Boiler Cover for Old Boilers: Costs, Eligibility and What to Expect
Not sure if your old boiler still qualifies for cover? Yes, you can get a boiler cover for an old boiler. As your boiler gets older, the cost and conditions of your cover change. Boilers over 11 years old carry a mandatory excess on every claim. The older the boiler, the more important it becomes to understand exactly what your policy includes before you commit.
This guide covers what changes as your boiler ages, eligibility, costs, what is included, and when replacement becomes the better option.
Can I Get Boiler Cover for an Old Boiler?
Yes, you can get boiler cover for an old boiler, and the age of it alone is rarely the deciding factor to some providers. What matters more is the type of boiler, parts availability, and the cost of repair.
Before moving forward, there are a few important eligibility criteria to keep in mind before buying a policy. Most standard natural gas boilers qualify regardless of age. What changes as your boiler gets older are financial terms and the excess per claim.
How Much Does Boiler Cover Cost for an Old Boiler?
The cost of boiler cover does not necessarily increase with age, the monthly premium is based on the level of cover you choose, not the age of your boiler. What changes is how excess applies once your boiler passes a certain age. Excess is the amount you pay toward each claim before an engineer is sent out.
With 24|7 Home Rescue, the excess options offered for boiler cover are: £0, £45, £75 and £95. An excess is applicable to all claims when the boiler exceeds the age of 11 years or more than 11 years.
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Should I Cover or Replace Your Old Boiler?
Should I get a cover or replace the boiler? This is the question most homeowners and landlords face when their boiler starts getting older. The decision often comes down to two things: the repair cost and the boiler’s life expectancy. The age of the boiler is a good indicator, but other factors such as parts availability and the cost of replacing parts also play a role in the calculation.
Advantages of Boiler Cover for Old Boilers
There are practical benefits to boiler insurance for old boilers and for many households the case to buy boiler cover gets stronger as the boiler gets old.
- Helps distribute the expense of repairs over a normal monthly payment rather than an unexpected payment at once
- Transparent pricing with parts, labour and VAT included on accepted claims with no hidden charges.
- Repair and boiler services are undertaken by a Gas Safe registered engineer when a claim needs to be made, excluding the need to source one independently.
- An annual boiler service with boiler cover can identify smaller issues before they cause serious problems and become more expensive.
- Round the clock claims helpline means you can log a claim anytime.
- Some providers can offer temporary heaters until the boiler gets repaired, if it can’t be repaired right away.
Disadvantages of Boiler Cover for Old Boilers
Before committing to a cover, there are few downsides worth considering as well that you should be aware of.
- Due to the age of the boiler, there will be a mandatory excess on all claims, regardless of the type of policy purchased.
- Any faults present before or at the time of buying policy are considered pre-existing faults or intermittent faults and are not covered.
- Due to the age of boiler, there might be parts availability issues, causing delays in repairs.
Cover vs Replace: Which Option is better for me?
Considering the age for boilers under ten years old, cover generally makes financial sense. Repair costs at this age are typically lower, parts are easier to source, and the boiler still has a reasonable boiler lifespan ahead of it.
Beyond ten years the picture changes. Repair bills get larger, breakdowns become more frequent, and a boiler approaching fifteen years is nearing the end of its typical lifespan. At that stage, it is worth weighing boiler repair costs and the mandatory excess on every claim is worth weighing against what that same money could contribute toward a new boiler over time.
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What Boiler Cover Do I Need for an Old Boiler?
If you are still unsure what boiler cover you need for an older boiler, the level of protection largely depends on the provider and the policy you choose. The options you get may include:
- Cover for your boiler and its manufacturer-fitted components.
- Cover for the central heating system.
- Cover for Plumbing and drainage.
- Cover for electrical wiring and pest control.
With 24|7 Home Rescue, the boiler cover includes your boiler and its manufacturer-fitted components. For wider home protection including plumbing, drainage, electrics and pest control, our My Home Plus policy combines boiler cover and is a better option to get most coverage.
What Should I Do Next with an Old Boiler?
The decision comes down to your boiler’s age, its repair history, and what a breakdown would cost you right now. For most households with a boiler under ten years old, cover makes financial sense. Beyond that point, run the numbers before you commit.
If your boiler is still a good candidate for old boiler cover, explore 24|7 Home Rescue boiler cover options to find the right level of protection. If replacement is the more practical route, 24|7 StayWarm, our sister company handles new boiler installation.
FAQ'S
Does boiler cover include boiler replacement?
A full replacement is not a part of boiler cover. The terms of replacement apply if your boiler is declared to be beyond economical repair, and you have been continuously covered for 12 months or more. A brand-new boiler from an approved installer is provided at no cost for boilers less than 7 years old when they break down and a boiler 7 years or over receive a 15% discount up to £400 toward a new boiler from an approved installer.
Can I Get Boiler Cover if My Boiler Already Has a Fault?
Yes, you can take out boiler cover with an existing fault, but any claim related to that fault will not be covered. Most providers implement a claims freeze within the first 14 days of a new policy, so as long as you are in this 14-day window, you will not be able to claim during this period. With 24|7 Home Rescue, if you need an engineer during this period, a pay on use visit can be arranged for a £95 call out plus parts and labour.
At what age should a boiler be replaced?
That depends on multiple factors, most gas boilers last between 10 and 15 years with regular servicing beyond that, repair bills tend to grow and boiler replacement cover becomes harder to justify. If your boiler is over 15 years old or breaking down regularly, a new boiler is usually the more practical route.
Can landlords get boiler cover for old boilers?
Yes, boiler cover for old boilers is available to landlords on the same terms as homeowners. According to landlord legal obligations it is mandatory to maintain a safe heating system for tenants, and cover is a practical way to manage that responsibility. With 24|7 Home Rescue, an optional Landlord Gas Safety Inspection can be arranged alongside your annual boiler service. The same age-related excess terms apply as standard.
Do I need an annual service to keep my boiler cover valid?
Yes, With most boiler cover providers, an annual service is either included in the policy or required to keep your cover valid, missing one can affect your ability to claim. With 24|7 Home Rescue, claims linked to a lack of servicing may be declined, so keeping documentation is important. Services are normally scheduled between April and September but can also be completed at the same time as another repair visit.
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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