Thursday, 23 October 2025
A representative survey by Europ Assistance shows that one in three Hungarians has no trusted professional to call in case of an emergency at home. The findings, also reported by Portfolio.hu and BBJ.hu, highlight concerns about high prices, long response times, and inconsistent quality of service as the main obstacles in the home repair sector .
According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents aged 18–69 said electrical failures and power outages are their greatest concerns in the event of an emergency. Roughly a third mentioned gas leaks, blocked sewage systems, or malfunctioning electronic equipment after the warranty period as major worries. Less common were door lock failures (25 percent) and solar panel damage (14 percent).
Insurance remains widely valued: 92 percent of respondents considered fire protection essential, followed by water damage and burst pipes (90 percent) and storm damage (88 percent). About 80 percent would insure against glass damage, while liability insurance was important for four out of five households. Coverage for blocked sewage systems was mentioned by 75 percent, but only 60 percent supported adding household appliance failures after warranty expiry.
The survey also revealed structural challenges. Only 20 percent of Hungarians have a trusted professional for all types of home problems, while 46 percent can reach out to someone in specific cases. A third have no fixed contacts and must search for help each time. Among those who have required assistance, half reported difficulties with high costs or emergency surcharges, and 47 percent said they struggled to find the right tradesperson. Nearly as many noted problems with poor workmanship and communication.
“Nearly 56 percent of the population considers it risky to live without home insurance, and 87 percent find assistance services useful, but only 22 percent currently have this type of protection,” said Gábor Szabolcs Timár, head of operations at Europ Assistance Hungary. He added that 24-hour helplines, fast dispatch of verified professionals, and emergency electrical repair were seen as the most attractive services.
The survey underscores both the strong perceived need for insurance and the significant gap in reliable professional services for household emergencies.
