What is the difference between Home Emergency Cover and home insurance?

Home Emergency Cover and home insurance are designed to do different jobs. Home Emergency Cover deals with the immediate cause of certain emergencies, while buildings or contents insurance may cover the resulting damage.

What does Home Emergency Cover do?

Home Emergency Cover provides assistance with specified emergencies that require urgent attention. If a claim is accepted, the claims service may appoint an authorised contractor to complete an emergency repair, normally as a temporary solution and within the applicable claim limit.

What does home insurance do?

Buildings or contents insurance may cover loss or damage resulting from an insured incident, subject to the relevant policy terms, exclusions and excess.

It does not necessarily cover the emergency repair to the system or item that caused the damage.

Example: a burst pipe

Following an eligible burst pipe, Home Emergency Cover may arrange an authorised contractor to stop the leak and complete an emergency repair.

A separate buildings or contents insurance claim may be needed for resulting damage to walls, flooring, furniture or other belongings. Each claim will be assessed separately under the relevant policy terms.

Check your policy schedule and policy documents to confirm the cover that applies to you.