Home Emergency Insurance
Have a problem in your home that needs fixing immediately? Look no further than a home emergency insurance policy to keep your home protected at all times.
Why choose Howden for Home Emergency Insurance?
As an insurance broker, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting to find cover for your home, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist home insurers, we make the process of comparing multiple insurance policies, on your behalf, simple and easy. What’s not to like?
We also know that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner, and that’s why we provide a personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your home emergency insurance.
Ultimately, whether you need to make a home emergency claim, purchase a new policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.
Benefits of working with us:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
What is Home Emergency cover?
Have you ever considered what you would do if your main heating system failed or if you had a plumbing or drainage emergency? Who would you call if a window was smashed or if you lost your only available set of keys? That’s where home emergency cover comes in.
Before you have a problem in your home that needs fixing immediately, you can add home emergency cover to your home insurance policy to ensure you're properly protected.
Common covered home emergencies may include plumbing and drainage issues (such as burst pipes or blocked drains), central heating or boiler failures, electricity supply faults, roof damage, pest infestations, or problems with locks and keys.
Once an issue arises, homeowners, through their policy, would then have access to a 24/7 helpline and call-out assistance. Around-the-clock support and labour costs are covered too, meaning you have a much better chance of not being left out of pocket because of a household emergency.
However, before purchasing home emergency cover, it's important to review the coverage details and understand the terms and conditions of your policy so you can be sure exactly what you’re covered for. You may be already covered under a standalone home insurance policy and not know it!
Is home emergency cover worth it?
Home emergency cover is neither essential nor legally required, but this doesn’t mean that it’s not necessarily worthwhile having. Whether having home emergency insurance cover is worth it or not depends on your preparedness and willingness to pay for the unexpected costs of any accidental damage or claims.
Accidents and emergencies are often unexpected, and not having an adequate home emergency policy could leave you need to pay a substantial amount of money to fix repairs or fund a legal case. That’s the main benefit of having a home emergency cover, to protect you from the unexpected.
More Information about Home Emergency cover
What is excluded from Home Emergency cover?
So, now you’re probably wondering, what isn’t included on a home emergency insurance policy?
Policy exclusions differ from insurer to insurer, but generally speaking we can say the following things are typically not covered under a home emergency insurance policy:
- General maintenance
- Minor electrical faults
- Services on boilers or the central heating system
- Small leaks
- Issues within unoccupied properties
- Outbuilding pest infestations
When you get in touch with us we help you navigate the various different home emergency policies by identifying what is and isn’t included per provider, making it easier for you to compare your options based on your own cover preferences.
What would an insurer define as a Home Emergency?
What’s considered to be a home “emergency” varies across insurance providers. Generally though, insurers will consider the issue you’re having in your home as an emergency if it:
- Leads your home to be unsafe
- Causes permanent damage to your home
- Puts you at risk in terms of your health and wellbeing
- Results in your home being no longer habitable
Based on this criteria, general maintenance issues or faulty appliances such as washing machines would not be deemed to be an “emergency”. These instances are different to loss of heating, collapsed roofs, or broken boilers, all of which significantly jeopardise the comfort of your home.
Be sure to check policy wording before you buy anything from an insurer, just so you have 100% clarity around what is and isn’t deemed to be an emergency in the eyes of the provider.
How can I buy Home Emergency cover?
When looking for home emergency cover, it’s important that you do it right, to ensure that you’re adequately covered. Here’s some of the steps you’ll need to take before getting your hands on your own policy:
Research Providers
Start by researching insurance providers that offer Home Emergency cover. You can explore options from well-known insurance companies, banks, and specialised home emergency cover providers.
Compare Policies
Compare the coverage, terms, and prices of different home emergency cover. Pay attention to what each policy covers, any exclusions, and the limits on coverage.
Check Existing Policies
Before purchasing a standalone Home Emergency policy, check if you already have some coverage included in your existing home insurance policy. Some home insurance policies may include basic emergency cover, so you don't want to pay for duplicate coverage.
Contact Insurance Providers
Once you've identified potential insurance providers and policies, contact them directly. You can reach out to them via phone, online chat, or by visiting their offices if applicable. Ask for detailed information about the Home Emergency cover they offer.
Provide Information
Be prepared to provide information about your property, such as its size, age, and any existing conditions. This information helps insurance providers determine the level of risk and the corresponding premium.
Read the Policy Documents
Carefully read the policy documents of the home emergency cover you are considering. Pay attention to the terms and conditions, coverage limits, exclusions, and any additional services or benefits.
As well as all of that, just know that we’re here to help if you need us. As insurance brokers, we can assist you with your search, providing you with a range of policy options and quotes that are well-suited to you, based on your expectations and personal requirements.
Related articles about Home Emergency Insurance
Have a read of our articles focused on the topic of home emergency insurance…
Home Emergency Cover FAQs
Can I get home emergency insurance for a second home?
The key to getting the right home emergency cover for a second home or alternative accommodation is speaking to your insurance provider.
Many providers will allow you to get some emergency cover for your second home belongs as you let them know that it isn’t your main residence and do not leave it unoccupied for a certain period of time (normally more than 30 days).
Failure to inform your insurer of those things could result in your policy being invalidated later down the line.
Will home emergency cover include my boiler?
Yes, many emergency home insurance policies will provide cover for issues that emerge with your boiler, with ‘Boiler Emergency’ included as standard. On the whole, if you suffer from a boiler breakdown and it needs emergency repairs to ensure you have a functioning heating system in your home, a home emergency policy will have you covered.
However, boiler services and any issues that arise from an un-serviced boiler are not typically covered by home emergency policies, which is worth bearing in mind.
What can arise for a homeowner who does not have home emergency insurance?
If a homeowner does not have home emergency insurance, they may face several challenges and consequences, such as:
- Being left out of pocket paying for emergency repair costs
- Compromised safety
- Failing to address certain emergencies could result in legal consequences
- Delays in getting emergencies sorted and sourcing contractors
- Relying on a temporary repair
To mitigate these risks, homeowners may want to consider having emergency savings or investing in home emergency insurance to provide financial protection and assistance in the event of unforeseen issues.
What can I do if I suspect there has been a gas leak in my home?
If you suspect a gas leak in the UK, it's crucial to take immediate action to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open Windows and Doors: If you suspect a gas leak, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors. This helps to disperse any accumulated gas and reduce the risk of ignition.
- Turn Off the Gas Supply: Locate the gas meter and turn off the gas supply at the meter. The gas meter is usually located on an external wall or in an outbuilding.
- Evacuate the Area: If the smell of gas is strong or if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or headaches, evacuate the building immediately. Move to a safe distance away from the property.
- Do Not Smoke or Use Naked Flames: Avoid smoking or using any kind of naked flames, such as matches or lighters, in the vicinity of the suspected gas leak.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service: In the UK, contact the National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999. This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Report the suspected gas leak and follow any instructions given by the emergency operator.
- Do Not Re-enter the Building: Do not re-enter the building until it has been declared safe to do so by a qualified professional. The emergency services or a Gas Safe registered engineer will assess the situation and take the necessary steps to make the premises safe.
- Arrange for a Gas Safe Engineer: Once the emergency has been addressed, arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect and repair the gas leak. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are legally allowed to work on gas appliances in the UK.
- Prevent Future Gas Leaks: Schedule regular maintenance checks for your gas appliances and heating system to prevent future gas leaks. Only use qualified and registered engineers for installation, maintenance, and repairs.
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