Be honest and realistic. If you claim for an improbable amount (e.g. listing more food than could ever realistically fit into your freezer), your claim could be refused. Do I need extra cover at Christmas or other celebration times?

If you plan to put your freezer in an unheated room such as a garage, it may be safer to choose one of these specially designed models rather than an ordinary freezer. You can use our contribution towards an alternative model of your choice from our approved supplier – there is no cash alternative​ We've rounded up some freezers that manufacturers claim work in sub-zero temperatures. While they're not all the highest-scoring models we've tested, the manufacturers guarantee these freezers for use in temperatures as low as -15°C. Every fridge, freezer and fridge freezer has a climate class. Climate classes are set by an international standard and range from 10°C to 43°C to cover hotter and colder countries. This means that, strictly speaking, very few freezers are actually suitable for garages. But in practice, lots of people keep freezers in their garages for years without experiencing any problems. If you don't have room for a freezer in your own kitchen, you may already have done this without worrying about it much.

Veygo is a trading name of Able Insurance Services Limited. Able Insurance Services Limited (Reg No: 2890075) Defrosted food should be reheated only once, because the more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. You should also aim to eat it within 24 hours. You’re also normally covered if your freezer unexpectedly breaks due to a mechanical fault. There’s no cover for the mechanical breakdown of the freezer itself. Can you claim for a new freezer?

Yoghurt and cream – although best used only for cooking after freezing as both can separate and become lumpy once defrosted. If your freezer has stopped working permanently because of accidental damage, you can possibly make a claim. However, if your freezer breaks down due to age, you need to buy a new one. Do you need receipts to claim? It's worth keeping in mind that although freezing puts a pause on the growth of bacteria, it doesn't kill it off. As frozen food thaws and emerges from its dormant state, bacteria can once again begin to develop. Anything that happens in the first 14 days of the product start date or the addition of a new appliance With some insurers you can add extra cover during times of celebration, including weddings and religious festivals, for extra items (including food) being stored at home for the events.Bread – except the crusty varieties can be frozen for around three months. Slice before freezing so you can pop it straight in the toaster. We call it celebration cover and we include it as standard on all our contents insurance policies up to the cover limit. What isn’t covered? Don't ignore use-by dates Make sure you freeze food before the use-by date. Remember, freezing won't kill off bacteria and toxins, so any that have developed on your food after the use-by date will still be there once it's thawed. Don't risk it.

For example, if an unexpected power failure at home or a power surge puts your freezer out of action, you’ll likely be insured if it’s been off long enough for food to spoil. You can claim up to the value stated in your policy documents if there’s a sudden rise or fall in temperature, or the fridge has suffered any contamination by refrigerant or its fumes. Avoid defrosting food at room temperature, as most bacteria on your food will grow at temperatures of above 8°C, putting you at increased risk of food poisoning. Not all freezer manufacturers guarantee that their products will work as normal in rooms with low temperatures, though. If you place a non-guaranteed model in an outbuilding – where the temperature is likely to drop below 10°C – and it develops a fault, the warranty will have been invalidated and you won't be covered. The safest way to defrost food is in the fridge. It's best to plan ahead for this and allow enough time for food to fully defrost. Small items can defrost overnight, but others can take a day or two. Large items like turkeys can take up to four days to fully defrost in a fridge.

Do I need extra cover at Christmas or other celebration times?

If you want the food you're freezing to be at its best when you defrost it, following these simple guidelines will help: Admiral Group plc is registered in England and Wales at Tŷ Admiral, David Street, Cardiff. CF10 2EH (Reg No:

If you want peace of mind that a freezer in a garage is covered against a fault, you'll have to choose carefully. is a subsidiary of Admiral Group plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Some appliances can cover multiple climate classes, so you may see an appliance with a climate class of SN-T, which means it's designed to work in temperatures ranging from 10°C to 43°C. Head to our guide to the best fridge freezers if you'd rather have freezer and a fridge all in one. What does freezer climate class mean?Alternatively you can thaw food in a microwave using the defrost setting. If you opt for this method, make sure you are ready to cook it immediately after as the microwave could raise the temperature of the food to a level where bacteria can start to flourish. Some brands, such as Beko, Liebherr and Logik, claim some of their freezers are suitable for use in temperatures as low as -15°C. Admiral Money, Admiral Loans, Admiral Car Finance, Admiral One and Finble are all trading names of Admiral Financial Services Limited (AFSL). Admiral Financial Services Limited (Reg No: 10255225) is a subsidiary of Admiral Group plc and is Go to our best freezers guide to see freezers that aced our rigorous lab tests. Best freezers for garages