More than 5 million Brits risk being left in the cold as households miss boiler services, warns Go.Compare

As winter looms and the heating goes on, new research* from Go.Compare home insurance reveals that more than 5 million Brits** could be setting themselves up for a boiler disaster – as a third of householders admit they don’t get their boilers serviced regularly enough.

A nationwide survey of 2,002 UK adults* found that:

• Just half (52%) have had a service in the past year
• 1 in 5 (21%) have had their boiler serviced in the last 1–2 years
• Almost 1 in 10 (9%) said it had been three years or more since their last service
• Shockingly, 6% have never had their boiler serviced.

According to British Gas, you should get your boiler serviced every year,*** meaning that 36% of people haven’t serviced their boiler recently enough.

The energy experts warn that skipping a service not only increases the chance of your heating breaking down during the coldest months, but it could also invalidate your home insurance or boiler cover.

Nathan Blackler, Go.Compare home insurance spokesperson, said: “As the colder months approach and Brits debate when to turn the heating on, the last thing they want is to discover an issue with their boiler. Our research shows that too many households are dicing with disaster by not getting boiler services done regularly.

“A boiler service isn’t just a tick-box exercise - it keeps your heating safe, efficient and, importantly, ensures you’re covered if something goes wrong. With winter just around the corner, now’s the time to act, not when you’re shivering without heating.”

Typically, standard home insurance policies don’t include boiler cover, meaning if your boiler develops a fault or needs a repair or replacement, you’ll have to pay. But you can get this type of protection through boiler insurance as Nathan explains:

“A breakdown can leave you suddenly without heating or hot water, but with the right policy in place, you can avoid unexpected repair costs, access qualified engineers quickly, and keep your home running smoothly. Much like buildings insurance, boiler cover does require you to keep on top of regular maintenance – so keeping on top of your boiler servicing is just as important as having cover in place.”

Go.Compare’s quick tips to avoid a boiler breakdown this winter:

1. Book your annual service – It keeps your boiler safe, efficient and ensures your cover stays valid. Book early to avoid long waiting times when engineers are busiest.

2. Check your cover – Most boiler and heating insurance policies require proof of servicing. Make sure you understand what’s included in your policy and whether emergency call-outs are covered.

3. Don’t wait for a breakdown – Prevention is cheaper than repair, especially in the middle of winter when demand for engineers is high.

4. Bleed your radiators – Cold spots on radiators mean trapped air, which reduces their efficiency. Bleeding them before winter helps your heating run more efficiently.

5. Check your carbon monoxide alarm – Keeping an eye on your boiler also means it’s a good time to check your carbon monoxide alarm is working. Test it and replace any batteries before you turn your heating on.

For advice on protecting your heating and to compare boiler cover options, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/home-emergency-cover/boiler-and-central-heating-cover/