Are boilers covered on insurance?

Because problems are common and boilers will need replacing every 10-15 years, most building insurance policies do not include them under standard cover. This is why there is a large market for boiler or emergency breakdown cover, and why many hotels, hospitals, care homes etc. have a service contract in place with a mechanical contractor.

There are however situations where a boiler can be included under insurance. For example, we recently replaced a boiler in a church under insurance, as the plant room had flooded and subsequently wrecked the boiler. We then suspended the new boiler on a frame and installed a sump pump to avoid this happening again. If the dilapidation of your boiler has been the result of an external factor such as flooding then always check with your insurers as to whether it could be covered.

Insurers will also usually cover the cost of other damage to your property that has been caused by a faulty boiler such as a water or oil leak. However rarely does this include fixing or replacing the appliance itself.

Many issues with boilers can also be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. This is provided you have a full-service record for the boiler and is still within the warranty period. Always ensure with your installer that your new boiler has been registered with the manufacturer otherwise the warranty may not be validated. Validating the warranty usually requires that the boiler is commissioned either by the manufacturer or by the installer and the manufacturer is given a copy of the commissioning certificate. Many manufacturers also provide an extended warranty to registered installers. Hence, it is worth double-checking that your installer is registered with whichever manufacturer you choose for your new boiler.