Home emergency cover: do you need it?

What is home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is there for those moments when something stops working and needs urgent attention – whether it’s a central heating issue like a broken boiler, or a problem with your plumbing, drains or electrics. With HomeCare, you can call on our skilled engineers whenever you need help. Repairs include parts and labour, so you only pay your chosen excess level. Your boiler is also serviced each year as part of your HomeCare package to help prevent breakdowns before they happen.

If you decide to cover more than just your boiler and heating, you can upgrade your plan when you sign up or anytime through your HomeCare account. This could include kitchen appliances, gas appliances, plumbing and drains, or your home’s electrical system. It’s a simple way to make sure more of your home is protected and that help is always just a call away.

When might I need home emergency cover? 

If a sudden breakdown would cause major disruption, or cost more than you’d like to pay out of pocket, emergency breakdown cover can offer a practical level of protection.

If you rely on your boiler or heating system 

Homes that depend on central heating often benefit from having emergency cover in place, especially during the colder months. A boiler breakdown can leave you without heating or hot water – and having to find an available local engineer can sometimes mean long waits without a comfortable home. Based on 2025 performance data, British Gas got to 80% of customers without heating or hot water on the same day, when they told us they had no heating or hot water by 11am. HomeCare gives you peace of mind all year round – and keeps your home cosy even when unexpected problems occur.

If you live in an older property

Older homes may be full of character, but they can come with ageing pipes, wiring, and appliances that are more likely to fail without warning. If your boiler is over 10 years old, it’s even more important to have reliable cover to keep your home warm and avoid unexpected costs. Emergency cover gives you access to our skilled engineers who can quickly and safely handle any problems, so you can get back to normality with minimal disruption.

If you want to avoid expensive call-out fees

One emergency repair can easily cost more than a year of cover, especially if it’s in the evening or over a weekend. With HomeCare emergency cover, call-out fees are already included, which helps you plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs. You can see how one-off repairs compare using our pricing guide.

What does home emergency cover include?

Every HomeCare plan includes an annual boiler service as well as repairs to get your heating back to normal as quickly as possible. You’ll also enjoy:

• Same-day emergency call-outs if you have no heating or hot water. Based on 2025 performance data, 80% of customers contacting us by 11am received the same day service.
• 24/7 helpline support
• Parts and labour included
• The chance to upgrade for repairs to plumbing and drains, electricals and appliances
• No additional call-out charges
• Access to qualified British Gas engineers nationwide

Our plans don’t include:

• Claims within the first 14 days of you taking out the product
• Pre-existing faults or design faults
• System improvements or upgrades
• Repairs that are purely cosmetic

Is home emergency cover worth it?

HomeCare is all about making life easier and helping you stay ahead of those little problems before they turn into bigger ones. You get an annual boiler service to keep things running smoothly and protect your manufacturer’s warranty, and we can cover boilers of any age, as long as they’re in good working order. That said, if something can’t be covered, we’ll always explain why and suggest other ways to help.

HomeCare gives you access to expert engineers ready to respond quickly. All you pay for each repair is the level of excess you’ve chosen. It’s a simple way to keep your home warm and working, and to rest easy knowing help is always close by.