What is home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is an insurance policy that pays for emergency repairs when something goes wrong in your home — such as a boiler breakdown, burst pipe, electrical failure, or broken window. It typically provides a 24/7 helpline, arranges a qualified tradesperson to attend, and covers the cost of the emergency repair (usually up to a set limit, e.g. £500–£1,000 per claim). It doesn't cover general maintenance, pre-existing problems, or full replacement of systems like boilers.

How much does home emergency cover cost?

Home emergency cover typically costs £5–£20 per month (£60–£240 per year), depending on the level of cover and provider. Some home insurance policies include emergency cover as an add-on for £30–£80 per year. Packaged bank accounts (e.g. Nationwide FlexPlus, Halifax Reward) often include home emergency cover as a benefit, costing £10–£20/month for the account (which includes other benefits). Standalone policies from specialists like HomeServe, British Gas, or your energy supplier cost £8–£20/month.

Is home emergency cover worth it?

It depends on your situation. If you'd struggle to find £300–£1,000 for an emergency repair, it gives peace of mind and guaranteed access to tradespeople, especially outside normal hours. However, most policies have claim limits (£500–£1,000), exclusions for older boilers or pre-existing issues, and many people never claim. If you have savings to cover emergencies, you may be better off self-insuring by putting £15–£20/month into a savings account instead. Consider that a typical emergency callout costs £100–£350.

Does home insurance include emergency cover?

Standard home insurance (buildings and contents) does NOT typically include home emergency cover. It covers major events like fire, flood, storm damage, theft, and subsidence — but not boiler breakdowns, burst pipes (unless they cause damage), or electrical failures. Most insurers offer home emergency cover as an optional add-on (£30–£80/year). Some comprehensive policies include basic emergency cover. Always check what's included in your policy.

Home Emergency Cover Guide UK — What It Is & Is It Worth It? | PocketWise

A boiler breakdown in January or a burst pipe at midnight can be stressful and expensive. Home emergency cover promises help — but is it worth the money?

What Home Emergency Cover Includes

Emergency	Typically covered?	Detail
Boiler breakdown	Yes	Emergency repair to restore heating/hot water
Burst or leaking pipes	Yes	Emergency repair to stop the leak
Blocked drains	Yes	Clearing the blockage
Electrical failure	Yes	Emergency repair to restore power
Broken external locks	Yes (some policies)	Locksmith to secure your home
Broken windows/doors	Yes (some policies)	Emergency boarding up or securing
Pest infestation	Some policies	Rats, mice, wasps — varies by provider
Roof damage	Some policies	Emergency repair to stop water entry
Gas supply failure	Yes (if your internal supply)	Not if the issue is with the gas network
Alternative accommodation	Some policies	If your home is uninhabitable

What’s NOT Covered

Exclusion	Detail
Pre-existing problems	Issues that existed before the policy started
General maintenance	Annual boiler service, routine plumbing maintenance
Full boiler replacement	Cover pays for repair only — not a new boiler
Boilers over a certain age	Many policies exclude boilers aged 10–15+ years
Cosmetic damage	Redecorating after an emergency repair
External drains/sewers	Usually the water company’s responsibility
Appliances	Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, etc.
Wear and tear	Gradual deterioration
Claim limits	Typically £500–£1,000 per claim (and per year in some cases)
Excess	Some policies have an excess of £0–£50

How Much Does It Cost?

Provider type	Monthly cost	Annual cost
Home insurance add-on	£3–£7	£30–£80
Energy supplier (British Gas, etc.)	£8–£20	£96–£240
Standalone specialist (HomeServe, etc.)	£8–£18	£96–£216
Packaged bank account (includes other benefits)	£10–£20	£120–£240
Boiler-only cover	£5–£12	£60–£144

Cover Levels

Level	What’s included	Typical cost
Basic	Boiler cover, plumbing, electrics	£5–£10/month
Standard	Basic + drains, locks, pest control	£10–£15/month
Comprehensive	Standard + roof, windows, alternative accommodation	£15–£20/month

Is It Worth It?

Cost vs Typical Emergency Repair Prices

Emergency	Typical repair cost	Home emergency claim limit
Boiler repair (callout + parts)	£150–£400	£500–£1,000
Burst pipe repair	£100–£300	£500–£1,000
Blocked drain clearance	£80–£200	£500–£1,000
Emergency locksmith	£80–£200	£500–£1,000
Electrical repair	£100–£300	£500–£1,000

The Self-Insurance Alternative

Factor	Home emergency cover	Self-insuring (savings)
Monthly cost	£10–£20	Put £15–£20 into a savings account
After 1 year you have	An insurance policy	£180–£240 in savings
After 3 years with no claims	Nothing (premiums paid out)	£540–£720 in savings
If you need a £300 repair	Covered (minus any excess)	Pay from savings
If you need a £2,000 boiler replacement	Not covered (claim limit usually £500–£1,000)	May partly cover it

When It IS Worth It

Situation	Why
You have no savings for emergencies	Protects against unexpected repair costs
You’re a landlord	Tenants need repairs dealt with quickly — 24/7 helpline is valuable
Your boiler is ageing (5–10 years)	Higher likelihood of breakdowns
You’d struggle to find a tradesperson quickly	The helpline arranges everything
It’s included in a packaged bank account you already have	Essentially free

When It’s NOT Worth It

Situation	Why
You have savings to cover emergencies	Self-insuring is usually cheaper over time
Your boiler is new (under 5 years with a warranty)	Manufacturer warranty already covers breakdowns
You have trusted tradespeople you can call	Don’t need a helpline to find one
You rarely claim on insurance	Statistically, most people don’t claim
The exclusions rule out your main risk	If your boiler is 15+ years old, many policies won’t cover it anyway

Alternatives to Home Emergency Cover

Alternative	Detail
Boiler warranty/service plan	Your boiler manufacturer or a Gas Safe engineer offers annual service + breakdown cover
British Gas HomeCare	Comprehensive (but expensive) — includes annual service + parts + labour
Self-insurance	Save £15–£20/month in a dedicated emergency fund
Packaged bank account	Some include home emergency cover (check if it’s good value for you overall)
Home insurance with emergency add-on	Often cheaper than standalone