Reasons Why You Should Look For Home Emergency Cover

Home Emergency cover should really be called "peace of mind cover". It's for when you are left without essential services, such as water, heat, gas or electricity. It's for when you're in a state of panic and can't find a plumber or electrician to fix your immediate problem; and it's for when your home is uninhabitable overnight due to a lack of water, heat or light.

Home emergency cover means that you will have immediate access to approved tradespeople who can help solve your problem, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; you will be able to speak with a Claims person at your insurer at any time of the day or night; you will be covered for repairs and labour required to fix your immediate problem; and you will have cover if you have to move out overnight.

How do insurance companies define Home Emergency Cover?

Home Emergency cover is usually referred to cover for the loss of essential services that make your home unsafe or not secure for its occupants. This applies typically to services such mains drainage, water, electricity, gas and the main source of central heating or hot water (such as a boiler) where no other type exists, or damage to doors or windows which create a security risk. Roofing, locks and external water or gas supply problems may be standard in your policy or listed as optional extras.

If I have an emergency, what will this cover provide me?

Your insurer should provide the following:

• You will have a telephone number to call for assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Once you've called your insurer and your claim is made, your insurer will send an approved contractor to deal with the emergency at your home, day or night.
• If you are unable to stay in your house overnight, you will be covered for accommodation elsewhere.
• You will be able to claim usually for up to £500 per incident, and from £100 to £200 for alternative accommodation per incident.
• You can make as many claims as you like.
• There will be no excess on your policy.

What are typical "incidents" that can cause an emergency in my home?

These are wide-ranging but here are some of the more common problems:

• A radiator, pipe or water tank leaks.
• Your central heating won't work in the middle of winter.
• Your sewage pipes from your toilet gets blocked.
• You lose all of your hot water.
• If you've lost all of the keys to your house.
• When your roof leaks due to a storm.

What is the difference between Emergency Cover and Home Insurance?

Home Emergency cover is an extension of your Home Insurance policy, not a substitute for it. While your Home Insurance policy will cover you for damage caused by an incident, it will not cover the cost of emergency repairs or alternative accommodation, or provide these services to you in a speedy manner. You can often add Home Emergency cover to your existing Home Insurance policy for a lower premium.

My hot water just failed. Can I buy home emergency insurance now and get this fixed today?

This depends on your policy. In most cases, the answer is no; your cover usually does not begin for 28 days or one month after the policy was opened. However, some policies offer instant cover, with reduced benefits, so consult the full policy document before you purchase.

What exclusions (specific to emergency cover policies) do I need to be check for or be aware of?

Typical exclusions to a Home emergency policy may include:

• An emergency that happens in the first 28 days, four weeks or month of your policy may not be covered.
• A pre-existing problem that you were aware of when you entered into the contract.
• Incidents caused by a boiler that has not been adequately maintained or is more than 15 to 20 years old.
• Failure caused by faulty workmanship or repairs that do not meet industry standards.
• Problems of subsidence arising from structural repairs to the home.
• Damage created by the utility company deliberately cutting the mains services.
• Damage caused by vermin.
• Roofing problems and lock replacement may be optional extras in your policy.

What loss or damages may a Home Emergency policy NOT cover?

Generally, you may not be covered for:

• Items like bulbs and fuses that need to be replaced as a result of normal use.
• Routine replacement of parts due to normal wear and tear, such as tap washers.
• Damage caused to a boundary wall, hedge, fence or gate.
• Leakages or breakdown of domestic appliances.
• Water pipes outside your home.
• Replacing damaged items such as carpets, floors or furniture; these should be covered by your Home Insurance or Contents Insurance policy.

How much can I expect to pay for Home Emergency cover?

Policies can start for as little as £5 per month, rising to £12 per month, and there is no excess to pay.

I am a tenant renting from a landlord: do I need this policy?

Usually not. Your landlord should be responsible for emergency repairs. Consult your lease contract to make sure.