What is boiler cover and is it worth getting?

Boiler cover is popular among landlords looking to minimise maintenance costs on their properties and with households that want peace of mind during the winter months. It will also help to cover any costs incurred repairing, replacing and servicing your boiler.

What is boiler cover?

Boiler cover is a specific type of insurance that covers the cost of repairs to your home boiler. In some cases, boiler cover will also cover your wider central heating system and home wiring. Some boiler cover policies give the holder money towards the cost of a new boiler when their existing appliance is beyond repair.

How much is boiler cover?

For most people, the decision on whether or not to get boiler cover will come down to cost. Utilities already make up a large proportion of monthly outgoings and adding another expense can put pressure on household finances. Luckily, boiler cover is very affordable. Basic policies start from just £2.40. These types of policies will generally only cover your boiler, so if something goes wrong with your radiators, the repairs won’t be covered by your insurance. If you want a more comprehensive boiler cover policy, you’ll probably need to pay £20-£30 per month. This will then include your wider plumbing and central heating system as well as your wiring. A lot of comprehensive policies also include an annual boiler service to help keep your boiler in good condition.

What does boiler cover include?

The exact features included in your boiler cover will depend on the policy you take out. Almost all boiler cover policies will include repairs to your existing boiler in case of a breakdown. Most policies give you urgent access to qualified, gas safe engineers and will cover the cost of at least some of the repairs the engineer carries out. Other features that are often included as part of boiler cover policies are:

• Money towards the replacement of your boiler
• An annual boiler service
• Access to local Gas Safe engineers
• Repairs to your central heating system
• Repairs to your wiring

The table below allows to compare the most popular policies currently available and what they include:

What are the advantages of having boiler cover?

The main advantages of boiler cover are:

• Quick and easy access to a qualified engineer
• Fast repairs
• The majority of the repair costs covered by your insurer
• Repairs to your central heating and wiring systems
• Annual boiler service

For most people, the most important of these advantages will be the money they get from their insurer to cover the cost of repairs. Repairing a faulty boiler can cost anywhere from £150 - £400. If your boiler is beyond repair and needs replacing, you could be looking at £500-£2,500 for a new appliance. By taking out good quality boiler cover, you can protect yourself against these out of pocket expenses. This can make it a lot easier to manage the cost of boiler repair and protect your finances.

The different types of cover explained

There are a few different types of boiler cover available on the market. These vary from basic, boiler-only policies to policies that cover your central heating and wiring as well as your appliance. The more comprehensive your policy is, the more your monthly premium will be, so it’s important to balance value for money against the benefits and features of your policy. Here, we take a closer look at some of the most popular types of boiler cover.

What does boiler-only heating cover provide?

Boiler-only cover is the most basic – and most affordable – type of boiler cover policy. As the name suggests, it only applies to your boiler and its controls, not your wider central heating system. This means that, if the problem is in your radiators or pipes, your boiler cover policy won’t pay out. Boiler-only policies are available for as little as £2.40 per month.

What does full system boiler cover provide?

Full system boiler cover includes the cost of repairs to your boiler as well as the rest of your central heating system. This means that if something goes wrong with any aspect of your system, you’ll be covered. These types of policies are available for as little as £2.49 per month. However, you’ll probably find you get better coverage, and more features, if you opt for a deal that’s £10-£20 per month.

Boiler, central heating and wiring cover

The most comprehensive type of boiler cover is boiler, central heating and wiring cover. This type of policy will cover the cost of repairs to your home wiring as well as your central heating system. Taking out comprehensive cover will allow you to get help quickly if something goes wrong with your wiring, central heating or boiler, and ensure you don’t get any nasty bills in an emergency. This type of comprehensive cover costs around £30 per month.

What might not be included in my boiler cover?

Even if you go for the most comprehensive policy you can find, there are likely to be some things that are not included in your policy. For example, some policies don’t cover boilers that are over a certain age. For many, the cut-off point is around 8-10 years old.However, take a look at our article on boiler cover reviews for more information. You may also find you’re only eligible for a certain number of call outs per year. If you go over your limit, you may have to pay for all labour and repair costs out of your own pocket. If your boiler is found to be faulty and in need of replacement, some policies won’t give you any money towards the cost of a new appliance. A lot of boiler cover policies ask customers to pay an excess when they call out an engineer. This is a set fee that you’ll be required to pay no matter how much the cost of the eventual repair. Excess charges can be as much as £95 per call out. If you don’t want to have to put your hand in your pocket every time you need an engineer, it’s probably a good idea to look for a policy without an excess.

How do I choose the right level of boiler cover for me?

When deciding which type of boiler cover is right for you, it’s a good idea to start by working out your budget and how much money you can set aside for urgent repairs. If you just want to protect yourself against the expense of repairing your boiler, a basic policy will probably be enough to give you peace of mind. This is especially true if you have enough savings put aside to cover the cost of any repairs required to your wider central heating or wiring systems. If you want to know that every aspect of your central heating system is covered in case of a breakdown, comprehensive full system boiler cover will probably suit you better. This type of policy will help to ensure you’re not left with any significant out of pocket expenses. This can be a real benefit if you don’t have money set aside to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Is boiler breakdown covered on house insurance?

Sometimes, boiler breakdown cover is included in house insurance policies. Make sure that you check your policy to see if it covers your boiler and central heating before taking out a new policy.

Are boiler covers worth getting?

The decision on whether or not boiler cover is worth getting really comes down to your own personal preference. While some people like to know that their essential appliances are covered in case of a breakdown or emergency, others prefer to pay for any repairs or replacements as and when they’re required. In many cases, the cost of the excess on a policy, combined with monthly premiums, means that customers don’t see a significant financial benefit when taking out a boiler cover policy. Choosing a policy without an excess fee, and selecting a trusted boiler cover supplier, will help to ensure that you’re not left out of pocket when taking out a policy.

FAQ

How long do boilers last?

The average life expectancy of a boiler is between 10-15 years. In most cases, you can expect your boiler to suffer relatively few issues in its first 5 years. As the appliance gets older, you may well find it’s more prone to breakdowns and needs regular TLC to keep it in good working order.

What happens if my insurer goes bust?

If you take out a boiler cover policy and then find your insurer goes bust, your policy will become invalid. You’ll then need to find another company to cover your boiler.

If you’re in the middle of making a claim when your insurer goes out of business, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may be able to step in and pay your claim. You’ll need to get in touch with the FSCS to see if you’re eligible.

Is there a difference between boiler cover and boiler insurance?

Boiler cover and boiler insurance are the same thing. They’ll both cover you in the event that your boiler breaks down and needs repairs.

Does insurance cover replacement boiler?

Some insurance policies will give you money towards the cost of a new boiler if your existing appliance is beyond repair. However, most policies won’t cover the full cost of a replacement boiler and some won’t pay anything at all towards a new appliance. Make sure you check the small print of your policy before you sign on the dotted line.