Home emergency cover: What is it and how can you compare quotes?

What is home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is a type of insurance that helps when urgent problems happen in your home. It’s there for those unexpected situations that can’t wait, like a boiler breaking down or a burst pipe causing a leak.

Unlike standard home insurance, home emergency cover is designed to cover the cost of immediate assistance, not long-term repairs or the damage caused.

So, while it can cover the call-out of a tradesperson, it won’t cover fixing the problem itself. For any repair costs or damage, you would usually rely on your buildings insurance or contents cover.

Why Choose Home Emergency Cover?

• Fast response: Get a tradesperson on-site quickly to handle urgent problems.

• Convenience: Avoid the stress of finding a reliable plumber, electrician, or heating engineer at the last minute.

• Reliable support: Know that urgent issues can be managed without delay.

What's covered by home emergency insurance?

Home emergency insurance typically includes:

Boilers and central heating cover

You're usually covered if your boiler or central heating system breaks down and leaves you without heat or hot water.

Keep in mind:

• Older boilers might not be included.

• Regular servicing is usually needed to stay covered.

• It's for emergencies only, not ongoing maintenance or upgrades.

Plumbing and drainage

Cover typically includes burst pipes, leaks, or blocked drains that could cause flooding or water damage.

It doesn't normally extend to:

• Shared pipes in flats or communal buildings.

• Drains or pipes outside your property boundary.

Electrical failures

If your mains electrics fail or there's dangerous wiring, this cover can help get things fixed quickly.

However, it won't usually include:

• External cables or power lines.

• Planned electrical work or upgrades.

Roof and external damage

If a storm or bad weather damages your roof, this cover can pay for emergency repairs to make your home safe and watertight. It's designed for urgent fixes, not general wear and tear.

Home security

If your locks, doors or windows are damaged by a break-in or accident, you can get help securing your home again - whether that's a repair or replacement.

Pest infestation

Many policies also cover the removal of pests, such as rats, mice, wasps or hornets. Make sure to read the cover details, though, as covered pests can vary between insurers.

Standalone cover vs an add-on

Emergency cover home insurance can either be added to your existing policy or purchased as a separate, standalone policy.

Let’s take a look at the differences to help you decide which option might be best for you.

Tips when choosing cover:

• Look at claim limits - how much the policy will pay per incident.

• Check excess fees - what you’ll need to pay if you make a claim.

• Confirm the number of call-outs allowed - some policies have a yearly cap.

Choosing home insurance with home emergency cover as an add-on is great if you want simplicity and a lower cost. But, a standalone emergency cover home insurance policy may suit you if you want broader protection and more flexibility.

How to compare home emergency cover

When you compare home insurance with us, you'll see what's included and how much it costs across different providers, all in one place.

You can select home emergency cover as an optional add-on to your policy. We make it easy to compare the details and cost of this cover between different providers.

As you compare this insurance, check the policy documents to see:

• What's covered.

• The excess or call-out fee you would need to pay.

• Any exclusions, such as older boilers or existing issues.

It's also worth checking customer reviews to see how insurers handle call-outs and claims when something actually goes wrong.

When you get a quote with us, you can choose to include home emergency cover as part of your home insurance. This is optional, simply select "Yes I need home emergency" if you'd like to include it.

Home emergency cover for landlords

Are you a landlord? Landlord home emergency cover can typically be added to your existing landlord insurance policy for an extra cost. Or, you can choose to buy a specialist landlord home emergency policy.

It’s not a legal requirement, but there are plenty of reasons why having this cover could be a smart move. For example, it can:

• Protect your tenants by ensuring urgent issues are dealt with quickly

• Avoid hassle if there’s an emergency, so you don’t have to scramble to find a tradesperson

• Provide reassurance that your property is covered for immediate assistance during urgent problems

Typical landlord home emergency insurance includes support for things like:

• Heating or boiler breakdowns

• Plumbing issues, such as burst pipes or blocked drains

• Electrical emergencies

• Pest infestations

• Problems with locks or security

Keep in mind - many landlord home insurance policies have conditions, like regular maintenance or an annual gas safety check. Failing to meet these requirements can mean your cover won't be valid.

The right landlord home emergency cover helps protect your property and support your tenants when urgent issues happen.