What is boiler cover?
Boiler cover is an annual plan, paid monthly or yearly, that pays for an engineer to attend and repair your boiler if it breaks down, usually including parts and labour up to a set limit. Depending on the level you choose, it can also cover the controls, radiators and heating pipework, an annual service, and extras such as plumbing, drains and home electrics.
Plans come in two broad forms. Some are insurance policies regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which gives you access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if a complaint is not resolved. Others are service or maintenance contracts sold by heating companies, which are covered by general consumer law instead. Knowing which one you are buying matters when a claim is refused, so check the documents for the word "insurance" and the FCA registration.
Compare the price over a full year
Multiply the monthly charge by twelve, then consider the excess for each claim. For cover at a property in your area, confirm the fuel, appliance age and access requirements. Ask when cover starts, whether an initial inspection is required, how response targets work and whether making good after pipework repairs is included. A new plan will not normally pay for a breakdown that already exists.
Signs boiler cover may be worth considering
- Your boiler is out of its manufacturer's warranty and a single repair bill would be hard to absorb
- You have just bought a house and do not know the boiler's service history
- You are a landlord and want a clear annual budget and a stated response target, subject to the plan terms
- The household includes young children, older people or someone with a health condition who cannot be left without heat for long
- You would rather pay a predictable monthly amount than shop around for an engineer when something breaks
- Your current plan is up for renewal and the price has risen sharply without a change in cover
Cover is not always the cheapest option. A new boiler still under a long manufacturer's warranty may only need its annual service, and some households prefer to set aside the monthly premium in savings instead. Compare the total yearly cost with the excess and the repair limits before deciding.
Boiler cover levels explained
- Boiler-only cover — repairs to the boiler itself, including parts and labour, often with an annual service. Faults in the radiators, pipework or controls are excluded.
- Boiler and central heating cover — adds the controls, pumps, valves, radiators and heating pipework. Useful where faults could be anywhere in the system, not just the boiler.
- Home emergency packages — add plumbing and drains, and sometimes home electrics, pest control or lock problems, to the boiler and heating cover.
- Excess options — many plans let you choose a £0, £60, £95 or similar excess per claim. A higher excess lowers the monthly price but increases what you pay each time.
Look closely at the claim limits. Some plans cap repair costs per claim or per year, others promise a replacement boiler only if the existing one is under a certain age and cannot be repaired, and many exclude sludge-related damage unless a power flush has been done.
What to include when asking for a quote
Have the boiler make, model and approximate age ready, along with the date it was last serviced. Cover providers price heavily on age and service history, and some will not offer cover on boilers older than a certain number of years. If the boiler has a known fault or has recently been repaired, say so: most plans exclude faults that existed before the policy started, and not declaring one can lead to a refused claim later.
Decide which parts of the system you want covered and whether you need plumbing, drains or electrics. Tell the provider if the property is rented, if it has more than one boiler, or if the boiler is in an unusual location such as a loft without boarding or an outbuilding, because access conditions can affect cover.
A clear quote, or the key facts document, should show the monthly and annual price, the excess per claim, whether an annual service is included, the claim limits, the target response time, the exclusions (especially sludge, limescale and pre-existing faults), any waiting period before you can claim, and how the price changes at renewal. Ask for the full policy wording, not just a summary.
How much does boiler cover cost?
| Level of cover | Typical yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Boiler-only cover, higher excess | £100 – £180 |
| Boiler and central heating cover with annual service | £170 – £270 |
| Boiler, heating, plumbing and drains, low or no excess | £250 – £360+ |
Introductory prices are often lower for the first year and rise at renewal. These figures are a guide, not a quote; compare the full yearly cost and the excess together.
Buying and using boiler cover: what to expect
- Compare plans. Check the level of cover, excess, claim limits, exclusions and whether a service is included.
- Initial inspection. Some providers carry out a first visit or service to confirm the boiler is in good working order before full cover starts.
- Waiting period. Many plans have a period, often 14 to 30 days, before you can make a claim.
- Making a claim. You call or report the fault online and the provider sends an engineer, usually with priority for vulnerable households.
- Repair or report. The engineer repairs the fault within the plan's limits, or explains why it is excluded or beyond economic repair.
- Renewal. Before renewal you should receive the new price and the previous year's price, so you can compare or switch.
Planning permission and regulations
Buying a cover plan does not itself require building approval. Some plans are insurance policies and others are service contracts. Check the named provider, the full terms and, for insurance, its permissions on the FCA register. An engineer sent to work on a gas boiler must still hold the appropriate Gas Safe registration. Cover for a gas combi does not automatically extend to oil, solid fuel or biomass appliances.
You normally have 14 days to cancel a plan bought online or by phone and get a refund, minus any cover used. Whatever plan you have, repairs to gas appliances must still be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the provider should be able to confirm the registration of anyone they send.
How to choose a boiler cover provider
- Check whether the plan is insurance and whether the firm is on the FCA register
- Compare the excess per claim and the annual price together, not just the monthly figure
- Read the exclusions, especially for sludge, limescale and faults that existed before the start date
- Find out the target response time and whether vulnerable households get priority
- Ask whether an annual service is included and who carries it out
- Check what happens if your boiler is beyond economic repair
Read independent reviews about claims, not just sales, and set a reminder before renewal so the price does not roll over unchecked.
Frequently asked questions
Is boiler cover the same as a manufacturer's warranty?
No. A manufacturer's warranty covers faults in the boiler for a set number of years after installation, usually provided it is serviced annually. Boiler cover is a separate plan you pay for, which can also cover the rest of the heating system and continue after the warranty ends.
Will boiler cover replace my boiler if it breaks?
Only some plans offer a replacement, and usually only if the boiler is under a certain age and cannot be economically repaired. Many plans pay towards repairs only. Check the replacement terms before buying.
Can I get cover for an old boiler?
Some providers cover older boilers, but they may require an inspection first, charge more, limit what they will pay for or exclude certain parts. A few set an upper age limit and will not cover boilers beyond it.
Do I need boiler cover if I have home insurance?
Standard home insurance usually covers damage caused by an escape of water from the heating system, but not the repair of the boiler itself. Some home policies offer home emergency cover as an add-on, so check whether you already have something similar before buying a separate plan.
Request boiler cover quotes
Combi Boiler Quotes is a matching service. One free online enquiry can help you receive up to four quotations from businesses offering boiler and heating cover, depending on coverage and availability. Four quotations are not guaranteed, and there is no obligation to accept one.
Tell us your boiler's make, age and service history, and which parts of the system you want covered, so providers can quote accurately.