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Boiler cover is an important type of insurance to consider after installing a new combi boiler, as it ensures your home heating system is kept in top shape. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of cover available and look at some of the best boiler insurance providers in the UK.
Boiler cover can range from basic boiler insurance to the inclusion of drains, plumbing and electrical wiring systems. (Image credit: Adobe)
If you’ve invested in a new combi boiler installation, boiler cover is an important addition. It ensures that the insurance provider is committed to fixing the problem if something goes wrong with your boiler. Policies can also include your annual boiler service, your heating system and, in some cases, plumbing.
With a range of policy options available, we take a closer look at what your policy should include and annual costs and compare boiler insurance companies.
There are three main types of boiler cover available:
This is the most basic type of cover and only protects the boiler; it is, however, the cheapest option. Some policies include annual servicing as part of the deal or for an additional small fee.
Although pricier, full central heating cover protects the boiler, flue, radiators, pipes and plumbing. Most policies include the annual boiler service in the price.
These policies cover not only your central heating system but also your drains and electrical wiring system. As such, they are generally the most expensive option.
Although most standard home insurance policies don’t cover the cost of repairing or replacing your boiler, some will offer this as an insurance add-on. Often termed emergency home cover, this is a popular choice with homeowners who already have home insurance cover in place.
Just as with other types of insurance, the prices for boiler cover can vary between providers, and factors that impact cost include the age of your boiler and heating system and where you live in the country. There is also wide variation on what each provider offers, with some carrying out repairs of up to £1,500 in value, and others paying towards a replacement boiler.
The table below lists the average costs for December 2022.
| Provider | Excess per claim | Cost per month (Annual cost) | Additional information | Trustpilot score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester (Maintenance and Support Plan) | Information not available | £15.67 (£188) | Repairs up to £1,500, access to Domestic & General’s Boiler Care portal and the dedicated Contact Centre | Worcester 4.6 Domestic & General 4.0 |
| British Gas (Basic – covers boiler, annual service) | £60 | £19 | Cover provided through HomeCare | British Gas 3.4 HomeCare – average 1.0 |
| British Gas (Essential – covers boiler, annual service, central heating) | £60 | £18.38 | Repairs up to £1,000 to gas central heating system, including boiler, controls, radiators and hot water cylinder. Cover provided through HomeCare | British Gas 3.4 HomeCare – average 1.0 |
| British Gas (Classic – covers boiler, annual service, central heating, plumbing, drains) | £60 | £21.88 | Repairs up to £1,000 to central heating system, plumbing system in your home and outbuildings and the water supply pipe. Unblocking and repairing your drains and waste pipes. Cover provided through HomeCare | British Gas 3.4 HomeCare – average 1.0 |
| British Gas (Complete – covers boiler, annual service, central heating, plumbing, drains, electric system) | £60 | £23.63 | Repairs up to £1,000 to central heating, plumbing and drainage systems, mains electrical system and wiring in your home and outbuildings. Repairs or replacement of your electric vehicle charger unit following breakdown, accidental damage, vandalism or theft. Cover provided through HomeCare | British Gas 3.4 HomeCare – average 1.0 |
| British Gas (Boiler) | £99 | £3 | Repairs up to £1,000 to your gas boiler and controls, including your thermostat and programmer. Annual service excluded. Cover provided through HomeCare | British Gas 3.4 HomeCare – average 1.0 |
| Scottish Power (Boiler) | £99 | £3.50 | Up to £1,500 for boiler repairs, up to £750 towards a replacement boiler if necessary through Domestic & General | Scottish Power 3.3 Domestic & General 4.0 |
| E.ON (Boiler) | £100 | £7.99 | Partnered with HomeServe, boilers under 7 years old replaced for free if necessary, access to helpline 365 days | E.ON 3.5 HomeServe 4.3 |
| EDF Energy (Boiler) | £95 | £5.20 | A replacement boiler up to £750 if required (installation costs not included), access to Domestic & General maintenance portal | EDF Energy 4.2 Domestic & General 4.0 |
| Vaillant (Boiler) | Information not available | £57.15 for a 6-month contract | Repairs up to £1,500, access to helpline 365 days, through Domestic & General | Vaillant 4.5 Domestic & General 4.0 |
If you have installed a replacement boiler, check what the guarantee covers, as this can determine which level of boiler cover you need. If your boiler is covered for repairs and breakdowns under its warranty, you may decide just to purchase insurance for your central heating system with basic cover and annual services for your boiler. For an older boiler, a full cover policy that includes annual services, central heating and plumbing is worth considering.
An annual boiler service is essential to ensure it’s running safely and as efficiently as possible. In rental properties, it’s a legal requirement to have the boiler regularly serviced. If your boiler is gas, a registered Gas Safe engineer must undertake the work, while a qualified electrician can check an electric boiler.
The average price you’ll pay for a service is around £80, so picking a policy that includes the annual check-up can save you costs and ensure your boiler is well-maintained.
With most insurance policies, you’ll have to pay a certain amount towards the overall costs every time you claim. This is called an excess. Generally, the higher the excess you agree to, the lower your monthly premiums.
If your boiler is reliable and you think there’s only a slim chance you’ll need to make a claim, a policy with a higher excess will keep your monthly costs down. However, if you’ve had boiler issues in the past, or problems with your central heating, plumbing, electrics or drains, you may gain more peace of mind by taking out a policy with a higher monthly premium that covers all of these systems. This could work out to be better value if you need to make one or more claims a year, which is a possibility if you’re covering multiple products.
Some policies have an introductory offer for the first year, with prices rising thereafter, so always check with the provider before you commit to a policy how much the premiums will be after the first 12 months of boiler cover. Don’t be afraid to shop around or haggle for a better deal if you do see the prices rising.
Always read the small print on your boiler cover documents to check exactly what you’re covered for. (Image credit: Adobe)
Check what is included in any boiler cover policy you’re considering, as a basic policy may not cover certain issues, such as a complete system flush. This is often necessary when a build-up of sludge develops inside your heating system, and can cost several hundred pounds.
Providers sometimes place a limit on the repair costs you are permitted per year, typically £1,500, while others have no upper limit.
The age of your boiler may be an issue. Many providers will not provide new cover if your boiler is more than 15 years old, and even if you are an existing customer, there are a few providers that won’t renew your policy once your boiler reaches a certain age.
According to Simply Business, the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) states that your landlord is responsible for repairs to heating systems, gas appliances and electric wiring. It’s also their legal obligation to service your boiler annually. As such, it is also the landlord’s responsibility to arrange boiler cover.
Having boiler cover in place reduces the worry about anything going wrong with your boiler and ensures a registered engineer deals with the problem quickly and professionally. It also provides peace of mind, knowing that you won’t have to fund any expensive repairs, and with many policies covering the annual service, boiler cover also takes care of that cost.
Boilers are often a homeowner’s primary source of heating and hot water, and as a result, when things go wrong, it can present real difficulties, especially during the colder months. Not only that, but they can prove costly to repair or replace.
With boiler cover in place, a registered engineer will visit your property to address the problem, often in a much shorter time frame than without cover. You won’t need to worry about paying call-out charges, labour costs or the price of any replacement parts, as these are usually taken care of by your monthly premiums. Many policies also include the cost of an annual boiler service.
Although numerous providers offer boiler cover, the policies generally fall into three categories. Basic boiler breakdown cover insures what is inside the boiler box, with some providers including an annual service. Central heating cover offers protection for your entire heating system. This includes the boiler and its servicing, flue, radiators and pipes, with some policies also taking care of your home’s plumbing. The most expensive policy option covers the central heating system, drains and electrical wiring throughout your property.
Once you have taken out your boiler cover policy, it’s usual to have to wait around two weeks to one month before you can make a claim. Called a no-claims period, it’s intended to prevent homeowners from taking out boiler cover once a fault has been diagnosed to benefit from a free repair. This period varies depending on the provider, so consider this when deciding which policy to purchase.
