What is Central Heating Cover?
12/04/2023
Do you want to know what central heating cover is? It's a type of insurance that covers not only your boiler but also your controls, pipework, hot water cylinder, and any other equipment connected to your heating system. Unlike boiler cover, it offers a more comprehensive protection package.
This type of cover includes engineer call-outs, labour costs, and replacement parts required to fix any heating problems. This means that with this plan, you won't have to worry about the cost of essential repairs.
Do I need central heating cover?
Are you covered by a boiler warranty, but unsure if it’s enough to protect your boiler? It’s essential to differentiate between a boiler warranty and boiler cover to ensure that your boiler is fully protected.
Your boiler's manufacturer warranty only covers faults or breakdowns within a specified time frame, with certain terms and conditions attached. For instance, if the breakdown is due to issues arising from other parts of your central heating system, your warranty may not cover it. This can result in a significant cost to repair your boiler and pay for an annual service visit.
On the other hand, boiler cover provides complete protection against all boiler faults and breakdowns, including an annual boiler service visit. You'll also receive round-the-clock access to a helpline, unlimited callouts, and the added benefit of control repairs if necessary. This way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your boiler and the entire heating system are fully covered.
Central Heating vs Boiler Cover
There are some significant distinctions between boiler cover and central heating cover. Understandably, many people get confused between the two.
Boiler cover only protects your boiler and its controls, whereas heating cover protects your entire central heating system including your pipework, cylinder, boiler, and controls.
What type of central heating cover should I get?
If you have a gas boiler in your central heating system, it's a good idea to get a gas central heating cover that meets specific criteria. When choosing a plan, look for ones that include the following features:
1. Annual boiler service to ensure everything is in good condition.
2. The option to make a limited or unlimited number of yearly claims.
3. Coverage for repairs to your boiler and central heating system, including both parts and labour, in case of any faults or breakdowns.
4. Access to a 24/7 helpline.
It's crucial to consider the number of callouts included in your plan per year. Some policies have a maximum limit on the number of callouts that can be made for repairs and breakdowns, so be sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of your gas central heating cover plan.
What is an Annual Service visit?
To ensure your boiler runs efficiently, it's crucial to have an annual service as part of your central heating cover. This helps to identify any potential issues before they escalate into a breakdown.
A Gas-safe engineer should carry out the annual service once a year. During the service, the engineer will visually inspect the boiler and controls, as well as the internal components to ensure that everything is in good condition and functioning correctly.
If you're considering annual boiler servicing, many boiler and heating cover plans offer a free annual service as part of their package.
What is an Excess? And do I have to pay for it?
As part of your central heating cover, you may be required to pay an excess fee in addition to your monthly cover costs to cover the cost of an engineer visiting your home to fix a fault. Some heating cover plans may already include an excess in their monthly costs. The cost of excess can vary between £30 to £100.
Can I switch to a different cover provider?
Switching your heating cover provider is simpler than you may believe. You don't have to remain with the same provider every year, and it's possible to save money by switching.
However, before you switch, it's important to carefully review the terms and conditions to ensure you won't be charged a cancellation fee. To avoid such a fee, you can wait until your contract expires, which is typically 12 months from the plan's sign-up date. Alternatively, if you wish to opt out right away, you can pay the cancellation fee and make a change.
