Working out whether home emergency cover is worth it for you depends on your personal circumstances and factors associated with the house. Some homeowners in the United Kingdom may feel that home emergency insurance is worth it because they may struggle to pay an emergency bill in full. Others don’t want the stress of finding a tradesperson in the middle of the night or simply want peace of mind.
But it’s not worth it for everyone. Some UK homeowners may feel like they have enough cover through their home insurance. Others may have a savings pot set aside and feel they can absorb an unexpected bill in full. This guide will help you weigh up the situation from your own perspective so you can answer the question: Is home emergency cover worth it?
It’s also important to understand what is covered by home emergency insurance, what is excluded, and whether the cost feels fair for the peace of mind you get back. Insureworks arranges home emergency cover quotes on a non-advised basis and is underwritten by specialist insurers. Insureworks Ltd is an appointed representative of Your Company Matters Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
When Home Emergency Cover is Worth it
Some people find home emergency cover worth it if they have no emergency funds available, want help finding a reliable tradesperson in the middle of the night, or have an older house or vulnerable people living in it.
Unfortunately, emergencies are usually pesky. There’s never a good time for something to go wrong in the house, but it’s usually when you can least afford it. Boilers have a habit of giving up the ghost during the coldest snap of the year, and water pipes burst just when you’ve got 20 guests turning up for a summer BBQ the next day. It might make you question your life choices.
Whilst it might be a bit of a nuisance, some people will feel like they can deal with that. Others may feel they will struggle with that, leading them to consider home emergency cover. Listed below are some reasons why some UK homeowners consider home emergency cover.
No Emergency Funding Available
A sudden emergency repair bill can tip you over the edge. Emergency call-outs can be expensive and can cause additional stress. This insurance is designed to cover the cost of the immediate assistance required for urgent repairs. In some cases, home emergency cover will contribute towards replacements, including a domestic boiler if it is declared beyond economic repair.
You Want Help Finding a Reliable Tradesperson
Finding a reliable tradesperson is never easy. In normal circumstances, it might be something you want to research and take time over. Emergencies cannot wait.
Some homeowners don’t know a reliable tradesperson, and even if they do, reaching out to them in the middle of the night isn’t always going to yield the desired results. Your policy will give you a single point of contact that is available 24/7. Many people choose this option because it offers an easier solution in a time of need.
Your Home Has Older Systems
Older homes don’t necessarily mean problems are more likely to occur than in a modern new build. An older house may have received high-quality maintenance throughout its life. But guarantees and warranties are likely to have expired. Pipes, drains, wiring and heating systems may be under strain.
If your home is older, home emergency cover may give reassurance, especially if your policy includes the areas you are most concerned about. Just check any age limits or maintenance exclusions before buying.
You Have Vulnerable People in Your Home
A broken boiler during the coldest snap of the year is a snag for everyone. However, it can be a bit more concerning if young children or elderly relatives are having to go through it. This can be a significant health risk. If there’s no easy access to another property, then the problem intensifies.
In those cases, the speed and support that home emergency cover may offer can be more valuable. For this reason, some people believe that home emergency cover is worth it.
You Want Peace of Mind and Convenience
Sometimes it comes down to having something in place in case something goes wrong. Being a homeowner can be challenging, and some people just want one less thing to worry about.
When Home Emergency Cover is Not Worth It
Not everyone finds home emergency cover worth it. Some people could be in completely different circumstances. Sometimes, it’s not the best fit. Listed below are some reasons why some UK homeowners don’t feel the need to consider home emergency cover.
You Already Have Cover
Always check what you’ve got first. You don’t want to be buying six pints of milk when you already have enough in the fridge. That same logic can be applied to home emergency cover. If your biggest concern is the boiler, you may already have emergency cover in your boiler plan. In the modern world, several bank accounts offer certain levels of protection. There may already be additions to your standard home insurance in place.
You Have Enough Savings or Money Available
If you can comfortably pay for an emergency repair yourself, then you may not feel the need to consider the extra protection. This also comes down to how much risk you fancy taking on. Some people would rather self-fund smaller home problems and only insure against bigger risks.
You Are Not Housing Elderly Residents or Children
Whilst not ideal, a broken boiler during a cold snap might not be the end of the world if you are a healthy adult. Some people may feel they can handle a heating problem and therefore may not consider home emergency cover worth it if heating is the only concern. Some people may also have family and friends located nearby with a spare bed or sofa to sleep on for a couple of nights whilst their house is uninhabitable.
You Like a Challenge
One person’s nightmare might be another person’s guilty pleasure. If you get a buzz out of organising a fix to an urgent problem, then you probably fancy taking it on yourself. If you feel confident in organising a repair, then you may not think home emergency cover is worth it for you. Likewise, if you are good friends with a handyman or are in the trade yourself, finding a fix for the problem is perhaps easier than some others might find.
Final Verdict: Is Home Emergency Cover Worth It?
Home emergency cover can be worth it if you want quick help with sudden home problems and would prefer not to face emergency repair costs alone. It might not be worth it if you feel you can handle the urgent problems yourself.
Make sure you understand your policy in full before you buy. When your boiler has gone cold, your keys are missing, or your drain has chosen chaos, the last thing you want is to find out your cover is about as useful as a chocolate radiator.
Expert Opinion
Home emergency cover can be worth it, but only when the policy matches the way you live and the problems your home is most likely to face. For many homeowners, the biggest benefit is not only the cost of support. It is the speed and convenience of having one number to call when something sudden happens. The best way to decide is to ask yourself one simple question: if something urgent went wrong at home tonight, would you rather deal with the cost and call-outs yourself, or pay for cover that could help take some of that stress away?
Nick – Insurance Specialist
For those who want to consider their options, Insureworks makes it simple to compare home emergency cover quotes. Without the jargon and faff, Insureworks helps arrange quotes quickly. We arrange insurance on a non-advised basis as an appointed representative of Your Company Matters Ltd. Policies are underwritten by a panel of insurers (shown at the quote stage).