What is Wear & Tear?

Policy: Household contents insurance + ADD ON that covers breakage, damage, repairs. <br> <br> Claim: 2 year old Defy Stove, burnt wiring caused malfunction.<br> <br> Santam's Response: I am liable for the repairing or replacing of of the stove at my own cost, due to the claim being a maintenance/wear&tear problem. <br> <br> Firstly, I was not contacted about my claim and after 2 weeks I call in and am advised that I need to call the assessor, who stated that it was a maintenance problem. I was told to replace/repair at my own cost. I contacted the call centre again and they informed me that WEAR & TEAR is not covered in the policy. <br> <br> My issue is that when the policy was taken I was assured that all breakage, damage and repairs will be covered, without notification that there is a clause for wear & tear. I am disgusted at the service I received as I was transferred to 5 different people that did not seem to care about my claim and just stated that it was wear & tear, which is not covered. I was sold the policy with so many promises but now I sit with a broken stove that I have to replace.<br> <br> I think it is ridiculous and a crime to sell people policies and always find a loophole to avoid keeping your promise