Your boiler is one of the most commonly used appliances in the home – and during the winter, one of the most essential items in your home to keep you and your family warm. It’s no surprise, then, that your boiler can also be among the most vulnerable to breakdown.
So in that event, will your home and contents insurance cover it? This article answers that, and more.
Does house insurance cover a boiler?
It is precisely because boilers are so vulnerable to these breakdown that standard home insurance generally does not cover the cost of repairing or replacing a broken boiler.
With boiler breakdowns being so common, and often due to poor maintenance or lack of servicing, insurers do not offer coverage as standard.
However, insurance is often available in the form of an additional ‘home emergency cover’ or ‘boiler breakdown cover’. Luckily, this isn’t an expensive extra, usually £5-£10 per month – a small price, many feel, considering the protection it offers and the frequency of issues.
This extra cover includes services such as emergency assistance when the boiler breaks and payment towards the cost of a new one. Though it is worth checking the terms and conditions of your particular policy. If it has been inadequately serviced or is too old, the claim may not be valid.
What protection does ‘emergency home cover’ provide?
Emergency cover typically covers the repair of the boiler itself, and sometimes the rest of the central heating system too.
Emergency assistance may be included, often with a cap for the call out charges. It will also provide coverage for any subsequent repairs needed- again, with a cap on the charges for parts and labour.
I am a tenant, am I responsible for the boiler repair?
Tenants are not responsible for paying for the boiler cover, but they are responsible for using it correctly and keeping the landlord aware of any issues. If the tenant is the cause of any damage to the boiler then the landlord is not held responsible for these repairs.
We hope this article has given you a better idea of what your home insurance does and doesn’t cover with your boiler, and your options should you want the added protection.