A short guide to dealing with a home emergency

We commonly think of our homes as safe havens, yet sometimes unexpected circumstances can make them the scene of an emergency. But what exactly is a home emergency? Which sources of help can we turn to when they occur? And how can we reduce the odds of one occurring in the first place? We’ll be answering these questions below.

What is a home emergency?

Although the exact definition differs slightly depending on who you ask, a home emergency tends to fall into one of three categories:

Something that could negatively affect your health
Something that could damage your home
Something that compromises your home’s security

Home emergencies are sudden and expected. Because of this, they’re difficult to plan for – and resolving them can therefore be a challenge. So, what are some common examples?

Boiler and heating issues
Plumbing or drainage problems
Roof damage
Electrical faults or hazards
Broken windows, doors or locks
Pest infestations

How can you deal with home emergencies?

Due to their unforeseen and often unfortunate nature, home emergencies are typically financially demanding. This means it’s unlikely you’ll be able to face one entirely by yourself. So, what options are available for help?

Emergency home cover

According to the UK Home Emergency and Services 2020 report, the home emergency market is expected to decline through 2024. And with many people seeing home emergency cover as an unnecessary expense when they’re struggling to cope with a cost of living crisis, it’s easy to see why. All the same, these people risk facing the costs of repairs themselves if the unexpected happens. While emergency cover can seem like a needless expense when things are bad, you’ll be grateful for it should you ever actually need it.

Loans

If you don’t have cover, you may be left to consider a loan. Many people mistakenly think loans are only available for people with excellent credit scores, but this isn’t the case. A bad credit loan can help you make emergency repairs if your savings won’t cover the damage. Just remember to consider what you’re committing to and be certain you can meet your repayments before you take one out.

How can you prevent home emergencies?

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to make certain that you’ll never experience a home emergency. However, you can decrease the chances of many common problems occurring by carrying out regular home inspections.

While each home’s requirements will be slightly different, use the following checklist as a starting point: