Boiler Advice Needed

Anne3333

Unfortunately the warranty ran out a few months ago. Bl**dy Typical!
British Gas do a one off repair for £230 for my area and do a service contract but you cannot make any claims for the first month. I did consider that!
Had boiler man (Take 3) round today, said it was the circuit board (PCB) in the boiler and would need to be ordered, He didnt seem that confident with my boiler and had to ring the manufacturer, so taking into account the cost of a new board (£180 ish) and the engineers time at £75 per hour, I decided to get an all exclusive package for £318 which includes one initial fix and a years boiler & heating insurance from Ideal the boiler supplier. Annoying as the boiler is not that long out of warranty!
As well as that, I have spent £50 electrician and £75 engineer number 3, so in total is £443. I wouldn't mind as much but they are not coming until Friday, so am still sitting here cold and dirty! In retrospect, I wish I had taken out the service contract originally, but didn't think it necessary on such a new boiler, but we live and learn.
Well off to bed with my electric blanket now, to practice my Latin and perhaps embroider the bedsheets!
Thanks for all your advice and suggestions.

jackieglasgow

SailorSam wrote: »

I think when you take out one of these service contracts before they accept you they want to come out everything is working ok.
At the very least tthey will have some sort of delay built into the contract, whereby you can't claim for the first month or two.

Engineers will charge you if it's faulty when they call, it's subject to inspection but not a delay where you can't claim. They do have a contract though which has an upfront charge linked to the contract, or a fixed price repair which they advertise whether you're a customer or not.

jackieglasgow

Annie the info you were given wasn't right about BG

Anne3333

Annie the info you were given wasn't right about BG

I was told by BG today when I rang that I could not make a claim for 30 days and have just checked their webste which says this
Your policy does not include the following:

1. Claims outside the Period of Insurance. (The Period of Insurance is shown on the Policy Schedule and does not commence until at least 14 days, following the date Your Application for cover was accepted)

jackieglasgow

That's for insurance but they have a Homecare agreement called Repair and Care which is £23 per month in London area, and £99 up front for first repair. That's a fixed price. I'm sorry they never told about that option, but it sounds like you got a good price for what you did get.

Anne3333

Just a quick update. Day Eight -Ideal engineer came today, took one look and said it was the PCB (boiler circuit board) and replaced it in minutes. It has been an expensive lesson at £443 in total, due in part to other electrician and boiler man, but at least I am now warm and clean!
What have I learnt? Better with some appliances to have insurance!

penrhyn

Pleased to hear you got it fixed as the weather has taken a turn for the worst. Was it the Warmsure cover you took out?
WarmSure gives you two options

Instant Repair

If your Ideal boiler has broken down and is no longer under the manufacturers warranty ring our helpline and we'll send a Warmsure engineer to fix the problem

£240 by debit/credit card

Instant Cover

Repairing your Ideal boiler and providing a 12 month warranty. This not only ensures your Ideal boiler is repaired but also protects it for 12 months at no extra charge should there be any problems later

£318 by debit/credit card, or less than £26.50 a month

Anne3333

Yes Penrhyn, it was the Warmsure Instant Cover at £318. Good service, engineer came when he said he would, chirpy, efficient and got me up and running in no time. I also have peace of mind for the next 12 months!
I told him about MSE whilst he worked, so was recruiting and spreading the good word about this site.
Happy, clean and warm now, thanks to everyone for their advice and interest.
.......now I think I might consider some health insurance, this last week has definitely increased my blood pressure!

Gerrard_8_lfc

BG repair and car3 £99 one off fee then £20 a month.

people who try and sign up for homecare with a fault get no where except a nice cancellation charge.

This 30 day waiting period is a lot of crap its getting like chinease whispers.