Most of us don't think about the boiler until the radiators go cold and the shower runs icy. Then it's the only thing that matters. Boiler cover is designed for exactly that moment: one call to get an engineer out, and the repair handled under your plan instead of a bill you weren't expecting.
Here's what boiler cover does, what it doesn't, and how to choose the right level for your home.
What is boiler cover?
Boiler cover is a plan you pay for monthly that looks after repairs when your boiler breaks down. At its simplest, it covers the boiler itself and its controls, such as your thermostat, programmer, valves and pump. Higher levels of cover take in more of your home, from radiators and pipework to plumbing, drains and electrics.
Isn't this covered by my home insurance?
Usually not. Standard home insurance is built for sudden damage, such as a burst pipe flooding your kitchen. It typically pays to repair the damage the water caused, but not to fix the boiler fault behind it, and it doesn't cover everyday breakdowns or wear and tear.
Some home insurance policies offer home emergency cover as an optional extra. That can help in a genuine emergency, but it's often limited to making things safe, with caps on what it pays. Check your own policy so you know where you stand.
Isn't a boiler service enough?
A yearly service is one of the best things you can do for your boiler. An engineer checks it's safe, spots worn parts early and keeps it running efficiently. Many manufacturers also require an annual service to keep the warranty valid.
But a service is a check-up, not a guarantee. It can't stop a part failing a few months later. That's why every Domestic Appliance Guard boiler plan includes an annual boiler service as well as breakdown cover: the service helps prevent problems, and the cover deals with the ones that still happen.
Which level of cover do you need?
Domestic Appliance Guard boiler cover comes in four levels. Each one includes everything in the level below, plus a little more.
Starter: Annual Boiler Service + Boiler & Controls
The essentials. A yearly service, plus repairs to your boiler and the controls that run it. A good fit if your radiators and pipework are in good shape and you mainly want peace of mind on the boiler itself.
Essential: adds Central Heating
Everything in Starter, plus your central heating system: radiators, valves and visible pipework. If a radiator stops working or a valve fails, you're covered too. This suits most homes with a traditional radiator system.
Premium: adds Plumbing and Drainage
Everything in Essential, plus your home's hot and cold water pipes and blocked drains within your boundary. Useful if a leaking pipe or blocked toilet would be as much of a worry as a cold radiator.
Complete: adds Electrics, Doors, Windows & Locks, and Pest
Our fullest level of home cover. On top of everything in Premium, it covers electrical problems such as fuse box faults and loss of power, help with damaged external doors, windows and locks or being locked out, and pest problems like mice, rats, wasps and hornets.
Choosing your excess
You can also choose how much you pay towards each call-out: £0, £60 or £95. A higher excess means a lower monthly price; a £0 excess means nothing extra to pay when you call.
Good to know before you sign up
- Any boiler type: plans cover gas, oil and LPG boilers.
- A 30-day wait: you can't make a claim in the first 30 days. This stops claims for problems that already exist and helps keep prices down.
- Working boilers only: cover is for boilers that are working when you join, and pre-existing faults aren't covered. If yours has already broken, talk to us about getting it repaired first.
- Limits apply: there are repair limits and some exclusions, such as sludge and limescale build-up or installation faults. Check the plan details before you choose.
When boiler cover is most worth it
- Your boiler is out of its manufacturer's warranty. Once that ends, repair costs are yours.
- Your boiler is getting older. Parts wear out over time and faults become more likely.
- You'd struggle with a surprise bill. A fixed monthly cost is easier to plan for than a sudden repair.
- Losing heating would hit hard. For example, if you have young children, older relatives or someone with a health condition at home.
- You're a landlord. You have to fix heating and hot water problems promptly, and cover gives your tenants one number to call.
Simple ways to keep your boiler healthy
- Have it serviced every year, ideally before the cold weather arrives. With DAG cover, that's already included.
- Check the boiler pressure now and then. Your manual will show the normal range. If it keeps dropping, call an engineer.
- Bleed your radiators if they're cold at the top.
- Run the heating briefly in summer to keep the pump and valves moving.
- Know about the condensate pipe. On condensing boilers, this small pipe outside can freeze in a cold snap and stop the boiler. Your manual will explain what to do; pouring warm (not boiling) water over it is a common fix.
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near any fuel-burning appliance, and test it regularly.
The bottom line
Home insurance covers damage, a service keeps your boiler healthy, and boiler cover pays to fix it when it breaks. Starter looks after the boiler, Essential adds your heating system, Premium adds plumbing and drains, and Complete covers the whole home. Pick the level that matches what you'd worry about most if it went wrong.
Keep your home warm this winter with Domestic Appliance Guard boiler cover, including an annual boiler service on every plan.
Compare our boiler cover plans →
And for the kitchen, you can protect an unlimited number of kitchen appliances on one plan, from just £3.50 a month.
Get your free appliance cover quote →
Are you a landlord? Take a look at our Landlord Cover, so boiler and appliance breakdowns in your rental properties are handled quickly and your tenants stay warm.
