Landlord insurance home emergency cover bought as part of the policy behaves slightly differently from a standalone scheme. The claims route is the insurer's, the limit sits on the same schedule as everything else, and the unoccupancy conditions that govern the rest of the policy govern this section too. That last point is the one most often missed.
What bundling changes
One insurer, one schedule, one renewal and one number to ring. The section's limit is stated alongside the others, and the excess may be nil where a standalone scheme charges a call out fee. Against that, the definitions are the insurer's and are usually narrower than a specialist home emergency provider's, and the contractor network is whoever the insurer has appointed.
The unoccupancy link
Because it is a section of the property policy, the policy's unoccupancy conditions apply to it. A property empty beyond the allowance loses this section along with the others, which matters because an empty property is exactly where a burst pipe runs undetected. Standalone schemes sometimes handle voids differently, which is worth asking about if your properties sit empty often.
What to check on the schedule
The per claim limit and whether there is an annual aggregate. The excess, if any. The list of defined emergencies. The out of hours response target. And whether the section is included as standard on your policy or was added, because on some policies it is a default that can be removed to save premium a landlord did not know they were paying.
Who it suits
Landlords with more than one property, landlords who do not live near the properties, and landlords letting to tenants likely to call out of hours. Landlords with one local property and a trusted tradesperson are usually better off declining it and keeping the premium.
Questions people ask about landlord insurance home emergency cover
Is home emergency included in landlord insurance?
On some policies as standard, on others as an option. Check the schedule for a stated limit rather than assuming either way.
Does it work if the property is empty?
Only within the policy's unoccupancy allowance, because it is a section of the same policy and the same conditions apply.
Is there an excess?
Frequently nil on a bundled section, where standalone schemes often charge a call out fee. Check, because it varies.
Can I remove it to save money?
On most policies yes. It is worth removing if you live near the property and have a reliable tradesperson.