Boiler Cover After Breakdown or Pay-as-You-Go Repair?

When your boiler stops working, you usually have two choices. You can book a pay-as-you-go boiler repair, or you can get boiler cover after the breakdown. The right choice for you can depend on how old your heating system is, how much you can spend, and how much risk you want to take with your heating.

This guide looks at boiler cover and pay as you go repairs. It tells you what happens if something is not part of a policy. You will also see how to compare boiler cover UK deals for 2025. This is for homeowners who want to keep their boiler working well.

Can I Get Boiler Cover After My Boiler Has Already Broken Down?

In most cases, boiler cover plans do not cover repairs if the fault is already there. If your boiler is already broken when you apply, the provider often asks for a boiler inspection first.

• British Gas HomeCare and other big companies will not fix problems that were already there before you got a new plan.
• Some companies might let you sign up, but you have to wait a bit, like 14 to 30 days, before the cover for your boiler starts.
• You might need to pay for a boiler breakdown repair by itself first. After that, you can add cover with British Gas HomeCare to help protect against other boiler problems later.

So you can put in an application, but don’t think the first mistake will get covered.

What Is the Difference Between Pay-as-You-Go and Boiler Cover?

One-Off Boiler Repair (Pay-as-You-Go)

• You call an engineer if your boiler stops working.
• You have to pay for the labour, the parts, and the call-out fee.
• The usual cost is £100 to £150 for the call-out, plus £80 to £120 for each hour of labour.
• The parts that need to be replaced can be £150 to more than £400.

Boiler Cover Plan

• You pay for a monthly boiler cover plan. This is usually from £8 to £25 each month.
• The plan has an annual boiler service. You also get call-outs, repairs, and the cost of new parts.
• Most plans look after your central heating system and the radiators. They can also help with plumbing and hot water sometimes.
• A few plans give you 24/7 helplines and emergency callouts with no extra fee.

Is Boiler Cover Worth It?

The value will be different based on how good your boiler is and how long you want to keep it.

• Old boilers – These have a higher chance to break down. So, having boiler cover or boiler insurance can save you money.
• New boilers under warranty – There is a good chance repairs are already paid for by the warranty. You may not need extra boiler insurance for these.
• Risk of no boiler cover – If your boiler breaks more than one time, you could pay a lot for just one fix. That can add up to more than a year of boiler cover.

Example cost comparison (2025 averages):

What Are the Main Exclusions in Boiler Cover Policies After a Breakdown?

Boiler cover is there to help with problems, but it has rules. There are things that it will not pay for, so you need to watch for them when you read about boiler cover.

• Pre-existing faults – if the boiler is already broken, it will not be covered.
• Replacement boilers – these are not usually included, so the cover is only for repairs.
• Age limit – many plans will not take boilers that are over 15 years old.
• Excess payments – some plans ask you to pay an excess of £50–£100 each time you call out.
• Inclusive minutes analogy – this is like a mobile contract, as some providers put a limit on the number of callouts you get for your boiler each year.

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Will I Need a Boiler Inspection Before Cover?

Yes, many insurers ask for a safety check or a boiler service before they will accept your application.

• An engineer may look at the heating system, check the flue, and see how the central heating radiators are working.
• If the boiler works well, cover will start soon after a short wait.
• If the boiler does not work, you can get a one-time repair. Cover will begin once the boiler is working again.

Are Replacement Boilers Ever Included?

Most plans do not pay for a full new boiler. But:

• Some top plans, like British Gas HomeCare Four, may help pay for a new boiler if yours is past fixing and it will cost too much to repair.
• The help they give is often limited, for example, to £500.
• A full boiler replacement usually costs between £2,000 and £4,000, so this will not pay for everything.

Which Companies Offer Boiler Cover After a Breakdown?

If you want to get boiler cover after breakdown, it is good to go with a provider you trust. Free Price Compare teams up with UK experts who have many monthly boiler cover plans. They offer different levels that give you the protection you need for your boiler.

247 Home Rescue

247 Home Rescue is known for good prices and many options. Their breakdown cover includes unlimited callouts, parts, and labour with most plans. Homeowners can also use a large, UK-wide network of Gas Safe engineers. This helps people get fast repairs when they need them.

Service Box

Service Box policies come with an annual boiler service, so your heating system can keep working well. These plans help with boiler problems and also fix central heating, which is good for people who want to feel safe about their heating at home. This way, you get help if your boiler or heating does not work right, and you can worry less about it.

Hometree

Hometree is liked by people for how clear and simple the prices are. You can get plans that cover boilers, hot water, and heating in your home. They have support open all day and night, so you can get help any time you need it. The website lets you see your account, which makes things like renewal and claims easy for everyone.

PlusHeat

PlusHeat gives you several choices for boiler insurance. You can get cover for just your boiler, or you can pick bigger plans. These plans may also include things like plumbing and even home electrics. A lot of their plans have a low excess. This can be good for families who want more than only boiler cover. It’s a simple way to get help with plumbing and other problems in the home.

Important Note on Exclusions

While these companies have some of the best boiler cover UK 2025 deals, there is something you should know. If you have a pre-existing breakdown, it will not be fixed with a new policy. Most of the time, your boiler needs to work before cover begins. There will often be a short waiting time before the cover starts.

Compare Boiler Cover Providers After a Breakdown

How to Use This Table

• See how the monthly boiler cover plans stack up against paying one time for repairs.
• Think about what matters the most for you: do you want cover for just the boiler, or for the whole heating system and plumbing as well.
• Look at the annual boiler service benefits. This can be worth £70–£100 every year, which is good value.
• When it’s time for renewal, check how the provider will handle it. Prices can go up after the first year.

Will Boiler Cover Plans Pay for Repairs if My Boiler Broke Before I Took Out a Policy?

No, cover providers do not pay to fix a boiler if it is already broken. You will need to fix it first yourself or with a one-off repair. After you pay to get your boiler working again, you may be able to join their cover plan.

This is why many homeowners get boiler cover before something goes wrong. They do not want to wait until the worst happens with their boiler. So, they choose to be ready.

Do Any Boiler Cover Providers Include Emergency Callouts for Boilers With Existing Issues?

Emergency callouts will usually be covered only if the breakdown happens after your policy starts. Any problems that were there before will not be covered.

Some providers may still send an engineer to your place. But you will have to pay the full cost for the labour and the parts.

Are There Waiting Periods for Boiler Cover?

Yes, waiting periods are standard in the industry:

• The time for this is 14 to 30 days.
• It stops people from getting cover only after there is a problem.
• In this time, you have to pay for repairs on your own.

Boiler Warranty vs Cover

If your boiler still has warranty from the maker, you may not need extra boiler cover. A warranty will usually look after:

• Parts and labour are covered for a set time, usually between five and ten years.
• You must get it serviced every year for the cover to stay valid.

After your warranty is over, it can be a good idea to compare boiler cover UK. This helps you stay away from big repair costs for your boiler.

Boiler Cover Pros and Cons

Pros

• This helps you avoid paying for surprise repair bills.
• You get an annual boiler service, and there may also be cover for the whole heating system.
• There are helplines you can call any day or time, and you can get an engineer out quickly.

Cons

• It will not cover things that were already wrong with the boiler.
• You might end up paying more in the long run if your boiler does not break often.
• Some old boilers may not be included.

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Should I Buy Boiler Cover After a Breakdown?

If your boiler has stopped working, you need to fix it right away. But after it is working again, you may want to get cover. This can help you avoid paying for the same repairs again.

• If you have a new boiler, pay per repair boiler service can be the cheapest option.
• If your boiler is old, monthly boiler cover plans might save you more money if it breaks down again.

These choices can help you get the best deal for your boiler and boiler service. If your boiler often needs fixing, monthly boiler cover may be the better way to go for people. But for new boilers, you may want to just pay when your boiler needs work instead of getting a full boiler cover.

How Can I Compare Boiler Cover Options for a Broken Boiler?

When comparing, look for:

• Compare the monthly cost and the annual cost.
• Check what is included. This often covers labour, parts, the annual boiler service, plumbing, and the heating system.
• See what is not covered. Some plans leave out certain boilers because of their age.
• Be sure to look at any excess charges that may apply.
• Read what other customers say. Also, find out about online account management, so you know how to look after your account.

Free Price Compare lets you compare boiler cover UK plans in just a few minutes. You can find the right boiler cover for your home with this service.

Cheapest Way to Fix a Broken Boiler

• Short term: A pay-as-you-go repair could be the cheapest choice if the problem with the boiler is small.
• Long run: A boiler cover might save money if you get several break downs.
• You should always compare the average cost of boiler repair to the cost of boiler cover before you pick one.
• Be sure to look at the price when it is time for renewal. Some providers may raise the premiums after the first year.

FAQs About Boiler Cover After Breakdown