Even if it seeks to minimize risks, the government has warned. Without changing the habits of the French in terms of electricity consumption (in particular by changing certain uses), occasional and specific cuts next January cannot be ruled out.
Which implies the risk of certain damages inside your home. In fact, power outages can cause damage to all the electronic devices in the house (essentially internet boxes, game consoles, televisions) or even cause the loss of food (fridges and/or freezers that would otherwise be more powered). .
Can home insurance cover these damages?
Of course, it all depends on the signed contract. According to Fanny Limare-Wolf, CFO of L’olivier Assurance, “generally speaking, this is an option that should be taken out with the electrical damage guarantee, which covers the insured if electronic devices less than 5 years old have been damaged by an electrical overvoltage or undervoltage”.
“Then you must declare the claim by email or telephone to your insurer within 5 business days of the date of the claim. Remember to take a photo of the damage caused, to send all the elements that can justify the compensation (invoices, photos, bank statements, etc.) and above all not to throw away the damaged goods”, continues the specialist.
Are there guarantees for the repair costs of damaged electrical appliances?
If the accident is covered, the repair will be borne by the insurer.
“All insurers, when the event is covered, pay at least for the repair or replacement if the property is not technically or economically repairable. Keep in mind, however: some insurers have exclusions for damages caused when these are due to a variation in the current on the part of the provider”, specifies Fanny Limare-Wolf.
What about spoiled food?
On paper, a refrigerator stays cold for several hours even if it no longer has power, as long as you don’t open the door.
But some insurers offer specific coverages in their home contracts as an inclusion or option.
How to protect yourself to avoid damage?
Normally, in the case of a very tense situation in the network (EcoWatt network), the government will notify the French the day before of a possible cut. Which allows them to anticipate.
First you should think about unplugging devices that are not very useful and that break down easily (internet box, game consoles, etc.) in favor of refrigerators, freezers, etc.
You also have to be careful not to leave the chargers connected all the time since they consume free electricity, and not to leave a laptop charging all night.
In general, you also need to avoid using power strips that are more easily damaged than electrical appliances.
During the cut, it is also necessary to avoid opening the refrigerator and the freezer so that they maintain the cold chain as much as possible.
As for electric cars, there is normally no risk since they have an inverter that allows you to manage voltage changes.
Source: BFM TV
