British Gas central heating cover

Robert5988

"I wonder over that 16 years how much you paid compared to how much it would have cost to call out an engineer only when something went wrong (you say the few times I've needed them). Annual boiler servicing is included yes but I've heard that should only cost about £40 a year and isn't necessary every year so long as you carefully vacuum out any dust with a hose attachment every other year it should be fine."

I have little doubt that I would paid less for callouts and servicing on an ad-hoc basis over the 16 years than I have paid in premiums to BG.

However I use the term "premiums" advisedly because that's how I treat their cover - as insurance.

I have Comprehensive Insurance on my cars and have never needed it. I have had term life insurance for myself and my wife and fortunately it has been a waste of money!!

Funnily enough BG came and serviced both my boilers today - delightful well mannered chap!!

Vikingfan

I recently joined up but as I had a problem at the tjme BG charge me £24 a month for this year and if no further claims it goes down to £16 next year.

misters_2

I have been thinking for a while wether to take this cover or not, and after reading this thread i'm still having doubts. I dont want to keep paying for something when i could probally get my boiler fixed cheaper when and if it needs done.

I have also been looking at direct line home response, does anyony have any info on this?

Robert5988

The problem with 'ad hoc' repairs is that plumbers and other tradesmen around here have joined the ranks of the super-rich. They are not interested in the £50 repair - especially at unsocial hours. As many TV programmes show they are not averse to 'inventing' faults.

Many years ago our CH boiler broke down when I was abroad. Wife looked up Yellow pages and called a firm who came and decided the boiler needed re-gasketing - charged a fortune! Wife joined me abroad and we let house. 6 months later CH broke down again and tenant called, ironically, the same firm. Guess what - the boiler needed re-gasketing!! Another fortune. Won't bore you with the aftermath but suffice to say - I lost.

For me the peace of mind is worth it.

alison6692

I have to say we have been a customer of BG home cover for about 2 yrs- and they are excellent.
We have had a bit of a nightmare this year and have made about four call outs to BG. They normally offer to send someone out same day and its absolute piece of mind that the work being carried out is from a trusted company and the costs are covered by out monthly policy.

excited_money_saver

I've had no problems with British Gas, live savers really when hubby away & kids tiny. We've had a new pump, back boiler & timer (a crawling child broke the previous one) over the years but as I've switched to Powergen and they offer what appears to be a similar service for £6.99 a month plus a further 4% of bills and club card points too I'm thinking of changing. Have you considered this yourself - did you find any drawbacks?

Arni_2

Does the cover include a proper annual service now, I know it did at one time but not sure about now. read somewhere that they just "inspect" it.

Thanks, Arni

Cardew

Arni wrote:

Does the cover include a proper annual service now, I know it did at one time but not sure about now. read somewhere that they just "inspect" it.

Thanks, Arni

They do a full inspection on mine - burner out cleaned etc.

It is in their interests to service it properly as if it breaks down through lack of maintenance, they have to come out at their expense.

NigeWick

As has been pointed out, they are in business to make money. We have lived in this place from new (10 years) and have the boiler & gas fire serviced every year. £50 last September. I have got a reliable, honest plumber and am more than happy to pay his prices. Ten years at £50ish per year is a lot cheaper than 10 years at British Gas prices of whatever per month.

It all boils down to how one feels about turning off the mains water & waiting a day if necessary, and balancing that against a guaranteed call out with its' associated costs. I suspect that putting the equivalent of a monthly charge into savings and paying a plumber when required will work out better value than paying British Gas every month.

Nigel.

Cardew

NigeWick wrote:

As has been pointed out, they are in business to make money. We have lived in this place from new (10 years) and have the boiler & gas fire serviced every year. £50 last September. I have got a reliable, honest plumber and am more than happy to pay his prices. Ten years at £50ish per year is a lot cheaper than 10 years at British Gas prices of whatever per month.

It all boils down to how one feels about turning off the mains water & waiting a day if necessary, and balancing that against a guaranteed call out with its' associated costs. I suspect that putting the equivalent of a monthly charge into savings and paying a plumber when required will work out better value than paying British Gas every month.

Nigel.

I think you are absolutely correct and I would do the same.

However, and it is a big however, most of us do not have access to your reliable, honest plumber. One who can work on Gas appliances and doesn't go on holiday and will be there in 5 or 10 years time.

As has been said before BG is simply insurance and most of us don't have access to your cheaper 'premium'.