Compare Boiler Cover in UK: Providers, Prices and Cover Explained
To compare boiler cover in the UK, check what each provider includes, their excess fees, response times, and annual boiler servicing. 24|7 Home Rescue, HomeServe, British Gas, and Hometree are the most compared providers in the UK. The right choice comes down to which policy offers the most at a competitive cost, and what each one leaves out.
In this article, we compare each provider side by side, breakdown what to check before choosing, and help you find the right boiler cover for your home or rental property.
How Does the Boiler Cover Work?
Boiler cover is a policy that pays for parts and labour when your boiler breaks down, so you are not facing a repair bill that can run into hundreds of pounds. According to Checkatrade, the average boiler repair in the UK costs around £300, with prices reaching up to £750 for more complex faults. When a fault occurs, you make a claim and a Gas Safe registered engineer is sent to carry out the repair. Cover levels vary by provider, with some policies also including an annual boiler service and unlimited call-outs as standard.
Key Factors to Consider When Comparing Boiler Cover?
Considering only brand name to select the provider for boiler cover is not the right approach. Whether you are a homeowner or a landlord you should check the following factors before committing to a policy.
Monthly Pricing and Excess Amount
Excess fees vary significantly across providers, with some starting from £0 and others charging up to £100 per claim. A higher excess typically means a lower monthly price, so it is worth weighing both against each other before committing to a policy as it may lead to unexpected cost.
Boiler Age Limits
Most providers have a minimum age limit for the boiler cover, normally between 7 and 15 years. If you have an older boiler, it is crucial to check the age limit prior to getting a boiler cover for old boilers.
FCA Regulated Insurance Policy or Service Agreement
Not all boiler covers are the same in legal terms. If there is a dispute over a claim, FCA regulated insurance policy offers better consumer protection than a service agreement. 24|7 Home Rescue is a trading name of 24|7 Home Assist Limited registered in England & Wales and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 935754.
Annual Boiler Service Inclusion
Some policies cover the annual boiler service free of charge, others may charge you extra for it. Given that a standalone boiler service cost typically ranges around £80 to £120, this is an important factor when weighing the overall value of a policy.
Call-Out Limits and Repair Caps
Some providers have limits on the number of callouts they will provide in a year. Look for a policy with unlimited callouts and no cap on boiler repair costs.
Emergency Response Times and Engineer Availability
The emergency response time is different with each provider and can be a key factor when your boiler needs repair in the peak of winter. Some providers have their own engineers, others use third-party engineers which may impact the speed that an engineer can get to your property. Be sure to review the average response time before accepting a policy.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Cover inclusions differ considerably across providers. While most policies cover boiler repair and parts, not all extend to plumbing, drainage, pest control, home electrics, or home security. Always read the full policy details before signing up to avoid unexpected gaps in cover when you need it most.
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How Does Boiler Cover Compare Across Providers?
Not all boiler cover policies offer the same level of protection. Here is a breakdown of how 24|7 Home Rescue, British Gas, HomeServe, and Hometree compare across price, cover, and what each policy leaves out.
24|7 Home Rescue
- Price: £18.49/month with excess fees £45
- Policy Name: My Home Plus
- Cover Includes: Boiler breakdown, annual service, plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security, pest control, 24/7 helpline, Gas Safe Registered engineers
- Cover Excludes: Pre-existing faults and cosmetic damage
- How it Compares: At £18.49/month with the lowest excess in this comparison at £45, 24|7 Home Rescue boiler cover includes every category listed including free home security, pest control, drainage, home electrics, and annual boiler service, features that other providers do not offer at this price point.
Hometree
- Price: £21.59/month with excess fees £60
- Policy Name: Your Home Plus
- Cover Includes: Boiler breakdown, annual service, plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security, pest control, 24/7 helpline, Gas Safe Registered engineers
- Cover Excludes: Pre-existing faults and cosmetic damage
- How it Compares: In terms of cost, Hometree is mid-range in comparison as it costs £21.59 per month plus a £60 excess. It covers the core boiler and heating features including home security and pest control but carries a higher excess than the lowest priced provider in this comparison.
HomeServe
- Price: £22.49/month with excess fees £60
- Policy Name: Central Heating Cover + Boiler Service
- Cover Includes: Boiler breakdown, annual service, central heating, 24/7 helpline
- Cover Excludes: Pre-existing faults, cosmetic damage, plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security, pest control
- How it Compares: At £22.49/month with a £60 excess, HomeServe covers the core boiler and central heating features but does not extend to plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security or pest control, features that are included by lower priced providers in this comparison.
British Gas
- Price: £25.88/month with excess fees £60
- Policy Name: Your HomeCare
- Cover Includes: Boiler breakdown, plumbing, drainage, 24/7 helpline
- Cover Excludes: Home electrics, home security, pest control, pre-existing faults, cosmetic damage
- How it Compares: At £25.88/month with a £60 excess, British Gas is the highest priced provider in this comparison. For the monthly cost, key features such as home electrics, home security and pest control are not part of the policy, despite being available at a lower price elsewhere in this comparison.
Which Boiler Cover Provider Is Right for You?
Choosing the right boiler cover comes down to what your property needs and how much cover you want for your money. For those looking for cover that includes every category in this comparison boiler breakdown, annual boiler service, plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security and pest control at the lowest monthly cost and lowest excess, 24|7 Home Rescue at £18.49/month with a £45 excess covers all of the above.
The difference between providers becomes clear when looking at what benefits you are receiving at a certain amount. British Gas at £25.88/month does not extend to home electrics, home security or pest control despite being the highest priced option in this comparison. HomeServe at £22.49/month does not include plumbing, drainage, home electrics, home security or pest control. Hometree sits in the middle on price at £21.59/month but carries a higher excess than the lowest priced provider in this comparison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can landlords get boiler cover?
Yes. Landlords have a legal obligation to maintain their heating system and provide hot water for tenants. A landlord boiler cover policy with no callout limits and an annual service included helps meet that obligation and avoids unexpected repair costs.
Does boiler cover include central heating?
Not every boiler cover includes central heating. Although there may be providers that offer full cover for heating systems including radiators, pumps and controls, while other may offer cover only for boilers. Make sure that you read the full inclusions before signing up to avoid being caught out when making a claim.
Are boiler cover and central heating cover the same thing?
No, boiler cover and central heating cover are not the same. Boiler cover is used to cover breakdown, parts and labour and only covers the boiler. Central heating cover includes the complete heating system, including radiators, pumps and controls. There are some providers that offer both under the same policy, so be sure to check what is covered and what isn’t prior to committing to a policy.
Can I get boiler cover without a service history?
Yes, you can get a boiler cover without a service history. However, going forward annual servicing should be mandatory to ensure that future claims are not affected. The majority of providers suggest that you must get your boiler serviced once a year prior to joining a policy, to prevent any problems with cover.
At 24|7 Home Rescue, we aim to keep our blogs accurate and helpful at the time of publication. However, details such as images, services, or related information may change over time. Content is provided for general information only and should not be taken as professional advice. For appliance- or boiler-specific guidance, always refer to your manufacturer’s user manual, as controls, settings and features may vary by brand and model. For the latest updates on our services, please review our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly. 24|7 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any actions taken based on outdated or incomplete content. Our team is always happy to help with any questions.
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