How does HomeCare differ from standard home insurance?

What is HomeCare?

HomeCare is a maintenance and breakdown cover plan provided by British Gas. Think of it as a way to keep the essential things in your home working smoothly.

It focuses on the repair and maintenance of the systems you use every day, such as:

• Boilers and central heating
• Plumbing and drains
• Home electrics

HomeCare is a type of home emergency cover. It’s designed to help when things go wrong unexpectedly. For instance, if your boiler breaks down in the middle of winter, a pipe starts leaking, or you have an electrical fault, HomeCare is there to get it fixed.

With HomeCare, you get the convenience of unlimited call-outs and access to our nationwide network of qualified engineers. Plus, it includes an annual service to keep your boiler working safely and efficiently – and to help stop problems before they start.

What does standard home insurance cover?

Standard home insurance is designed to protect you from financial loss caused by big, unforeseen events. You can think of home insurance as a safety net for disasters rather than a service for repairs.

What does home insurance cover? Typically, it includes protection against:

• Fire and smoke damage
• Theft and vandalism
• Storm and flood damage
• Subsidence (structural issues)

Crucially, standard home insurance usually does not cover the breakdown of appliances or routine maintenance. For example, if your boiler stops working due to old age or a mechanical fault, standard home insurance generally won’t pay to fix it. However, if a fire damaged your boiler, that is where home insurance would step in.

Insurance works by reimbursing you for costs or replacing items after a covered event, rather than providing an engineer to fix a leak or service a boiler. You will usually have to pay an excess on any claim you make.

Key differences between HomeCare and home insurance

Here is a simple look at the key differences of HomeCare vs home insurance:

When should you choose HomeCare?

HomeCare is valuable for homeowners who want to avoid the hassle and cost of finding tradespeople when things go wrong.

If you want peace of mind for boiler and heating breakdowns

Your boiler is the heart of your home. If it stops working, you lose heating and hot water. HomeCare ensures you have expert help on hand to get it running again quickly, without the stress of finding a reliable engineer yourself.

If you prefer to avoid unexpected repair bills

Repairs can be expensive. With HomeCare, the cost of parts and labour is included, so you aren't hit with a large bill out of the blue. You just pay your agreed excess.

If you value 24/7 support

Emergencies don't stick to office hours. Whether it’s a burst pipe at midnight or a boiler failure on a Sunday, our lines are open 24 hours a day.

If you have older appliances or systems prone to breakdown

As boilers and systems age, they are more likely to develop faults. Unlike some providers, British Gas covers boilers of any age as long as they are in good working order when you take out the cover.

When is standard home insurance essential?

While HomeCare looks after the working parts of your home, standard home insurance is a must-have for the home itself.

• Mortgage requirements: If you have a mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require you to have buildings insurance to cover the structure of the property
• Protection against disaster: It is essential for covering the potentially huge costs of rebuilding your home after a fire or replacing all your possessions after a flood or burglary
• Accidental damage: Many policies cover accidents, like spilling wine on a carpet or drilling through a pipe (though HomeCare can fix the pipe, insurance pays for the water damage caused)

What does HomeCare typically exclude?

To make sure it is right for you, it is important to know what isn't covered. Exclusions include:

• Pre-existing faults: Problems that existed before you took out the cover
• Cosmetic damage: Repairs that don't affect how the system works, like scratches or dents
• Showers and taps: Often excluded from standard plumbing cover (though tap washers may be covered)
• Non-essential appliances: Items like wine coolers or cooker hoods are usually not included

What does home insurance typically exclude?

Standard home insurance usually won't cover:

• Wear and tear: Gradual deterioration of your home over time
• Mechanical breakdown: If your boiler or washing machine just stops working, insurance rarely covers it
• Routine maintenance: Jobs like servicing your boiler or clearing gutters
• Poor workmanship: Damage caused by bad DIY or unqualified tradespeople

Should you get both HomeCare and home insurance?

• Use HomeCare to keep the lights on, the water flowing, and the house warm day-to-day
• Use standard home insurance to protect the building and your belongings from major disasters

Having both means you are covered for the small, annoying breakdowns and the big, expensive catastrophes.

How to choose the right cover for your needs?

Deciding on the right level of cover depends on your home and your circumstances.

• Consider the age of your home: Older heating and electrical systems may need more repairs, making HomeCare a smart choice
• Check your risk tolerance: Are you happy to pay a large one-off bill if your boiler breaks, or would you prefer a small monthly cost for peace of mind?
• Review your budget: Look at the monthly cost versus the potential cost of repairs
• Compare options: Use online tools or speak to an advisor to see exactly what is included in different plans

Why trust British Gas for HomeCare?

At British Gas we have years of experience keeping UK homes warm and working.

• Nationwide network: We have thousands of expert engineers across the country, ready to help
• Trusted service: We are rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot by our customers (correct as of December 2025)
• Flexible pricing: You can choose your excess level to adjust your monthly price
• Transparency: Check our HomeCare pricing guide to see exactly how we calculate your premiums

Get covered with British Gas HomeCare today

Don't wait for a breakdown to disrupt your day. With HomeCare, you can relax knowing that if things go wrong, we'll be there to put them right. From boilers to electrics, get the protection your home needs.