Picture the following scenario: It is a cold winter’s night and you have no heating or hot water and you are struggling to find a heating engineer to help.
A boiler cover is considered an unnecessary expense by many. However, if you were to find yourself facing the above situation, it is likely you would wish you had researched suitable boiler insurance and service plans and received some boiler cover quotes.
A study by ‘Which’ revealed that 4 out of 10 boilers require repairs within the first 6 years of operation. With the average cost of repair (excluding call out fees) being as high as £320 and boiler replacement typically running into the thousands, it is perfectly clear that you do need boiler cover.
What if you are one of the lucky few whose boiler just seems to run and run. Or perhaps you have recently had a new boiler installed? Do you still really need a comprehensive boiler cover and service plan?
To help you determine whether boiler cover is actually a worthwhile expense, take a look at this guide. Here, we’ll identify those that should consider boiler insurance, the various types of boiler service and breakdown insurance plans currently available, as well as the pros and cons.
Should I Consider Boiler Cover for My Property?
It is important to start by saying that not everybody requires boiler cover. It is just those that own their house who should consider taking out an insurance policy. If you live in a rental, your boiler service and breakdown cover is the responsibility of your landlord.
If you are a homeowner, however, you might be wondering whether boiler breakdown is already covered on your house insurance policy, and you would be right in doing so. Checking whether boiler breakdown cover is included in your existing building or home insurance policies you already pay for is the first step you should take before signing up for any additional cover.
If it’s actually covered, ensure that it offers an adequate level of protection. If you find that it does not, you may have to start comparing boiler cover plans with the aim of safeguarding your existing setup. Here’s how to get boiler cover.
Have you recently installed a new boiler? It is unlikely that you need cover just yet. Your boiler will likely still be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Double check to be on the safe side and see how long the warranty is for.
What Are the Currently Available Boiler Cover and Service Plan Options?
Boiler care plans vary from insurance provider to the next, with numerous options available to suit all budgets. As a general rule, the more that you pay, the more your policy will cover. You should always keep this in mind when you calculate what the average cost of boiler cover for your property is likely to be.
The cheapest policies typically offer basic boiler breakdown cover, which includes repairs to the boiler and its controls. Providers also include annual boiler servicing sometimes.
The more expensive policies will offer a more comprehensive home cover package. Besides boiler service and breakdown cover, they may also cover home electrics, your wider heating system, as well as drainage.
Decide on the types of coverage you need and what you are able to afford. On one hand, you want to avoid paying for extra cover if you don’t believe it is essential. On the other hand, if you pay a bit extra and cover more of your home utilities, you may end up saving a lot of money in the long run.
