home emergency cover - boiler question

fivesquare

Hi, I have home emergency cover that covers no heating/no hot water for my boiler - with First Direct (Aviva). The boiler is a Vaillant combi over 2 years old and not under warranty anymore. Just came back home and it isn't working (it turned off by itself and there is a message that says F.22 safety switch off' - water shortage).

I can't remember if I did the boiler annual servicing last summer - does that usually invalidate home emergency cover? I can't find my insurance documents right now and need to call FD to claim... it would be good to know what to expect - what is the norm (if there is a norm like that).

Thank you!

macman

I have no idea if the insurance is invalidated, but you might as well ring them, as what do you have to lose?
However, have you checked the pressure gauge? The most obvious cause of that warning is low pressure, which simply means that you need to repressurise back to 1 bar using the filling loop-you don't need a service call for that, it will take you about ten seconds to do.
If the boiler continues to lose pressure then you have a leak, either on the CH circuit, or possibly from the PRV overflow. You can quickly check the latter by examining below the pipe for traces of water.
This may help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pf4qF6w68M

Lorian

I'm no CH engineer but I'd be topping up the water pressure and making sure no radiators are leaking before calling anyone.

fivesquare

Thanks yes it worked by filling it with water, just need to know re the insurance exclusions in case it does actually break. I need to service the boiler too, I completely forgot and this was a good reminder.

macman

Download the policy t&c's then, they'll be on the Aviva site.