Direct Line Boiler Cover Review

With over 800,000 customers in the UK, Direct Line home insurance provides great boiler cover. In this in-depth review, we’ll have a look at the advantages, drawbacks, and various plans offered by Direct Line.

Is Direct Line Boiler Cover Worth It?

Yes, Direct Line is a solid contender for home emergency cover in the UK. They have some impressive deals and comprehensive plans that aim to give homeowners peace of mind if their boiler breaks. The company is known for sorting out issues efficiently and there is a suitable option no matter your budget and preferences.

What does Direct Line boiler cover include?

Direct Line offers a wide variety of house insurance, pet insurance, family legal protection, and car insurance. Boiler cover is included in a few of their policies, which offer the following:

• Boiler replacement if your boiler is Beyond Economical Repair
• Boiler repairs (if damage isn’t due to wear and tear)

The types of boiler damage covered include those caused by:

• Cracked or ruptured heat exchanger
• Expansion vessel failure
• Failed valves
• leaking seals
• Fault in the circuit board

Depending on which plan you choose, you could also receive coverage for plumbing, roof damage, heating system issues and much more.

Types of Boiler Cover Plans

Let’s have a look at some of the key features of Direct Line’s Landlords Building Insurance and Home Emergency Cover, both of which are inclusive of boiler cover.

Landlords Building Insurance

• Price: Varies depending on the size of the building and other factors
• Excess: £200

You will receive cover for:

• Any structural damage to the property
• Damage caused by a burst pipe, leaking tanks, and any other escape of water
• Boiler breakdowns that aren’t due to wear and tear
• The cost of rehousing tenants in the case of an insured event that makes the building unliveable

There are plenty of optional extras you can add to this policy, including emergency assistance, rent guarantee, and theft by tenant cover.

Home Emergency Cover

• Price: Varies depending on factors like the size and type of home you have, among others
• Excess: No excess

You will receive cover for:

• Roof and roof-related damage
• Drainage and plumbing system issues
• Electricity or gas supply problems
• Boiler failures for boilers up to 70 kW
• Toilet damage
• Lock failures
• Vermin infestations
• Damage to windows

What Are the Pros and Cons of Direct Line Boiler Cover?

Let’s have a look at the various advantages and potential drawbacks offered by Direct Line Group so you can get an idea of whether their boiler and home emergency cover is right for you.

Pros

• Optional extras: Direct Line allows you to expand your policy to include things like personal possessions cover, accidental damage, and a wide range of other insurance products.
• Alternative accommodation: Direct Line offers to pay for alternative accommodation should your home become uninhabitable in the case of an insured event, such as fire or burst pipes.
• Respected name: Direct Line serves thousands of customers in the UK and has developed a respected reputation in the industry thanks to its quality insurance policies.
• Covers a variety of different boilers: Direct Line covers conventional boilers, combi boilers, and gas boilers up to 70 kW.
• Emergency plumber: If you have an unexpected boiler emergency, you can request an emergency plumber. This service will be covered up to £500 (incl.VAT), without any excess on your claim under your Home Emergency policy.

Cons

• Broad packages: Direct Line doesn’t offer a specific boiler cover insurance policy. Instead, boiler cover is included under two of its broader policies, including Landlords Building Insurance and Home Emergency Cover.

Direct Line Claims Process

If you have an issue with your boiler, you need to get in touch with a Gas Safe registered engineer and ask them to look at the problem. The next step is to send the engineer’s report, Gas Safety certificate, and repair/replacement quote to Direct Line.

From here, the Direct Line team will determine whether or not the problem is covered under your insurance policy and reimburse you for the costs involved as necessary.

Direct Line Boiler Cover vs Competitors

How does Direct Line compare to other providers? Let’s have a look at some of the company’s strongest competitors to get a realistic idea.

Direct Line boiler cover vs HomeServe

The main advantage HomeServe boiler cover has over Direct Line is their affordable monthly payments and variety of insurance policies, all of which include boiler cover. However, HomeServe only offers coverage for natural gas boilers, while Direct Line includes various types.

Direct Line boiler cover vs British Gas

Both these companies offer a 24/7 emergency claims line, but British Gas has gotten a few complaints over the years. When viewing comparison sites, most tend to favour Direct Line over British Gas as Direct Line offers more comprehensive solutions and streamlined processes.

Direct Line boiler cover vs 24/7 Home Rescue

24/7 Home Rescue is a strong competitor, mostly because of its flexible Home Care Plan that allows customers to choose their excess amount. Unlike Direct Line, 24/7 Home Rescue also offers free annual boiler services.

Get a Boiler Cover Quote Today

Not sure about which boiler insurance company is the right fit for you? Here at Eco Happy, our boiler experts will gladly provide you with a free quote and offer you expert advice. Simply contact us today and we’ll get back to you.

FAQs

Is Direct Line reliable?

Based on the fact that Direct Line serves over 800,000 customers throughout the UK, with very few complaints, it is safe to say that the insurance company is highly reliable. They deal with claims efficiently and are always contactable.

How do boiler cover providers to Direct Line?

To switch to Direct Line boiler cover, you’ll need to contact your current provider and give notice. You may have to pay a cancellation fee, but after that, you can get in touch with Direct Line and get a quote for your new policy.

Who needs Direct Line boiler cover?

Landlords and homeowners are typically responsible for boiler cover, not tenants. Boiler cover is necessary if you want to protect yourself from unexpected and costly repairs.

Our Verdict

Direct Line and their various home insurance plans are great for those looking for comprehensive policies. You can easily add on extras to build a plan that suits your needs. If you are simply looking for stand-alone boiler cover, another company may be better suited to your needs.