Boiler cover

Last updated: 19 January 2021

Why should you get boiler cover?

If your boiler breaks, getting it fixed can be expensive. And a broken boiler could leave you without heating and hot water.

Having boiler insurance means the repairs would be paid for, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds. You might be able to get a boiler service plan included, too.

What does boiler insurance include?

Your boiler insurance can cover the cost of:

Boiler cover can be used for three main types of gas- and oil-fired boilers. These are conventional boilers, condensing boilers and combination boilers.

What can I claim for with my boiler cover?

All boiler insurance policies are different. Most often, boiler breakdown cover is for repairs and replacements for your boiler and controls, and your central heating.

With the boiler and controls, you can call an engineer out if your boiler, thermostat or programmer stop working. Sometimes, boiler breakdown cover means you’ll get a new boiler, if it’s under seven years old and can’t be repaired.

Having central heating cover means you won’t have to pay for repairs to your gas central heating system. This includes your radiators and hot water cylinder.

You might also want to think about getting home emergency cover too. This covers things like your plumbing, drains and electrics. You’ll pay more, but you might feel it’s worth it. Find out more about home emergency cover here.

The most basic, cheapest boiler cover is usually just boiler breakdown cover. But if you’re willing to pay more, you could get everything included, such as central heating cover and a boiler service plan.

Do I need boiler cover?

It depends on your situation. If you rent your home, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to pay for your boiler repairs, so you won’t need boiler and central heating cover.

But if you own your home – or you’re a landlord – it’s a good idea to have boiler insurance. It’ll cover expensive bills if the boiler breaks down. You can find more information here on how landlord boiler cover works.

If you have boiler cover as part of your home insurance policy, there’s no need to get a separate boiler policy. But most of the time, home insurance policies don’t include boiler cover.

What’s the claim limit?

When you take out boiler and central heating cover, there’s usually a maximum amount that you’re covered for.

It tends to be between £250 and £1,500, depending on your boiler insurance policy and provider. Others offer unlimited cover.

Similarly, some policies allow unlimited call-outs, whereas others might limit you to two a year.

If you know you’ve got an expensive boiler, you’ll need to make sure your policy covers the cost of replacing it if it breaks. A new boiler can cost up to £4,000, so look carefully at the limit on each policy.

Are there any exclusions?

Every boiler insurance policy will have certain things that it doesn’t cover.

This could be things like:

You’ll find that most boiler care policies only cover gas boilers. But you should be able to find specialist policies for boilers that use oil. Check carefully what fuel each policy is for. And see which policy will give you the best boiler service plan for your needs.

How expensive is boiler cover?

This depends on several factors including the age and brand of your boiler, the size of your home and how much excess you’re willing to pay.

Boiler insurance for old boilers is more expensive, so it might be worth replacing your boiler with a newer model.

Is it cheaper to buy a new boiler?

New boilers are expensive, though exact costs will vary greatly based on the different types and brands. A new boiler will likely set you back somewhere between £500 and £2,500, so make sure you know exactly what type of boiler you are looking for.

A new boiler will usually be significantly more energy efficient than an older model, so installation and replacement costs will be offset by energy savings and lower utility bills in future. However, paying for a new boiler is still a very costly process, so it is important to consider the impact on your finances if your boiler were to break down.

Will I have to pay excess to make a claim?

Yes, as with most kinds of insurance, making a claim on your boiler and central heating cover means you’ll have to pay excess.

It’s usually around £60, but you might have the option to reduce this when you take out your boiler insurance cover. You might even decide that when you get your boiler cover, no excess is something that’s important to you. There are policies that offer this option. But, remember, the lower your excess, the more you’ll pay for your boiler insurance.

What do I do if my boiler suddenly breaks down?

Most boiler insurance providers have an emergency helpline.

You can call the number at any time if your boiler breaks down.

How do I compare boiler cover?

If you’re looking for cheap boiler cover which meets all your needs, it’s best to compare boiler cover options.

To do a boiler cover comparison, click on ‘get quotes’ at the top of this page and fill out the information. You’ll get a list of quotes that mean you can compare boiler cover options and make your decision.

Don’t automatically go for the cheapest option when you do your boiler service price comparison. Make sure you look carefully to get the best boiler cover for your needs. You might like to look at boiler cover reviews online too.

Can I switch boiler cover provider?

You should check the terms and conditions of your current cover before starting the switching process.

Different providers have different cancellation policies, so make sure to check in order to avoid any unexpected charges.

If you pay for your cover in monthly payments, it is likely you will only need to contact your current provider to tell them that you will be cancelling. If you have paid for your cover upfront, make sure to confirm with your provider that you'll get a refund before you take out a new policy.