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Ask our Expert
Where can I get boiler insurance for my oil powered boiler?
Dear Chris, Please could you let me know if there are companies in the UK which offer insurance for oil fired boilers and heating systems?
I specifically want a service and maintenance plan and not only an emergency insurance option.
Thanks,
Shannon Nolte, via email, Monday 31 January, 2011
Our expert says...
First off, yes there are companies that offer insurance for your oil fired boiler in the UK - including whoever supplies your heating oil probably - but the key thing is to shop around and compare the different plans and prices.
If you are worried about the state of your boiler and would like the security of having it serviced on a regular basis as well as knowing that someone will come and fix it in an emergency should it break down, then boiler cover is probably for you.
Plans vary enormously, in terms of cost and what they cover. The type of cover will also depend on what sort of boiler and heating system you have.
In the case of an oil boiler, most providers offer both insurance to cover you for breakdown and to cover you for an annual service. There is normally the option to cover you for your entire central heating system as well but this generally costs extra.
Before taking out cover, consider the following points:
- Emergency helpline - Do you have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline, 365 days a year? Also, find out how long you will have to wait before an engineer visits to assess the problem.
- What is considered an emergency? - Some providers don’t consider a lack of hot water to be an emergency, while others only consider it an emergency during the winter.
- Is your boiler eligible for boiler insurance? - Boilers older than 10 years are excluded from many plans, while those more than seven years old might require an inspection before you can get them. Also, check that the make of the boiler will be covered by your chosen plan.
Oil boiler service
When your boiler is serviced, make sure the engineer is registered at Oftec (Oil Firing Technical Association) to make sure he is the real deal - you can find this out on its website:
The engineer should to a full check of your boiler system, please read our checklist.
There are many different providers such as HomeServe offering insurance packages for your oil boiler. The key is to shop around and compare oil boiler cover to ensure you get the best for your needs.
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