When your boiler fails, it’s never at a good time — and repair costs can hit hard, especially in winter. Boiler cover is often sold as the answer, but is it really worth paying for month after month?

At HomeService.Insure, we’ve broken it down into plain English so you can decide if boiler cover is the right choice for your home.

Why people consider boiler cover

Think of boiler cover as a safety net. For a monthly fee, it can:

• Pay for repairs if your boiler stops working
• Send out a qualified engineer quickly
• Contribute towards a new boiler if yours can’t be repaired

For many households, it’s about peace of mind — knowing you won’t face a sudden, unexpected bill.

Will your home insurance protect you instead?

Home insurance might cover damage caused by a faulty boiler (like water leaking onto your floor), but it usually doesn’t cover the boiler itself if it breaks due to age, wear, or lack of servicing.

Some insurers let you bolt on boiler protection to your home policy, but it often comes with restrictions around the age and condition of the boiler.

What boiler cover normally includes

Policies can differ, but most fall into two categories:

Boiler-only cover

• Covers repairs to the boiler itself and its controls
• May include an annual service
• Sometimes contributes towards a replacement if it’s beyond repair

Boiler + heating system cover

• Everything in boiler-only cover
• Pipes, pumps, and radiators also included
• Cover for leaks inside your heating system

What’s usually not covered

Even the best policies have exclusions. Common ones include:

• Gas supply pipes before the meter (the supplier’s responsibility)
• Replacement of very old boilers (typically 7+ years)
• General plumbing or drainage problems
• Installation costs if you need a brand-new boiler

The cost of boiler cover vs repair bills

Boiler cover typically costs between £4 and £20 per month. That might sound small, but over a year it adds up.

Compare that with:

• £80–£100 for a one-off engineer callout
• £150–£600 for a repair (parts and labour)
• £2,000+ for a full replacement

If your boiler is older or unreliable, cover can pay for itself quickly. If it’s new and still under warranty, cover may not be worth it.

Is boiler cover right for you?

Boiler cover can be a smart choice if:

• Your boiler is out of warranty
• You don’t want to risk large repair bills
• You prefer a small monthly payment for peace of mind

But if your boiler is modern, serviced annually, and still covered by the manufacturer, you might be better off saving the monthly premiums yourself.

Tips before signing up

• Check for exclusions – pre-existing faults are rarely covered
• Look at claim limits – unlimited callouts are best
• Check boiler age rules – some providers won’t cover older models

Boiler protection with HomeService.Insure

At HomeService.Insure, we keep things simple:

• Clear pricing, no hidden fees
• Unlimited engineer callouts when you need them
• Cover options to suit both boiler-only and full central heating systems
• Support if your boiler is beyond repair

Instead of worrying about surprise breakdowns, let HomeService.Insure give you reliable cover and year-round peace of mind.