Tips for home emergencies

When things go wrong
No matter how well prepared you are, emergencies at home can always happen – that’s why it pays to be covered by Privilege home insurance, which gives you access to a 24 hour helpline.

The Boy Scouts motto is ‘Be prepared’ and whether you ever wore a woggle or not, it’s a good approach to have when it comes to your home. Whether you own your home or rent, live in a modern property or something older, there is always the possibility that something can go wrong that will need emergency attention.

Taking out a home insurance policy with Privilege will not only cover you against loss or damage to your property and possessions through fire, theft, storm or flood, vandalism, escape of water, or subsidence – but you will also be able to benefit from our 24-hour emergency helpline. If the damage is covered by the Privilege Home Insurance policy, the cost of the repair can be reclaimed, less the policy excess.

If you have a household emergency like a burst pipe, storm damage, broken windows or damaged locks, our 24-hour home insurance emergency hotline gives you round-the-clock access to advice when you need it most. And if you need work carried out urgently, we can offer you specially negotiated rates for the qualified tradesmen you require. So you won’t get overcharged by tradesmen just because it is an emergency.

If you do have an emergency and are waiting for the experts to arrive, here are some practical tips for what to do in the meantime:

• Burst pipes – turn off the water supply at the stopcock and then turn on the taps to drain the system. Then turn off water heating systems and any electrics that may be affected by leaks. Also mop up any excess and don’t leave any sitting water if possible.
• Storm damage – first of all, do not leave the house unattended as it may make it a burglary risk. Depending on the severity of the damage it may be worthwhile turning off the electricity and gas to minimize fire hazard. In the instance of broken windows, it’s not necessary to clear away glass or secure the window – leave that to the expert.
• Damaged locks – again, don’t leave the house unattended. Do not attempt any remedial works as this could compound the damage.

If you do need to call the emergency helpline, a qualified tradesman will call you back and let you know what time they are going to arrive. They will be able to give you advice for your specific circumstance.

By taking out home insurance with Privilege, you can be secure in the knowledge that your home and possessions are looked after, as well as having a team of expert tradesmen on hand in case of an emergency. You can find out more about the emergency services offered by visiting our website.

While you are there, why not get an online quote for your home insurance – we cover both building and contents. You can even apply online straight away.

With access to all these benefits, why not get a Privilege Home Insurance quote from us today?