Czechs will not last without a fridge.Half people in a failure will buy a new one

People could save money if they took out additional insurance for the after-warranty service of appliances. This is what the Generali insurance company offers as part of its property insurance. Additional insurance for after-warranty service of appliances will be used by those who, for example, have a five-year-old washing machine break down at home. In the event of a breakdown, they call the non-stop assistance service, which will quickly find a repairman. The insurance company pays up to 6,000 for the repair of the appliance, including the necessary components," explains Generali property insurance expert Ivo Satek.

We believe in "good luck"

Three quarters of Czechs expect their refrigerator to last longer than six years. "Regular maintenance can extend the life of the refrigerator, save money on repairs or the purchase of a new appliance. But a full quarter of those surveyed don't know about it, so they don't do it," adds the insurance company's spokesperson.

Another important household appliance from which Czechs expect a long life is the washing machine. "Respondents mostly expect it to last six to ten years, but many people also believe in the appliance's lifespan of more than ten years," says Jan Marek. Unlike refrigerators, 85% of people also know that washing machines can be extended by regular maintenance. In addition, people can do without a washing machine longer than without a refrigerator. "While in the case of a refrigerator, the majority of respondents claim that they would immediately buy a new one, Czechs can go without a washing machine for several days," says a spokesperson for the insurance company.

At the same time, Czechs believe that manufacturers install so-called "defects", i.e. components that deliberately reduce the lifespan of appliances. "We encountered this belief among 83% of respondents," points out the spokesperson of the insurance company.

Savings thanks to additional insurance

Since not everyone has a few thousand in their account to repair or buy a new appliance, it pays to think about additional insurance for after-warranty appliance service when taking out property insurance. "It is a handy additional insurance that is not expensive at all. It can be used by anyone who has an electrical appliance at home that is less than seven years old and is no longer under warranty," explains Ivo Satek, Generali's property insurance expert. If the repair of the appliance is not worth it, people will not come short. "In that case, the insurance company will pay people an amount that corresponds to the original price of the appliance, taking into account its age," concludes the expert.

A burst pipe will cost you thousands

A burst or loose pipe from the washing machine and in no time you have destroyed the floor, wall and furniture, and as an unwanted bonus, you will also damage your relations with the neighbors from the flats below you. According to research by the insurance company Generali, more than half of Czechs leave the washing machine running when they leave the house. However, this may not pay off. Plumbing damage leads sovereignly among the events that are most often dealt with by property insurance.

Furthermore, the insurance company's research showed that only 38 percent of people regularly check the supply hose to the washing machine once a year. "Roughly a quarter of the respondents check it every now and then. At the same time, the same number do not pay attention to the supply hose at all," enumerates the Generali spokesperson.

And even fewer Czechs have an idea of ​​the condition of the pipes in the wall of their house or apartment. At the same time, 45 percent of Czechs admitted to having experienced heating in the survey. However, if an accident occurs, property insurance is the solution. This can cover three situations that occur during heating. "First of all, it is the damage that is caused by the leaking water itself. So a damaged floating floor, waterlogged walls or heated neighbors," lists property insurance expert Ivo Satka. Another common situation is damage to the appliance itself or even to a pipe that bursts in the wall. "Whether it's a broken washing machine or a burst pipe, repair or even replacement can be surprisingly expensive. The insurance company will thus reimburse people for the cost of replacing the appliance or pipe.

Few people think that it is worthwhile to additionally insure for the third situation, which will arise for people due to an increased bill for leaked water, for example during the winter at the cottage. The advantage of property insurance is therefore not worth underestimating. "A few hundred crowns a year can sometimes save millions," concludes Jan Marek, a spokesman for the Generali insurance company.

BLACK HEDVICA