Boiler cover is very worthwhile when it comes to emergencies, especially when you’re left without heating and hot water in the middle of winter.
The financial benefit largely depends on what type of boiler cover you choose. Many select a policy that isn’t right for their home and can often waste money.
We’ve put together this guide to help you determine if the boiler cover is suitable for you and what types of cover is available.
What Is Boiler Cover?
Boiler cover is a type of insurance policy to cover the cost of servicing and repairing your boiler and heating system.
These repairs will be completed by a qualified Gas Safe engineer appointed by the company you have chosen for your boiler cover policy. For this cover, you will pay a monthly or annual premium. Prices depend on the company and the level of cover you choose.
What Type of Boiler Cover Should I Choose?
Typically there are two types of boiler cover policies available. Boiler and controls cover and full heating system and water cover.
Some providers may offer additional cover on drains, pipes and electrics but this often comes with a high premium.
Full Boiler Cover
The phrase ‘standard’ boiler cover may vary greatly depending on the provider. However, most providers include an annual service and maintenance check. Standard boiler cover should include boiler breakdown with all parts and labour costs included.
An optional annual boiler service may be included.
Basic Boiler Cover
If you’re looking for a cheap boiler cover policy, many providers offer basic cover. This usually includes repairs to your gas boiler and controls. All parts and labour are included but may have a cap on the repair cost amount.
You typically won’t get any central heating cover or an annual service. This will cost extra.
Do You Need Full Boiler Cover?
Boiler cover provides peace of mind that should anything go wrong and you experience a boiler breakdown, it will be repaired in an emergency.
As your central heating system can be expensive to repair, it is often a very popular policy to take out. Boiler breakdown cover means you can avoid unexpected and potentially expensive repair bills.
What’s Not Included?
Boiler cover varies depending on your provider. Some boiler breakdown cover plans offer unlimited cover and claims each year. Some may be capped. It is important to review this before agreeing to the policy. Some boiler cover policies do not include an annual service or central heating cover.
Can I Get Cover For My Old Boiler?
Many providers will have a maximum age for any boiler cover. This is often set around 15 years old as the general consensus is that boilers should be replaced every 10-15 years. If you’re unsure whether you need a new boiler, you can read the guide on this here.
For older boilers, you may end up paying a much higher premium as boiler breaks become more common with age. If you’re looking for a policy for older boilers, it is worth choosing a policy with unlimited claims.
You can read more about boiler cover for older units here.
Does Home Insurance Cover My Boiler?
Many home insurance policies will not cover the cost of a replacement boiler or repairing a broken boiler. Whilst many insurers have options to add this onto a policy, they do not specialise in this area so it may not be as comprehensive in comparison to a company that specialises in boilers.
How To Get Cheap Boiler Cover
When it comes to covering your boiler and central heating, you should assess what it is you need. Many households overpay for their cover in the fear of boiler breaks and having no central heating system in the coldest months.
Here are some ways you can save on your boiler and central heating cover:
- Get the right cover – you should always check your home insurance policy so that there’s no overlap in the things you’re cover includes. For example, you may only need a basic policy that includes an annual boiler service because any central heating repairs is covered by your home insurance.
- Annual payments – some providers add a charge for the privilege of purchasing a policy with monthly payments. You may also get a discount for paying your premium upfront.
- Increase your excess fee – if you’re looking to save money and you can afford a higher excess fee in the event of any boiler repairs, this can bring down the price of the overall premium.
Do I Need Annual Boiler Service?
An annual boiler service is strongly advised to keep your boiler running efficiently and safely. It is always worth choosing a good boiler cover policy that includes an annual service with no call out fee.
Some cheap boiler insurance policies do not include an annual boiler service and it may be tempting to go for the cheaper boiler cover providers. However, this may cost more in the long run if your boiler is not maintained properly.
Boiler Cover Exemptions
It’s always important to look at the fine print and the exemptions before signing up for a boiler and central heating policy. You should ensure that home emergency cover is included and it covers most if not all boiler repairs.
Here’s some industry knowledge that may help you find the best boiler cover for your family:
- Old boiler exemptions – any boilers older than 15 years may not accept you as a new customer.
- Boiler brand & age – some cheaper boilers may be prone to breaking down much earlier than the 15-year mark. This is sometimes taken into account but some boiler cover providers will not renew your policy after a certain age.
- Repair cost caps – some boiler cover policies will have a repair cost limit. It may give you more peace of mind to ensure that yours has unlimited repair costs.
- Introductory prices – be aware that some companies will sell you a policy at an introductory price and may significantly increase it after the first year. Make sure you are aware of all costs involved with your central heating and boiler cover.