Does Home Insurance Cover Boiler Replacement?
Caeva O'Callaghan | January 29th, 2024
It’s always a pain when your boiler breaks down, especially during colder months. But is your boiler covered by your home insurance?
Only if it is damaged or destroyed as a result of an insured peril – which means a risk that is listed on your house insurance policy.
You won’t be able to get your boiler replaced if it’s just old or suffers from wear and tear. You also won’t be able to replace your boiler if you’ve been negligent about its maintenance.
In this article, we’ll cover the following questions:
- Is my boiler covered by my home insurance?
- What are insurable risks?
- What do I do if my boiler breaks down?
If you’re wondering where your boiler stands with regards to house insurance, read on to find out.
Is my boiler covered by my home insurance?
Yes, it is. Your boiler is a major appliance which is typically not taken with you when you move. Therefore, it would be covered under your home insurance policy.
However, bear in mind that your boiler is only covered so far as the rest of the contents and structure of your household. This means that your boiler is subject to the same insurable risks as all your other possessions.
In other words, you cannot use your insurance to get a free or cheap boiler when you don’t really need one, or when it’s your fault your boiler has stopped working.
For example, if your boiler is very old, it’s your responsibility as a homeowner to replace it. Doing so is part of taking responsibility for the house you own. If you do not, and your boiler breaks down, it won’t be covered by your insurance.
Similarly, if you intentionally damage or neglect your boiler to try and get your insurance to pay for it, you won’t be eligible for a claim. This is insurance fraud, and it’s illegal.
What are insurable risks?
Insurable risks are all the unforeseen circumstances under which you would be eligible to make a claim on your home insurance. These normally include fire, storm, and sometimes flood and falling objects.
Your boiler is subject to these risks, just like everything else in your home listed on your policy. For example, if there was a fire in your home and your boiler was severely damaged or destroyed, this would be covered by your home insurance in nearly all feasible cases.
Likewise, if your house was hit by lightning and the boiler blew, causing irreparable damage, your home insurance would pay for a new one.
Not all unforeseen risks are covered by your home insurance. Always check your policy thoroughly before purchasing. Or, give us a call and we can find a policy to suit your needs.
What do I do if my boiler breaks down?
First of all, phone the helpline that should have been given to you on installation of the boiler, or written on its side. The manufacturer should have provided you with a telephone number to call in case of a fault.
If it’s an emergency, for example if you suspect your boiler is leaking gas, immediately open all windows and doors and extinguish any naked flames – including cigarettes – then evacuate the house and call Gas Networks Ireland immediately on 1800 20 50 50 (24 hours).
A reliable, trustworthy local specialist will be able to fix your boiler. Check local listings to find one in your area.
Again, you only need to contact your home insurance provider if your boiler has been damaged through fire, flood, or another insurable risk.
Confused about home insurance? Give us a call today, and we can help you make sense of it. Alternatively, get an instant house insurance quote using our online quote engine. Call us Mon-Fri between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051.