/month. Parts, labour, and call-out all included. Cover up to £2,000. Cancel anytime — no lock-in.
Get a QuoteYes. Row.co.uk's appliance insurance covers both accidental damage and mechanical or electrical breakdown. Whether a fault develops gradually over time or results from an unexpected accident, the policy covers parts, labour, and call-out as part of the cover.
Your appliance must be under 6 years old at the time you take out the policy. For gadgets such as smartphones and laptops, the appliance must be under 12 months old when you arrange cover.
Yes. Row.co.uk offers a multi-item discount of up to 20% when you insure more than one item, plus a 5% discount on a second appliance. All your covered items can be managed through the customer service centre at row.co.uk.
To make a claim, log in to the customer service centre at row.co.uk. All claims are submitted online. Once you've reported the fault, the team will arrange the next steps, which may include a repair via Row.co.uk's national network or, where applicable, a replacement subject to policy terms.
No. Row.co.uk appliance insurance is arranged on a monthly basis with no lock-in — you can cancel anytime. This is one of the key differences from an extended warranty, which is typically paid upfront for a fixed term.
It means the cost of an engineer's visit, any quality parts required to complete a covered repair, and the labour involved are all included within your policy. You won't receive a separate invoice for these elements of a covered repair.
Yes. Standard home contents insurance typically covers accidental damage to your belongings but rarely covers mechanical or electrical breakdown. Specialist appliance insurance from Row.co.uk is designed specifically to cover the faults and accidents that affect household appliances — including breakdown that most contents policies exclude.