Unexpected problems at home often happen at the worst possible time. A boiler stops working in the middle of winter, or a blocked drain starts flooding your bathroom. It can be stressful and expensive to fix.

Home emergency cover is designed to take some of that pressure away by covering the cost of getting help fast.

This guide explains what home emergency cover is, what it includes, and whether it's worth having alongside your home insurance.

Key takeaways

• Home emergency cover pays for urgent repairs when essential systems in your home fail, such as your heating, plumbing, or electrics.
• It's separate from standard home insurance, which covers damage to your building and belongings rather than emergency call-outs.
• Home emergency cover is often available as an add-on with your insurer, or as a service provided by a utility company.

What does home emergency cover include?

Policies can vary, but home emergency cover will typically pay out if you need urgent help with:

• Boiler and central heating failure including loss of hot water or heat.
• Plumbing and drainage problems such as burst pipes, leaks, or blocked drains.
• Electrical failure including loss of power to part or all of your home.
• Roof damage caused by a storm or other sudden event, where water is getting in.
• Pest infestations such as wasps' nests or rodents, depending on the policy.
• Lost keys or being locked out of your home.
• Broken or failed external doors and windows that compromise your home's security.

The cover usually includes a call-out fee, labour costs, and parts up to a certain limit, often between £500 and £1,000 per claim.

Some policies also cover temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable.

Usually it won't cover problems that existed beforehand. Cosmetic issues and general wear and tear are also generally excluded.

What is home emergency cover on home insurance?

Standard home insurance policies are typically:

• Buildings insurance which covers the structure and permanent fixtures of your home
• Contents insurance which covers your belongings
• A combination of both

Home emergency cover is different. Rather than paying for the cost of damage after you've had it repaired, or to replace items, it pays for someone to come out and fix an urgent problem.

For example, if a pipe bursts and water damages your flooring and furniture, your buildings and contents insurance would pay for the repair of the damage.

Home emergency cover would pay for the plumber to come out and fix the pipe in the first place.

How to buy home emergency cover

Some home insurance providers offer home emergency cover as an optional extra that you can add to your policy for an extra cost. Others sell it as a standalone product.

It's also available directly from some energy suppliers, water companies and boiler manufacturers, sometimes bundled with a service plan.

Before buying home emergency cover separately, it's worth checking whether your home insurance already includes it, or whether it can be added on.

Is home emergency cover worth it?

Whether home emergency cover is worth paying for depends on your personal situation and how much you want to spend. For some people it offers real peace of mind.

It may be worth it if:

• You want help quickly in an emergency. Heating, hot water and power are essential for your daily life and you wouldn't want to go without for a couple of days.
• Your boiler is older. Boilers over ten years old are more likely to break down, and repair costs can be significant.
• You live in an older property. Older homes can be more prone to issues with plumbing, electrics, and roofing.
• You don't have savings to cover an unexpected repair bill. Emergency call-outs from tradespeople can cost hundreds of pounds, especially out of hours.
• You're new to the UK and still building your network of trusted local tradespeople. Knowing help is available quickly can reduce the stress of an emergency.

It may be less necessary if:

• You could survive a couple of days without hot water, heating or power if an issue did arrive.
• You're on a low budget and want to save on your monthly outgoings.
• Your boiler is new or under a manufacturer's warranty.
• You already have a maintenance contract with an energy provider that covers breakdowns.
• You have savings that could comfortably cover the cost of most emergency repairs.
• You're renting. Your landlord is usually responsible for maintaining essential systems like heating and plumbing. Check your tenancy agreement to be sure.

Taking steps to maintain your home and prevent problems before they happen can also reduce the likelihood of needing emergency call-outs in the first place.

Do you need home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is not a legal requirement. Unlike buildings insurance, which many mortgage lenders require, home emergency cover is optional.

It can be a useful safety net, particularly if you own your home and are responsible for maintenance costs, as it protects you from large, unexpected bills.

If you rent your home, your landlord is typically responsible for keeping essential systems like heating, hot water, and plumbing in working order.

Does home emergency cover affect your no claims discount?

In most cases, making a claim on a home emergency cover policy will not affect your home insurance no claims discount (NCD). This is because home emergency cover is usually a separate policy, with its own claims history.

However, if your home emergency cover is an add-on to your home insurance policy rather than a standalone product, it's worth checking with your provider.

Some insurers may treat claims differently depending on how the policies are structured.

It's also worth keeping a record of any emergency call-outs you make, as this may affect the renewal price of your home emergency cover itself.

How Marshmallow can help

While we don't offer home emergency cover right now, our buildings and contents insurance is designed for people new to the UK.

It's easy to apply online, with simple language that explains things clearly. Plus we look beyond your UK credit history to give you our best price.

To find out more about what our home insurance includes, get a free quote today.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a home emergency?

A home emergency is generally defined as a sudden, unexpected event that makes your home unsafe, unsecure, or uninhabitable, and requires an urgent repair.

For example a boiler failure in winter, a burst pipe, a power cut to part of your home, or a broken external door that can't be secured.

Is home emergency cover the same as boiler cover?

Not quite. Boiler cover is specifically for your boiler and central heating system, and usually includes an annual service as well as breakdown cover.

Home emergency cover is broader and includes a wider range of urgent problems, but may offer less in-depth support for the boiler specifically.

Can renters get home emergency cover?

Yes, renters can take out home emergency cover. Your landlord is usually responsible for maintaining essential systems, so you may already have some protection. Some policies aimed at renters focus on things like lost keys or pest control.

Does home emergency cover pay for temporary accommodation?

Some policies include cover for temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered emergency, such as a flood from a burst pipe.

How does home emergency cover compare to a home warranty?

A home warranty typically covers the repair or replacement of appliances and home systems due to wear and tear over time. Home emergency cover focuses on sudden, urgent problems that need fixing immediately.