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Central Heating Cover: What It Includes and the Best Plans Compared
Central heating cover protects your whole heating system — boiler, radiators, pipework, pump and controls — not just the boiler. This guide explains what is and isn't covered, compares indicative 2026 plans from a selected panel (British Gas, HomeServe and Hometree) side by side, and shows how to weigh the cost against an annual service. It's information, not advice — always confirm the details on the provider's own page.
Quick answer
Central heating cover is a monthly plan that repairs your heating system when it breaks down — the boiler plus radiators, central-heating pipework, the pump, controls and (usually) a hot-water cylinder. Most plans run £10–£30 a month, with cheaper boiler-only cover from around £8 and comprehensive plans up to £45.
Many plans also include an annual boiler service worth around £80–£120, which offsets part of the premium. Cover is sold either as FCA-regulated insurance or as an unregulated service/care plan — check which you're buying. Prices below are indicative "from" figures, last checked 2026; always confirm the current price, excess and terms on the provider's own page.
What is central heating cover?
Central heating cover is a plan that pays to repair your heating system when something fails. Unlike boiler-only cover, it extends beyond the boiler to the wider system — radiators, the pipes that feed them, the circulating pump and the controls that run it all.
You pay a fixed monthly amount. In return you get access to a 24/7 helpline and a Gas Safe registered engineer who diagnoses the fault and carries out repairs, with parts and labour included up to the plan's limits.
It's sold in two legal forms. Some plans are FCA-regulated insurance; others are unregulated service or care plans. The cover can look similar, but your rights and complaint routes differ — so it's worth knowing which one you're signing up to. For the basics, see what is boiler cover?
The key point: "boiler cover" usually means just the boiler and its controls. "Central heating cover" adds the radiators, pipework, pump and often the hot-water cylinder — the parts that fail as a system ages. If you have an older property with lots of radiators, the wider cover is often where the value sits.
What central heating cover includes
Exactly what's covered varies by plan and by tier. The table below shows the typical pattern across mainstream UK plans — what's almost always included, what depends on the plan, and what's usually a paid extra. Always check the specific policy document, as terms differ between providers.
| Component | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Boiler & its controls | Always |
| Radiators | Usually (on central-heating plans) |
| Central-heating pipework | Usually |
| Circulating pump | Usually |
| Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) | Sometimes |
| Hot-water cylinder & immersion heater | Sometimes (vented); unvented often named only |
| Room thermostat / programmer | Sometimes |
| Flue & condensate pipe | Sometimes |
| Filling loop | Sometimes |
| Annual boiler service | Many plans, but NOT universal |
| Powerflush / system clean | Usually a paid extra |
| 24/7 Gas Safe helpline | Usually |
The single most important detail to confirm is whether an annual service is included — see the dedicated section below. For a fuller breakdown of plan structures, see our guide to the types of boiler cover explained.
What's NOT covered (the claim-decline traps)
This is where thin guides go quiet — and where claims actually get refused. Knowing the common exclusions before you buy can save a nasty surprise later. Exact exclusions vary by plan, so read the policy document.
- Pre-existing faults — anything already broken (or showing symptoms) when you took out cover.
- Sludge, scale and limescale damage — corrosion and blockages from a dirty system are a very common decline reason.
- Boilers over the age limit — many providers set a limit around 8–10 years; some decline outright, others load the price or add exclusions.
- Bad-installation or design faults — problems caused by an original install that wasn't done correctly.
- Cosmetic damage — scratches, dents and discoloured casings.
- Unvented cylinders — often excluded unless specifically named on the plan.
- Powerflushing — usually an optional paid extra, not a covered repair.
Why claims get declined: the big three are age (boiler past the limit), pre-existing (it was already failing), and sludge (a poorly maintained system). Most plans also add a waiting period — often 14–30 days — before you can claim. Read the exclusions, not just the headline price. See is boiler cover worth it? for how to weigh this up.
Central heating cover vs boiler-only cover
Boiler-only cover is cheaper and protects the unit on the wall — the heat exchanger, gas valve, PCB and controls. It can be a fair choice for a newer boiler with a simple, healthy system.
Central heating cover steps up to the whole circuit. If a radiator springs a leak, the pump seizes, or a buried pipe fails, boiler-only cover typically won't help — but a central-heating plan usually will.
Stepping up to central heating cover tends to suit homes with many radiators, an older heating system, a hot-water cylinder, or a history of leaks and cold spots. Boiler-only may be enough if your boiler is recent and the rest of the system is sound. Compare both in our best boiler cover for 2026 roundup.
How much does central heating cover cost?
Indicative UK 2026 monthly prices (these are typical ranges, not quotes):
| Cover type | Typical price/month |
|---|---|
| Basic boiler-only | £8–£15 |
| Boiler + central heating | £10–£30 |
| Comprehensive (heating, plumbing, sometimes electrics/drains) | £20–£45 |
Price depends on your postcode, boiler age and chosen excess — a higher excess usually means a lower monthly premium. See how much boiler cover costs per month for the full picture.
The annual-service offset: say you pay £20/month — that's £240 a year. If the plan includes an annual service that would otherwise cost you around £100 (standalone services typically run £80–£120 in 2026), your pure cover cost is really nearer £140 a year. That reframing matters: a plan with an included service can beat a cheaper plan without one. If your plan has no service, factor in buying one yourself.
Best central heating cover plans compared 2026
Most guides describe cover generically. Here we compare named plans so you can see how price, excess and limits stack up. This is a selected panel of providers, not the whole market — other providers are available. Figures are indicative "from" prices, last checked 2026; confirm the current price, excess and terms on each provider's own page before buying.
| Plan | From (per month) | Excess options | Central heating? | Annual service? | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas HomeCare 2 | from ~£20 (with £60 excess) | £0 or £60 | Yes | Yes | FCA-regulated insurance |
| British Gas HomeCare 3 (+ plumbing & drains) | from ~£30+ | £0 or £60 | Yes | Yes | FCA-regulated insurance |
| British Gas HomeCare 4 (+ electrics) | from ~£45 | £0 or £60 | Yes | Yes | FCA-regulated insurance |
| HomeServe Gas Boiler & Central Heating | from ~£14.50 (yr 1)* | £60 or £100 | Yes | Yes (yr 1) | FCA-regulated insurance |
| Hometree central heating cover | from £12.95 | £0, £60 or £95 | Yes | Yes | FCA-regulated insurance |
*HomeServe's intro price is for new customers in year one; the renewal price is higher (the expected no-claims renewal has recently been around £27/month on the Gas Boiler & Central Heating plan), so always check the renewal figure quoted to you, not just the headline.
A few plan-level notes worth knowing (confirm the current detail on each provider's page):
- British Gas HomeCare is FCA-regulated insurance (provided by British Gas Services Limited), so complaints can ultimately go to the Financial Ombudsman. Central-heating cover (on HomeCare 2 and up) typically includes radiators, the hot-water cylinder, central-heating pipes and controls, plus an annual service.
- HomeServe typically bundles a boiler service in year one and lets you trade a higher excess (£100) for a lower premium. Check whether the service continues in later years.
- Hometree central heating cover is FCA-regulated insurance, covers the boiler, controls and wider central-heating system with an annual service, and advertises a "no unfair price-hike" promise capping no-claims renewals at no more than inflation.
For a deep dive on one panel member, see British Gas HomeCare plans and prices. We also link to a range of boiler and central heating cover plans across the panel.
Affiliate disclosure: Boiler Cover UK compares a selected panel of providers, not the whole market. We may earn a commission if you take out a plan through links on this site. This never changes the price you pay and does not influence the indicative ranges shown above. This page is information only, not financial advice.
Excess, call-out fees and claim limits explained
Three numbers shape the real cost of a plan beyond the monthly price.
- Excess — what you pay per claim. Tiers are commonly £0, £60, £95 or £100 depending on the provider. A £0-excess plan costs more monthly; a higher excess lowers the premium but costs more when you actually claim.
- Annual claim limit — some plans cap total repairs at, say, a set amount a year. This is a genuine gotcha: a major repair can exhaust the limit, leaving you to pay the rest. Other plans advertise no annual cap (subject to the boiler being economically repairable).
- Per-repair caps — some plans also cap individual jobs. Check both the annual and per-claim limits in the policy document.
When two plans look similar on price, the excess and claim limit usually decide which is better value for your situation.
Does it include an annual boiler service?
Many central heating cover plans include an annual service — but not all, and it's the detail most often misread. A service helps keep the boiler running safely and efficiently, and it's also commonly a manufacturer warranty condition for newer boilers.
Because a standalone service typically costs £80–£120 in 2026, a plan that includes one effectively pays back a slice of its premium (see the offset box above). If a plan doesn't include a service, it isn't automatically worse — just budget separately for one.
Always confirm whether the service is included every year or only in year one, as some intro deals only cover the first year.
Central heating cover vs home emergency cover vs warranty
These three are easy to confuse but do different jobs:
- Central heating cover — ongoing repairs to your heating system (boiler, radiators, pipes, pump), usually with a service.
- Home emergency cover — broader but shallower: it deals with urgent crises (a burst pipe, total loss of heating, a blocked drain, sometimes lost keys) to make the home safe, but isn't designed for routine heating repairs or servicing. Compare them in central heating cover vs home emergency insurance.
- Manufacturer warranty — usually free with a new boiler, often 5–10+ years, but covers the boiler only for manufacturing faults — not radiators, pipes or general wear-and-tear, and usually conditional on an annual service.
Many people pair a warranty (boiler faults) with central heating cover (the rest of the system) for fuller protection. Weigh it up for your own circumstances.
Boiler age limits and cover for older systems
Many providers set a boiler age limit of around 8–10 years for new cover. Beyond that, some decline, some accept it at a higher premium, and some impose extra exclusions.
If your boiler is 10, 15 or 20+ years old, you may still have options. Look for providers that explicitly cover older boilers (often with a higher excess), or consider a plan that covers the wider system but treats an irreparable old boiler as a replacement decision rather than a repair.
Be realistic: on a very old, sludged system, replacement can sometimes be better value than years of repair cover. Our guide to cover for older boilers and heating systems walks through the routes, and cheaper central heating cover options can help if budget is tight.
How to choose the right plan
Run through this checklist before you commit:
- Boiler age — within the provider's age window, or do you need an older-boiler specialist?
- What's covered — does it include radiators, pipework, pump and your cylinder type (vented vs unvented)?
- Annual service — included every year, only in year one, or not at all?
- Excess — pick a tier you can actually afford at the moment a fault hits.
- Claim limit — is there an annual cap, and is it high enough for a real repair?
- Renewal price — what does it cost in year two, not just the intro year?
- Regulation — FCA-regulated insurance or an unregulated service plan, and what's the complaint route?
- Exclusions & waiting period — read these before, not after, you buy.
Gas safety bright line: never attempt repairs involving the gas supply, burner, flue, sealed circuit, gas valve, PCB or pressure-relief valve yourself — by law these are for a Gas Safe registered engineer only. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, leave the property, don't touch electrical switches, and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.
What is central heating cover?
It's a monthly plan that repairs your heating system when it breaks down — the boiler plus radiators, central-heating pipework, the pump, controls and usually a hot-water cylinder. You typically get a 24/7 helpline and a Gas Safe engineer, with parts and labour included up to the plan's limits. It's sold either as FCA-regulated insurance or as an unregulated service/care plan, so check which you're buying.
What's the difference between boiler cover and central heating cover?
Boiler cover protects just the boiler and its controls. Central heating cover extends to the wider system — radiators, pipework, the pump and often the hot-water cylinder. If a radiator leaks or the pump fails, boiler-only cover usually won't pay; central heating cover usually will. The wider cover costs a little more but tends to suit older homes with many radiators.
Does central heating cover include an annual boiler service?
Many plans do, but not all, and some only include it in year one. Because a standalone service typically costs £80–£120 in 2026, an included service offsets a slice of the premium. Always confirm whether the service is included every year on the provider's own page.
Do I need it if my boiler is still under warranty?
A manufacturer warranty usually covers the boiler only, for manufacturing faults — not radiators, pipes, the pump or general wear-and-tear, and it's usually conditional on an annual service. Central heating cover protects the rest of the system, so some people run both. This is information, not advice — weigh it up for your own situation.
What is not covered by central heating cover?
Common exclusions include pre-existing faults, sludge and limescale damage, boilers over the age limit (often 8–10 years), bad-installation or design faults, cosmetic damage, unvented cylinders unless named, and powerflushing (usually a paid extra). Most plans also have a 14–30 day waiting period, and some apply an annual claim limit. Exact terms vary by plan, so read the policy document.
Can landlords get central heating cover for a rental?
Yes — many providers offer landlord versions, which often bundle the annual Gas Safety Record (CP12) with breakdown cover. By law, landlords must have gas appliances checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so a plan that includes this can be convenient. Confirm the specific landlord terms and what the gas safety check covers with the provider.
How much does central heating cover cost?
Indicative 2026 prices: basic boiler-only is roughly £8–£15/month, boiler plus central heating £10–£30, and comprehensive plans £20–£45. Price depends on postcode, boiler age and excess — a higher excess usually lowers the monthly premium. Factor in whether an annual service is included when comparing value, and confirm the quote on the provider's page.
Compare boiler cover the easy way
Compare boiler & central heating cover from a selected panel of UK providers and find a plan that fits your boiler and budget. Information, not advice — we show a chosen panel, not the whole market.
Compare boiler coverThis article is general information, not financial or gas-safety advice. We compare a selected panel of providers, not the whole market, and may earn a commission if you buy through our links. Always have gas appliances checked and repaired by a Gas Safe registered engineer; in a gas emergency call 0800 111 999. Prices are indicative UK guides for 2026 — confirm current prices on the provider's own site.