Boiler cover and home emergency insurance explained
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Quick answer: Boiler cover pays for breakdown repairs and sometimes annual service — often sold as home emergency or boiler-only policies. Check excess, age limits on boilers, whether the first call-out is included and if your boiler must be serviced annually to keep cover valid.
Boiler breakdown in winter is expensive and disruptive. Standalone boiler cover, home emergency add-ons and home insurance extensions overlap — this guide explains differences so you compare like-for-like.
Types of cover
Boiler-only policies focus on the boiler and sometimes controls — cheaper but narrow.
Home emergency policies cover boiler, heating, plumbing, electrics and locks — wider but higher premium.
Some home insurance policies offer home emergency as an add-on — compare against standalone cover for overlap.
What to check in policy wording
Age limit — boilers over 10–15 years may be excluded or need inspection first.
Annual service requirement — missing Gas Safe service can void claims.
Excess per call-out and whether labour and parts are fully covered.
Waiting periods — new policies may exclude breakdowns in the first 14–30 days.
Landlords and rented homes
Landlords remain responsible for heating and hot water repairs — boiler cover can fund call-outs but does not replace the legal duty to maintain habitability.
Tenants should report breakdowns promptly; tenants' contents insurance does not cover the landlord's boiler.
Common questions
Is boiler cover the same as boiler insurance?
Colloquially yes — policies are general insurance regulated by the FCA. Read whether cover is breakdown-only or includes accidental damage.
Does buildings insurance cover my boiler?
Standard buildings insurance covers sudden events like fire or flood — not gradual breakdown. Home emergency add-on may cover heating failure.
Should I self-insure instead?
If you have emergency savings and a newer boiler, paying for one-off repairs may cost less than years of premiums — compare five-year cost.