What is combi boiler cover?

If you’re looking for protection for your combi boiler, we’re here to help you decide on whether you need combi boiler cover, if it’s worth it, and what should be included in your cover.

Combi boiler cover (also known as combi boiler breakdown cover or combi gas boiler cover) is a type of insurance that protects your combi boiler should something go wrong with your boiler or controls. Typically, combi boiler cover will include the costs of an engineer visit, labour, and any parts required in the repairs. Some combi boiler cover packages will include an annual boiler service, free of charge to keep your manufacturer warranty valid.

Do I need combi boiler cover? Is combi boiler cover worth it?

Combi boiler cover is available to both homeowners and landlords looking to protect their boiler. If you are renting and researching combi boiler cover, you’ll need your landlord’s permission as it’s their responsibility to have protection in place. If you’re a homeowner or landlord, and already have a home insurance policy in place, you may have combi boiler cover included in your buildings and contents insurance.

If you have a combi boiler installed, it’s likely that the boiler will be covered under a standard manufacturer warranty, or an extended warranty if you had your boiler installed by a manufacturer accredited installer. In some cases, you may struggle to get your combination boiler covered if it’s older than 15 years and more likely to breakdown. Older boilers may cost more to cover or may be rejected for specific packages.

Please be aware that your combi boiler’s manufacturer warranty is only there in case the boiler runs into a fault or breaks down within a set number of years. If your boiler was found to be physically damaged, or you haven’t had your boiler serviced in over a year, you may invalidate your manufacturer warranty. Without cover in place, you’d have to pay out large sums of money to have your combi boiler repaired, as well as paying extra for your annual boiler service. Combi boiler cover will quite literally have you covered if your combi boiler was to break down unexpectedly. As part of your cover, you can expect access to a helpline, a number of call outs included in the monthly price, and the added bonus of repairs to your boiler and controls should they develop a fault.

Combi boiler cover vs Central heating cover

Before you decide on the cover you’d like to sign up for, it’s important to know the key differences between combi boiler cover and central heating cover. Combi boiler cover solely protects both your combi boiler and controls, whereas central heating cover is for your entire central heating system, including your boiler, controls, pipework, cylinder and more. Central heating system cover may also be referred to as boiler and heating cover.

Important Information

Some providers offer insured plans to look after your Boiler and Heating and other home services like plumbing, drains and electrics, whereas other providers offer non-insured plans. An insured plan will be underwritten by an insurer and also regulated by the [Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)](https://www.fca.org.uk/). Non-insured plans are not backed by an insurer and are not regulated by the FCA. Often non-insured or maintenance plans include an annual service of the equipment covered, whereas these may or may not be included in insured plans.

What combi boiler cover do I need?

Generally speaking, all boiler cover packages will offer the same thing, the main differences will most likely be the excess cost for call outs, the accessibility to a helpline (whether it’s 24/7 or not), and the monthly cost of the cover package. The most important factor to consider when choosing any cover is making sure that it’s suitable for your needs. Some policies may only cover a certain number of repairs and breakdowns in a year. It’s important to compare boiler cover before you decide on which package to go for.

What is an annual service visit?

To keep your boiler in full working order and keep your warranty valid, an annual boiler service will reduce the amount of wear over time and prevent any issues developing. Your boiler should be serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer. An annual boiler service will include a visual check of the boiler and controls, as well as an inspection and clean of internal components of the boiler to ensure it’s firing correctly. Most boiler cover packages will come with an annual service, free of charge.

What is excess? And do I have to pay for it?

If you’re wondering how much excess is likely to set you back, you’ll typically have to pay around £50 to cover the cost of an engineer call out. Some combi boiler cover packages will offer excess as part of the monthly cost so that you won’t need to pay any extra for excess.

Can I switch to a different cover provider?

You can switch from your current cover provider to a new provider whenever you like. Before you switch, it’s essential to double check whether you will need to pay a cancellation fee, as well as the date that you took out the cover. Most policies will last 12 months from the date that you signed up for the plan. Therefore, you can pay the cancellation fee to exit straight away or wait until the end of the contract before you switch.