Electrical issues can arise at home, often taking you by surprise. Without a clear indication of what has caused the problem, you contact your trusted London electrician to get it fixed safely. You are, of course, thankful that they have rectified your issues, but are perhaps less pleased about the unexpected expense. Luckily, our team at London Property Services remain transparent throughout, so any shock is minimised; however, that doesn’t stop people from asking if their home insurance will cover any electric work.
The short answer is sometimes. Coverage depends on the cause of the issue, your policy and whether the damage is considered preventable.
What electrical faults does home insurance cover?
Most home insurance policies only cover electrical issues caused by what are known as “insured events”. These are incidents that are sudden, unexpected and out of your control. This could include:
- Fires
- Flooding
- Lightning strikes
- Accidental damage
If your electrical system or appliances are damaged as a result of one of these events, your insurer is more likely to honour any claim you make. That said, an insurer may deny a claim if the issue is linked to a preventable problem. A faulty installation or poor workmanship, for example, may see insurers claim that the damage wasn’t purely due to the insured event.
What electrical issues are not covered by homeowners’ insurance?
For a comprehensive understanding, you may have to take a deep dive into your existing insurance policy. In most cases, electrical issues that develop over time or result from neglect are not covered. This would include:
- Poor workmanship
- Faulty wiring
- General wear and tear
- Lack of proper maintenance
- Ageing systems
- Deliberate damage
- Damage caused by pets
As a result, if a problem with your electrics arises at home and an electrician discovers it’s due to any of the above, you are unlikely to be in a position to make a successful claim.
Does home insurance cover electrical wiring?
Electrical wiring faults are among the most common reasons for calling an emergency electrician in London. It’s a problem often found in older properties, but certainly not uncommon in newer homes, too.
Because wiring naturally deteriorates over time, most insurers would classify it as wear and tear, resulting in any claim attempt being dismissed.
This also applies to many other common household electrical faults, including:
- Tripped circuits
- Issues with lighting
- Broken switches
- Damaged sockets
- Fuse box issues
In instances like this, repair costs are typically the homeowner’s or landlord’s responsibility, and not the insurers.
What’s the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
It helps to have some clarity regarding your insurance policies, as this can greatly affect what is covered.
- Buildings insurance covers the fixed electrical systems. This would be your fuse board, the wiring and any sockets.
- Contents insurance is for the electrical items. This would be your TV, a laptop, a kettle and a microwave, for example.
If a power surge were to damage your TV and render it unusable, you may be able to claim on your contents insurance; however, if the wiring fails due to its poor condition or age, the buildings insurance is unlikely to cover it.
Who do you call first, an electrician or an insurer?
You should always call an electrician first. Problems could start small but may escalate to something much more severe. By having an electrician attend right away, you can benefit from a professional diagnosis and have the electrical issues tackled correctly and safely. That said, if the issue was caused by storm damage, a fire, flooding or sudden accidental damage, it would be wise to contact your insurer once an electrician has visited your property and uncovered the issue.
Regardless of cause, you should always contact an electrician if you notice any of the following:
- Burning smells
- Sparks from wires or sockets
- Exposed wiring
- Repeated circuit trips
- Loss of power in parts of the home
- Buzzing walls
- Flickering lights
We have produced a handy guide about electrical fire prevention, explore what you can do to minimise risk.
How to reduce electrical fault risk and avoid having to make an insurance claim?
As we all know, making a claim on your insurance can make a policy renewal more expensive. Furthermore, paying for repairs can be substantially more expensive than preventing the need for them.
You can follow a few simple tips to reduce your expenses on both repairs and premiums.
- Avoid overloading sockets
- Replace damaged cables promptly
- Upgrade outdated fuse boxes
- Schedule regular inspections
It is also worth considering a PAT test and an electrical condition installation report. This way, you maintain a safety-first focus and help reduce the risk of harm to yourself, your tenants and anyone else residing in a property.
How can I make sure my insurance claim is successful?
There is no guarantee that a claim on your home insurance for electrical problems will be successful. However, if you believe that they have been caused by an issue covered by your policy, you should present your insurer with as much evidence as possible.
This would include:
- A report from your electrician
- Photos of any damage caused
- Receipts or invoices from the electrician
- A timeline of when the issue occurred
Detailed information such as this will strengthen any claim.
Does home insurance cover electrical emergencies?
Unfortunately not. Whilst emergency call-outs have a degree of urgency to them, and are often caused by random events, they are rarely covered by a standard home insurance plan. The only times when your insurance may offer such protection is when the faults are directly linked to an insured event, such as a fire or flooding.
Is there a home insurance policy that covers all electrical repairs?
Yes. Some providers offer specialist cover that targets home emergencies or electrical issues. Coverage varies, so check terms carefully before purchasing. Many policies cover issues such as:
- Wiring repairs
- Fuse box issues
- Socket faults
- Lighting problems
- Emergency call-outs
At London Property Services, our team of fully qualified electricians are on hand to tackle issues within your property. From safe, compliant appliance installation in London to general electrical fault detection, complete wiring overhauls and legal certifications, we help homeowners, landlords, and tenants benefit from a trusted domestic electrician service in London that keeps your home safe. Contact us today to make an enquiry or request our assistance.
