Boiler cover is worth it for some households and a poor deal for others, and the difference comes down to the age of the boiler, how much you value certainty over cost, and whether you read the exclusions. For a boiler under ten years old that is serviced annually and still under a manufacturer’s warranty, cover mostly duplicates what you already have. For an older boiler with no warranty in a home where a cold week would be a crisis, cover can be reasonable peace of mind. The alternative, an annual service and a repair fund, suits most people better than they expect.
This guide explains what boiler cover typically includes and leaves out, how the sums compare with paying as you go, and how to decide for your own boiler.
What boiler cover usually includes
- an annual service, on most but not all plans
- call-outs and labour for boiler breakdowns
- parts, up to a limit
- on wider plans, the controls, radiators, pipework and sometimes plumbing and drains
- a helpline and, on premium plans, a priority response time
What it usually excludes
- boilers over a certain age, often 7 to 15 years depending on the provider
- pre-existing faults, and anything found at the initial inspection
- sludge, scale and corrosion, which are the causes of most faults on older systems
- the heat exchanger on some plans, which is the most expensive part
- a replacement boiler if yours is beyond economic repair, beyond a small contribution
- oil tanks, fuel lines and, on many plans, oil boilers altogether
- an excess on every claim, and a limit on the number of claims a year
Read the exclusions before the price. A plan that excludes sludge and corrosion on a fifteen year old boiler is unlikely to pay for the fault you actually get.
The alternative: service plus a repair fund
Put the monthly cost of cover into a savings account instead, and pay for an annual service from it. In a year with no breakdown, the money stays yours. In a year with a breakdown, you pay for the repair from the fund, with no excess and no argument about exclusions. Over the life of a boiler, most households come out ahead this way, because most boilers do not break down most years, and the ones that do are often the ones the cover would have excluded.
The exception is a run of bad luck early on, before the fund has built up, which is where cover has its appeal. If that risk keeps you awake, cover is a legitimate way to buy sleep.
What a manufacturer’s warranty already gives you
A new boiler from an accredited installer comes with a parts and labour warranty of up to ten or twelve years, on condition of an annual service. During that period, boiler cover adds little except the service and cover for the rest of the system. Our guide to boiler warranties explains what is and is not included.
When boiler cover makes sense
- an older boiler out of warranty, still within the provider’s age limit, in a home that cannot cope with a wait for repairs
- landlords who want the annual gas safety check, the service and the repairs handled under one contract
- households who prefer a fixed monthly cost to an occasional larger bill
- anyone who would not otherwise get the boiler serviced, because at least the plan makes them
When it does not
- a boiler under manufacturer’s warranty
- an old boiler the provider will exclude for age, sludge or corrosion
- an oil boiler, unless the plan specifically covers oil
- a well-maintained system with a modest repair fund
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is my boiler’s age and fuel covered?
- Is there an initial inspection, and what happens if it finds a fault?
- What is the excess, and the limit on claims and parts?
- Is the annual service included, and is it a proper service with a combustion test?
- Is the heat exchanger covered?
- What is the response time in winter, and who actually comes?
- Does the price rise sharply after the first year?
How DCI Boilers can help
DCI Boilers offers annual boiler servicing for gas and oil boilers across Cornwall and Devon at a fixed price, with a proper combustion test every time, and fixed-price boiler repairs when something does go wrong, with no excess and no exclusions to argue about. If your boiler is at the stage where cover would exclude it, we will give you an honest view on whether it is worth keeping. Our emergency boiler call-out is there for the nights when it matters.
Need help now? Call DCI Boilers on 07888 862 603 or get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does boiler cover include a new boiler?
Rarely. Most plans offer at most a small contribution if the boiler is beyond economic repair.
Does boiler cover cover oil boilers?
Many plans exclude oil altogether. Those that include it often exclude the tank and fuel line. Check before you buy.
Is boiler cover the same as home emergency cover?
No. Home emergency cover on a home insurance policy typically pays for an emergency call-out and a temporary fix, not a full repair or a service.
Do I need boiler cover if I have a warranty?
Usually not for the boiler itself. The warranty covers parts and labour as long as the boiler is serviced annually.