Gas Boiler Insurance

DumfriesDik

Senior member
 SW Scotland
Just got my annual letter from British gas telling me that my HomeCare 200 (Boiler and heating system) policy will be £25.57 a month.

Being a grumpy old man I am not prepared to accept this, called them and despite 'doing me a favour' of knocking four quid off, I still cancelled. I can not abide the way insurance companies carry on. A sign of the times for sure.

However, I have seen that the Home Energy Services (HES) also the same cover for £8.96 (first year only of course).

Has anyone any experience of HES? Is it too good to be true?
 
We have our cover through a company based in Glasgow called William Smith Heating.
They replaced our complete system around 7 years ago and once the 5 year warranty ran out we took out the cover with them and its around £10 a month which includes the yearly inspection/service.
Used them to fix a problem and they were great.
 
Why bother? Self insure. A boiler service costs around £60. Pocket the rest for a rainy day.
 
d3matt said:
Why bother? Self insure. A boiler service costs around £60. Pocket the rest for a rainy day.

It is very tempting to do this. Especially when they talk about £300 a year. But I think I can get it For under £110 including the service . . . it does tempt me.

I guess I am risk adverse.
 
I've got the Homecare 400 which is 34 quid a month which I think isn't bad value and includes plumbing, electrics and appliances. In the past few months I've had a new central heating pump, annual service and washing machine repaired. When you think what most companies or one man band charge just to come and look at a problem then the Homecare policy isn't too bad. I know people knock British Gas but on the Homecare side I've booked them in the evening for a heating problem and they've been out the next morning and job sorted. The problem with relying on tradesman, plumbers etc is getting one at short notice who won't rip you off because it's urgent.

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
I've got the Homecare 400 which is 34 quid a month

Thats even more! I am trying to get it cheaper!!

The equivalent policy with the HSE is £17 a month - half the cost and covers everything. I am sure there deals to be done everywhere, but are they any good?
 
DumfriesDik said:
TitanTim said:
I've got the Homecare 400 which is 34 quid a month

Thats even more! I am trying to get it cheaper!!

The equivalent policy with the HSE is £17 a month - half the cost and covers everything. I am sure there deals to be done everywhere, but are they any good?

Lol well I suppose you could have non at all and job done. It's like any type of insurance, you could probably get it down to fiver but it's whether these people come good when you need them most. Only reason I stick with BG is because they're a known quantity.

Tim.
 
Used to have British Gas cover. Then they said they couldn't guarantee to fix our 20 year Worcester Boiler and we should buy a new one. What Bol#cks! it's never broken down yet.

Local lad now does it and has a garage full of spares for said Worcester, should something ever go wrong with it. :D
 
I'm with Tim, what you find is boilers always seem to break down in freezing weather, and BG seems to be the only company who has enough engineers to cover numerous breakdowns and still come the same day or next day.

Local guys are OK for servicing but struggle with demand for breakdowns.
 
I would agree though with British Gas if you have an older boiler as they always say parts are not available anymore. I tend to find the younger engineers will try and push to sell you a new boiler and use the scarce parts story. I was thinking of changing the boiler earlier in the year but then when I had it serviced lasr Feb the chap from British Gas said theres no point in changing if its working fine and the chances are with a modern condensor boiler it will break down more often.

Tim.
 
I've just renewed my buildings and contents insurance and boiler cover is included. Seventeen quid a month all told. Nae bad I thought.
 
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