Understanding Home Emergency Cover

w00519772

I asked this question a few weeks ago: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5897052/central-heating-issues-2

I bought the diverter valve online and the plumber was scheduled to come last Friday to fit it. On Wednesday I started to experience further issues with my boiler where the pressure would increase to 3 whilst the hot water and or central heating was on and then fall to 0 after it goes off (a healthy range for pressure is 1-1.5 according to the documentation).

Therefore I contacted the plumber on Wednesday to provide this further information. He asked if I had home emergency cover as I would probably be covered for this now. I checked and I do - I logged a claim on Wednesday.

Q1) How does home emergency cover work?
Q2) Are you covered to a certain amount or do they just leave the boiler in full working order?
Q3) What happens if I need a new boiler?

I would be very interested to hear other peoples experiences with home emergency cover e.g.

Q4) How much did the job cost to complete?
Q5) How much did you pay personally?
Q6) How long did it take to complete after you logged the initial claim?

The plumber came on Thursday; switched the boiler off and put a "do not use" sticker on the boiler. He said he would order a part and would come back when it arrives.
I have made a claim, however the claims management team were not able to answer my questions and advised me to contact customer services on Monday.

Grey_Critic

I have Home Emergency Cover with my house insurance. On the rare occasion I have needed to use it I call the dedicated number shown in my insurance documents.



When you call them assuming your policy covers the problem they will arrange for a qualified approved tradesman to attend. You DO NOT DIY they will choose the tradesman and all charges incurred will be made direct to them by the tradesman. The policies have a financial limit, mine is £500. Should the cost be more than that then you will be billed the differnce - you do not pay the plumber, electrician whatever unless the insurance comapny agree it with you.

w00519772

Well; I was referred to Plumbcare who visited the following day (about 32 hours later) and said I needed to secure the flue in the roofspace at my cost before they would do the work! One week later they quoted me £450 for this work. I asked them to describe the parts needed and then found a local gas safe plumber to do it for £120. At the 11th hour they have now said I also need to put floor boards down in the loft to make it safe for them. I believe these are just delay tactics.

I have discovered that Potterton provide a repair and care for service for £29.99 PCM. This seems to good to be true. For just £359.88 (12*29.99) they say they will bring my boiler back to working order and then provide 12 months insurance. Is this too good to be true? Is there anything I should be wary of here? The insurance company have agreed to pay the 359.88! Before proceeding I want to make sure I have considered everything.