Boiler Cover

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What is boiler cover?

Boiler cover is a form of insurance that covers your boiler in the event that it stops functioning properly. If it does break down, boiler cover will pay for a gas-safety registered engineer to come to your home, assess the situation, and fix your boiler.

Boiler servicing is also included in some boiler cover policies. This means your boiler will get an annual servicing from an engineer who will perform tests on it to make sure it’s in good working condition. 

Boiler cover policies can cover: boiler repair, boiler servicing, plumbing and drainage repairs, central heating repairs, electrical wiring, and even pests in your home.

What is the difference between boiler cover and central heating cover?

Boiler cover policies will only cover repairs to your actual boiler unit, but not the rest of your central heating system. Central heating cover protects your boiler as well as everything that is connected to it - including plumbing and radiators.

It costs more to get central heating cover, but the entire system will be covered in case a fault develops that is not to do with the boiler itself.

The level of cover will depend on the individual insurer and policy, so as always, read through the policy documents first.

Is my boiler covered under my home insurance policy?

Some home insurance policies include cover for boilers, so your first step should be to check your existing home insurance policy to see if you’ve already got cover before you take out a standalone policy. Be aware that if you do have to make a claim on your home insurance policy for your boiler, you’ll very likely lose your no claims bonus so having a separate policy may be worth it depending on your needs. 

Also bear in mind that if your boiler is new it will most probably already be covered by a warranty. New boilers come with warranties of up to seven years, so it may not be as vital to get your boiler covered so comprehensively by an insurance policy. However, you may still need to get the rest of your central heating system insured under a central heating cover policy if you want that added peace of mind that your heating and hot water will always be taken care of.

Do I need boiler cover if I’m renting?

No, not necessarily. If you’re renting your property from a landlord, it’s their responsibility to make sure the boiler is in working condition, so taking out a policy isn’t always necessary. However, some people do take out their own boiler cover policy with their landlord’s permission, just for added peace of mind.

Is my boiler covered under my home emergency cover policy?

Your boiler may indeed be covered to some extent by your home emergency cover policy. You will need to check the wording of your policy to see whether the cover provided as part of your deal is adequate for your needs.

Home emergency cover policies cover a wider range of eventualities - the cover level provided for your boiler may not be up to what you need. Having said this, you don’t want to double-up on cover, so be sure to weigh up the pros and cons before taking out another policy.

How does boiler cover work?

Most boiler cover policies will pay for the labour and parts associated with repairing your broken boiler. They will also pay for any extras that are included as part of your specific policy, so be sure to read the policy wording to see what is, and isn’t covered, as part of your deal.

As with most insurance policies, there are typically some limits and exclusions as to what will be covered. Generally, there will be a limit on how many claims you can make in a year, as well as a waiting period at the start of your policy in which you won’t be able to make a claim. 

There may also be limits on how long an engineer can take on repairs, and your boiler may not be covered if it’s over a certain age (boilers over 15 years old are usually impossible to find cover for).

What should I look out for when buying a boiler cover policy?

It’s vital that you make sure that the cover included in the policy is adequate for your individual needs. As mentioned, many policies have limits and exclusions. If you’re likely to have a problem that is excluded from your policy, then the policy is pretty much worthless for your needs.

When it comes to insuring your boiler, it’s always best to take out a policy well ahead of time to make sure you aren’t left without hot water or heating. Insurers have waiting periods that prevent claims within the first few weeks of a policy. This is to stop people taking out a policy during an emergency.

As always, really look carefully at the small print. Some companies will exclude boiler issues that are the result of limescale build-up, others will exclude boilers that don’t meet efficiency or safety standards. So take your time and be thorough before you commit to anything. 

This is why it’s also important that you compare boiler cover deals from various providers to make sure you’re getting the best value cover for your boiler. Using our home insurance comparison tool can make this process quick and easy.