Boiler Insurance

Your boiler is probably the most important appliance in your house during the colder months. A boiler breakdown can become everyone’s worst nightmare: add cold water to hefty repair costs and you’ll have the perfect recipe for disaster. And yet, most boilers are not covered by standard home insurance. For extra peace of mind, you’d have to purchase boiler insurance. When is that convenient, and should you go for it?

The most comprehensive (and expensive) coverage usually includes the full heating system. Insurance packages can be offered by gas and electric energy providers or other generic insurance companies. The point of boiler and central heating cover is to give you peace of mind and ensure that any problem will be fixed immediately, without having to find plumbers or engineers and spending a huge amount of money. Paying a yearly or monthly premium will avoid unexpected repair expenses. However, you have to make sure that you choose the appropriate cover and that you actually need boiler insurance.

You’re only responsible for boiler breakdowns if you’re the homeowner, while you shouldn’t worry about it if you’re the tenant. If you’re a homeowner, you may want to consider insurance. You can find different types of boiler insurance, such as boiler-only or with extra central heating insurance. You should check if your boiler is eligible, since old equipment may not be insurable.

Some policies also include annual safety checks for boilers, after which the engineer should give you a safety certificate. You can also choose the option of home emergency insurance, which covers a wider range of emergencies such as burst pipes, broken toilets and blocked drains. Another advantage is that premiums are usually cheaper, although the maximum cover may be lower than the case of a separate boiler insurance. Types of policy vary depending on the different providers, the age of your boiler and the type of central heating system you own. Make sure you know exactly what's covered and what isn’t.

If you have home insurance, check whether boiler breakdown and home heating insurance are included, and if you would have to pay extra in case of malfunctioning. Again, the level of cover provided might not be as high as with a separate boiler policy. Some home insurance policies may include emergency cover, while others won't cover your boiler and heating at all in the event of a breakdown.