Boiler service
Find out everything you need to know about getting your boiler serviced
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When you take out boiler cover or boiler insurance, you can choose the range of what’s covered. Smaller plans may just offer boiler-only cover; some include both boiler cover and central heating; and some give you the whole shebang.
The biggest boiler and home emergency plans give you a broad range of cover: your boiler, central heating system, radiators, plumbing, pipes, drains, and home electrics too.
They include repairs, annual servicing, and of course callouts when something goes wrong. Many include 24/7 emergency callouts too.
Because these plans are the most comprehensive, they also tend to be the most expensive. But it means you’ll be fully covered for complete peace of mind, whatever happens in your home.
Different levels of boiler cover include repairs, servicing, and callouts for different aspects of your home. The exact details vary depending on the policy, but here’s what you can expect.
Boiler repairs and servicing
Annual boiler servicing
Gas supply line issues
Boiler cover
Central heating repairs
Radiator repairs
Boiler and central heating cover
Plumbing and drain issues
Home electrics
It couldn’t be easier. When you compare boiler cover with MoneySuperMarket, we’ll ask you a few questions to get started.
When asked if you’d like to add central heating to your boiler cover, just pick yes. Then, when asked if you’d like to add plumbing and electrics too, just pick yes again.
We’ll show you anything we can find available to you that covers the lot.
Many providers have a 24/7 helpline for emergency callouts – perfect if your boiler floods
Look out for providers’ guarantees on repairs – some promise a 12-month guarantee
Some providers have a set limit on claims per year, while others are fully unlimited, whatever happens
As well as Homeserve, plenty of other boiler cover providers also offer fully comprehensive cover plans that include your central heating, plumbing, and electrics too. They include:
British Gas
24/7 Home Rescue
Hometree
PlusHeat
Smart Cover
EDF
Most boiler cover policies have a no-claims period, usually lasting for the first 14-30 days of the insurance term. This is to prevent people from taking out a policy only when they need it, and to prevent fraud.
That said, some boiler cover providers do allow you to make a claim immediately. Check each provider’s individual policy for more information.
Providers sometimes have a limit on how old your boiler can be and still qualify for boiler cover – often around 15 years. Many, however, have no age limit at all.
If you have an older boiler in your rental property it may be worth looking at new installations – modern boilers are usually more energy efficient and better for the environment.
Plus, as greener energy solutions are a big part of modern life you may find it easier to find tenants if your property has a higher green rating.
The cost can vary depending on the type and size of your boiler. The price for the boiler alone can range from £500 to £2,500.
Fitting costs will also apply, and you may be charged for new parts on the rest of your system if they need replacing too. Overall, a new boiler with a complex installation can come to as much as £5,000 at the top end.
Taking out boiler cover as soon as your boiler breaks down is risky – in fact, many providers have a no-claims period in place to stop this from happening. The length of the no-claim period can differ between insurers, but it’s generally between a few days and a few weeks. It’s better to take a policy out as soon as you can, so if something does happen to your boiler you’re more likely to have cover in place.
When you take out boiler cover, it’s useful to include a policy for regular servicing and safety inspections – this can help you keep your boiler in ideal shape, reducing the risk of needing repairs in the future.
Your boiler cover provider may not pay out claims that come about as a result of poor or no maintenance on your part – for example, a build-up of limescale. It’s up to you to make sure your boiler is maintained properly.
It’s worth remembering that boiler cover can come as a standalone policy but also as part of a home insurance deal. You should check whether your home insurance includes boiler cover as standard, or even as an extra add-on, as it may work out cheaper than taking out cover separately.
If you’re a renter, you may not have to worry about boiler cover as it’s generally the homeowner’s responsibility – in this case, your landlord. You might be able to take out a separate policy but it will usually have to be with your landlord’s permission.
When you have your boiler serviced or inspected, this should always be done by a gas-safe engineer. Gas-safe engineers are qualified to work on, inspect, and service gas boilers, and they are the only people legally allowed to do so. To ensure your engineer is gas-safe be sure to ask for ID. You can also check the company they work for has a gas-safe logo.
It’s always helpful to know when your boiler needs to be looked at, so recognising tell-tale signs like an extinguished pilot light, a flame that isn’t blue, strange smells or sounds, or general performances issues can help you take action sooner rather than later.
The best way to find a good deal on boiler cover is by shopping around, as this way you can see all the options available to you – this means you can compare deals by factors that are important, like cost, level of cover, callout charges, and excess fees. Once you’ve compared your options you’ll be able to find a deal that suits your needs best.