Does Home Insurance Cover Boiler Repairs?

Most of us have experienced the problem of our boiler packing in. You may have sat wondering, does home insurance cover boiler repairs? The answer to the question may be as simple as whether or not you ticked the Home Emergency Cover box when choosing your policy. The cost to repair a boiler can be expensive. But, with the right home insurance cover, restoring your home's heating system is easier than you might think.

In this insight, we explore the question of whether boilers are covered by home insurance and consider the benefits of including home emergency cover vs the costs of a boiler repair.

Key Takeaways

• Most buildings insurance policies cover boilers for damages caused by fire, flood, and storm, while typical home insurance policies do not cover repairs or replacements of boilers.
• Home Emergency Cover is an additional level of cover that can help with the cost of repairing or replacing a boiler in case it breaks down and requires replacement.
• Home insurance policies typically cover most repairs for your home, including leaks that cause major damage to your home's structure or plumbing system or damages caused by a fire. However, they may not cover the cost of replacing a boiler or water heater.

Does Home Insurance Cover Boiler Repairs?

Most home insurance policies do not cover boiler repairs, but Home Emergency Cover can help with the cost of repairing or replacing a boiler if it breaks down. It includes call-out fees, parts, and labor costs, making restoring your home's heating system easier and more affordable.

What Is Covered by Home Insurance?

Home insurance policies typically cover most repairs for your home. If a leak causes major damage to your home’s structure or plumbing system, or if your home is damaged by a fire, your insurer will probably cover the cost of repairs. The type of cover you have on your home will depend on the type of home you have. Homes in high-risk areas, like coastal areas, tend to have higher deductibles and less coverage. And, if your home is damaged by a weather-related event, like a storm and high winds, your policy may not cover the cost of repairs. Speaking of weather-related damage, don’t assume your home insurance will cover the cost of repairing damaged siding or roofing. 

What’s Not Covered by Home Insurance?

While your home insurance policy may cover the cost of repairing your boiler, it probably won’t cover the cost of replacing it. If the boiler breaks down and stops working, the boiler needs to be replaced. The same goes for replacing a water heater. If you need a callout because you have no hot water or heating, a home emergency cover may be the best option for you. Even though your home insurance policy may cover the cost of repairing or replacing your furnace, it probably won’t cover the cost of replacing your water heater, yet a home emergency cover could pay for the repair.

How Much Do Boiler Repairs Cost?

It depends on a number of factors, including the type of boiler you have and the type of repairs needed. Water heaters and furnaces typically cost between £400 and £1,000 to replace. The cost of repairing a gas boiler will vary depending on the type of gas boiler you have and the damage it sustained. But, a common repair for gas boilers is re-bagging the hot water tank. Bagging is when a technician fills a large water tank with water, installs a water pressure regulator, and then restores the water pressure to the tank. This costs around £350 and can be done by any homeowner. In contrast, home emergency cover carries a zero callout fee. 

What Homeowners Need to Know When Picking a Provider

It’s important to remember that home insurance policies vary. To get accurate quotes, compare quotes from several providers. Make sure the company representative you speak to at your home insurance company is licensed and authorised to sell insurance in your state. Ask the representative whether the company has experience repairing boilers. Find out what kind of boiler your insurance policy covers. What kinds of repair work your insurer doesn’t cover?

What is Home Emergency Cover?

Some insurers offer an additional level of cover known as home emergency cover. For an additional premium, you can have a 24-hour, 7 days a-week support line. If there is an emergency within the home, that makes your home unsafe, your home insurance provider will send someone around immediately to make the home safe again.

Home emergency cover fixes boiler problems fast. With home emergency cover, you call the insurance's hotline, and an engineer will come to your home to fix the issue. The policy covers the call-out fee, parts, and labour costs. Additionally, some policies include extra services like temporary heating, plumbing and electrical repairs, which can be helpful during other emergencies

For example

if your boiler was leaking. Although your home insurance policy will pay for the damage caused by the water, a home emergency cover would provide the service to send a repair specialist around to fix the leak.

Home emergency also includes if you do not have any hot water or heating. There is no callout fee for using your home emergency cover, and no excess. Home emergency cover also includes cylinders and electric boilers.

What are the benefits of Home Emergency Cover?

Home Emergency Cover offers several benefits for homeowners, providing peace of mind and support in case of unexpected emergencies within the home. Here are some key benefits:

• 24/7 Support: Home emergency cover typically includes a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week helpline, ensuring assistance is available whenever an emergency arises, even outside regular business hours.

• Fast Response: In the event of a covered emergency, such as a boiler breakdown or a burst pipe, the insurance provider will send a qualified professional promptly to assess and address the issue, minimising any potential damage and inconvenience.

• Reduced Financial Burden: Home emergency cover often covers the cost of call-outs, repairs, parts, and labour, saving homeowners from unexpected and potentially expensive expenses for emergency repairs.

Final Thoughts: Sometimes, its worth paying for.

The cost to repair a boiler can be expensive. But, with the right cover, restoring your home's heating system is easier than you might think. That’s because boiler repairs are often covered by your home insurance policy. Home insurance policies typically cover most repairs for your home. If a leak causes major damage to your home’s structure or plumbing system, or if your home is damaged by a fire, your insurer will probably cover the cost of repairs. Boiler repairs are often covered by homeowner’s insurance policies, but there are a few things to remember about what your policy covers and how much it might cost to get those repairs done.