Got advice from insurer regarding smart switches (e.g. Sonoff) that may not have Aust cerification etc

staunts on 03/11/2018 - 09:50

Morning all, was looking at some chat around sonoff switches and there was a debate on whether insurers would cover if the switch caused a fire. That is a concern I have as well. So I asked Allianz, here's the transcript.

ME: Good morning. I have been seeing some chat in the internet regarding smart switches etc that can be bought to turn your home into a "Smart Home" i.e. turn off and on light switches etc. Some of the switches I was given are Australian Standard approved (is my understanding). they work great , however I am concerned that if the place burned down then an insurer may not pay out if one of these were found to have caused the fire. People are saying that their advice has been that the house would be covered, just not necessarily the device ? Can you advise please as I do not want to potentially have any issues down the track.

ALLIANZ: Hi Adam, thanks for your message. If a fire were to occur due to the smart switch then damage caused by the fire would be covered however it would have to be determined by our claims team if the smart switch itself would be covered. Regards, XXXXX

ME: Hey XXXXX, I might have made a typo. What i meant to say was that these are NOT Australian Approved. For example , these: https://sonoff.itead.cc/en/products/residential/sonoff-t1-us
https://sonoff.itead.cc/en/products/residential/sonoff-t1-us

ME: Can you advise if I would still be ok ?

ALLIANZ: Hi Adam, the same answer would apply in this situation. Damage caused by a fire would be covered however it would be determined by our claims team as to if the device itself would be covered. Regards, XXXXX

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 03/11/2018 - 10:20

    keep in mind that the person you spoke to is on the front line, so its not exactly iron clad.

    There are big discussions on WP automotive about insurers proving negligence, which apparently is very difficult.

  • c64 on 03/11/2018 - 13:41

    you need to carefully read what your insurance contract says

  • staunts on 03/11/2018 - 17:15

    I am just confirming that 1) my PDS makes no reference to my house being uninsured if the fire is caused by a product that doesn't meet Australian Standards, and 2) that I have received advice from my insurer specifically saying that we would be covered.

    I expect that would hold up "ok". I certainly don't check whether items meet Australian standards on the myriad of other things I buy online.

    Anyways, no-one need take this as advice as I'm just confirming what another OZBargainer stated was there advice.

  • whooah1979 on 04/11/2018 - 17:06

    just purchase the widgets from bunnings or amazon au.

  • HighAndDry on 05/11/2018 - 12:04

    Honestly I've never thought of that as a serious risk - insurance companies aren't in the business of checking everything in your home to make sure they meet some kind of approval in order to deny claims unless there's some extreme or flagrant misuse, neglect or other action that led to whatever incident.

    Far more risky, in terms of actual harm and risk of denied claims, than unapproved powerpoints, etc, is DIY electrical or plumbing work. It's reasonable to assume that if you buy something, that it works. It's not reasonable to expect consumers to themselves check for regulatory approvals of the products they do. It's far less reasonable to do wiring/plumbing work yourself.

  • reminiscences on 06/11/2018 - 20:12
    +1

    Ive worked for Allianz in the past and would agree with this.

    Generally the defective item (defective as in non compliant with AS standards) would be subject to an exclusion and not covered.

    Resultant damage from said item would be covered though.

    Best to thoroughly check their PDS and look in the property section && exclusions sections though.

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