Is boiler cover really worth it? Or should you go it alone? We've got you covered in this ultimate guide.
Do you want the peace of mind that your boiler will be repaired as fast as possible in the event of an emergency breakdown?
Every year thousands of boilers break down in the UK and unfortunately, this is most likely to happen when we need them most - during the harsh winter months.
Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than facing a boiler breakdown in the depths of winter and trying to find the funds and a Gas registered plumber at their busiest time of the year.
Want to avoid this nightmare situation? If so, boiler cover may be exactly what you are looking for, but be warned, not all boiler cover throughout the industry is equal.
PS we fit new combi boilers with gas installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get it installed as quick as tomorrow.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different options currently available and compare them, so you can make a decision that makes sense for your situation.
What is boiler cover?
Boiler cover is a type of insurance or policy that is offered by a range of different providers.
In general, paying for boiler cover means that in the event of a boiler breakdown, the provider will send out a registered Gas Safe engineer to repair it and get it back up and running as soon as possible.
It typically covers the cost of the engineer’s labour, call-out charges and any replacement parts required to repair the boiler. In some cases, it can also include an annual boiler service.
Types of boiler cover
The amount of protection can vary between providers and so you should be aware that there can be significant differences between the boiler cover plans on offer.
These differences can impact how the boiler cover works and can include the following:
Whether an annual boiler service is included
The amount of money that can be spent on repairs
If it covers just the boiler or the complete central heating system
There may be restrictions on how many times you can make a claim
There could be a waiting period after taking out the policy, during which time you will be unable to make a claim
If your boiler is deemed too old or beyond economical repair, it may not be covered
Can you get boiler cover on an old boiler?
If your boiler is very old you may find it more difficult to find a policy. The majority of providers outline the maximum age they will allow you to take the cover out for, this is typically capped at around 15 years.
If you do have an older boiler, it’s also worthwhile looking for a policy that offers an unlimited claims cost as some providers limit how much they will pay for repairs.
This means there is no cap on the repair costs, or they will offer to replace the boiler, or contribute to its replacement if it’s deemed as beyond economical repair.
Do you need boiler cover?
If you are a homeowner or a landlord securing boiler cover offers you the peace of mind that the boiler will be repaired and back in action as soon as possible.
Ultimately, it means you don’t have to worry about sourcing an emergency plumber on your own and can avoid dealing with expensive call-out charges and other emergency fees.
However, it’s certainly worth checking whether you aren’t protected from boiler breakdowns already.
For example, you may have a manufacturer's warranty that offers to repair your boiler, but this is likely to be limited to certain circumstances, while boiler cover typically covers a wider range of scenarios.
It’s certainly worth checking whether or not your warranty is still valid and hasn’t expired and check what types of repairs are covered under the boiler manufacturer's warranty.
In addition, your current home insurance may cover you for boiler repairs, so that’s certainly another avenue to explore.
Yet again, this could be limited to certain scenarios and involve large excess fees, so make sure to check the small print.
If you're a boiler you may also want to consider Landlord Boiler Cover which is a service plan designed primarily to protect a landlord’s boiler from unexpected breakdowns.
Moreover, it gives your tenant the ability to book in with a heating engineer if there’s a breakdown or some sort of emergency (e.g., a gas leak).
Is boiler cover worth it?
The UK’s consumer organisation Which? found that boiler cover is less cost-effective than simply paying for the repairs as they occur.
This is because they discovered the monthly payments, in most cases, ultimately exceed the cost of the average boiler repair.
However, it has to be said that boiler cover isn’t simply a financial question and for many people offers peace of mind.
For example, some people would much rather pay the extra for boiler cover, knowing that it offers the reassurance that the company will provide an engineer to fix the issues at the earliest opportunity.
You could compromise and still have peace of mind while avoiding paying for a cover plan by setting up an emergency fund for repair costs or a boiler replacement.
What does the ideal boiler cover plan include?
Right now, you may be slightly confused and be asking yourself what is the best type of boiler cover with so many options available?
Here are the ideal offerings you should look for in a boiler cover plan:
An annual boiler service
No cap on repair costs, meaning the repair will be paid for in full
Unlimited call-outs year-round (no cap)
Access to customer support 24/7
Of course, the above list is the ideal scenario, but bear in mind that the rule of thumb is the more your cover includes, the more you will pay.
Before taking out any plan, it’s also useful to check the following:
The amount of excess you will have to pay for emergency call-outs
The overall quality of the customer service and helpline
Boiler cover vs central heating cover
Many people take out a boiler cover plan and wrongly assume that it will cover any type of issue related to their heating experiencing problems.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and as the name implies, the boiler cover will only protect your boiler.
Therefore, you may wish to opt for a central heating cover, also called boiler and heating cover instead.
This covers the entire system, meaning repairs to your boiler, cylinder, vents, tanks, piping, radiators and other components will be included under the policy.
Some policies can include extras too, such as plumbing, drains and pest control. However, since these will usually incur extra charges, it’s worth asking if you really need these?
What should you avoid?
Be cautious of introductory price offers
It's extremely common for companies to offer a very cheap introductory offer e.g. the first year of boiler cover is reasonable, but can more than double in the second year when it's time to renew.
Therefore, be cautious when shopping around and if you do decide to sign up on the basis of an appealing introductory offer make sure to note down the renewal date.
Check what is covered under the policy
Bear in mind that not everything may be included in your boiler plan policy, so make sure to double-check exactly what is.
For example, there are certain companies that will not cover boiler breakdowns that are caused by sludge build-up, which can cost several hundreds of pounds to rectify.
Is there a cost limit?
Remember that often companies have cost limits in their boiler cover policies, meaning that if a repair exceeds a certain amount you may be expected to pay for any additional sums.
For example, if the cost limit is £1,000 but the repair costs £2,000, the company would only cover half of the repair costs.
The best solution is to look for a company that offers no limit on the repair costs.
Boiler cover FAQs
Still, have some burning questions about the boiler cover? Here are some of the most common questions we receive regarding boiler cover insurance, along with our answers:
What is the excess?
The excess fee for most boiler cover plans is around £50 and is the fee paid when you need a repair and an engineer has to visit your home.
Not all boiler cover plans have excess fees, but in general, the ones that do have much cheaper payment plans.
Can you change your boiler cover provider?
Yes, but you will usually only be able to do this at the end of the first 12 month period of the contract, otherwise, you may face termination fees.
It often makes sense to change to a different provider, as sometimes after the introductory offer has ended, the second year can cost a significant amount more.
In addition, you may prefer the reviews of one provider or hear positive feedback about their customer service department. There are many reasons why you may like to change providers.
What types of boilers can be covered?
You should be able to find a policy for almost any type of residential boiler including combi, system, regular, oil and electric.
However, it's certainly always safe to ask about this when you are first requesting a boiler plan quote/or signing up for a policy.
What is the annual boiler service?
As mentioned earlier, many boiler plan policies include an annual boiler service as part of the package.
A service is often required by your boiler manufacturer as a condition of cover for the warranty and in the case of landlords is a legal requirement.
During the service, a registered Gas Safe Engineer will carry out basic maintenance and safety checks to ensure your boiler is operating at its optimum and safely.
Will your house insurance cover your boiler?
Boiler repairs and replacement are not usually included in standard house insurance policies, however, it can often be added for an extra fee.
Typically, they do not name it as boiler cover instead, it's often termed "home emergency cover".
In any case, it's worth checking that you're not already paying for boiler cover on your home insurance before you sign up.
Bear in mind that some of the best combi boiler brands already have quite comprehensive manufacturers' cover, so ensure you check details in your terms.
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