James Elston
Published August 26, 2024
PlusHeat has provided reputable boiler cover to the UK market for over 5 years. The company’s competitive deals and responsive, professional service make it an attractive provider.
We’ll run through PlusHeat’s boiler coverage options, reviewing the costs, inclusions, pros, and cons. We also compare the company’s cover with its main competitors.
Contents
Is PlusHeat Boiler Cover Worth It?
PlusHeat’s boiler cover range is certainly worth considering. Their cover plans are well-tailored, with affordable prices. Their service and systems are efficient, and their obligations are honoured for the most part.
Boiler cover is worth it if you want to protect yourself against the financial shock of unexpected boiler problems (assuming you don’t hold a comprehensive boiler warranty). Remember that a boiler is an expensive, essential item with many parts that can wear or malfunction.
What does the PlusHeat boiler cover include?
PlusHeat’s boiler insurance provides:
- Emergency response to boiler breakdowns.
- Unlimited boiler repairs including all parts, labour, and materials.
- Free annual boiler service.
- 24/7 customer service.
- A dedicated claims handler.
- A discount on a new boiler.
- All repairs and boiler servicing are carried out by vetted, qualified Gas Safe registered engineers.
- Plans are available to cover repairs on central heating systems as well as plumbing and electrical fixes.
Types of PlusHeat Boiler Cover Plans
PlusHeat has four boiler cover plans.
Boiler Cover (Basic Boiler Maintenance)
- Price: £4.99 a month for the first 3 months; £9.98 thereafter
- Excess: £99
You can also choose:
- £0 excees and pay £10.99 for the first 3 months and £21.98 thereafter.
- £59 excess and pay £6.99 for the first 3 months, then £13.98.
The policy covers your boiler and controls, including a free annual boiler service.
Key exclusions: Work on the boiler flue and gas supply pipe.
Heating Cover (Boiler and Heating Maintenance)
- Price: £5.99 a month for the first 3 months; £11.98 thereafter
- Excess: £99
You can also choose:
- £0 excees and pay £11.99 for the first 3 months and £23.98 thereafter.
- £59 excess and pay £7.99 for the first 3 months, then £15.98.
Covers your boiler plus your central heating system and components.
Home Cover (Plumbing and Electrics Maintenance)
- Price: £8.99 a month for the first 3 months; £17.98 thereafter
- Excess: £99
Alternatively, choose:
- £0 excees and pay £15.99 for the first 3 months, then £31.98.
- £59 excess and pay £10.49 for the first 3 months, then £20.98.
Covers your boiler and central heating system, with add-ons including electrics, plumbing, and drains.
Total Cover (Home Emergency Maintenance)
- Price: £9.99 a month for the first 3 months; £19.98 thereafter
- Excess: £99
Alternatively, choose:
- £0 excees and pay £16.99 for the first 3 months, then £33.98.
- £59 excess and pay £10.99 for the first 3 months, then £21.98.
The Platinum Plan = Home Cover, as well as pest control and home security.
What Are the Pros and Cons of PlusHeat Boiler Cover?
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of PlusHeat boiler to determine whether it’s right for you.
Pros:
- Affordability: The basic Boiler plan provides boiler repairs and routine maintenance cover for a competitive £8.73 a month (accounting for the 3-month discount).
- Good reviews: PlusHeat has a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 from 9,000+ reviews.
- Customer feedback: Customers appreciate the helpful customer advisers and professional polite engineers. Their service levels are rated as good-to-excellent, characterised by promptness, punctuality, and convenience.
- Free annual service: The free yearly boiler service means this vital annual requirement is taken care of.
- Rapid response times: PlusHeat aims to attend to emergency callouts in under 4 hours.
- Access to a large network of engineers: Their engineers are all approved, qualified, insured, and Gas Safe.
Cons:
- The cover excludes work on the gas supply pipe, designer radiators, and flue.
- There is no guarantee the insurance will cover all types of boilers and models – the boiler insurance market prioritises gas-fired boilers.
- There are negative comments about PlusHeat failing to honour its commitments.
PlusHeat Boiler Insurance Claims Process
You can claim under your PlusHeat boiler policy 28 days after taking it out.
The claims process follows these five easy steps:
- You report your faulty boiler by contacting PlusHeat’s emergency helpline or through their online claims page.
- PlusHeat’s dedicated claims handler arranges a convenient time for an engineer to call.
- The engineer inspects your boiler to diagnose the problem.
- After authorisation that the repairs are covered, the engineer carries out the necessary repair work.
- PlusHeat covers the cost of repairs, parts, and labour as outlined in the policy. You will be responsible for the excess (call-out fee), which you may have to pay upfront.
Depending on the condition of the unit and the extent of the damage, PlusHeat may deem your boiler beyond economical repair and recommend a replacement instead. You will be entitled to a discount of up to 20% (10% on the Standard plan) off the cost of the new boiler.
PlusHeat Boiler Cover vs Competitors
To see how PlusHeat stacks up against the leading competitors, we’ll compare the company’s offerings with those of other popular providers.
PlusHeat boiler cover vs 24/7 Home Rescue
24/7 Home Rescue – Boiler Basic | PlusHeat – Boiler | |
---|---|---|
Price | £8.99 | £4.99 for the first 3 months then £9.98 (£8.73) |
Excess | £95 | £99 |
£0 excess available | Yes – for 14.99 monthly | Yes -for £10.99 first 3 months, then £21.98. |
Free boiler service | No | Yes |
Trustpilot rating | 4.6 from 76,500+ reviews | 4.5 from 8,900+ reviews |
Claims experiences | Good | Good |
Boiler Replacement | May contribute towards boiler replacement. | 5-10% discount on new boiler |
Number of plans covering boilers | 4 | 4 |
Like PlusHeat, 24/7 Home Rescue’s cover excludes work on the flue and gas supply pipe.
24/7 Home Rescue is very flexible regarding the excess offered:
- £0 (£14.99)
- £45 (£10.99)
- £75 (£9.99)
While 24/7’s Boiler Basic plan doesn’t include a service, you can upgrade to the Boiler Care plan for a negligible amount and receive the free service.
PlusHeat vs Hometree
Hometree – Your Boiler | PlusHeat – Boiler | |
---|---|---|
Price | £12.95 – no cap on claim amounts. | £4.99 for the first 3 months then £9.98 (£8.73) – no cap on claim amounts. |
Excess | £95 | £99 |
£0 excess available | Yes – for £22.90 monthly. | Yes – for the £10.99 first 3 months, then £21.98. |
Free boiler service | Yes | Yes |
Trustpilot rating | 4.7 from 10,000+ reviews | 4.5 from 8,900+ reviews |
Claims experiences | Good – systems and processes are highly praised. | Good |
Free boiler replacement | Yes – subject to terms and conditions | 5-10% discount on new boiler |
Number of plans covering boilers | 4 | 4 |
Hometree looks more expensive but adjust for the £4 difference on the excess and the prices are almost identical.
Hometree trumps PlusHeat by covering the flue and gas supply pipe.
Hometree’s cover includes a free new boiler – of their choice – if your existing boiler is beyond economical repair and less than 7 years old.
PlusHeat vs HomeServe
HomeServe – Gas Boiler | PlusHeat – Boiler | |
---|---|---|
Price | £9 – no cap on claim amounts. | £4.99 for the first 3 months then £9.98 (£8.73) – no cap on claim amounts. |
Excess | £100 | £99 |
£0 excess available | No | Yes – for £10.99 first 3 months, then £21.98. |
Free boiler service | Yes – in the first year. | Yes |
Review rating (Trustpilot) | 4.5 from 125,000+ reviews | 4.5 from 8,900+ reviews |
Claims experiences | Good. | Good |
Free boiler replacement | Yes – subject to terms and conditions | 5-10% discount on new boiler |
Number of plans covering boilers | 5 | 4 |
HomeServe is slightly more expensive than PlusHeat and doesn’t have a £0 excess option (you can choose a £60 excess and pay £11.50 monthly).
The free boiler service is only guaranteed in the first year which is a drawback.
HomeServe indicates that your premium in the second year will double (so you effectively pay for the annual service).
Note that HomeServe covers work on the water supply pipe.
A free replacement boiler is also included – though you shouldn’t expect the boiler of your choice.
Get a Quote for the Best Boiler Cover Today
Obtaining boiler cover is fast and easy. If you value boiler breakdown cover, contact Eco Happy today. We will be delighted to arrange a quick affordable cover quote to suit you and your boiler needs.
FAQs
Is boiler cover necessary?
No, it’s not necessary or mandatory to hold boiler cover. However, to protect against the expensive financial risk of boiler breakdowns, it’s recommended that you hold some form of boiler warranty, boiler cover, or boiler care plan.
Does boiler cover include the flue?
Not every boiler cover plan includes the flue. Some boiler plans, like those from Hometree and British Gas, include the flue while others, such as PlusHeat and 24/7 Home Rescue, exclude it.
What is the cooling-off period for boiler cover?
The cooling off period for boiler cover is typically 14 days. You have 14 days after the policy start date to decide if you want to proceed with the insurance. You are entitled to cancel the policy within this period and receive a refund of any fee paid.
Our Verdict
PlusHeat offers reliable and affordable boiler coverage plans tailored to meet essential needs without unnecessary extras. PlusHeat provides 24/7 customer service, unlimited repairs, and a free boiler service.
While some exclusions apply, the company’s competitive pricing and responsive service make it a worthwhile option.
James Elston
Boiler Expert
James Elston is the top boiler replacement and heating expert at Eco Happy. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on Gas Safe boiler installations and offering home-heating and energy-saving solutions to homeowners across the UK. From sourcing the most energy-efficient combi boiler to providing specialist heating advice, James ensures that Eco Happy maintains the highest standards and best customer service.