LV= (Liverpool Victoria) Boiler Cover Review
LV= (Liverpool Victoria) is a long-established UK insurer that does not sell a standalone boiler-cover plan. Instead, boiler and central-heating breakdowns are covered through its optional Home Emergency add-on, which sits on top of an LV= home insurance policy. Because it is insurance underwritten by an FCA-regulated insurer, it carries FSCS and Financial Ombudsman protection.
Home›Providers›LV= (Liverpool Victoria)
Overview
LV= is a well-known British general insurer (the LV= general insurance brand has been part of the Allianz group since 2020). It does not offer a dedicated, standalone boiler or heating-breakdown plan in the way British Gas or HomeServe do. Instead, cover for boiler and central-heating failures is bought as an optional Home Emergency extra bolted on to an LV= buildings/contents home insurance policy.
The Home Emergency add-on is genuine FCA-regulated insurance, not an unregulated service or maintenance plan. It covers sudden, unforeseen emergencies (main heating-system failure, burst pipes, blocked drains, loss of power, etc.) rather than routine servicing. Mains gas and conventional central-heating boilers are the focus; warm-air, solar, underfloor, oil-fired, LPG and propane heating systems are excluded, as are boilers over about 15 years old or not serviced within the last three years.
Independent reviews
What customers say
LV= is generally well regarded, with a high Trustpilot score and praise for claims handling and service, but the dominant recurring gripe is steep renewal price increases, and a minority report slow claims.
What customers like
- Strong overall brand reputation, with many reviewers reporting smooth, professional service
- Several reviewers describe fast, fair claims handling and quick settlement
- Easy, user-friendly online quote and account experience
- Polite, helpful UK-based phone staff in many accounts
- 24/7 emergency claims lines that are answered round the clock
Common complaints
- Large renewal price increases are the most common complaint, with some long-standing customers reporting premiums rising sharply year on year despite no claims
- Some customers feel renewal quotes are uncompetitive versus rivals and that loyalty is not rewarded
- A minority report slow or drawn-out claims, with some claims taking months to settle
- Frustration when told premiums rose because of other people's claims rather than their own record
- Experiences with customer service are inconsistent across reviews
Plans & prices
| Plan | What it covers | From |
|---|---|---|
| Home Emergency cover (optional add-on) | Add-on to an LV= home insurance policy. 24/7, 365-day emergency call-out with up to around £1,000 per emergency and no excess. Covers main heating/boiler breakdown (boiler must have been serviced in the last 3 years and not be over ~15 years old), plus burst/leaking pipes, blocked drains and toilets, total loss of electrical power, broken external doors/windows affecting security, and pest infestations. | Around £49.99 a year when bought directly with an LV= home policy (indicative; confirm on LV='s own site) |
Indicative price last checked June 2026; Home Emergency is sold only as an add-on to an LV= home insurance policy, so the true cost depends on your underlying buildings/contents premium. Confirm current pricing, limits and the per-incident cap on LV='s own website before buying.
Pros & watch-outs
Pros
- Genuine FCA-regulated insurance, so FSCS and Financial Ombudsman protection apply
- Backed by a large, established insurer (LV= / Allianz group)
- 24/7, 365-day emergency call-out with no excess on the Home Emergency add-on
- Covers a broad range of emergencies, not just the boiler
- High overall Trustpilot rating for the LV= brand
Watch-outs
- No standalone boiler plan - you must hold an LV= home insurance policy to add Home Emergency cover
- Boiler must have been serviced within the last 3 years and not be over ~15 years old to be covered
- Warm-air, solar, underfloor, oil-fired, LPG and propane heating systems are excluded
- Routine servicing and replacing worn parts are not covered - it is emergency-only
- Frequent reports of significant renewal price rises at home-policy renewal
- Subject to court approval, from 1 January 2027 these policies are due to move to Allianz Insurance plc as underwriter
Who is it for?
Best suited to people who already hold (or want) LV= home insurance and would like emergency boiler and household cover bundled in, rather than anyone seeking a dedicated boiler service-and-repair plan.
A good fit if FCA-regulated insurance with FSCS/Ombudsman protection matters to you and you have a relatively modern, regularly serviced mains-gas or conventional boiler.
Less suitable if you want annual boiler servicing included, have an older or non-standard heating system (oil, LPG, warm-air, solar), or want a standalone boiler-only contract without buying full home insurance.
For how to weigh insurance vs a service plan, excess levels and what to check before buying, see our boiler cover guides. Oil, LPG or electric boiler, or letting property? Compare options in our landlord and provider sections.
Does LV= sell standalone boiler cover?
No. LV= does not offer a dedicated boiler-only plan. Boiler and central-heating breakdowns are covered through its optional Home Emergency add-on, which must be bought alongside an LV= home insurance policy.
Is LV= Home Emergency cover regulated insurance?
Yes. It is FCA-regulated insurance underwritten by Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited, so it carries FSCS protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service - unlike unregulated service or maintenance plans. Subject to court approval, the underwriter is due to change to Allianz Insurance plc from 1 January 2027.
How much does LV= Home Emergency cover cost?
Indicatively around £49.99 a year when bought directly as an add-on to an LV= home policy, last checked June 2026. The overall cost also depends on your underlying home insurance premium, so confirm on LV='s own site.
What boilers and heating systems does it exclude?
It typically excludes warm-air, solar, underfloor, oil-fired, LPG and propane systems, plus boilers over around 15 years old or not serviced within the last three years. Gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers.
Is there an excess on a claim?
LV= advertises no excess on its Home Emergency cover, with up to around £1,000 per emergency. Always check the current policy wording and limits before buying.
It pays to compare boiler cover prices — prices and cover levels vary more than most people expect.
Compare LV= (Liverpool Victoria) against the panel
See how LV= (Liverpool Victoria)'s price and cover stack up against other providers on our panel, then buy direct on the provider's own site. Information, not advice — a selected panel, not the whole market.
Compare boiler cover