Home emergency insurance covers urgent repairs like boiler breakdowns, burst pipes, and electrical failures. It’s a specialised type of cover separate from standard home insurance.
What It Covers
| Emergency | Typical Cover Limit | Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler breakdown | £500-£1,500 per claim | 24 hours |
| Loss of heating (winter) | £500-£1,500 | 24 hours |
| Burst pipe | £500-£1,000 | 24 hours |
| Blocked drain | £250-£500 | 24 hours |
| Electrical failure | £250-£500 | 24 hours |
| Roof damage (emergency) | £500-£1,000 | 24 hours |
| Pest infestation | £250-£500 | 48 hours |
Cost
| Cover Type | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Boiler-only cover | £100-£200 |
| Full home emergency | £150-£300 |
| Via energy supplier | £150-£250 |
| Via home insurance add-on | £30-£80 |
Waiting Period
Most policies have a 14-30 day waiting period before you can claim. Pre-existing problems are excluded.
When It Makes Sense
| Scenario | Worth It? |
|---|---|
| Boiler over 10 years old | Yes — higher failure risk |
| No savings for emergencies | Yes — protects from big bills |
| Single person / vulnerable | Yes — quick response matters |
| New boiler with warranty | No — already covered |
| Good savings (£3K+) | No — can self-insure |
| Landlord | Yes — legal obligation to provide heating |
What’s NOT Covered
| Exclusion | Why |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing faults | Must be in working order when policy starts |
| Routine maintenance | Not an emergency — plan and budget |
| Replacement of old boiler | Emergency repair only |
| Damage caused by lack of maintenance | Policyholder’s responsibility |
| External pipes (your responsibility) | Check policy wording |
Call-Out Costs Without Cover
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Boiler repair | £150-£400 |
| Plumber call-out | £80-£150 |
| Emergency electrician | £100-£200 |
| Drain unblocking | £100-£250 |
| Emergency locksmith | £80-£200 |
One emergency call-out can cost as much as the annual premium.
The Self-Insurance Calculation
| Annual Premium | Over 5 Years | Average Claims Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| £200 | £1,000 | 1-2 claims in 5 years |
If you save the premium instead:
- £1,000 in 5 years
- Covers 2-3 emergency repairs
- If no emergencies, you keep the £1,000
Bottom Line
Home emergency insurance is a personal decision. If you can afford a £300 emergency repair without stress, self-insure. If an unexpected £300 bill would be a problem, the peace of mind is worth the £150-£200 annual premium. For landlords, it’s nearly essential — tenants have legal rights to heating and hot water.
Keeping Your Boiler Healthy
Whether you buy emergency cover or self-insure, regular boiler maintenance is the single best way to avoid a breakdown. An annual service by a Gas Safe-registered engineer typically costs £60-£100 and catches problems before they turn into emergencies. Most manufacturers require an annual service to keep the warranty valid, and a well-maintained boiler is statistically far less likely to fail during a cold snap.
If you decide to self-insure, set aside the premium amount — say £150-£200 a year — in a dedicated savings account. Over five years that builds a £750-£1,000 fund, comfortably covering two or three emergency call-outs. The trade-off is obvious: if you never need a repair, you keep the money, but if a boiler fails catastrophically at minus five degrees, you will need to act fast and pay out of pocket.
For landlords, the calculation is different. The legal obligation to maintain a safe, heated property means a boiler breakdown is not just inconvenient — it is a compliance risk. Many landlord insurance policies include home emergency cover as standard, and those that do not usually offer it as an affordable add-on. Given the potential penalties and the duty of care to tenants, skipping cover is a false economy for most rental property owners.
What Landlords Should Know
Landlords face a distinct set of obligations that make home emergency cover particularly relevant. Under the landlord gas safety regulations, an annual Gas Safe inspection is mandatory, and failing to provide adequate heating can result in enforcement action from local authorities. A boiler breakdown in January, when temperatures are near freezing, is not something a landlord can afford to leave unresolved for days.
Some insurers offer specialist landlord home emergency policies that cover not just the boiler but also plumbing, electrics, and even loss of rent while the property is uninhabitable. These policies typically cost more than standard homeowner cover but are proportionate to the additional risk and responsibility that comes with letting a property.