Alternatives to British Gas HomeCare - recommendations please

manchestermiss_2

I've been a British Gas HomeCare 300 customer for 7 years and never made a claim before (just think that's nearly £2000). Until last night that is.

The pipe supplying my bath's hot tap sprung a leak yesterday and I rang BG to try and get an emergency visit after turning the water off. What a joke. Was initially told that someone would be with me later that evening. 3 hours later no call. Back on the phone - a train of 7 people, one of whom helpfully suggested using a bucket as a toilet (great work there BG - must be that useful course of hand customer tips all the call centre workers go on). Told an engineer would come today so I had to take the day off work. Midday and no sign of an engineer - no water or heating either still. Another mammoth 2 hours on the phone to be told maybe tomorrow or maybe Thursday.

I give up - a letter of complaint is going to BG and the Ombudsman tomorrow. Toying with the idea of going to the local press, I'm sure they'll love the bucket suggestion.

Anyway I'm not giving BG another penny of my money. Is there anyone else out there who is more reliable/does what they are contractually obligated to or do you just recommend squirrelling the money away for those boiler/plumbing rainy days???

Thankfully a plumber lives on my street and he came and sorted it out for the princely sum of two cups of tea. my saviour.

Cardew

Scores of posts like yours and several threads asking about alternatives to BG.

You can read the threads yourself - but there is no widely accepted alternative scheme, and some that are an almost criminal con.

Most schemes are simply a middleman between you and a local plumber, so the system is as good as that plumber.

Without doubt the best system is to 'self-insure' - if you can find a good local plumber.

Gerrard_8_lfc

BG home services are not regulated. only 2 insurance products are just now by the FSA. ( Water supply cover and Home emergency).

Although being passed from pillar to post Is very bad practice there will no doubt be a very high engineer demand at this time.

A bucket is a good idea what other method do you have in mind ?

The best you can do is write to Customer Relations and see what they say.