Boiler breakdowns have cost UK homeowners more than £787 million in unexpected repair bills in the past year.
A fifth of households (18 per cent) have experienced at least one breakdown in that time, with the average cost totalling £270 for those without boiler insurance.
But, for almost a quarter of a million households (five per cent), the cost to fix the boiler was more than £1,250.
As a result, almost half (52 per cent) would have to rely on savings to cover the costs – but more than one in 10 (13 per cent) turn to credit cards or a bank loan, according to a survey by uSwitch.com.
uSwitch is using the new figures to call on people to consider boiler cover, or make sure it is included in their home insurance policy.
