Appliances damaged by a power surge: what to do

What to do first

Never throw water on an outlet that is on fire, Hydro-Québec reminds us.

Then set aside the appliance that no longer works. Hydro-Québec is clear: a defective appliance is either repaired or discarded. The same goes for an appliance or extension cord whose cord is damaged, cracked or gives off excessive heat, according to Québec’s Ministère de la Sécurité publique.

Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority also advises checking electronic devices and safety equipment after a surge: GFCI breakers and outlets, arc-fault breakers, and hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Damage cannot be seen: use the test button, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The appliance, or the wiring too?

Both are possible. When power comes back, a surge can damage an appliance, but also an outlet, a breaker or a connection in the panel.

If the breaker keeps tripping or an outlet heats up, have the wiring checked before replacing the appliance. An outlet, a breaker or a panel connection is electrical work: in your home, only a master electrician can carry it out.

A breaker that keeps tripping: possible causes and what you can safely do are in Breaker keeps tripping? Causes and what to do in Québec.

Does Hydro-Québec pay for damaged appliances?

As a rule, no. Its conditions of service say so in black and white: Hydro-Québec does not guarantee stable voltage, and it is not liable for property damage caused by voltage variations or losses, except in the case of intentional or gross fault.

Its claims page says the same: unless there is gross or intentional fault, Hydro-Québec pays no compensation for damaged appliances, and it lists a thunderstorm and a voltage variation among the examples where it is not liable. It advises calling your insurer.

Its conditions of service add that it is up to the customer to guard against voltage variations and to protect their installation and appliances.

If Hydro-Québec is liable, compensation takes the appliance’s age and condition into account: replacement cost, minus a deduction for depreciation.

In Westmount, the utility is not Hydro-Québec but Hydro Westmount: that is who to ask.

Making a claim to Hydro-Québec

The claim goes through Hydro-Québec’s online form, under the type “Bris d’appareils électriques ou électroniques” (damaged electrical or electronic appliances).

• You need the date and address of the event, your contact information and your customer number.
• Supporting documents (photos, quotes, invoices) must be attached, or the claim is not admissible.
• You can attach up to five documents; keep the originals.
• By mail: Réclamations, C.P. 6004, succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal (Québec) H3C 3B3.

Hydro-Québec shows no deadline for claims on its page or its form: check with it directly.

Does your home insurance cover it?

It depends on your policy. The Insurance Bureau of Canada lists “electrical risks” among the risks a home insurance policy can cover. But a basic (named perils) policy covers only the risks named in the contract, while a comprehensive policy covers everything except what it expressly excludes.

Hydro-Québec suggests checking with your insurer whether your policy covers the replacement value of the damaged appliance, and updating your home insurance regularly. It points out that damage from voltage variations and outages is generally the customer’s responsibility.

Preventing it from happening again

Hydro-Québec advises plugging appliances into power bars fitted with surge protectors to protect them from surges when power is restored, and unplugging electronics as soon as an outage begins.

At the panel, a surge protector covers every circuit at once: How a whole-house surge protector works. Power bar and panel protection work together: Power strip, surge protector or panel protection?

The installed price and the brand we install: Whole-house surge protector installation.

Frequently asked questions