White goods are some of the most essential items in our homes. They ensure the smooth running of our daily domestic lives – after all, could you imagine preparing a meal without an oven, grill or microwave? Where would you store fresh/frozen food without an adequate fridge-freezer? Could you cope when it comes to doing load after load of washing by hand?
When our white goods malfunction, we can find ourselves in a bit of a crisis. Most manufacturers offer a small appliance warranty (typically in the region of twelve months) on white goods, although some will offer repairs and replacements up to five years (depending on the terms and conditions of the manufacturer).
White goods warranties are incredibly important as they prevent us from encountering exorbitant costs in the case of an emergency. A warranty offers peace of mind: should any of your appliances fail, you will be covered for repairs or a replacement.
What to do when your white goods break down
If your washing machine, dryer, oven, refrigerator or microwave has stopped working, the first thing to do is to find out whether the appliance is still under warranty. It may be the case that you took out an extended warranty on the day of purchase that you have forgotten about. Manufacturers, suppliers and retailers often offer extended warranties for a small fee. If this is the case, you should be able to arrange for the manufacturer to send an engineer.
Let’s imagine for example that you own an AEG washing machine. If the machine is covered under warranty (either standard or extended), the company should arrange for an AEG repair service engineer to attend your premises and assess the device for any damage.
If repairs are simple and can be undertaken on the day, the engineer should be able to get your device up and running again. However, it may be the case that the engineer will need to order a spare part and return another day to fit it. In extreme cases, the engineer might recommend that the device be replaced like-for-like as it is beyond repair.
Can I avail of an AEG repair service to get my white goods fixed if they are out of warranty?
While it is possible to arrange for a third-party to fix your white goods that are out of warranty, you might find yourself facing considerable expense. Therefore, it is so important to get the right white goods warranty in place. You should also remember to keep a copy of any warranties you currently hold in a safe place, should you need to refer to them.
Frequently Asked Questions about White Good Warranties
Is there a cooling off period with this policy, in case I change my mind?
Yes, most white good warranties have a cooling off period which allows the purchaser to cancel the warranty immediately, however this does remove any cover that you would otherwise have on your appliances.
Are my appliances covered for accidental damage?
Typically, a warranty will not cover accidental damage to the white goods. A warranty is in place in case the appliance breaks or requires maintenance. You should check with your appliance holder to see if they do offer cover for accidental damage. If you are looking to cover your appliance for accident damage you can investigate home contents insurance instead.
Is there a guarantee for any repairs you may have to make to my appliances?
Yes, typically if any repairs are made to the appliances, the fixes will then be covered under the warranty for a set period.
Typically, what sort of appliances are classed as White Goods?
Generally, a white good is seen as any primary kitchen appliances, protecting you from unexpected costs when your appliances stop working have a fault.
Yours costs are covered for callouts for mechanical or electrical breakdown, labour, parts and replacement if the appliance cannot be repaired.
Notably, we cover an extensive range of both audio/visual and kitchen appliances including:
- Oven & Hob
- Washing machine,
- Dishwasher
- Tumble Dryer
- Freezer, fridge and fridge/freezer
- Microwave
Are white good warranties worth it?
In our opinion a warranty is 100% worth the investment. The small fee is a small proportion of the cost to replace or fix a white good. If you are to spend £300, £500 or more on an appliance, fixing them can sometimes cost as much as replacing it, so purchasing a warranty is by far a much more cost-effective way of ensuring no down time.
