White Goods Insurance for the
big appliances your home runs on
Cover your washing machine, fridge freezer, dishwasher, tumble dryer, oven or cooker against breakdown and accidental damage, up to £500 per claim, and save up to 30% when you cover several white goods on one policy.
Smart Cover white goods insurance pays for a UK engineer to repair your washing machine, fridge freezer, dishwasher, tumble dryer, oven or cooker if it breaks down or is accidentally damaged. It covers up to £500 per claim, insures appliances under 10 years old, and saves you up to 30% when you cover several white goods on one policy.
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
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Not just white goods
Also covered on the same policy: microwaves, wine coolers, warming drawers and vacuum cleaners.
What are white goods?
White goods are large electrical household appliances used for laundry, dishwashing, cooking and keeping food cold.They include washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, ovens and cookers. The name comes from the white enamel finish these appliances traditionally had. Today they come in every colour and finish, but the name has stuck.
Because white goods are expensive, used every day and often built in, a breakdown is disruptive. A broken washing machine means trips to the launderette, and a failed freezer can mean throwing away its contents.
White goods insurance vs appliance insurance
White goods insurance is a type of appliance insurance that focuses on these large appliances. With Smart Cover, you can add white goods and smaller appliances to the same policy.
| Category | Examples | Covered by Smart Cover? |
|---|---|---|
| White goods | Washing machine, tumble dryer, washer dryer, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, fridge freezer, oven, cooker, hob, hood | Yes |
| Other kitchen appliances | Microwave, wine cooler, warming drawer | Yes |
| Floor care | Vacuum cleaner | Yes |
| Brown goods | TVs, audio and home entertainment | Not covered |
| Small appliances | Kettles, toasters and other small countertop appliances | Not covered |
Smart Cover white goods insurance at a glance
- Claim limit
- Up to £500 per claimCall-out, labour, parts & VAT; unlimited claims
- What's covered
- Breakdown + accidental damageMechanical & electrical
- Appliances
- Unlimited on one policyWhite goods and more
- Multi-appliance saving
- Up to 30% off3+ = 20% · 5+ = 25% · 7+ = 30%
- Appliance age
- Under 10 yearsAt policy start; full replacement under 6 years, 50% from 6 to 10 years
- Excess
- £0 to £250£250 in the first 45 days, then £0 (under 6 years) or £40 (6 years and over)
- Claims line
- 03333 449 559Mon to Fri 9am-6pm · Sat 10am-4pm · website & app
- Payment
- Monthly or annuallyPrice Match Promise within 14 days
What does white goods insurance cover?
A clear summary. Full details are in the policy wording and Appliance IPID.
What's covered
- Mechanical breakdown
- Electrical breakdown
- Accidental damage
- Repairs up to £500 per claim, including call-out, labour, parts and VAT
- Replacement if beyond economical repair: full (under 6 years) or 50% (6 to 10 years)
- Unlimited claims
What's not covered
- Pre-existing faults
- Manufacturer recalls and generic manufacturing defects
- Routine maintenance, wear and tear, and deliberate damage
- Pre-owned or second-hand appliances (unless from an approved supplier)
- Delivery, installation and removal of a replacement
Each appliance must be under 10 years old when cover starts, and proof of purchase is needed for each one. Excess: £250 in the first 45 days (£125 for further claims from that period), then £0 for appliances under 6 years old or £40 for those 6 years old or more. American-style fridge freezers and range cookers have a £250 excess for the first 6 months. Cover is for homes in mainland England, Wales and Scotland.
Manufacturer's guarantee, consumer rights or white goods insurance?
When a white good breaks, who pays depends on how old it is and what went wrong. Here's how your three main types of protection compare.
| Feature | Manufacturer's guarantee | Consumer Rights Act 2015 | Smart Cover white goods insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you claim from | The manufacturer | The retailer you bought from | Smart Cover |
| How long it lasts | Usually 1 to 2 years from purchase, sometimes longer | Up to 6 years to make a claim (5 in Scotland), but it gets harder to prove after 6 months | For as long as you keep the policy |
| Manufacturing defects | Yes | Yes, if the fault was there at delivery | No, generic manufacturing defects and recalls are excluded |
| Sudden breakdown after the guarantee ends | No, once the guarantee has expired | No, if the goods were of satisfactory quality | Yes, sudden mechanical and electrical breakdown |
| Wear and tear | No | No | No, gradual wear and tear isn't covered |
| Accidental damage | Usually not | No | Yes |
| Older appliances | No, once it expires | Limited, depending on age and fault | Under 10 years at the start of cover; 50% replacement contribution from 6 to 10 years |
| Cost | Included with the appliance | Free, it's a legal right | Monthly or annual premium, up to 30% off multiple appliances |
Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Within 30 days: reject a faulty appliance for a full refund.
- Within 6 months: the fault is assumed to have been there at delivery. The retailer must repair or replace it, and if that fails you can ask for a refund.
- After 6 months: you may need to show the fault was there from the start, for example with an engineer's report.
When white goods insurance makes most sense
- Your appliance is out of its manufacturer's guarantee.
- You want cover for accidental damage, which guarantees rarely include.
- You rely on it every day and a repair bill would be hard to absorb.
- You have several appliances and want one policy with a multi-appliance discount.
Sources:Consumer Rights Act 2015 (legislation.gov.uk) · Citizens Advice: consumer rights· This is a summary, not legal advice.
What happens when one of your white goods breaks down
Report a fault by phone, website or app, and we'll take it from there.
Check it's safe
Switch off and unplug the appliance if it's leaking, sparking, smells of burning or keeps tripping the electrics.
Report the fault
Call 03333 449 559 (Mon to Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 4pm), or claim through our website or app. Have your policy number, make, model and proof of purchase ready.
Diagnosis and engineer visit
We try to diagnose the fault over the phone first. If needed, an engineer from our UK-wide network visits, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.
Repair or replace
If it's beyond economical repair, we contribute towards a replacement: full under 6 years old, or 50% from 6 to 10 years, based on its age when cover started.
Quick checks for the most common white goods problems
Many "breakdowns" have a simple cause. Always switch off and unplug the appliance before you check anything, and stop if you smell burning or see damage to the cable or plug.
Washing machine won't drain
Clean the pump filter (usually behind a flap at the bottom front) and check the drain hose isn't kinked. Washing machine care guide
Fridge not cooling
Check the thermostat setting, that the door seal closes fully, and that the vents inside aren't blocked by food. Leave space behind the unit for air to flow.
Dishwasher not cleaning
Clean the filter, clear the spray-arm holes, and top up salt and rinse aid. Dishwasher care guide
Tumble dryer taking too long
Empty the lint filter after every load, and empty the water container or clean the condenser on condenser dryers.
Oven not heating
Many ovens won't heat until the clock is set or while a timer mode is on. Check the clock, then check the fuse or circuit breaker.
Freezer icing up
Ice build-up usually means the door isn't sealing or is opened often. Defrost it, then check the seal for gaps or splits.
Register your appliances for safety recalls
Register new white goods with the manufacturer, for example through Register My Appliance, so you're told about any safety recall. You can also check GOV.UK product safety alerts and recalls.
Should you repair or replace a broken white good?
A common rule of thumb: if a repair would cost more than half the price of a new appliance, and your appliance is more than halfway through its expected life, replacing it usually makes more sense.
Usually worth repairing
- Faults with common, cheaper parts such as door seals, pumps, filters, heating elements or thermostats
- Relatively new or high-end appliances
- Built-in appliances that would be costly or disruptive to replace
Often time to replace
- A major part has failed, such as a compressor, motor, drum bearings or main control board, on an older appliance
- Repeated breakdowns in a short time
- Rust, structural damage, or a much less energy-efficient model
With Smart Cover, our engineer decides whether an insured appliance can be economically repaired. If it can't, we contribute towards a replacement: full for appliances under 6 years old, or 50% for those aged 6 to 10, based on age when cover started.
Why UK households choose Smart Cover for their white goods
Expert claim handling
A dedicated team manages your claim from first call to repair.
UK-based customer service
Speak to our team by phone, live chat or email.
UK-wide engineer network
Experienced engineers sent to your door.
Phone diagnosis first
We try to diagnose the fault over the phone before booking an engineer.
Price Match Promise
Same cover cheaper elsewhere within 14 days? We'll aim to match it, subject to our Price Match Terms.
FCA authorised
Appointed Representative of City and Commercial Limited (FRN 314346).
Protect the white goods your home relies on
Cover your washing machine, fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven and more on one policy, and save up to 30% when you cover 7 or more appliances. Leave your details and our UK-based team will call you back.
- Breakdown and accidental damage cover
- Up to £500 per claim, unlimited claims
- Up to 30% off multiple appliances
Look after your white goods
Appliance cover
Popular white goods
Last reviewed:· Reviewed by the Smart Cover appliance team
Frequently asked questions
What is white goods insurance?
White goods insurance pays for an engineer to repair large household appliances, such as washing machines, fridge freezers, dishwashers, tumble dryers, ovens and cookers, when they break down. Smart Cover's white goods insurance covers mechanical and electrical breakdown, and accidental damage, up to £500 per claim. If an appliance can't be economically repaired, Smart Cover contributes towards a replacement based on its age when cover started.
What counts as white goods?
White goods are large electrical appliances used for laundry, dishwashing, cooking and refrigeration. They include washing machines, tumble dryers, washer dryers, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, American-style fridge freezers, ovens, cookers, hobs and cooker hoods. TVs and audio equipment are known as brown goods, and kettles and toasters are small appliances. Smart Cover doesn't cover brown goods or small appliances like these.
Is white goods insurance the same as appliance insurance?
White goods insurance is a type of appliance insurance that focuses on large household appliances. Smart Cover's appliance insurance covers white goods and other appliances, such as microwaves, wine coolers, warming drawers and vacuum cleaners, all on one policy.
How many white goods can I cover on one policy?
As many as you like. There's no limit on the number of appliances on one Smart Cover policy, and no limit on the number of claims. Discounts apply automatically: 20% off 3 or more appliances, 25% off 5 or more, and 30% off 7 or more.
Is there an age limit for white goods insurance?
Yes. Each appliance must be under 10 years old when your cover starts. If an appliance under 6 years old is beyond economical repair, you get a full replacement up to its declared value. For appliances aged 6 to 10 years, you get a 50% contribution. If an appliance's age can't be confirmed with proof of purchase, it's covered for repair only. Pre-owned or second-hand appliances (unless bought from an approved supplier) and pre-existing faults aren't covered.
Do I need proof of purchase?
Yes. You need proof of purchase for every appliance you insure with Smart Cover, and you'll be asked for it when you make a claim.
Do I need white goods insurance if my appliance is under warranty?
You can take out Smart Cover and claim whether or not your appliance is under a manufacturer's warranty. However, manufacturer recalls and generic manufacturing defects aren't covered, and while your appliance is under guarantee the manufacturer will usually repair faults free of charge. Many people buy cover when the guarantee ends, or for accidental damage cover, which guarantees rarely include.
What are my consumer rights if a new appliance breaks?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you can reject a faulty appliance for a full refund within 30 days. Within 6 months, a fault is assumed to have been there when it was delivered, and the retailer must repair or replace it. After 6 months, you may need to prove the fault was there from the start. You can make a claim against the retailer for up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 5 years in Scotland.
What happens if my appliance can't be repaired?
If an engineer decides your appliance is beyond economical repair, Smart Cover contributes towards a replacement based on the specification of your original appliance and its age when your cover started: a full replacement up to its declared value if it's under 6 years old, or 50% if it's 6 to 10 years old.
Is the food in my fridge or freezer covered?
No. Smart Cover covers the fridge, freezer or fridge freezer itself, but not the food or other contents inside it.
Is delivery or installation of a replacement covered?
No. Delivery, installation and removal of a replacement appliance aren't covered. Routine maintenance, wear and tear, and deliberate damage are also excluded.
How do I make a white goods insurance claim?
Call Smart Cover on 03333 449 559 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm), or claim through our website or app. We'll try to diagnose the fault over the phone first, then arrange an engineer visit, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Have your policy number, the appliance's make and model, and proof of purchase ready. If you pay monthly or quarterly, the rest of your annual premium becomes due when you claim.
Can I pay monthly for white goods insurance?
Yes. You can pay for Smart Cover white goods insurance monthly or annually.
Can I cancel my policy?
Yes. If you cancel within 14 days and haven't claimed, you'll get a full refund. After 14 days, monthly and quarterly payers don't get a refund, and annual payers get a pro-rata refund minus a £25 admin fee. No refund is given if you've made a claim.
