Boiler breakdown cover is more important than you realise. We often hear stories at boilerbreakdowncover.net of people paying out thousands of pounds because they were not covered for repairs to their boiler. We don’t want you the make that same costly error and hope our helpful advice and expert knowledge will set you on the right path to get the appropriate boiler breakdown cover.
Boiler breakdown cover varies in price; depending on what boiler you own make sure you get the right cover. All providers of boiler breakdown cover will offer you a quote so make sure you shop around and find a package that suits you. Don’t always necessarily go for the cheapest options, have a thorough look at what the cover offers and make sure it’s what you are looking for.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing boiler breakdown cover. Boilers can break down at any time so ensure your provider is easily contactable. Do they have an emergency helpline that is open 24/7? Different providers have different definitions of ‘Emergency’ so find out what constitutes as an emergency in their eyes and decide whether if that’s what you’re looking for.
Often at boilerbreakdowncover.net we find people already have breakdown cover. When buying a boiler check whether it has insurance included in the package. Another must is to check how long the no claims period is on your insurance plan. Our research has shown insurance plans often have a 30 day no claims period to ensure people don’t try and buy cover the day the boiler breaks down. Also check the make of your current boiler is included in the cover plan. 
If your boiler is older than 10 years old it will make it much harder to get boiler breakdown cover. Many plans will exclude you because of this. If your boiler is in-between 7 – 10 years old you may have to have the boiler checked before it can receive any form of cover and will likely pay a higher premium than those with new boilers.
5 checks you must do before purchasing boiler breakdown cover
1. Shop around ensure your getting your money’s worth for that specific plan.
2. Does your current boiler have insurance already from when you purchased it?
3. How old is your current boiler and is it eligible for boiler breakdown cover?
4. Check what constitutes as an emergency in the specific plan you are looking at.
5. Make sure the plan will provide you with a rapid emergency response service.
Many people rely on their boilers to keep them safe and warm through the long winter months, but too many of these people do not have proper boiler breakdown cover. When a boiler breaks down, and chances are that it will at some point in its lifecycle, the cost of repair can skyrocket. Boiler breakdown cover is needed to help homeowners pay for the cost of repair or replacement of a faulty boiler and to ensure that their families do not suffer through cold temperatures.
Not every person needs to buy boiler breakdown cover. In some instances this type of insurance could be a complete waste of money. Before securing any type of coverage, individuals need to find out who is in charge of heating their home. The first question to ask is simple, does the individual own or rent?
All homeowners that are owner-occupiers should look into securing themselves some type of boiler breakdown cover. Before locking themselves into a coverage plan, it is important to research whether or not the type of home qualifies for coverage. Mobile homes are one instance where this type of coverage does not apply because appliances in the mobile home are not fixed.
New homeowners are wise to have their homes thoroughly inspected before purchasing the home to begin with. The last thing a new homeowner wants to deal with is the expensive repair or replacement of a boiler or other appliances. Dealing with a broken down boiler can be quite frustrating and causes a lot of hassle and headaches.
It’s best to ensure all appliances and fixtures are in good working order before buying a home. If the boiler passes inspection and is in good shape, it is then a good idea to look into securing coverage. Another thing to consider before investing in boiler breakdown cover is whether or not an existing insurance policy already covers the boiler in question. There is no point it buying extra, unnecessary coverage.
Renters should be advised that they are not responsible for keeping their boilers running properly and therefore do not need to purchase coverage for their boilers. When someone rents a home or apartment or lives in a type of social housing, such as a dwelling owned by a housing association, then their landlord is in charge of having the boiler inspected and making any repairs.
Before moving into a rented dwelling or signing a lease, it is always a smart idea to make sure an inspection of the boiler and other fixtures has taken place and that they have earned a passing grade. Renters should always inquire about how long they should expect to be without heat and hot water if the boiler should break down.
Anyone beginning the process of purchasing boiler breakdown cover should consider two things. First, purchasing coverage from their gas or heating oil supplier is not necessary. Any supplier that says the two must be linked is not being honest and shouldn’t be listened to. Secondly, there are plenty of free comparison services available online to compare quotes from different agencies. Always make sure to use a service that is wide ranging and able to provide a handful of quotes at a time.
Boiler breakdown cover is part of an open market. This means suppliers do not have control over coverage policies. In fact, suppliers sometimes charge more for coverage. Before choosing any coverage, it’s important to note which kind of coverage is needed to avoid paying a high premium for a service that is not required.
Typically, two types of boiler breakdown cover are offered. These include the boiler and controls only, and the entire central heating unit. Generally, the latter is purchased in addition to boiler and control coverage. Some agencies offer plans with extended benefits that include coverage on plumbing, electrical wiring, drains, and yearly inspections.
Also, some plans cover many different aspects in the home under one plan. For the homeowner that needs this type of coverage, opting for an inclusive plan is the way to go. These types of plans usually include heating and hot water and lost keys, drains, and plumbing emergencies. The more the coverage includes, the higher the premium will be.
Next, every homeowner needs to decide what level of boiler breakdown cover suits them best. It is never safe to assume that all plans provide unlimited coverage. In fact, the opposite is true. Plans have limited payouts and callouts – something every homeowner should be aware of. Some plans will cover up to a specified limit of cost per year and per claim. More often than not, callouts are limited as well. The average is up to 2 callouts per year.
Also, it is never safe to assume that plans will cover boiler inspections. Most plans will not cover repairs to the boiler as a result of scale build-up, another thing to consider. If employing a boiler service to clean and inspect the boiler is not included in the homeowner’s coverage, they should expect to have to pay out of pocket for these expenses at least once a year.
The type of coverage a homeowner selects should largely depend on how well the boiler typically runs and how new or old it is. Boilers that are known to cause the homeowners problems, especially like clock-work, should be covered by a more inclusive plan. Newer boilers, such as those installed in brand-new homes, will need less coverage to start out with.
It is wise for all homeowners to note how and when help will be available to them when they need it. The best plans, no matter their coverage, supply 24/7 help 365 days per year. Hotlines are a popular means of help and supply support for hot water and emergency heating problems. Most plans cover the callout, repairs, labor, and parts for emergency situations. It’s best to check with the coverage provider to see what they define as an emergency before one strikes.
Boiler Breakdown Cover Advice
A last piece of advice for all homeowners is to make sure the brand of their boiler can be covered before purchasing a new boiler. It is also important to note the boiler’s age before securing boiler breakdown cover because most policies require boilers to be below a certain age to qualify for coverage.
