Washing Machine Insurance
So a Breakdown Never Gets You in a Spin
Washing machine insurance cover for mechanical breakdown, electrical breakdown and accidental damage, from under £0.28 a day, with up to £500 per claim.
- From under £0.28/day (taxes included)
- Mechanical & electrical breakdown
- Accidental damage included
- Covers washing machines & washer-dryers
- Multi-appliance discounts up to 30%
- Cancel anytime
FCA-authorised provider · No long-term lock-in
If your washing machine or washer-dryer won't spin, drain, or start at all, washing machine insurance cover is what pays to put it right. Smart Cover repairs mechanical faults like a failed motor, pump or drive belt, electrical faults like a control board or door interlock, and accidental damage, then contributes towards a like-for-like replacement, up to £500 per claim, if it can't be economically repaired.
Cover more, save more.
Discount applies automatically at checkout.
Choose your Appliance
Washing Machine
Washer Dryer
Tumble Dryer
- Fast Claim Settlement
- Up to £500 Claim Limit Per Claim
- Mechanical Breakdown
- Electrical Breakdown
- Accidental Damage
- Any Pre-Existing Faults
- Routine Maintenance
- Manufacturer’s Defect
- Deliberate Damage
- Pre-Owned Or Second-Hand Items
- Delivery, Installation And Removal Of Faulty Appliance
Important Documents
Add to cart
Your cart is empty. Start adding appliances to get a quote.
Add more appliances, unlock a bigger discount
Cover is priced per appliance by age and value. Add your washer-dryer, tumble dryer or other appliances to one policy and your discount grows automatically at checkout.
5 appliances for the price of 4
Protect 5 appliances for just £23.99/month, that's one cover free. Ends 21 October 2026.
Discounts apply automatically at checkout. Pay monthly or annually. Prices include all relevant taxes; terms and conditions apply.
What's covered and what's not
What's covered
- Mechanical breakdown of your washing machine
- Electrical breakdown
- Accidental damage
- Up to £500 claim limit per claim
- Fast claim settlement
- Like-for-like replacement if beyond economical repair*
What's not covered
- Any pre-existing faults
- Routine maintenance (e.g. clearing a blocked filter)
- Manufacturer's defect (covered by the warranty)
- Deliberate damage
- Pre-owned or second-hand machines
- Delivery, installation and removal of a faulty machine
*Like-for-like replacement is based on the specification of your original machine and is subject to its age at policy inception. Full details are in your policy terms and IPID.
The washing machine parts cover protects
When one of these fails through a covered breakdown, an engineer can repair or replace the part, subject to your policy terms.
Motor & drum
The motor that spins the drum, a common cause of a machine that won't spin or turn.
Drain pump
Pumps water out at the end of a cycle. A failed pump leaves the drum full of water.
Drive belt & bearings
Belt and bearings that keep the drum turning smoothly, worn bearings cause loud noise.
Door lock (interlock)
The safety lock that lets the machine run, a fault can stop it starting or trap the door shut.
Heating element
Heats the water for warm washes. A failed element means cold-only cycles or tripped power.
Control board (PCB)
The electronics that run each programme, faults can cause error codes or a dead machine.
Washing machine faults we can help with
These are the breakdowns UK households search for most. If a covered fault causes any of these, an engineer can diagnose it.
Won't spin
Often a worn drive belt, motor, carbon brushes or control board fault stopping the drum spinning.
Won't drain
A failed drain pump can leave the drum full of water at the end of the cycle.
Door won't open
A faulty interlock or a machine that hasn't drained can leave the door locked shut.
Leaking water
A breakdown of a seal, pump or valve can cause a leak that needs an engineer's attention.
Loud banging on spin
Worn drum bearings or shock absorbers often cause loud noise and heavy vibration.
Error code or dead
A control board fault can throw an error code, stop mid-cycle, or leave the machine unresponsive.
What a washing machine repair can cost
Most faults appear once the manufacturer's guarantee has ended, right when the bill lands on you.
Typical repair & replacement costs
A typical UK washing machine repair, depending on the fault. A drum-bearing job can run higher.
The cost of buying and installing a new machine if yours can't be economically repaired.
What cover costs
Spread the risk into an affordable regular payment instead of facing a large one-off bill, with up to £500 per claim towards repair or a like-for-like replacement.
Get your quoteCost figures are typical UK ranges for general guidance and will vary by machine, fault, brand and location.
Insurance vs warranty vs home insurance
Three different things people often mix up. Here's what each does for your washing machine.
Washing machine insurance
Ongoing breakdown & damage cover
- Mechanical & electrical breakdown
- Accidental damage
- Repair or like-for-like replacement
- Covers older machines (terms apply)
- Manufacturing defects on a brand-new machine
Manufacturer's warranty
Fixed-term, new machines only
- Manufacturing defects on a new machine
- Free during the warranty term
- Ends after the term (often 1–2 years)
- Accidental damage
- Wear-and-tear breakdowns after expiry
Home contents insurance
Loss & damage, not breakdown
- Theft, fire or flood damage
- Accidental damage (if added as an extra)
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- Wear-and-tear faults
- Repair call-outs for a faulty machine
A general comparison to help you decide. Always check the specific terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of any policy or warranty.
Simple ways to prevent breakdowns
A little care keeps your machine running and helps avoid the faults that lead to a claim.
Clean the filter
Clear the pump filter regularly to prevent blockages and drainage problems.
Don't overload
Overloading strains the motor, bearings and suspension over time.
Run a hot maintenance wash
A monthly hot empty cycle clears detergent build-up, limescale and smells.
Leave the door ajar
Airing the drum and seal between washes helps prevent mould and odour.
Wipe the door seal
Keep the rubber door seal clean and free of trapped items and residue.
Use the right detergent dose
Too much detergent leaves residue that can affect performance and smell.
Want the full routine? Read our guide on how to clean and maintain a washing machine.
Washers, washer-dryers & tumble dryers
Cover isn't just for standalone washing machines, we insure washer-dryers too, and you can add a separate tumble dryer or other laundry appliances to the same policy for a multi-appliance discount.
Why cover your washing machine with Smart Cover
Expert claims team
A dedicated team handling your claim start to finish.
Up to £500 per claim
A generous limit towards repair or replacement.
UK-based service
A UK customer service team you can reach.
Fast settlement
A fast claim settlement service to get you sorted.
Like-for-like
Replacement based on your machine's spec, subject to age.
How a washing machine claim works
Report a fault by phone, live chat or email, and we'll take it from there.
Report the fault
Call 03333 449 559, use live chat or email us to report the breakdown.
Share the details
Give your policy and machine details, plus proof of purchase and any error code.
Engineer attends
An engineer from our UK-wide network attends to diagnose and repair.
Repair or replace
If beyond economical repair, we contribute towards a like-for-like replacement.
Claims team available 9am–6pm weekdays and 10am–4pm Saturdays. An excess may apply depending on the machine's age and policy terms.
We cover the brands in your home
From everyday makes to premium names, cover for a broad range of washing machine manufacturers.
Cover That Keeps Your Laundry Running
Smart-Cover Direct Limited is an FCA-authorised provider of home emergency and appliance insurance. We've protected UK homes since 2013, and picked up the 2019 Broker Innovation Award along the way.
UK-wide engineer network
Qualified engineers repair washing machines and washer-dryers right across the UK.
Fast claim settlement
Claim by phone, email or live chat, weekdays and Saturdays, with no complicated paperwork.
Multi-appliance savings
Add your tumble dryer, dishwasher or cooker to the same policy and save up to 30%.
Questions about cover?
Leave your details and one of our experts will call to explain the benefits and exclusions, so you can protect your washing machine with confidence.
- UK-wide engineer network
- Up to £500 per claim per appliance
- Multi-appliance discounts up to 30%
Frequently asked questions
What is washing machine insurance?
Washing machine insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your washing machine if it suffers a mechanical breakdown, electrical breakdown or accidental damage. If your machine can't be economically repaired, we contribute towards a like-for-like replacement based on the specification of your original machine, up to £500 per claim.
How much does washing machine insurance cost?
Cover starts from under £0.28 a day. The exact price depends on your machine's age and value, and you can save more by covering multiple appliances on one policy: up to 20% off for 3+, up to 25% off for 5+ and up to 30% off for 7+. You can pay monthly or annually, and prices include all relevant taxes.
Does it cover a machine that won't spin or drain?
Yes, if your machine won't spin or drain because of a covered mechanical or electrical breakdown (such as a failed motor, pump, drive belt or control board), an engineer can diagnose and repair the covered fault, subject to your policy terms and limits. Faults caused by misuse, blockages from neglect or pre-existing issues aren't covered.
Does it cover leaks and a broken door lock?
Cover applies to sudden mechanical and electrical breakdowns and accidental damage, which can include a failed door interlock or a breakdown that causes a leak from a component like the pump or valve. Gradual wear, poor maintenance and pre-existing faults are excluded, so always check your policy terms.
Does it cover washer-dryers too?
Yes. We cover washing machines and washer-dryers, and you can add a separate tumble dryer or other appliances to one policy to unlock a multi-appliance discount.
Can I insure an old washing machine?
Washing machine insurance is available for machines up to 10 years old at policy inception. Within that range, cover for older machines may be limited to repair-only or a reduced replacement contribution, depending on age. Pre-owned or second-hand machines and pre-existing faults aren't covered, and proof of purchase is required.
Is washing machine insurance worth it?
A washing machine is one of the hardest-working appliances in the home, and repairs can be costly, often £80 to £200 or more, while a new machine can be £250 to £600 or more. Insurance can be worth it if you'd rather spread that risk into an affordable regular payment than face a large one-off bill. Whether it suits you depends on your machine's age, condition and budget.
What's not covered?
Washing machine insurance doesn't cover pre-existing faults, routine maintenance, manufacturer's defects (covered by the warranty), deliberate damage, pre-owned or second-hand machines, or the delivery, installation and removal of a faulty machine. Full details are in your policy terms and IPID.
How do I make a claim?
Report the fault by calling 03333 449 559, using live online chat, or emailing us. The team is available 9am–6pm weekdays and 10am–4pm Saturdays. An engineer from our UK-wide network attends to repair your machine where possible, and an excess may apply depending on the machine's age and policy terms.
