When winter arrives, it brings with it colder weather and we all have to wrap up warm to stop shivering when we go outside.

However, we are protected and can stay warm in our homes thanks to our central heating system.

How do we choose the best central heating cover for our home? 

But what if in the middle of winter, your boiler breaks down, your pipes freeze over, the radiator stops working correctly, and the central heating system stops providing heat as efficiently as it should?

What do you do in this situation?

One way to solve the problem is to call out an engineer.

However, in the depths of winter, you won’t be the only one facing this problem! There will be many others facing a winter with a cold house and you might not get the immediate assistance you need.

In this situation, the only thing that will save you is central heating cover.

Central Heating Cover

Various providers offer central heating cover plans that cover the different aspects of your central heating system. On many, you will have to pay a one-time excess fee and monthly payments.

These will provide peace of mind that you will be covered in winter when any issue arises with your central heating system.

But to fully benefit from central heating cover, you must make sure you choose the right one!

This blog post will give you tips on choosing the right heating cover for your home.

What is the difference between Boiler and Central Heating cover?

There may be a bit of confusion when distinguishing between boiler cover and central heating cover. But it’s not that complex. A Boiler cover caters to issues and problems related to your boiler only.

On the other hand, the heating cover caters to issues extensively associated with your central heating system, including boiler controls, radiators, storage tanks, and cylinders.

Here are my top tips on how to find the best heating cover for your home. 

Tip 1: Buy a cover that Includes Annual Boiler Service

An annual boiler service should be included in your heating insurance cover, it is a small investment that will benefit you over time.

Unmaintained boilers consume more gas to provide the same heat, increasing your gas expense.

In addition, a boiler that has had regular maintenance will probably survive longer, meaning you won’t need to buy a replacement boiler for many years to come.

Not getting a boiler service cover will end up costing you more in the long run. You will end up paying more than the cover price if you have to call out an engineer or replace a faulty boiler. 

Tip 2: Identify your needs

This tip is crucial when choosing cover. If you only envisage facing issues regarding your boiler, then getting boiler-only cover will be more cost-effective.

However, if you can see problems regarding the central heating system, including radiators getting cold, pipe leakages, and boiler controls, then central heating cover is a must as this can also incorporate boiler cover.

Tip 3: Don’t wait until it’s too late

Getting cover when your boiler breaks down is not a good idea and is often too late!

Most heating insurance plans have a no-claims period to start with, so you won’t be able to file a claim if your boiler isn’t working properly for days or sometimes even weeks.

Therefore, it is best to file a claim before a problem arises and thoroughly study the policy Terms & Conditions to comprehend the claims policy.

Tip 4: Do your research

Many heating insurance plans are available online at a discount, which may tempt you, but keep in mind that a low price does not always imply high quality or dependability or whether it will be cheaper in the long run. 

Because of this, it is advisable to conduct research before purchasing a cover, which includes reading online reviews and consulting with friends, family, and neighbours before making a choice.

Although the company you select may not provide discounts, the dependability and superior service you receive will make up for it.

Tip 5: Consider the excess fee

Heating cover for £6.99 a month might sound like a good deal, but make sure you check out the excess fee that comes with it. 

You could be made to pay £100s in excess per claim, which will then make the £6.99 a month not seem like such a good deal after all.

Generally, the more you pay a month, the less you will pay in excess fees. It all comes back to personal choice, how old your boiler is and if you envisage any problems arising. 

Always make sure you are well informed about the excess fee.

The boiler insurance experts at 24|7 Home Rescue suggest,

“When buying a cover policy, always check the excess amount as the policy might appear to be cheap to begin with, but can end up spiralling when something goes wrong”.

Tip 6: Consider the age of your boiler before getting a cover

Determine the age of your boiler before deciding to purchase a cover.

Why is this so important?

Many insurance companies have a certain age limit when considering providing boiler cover which can often be between 10-15 years.

Obtaining cover may be exceedingly challenging if your boiler is older than this and it might become increasingly difficult to service or fix. 

Furthermore, if you get boiler insurance, be sure to choose a plan with no claim costs.

This means, if your boiler is beyond economical repair, they will cover the total cost of repairs and a portion of the cost involved in a boiler replacement.

This decision will help save you a lot of money on expensive repairs for faults and breakdown issues.

Tip 7: No need to buy a cover for a rented property

If you are a tenant living in a rented property, you will not need to get cover as it is the responsibility of your landlord.

If you are a landlord, you should immediately get cover for your property to protect your tenants and your home.

You should already have landlord insurance to cover liabilities on your property with boiler and central heating cover included.

Check your insurance details to find out what level of insurance they provide. 

Tip 8: Consider the free safety certificate if you are a landlord

If you are a landlord, it is always best practice to consider paying a little extra towards your insurance to get the free service or certificate for your boiler and central heating.

The certificate is a particularly good idea as it provides you with a CP-12 gas safety certificate.

A CP12 is issued in acknowledgement that an annual safety check has been carried out by a gas-safe registered engineer on a premises’ gas devices, and has provided satisfactory findings.

If you are looking at getting landlord cover, there isn’t much price difference between getting a boiler service and getting a boiler service with a CP-12 certificate. It is always a good idea to go for the latter!

Tip 9: Criteria for choosing the best cover provider

After doing proper research, you will find a lot of heating insurance providers offering attractive prices and it can sometimes be a little overwhelming to choose the best cover for your home.

What is the best way to choose the most relevant cover provider for you? 

Consider these recommendations:

• Are they gas-safe registered?
• Do they offer 24/7 support?
• Where are they located?
• Are their experts in dealing with every boiler type?

Conclusion:

The above steps should help you choose the best heating and boiler cover for your home and your circumstances.

The main things to consider when looking for boiler and central heating cover are:

• The claiming period when you first take out the policy
• Call out fees
• Your boiler age
• The excess charge – way it up with your monthly fee and always try to pay as much as you can upfront. 
• Customer Rating

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