What Does Home Emergency Cover?

Homeownership comes with its share of unexpected surprises. One day everything is working smoothly, and the next, you’re facing a burst pipe, failed heating, or a complete power outage. These situations are disruptive, often stressful, and can be costly to resolve without professional help. That’s where home emergency insurance cover can offer important peace of mind—by giving you quick access to support when something goes wrong. 

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what home emergency cover typically includes, what it doesn’t, and how Smart Cover’s plans are designed to assist when unexpected emergencies arise in your home. 

What Is Home Emergency Cover? 

Home emergency coveris a type of insurance policy designed to help homeowners deal with urgent and unexpected situations that affect the safety or habitability of their home. It typically includes access to qualified tradespeople—such as plumbers, electricians, or locksmiths—who can carry out temporary emergency repairs to limit damage and restore basic living conditions. 

This type of cover is not a substitute for home insurance or routine maintenance. It’s important to understand that home emergency insurance provides assistance only for specified events covered under your policy, and claim eligibility is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits set out in your plan. 

What Situations May Be Covered? 

Every insurer has its own terms, so you should always check your policy documentation. Below are examples of what may be included in Smart Cover’s home emergency plans, depending on your chosen level of cover. 

1. Plumbing and Drainage Issues 

Water leaks and blockages can cause serious disruption and potential structural damage if left untreated. Depending on your plan,Smart Covermay provide support in the event of: 

• Burst or cracked internal pipes 
• Leaking radiators 
• Blocked sinks or toilets 
• Sudden failure of internal drainage systems 

This support includes dispatching an approved plumber to carry out emergency repairs, not full replacements or upgrades. Routine wear and tear or gradual deterioration is generally not covered. 

2. Electrical Emergencies 

Electrical failures can present safety risks and disrupt daily living. Most Smart Cover plans include access to emergency electricians for: 

• Sudden loss of power in part or all of the property 
• Dangerous wiring or electrical faults 
• Damage to electrical fittings due to an emergency 

Repairs aim to restore essential power temporarily, and may not include replacement of outdated or non-compliant systems. 

 3. Locks, Doors, and Windows 

Security is a major concern if your home has been compromised due to a lost key, broken lock, or forced entry. Coverage may include: 

• Emergency locksmith visits if you’re locked out 
• Securing doors or windows damaged due to a break-in 
• Replacement of locks or glazing (where covered by the policy) 

As always, the type of emergency and level of damage must meet the insurer's eligibility criteria for a valid claim. 

4. Pest Infestations and Lost Keys 

While not every policy includes pest cover, some Smart Cover plans may offer limited help for: 

• Rodent infestations 
• Insect infestations (such as wasps or ants) 
• Lost keys requiring emergency access 

Exclusions typically apply if the issue is part of a recurring problem or related to poor property maintenance. 

5. Central Heating and Boiler Breakdown 

Boiler failure in the middle of winter can be more than inconvenient—it can make your home uninhabitable. Selected Smart Cover plans include: 

• Emergency assistance for sudden boiler failure 
• Temporary repair of central heating issues 

Coverage does not apply to boilers that exceed the age limit or have pre-existing issues. Repairs aim to restore heating where possible; full replacements are generally not included. 

6. Annual Boiler Service  

Preventative maintenance can help catch problems early. Smart Cover’s Essential and Premium plans include an annual boiler service, which must be scheduled in advance. 

This service is not an emergency repair and may be subject to engineer availability. It’s designed to help prolong your boiler's life and maintain energy efficiency. 

7. Alternative Accommodation 

In rare cases, an emergency may render your home temporarily uninhabitable—for example, after extensive water damage or loss of heating in freezing conditions. 

Smart Cover’s higher-tier plans may offer a contribution towards temporary accommodation costs, up to a set financial limit. Always check your policy documents to confirm what applies in your case. 

What’s Not Covered? 

It’s essential to understand that home emergency insurance is not a blanket protection for all home issues. Most policies exclude: 

• General property maintenance 
• Pre-existing conditions 
• Gradual wear and tear 
• DIY or cosmetic issues 
• Structural faults or non-urgent repairs 

In addition, claims may be rejected if the issue arises within the policy’s initial exclusion period, or if the property does not meet certain eligibility criteria (e.g., boilers above a certain age). 

Reading the full policy wording before purchase is crucial to understanding the full scope and limitations of your cover. 

How Much Does It Cost? 

Smart Cover offers a range ofplan levelstailored to different budgets and property types. Monthly pricing varies depending on: 

• Level of cover (Basic, Standard, Essential, Premium) 
• Whether you choose to include a policy excess 
• Maximum number of claims allowed per year 
• Claim limits per incident or per policy term 

As of 2025, prices for Smart Cover’s home emergency insurance start from £9.49 per month. Always use the quote tool on our website to get an accurate, personalised premium. 

Why Choose Smart Cover? 

Smart Cover aims to provide UK homeowners with affordable, responsive protection when the unexpected happens. Here’s what sets us apart: 

• 24/7 Emergency Helpline 
• UK-Based Support Team 
• No Hidden Fees (subject to policy terms) 
• Transparent Coverage Options 
• A Nationwide Network of Certified Engineers 
• Highly Rated by Thousands of UK Customers 

Final Word  

Emergencies happen—but the right insurance can help you deal with them more efficiently. With Smart Cover’s home emergency insurance plans, you can gain support when covered issues occur, helping reduce both stress and potential repair costs.  

Interested in learning more? You can get a no-obligationquote