Home Emergency Insurance

Make sure your property and tenant are both protected and be ready for any emergency with Home Emergency Insurance

What can home emergency cover include

Boiler breakdown

Repairs following complete failure to function or breakdown of the main source of heating in your property.

Failure of gas or electric supply

Repairs following the result of a complete failure of the domestic gas or electric supply in your property.

Plumbing issues

Repairs following the result of a failure, blockage, leak or damage to the internal plumbing and drainage in your property.

Damage to doors, windows or locks

Repairs following an emergency which occurs as a result of failure to function or damage to the external doors, windows or locks in your property.

Overnight accommodation

Up to £100 per tenant for accomodation when there is an emergency which makes your property uninhabitable.

Pest infestation

Repairs following an emergency which occurs as a result of an infestation of pests in your property.

Broken keys in lock

Repairs as a result of the keys to your property unexpectedly breaking, becoming lost or getting locked inside your property.

Roof damage

Repairs to the roof of your property following an emergency which occurs as a result of adverse weather conditions or fallen trees.

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Home Emergency Cover

They say if you fail to prepare you prepare to fail and that is exactly the case when it comes to having a Home Emergency Insurance policy in place.

As a landlord, chances are that, from time to time, emergency situations will need attending to at your rented property. Home Emergency Insurance gives you assurance and financial protection, as it ensures the cost of said emergency and any repairs, which may be involved, are covered.

These emergencies could include incidents such as the loss of keys, bathroom leaks, electrical issues, sudden boiler breakdowns, or even immediate pest control. Home Emergency Insurance policies also cover the costs of any alternative accommodation, should it be required whilst the incident is being addressed. All of this can become very costly without the help of Home Emergency Insurance.

Home Emergency Cover: What is in the policy?

Emergencies in the home happen. Boilers break down, pipes leak, the ceiling collapses, the electrical wiring can become faulty, you name it. A lot of the time, these incidents come out of the blue, and immediate action needs to be taken to ensure your tenants are safe. This is where having a Home Emergency Cover is beneficial.

What’s more, because of the pandemic, tenants are staying home more than ever, for work, or in and out of lockdowns, which means the likelihood of a tenant having an emergency is high. Which is why it is important that you make sure you have the right cover in place should an emergency situation occur. This way, you can rest assured that you won’t be left out of pocket if a home emergency catches you by surprise.

Home Emergency Cover: What is in the policy?

What does Home Emergency Insurance cover?

Of course, what is and is not covered in your Home Emergency Policy varies from provider to provider and policy to policy, so it is vital to check the fine print when shopping. The general rule of thumb is that your Home Emergency Insurance is reserved for those unexpected incidents that you do not see coming, such as environmental damages.

It is worth noting while the Home Emergency Insurance covers the cost of calling out the relevant workmen to deal with the incident and the immediate repairs required; it does not, however, cover the costs of any long-term repairs needed as a result of the incident. For example, if your boiler is down, your Home Emergency Insurance policy will cover the costs of the boiler man to come down and take a look at the boiler to ensure you are not in immediate danger. While this is the norm, at Mashroom we are pleased to say we offer full fix coverage on all incidents with Home Emergency Cover.

You can expect your Home Emergency Insurance policy to cover things such as broken external locks, incidents to do with pests (such as wasps, hornets, mice, rats, to name a few) blocked pipes, and access to alternative accommodation should you need it. Most insurers will define an emergency to be something that makes your home unsafe and susceptible to theft, permanent damage to your property, and any issues that cause a risk to the health and wellbeing of those staying in the property.

Many Home Emergency Insurance Policies also include unforeseen incidents such as damages sustained to your roof – for example, as a result of extreme weather. In fact, due to global warming, we have seen an increase in harsh weather conditions, so roof-related claims have been on the rise. Storms, of course, can cause tiles to fall off and other damage leaving your home in a potentially unsafe condition. Your policy will make sure you are out of immediate danger and that the roof causes no further damage.

While boiler breakdowns are covered under the Home Emergency Insurance, it is worth noting that this is only under the assurance it has been serviced annually. In order to accept your claim, you would need to provide proof of a receipt from a gas service engineer.

At Mashroom, we can confirm we offer up to £250 for overnight accommodation and up to £1,000 worth of work on boiler damage. Alongside this, we also offer a 24/7 nationwide helpline, which means that no matter when the incident occurs, we still make sure you are able to get the assistance you need. All the personnel we send to you have been verified and vetted, ensuring you are in the best hands possible. What’s brilliant too, is there is also no cap to the number of emergencies you can make a call out for.

It is also worth noting that Home Emergency Insurance will cover you if your property is vacant. Maybe you are in between tenants or your tenant has been away for a couple of weeks and has come home to a burst pipe. Unlike our Rent Guarantee Insurance, which naturally requires you to have a tenant living in the property, Home Emergency Insurance is active even if the home is less so. For example, if the property you want to list with us is a summer home, you would still be eligible to apply for Home Emergency Cover.

What does Home Emergency Insurance cover?

What does Home Emergency Insurance not Cover?

As has been previously alluded to, Home Emergency Insurance is dependent on what the policymaker views to be an emergency. This usually includes instances such as:

General maintenance
Small leaks
Pest infestations in sheds or outbuildings
Electrical failures such as a broken socket.

You can expect your Home Emergency Insurance policy to cover incidents such as:

central heating failure
Damage caused by extreme weather conditions
Security issues including broken doors and windows.

Home Emergency Insurance does not include damage that is a result of daily wear and tear or poor upkeep of appliances such as dripping taps and a faulty electrical socket.

While as a landlord you will need to fix issues of damp or rot, in most cases, as long as it does not harm the health and wellbeing of the tenant, this is not covered within your Home Emergency Insurance policy.

While infestations of common pests, such as rats, can be covered by your Home Emergency Insurance policy (check your personal policy to confirm this) what is not covered is the infestation of species such as bats, dormouse, birds, and badgers. The reason being is they fall under the banner of a protected species

We understand you need contractors and tradesmen you can rely on to carry out any necessary work that is required. However, these contractors would need to be vetted and provided by Mashroom. If you, as a landlord, hire your own contractor, this will not be covered within your claim.

As most Home Emergency Insurance policies simply cover the emergent incident itself, any issues that arise in the days following as a result of the emergency are generally not covered. There we would advise you to make any full repairs required after the original repair has been completed as soon as possible.

Home Emergency Insurance covers incidents that require immediate action only. Therefore, it is unlikely to be the most suitable for you if you’re looking for cover for certain appliances. For example, in the event of your boiler breaking, while parts of it may be replaced to get it up and running in the short term, we would not cover the cost for the entire boiler. As a general rule, the Home Emergency Insurance does not cover the breakdown of your appliances or belongings. For this, we advise your tenants to look at our Contents Insurance policy, which offers maximum protection.

When putting your policy in place, make sure you note down the date that your policy kicks in as you will not be able to make claims for incidents and emergencies that take place before your policy starts.

Please refer to our policy wording to find a full list of what is and what is not seen as an emergency as part of our Home Emergency Insurance Policy.

Why do you need this insurance as a landlord?

As a landlord, you need to make sure you and your property are protected. Should your tenant become injured due to these emergencies, you could be held liable. You also cannot, obviously, determine if and when an emergency will take place, so it is wise to get cover in place so that you’re fully prepared regardless. The money it takes to fix these emergencies outright is very costly, likely putting you, the landlord, under huge financial strain. Having a Home Emergency Insurance policy takes away this burden.

Home Emergency Insurance protects you against the unexpected. There are certain times during the year where you are more likely to come across these incidents. For example, as you’d expect, there is a higher chance of your boiler breaking down in the middle of winter than during the summer months, so getting cover in place to pre-empt this is wise.

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, it is a legal requirement for the landlord to fix issues related to hot water and heating within a ‘reasonable time’. In the event of a boiler breaking down entirely, this ‘reasonable’ window can be expected to be as quick as 24 hours, especially during the colder months. Having a Home Insurance Policy in place for your property covers any permanent repairs which you need to make. In most cases, it neglects to cover immediate urgent repairs when an event or emergency takes place. This is why having a Home Emergency Insurance Policy in place is vital. It ensures the property remains a safe place for your tenants to live following an unpredictable emergency.

Home Emergency Insurance often comes with variable covers, which can impact the price. At Mashroom, all our insurance policies are designed to be affordable, with a quote tailored to your listed property so that you’re getting exactly what you need and not paying more than you have to. We provide complete transparency and, throughout the process, we store all communication on the dashboard of your Mashroom account, making it easy for you to check in on any details should you need to. If you would like to find out more about why you need Home Emergency Insurance as a landlord, visit our FAQs or drop us a message using our contact form.

Why do you need this insurance as a landlord?

Why Mashroom’s services provide additional benefits

The thing that makes Mashroom’s Home Emergency Insurance stand out is the additional support you are provided with. The 24/7 helpline means if you needed to make a claim, you would receive the same level of service and professional care from us no matter what time of day or night you reach out.

We also guarantee all our contractors have been through a thorough auditing and vetting process, so you can be assured the work carried out as a result of your claim will be to a high standard. We go above and beyond to provide high-quality care you can rely on.

At Mashroom, we do things slightly differently, from the offset we immediately look into providing you with Home Emergency Cover tailored to your need because a one-size-fits-all plan just doesn’t cut it these days. We also provide a flat fee across the board regardless of the area your property is in.

We understand the industry is constantly evolving especially in the current economic climate which is why we always keep our fingers on the pulse making sure we stay up to date on the latest developments. This allows us to not only inform you of any new regulations or issues but it means we provide you with the best possible service, leaving no stone unturned.

To find out more about how this works and why we believe Mashroom’s insurance cover will be the perfect fit for you, email us at info@mashroom.com.

What other insurance policies do landlords need?

In today’s current climate especially, it is wise for landlords to consider the scenario of their tenants falling into financial difficulties that could prevent them from making their monthly rent payments. A Rent Guarantee Insurance policy is a way for landlords to remain in control of such situations. Cover like Mashroom’s Rent Guarantee Insurance gives landlords the added protection they need, ensuring the payments they expect to receive are accounted for and that they do not suffer a loss of income.

There are three things you need to have in place before you can be deemed eligible for a Rent Guarantee Insurance policy with Mashroom.

Tenant’s references
Assured Shorthold Tenancy
The tenant’s security deposit is placed in an official tenancy deposit scheme.

The Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract should clearly state the date when the tenancy began, the date when the rent is due, the time frame of the lease, and a rent review clause. Once you have all of this, the process of gaining a Rent Guarantee Insurance Policy with us is fuss-free and can be done online via our website.

Once you have a Rent Guarantee Insurance policy in place, the way it works is you are eligible to make a claim once your tenant has failed to make their rent. Once a claim is made, you will receive an acknowledgment letter that you will need to sign. Once we have this, the first payment will be made. If further payments are not made and you need a continuation of funds, you will need to confirm the tenants have remained in the property and fill out a continuation sheet after which payment will be made within 14 days.

At Mashroom, we make it clear, our policy is FCA regulated and removes any additional costs that some other policies may require, such as legal expenses and assistance with evicting tenants in line with the eviction laws.

A 12-month policy with Mashroom will cost £299 per year, or can be paid in monthly installements of £29 over the course of 12 months. This price includes costs such as premium tax.

Without having a Rent Guarantee Insurance policy in place, you are placing a lot of trust in the fact that your tenants will provide you with the required rent payments every month without fail. If for whatever reason this does not happen, without a policy, these costs cannot be claimed back and any legal costs in relation to evicting a tenant, which can take up to six months, will have to come directly from the landlord.

We understand finding the right Rent Guarantee Insurance policy is not easy. We would like to make it clear, while it is not a legal requirement, having a Rent Guarantee policy is a vital tool for any landlord in today’s housing market. It is a much-needed safety net to rely on. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and lack of job security, we have found a rise in claims and there are no signs this will change anytime soon – it’s worth noting that this cover was actually removed from the market during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to the high demand. To find out more about our Rent Guarantee Insurance policy, please email us at info@mashroom.com and a member of our team will be able to discuss this in more detail with you.

Another policy we offer at Mashroom is Contents Insurance. Contents Insurance is a policy all tenants need in order to make sure the belongings within their properties are secure and safe. This is different from Home Emergency Insurance and Rent Guarantee Insurance policies, which are taken out solely by the landlord can relate to the property itself and the income it generates, respectively. The Contents Insurance policy simply focuses on the contents within the property not the property as a whole and can only be taken out by the tenant.

At Mashroom, our Contents Insurance policies are quoted for on a monthly rolling plan with no hidden fees. The Contents Insurance policy covers items such as furniture, clothes, and household electrical goods, such as your freezer, hair straighteners, microwaves, and kettles. As many of us are now working from home more regularly, it is important to note this also includes your home office as it includes computers, laptops, mobile phones, printers, and general office equipment.

The Contents Insurance policy at Mashroom starts from the date the policy becomes active, where monthly payments will thereon be issued. If you are someone who travels a lot, a Contents Insurance policy could turn accidental damage to your belongings from a costly disaster to a minor inconvenience. Mashroom offers an out-of-home add-on in this scenario, which is suitable for travelling. With this add-on, the belongings you are travelling with, excluding photography equipment, musical equipment, and jewellery, will be protected against theft and accidental damage if you travel anywhere within Europe, plus worldwide travel for a period of 60 days. For the cyclists and bike owners amongst us, Mashroom’s Content Insurance policy covers bicycles, including unintended loss or damage anywhere in Europe; however, this does not include scooters or motorbikes.

A key component of our Contents Insurance policy is excess. Excess refers to the amount policyholders have to pay when they make a claim. Our standard compulsory excess is £100. This covers things such as escaping water, subsidence, ground heave, and landslip claims. There is also a voluntary excess you can contribute towards which is excess that is not required however, the higher the excess, the lower your monthly payment becomes; however, the voluntary excess would need to be paid every time you have a successful claim.

To purchase Contents Insurance, you can do so right here on the Mashroom website. You will need to provide details to do with the property and your belongings. This will help us ascertain the correct quote for you. Once we have this and you are happy with the said quote, you can confirm the purchase. Your policy will come into play on your chosen date. Your Contents Insurance will continue on a rolling contract until you manually cancel it, which you can do by logging into your Mashroom account and following the steps. As with the Home Emergency Insurance and Rent Guarantee Insurance, all the documents you need for your policy and to make a claim will be placed in your Mashroom account for you to access as and when you need them.

To find out more about the Contents Insurance policy cover we offer at Mashroom, please encourage your tenant to email us at info@mashroom.com so we can talk them through this and can make sure they are protected from incidents such as burglaries

Beyond these insurance policies, we also work with landlords by providing services such as the deposit replacement scheme. You can find out more about this and the other services we offer landlords by visiting our website.

Landlord Insurance is what you need to cover any damages to the building. For example, if your property is damaged due to a fire, water damage, or vandalism, having a Landlord Insurance policy such as Home Emergency Insurance will ensure any repair costs will be covered. Crucially, it includes third-party liability, which means it protects the landlord if the tenant damages or destroys the foundation of the property.

Being liable for something means you are held responsible for it. When it comes to being a landlord, you are responsible for the maintenance of the building, dealing with issues such as damp, ensuring the property has a working fire alarm installed and gas fixtures are installed professionally to make sure the tenant living there is living in a safe property. That being said, accidents do happen. Landlord Liability is an additional cover usually found as part of landlord insurance designed to protect landlords from injury and damage-related claims within their property. For example, if a tenant or visitor to the site slips or falls on-site due to inadequate flooring and they decide to sue for compensation, having a Landlord Liability Insurance means as a landlord, the policy will ensure you can make any compensation or legal fees required.

It falls under the banner of Public Liability Insurance which protects you from claims made by third parties including tradesperson. It covers losses and damages to material properties as well as illnesses or diseases including death and takes into account medical costs and any loss of income incurred by the claimant.

It also ensures the landlord is protected should a tenant make a claim against them or if a third party individual is injured in your property and intends to make a claim against you. It is worth noting that Landlord Insurance does not cover everything. For example, you will still require Rent Guarantee Insurance if you want additional protection against the potential loss of income through missed rent payments. Or, for damage to your belongings or appliances, such as boiler breakdowns, Contents Insurance would be more appropriate.

Landlord insurance also includes additional covers such as Property Owner’s liability which helps you to cover any costs incurred when a third party injures or damages themselves while on your property.

It can sometimes be overlooked but accidents do happen so we would advise you to have Property Owners liability included as part of an existing Landlord Insurance policy or as a separate policy of its own to ensure you have all the protection you may need.

Little impacts such as keeping the property in good condition, making sure the property is housed by a tenant with increased security checks in place such as home alarms will reduce the risk of burglary which can go a long way in making sure you get a great deal on your landlord insurance policy. Before purchasing your landlord insurance, it is worth noting that you need to check the terms of the mortgage on your property, this is something your mortgage provider will be able to assist you with before you purchase any landlord insurance policy cover.

Making sure your policy includes Accidental Damage Insurance means you can rest in the knowledge you have the support you need when it comes to additional repairs you may have following the original emergency. This includes replacing or repairing items that have been damaged or destroyed as a result of an accident taking place within the home.

By accidental damage, we mean one-off events such as something heavy falls resulting in it damaging your table or sink. If your property is in a residential area surrounded by a lovely bubbly neighborhood, your Accidental Damage Insurance policy includes any damages caused by issues such as a window breaking due to someone playing football outside the property. It does not however cover things such as a computer breakdown or damage caused by pets or damage caused by cowboy builders. While Contents Insurance can include travel, Accidental Damage Insurance only includes items that are in the home and garden.

Most accidental damage insurance policies also do not include things such as paying workers such as boiler repairmen, plumbers, and other construction workers. You can add Accidental Damage Insurance to your Contents Insurance or your Landlord Insurance but bare in mind when searching for the right accidental cover for a look into the details as some do not cater for properties housing tenants or allow for claims to be made against accidents involving house guests and if the house is vacant for a month or more. Having something like this in place can make your policy stronger and ensure you have peace of mind when it comes to protecting your property, however, unlike the Home Emergency Insurance policy, we offer at Mashroom, it does not cover any pest or vermin damage.

Unoccupied Property Cover for when you are away

Unoccupied Property Cover or Unoccupied Home Insurance is for landlords who are in between tenants or if you are out of the town for more than thirty days for renovations or if you are selling the property. You might own a holiday home that is vacant for months at a time or, due to health reasons, you have to undergo long-term care in a hospital. The reason you need to have such cover in place is that vacant homes are more susceptible to things such as theft, intruders, or vandalism. The length of your policy can vary – some policies can be as short as three months, for example, whereas others are fixed for longer stretches of time. Home Emergency Insurance is vital in these circumstances and will even cover you for empty buildings too!

It does not cover instances of unforced entries, so always make sure the property is locked and make sure all the doors and windows are secured before leaving the property. This prevents squatters and burglars from getting into the property while it is vacant. If you are doing renovations to the property while it is vacant, confirm if your policy includes incidents that might happen while you are working on the major repairs This also includes any incidents involving third-party contractors.

Unoccupied Property Cover can range anywhere from three to six months, as well as longer periods, such as twelve months. Coverage for longer periods may work in your favour, as the quote will likely be cheaper, and it’s always wise to check the flexibility of your package. For example, add-on extensions may be available, which will be ideal if your property becomes vacant for longer than you originally planned. And, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that things quite easily don’t go according to plan, so flexible packages such as this have become increasingly popular, especially with the uncertainty surrounding people renting a new property or being stuck outside of the UK longer than they’d originally imagined.

Unsure about the extra policies and cover you need? At Mashroom, we also work with landlords to handle issues such as Gas Safety, Rent Security and ensure you have everything you need, such as an Energy Performance Certificate, to make sure both the landlord and tenant are protected.

Is home emergency cover worth it?

In short, having Home Emergency Insurance gives you peace of mind knowing you are doing everything you can to protect your property. The notion of an emergency cover sounds scary at first as no one likes to foresee an emergency but having the policy in place means you can prepare for the unexpected. When you have Home Emergency Insurance, you don’t have to worry about the little details when the incident takes place. You can rest easy knowing the minor details such as calling contractors, arranging accommodation, and such has been looked after, allowing you to make sure the tenant and your property are safe and sound…

Contact Mashroom Today

At Mashroom, we value and understand the relationship between people and their homes. It is a bond we know goes beyond just having a place to store your belongings. It is a place of pride for those living on the property.

We work with landlords to ensure they have a beneficial relationship with their tenants throughout their time living in the home. We have created a free online dashboard that makes it easy for landlords to find a copy of your Home Emergency Insurance Policy. In addition to this, we also advise you to look into getting Rent Guarantee Insurance which gives your property added protection.

At Mashroom we place a lot of value in trust, loyalty, and mutual support, which is why our team of experts is not afraid to answer any hard-hitting questions you have about any of the other services we provide for landlords.

For any policy-specific questions, please view our Frequently Answered Questions page, alternatively, our friendly staff are on hand to answer your questions. Simply email support@mashroom.com or fill out the form on our site so a member of our team can contact you.

It’s important you understand what is and isn’t covered by the Home Emergency Insurance. The examples and descriptions above are only intended as a guide and you will be able to find the full details in the policy document and Insurance Product Information Document. We do not provide personal recommendations regarding the arrangement of insurance cover. By asking us to quote for, arrange or handle your insurances, you are providing your informed agreement to our Terms of Business.