We have just had the washing machine quit on us. :'(
Poor thing has been sick all over the floor. :-X
Have got the mess cleaned up and have claimed on the insurance. ::)
Just the waiting to contend with which means trips to a laundrette some miles away as the local one closed about a month ago. >:(
What can I actually clam for on my insurance? :-\
Base units
Washing machine
Floor.
Hopefully all of the above.
New for old to boot.
Again have to wait and see. :-[
They are easy and quite cheap to fix.
I replaced the pump on mine for a tenner from ebay.
Last time mine was sick on the floor it was objecting to a pocket full of change, removed coins from the filter & it's been fine since.
I agree, it's usually the filter and/or pump. (it might even be a split hose). if it's a mechanical issue you can sort it yourself, it's when the programmer unit dies it becomes a bit of a specialist job.
Claiming on the insurance for what?
Usually a sloppy wet floor dries out when mopped even carpets are not necessarily ruined by a washing machine leak.
Insurances for the home often have an excess, that was commonly £50 but some cheaper policies are as much as £250. Meaning they only pay out if the damage costs more than that to repair/replace. You pay the excess out of your own pocket. Others carry something similar to a 'no claim's bonus' so the insurance costs more if you have made a claim.
The washer, unless you have one of those extended warrenty insurances you will have to repair or replace out of your own pocket.
You are probably better just getting the machine fixed pay for it and put it down to wear and tear.
The machine is a 10 year old Bosch and the pump has been replaced twice by me and the bushes twice too. The filter has been replaced at least four times due to items getting stuck like bra underwires and toys from the kids.
Hoses are all good and it looks as if the card has finally given up the ghost.
As far as I read it, If it breaks then new for old should mean this not replace it out of your own pocket. What the heck is insurance for if we have not claimed on it for over 12 years?
Excess is not my concern, but paying out over £500 - £700 for a new machine is like a second hand car. We need this sort of size for the family we have. They do not do cheap reliable large load machines. This is why we have gone with Bosch since we had number four of our kids and the jobs I have done which require clean clothes on most days.
The units have absorbed quite a lot of fluid due to the OH not quick enough with the mop n bucket. She tends to panic when things go wrong.
Still if its the case that the insurance wont pay, why on earth should we pay for the things we do. Over a barrel comes to mind.
Landimad sorry to be the bearer of bad news butt standard contents insurance, will only cover items stolen or damaged by fire, flood etc.
Things like washing machines that have just died, are something not covered by insurance and you would have to purhase a new one out of your own pocket. Your floor or carpet would be covered by insurance however you will have an excess whcih could be as much as £250. Also once you have claimed your premiums could rise too, so what seems a good idea to claim might not be cost effective in the long run if all your going to get out of it is flooring or carpet.
Flooring or carpet will dry out as will kitchen units
Insurance is there for the big things that go wrong like being burgled, huge water losses and fires. Having had a flood last year totalling a cost of almost £4000 of damage, thats when you realise the value of your insurance. Trying to find that kind of money when you havent got it to clear up flood damage would be impossible for some.
Quote from: landimad on April 19, 2010, 06:06:53
.... but paying out over £500 - £700 for a new machine is like a second hand car. We need this sort of size for the family we have. They do not do cheap reliable large load machines. This is why we have gone with Bosch since we had number four of our kids and the jobs I have done which require clean clothes on most days.
We recently replaced our ten year old Bosch (5kg) for an LG that washes 9kg. I do half the washes in a week now. Their more recent models can take 11kg; ideal for families. Once you have decided on your model, it is worth shopping around on the internet. We paid almost £300 less for ours than was advertised elsewhere.
I am certain you will not get your machine replaced on the insurance. I also doubt whether they will pay out for kitchen units as they will dry out. I agree with Brownowl about premiums rising after a claim. Ours did when we had a claim after the hurricane in 1987.
Forgot to mention the engine in the LG is guaranteed for ten years. It also has a steam wash.
Landidmad if you have a home contents insurance policy damage to fixtures and fittings caused by the flood will be covered. The machine itslef wont be covered as that is regarded as normal wear and tear and you cant insure against that as everything wears out eventually. You need to get your policy out and have a read. Find out what your excess is. Then decide of you want to claim. If you think that there will be permananet damge to your flooring/units that you cant live with then make a claim. But do it quickly and dont fix anythring/move anything/throw anyhting away until the insurance company has said you can. They may want to send an assessor to inspect the damage. If you have new for old cover in your policy they will give you new units and flooring regardless of how old the damaged things were. But expect your premuim to rise next time.
Oh heck to be without the washing machine is a nightmare.
I had about a year without one and had to resort to washing stuff in the bath. :o
Big joy when I could afford another one ;D
Have just moved and have to take one of the kitchen draws out if I want to use the dispenser.Great design eh ??? ;D
I can't think of a way any one could wash clothes in a second hand car. Nor think of a second hand car which will last for 10 years with hardly any maintenance. Is that Male Logic?
Here is my Female Logic.
With six people to do laundry for I know where my priorities lie .
10 years at £1,000 works out at less than £2 a week. If you value time then consider:-
With the national average wage being around £6 an hour the replacemet washing machine costs about 20 minutes at work each week. A Bargain.
Quote from: PurpleHeather on April 21, 2010, 07:38:54
I can't think of a way any one could wash clothes in a second hand car. Nor think of a second hand car which will last for 10 years with hardly any maintenance. Is that Male Logic?
Here is my Female Logic.
With six people to do laundry for I know where my priorities lie .
10 years at £1,000 works out at less than £2 a week. If you value time then consider:-
With the national average wage being around £6 an hour the replacemet washing machine costs about 20 minutes at work each week. A Bargain.
I like your thinking!! but would never spend that amount on a washing machine.
we have just (monday) had to replace the brushes in our washing maching motor. I't a 14 yr old tricity bendix (made by zanussi to capture 'market share') so far it's cost £15 in maintenance. not bad for a machine that cost under £200 new.
(next time you meet a Hotpoint or Zanussi service technician, ask him what type of washing machine he uses at home, you might be very surprised at the answer)
Quote from: tonybloke on April 21, 2010, 08:07:14
(next time you meet a Hotpoint or Zanussi service technician, ask him what type of washing machine he uses at home, you might be very surprised at the answer)
I was talking with a hotpoint engineer a few months back. He was fixing my hotpoint oven for the 'enth time, in weeks and I ws looking to see what a good replacement might be.
I asked him what oven he had. His answer was everything in his house is german built. Kupperbusch oven, Miele washing machine and his wife has just ordered him to replace their creda/hotpoint dryer with a miele as it was so rubbish.
He actually stated he wouldnt buy anything from hotpoint or its co- companys.
I agree with the other comments on what can be claimed for.
Have you checked the pipes for a blockage including the waste pipe under the sink? Ours has leaked before because of this. The missus keeps tipping the odd bit of oil/fat down the sink and this had cooled and set solid in the washing machine pipes, a quick flushing out with boiling water and a large block of fat slid out the bottom :-X
One way( but a dangerous way) of checking the pump is to remove it and connect a wire direct to it and plug it into the mains, it only takes a second to see if its working. I done this when ours flooded and it worked. It turned out to be a blocked waste pipe(see above)
Neil
I've got a Zannussi washer/dryer, 11 years old. Six years ago the motor went & it cost £120 for the repair. The machine itself cost £480. Thats £600 over 11 years so far which I don't think is to bad. I don't use the dryer very often.
I've found this useful for saving some money but getting a new machine
http://www.clearance-comet.co.uk/kitchen-home/laundry-dishwashers.html
What makes you think insurance companies are in business for your benifit ?
Sourced a Candy one for £350 and a sore pocket.
At the end of the day you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.