What Is Boiler Cover? A Complete Guide for UK Homeowners
About 90% of UK homes use boilers to provide heating and hot water.
If you’ve ever had a boiler breakdown, you know that life can become incredibly cold and uncomfortable.
So, is paying a monthly fee for a protection plan actually worth it?
What exactly is boiler cover?
Boiler cover is essentially an insurance plan for your home's boiler.
If your heating suddenly stops working, this cover helps pay for the cost of emergency repairs.
A standard policy usually covers:
- Engineer call-out charges
- The cost of labour
- The price of any replacement parts.
They should cover most types of boilers and manufacturers.
But you will have to check with potential providers before you sign up.
The true cost of unexpected repairs
Without a boiler cover plan in place, homeowners have to pay large repair bills.
Either that, or stay cold...
In the UK, the average boiler repair bill sits at around £300. (However, this figure canary greatly depending on the specific issue.)
Hourly rates for emergency heating engineers or plumbers can be £120 - £200 per hour.
And if they visit in the evening or on a weekend, this will likely be closer to £120 - 200 per hour.
And requiring extra parts can quickly add over £100 to your final bill.
BY contrast, basic cover plans starting from just £4 to £9 a month.
When is boiler cover NOT worth it?
You already have cover
Some standard home insurance policies already include boiler breakdown protection.
As do central heating cover plans.
So, it's always worth checking your current policies first.
You are a tenant
If you rent your home, you do not need to purchase boiler cover.
It is the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure the boiler is maintained and running properly.
And landlords often get specialist landlord boiler cover for multiple properties.
Your boiler is brand new
A newly installed boiler might be covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
However, these warranties typically only last up to 10 years.
And you must book an annual service for them to remain valid.
Your boiler is very old
If your boiler is over 15 years old, it is usually much harder to find a maintenance plan.
Even boilers over 7 years old sometimes require an inspection before a provider will offer a quote.
Benefits of taking out boiler cover
Beyond avoiding hefty repair bills, boiler cover provides invaluable peace of mind.
Instead of waiting days or weeks to find an available local engineer, a plan grants you access to a dedicated 24/7 customer helpline.
Most comprehensive plans also offer unlimited call-outs.
This means you won't be penalised if your boiler runs into multiple issues.
Crucially, a good plan will include a free annual service visit.
Boiler cover vs. central heating cover
When shopping around, you will typically encounter two different tiers of protection.
Boiler cover is specifically designed for your boiler and its direct internal controls, like thermostats and timers.
Central heating cover is far more comprehensive. It includes breakdown protection for your entire heating setup, covering:
- Pipes
- Hot water cylinders
- Radiators
- Vents alongside
- The boiler itself.
What to look for in a top-tier plan
Low or zero excess
Check what call-out fee you'll have to pay when requesting a repair. Some packages build this directly into the monthly cost so there are absolutely no charges per repair.
Fixed prices
Look for providers that offer fixed prices for up to 3 years, regardless of how many claims you make.
Independent ratings
Choose a company that is highly reliable. Look for an "excellent" rating on independent review sites like reviews.io.
Or a 5-star Defaqto rating, which indicates a high-quality offering.
Boiler replacements
The best policies will promise to replace your boiler entirely if it is under 7 years old and breaks beyond economical repair.
Expert boiler care with YourRepair
If you are looking to protect your home, YourRepair provides fast, high-quality boiler cover and home service plans.
Switching to us is incredibly easy, and we’ll ensure there is absolutely no gap in your cover during the transition.
We have our UK-based 24-hour helpline and access to over 5,000 Gas Safe registered engineers.
So, a working boiler is always just a quick phone call away.