Homepro 'insurance' for new windows

Former_MSE_Dan

Hi all,

Personal question here, i really hope someone may be able to help me with. I have been getting quotes for some replacement windows, and am happy with a company and the quote they have given.

However, unfortunately the company doesn't accept credit card payments (so I can't get section 75 protection). This is obviously annoying, but I am considering going ahead anyway, due to the other mechanisms which could protect me. One I am aware of, and the window company is going to throw in, is the Homepro scheme (http://www.homepro.com/), which says it insures the windows for 10 years.

I was hoping someone out there may have had experience of a similar issue, and especially using Homepro? Would be great to hear some views

Dan

PZH

MSE_Dan wrote: »

...unfortunately the company doesn't accept credit card payments (so I can't get section 75 protection).

Have they said why they not accept Credit Cards? (Probably just me, but I am always suspicious of companies that sell expensive items but do not allow payment by Credit Card)

The reason I ask is that I've just had new windows and was originally told this. When I inquired further, they stated it was due to the "surcharge" of 10% that gets levied.

Not sure how true that actually was, but I managed to convince them to allow me to pay £20 on my Credit card and paid the balance by cheque. That way, I am still covered under Section 75.

May be worth while asking ?

Nile

Hi MSE Dan

I can't answer your question about the Homepro scheme but I hope someone will comment soon.

I didn't pay for my upvc windows and door with a credit card but I was quietly confident because I'd got a good recommendation for the company from a friend. It is an established company (trading >25 years) and the units are installed by their own employees...........the work isn't sub contracted.;)

Also, the work was staggered. We had the front of the house done first and (happy with the results) a year later, the back of the house was done. The windows/door are almost 20 years old and are great.

So, I suggest that you get a personal recommendation and use an established company.

Regards

Nile

busiscoming2

Probably not much help but:

I had my windows and doors fitted many years ago now. The company we used were local, we paid with a cheque. We had a Homepro guarantee for them. We called them back after a few years for some minor bits and pieces with no problem. Don't know whether they claimed from Homepro or not though.

Furts

Hi MSE Dan

There is merit in insurance backed guarantees but in the case of windows what, in practical terms, is it covering? Is it value for money? Is it needed?

My replacement windows were installed by a one man operator with no insurance guarantee. The product is reputable and my instinct is the manufacturer, part of the huge Masco Corporation, will still be around in ten years time. The guarantee is;

10 years on the profiles - that is anything made with white pvcu
10 years on all window and door hardware, and locking hardware
10 years on all glass units

12 months on anything not mentioned above which I took to be handles - so I got a spare batch of all sorts, FOC, when I placed the order.

Hence without an insurance guarantee or fitting guarantee I hope I will not have problems!

dgp1000

My window installer went into administration so I had to use the Homepro scheme they provided when I found a fault.


A word of warning it is not the same as a guarantee, so make sure you keep all the paperwork including the bank statement which proves you paid by cheque. They need this to prove you did not use a credit card or finance, so if you are paying in this way you are better off getting a discount rather than paying the insurance premium. An invoice marked paid isn't good enough. Also you need to provide two (or three) quotes depending on the value and wait for them to give you the authority to proceed with the repair before you go-ahead. As with any other insurer you only find how good they are when you want to make a claim.

dacouch

They have no FCA registration number displayed on their website although they may be FCA authorised as there is a Homepro registered but at a different address.

The website is very amateur looking along with not showing their FCA number would put me off personally.

Professionally I try and avoid Insurer registered in Gibralter as they tend to register there for a number of (not great) reasons

paddyrg

^^ Do they also sell astroturf?