Crockpot insurance warning!

**vintrested** · 04-30-2009, 07:30 PM

Hi everyone,

I don't post much I prefer to read up on how everyone is doing, but I just thought I'd share this. We're coming into winter down here in Australia, and I just got a crockpot (we call them slowcookers here :-) off layby.

I had grand visions of putting everything in it in the morning and coming home from work to a nice dinner....sweet, right? That's exactly what I did yesterday.

And then I thought, I better check this is covered by my insurance.....several minutes on the phone later....FREAK OUT!!! To the insurance company, having a slowcooker on while you are at work or out is considered the same as leaving something on the stove or in the oven while you are not home, and so any fire/damage caused etc is not covered. #$&^#!!!

D'oh!! Guess who went home and turned the slowcooker off?? Me <Sob> You're all probably sitting there going, who leaves it on while they go out?? Derrrr. But, as a novice to the area I thought that would be cool. Wrong!!!

My cousin came up with a nice idea that I think will work, cooking the food overnight while my husband and I are asleep. We have smoke detectors, so at least if something we're to go wrong we could wake up and check it.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, and you probably think I'm a bit silly, but please check your insurance policies people, just in case!

Cheers,
Kylie Down Under
(Who's now having toast for tea :-)

**groundhog** · 04-30-2009, 07:39 PM

i thought that was the idea behind a slow cooker or crock pot is to put them on when you are out i would have never even thought about checking with the insurance co what is the point of doing it if you cant come home from work to the smell of something wonderful and already for supper cooking it the night before will be more dangerous because of the cooling and then heating up i mean dangerous because of food poisoning

**hotprincesscm** · 04-30-2009, 07:46 PM

I put mine on while I am at work and let it cook all day...so when I come home I have a nice dinner waiting for me! I also use it when I am at home on the weekends so that I don't have to stand over the stove...just put it on and carry about my business. I think that's what most people do...Oh well...I don't have insurance as I rent my apartment anyway..so either way...I'm out of luck!

**Persimmon Lace** · 04-30-2009, 08:29 PM

Your insurance is way different down there than ours is. There is no such thing as that type of exclusion and if there were it would have to be told to you up front! Wow, what a load of crap, that's just a way to get around paying for something.

**2ndGenGranola** · 05-01-2009, 07:53 AM

With all the repairmen, engineers and firemen in the family, that is one thing that has been pounded into my head - NEVER leave the house with the crockpot on.

You have a good point about checking the insurance. They have ways that slip exclusions in there w/o the average person being aware of it until it is too late.

**pip** · 05-01-2009, 08:21 AM

Wow. I've used my crockpot for years when I've been gone. I thought that was what it was designed for! Wonder how many fires have actually started by crockpots... I LOVE my crockpot, by the way, and don't see myself changing my ways...

**YankeeMom** · 05-01-2009, 09:00 AM

So if you accidentally left your oven on while you were gone and it set fire to your house they wouldn't cover it? Because that's what they are implying....That's ridiculous! That's what insurance is for!!

I have NO problem with my crockpots. I've used them for decades w/ no problems. I have more issues w/ leaving my washer & dryer running while I was gone than my crockpot!

**frugal is fun** · 05-01-2009, 10:20 AM

having a crock pot on is like leaving a lamp on. I don't know for fact but I think its about the same wattage.

I have only recently even thought about a danger with my crock pot so now I leave it on the top of my stove rather than counter top. I have NEVER had a problem or concern and I've been using the same old crock pot for more than 12 years.

**baxjul** · 05-01-2009, 10:30 AM

I'm usually home all day with mine, but I've never thought twice about leaving the house with it on. hmmm.

**lotsadebt** · 05-01-2009, 10:46 AM

What about plugging it into a GFI outlet? Here in the states (ohio) you must have a GFI outlet in the kitchen near a water source. The outlet is designed to trip and shut off when surges, or shorts happen due to bad wiring. Here it is mandatory to have them in the kitchen/bathroom/laundry areas.

I admit I am a leave it on and go to work. For me that's the point of it. What about all the other appliances that are on that we don't think of coffee makers, microwaves. Those phantom power draws. I agree, just another reason for the insurance companies to get out of paying.

**frooz** · 05-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Actually it's not that crazy - a friend of mine had a slow cooker explode while she was at work. The lid flew right off and shattered glass was found all over the kitchen.
Although I still leave mine on when I'm not home - guess I should check my insurance, I assumed I would be covered if it happened to me!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 05-02-2009, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

With all the repairmen, engineers and firemen in the family, that is one thing that has been pounded into my head - NEVER leave the house with the crockpot on.

You have a good point about checking the insurance. They have ways that slip exclusions in there w/o the average person being aware of it until it is too late.

This is funny because around here, the fire fighters are the ones who use them the MOST!