How to compare boiler cover
Look past the headline price. Here's a plain-English checklist for comparing boiler cover, and where Smart Plan's build-your-own service plan fits in.
What to compare when you choose boiler cover
To compare boiler cover, look past the headline price at four things: the cover limit (the most it pays per year), whether a call-out fee applies, the contract terms (rolling vs fixed), and exactly what is included. Smart Plan is a modular service plan, not insurance - you build cover from the parts of your home you want.
The cheapest monthly figure isn't always the best value. Two plans at a similar price can differ hugely on how much they'll actually put towards a repair, when an engineer attends, and what happens if you want to leave. The four checks below help you compare like for like.
Key facts
The quick version before you start comparing:
- Compare four things: cover limit, call-out fee, contract terms, and what's included.
- Smart Plan is a modular service plan, not insurance - you pick only the cover you want.
- Parts and labour are included up to your cover limit (boiler up to £500 under 7 years, up to £200 over 7 years; appliances up to £225; other modules up to £500).
- A £95 call-out fee applies in defined cases, and it's disclosed upfront.
- Call-outs run Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00, unless it's a genuine emergency breakdown.
- Monthly rolling, but a 12-month agreement period begins once you use a service.
How to compare boiler cover (the four things that matter)
Start with the cover limit. This is the most a plan will put towards covered repairs in each 12-month period, and it's the number that decides whether you're properly protected on a bigger job. A low limit can leave you paying the difference, so weigh the limit against the price rather than looking at price alone.
Does a call-out fee apply?
Ask exactly when any fee is charged and how much it is. Being upfront here matters. With Smart Plan, a £95 call-out fee, paid in advance, applies in defined cases: during the first 30 days of a new agreement; where the issue falls under an exclusion; where our engineer can't get access; and if you request your annual service within the first 30 days. It's set out plainly so there are no surprises.
What are the contract terms?
Check whether the plan is monthly rolling or a fixed annual term, and what leaving early costs. Smart Plan is monthly rolling, but once you use a service a 12-month agreement period begins - if you leave during that period you'll pay the remaining monthly payments, or 75% of the outstanding balance as a one-off. There's also a 14-day cooling-off period when you first sign up, which ends if a service is carried out in that time.
What's actually included?
Read the inclusions and exclusions together, not just the headline. Look at whether an annual service is part of the plan, how older boilers are treated, and who carries out the work. With Smart Plan, repairs are handled by a national network of vetted, Gas Safe registered engineers, and parts and labour are included up to your cover limit.
A boiler-cover comparison checklist
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cover limit | The most a plan puts towards repairs in each 12-month period. A low limit can leave you short on a larger repair. |
| Call-out fee | Some plans charge a fee when an engineer attends in certain cases. Ask exactly when it applies and how much it is. |
| Contract terms | Is it monthly rolling or a fixed annual term? Check what it costs to leave and whether there's a cooling-off period. |
| What's included and excluded | Read both lists. Older boilers, specific parts and certain faults are often treated differently. |
| Annual service | Check whether a yearly service is part of the plan or an added cost. |
| Who does the work | Any work on your boiler or gas appliances should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. |
Service plan vs insurance - what is the difference?
A service plan is a repair-and-maintenance membership: you pay to have covered problems put right, and the provider arranges the engineer and the work. It is not insurance, which is a different, regulated product. Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance - the terms and conditions state plainly that it is not a contract of insurance.
When you're comparing, it's worth knowing which one you're looking at, because the language, the way you request help, and the way cover is described can differ. With a Smart Plan service plan you're a member with cover you've chosen, and when something covered goes wrong, we'll come and fix it for you up to your cover limit.
Modular cover vs fixed tiers
Many providers sell fixed tiers - bronze, silver, gold - where you take the whole bundle whether or not you need every part of it. Smart Plan works the other way round: you build your own cover from seven modules and only pay for what you pick.
The seven modules are boiler and central heating, plumbing, drainage, electrical, appliances, pest control and home security. Start with the boiler module and add anything else that matters for your home, or leave the rest off. That's what we mean by flexible - it's about choosing the cover you want, not about walking away from the agreement whenever you like. Once you use a service, the 12-month agreement period still applies.
Smart Plan cover limits
| Smart Plan module | Cover limit per 12-month period (parts and labour included) |
|---|---|
| Boiler & central heating (boiler under 7 years old) | Up to £500 |
| Boiler & central heating (boiler over 7 years old) | Up to £200 |
| Appliances | Up to £225 per appliance |
| Plumbing, drainage, electrical, pest control or home security | Up to £500 |
Staying safe while you decide
Whichever plan you compare, never attempt gas repairs yourself. If you ever smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away, and always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any work on your boiler or gas appliances. Topping up your boiler's pressure once, following the maker's manual, is fine - anything beyond that is a job for a qualified engineer.
Comparing boiler cover: common questions
What should I compare when choosing boiler cover?
Cover limit, call-out fee, contract length and exit cost, and exactly what is included and excluded - not just the monthly price. Two plans at a similar price can differ a lot on how much they'll put towards a repair and what leaving early costs.
Is boiler cover the same as boiler insurance?
No. Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance - a repair-and-maintenance membership you build from modules. The terms and conditions state that it is not a contract of insurance. You choose the cover you want, and we'll come and fix it for you up to your cover limit.
Is there a call-out fee with Smart Plan?
Yes, and we're upfront about it. A £95 call-out fee, paid in advance, applies in defined cases: during the first 30 days of a new agreement; where the issue falls under an exclusion; where our engineer can't get access; and if you request your annual service within the first 30 days.
Can I cancel Smart Plan boiler cover?
Smart Plan is monthly rolling, with a 14-day cooling-off period when you first sign up. Once you use a service, a 12-month agreement period begins. If you leave during that period you'll pay the remaining monthly payments, or 75% of the outstanding balance as a one-off. Please read the terms and conditions before you cancel.
Ready to build your cover?
Choose the boiler module, add anything else your home needs, and only pay for the cover you pick. Prefer to talk it through? Call us on 0333 772 6247.
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42 Dingwall Road
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