When your boiler breaks down, your first instinct might be to check your home insurance. But standard home insurance doesn't usually cover the cost of fixing or replacing a broken boiler.

What it may cover is damage caused by a faulty boiler, like water damage from a leak or a burst pipe.

This guide explains how home insurance works for boiler repairs, boiler leaks, burst pipes and replacement costs.

Key takeaways:

• A standard home insurance policy usually doesn't cover boiler repairs or replacement as a result of general wear and tear.
• It only covers sudden, accidental damage. For example if a burst pipe or faulty boiler causes water damage to your home, you could claim for that under your home insurance.
• Boiler cover is a separate product. It's designed specifically for breakdowns and can include call-outs, parts and labour, and an annual service.

What does home insurance cover when it comes to your boiler?

Home insurance is designed to protect your home from sudden, unexpected events. It usually comes in two main parts:

• Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home: This includes walls, floors, the roof, and fixed parts of the home, such as your kitchen and bathroom.
• Contents insurance covers the belongings inside your home: This includes furniture, appliances, clothes and valuables.

Your boiler is usually considered part of your home's structure, so it falls under buildings insurance. However, there’s an important difference to understand: buildings insurance covers sudden damage, not mechanical breakdowns.

This means if a pipe connected to your boiler bursts and floods your kitchen, the water damage may be covered but the repair or replacement of the boiler itself usually isn't.

You can read more about why you might need both buildings and contents insurance and what each type covers.

Is a broken boiler covered by home insurance?

In most cases, a broken boiler is not covered by a standard home insurance policy, but it could be as part of an optional extra.

That’s because insurers treat it in the same way as other wear and tear. It's an expected cost of owning and maintaining a home, rather than sudden, accidental damage.

There are a few exceptions worth knowing:

• Boiler damage caused by an insured event may be covered: This could include damage caused by a fire, flood, or another event covered by your policy.
• Home emergency cover may help with urgent boiler problems: Some policies include home emergency cover as standard, while others offer it as an add-on.
• Accidental damage cover may help in some situations: However, mechanical breakdown is still usually excluded.

It's always worth checking the details of your policy. If you're not sure what you're covered for, your insurer can explain it.

Regular maintenance can also reduce the risk of breakdowns. Our home maintenance and risk prevention guide explains the kind of upkeep that can help you avoid costly problems.

Does home insurance cover burst pipes and frozen pipes?

Many home insurance policies do cover damage caused by burst pipes, but the exact cover depends on your policy.

The relevant cover is usually called "escape of water". This means water has escaped from a fixed pipe, tank, or appliance in your home. So, if a pipe bursts and water damages your walls, flooring, or ceiling, that damage may be covered.

Frozen pipes are a common cause of burst pipes in the UK in winter. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can crack or split the pipe. The water damage caused by the burst may be covered. But the cost of replacing the pipe itself can vary between policies.

Does home insurance cover boiler leaks?

A boiler leak is typically not covered under home insurance. Like a breakdown, a leak is usually treated as a maintenance issue rather than sudden accidental damage.

However, if the leak causes water damage to your home, that secondary damage may be covered under escape of water.

For example, the cost of replastering a wall or replacing water-damaged flooring may be claimable, even if the cost of fixing the boiler isn't.

One thing to watch for is damp. A slow leak that goes unnoticed can cause damp over time, and damp is almost always excluded from home insurance because it develops gradually rather than suddenly.

If you're concerned about damp in your home, our guide to damp and home insurance explains how insurers approach it and what you can do.

What is boiler cover and is it worth it?

Boiler cover, sometimes called boiler insurance or central heating cover, is an optional extra or separate product. It is designed specifically for boiler breakdowns.

A typical boiler cover policy may include:

• Emergency call-out when your boiler stops working.
• Parts and labour for repairs.
• An annual boiler service.
• Cover for your central heating system, including radiators and pipework.

The cost depends on the level of cover and the age of your boiler. More comprehensive cover, including your whole central heating system, will usually cost more than basic boiler cover.

Is boiler cover the same as home insurance?

No. They're separate products that cover different things.

Home insurance protects your home and belongings from events like fire, flood, and theft. Whereas boiler cover protects your central heating system from breakdowns and mechanical failure.

Some insurers offer both. Others may allow you to add boiler cover to your home insurance policy as an optional extra.

Who offers boiler cover?

Many energy companies, home insurers and specialist providers offer boiler cover in the UK.

It's worth comparing policies carefully, including:

• Annual servicing: Does the policy include an annual service?
• Boiler age limits: Some providers will not cover older boilers.
• Claim limits: Is there a limit on how many claims you can make each year?
• Parts and labour: Are both parts and labour included?

What does Marshmallow home insurance cover?

Marshmallow offers buildings and contents insurance for people who are new to the UK and navigating the system for the first time.

Ready to get covered? Get a home insurance quote from Marshmallow.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a new combi boiler cost?

A new combi boiler unit typically costs between £500 and £2,500, with total installation costs commonly falling between £1,500 and £3,500 depending on the complexity of the job.

How often should I service my boiler?

Once a year. Annual servicing helps keep your boiler running safely and efficiently. It is also often required by warranty and insurance conditions.

How long does a boiler service take?

A standard boiler service usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes.

Are underground pipes covered by home insurance?

This varies by policy. Some buildings insurance policies include trace and access cover, which pays for locating and accessing a leak in an underground pipe. Check your policy documents or ask your insurer if you are unsure.

How long should a boiler last?

A well-maintained boiler should last between 10 and 15 years.