Advice needed for boiler cover

andyboll1

I need some advice regarding boiler cover.

I bought my property back in 2014 and took out boiler cover with HES. An engineer came out to inspect the boiler and and signed off that the flueing was correct.

Now fast forward to June 2016 and my boiler breaks down. I call out an engineer to come and repair the boiler under the insurance scheme. He tells me that the flue has not been installed correctly which has lead to a gas valve leak as water has gotten in through the air vent. He would not make any repairs and said that because of an installation fault that I had to pay for the repairs myself.

Now given that I haven't had the boiler touched at all since the initial inspection and I have the paperwork to prove it. Am I entitled to a full refund of my premium paid?

CashStrapped

I think you would have a case. The initial inspection is to confirm that the boiler is in serviceable and repairable condition. If they signed it off, then took money from you for two years only to tell you it was poorly installed and was not covered, I would be asking questions and requesting a full refund.

By their own admission, the boiler had a pre-existing fault they did not spot so was it was never covered.

In future I would avoid all of these boiler service schemes. Just put a similar amount of money you are paying now into a savings account via standing order. That way, the money is always yours. After 1 year you have saved enough to cover small repairs. After 5 you have enough to cover a new boiler.

matelodave

I agree with cash strapped on both counts.

They inspected the boiler, signed it off and accepted the risk by taking your money. They should fix it.

Secondly, save the premium into your own account and you'll accumulate enough to pay either for your own repairs or a new boiler.

andyboll1

I threatened them with the financial ombudsman and what do you know! They are now coming to make all repairs. The policy will be getting cancelled after that.

Cardew

If you peruse this forum, and many others, you will find many similar tales , about all manner of these companies.

If all else fails, they often say that the system is full of sludge and needs a power-flush at the cost of several £hundreds.