What Is Boiler Cover? A Complete Guide for UK Homeowners

About 90% of UK homes rely on boilers for heating and hot water.

Boiler breakdowns can make life 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 boiler 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. 

Terminology: Boiler insurance vs boiler cover

Although they might seem like the same thing to most UK consumers, boiler cover and boiler insurance are technically different products.

Legal distinction

Boiler insurance is categorised as a regulated insurance contracts.

It's usually sold by a large national company and it's strictly regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The latter point means that it carries legal consumer protections, including:

• A 14-day cooling-off period
• Strict guidelines on clear contract terms
• The right to escalate unresolved disputes to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

By contrast, boiler cover (sometimes referred to as boiler care or service plans) are legally classified as service and maintenance contracts. 

They are not FCA-regulated. So, customer disputes go through internal company channels or the small claims court. 

However, even with regulated providers, the annual service element of their package is technically a non-regulated maintenance service. 

Marketing distinction

In general, insurance focuses on financial payouts for significant negative events. 

It's something people take out whilst hoping not to need to use. They are also incentivised not to use it with lower premiums over time for not doing so.

By contrast, the term cover (or care plan) largely frames purchases as subscriptions for routine maintenance that comes with a form of insurance. 

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. (This figure can vary greatly depending on the issue.)

Hourly rates for emergency 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 start from just £4 to £9 a month.

When is boiler cover NOT worth it?

You already have cover

Some home insurance policies already cover boiler breakdowns.

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. 

By law, landlords must keep the boiler maintained and working.

They 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 peace of mind.

No more waiting days for a local engineer. A plan gives you access to a 24/7 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 protects your boiler and its controls, like thermostats and timers.

Central heating cover is broader. It covers your whole heating setup, including:

• Pipes
• Hot water cylinders
• Radiators
• Vents
• The boiler itself.

What to look for in a top-tier plan

Low or zero excess

Check what call-out fee you pay per repair.

Some packages build this directly into the monthly cost so there are absolutely no charges per repair.

Fixed prices

Some providers offer fixed prices for set periods.

Independent ratings

Choose a provider with strong independent ratings.

Or a 5-star Defaqto rating, which indicates a high-quality offering.

Boiler replacements

The best plans replace your boiler if it's under 7 years old and can't be fixed.

Expert boiler care with YourRepair

If you are looking to protect your home, YourRepair provides fast, high-quality boiler cover and home emergency cover plans.

Switching is simple, and we make sure there's no gap in your cover.

We offer a 24-hour UK helpline and over 5,000 Gas Safe engineers.

So, a working boiler is always just a quick phone call away.