Your homeowners insurance policy covers much of your personal property, including large appliances, from specific perils like theft, fire or damage from a storm. This typically includes protection for your refrigerator, which can be a costly appliance to replace or repair if it is damaged.
Your homeowners policy may not provide coverage for every type of damage to your refrigerator. That’s why it’s important to understand your policy’s details regarding insurance coverage for damage to a refrigerator and any loss of food due to a power outage. You also may want to explore equipment breakdown coverage, which offers protection for a broad range of household appliances and equipment against mechanical or electrical failure.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Damaged Refrigerator?
Whether your homeowners insurance covers a damaged refrigerator depends on how the damage occurs. Your homeowners policy will likely help with the costs of repairing or replacing your refrigerator if the damage is due to a sudden covered event like a burst pipe, fire or lightning.
However, a homeowners insurance policy typically does not cover damage to a refrigerator that breaks down due to regular wear and tear, or that is caused by lack of maintenance.
Coverage for Refrigerator Leaks
Many refrigerators have cold water dispensers and built-in ice makers. These conveniences can contribute to water leaks that may damage other appliances and surrounding areas. Your homeowners insurance may cover damage that results from a refrigerator leak, subject to your deductible and policy limits. However, any repair or replacement of the refrigerator itself typically would not be covered.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Food Spoilage Caused by a Power Outage?
Coverage for food spoilage due to a power outage is extremely limited in a standard homeowners policy. Your homeowners insurance potentially could cover spoiled food due to a power loss if your refrigerator was directly damaged by a lightning strike or a power surge. If you want to make a claim for spoiled food, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the food in the refrigerator to support your claim before you discard the contents.
Homeowners insurance can cover a lot that can go wrong, but it doesn’t cover everything that can go wrong.
