Home Emergency Cover UK: What It Is, What It Covers and Whether You Need It

What Is Home Emergency Cover

Home emergency cover is an insurance policy providing 24-hour emergency call-out and repair services for urgent problems in the home. Standard covered emergencies include boiler and central heating failure, plumbing and drainage blockages or leaks, electrical failure affecting the whole home, roof damage making the property insecure, and lost or broken door and window locks creating a security risk.

How It Differs from Buildings Insurance

Buildings insurance covers physical damage to the structure of the property and pays for repair or reinstatement of the damaged structure. Home emergency cover pays for the emergency call-out, labour and parts to get the system working again, up to a policy limit -- typically £500 to £1,500 per claim. If the boiler needs to be replaced entirely, home emergency cover may not cover the full replacement cost -- this would be a buildings insurance or boiler cover matter depending on the circumstances.

What Is Typically Covered

Most home emergency policies cover: boiler and central heating breakdown (the most commonly claimed event), burst or leaking pipes, blocked drains, loss of electricity supply (where the fault is within the home's system), damage to the roof making the property insecure, and failure of external locks. Some policies also cover pest infestation and alternative accommodation if the home becomes uninhabitable.

What Is Typically Excluded

Home emergency cover typically excludes: boilers over a certain age (often 15 years), systems that have not been serviced within 12 months, pre-existing faults known at the time of policy inception, general maintenance and wear and tear, the cost of replacing the boiler entirely (call-out and repair only), and cosmetic repairs.

Boiler Cover vs Home Emergency Cover

Boiler cover specifically covers the boiler and central heating system -- annual service, repairs and in some cases replacement. Home emergency cover is broader, covering multiple home systems, but may provide less comprehensive boiler cover than a dedicated boiler policy. Many energy suppliers and heating engineers offer boiler cover plans. Ofgem regulates energy companies but boiler cover plans specifically fall under FCA regulation as insurance products.

Is It Worth It

An emergency boiler call-out and repair can cost £150 to £500 or more out of pocket. Home emergency cover typically costs £50 to £150 per year. For homeowners with older boilers, properties with older plumbing, or those without savings to cover emergency repair costs, it can provide peace of mind at a reasonable cost. For those with newer systems under manufacturer warranty or sufficient emergency savings, the value is less clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is home emergency cover included in buildings insurance?

Some buildings insurance policies include home emergency cover as a standard benefit; others offer it as an optional add-on at extra cost. Check your buildings insurance policy schedule to see if it is included before purchasing separately.

Does home emergency cover include boiler replacement?

Most home emergency cover policies cover emergency call-out and repair costs up to a limit, not full boiler replacement. If the boiler needs to be replaced entirely, additional costs may not be covered. Dedicated boiler cover plans sometimes include boiler replacement up to a specified age or value.

What is the Ofgem connection to home emergency cover?

Ofgem regulates energy suppliers but home emergency cover and boiler cover products are regulated by the FCA as insurance products. Energy suppliers often sell home emergency cover as an add-on to energy tariffs -- this is an insurance product regulated by the FCA, not an energy product regulated by Ofgem.

Can renters get home emergency cover?

Tenants can purchase home emergency cover, though the responsibility for major repairs typically lies with the landlord. Home emergency cover for renters typically focuses on contents-related emergencies and locks rather than structural systems. Tenants should check their tenancy agreement regarding emergency repair responsibilities before purchasing.