Homeserve - Emergency cover alternative?

orwen

Hi,

Been with Homeserve for years, direct debit. Recently had a pair of engineers come round to look at the central heating workings in the loft, who refused because they said deep lagging was hiding the rafters & they didn't want to put a foot through the ceiling. Fair enough, but many Homeserve engineers have accessed the loft in the past, no problem.

What annoyed me though was the engineers have submitted a report to Homeserve saying they executed a 'temporary fix' when they didn't get within 2 metres of the central heating unit, just stood in the loft hatch pointing a torch at it. I asked HS for a copy of the report last Thursday and was promised it "by email". Am still waiting 5 days later.

Maybe it's time for me to change cover? My energy supplier rang today and offered me boiler cover for a fraction of what Homeserve charge. HS do plumbing as well, but if I can find a reliable local plumber, what do I lose by losing Homeserve please?

Thanks.

JimmyChanga

Check the details on the boiler breakdown cover. I have one and it only covers the boiler not working at all. Then there can be all sorts of other caveats about the cost of repair or charge if they believe the boiler has not been maintained. There can also be a limit on the age of the boiler.

orwen

JimmyChanga wrote: »

Check the details on the boiler breakdown cover. I have one and it only covers the boiler not working at all. Then there can be all sorts of other caveats about the cost of repair or charge if they believe the boiler has not been maintained. There can also be a limit on the age of the boiler.

This is why I asked ScotPower for what they were offering me in black & white. They ummed & arred & said yes, but it would have to be sent from another department (????). Think they said 24/7 cover, £1500 something p.a. ~ & £750 towards a new something if necessary. They mentioned boiler & radiators. I think the guy on the phone was poised to take a credit card number off me straight away & was taken aback when I asked for confirmation. No cover plan details have yet arrived in the post - or email come to that, they have my email.

Boiler_Mum

I am doing some market research into boiler cover, it's cost, and why people feel the need to use it.

It would be great if some of the readers could give me a little feedback please.

Did you get your boiler policy as part of a new installation?

Why did you feel the need to purchase boiler cover?

Do you have other household items covered?

Do you know how much you pay a year for cover?

Did you ask for any local trades peoples quotes for servicing?

Any help is greatly appreciated, I am trying to understand why people pay for cover they may not require and maybe more expensive than a similar service from another contractor.

Many thanks

keith969

Never wasted money on this sort of cover. I just get a boiler service every year at £55 from local guy who I trust. The money you spend on cover is better saved in case of problems - but in 10 years its saved me money overall.

orwen

Inherited this cover & am still evaluating it. Have needed Homeserve for several things, leaking tap/s (tap replaced free), leaking radiator, clogged drain, loft tank overflow which was overflowing, WC overflow which left me with tiles to replace in the bathroom, blocked sewer which was cleared just in time, before a disastrous back-up into the property, and so forth. I am critical about there being no follow-up to work carried out, there is no 'gaffer' in sight and the engineers submit their reports to office staff who probably don't know a rafter from a joist - not their fault - but the system appears to have a weak link at that point. I don't remember receiving satisfaction surveys, either that or they are generic.