Boiler Guides

Do you need boiler cover?

If you’ve ever had to pay for emergency repairs to your boiler or central heating system then you know how much of a drain it can be on your finances.

So, if you want peace of mind that your boiler will be repaired quickly, without costing you a packet, then boiler cover could be the answer.

• Do you own your own home?
• How old is your boiler?
• What level of cover do you want?
• What is considered an emergency?
• No claims period
• Are you already covered?
• Where to get cover

Do you own your own home?

This is the first question you need to ask yourself, because if you don’t, then you don’t need boiler cover. If you rent your property from either a private landlord or the council then it’s their responsibility to ensure that your boiler and central heating system is working properly.

If you do own your own home however, then boiler cover can offer real peace of mind from the financial shock of a broken boiler.

How old is your boiler?

Boilers over 15 years old are often excluded from policies, while those more than seven years old might need to undergo an inspection. The older, heavier types are also more expensive to run.

A new A-grade, energy efficient boiler could be as much as 97% more efficient, and less likely to break down.

What level of cover do you want?

Different boiler insurance plans offer different levels of cover, so make sure you think about your needs, and read the small print before signing up.

You can choose between covering only your boiler - with the cheaper plans - or anything up to radiators, plumbing and even electrics if you’re willing to pay more.

Some only permit up to two callouts per year, while others set a maximum limit on the cost of each repair. On the other hand, some of the better policies offer unlimited callouts and even cover your annual boiler safety inspection, saving you between £60 and £90 a year.

What is considered an emergency?

Some provider’s don’t consider a lack of hot water an emergency, while others will only treat it as one during the winter months. You need to make sure that you find out exactly what will be covered, or excluded, from your policy.

No claims period

You should be aware that most boiler cover plans operate a 30-day no claims period to stop people signing up when an emergency occurs and avoiding hefty callout and repair costs.

Are you already covered?

If you’ve recently had a new boiler installed, the parts and installation might be covered by a warranty. If this is the case additional boiler cover could simply be a waste of money.

Where to get cover

You don’t have to take boiler cover from your energy provider - simply compare boiler cover to find out which boiler insurance plan is right for you.