Boiler cover, also known as boiler insurance or gas boiler cover, offers peace of mind and financial protection against expensive repair bills. It is typically offered by energy companies as an optional extra with their home electricity and gas plans. You can also purchase standalone policies from other providers. Whether you are looking for boiler cover or home emergency cover, it’s important to assess the different options and choose the policy that meets your needs.
Is it Worth Having Boiler Cover?
A boiler breakdown can be a huge inconvenience and expensive to fix. It can be especially worrying if you have elderly people in your home who depend on access to heating, or if you use medical equipment that requires constant power. Having a reliable boiler can help alleviate these worries, and in the event of an emergency, you’ll know that you are covered.
Many home insurance plans include boiler cover as an optional extra, so if this is the case for you, it’s worth checking the details of your policy to see exactly what is and isn’t included. In general, these types of policies provide a wider level of protection than boiler cover alone.
If you are a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that the boiler in any properties you rent out is working properly. Having boiler cover in place means that if the boiler breaks down, you can pay for a professional to carry out repairs or arrange a replacement quickly. This can save you a lot of money in the long run, as well as providing peace of mind for your tenants.
What to Look for When Choosing Boiler Cover
The type of boiler you have will impact the quotes you receive for boiler cover. For example, older models may be more difficult to insure, as some insurers don’t offer cover for them. It’s also important to check that your boiler is gas safe before arranging cover, and you will likely be required to have it serviced regularly in order to make claims.
Most policies don’t allow you to make a claim within the first two to four weeks of taking out the policy. This is to stop people buying the policy when their boiler has already broken down and trying to get a refund on the costs of the repair or replacement. It’s also common for wear and tear to be excluded from policies, so you should be aware of this when assessing your options.
Another thing to consider is whether your provider is regulated by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme FSCS. This will give you extra protection in the unlikely event that your boiler cover provider goes bust. You can usually find this information on your provider’s website. You can also purchase a standalone policy from the FSCS, although this will be more expensive than if you buy it as part of a wider home insurance plan.