Cheapest Boiler Cover Discussion

stuartmanderson

Hi,

I took out boiler insurance with e.on two years ago and I thought I would ditch and switch. However, their terms and conditions seem quite tight and only give you a 28 day period up to the renewal date in which to say you wish to cancel, otherwise they will effectively lock you in for another 12 months (or you are liable to all the months remaining in your contract).

Can they really lock you in for whole 12 month periods? Is it legal to lock me in by assuming I want to stay with them for another 12 months without me signing anything?

G_M

So you had 28 days after they sent you the renewal details to decide to stay or switch? Seems fair!

Did you sign a 'continuous payment' agreement when you first took out the policy? If so, this allows them to renew you automatically, and take the money from your bank (as per your original authorisation) unless you cancel before the renewal date (ie during the 28 days lead up).

So if you pay annually, you have a problem, and are dependant on the insurer's cancellation policy to cancel after paying and renewing.

However, if you pay monthly, you can, of course, cancel the instruction with your bank any time. See
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/feb/24/continuous-payments-authority-know-your-rights

The link below relates to car insurance, but same issue:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2012/jul/06/car-insurance-auto-renewal

stuartmanderson

Many thanks for the useful link. I do feel rather annoyed by e.on. I don't feel it was ever made clear that this was a 12 month to 12 month contract. I dug out what e.on choose to call their renewal reminder letter. It says,

"Dear....

Thank you for choosing Central Heating Care.

No need for you to do anything

The Direct Debit payment from your bank will continue on the usual date every month. You can find the details overleaf. Please find your Schedule and Terms and Conditions. Please read these documents carefully to make sure that everything is correct."
... then goes on to talk about annual serving.

The terms and conditions are typically verbose and in small print which is where the details of the lock in are stated.

I feel rather annoyed that I didn't check the terms fully, but also annoyed that the main renewal notification letter doesn't make it clear that it will tie you in for another 12 months. It doesn't use the word "renewal" in the main letter part or mention "another 12 months". Instead it chooses say in bold type No need for you to do anything.

I really should learn to never trust any insurance company to make their terms clear.

Thanks for your advice.

stewscot74

SSE,which includes Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric, Swalec, Atlantic Energy etc are doing a fully comprehensive Boiler Cover for £17.90 per month.
This includes unlimted call outs, parts and labour, annual service and in some areas, including South Wales and North East England there is an offer of the first 6 months free !!! If you are in an area where the 6 month is not available, then you would get a £40 credit onto your account if you also have your Elec and Gas with them !

There are also options for flexicare where you pay for a callout, this is great if you have a reliable boiler and you dont want to pay for a full service, this costs £13.90 per month.

and finally, if you are a landlord, there is a great new service available, just call them and ask what the current offers are !!!

ihateyes

stewscot74 wrote: »

SSE,which includes Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric, Swalec, Atlantic Energy etc are doing a fully comprehensive Boiler Cover for £17.90 per month.
This includes unlimted call outs, parts and labour, annual service and in some areas, including South Wales and North East England there is an offer of the first 6 months free !!! If you are in an area where the 6 month is not available, then you would get a £40 credit onto your account if you also have your Elec and Gas with them !

There are also options for flexicare where you pay for a callout, this is great if you have a reliable boiler and you dont want to pay for a full service, this costs £13.90 per month.

and finally, if you are a landlord, there is a great new service available, just call them and ask what the current offers are !!!

wow are you still in work? you on commission?

yraunaj

Had a guy round to the boiler he says it needs new heat exchanger and a power flush cost around 1,000 plus, he did suggest taking out a boiler central heating cover out for a few month then getting them out to it, as there is no immediate problem He said some want to do a up front check first, so choose someone who doesnt, does anyone know which companies dont do this.

samwardill

yraunaj wrote: »

Had a guy round to the boiler he says it needs new heat exchanger and a power flush cost around 1,000 plus, he did suggest taking out a boiler central heating cover out for a few month then getting them out to it, as there is no immediate problem He said some want to do a up front check first, so choose someone who doesnt, does anyone know which companies dont do this.

D&G don't do up front check but they do exclude problems in 1st 30 days. I think most companies (including D&G) exclude power flushing.

Poppypops_2

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Back to the original post...



British Gas service is absolutely hopeless.
My central heating was due for it's annual service in October so I rang them to book an appointment. The earliest appointment I could get was today 7 December. At 10am they rang me to say that the engineer could not make the appointment due to the weather. RUBBISH!!! It has rained on and off since last night and there has been no new snow. The roads are fine. Seeing as I already had to be at home for BG I also booked a guy to come and fit some new doors for me. HE was here promptly at 9am and said the roads were fine.
My sister also has a contract with British Gas. Her boiler was due it's annual service in September 2011. They had an appointment booked for December of that year but on the day got a phone call saying that the engineer had been called to an emergency and would not make the appointment. Of course my sister would rather he attended to a family with no heating and gladly rearranged the appointment for January. However this and three further appointments were cancelled by BG on the day. Her boiler was finally serviced in November 2012, a full 50 months since the last service. She and her husband are fighting for a full refund of the14 months cover that they have paid for but not received service.
I have also now told BG that I am cancelling my cover.

XJX

Hi there, I have just bought a property with a combi gas boiler. I am looking for an affordable service contract and wondered if anyone had used Homeserve before? They appear to be offering it for £6.50 per month. I am in Scotland.

ihateyes

Poppypops wrote: »

British Gas service is absolutely hopeless.
My central heating was due for it's annual service in October so I rang them to book an appointment. The earliest appointment I could get was today 7 December. At 10am they rang me to say that the engineer could not make the appointment due to the weather. RUBBISH!!! It has rained on and off since last night and there has been no new snow. The roads are fine. Seeing as I already had to be at home for BG I also booked a guy to come and fit some new doors for me. HE was here promptly at 9am and said the roads were fine.
My sister also has a contract with British Gas. Her boiler was due it's annual service in September 2011. They had an appointment booked for December of that year but on the day got a phone call saying that the engineer had been called to an emergency and would not make the appointment. Of course my sister would rather he attended to a family with no heating and gladly rearranged the appointment for January. However this and three further appointments were cancelled by BG on the day. Her boiler was finally serviced in November 2012, a full 50 months since the last service. She and her husband are fighting for a full refund of the14 months cover that they have paid for but not received service.
I have also now told BG that I am cancelling my cover.

And your smart thinking never considered once it wasnt because of the roads.... but because its cold and there is a lot of breakdowns?

Ah well im sure youll be happy when someone boiler iis being serviced while you sit at home shivering