Is Refrigerator Insurance in the UAE Worth It? Here's the Full Breakdown

Refrigerator. Or, as most of us call it: fridge.

It’s not just an appliance anymore — it’s a quiet partner in our daily lives. Decades ago, owning a fridge was seen as a luxury. Today, it’s as essential as running water.

But just like any other essential device, fridges can break down often without warning — usually when you need them most. And with modern refrigerators becoming smarter, larger, and costlier, the expenses of repair or replacement can really burn a hole in your pocket. That’s where refrigerator insurance steps in.

What is Refrigerator Insurance in the UAE?

Let’s be clear from the start: there’s no specific product called ‘refrigerator insurance’ in the UAE. Instead, it’s included as part of a comprehensive home insurance policy that financially protects the contents of your home like your fridge, freezer, washing machine, and even electronics — from risks like accidental damage, theft, fire, and more.

When you buy a home insurance plan in the UAE, especially one that includes ‘contents cover’, you’re automatically getting fridge insurance and freezer insurance cover, though not many people realise it.

Let’s see how it works —

1. Your fridge is considered a household content or white good. As long as it’s inside your home, it’s protected under the contents section of your home insurance policy.
2. If your fridge breaks down due to certain accidental damages (depending on your insurer and plan), your policy may include a fridge breakdown cover.
3. If food inside your freezer or fridge gets spoiled due to power failure or mechanical malfunction, some UAE insurers provide limited freezer insurance cover to compensate you.

What is Covered Under Refrigerator Insurance?

Even though there’s no standalone refrigerator insurance in the UAE, your fridge and freezer are still protected under your home contents insurance. However, this is the case only if you’ve opted for that cover.

Let's break down what you usually get under fridge insurance, fridge breakdown cover, and freezer insurance cover —

• Accidental Damage to Refrigerator or Freezer: If your fridge or freezer gets damaged due to an unexpected event — like someone bumping into it with heavy furniture, a falling object in your kitchen, or a minor indoor accident — it could be covered. This is usually listed under ‘accidental damage to contents’.
• Fridge Breakdown Cover (Under Certain Conditions): Some home insurance policies may cover mechanical or electrical breakdown of your fridge — only when it happens due to insured risks (fire, power surge, water leakage, and more). Pure mechanical failure not caused by external damage is usually excluded unless specifically mentioned.
• Spoilage of Food Inside the Freezer or Fridge: This is one of the most commonly offered benefits related to freezer insurance cover in the UAE. If your food gets spoiled due to:
  • Sudden rise or fall in temperature
  • Failure of electricity supply (not caused intentionally)
  • Leakage of refrigerant fumes

...then your insurer may reimburse the loss up to a specific limit.

• Protection Against Theft and Fire: If your fridge or freezer is stolen during a break-in or damaged due to fire or explosion, most home insurance policies will cover it under the standard contents insurance. 

Just note that as per the requirements of all UAE insurers, the theft must involve forced entry and a police report to be covered. Unexplained disappearance or damages by tenants, guests, or domestic helpers is excluded.

• Damage During Home Moves (Professional Removals Only): Some policies also cover damages to the fridge while it is being moved, if you're relocating and using professional movers. This falls under the ‘contents in transit’ cover.
• Optional Home Assistance Services: Some fridge insurance plans offer home assistance services where they will send electricians or plumbers in case your fridge’s wiring or water connection causes issues. However, this doesn’t include replacing or repairing the appliance itself.

What is Not Covered Under Refrigerator Insurance?

Let’s walk through the major exclusions that apply to fridge insurance, fridge breakdown cover, and freezer insurance cover in the UAE —

1. Normal Wear and Tear or Aging of the Fridge: Fridge insurance is designed to cover unexpected events and not slow damage over time. So if your fridge stops cooling due to old age, worn-out parts, or general wear and tear, you’re not covered.
2. Mechanical or Electrical Breakdown Not Caused by External Accident: Most insurers don’t cover fridge breakdowns due to internal mechanical failure, motor burnout, or electrical circuit faults — unless it was caused by a covered event like a power surge, fire, or lightning.
3. Intentional or Negligent Power Disconnection: If your freezer food goes bad because someone in your house accidentally or intentionally unplugged the fridge or turned off the electricity, you won’t be reimbursed under refrigerator insurance.
4. Deliberate Power Cuts by Utility Provider: If the power authority in your area intentionally cuts off electricity and your fridge stops working or food is spoiled, insurers will not pay out.
5. Losses During Extended Vacancy (Unoccupied Homes): If your home is left unoccupied for more than 60 days, your fridge insurance, fridge breakdown cover, and freezer insurance cover may become invalid.
6. Unexplained Loss or Mysterious Disappearance: If you can’t explain what happened to your fridge or why it stopped working, the insurer will not cover it. Claims must have a traceable cause like accidental, electrical, or due to a specific insured event.

How to Raise a Claim Under Refrigerator Insurance in the UAE?

Given below is a simple guide on how to raise a claim under fridge insurance —

1.) Report the Incident Immediately

In the case of insurance, time matters. As soon as your fridge breaks down or you notice spoiled food in the freezer due to electricity failure, notify your insurer without delay. Most providers require you to inform them within 24 to 48 hours of the event.

• For theft or malicious damage, immediately file a police report
• For power outages or surges, note the date and time of the incident and document any spoilage or damage

2.) Gather Required Documents

Depending on the type of claim (breakdown, spoilage, or damage), you’ll need to submit —

• A copy of your home insurance policy
• Proof of ownership for your fridge or freezer (invoice, purchase bill, and so on)
• Photos or videos showing the damage or spoiled food
• Police report (in case of theft or malicious damage)
• Service report (if a technician inspected the appliance)
• Electricity cut evidence (optional, for food spoilage claims)

3.) Submit Your Claim

You can submit the claim either —

• Online via your insurer’s website or mobile app
• Through customer care email
• Or by visiting the nearest branch

4.) Schedule an Inspection (If Required)

In some cases, your insurer might appoint a surveyor to visit your home and assess the damage to your fridge or validate your claim. Be prepared to show:

• The damaged fridge
• The condition of spoiled food (if not already discarded)
• The location of the appliance within your home

5.) Approval and Settlement

Once your claim is approved -

• The insurer may offer reimbursement for repair or replacement
• For freezer food spoilage, they will usually reimburse up to a fixed limit (e.g. 1% of contents sum insured)
• For fridge breakdown, the payout depends on whether accidental or electrical damage is included in your policy

The settlement is generally made via bank transfer or cheque within a few days to weeks, depending on the complexity of your claim.

How to Buy Refrigerator Insurance in the UAE?

Buying refrigerator insurance in the UAE is quick and simple through Policybazaar.ae. Here's a quick walkthrough — 

🏠 Step 1: Select Your Role: Choose if you’re a Home Owner or Tenant—both can get fridge insurance

📝 Step 2: Fill Basic Details: Enter your name, email, phone, and city to begin

📦 Step 3: Pick Coverage Type: Select Contents or Building & Contents to ensure your fridge, freezer, and other items are protected

📊 Step 4: Customise Coverage: Set the value of your contents — add details about lease, helpers, and valuable items

🏡 Step 5: Property Details: Specify if the home is unoccupied for more than 60 days and choose an apartment or villa

📋 Step 6: Compare & Buy: View quotes from top insurers — look for plans with:

• Contents Cover
• Home Assistance
• Freezer Insurance Cover

That’s it! You now have full protection that includes fridge insurance, freezer insurance cover, and fridge breakdown cover — all in one plan!

Frequently Asked Questions