What Is Boiler & Home Emergency Cover?

Boiler & Home Emergency Cover is an insurance product designed to help landlords deal with unexpected emergencies affecting the essential services within their rental property.

Depending on the policy selected, cover may include emergency call-outs, labour costs, replacement parts and repairs to heating, plumbing and drainage systems.

Many policies also provide access to a 24-hour emergency helpline, helping landlords arrange assistance quickly when urgent issues occur.

Why Is It Worth Considering?

When a boiler fails during winter or a water pipe bursts unexpectedly, tenants naturally expect the issue to be resolved as quickly as possible.

Without emergency cover, landlords may face:

• High emergency call-out charges
• Out-of-hours labour costs
• Delays in sourcing contractors
• Significant repair bills
• Dissatisfied tenants
• Potential property damage from water leaks

Home Emergency Cover can help reduce these risks by providing fast access to approved engineers and financial support towards eligible repairs.

Common Types of Cover

Depending on the insurer and level of cover selected, policies may include protection for:

Boiler Breakdowns

Emergency repair of gas boilers, oil boilers or central heating boilers where they suddenly stop working.

Central Heating Systems

Cover for heating controls, pumps, radiators, valves and associated heating components.

Plumbing Emergencies

Including:

• Burst pipes
• Leaking water pipes
• Broken water supply pipes
• Failed stopcocks
• Emergency plumbing repairs

Water Leaks

Emergency assistance for sudden water leaks that could cause damage to the property.

Blocked Drains

Some policies include emergency clearance of blocked drains, toilets or waste pipes where normal use of the property is affected.

Electrical Emergencies

Selected policies provide cover for sudden electrical failures affecting essential power supplies.

Lost Heating or Hot Water

Rapid attendance where the property has no heating or hot water, particularly during colder months.

Roof Emergencies

Certain policies provide temporary emergency repairs following storm damage where water is entering the property.

Pest Infestation

Some comprehensive home emergency policies include treatment for infestations such as wasps, mice or rats where immediate action is required.

What Is Usually Not Covered?

Every insurer has different terms, but common exclusions may include:

• General wear and tear
• Cosmetic repairs
• Planned maintenance
• Boiler servicing
• Pre-existing faults
• Poor workmanship
• Replacement of obsolete systems
• Damage caused by neglect
• Non-emergency repairs

Always check the policy wording before purchasing cover.

Why Is This Beneficial for Managed Properties?

Properties managed professionally benefit from having repairs dealt with promptly.

Combining Property Management with Home Emergency Cover can provide:

✓ Faster response times

✓ Reduced repair costs

✓ Less disruption for tenants

✓ Better protection against water damage

✓ Improved tenant satisfaction

✓ Assistance outside normal office hours

✓ Access to approved contractors

When a tenant reports an emergency, Yes Properties can liaise with both the landlord and the emergency assistance provider to help coordinate repairs as efficiently as possible.

Typical Providers

Several insurers and specialist providers offer Boiler and Home Emergency Cover for landlords.

Common providers include:

• British Gas HomeCare
• HomeServe
• YourRepair
• Direct Line
• AXA
• Aviva
• LV=
• Simply Business (broker)
• Alan Boswell Group
• Towergate

Products, pricing and levels of cover vary between providers, so landlords should compare policies carefully before making a decision.

What Affects the Premium?

The annual premium will usually depend upon factors such as:

• Property type
• Boiler age
• Boiler make and model
• Property location
• Level of cover selected
• Number of claims
• Additional optional cover
• Excess payable

Should Every Landlord Have This Cover?

Not necessarily.

Some landlords prefer to maintain their own emergency repair fund, while others value the convenience of having access to an emergency claims service and approved contractors.

Landlords with older boilers, larger portfolios or properties occupied by families may find additional emergency protection particularly beneficial.

The right solution will depend upon the individual property and the landlord’s attitude to risk.

How Yes Properties Can Help

As part of our Full Property Management Service we:

• Respond promptly to reported maintenance issues
• Arrange contractor attendance
• Obtain quotations where required
• Liaise with tenants
• Oversee repairs
• Monitor progress
• Keep landlords updated throughout the process

Where landlords have Boiler & Home Emergency Cover in place, we can also help coordinate repairs with the insurer or emergency assistance provider, helping to minimise disruption and restore essential services as quickly as possible.

Why Choose Yes Properties?

✓ Professional property management

✓ Experienced maintenance coordination

✓ Fast response to emergency reports

✓ Trusted contractor network

✓ Regular property inspections

✓ Compliance monitoring

✓ Transparent communication

✓ Guidance on suitable property protection options

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boiler & Home Emergency Cover the same as Buildings Insurance?

No. Buildings Insurance protects against insured events such as fire, flood and storm damage, whereas Home Emergency Cover is designed to provide rapid assistance for unexpected breakdowns affecting essential services.

Does it include an annual boiler service?

Some policies include an annual boiler service, while others offer it as an optional extra.

Is Boiler Cover compulsory?

No. It is entirely optional, although many landlords consider it a useful addition to their overall risk management strategy.

Can I still choose my own contractor?

This depends on the insurer. Some policies require repairs to be carried out by their approved contractors, while others may allow alternative arrangements in certain circumstances.

Can Yes Properties deal with emergency repairs?

Yes. Our Property Management team coordinates emergency maintenance and can liaise with contractors and, where applicable, your emergency cover provider to help resolve urgent issues efficiently.

Contact Yes Properties

Protect your investment with professional property management and reliable maintenance support.

If you would like to learn more about Boiler & Home Emergency Cover or our Full Property Management Service, contact Yes Properties today.

Telephone: 0208 191 3717
Email: info@yesproperties.co.uk
Website: yesproperties.co.uk

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