What is Central Heating Cover?

Central heating cover is a comprehensive protection plan for your entire heating system. It protects all key components—from the boiler and its controls to your radiators, pipes, and hot water cylinder. With heating cover, you can get help with the costs of engineer call-outs, labor, and new parts if something goes wrong.

The exact details of a heating cover plan can vary, so it's always smart to check the fine print of a policy before you buy.

Is Heating Cover Worth It?

• For Homeowners & Landlords: If your heating system isn't already covered by your home insurance or a manufacturer's warranty, a heating cover policy is a wise investment. Warranties, in particular, may not cover every type of breakdown, especially those caused by other parts of the heating system. Without a plan, a single repair could be very expensive.

• For Tenants: As a tenant, your landlord is responsible for arranging and paying for heating cover. However, you might be able to coordinate with your landlord to take out the cover yourself, which can make arranging repairs quicker and easier.

A heating cover plan helps protect you from the high cost of heating repairs and often includes an annual boiler service and repairs to boiler controls as part of your monthly fee.

Choosing the Right Heating Cover

When looking for a heating cover plan, keep these key points in mind:

• Coverage Extent: Make sure the policy covers all the elements of your heating system you want to protect, whether you have a combi or conventional boiler.

• Call-Out Limits: Some policies have a limited number of call-outs per year, while others offer unlimited visits. For an older system, unlimited call-outs may be a better choice.

• 24/7 Helpline: Look for a provider with a helpline you can call at any time for professional assistance.

• Annual Service: Confirm that an annual boiler service is included in the package, as this is crucial for both safety and warranty validation.

Central Heating Cover vs. Boiler Cover

It's a common point of confusion, but the distinction is simple:

• Boiler Cover is a focused plan that only protects your boiler and its controls.

• Central Heating Cover is the more comprehensive option, protecting every part of your system, from the boiler to the radiators, pipes, and tanks.

Understanding Call-Out Fees and Annual Services

• Call-Out Fees (Excess): This is a fee you might pay each time an engineer visits your property. The amount is agreed upon upfront (£75 Excess)

• Annual Service: This is a yearly inspection performed by a qualified engineer (Gas Safe for gas boilers, OFTEC for oil, etc.). Its purpose is to ensure your heating system is running safely and efficiently. An annual service is also often required to keep your boiler's manufacturer's warranty valid.

Switching Providers

You are always free to switch heating cover providers. In fact, doing so can sometimes lead to better deals. However, most policies are annual contracts. If you cancel before your term is up, you may have to pay a cancellation fee, so be sure to check the terms and conditions of your policy before making a change.