Boiler and Heating Cover Plans

It’s not long now until all the clocks go back again, meaning winter is coming which can lead to boiler breakdowns, frozen pipes and dreaded plumbing problems!

So, is it worth having a heating and boiler cover plan in place to ensure all your appliances keep working whatever the weather?

It’s important to be well prepared in case your central heating system fails when you need it most, independent surveys state at least a fifth of households have suffered from heating and water problems and breakdowns at some point. Unfortunately, most property owners (including landlords) don’t really think about their boilers and hot water systems until something goes wrong with them, which can be an expensive problem to suddenly have, especially as a new boiler or water cylinder is one of the costliest items to replace in a home.

Buying a boiler and heating care plan not only gives you peace of mind, but more importantly, it provides instant access to plumbers and boiler engineers who can carry out repairs in an emergency. Most cover and service plans usually also include an annual boiler service and health check. Even though many of the established energy suppliers like British Gas offer packages and monthly payment plans for cover, you will also find local and regional plumbing and heating companies like ‘Essex Heating and Solar Ltd’ offering cost effective solutions from as little as 18p per day to keep you safe and warm.

If boiler cover is for you don’t just automatically choose your current energy providers policy as you may find a better one elsewhere. Shop around for the best possible deal and always check the small print, as some of the cheapest plans carry additional excess charges. If an excess charge is something you would rather avoid then consider paying for a slightly more expensive plan that doesn’t include excess payments.

It’s advisable to also check your home insurance policy to see if you automatically qualify for services before buying additional boiler and heating cover. If you’ve just bought and installed aa new boiler then that should already be covered by its warranty, and if you do decide on heating and boiler cover check what you’re buying and look for a service plan that at includes the following:

• Heating
• Boilers
• Gas
• Water
• Plumbing
• Electrical Faults and Emergencies
• Unlimited Call Outs
• No Hidden Excess Charges
• 24 Hours A Day
• 365 Days A Year
• Servicing and Certification
• Annual Boiler Service or Safety Check
• Landlord Safety Record and Certification
• System Repairs Covered
• Parts Covered
• Labour Covered

As standard you should get 24-hour, 365-day cover, some companies might limit the number of call-outs or cap the amount of money you can claim form them. If your boiler is an old model you might not be able to get a full cover policy, or you may only be offered a lower level of cover, so check with the supplier.

Remember the key to home emergency cover is the word ’emergency’ and cover only applies in situations where immediate action is required.