Central heating cover
Insure your whole central heating system, not just the boiler
Cover the cost of eligible emergency repairs across your boiler, radiator valves, pump, motorised valves, thermostat and internal pipework, with a nationwide network of approved engineers and an unlimited annual claim limit.
Central heating cover, sometimes called central heating insurance, is a home emergency plan that helps pay for eligible emergency repairs to your heating system, including the boiler, radiator valves, circulating pump, motorised valves, thermostat, controls and internal pipework. With Smart Cover, heating protection is included on the Smart Heating plan and above, from £8.90 a month, with an unlimited annual claim limit and approved engineers nationwide. Cover is emergency assistance, not comprehensive repair or replacement of every component, and is subject to policy terms, limits and exclusions.
Smart Boiler Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Heating Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Home Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Home Plus Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Call UsWhat does central heating cover actually protect?
Boiler-only cover looks after emergency breakdown of the boiler itself. Central heating cover goes further - it also protects the connected network of components that carries heat around your home, so that when an eligible fault strikes one of them, you have support getting it fixed.
A UK central heating system is more than a boiler - it's a network of components that need to work together. If the pump seizes, a valve sticks or the thermostat fails, part or all of your heating may stop working, even when the boiler itself is fine. Smart Cover's heating plans are built around that reality, covering eligible faults with the boiler, radiator valves, pump, motorised valves, thermostat, controls and internal pipework, subject to policy terms, limits and exclusions.
The parts of your heating system we cover
Cover isn't limited to the boiler. Here's what makes up a typical central heating system, and why each part matters.
Boiler
The heat source that warms the water sent around your home.
Radiator valves
Control the flow of hot water into each individual radiator.
Circulating pump
Pushes hot water around the heating loop and back again.
Motorised valves
Direct heat between your heating system and hot water supply.
Thermostat & controls
Tell the system when, and how much, to heat your home.
Internal pipework
Carries hot water to and from every radiator in the property.
What's included, and what isn't
Every claim is assessed against your policy terms, chosen plan, excess and claim limits. Here's the general picture on our heating plans.
Typically included
- Emergency boiler breakdown
- The domestic central heating system (Smart Heating & above)
- Internal gas supply pipe
- Faults with the pump, motorised valves and controls
- Radiator valve and internal heating pipework faults
- Optional annual boiler service to keep cover valid
Not included
- Any event that is not an emergency
- General maintenance and servicing work
- Removing limescale, sludge or debris, or damage caused by it
- Pre-existing faults and known damage
- A boiler not serviced within the last 12 months
- Faults with the radiator body itself, such as leaks or corrosion
Cover levels vary by plan. Always refer to the comparison table, the policy Terms & Conditions and the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) before buying.
Gas boilers & heating systems we cover
We arrange repairs for the UK's most common boiler brands - whatever's driving your central heating.
Common central heating faults we help with
These are the emergencies that leave homes cold. When an eligible fault strikes, we arrange an approved engineer to get your heating running again.
Cold radiators
Radiators cold at the top, bottom or all over - often trapped air, sludge, a stuck valve or a circulation problem stopping heat reaching your rooms.
Heating on, but no warmth
The boiler fires and hot water works, yet the house stays cold. A failed pump, seized diverter valve or faulty thermostat is a frequent cause.
System won't switch on
No heating and no hot water at all - from a controls or timer failure to a boiler lockout that needs a qualified engineer to diagnose safely.
Banging & gurgling pipes
Knocking, kettling or gurgling noises can signal airlocks, circulation issues or a pump on its way out - noises worth investigating before winter.
Low or dropping pressure
A pressure gauge that keeps falling can leave your system unable to heat - sometimes a fault that needs an engineer rather than a quick top-up.
Thermostat & control faults
A thermostat that won't hold a temperature, or controls that stop responding, can shut down heating across the whole home.
Eligibility depends on your plan, policy terms, limits and exclusions. Some issues, such as sludge removal or general servicing, fall outside emergency cover.
How to claim on your central heating cover
If your heating breaks down and the fault is eligible under your plan, help is four steps away.
- 01
Report it
Contact our claims team by phone or through the app as soon as your heating fails. Call 03333 449 559 .
- 02
We assess
We check the fault against your plan, excess, limits and terms to confirm it's covered.
- 03
Engineer booked
An approved, Gas-Safe registered engineer is arranged to attend your home.
- 04
Repair completed
Once approved, the eligible repair is carried out by your engineer as quickly as possible.
Heating cover built around real homes
Smart Cover Insurance Services is a trading name of Smart-Cover Direct Limited, founded by a team whose combined experience spans over 20 years in insurance. We aim to give households reliable cover, competitive premiums and a claims process without the fuss.
Rapid claims
A streamlined process designed to get engineers to you quickly.
Price match promise
Competitive premiums, backed by our price match promise.
24/7 support
Because heating emergencies don't wait for office hours.
Nationwide engineers
An approved engineer network covering homes across the UK.
Not sure which plan fits your heating?
An insurance expert can explain the benefits and exclusions so you can choose the cover that's right for your home. Leave your details for a free, no-obligation call back.
Prefer to talk now? Call 03333 449 559.
Frequently asked questions
What is central heating?
Central heating is a system that warms your whole home from one main heat source, usually a boiler. The boiler heats water and a pump pushes it through pipework to radiators around the property, then the cooled water returns to be reheated.
The system also includes controls, thermostats, motorised valves and pumps. It differs from separate room heaters because several areas are warmed from one connected system.
What is the difference between central heating cover and boiler cover?
Boiler cover focuses on emergency breakdown of the boiler itself. Central heating cover is broader - it also protects eligible faults with the connected system that distributes heat, such as radiator valves, the circulating pump, motorised valves, controls and internal heating pipework.
With Smart Cover, our Smart Boiler plan is boiler-focused, while Smart Heating and above include the domestic central heating system. Cover for each component is subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions, so please check the IPID and T&Cs for full details before buying.
Which Smart Cover plans include the central heating system?
The domestic central heating system is included on Smart Heating, Smart Home and Smart Home Plus. Smart Boiler covers emergency boiler breakdown and the internal gas supply pipe but not the wider heating system.
If you already hold boiler cover, you can typically add central heating for around £2.22 more per month, subject to your plan and terms.
Do I need central heating cover?
It may be worth considering if you want support with certain emergency heating repairs. A central heating system can be costly to repair if a pump, valve or the boiler fails unexpectedly, and cover can help with eligible faults.
It isn't a replacement for routine maintenance or servicing. Before buying, check what's included, what's excluded, any excess and the claim limits that apply.
Is central heating cover the same as central heating insurance?
Yes - "central heating cover" and "central heating insurance" are generally used to mean the same thing, and both terms describe a home emergency insurance product rather than buildings or contents insurance.
Central heating cover pays towards eligible emergency repairs to the boiler and connected heating components, up to your plan's limits and subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions. It is not a warranty or maintenance contract, and it does not guarantee replacement of every part of the system.
My radiators are cold but the boiler works - is that covered?
Cold radiators while the boiler runs can have several possible causes, including a failed pump, a stuck valve, airlocks or circulation problems. These are examples of what might be behind the symptom, not a confirmation of cover - each claim is assessed against your plan, the emergency criteria and the policy exclusions before an approved engineer is arranged.
Issues caused by sludge, limescale or the need for a general system flush are usually excluded, as these fall under maintenance rather than emergency breakdown. Faults with the radiator body itself, such as leaks, corrosion or split panels, are also generally excluded and may require replacement rather than repair.
Is a boiler service required to keep my cover valid?
Yes - cover generally requires that your boiler has been serviced within the last 12 months. A boiler that hasn't been serviced as required may not be eligible for a claim.
An optional annual boiler service is available with our plans to help keep your system safe and your cover valid.
What temperature should I set my central heating to?
Many UK households set the thermostat between 18°C and 21°C, depending on comfort, health needs, insulation and the weather. Older people, young children or anyone with certain health conditions may prefer a warmer home.
If your heating struggles to reach the set temperature, it may be a sign the boiler, radiators or controls need attention.
How quickly will an engineer attend?
Once a claim is reported and confirmed as eligible, we arrange an approved, Gas Safe registered engineer from our nationwide network to attend as soon as possible.
Timescales can vary with demand, location and the nature of the fault. Our claims team will keep you updated throughout.
Are older or conventional heating systems covered?
We cover common UK central heating set-ups, including combi, system and conventional (heat-only) boilers driving radiators through the standard components. Cover is subject to the boiler being in good working order and serviced as required.
If you're unsure whether your system qualifies, our team can talk you through it before you buy.
Does my cover include parts and labour?
Yes. Central heating cover includes the engineer's call-out, labour and parts as part of your monthly premium, with no separate call-out charge.
Each claim is subject to your plan's per-claim limit, up to £500 on Essential or £1,000 on Premium, and the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in your policy documents and the Smart Heating IPID.
Are call-outs unlimited, or is there a cap on how many times I can claim?
Central heating cover has an unlimited annual claim limit, so there's no cap on the number of times you can claim in a policy year.
Each individual claim is still subject to your plan's per-claim limit (up to £500 on Essential, up to £1,000 on Premium), and must relate to a genuine emergency covered under the policy terms and conditions.
Does Smart Cover offer a price match promise on central heating cover?
Yes. If you find an identical or better central heating policy at a lower price from another FCA-authorised UK provider, on the same terms, Smart Cover's Price Match Promise means we'll aim to match it, subject to our Price Match Terms and Conditions.
Email enquiries@smart-cover.co.ukwith the competitor's name, quote and policy details so we can review and confirm.
Which central heating parts are covered?
Central heating cover looks after the key working parts of your system: radiator valves, the circulating pump, motorised valves, the thermostat and controls, and the internal pipework connected to your heating system. This sits alongside boiler breakdown cover, which is included as standard from the Smart Heating plan upward. It does not cover the radiator body itself, general maintenance, descaling, sludge or hard water scale removal, or wear and tear, and is subject to the full list of exclusions in your policy T&Cs and the Smart Heating IPID.
