Denied Insurance Claim Following Water Damage to Smart Home Appliances

Case Overview

This case study explores a situation where an individual filed an insurance claim under their home insurance policy following a water pipe rupture in February. The incident damaged several smart home appliances equipped with semiconductors. An adjuster from the insurance company inspected the damaged appliances, concluding that they did not require replacement.

Consequently, the insurance company denied the plaintiff's claim for reimbursement of the cost of replacing these smart appliances. The plaintiff contends that any exposure to moisture or voltage spikes can significantly diminish the lifespan of the semiconductors present in smart home appliances.

To shed light on this matter, an expert specializing in smart home appliance design & engineering with a focus on semiconductors was sought to review the case and provide an opinion.

Questions to the Electrical Engineer expert and their responses

Could you elaborate on your experience designing, engineering, or teaching about semi-conductors' function and longevity, particularly those used in smart home appliances?

Throughout my professional journey, I have been deeply involved in testing, safety qualification, and reliability assessment of both semiconductors and passive devices. My work has included consumer product safety qualification through UL and designing various circuit systems utilized in consumer products.

Based on your knowledge, what kind of damage occurs to an appliance that uses a semiconductor after experiencing a voltage spike?

Voltage spikes can cause significant damage to semiconductors used in smart home appliances. They can lead to immediate failure or significantly reduce the device's lifespan due to increased wear and tear on the components.

About the expert

This expert boasts an extensive background in electrical engineering, with advanced degrees from a prestigious technology-focused institution. They have held significant roles such as a postdoctoral associate at a renowned technology institute and a senior engineer at a leading tech company. Currently, they serve as a professor of electrical engineering at an Ivy League university and are an active member of prominent industry organizations, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the field.