What is home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is a standalone policy or an add-on to a home insurance policy that helps when unexpected household crises strike. It typically covers call-out fees, labour and parts needed for urgent situations like plumbing, heating, electricity or security failures.

You can choose different levels of cover based on your needs. Some policies only include basic emergencies to keep premiums low – others offer more comprehensive protection, usually with a maximum cap on the cost per claim. Some providers offer extra perks such as alternative accommodation if your home becomes unsafe.

The goal is simple: avoid scrambling for help during a crisis and unexpected costs. You call for help, and your insurer arranges a qualified tradesperson quickly. Perfect if you face a household emergency you can’t ignore.

What do I get with home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is designed to step in when something urgent goes wrong in your home – like a burst pipe or complete loss of heating.

The policy works like other types of insurance: you pay a monthly or yearly premium to stay protected. If something goes wrong, you call a 24/7 helpline and the provider sends a qualified tradesperson out to handle the repairs. Most of the costs for call-outs, labour and parts will be covered (you’ll usually just pay a fixed excess).

Depending on your chosen insurer and policy, here’s what could be covered by your emergency home cover policy:

  • Boiler and central heating breakdown: Covers repairs or replacement if your heating or hot water fails, as long as your boiler is serviced regularly.

  • Roof damage after a storm: Covers emergency repairs for leaks, lost tiles or other damage.

  • Plumbing emergencies and external drainage: Includes blocked or leaking toilets, pipes and external drain repairs.

  • Electrical emergency: Covers fuse box faults, power loss, wiring damage, and key or lock issues.

  • Security issues: Covers boarding up, tarpaulin use, lock replacements and repairs after damage or loss.

  • Pest infestation: Covers removal of rats, mice, wasps or hornet nests.

  • Hotel accommodation and travel: Covers hotel and travel costs if your home becomes unliveable due to a covered emergency.

Things to check before committing:

  • General exclusions: Typically, cosmetic damage and normal wear and tear aren’t covered, as some deterioration is expected over time.

  • Excluded items: Some items may be excluded, such as older boilers, dual-purpose boilers, and solar heating systems, depending on your policy.

  • Waiting period: Policies include a waiting period (for example, 28 days) before you can claim.

  • Claim limit: Some policies allow unlimited claims per year but put a cap on the maximum cost per claim (for example, up to £4,000 per claim).

Do I really need home emergency cover?

It depends on your situation. If you own your home and want the reassurance that urgent repairs are handled quickly without large upfront bills, home emergency cover can bring peace of mind. A burst pipe, broken boiler or faulty electrics can cost hundreds – and may strike at the worst time.

Before deciding, think about the following:

  • Do you own or rent your home? If you rent, your landlord will be responsible for repairs.

  • Is your heating or electrical system older or still under warranty?

  • Could you afford to fix an emergency out of pocket?

  • How easy is it for you to get a trusted tradesperson in a hurry?

  • Is any kind of emergency cover already included in other policies you hold?

If you’re not covered and would struggle with the stress or cost of sudden home emergencies, a policy could be a worthwhile safeguard.

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Page updated on 25th September 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom