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HOME : Just the FAQs Ma'amFood Freezer CoverageMy kids were playing floor hockey in the basement, and, in the heat of the game, they accidentally knocked my freezer plug out of the wall. I didn't know it at the time, but when I went downstairs a few days later, I got wind that something terrible had happened -- a whole freezer full of spoiled food. As if that wasn't bad enough, my broker told me my insurance wouldn't cover the cost of replacing the food. Yet, I remember my sister's freezer broke down last year, and her insurer not only replaced her food, but also her freezer! Why won't mine do the same? Smells like a rat to me! That's a bad case of freezer burn, all right, but, unfortunately, your broker is correct. Your meltdown is not covered, no matter what type of homeowner's insurance you have, because the spoilage was caused by the accidental disconnection of your power supply -- in other words, your rambunctious Gretzky wannabes. Sure, your kids didn't mean to pull the plug on you, but still, this type of accident is considered preventable, unlike a mechanical breakdown, such as your sister experienced, or a power failure in your home. If a power failure or mechanical breakdown had caused your loss, you would have been covered up to a maximum of $2,000, with no deductible to pay. This $2,000 would also include coverage for any damage to the freezer caused by the food spoilage. I don't have to tell you that the smell of rotten meat or fish can be absorbed by the plastic liner of your freezer, and sometimes, no amount of cleaning will get rid of it. The only solution is to replace the liner or, if that isn't feasible, perhaps the entire freezer, as in your sister's case. The insurance would also cover reasonable expenses that you might incur to preserve food while the freezer is being repaired -- for example, having to rent space in a storage locker. You learned the hard way that unplugged means uncovered, and served the penalty for your hockey stars' roughing infraction. However, there is one simple tip that would have prevented this whole stinking mess. For just a couple of dollars, you can buy an attachment for your plug that will keep it in the socket, no matter how boisterous the game gets. That way, you can keep your assets frozen, and you won't have to worry about another financial meltdown. Note: The preceding information is based on the Insurance Bureau of Canada's guideline wordings. Remember, policies vary, so when in doubt, Contact Us.
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