Is Drain Blockage/Electrical/Water Pipe Insurance worth it?

pimento

My man can't even change a plug. I rest my case.

pimento

As I said before, the trouble is actually finding an honest "tradesman of your choosing". At least, it is where I live.

Especially if it's an emergency.

docmatt

I can see Pimento's point of view. I suppose if you don't know anyone you could be ripped off by an unsuspecting plumber.

If you want peace of mind and can easily afford it then go for it.

I, however, am tighter than lycra on a fat gal so don't spend money on things like that.

oh, forgot to mention i'm a builder too

pimento

All the people on this thread saying you don't need insurance are either plumbers, or know a plumber.

ormus

im not a plumber. but i know how to use a pipe cutter and two spanners.
and im willing to wait a few days over xmas for help, (if required) to save 450 quid per annum.
esp if i didnt use BG services for say ten years.

penguingirl

Neither me or my OH are in a trade (both have boring desk jobs), but like andrew-b we can do plumbing basics and can always dig out the plumbing box from the loft... and unfortunately our newly fitted bathroom is leaking slightly and we do only have ourselves to blame (3rd time lucky on the bath waste?).

We don't have any extended warranties, insurances (other than buildings and contents) etc. We do have emergency home cover included in our insurance (it was 'free') but I don't exactly know when I'd use it and it seems to have a lot of loopholes. We were actually having a conversation about this last night- discussing the cost if we'd bought extended warranties for all our electricals when we moved in and decided that it clearly wouldn't have been worth it.

macman

pimento wrote: »

My man can't even change a plug. I rest my case.

Why do you need a man to change a plug? I'm not aware of any gender restriction on holding a screwdriver. Just do it yourself.

pimento

It was to illustrate a point.

I can change a plug and know what to look for if the lights go out, but if I wake up and there's no hot water, aside from checking the pressure in the boiler, I have no idea how to mess about with the boiler. I can bleed a radiator, but that's about it. I can change a washer, but most modern taps don't even have washers any more, do they? I have been known to unblock a sink.

As for the drain, I do have one of those snake things and am handy with the caustic soda, we also tried the high pressure hose down the drain, but when that didn't work, it was very nice to be able to call BG and say "Help!" without having to resort to the Yellow Pages.

I don't think we actually pay £450 a year. Our BG Service Care is £22 a month. That includes the boiler service.