When your central heating boiler breaks down, apart from the
inconvenience, the biggest worry is often the expense of repairs of a replacement. Having boiler cover in place will
go a long way in giving you peace of mind, so, should you get boiler cover?
Boiler breakdowns will leave you with an average bill of around £250 for repairs. If it can't be fixed, you will
be looking at much higher costs.
Your central heating system is a big part of your home. The average cost of replacing a boiler in the UK is in excess
of £1000. For Combi or other specialist boilers, the costs can run into many thousands of pounds. Installation of
a new boiler can add a further £1000 to the bill. Fortunately, you can find reasonably priced cover
which can take away the worry of a huge bill in the event of a breakdown.
Is Boiler Cover For Everyone?
If you own your home you should be able to find cover for your boiler or heating
system. If you are a tenant, the cost of insuring the boiler falls with your landlord.
A big factor in finding good cover will be the age of your boiler. If yours is over 15 years old (7 years
for some policies), you will not have as many choices when it comes to finding cover.
For newer boilers, check your manufacturers warranty or guarantee. It may provide replacement cover for a
period of time after installation. The warranty period can be anything from 1 year up to 10 years but is
typically around 2 years. Bear in mind that the warranty or guarantee may be limited and will come with
conditions attached.
We always recommended that you read the wording on your paperwork and make a decision based on your own needs.
Is Boiler Cover Expensive?
The cost of boiler cover will depend on many factors. There are many types of
central heating boiler from conventional boilers to biomass boilers. The cost of cover will depend on your
system, its age, where you live and the size of your house.
Some policies will offer limited cover and are capped at a certain limit, typically £1000. You may also find
that cheaper policies will only allow a certain number of claims per year. For that reason, it is important to
read through the benefits and chose a level of cover that works for you.
Different Types of Boiler Cover
You will want to chose a plan that includes an annual service. The majority of
plans exclude breakdowns which are caused by poor maintenance. If your boiler breaks down due to a build
up of limescale for instance, it is unlikely that your plan will cover it.
Some plans will cover just your boiler, others will include the full central heating system. Look carefully
at each plan, it can only cost an extra couple of pounds a month to include the whole system.
You will need to check how quickly your chosen plan covers you. Some plans have a no-claims period at the
beginning. This can be as little as 2 weeks long or maybe as much a a month. The reason for this is to stop
homeowners taking out a plan after their boiler has broken down.
Having a 24/7 emergency helpline is also a huge benefit with many boiler cover plans. This will
definitely give you peace of mind and is included in the vast majority. Don't forget though - your definition
of an emergency may not be the same as your boiler cover company's.
Choosing Boiler Cover
Your energy provider will probably offer or include boiler cover. This is often
a more expensive way to buy this type of cover. Remember that it is not necessary to choose their cover.
Compare their policy with independent options and choose the one that fits your needs at the best price.
Using a comparison site like BillBuddy will help you find the best price AND the best benefits.
To summarise, with boiler cover, your peace of mind is most important. A replacement boiler is a big
expense and having a good plan in place will save you money in the event of a breakdown.
There are many different plans for you to choose from. Time spent comparing their benefits is time well
spent. As with all types of cover, cheapest is not always best. Checking the benefits will ensure that
you are not paying for a plan that does not cover your needs.
