Bought new boiler, but do we still need cover?

resmnky

OK, we just got our boiler replaced - lovely new Worcester Bosch standard boiler with 5yrs parts and labour cover. So what am I complaining about - right?

Do I get a service contract? Because there's more to home heating than just the boiler - the controls, pipework, radiators …. None of which is covered by he boiler's guarantee. Plus, the boiler's own cover is only valid if you get the boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer. Ok, I should get a service contract then … or should I?

Here's the dilemma. Picture it - Something happens with my heating, I call Worcester Bosch to come and take a look at the boiler, it turns out it's the boiler's controls (which are Honeywell), or any other part of the central heating system, and so I AM NOT COVERED. I then need to find someone else to come and fix the problem at extra expense.

Ok, so scenario 2 I get a service contract - Something happens with my heating, I call my service contract provider to come and take a look, they diagnose the boiler is the problem and it needs a part(s) replacing. If they do this then IT WILL INVALIDATE MY 5yr BOILER COVER WITH WORCESTER BOSCH, so then I will need to call Worcester Bosch to come and fix it!

Arrgghhh - with a new boiler you're now in a worse position then with an old one on a service contract. What do I do?!!

macman

You really don't need service cover for parts that are unlikely to go wrong, i.e. rads, pipework and 'stats. What can possibly go wrong with a rad?
Get the annual service and maintain the boiler warranty.
The only point of an insurance based cover is if you really need an instant response-which isn't guaranteed anyway.
Having someone else inspect the boiler does not void it's warranty.

C_Mababejive

Regarding your five year warranty..do check that you have fulfilled all the criteria with regard to its activation and validity. Read the T&Cs.

If all is well and your 5 year cover is valid, i wouldnt bother with any other cover and just self insure.

daveyjp

The boiler is the expensive bit, it is covered by warranty. Just spend £50 a year to get it serviced and maintain the warranty.

Check your home insurance. Ours has £1500 of emergency cover for household heating, electric and plumbing problems. I suspect many others do, but they still buy expensive CH maintenance contracts.

ollski

macman wrote: »

What can possibly go wrong with a rad?

corrode, split, snap bleed valve off, fall off wall off the top of my head.

mjmal51

resmnky wrote: »

Ok, so scenario 2 I get a service contract - Something happens with my heating, I call my service contract provider to come and take a look, they diagnose the boiler is the problem and it needs a part(s) replacing. If they do this then IT WILL INVALIDATE MY 5yr BOILER COVER WITH WORCESTER BOSCH, so then I will need to call Worcester Bosch to come and fix it!

Arrgghhh - with a new boiler you're now in a worse position then with an old one on a service contract. What do I do?!!

My WB boiler is now 3 years old and came with the 5 year guarantee. I have had it serviced each year by the local installer. I do not bother with cover for the rest of the system.
Within the first 2 years there were a couple of small problems with the boiler, one was a broken plastic bracket for the manometer, the other a loud noise when running hot water.
Each time the installer advised me to phone Worcester, which I did and their engineer arrived within a few hours.
The problems were rectified quickly (the noise issue had disappeared before the engineer arrived, but he replaced the gas valve) and I was not asked to produce any proof of regular servicing.
So all in all very happy with WB's warranty.

resmnky

Thank you - I appreciate these responses.

Yes, the 5yr warranty is valid and activated. In terms of 'what else could wrong?' - don't get me started!!!

But I think the overriding advice is - get it serviced annually and don't bother with any extra cover.

It's good to hear the experience of another WB owner as this is my first WB boiler. The fact they responded within hours is pleasant surprise - though I know not to take this for granted!

ollski

Worcester have an excellent service and repair team.

C_Mababejive

When i said check validty,,some boiler manufs require you to have it installed by an approved installer ..stuff like that.

resmnky

C_Mababejive wrote: »

When i said check validty,,some boiler manufs require you to have it installed by an approved installer ..stuff like that.

Yes, all checked. When you register the warranty you have to submit the installer's details. Plus I spoke with WB to clarify the terms of the warranty - this was the conversation where they said if someone else replaces the parts then the warranty is invalidated. But that the boiler could be serviced by any Gas Safe engineer, not necessarily one the WB team.

undaunted

ollski wrote: »

corrode, split, snap bleed valve off, fall off wall off the top of my head.

...... And the poster may get hit buy a bus on the way to buy the replacement parts - but then again he probably wont even in the unlikely event these things did happen.

To me ask yourself A) how much the cover is going to cost you & how likely you think it is / how soon you think you'll need it.

Does A x B sound like enough to cover repairs in the event they are needed? If no insure but if yes just put the money aside and use it if you need to.

Insurance of any form is generally calculated to make the insurer money it's not really there to help the consumers - if it was the insurers would all go bust rather than be a highly profitable industry!