Research by GoCompare found that 9% of households who have experienced a boiler breakdown have paid bills of more than £1,000.

However, homeowners should check their home insurance policies before forking out for bills – 72 per cent of home buildings insurance policies include home emergency cover either as standard or as an optional extra.

The survey, commissioned by Gocompare.com Energy, found that 43 per cent of homeowners have experienced boiler problems in the past three years. While 56 per cent said their boiler only needed minor repairs, 20 per cent experienced a major breakdown and a fifth needed to have a new boiler installed.

When asked how they might pay a £300 repair bill if their boiler broke down this winter, only 34 per cent of homeowners surveyed said that they had money set aside for such an emergency, while 11 per cent would have to pay by credit card.  Less than a third (31 per cent) have specific boiler cover.

Gocompare.com reviewed more than 360 home buildings insurance policies and found the majority (72 per cent) provide cover for home emergencies as either a standard feature (18 per cent), or as an optional extra (54 per cent).

Of those policies providing cover for home emergencies, 98 per cent cover the home’s main central heating system and 86 per cent provide insurance against hot water failure. The level of cover varies from policy to policy, but the majority (90 per cent) will pay out £500 to £1,000 per emergency.

Gocompare.com’s energy spokesperson Tom Lewis said: “Boilers can develop problems if they aren’t serviced regularly.  But, despite being one of the most expensive items in a home to replace or repair, many people don’t give them a thought until they break down. We strongly suggest people have their system checked on an annual basis, which will help ensure that it is running both safely and efficiently.

“Several energy suppliers offer specialist boiler insurance which covers you against the cost of emergency repairs and the price usually includes an annual service. But if you’re considering insurance, you should check your household buildings insurance policy for home emergency cover first – because your boiler might already be protected.”