British Gas added "free" HomeCare that was not requested

swanny65

Just switched my 87 year old mum to BG energy Plus Protection Green May 2020 tariff via the energy saving club.

I am 100% certain that when i did the switch there was no mention of a Homecare agreement - given free for the first 12 months.

However my old mum lives in a LA rented property and doesn't need Homecare. My concern is after the free period BG would have taken the £126.00 yearly premium if we didn't switch in 2020.

I have called and cancelled the policy. I asked why it was added and was told i had requested it as part of the switch - which i disputed. Be careful if you switch onto the same tariff or any other BG tariff

[Deleted User]

It is part of the tariff. So by switching to that tariff, you agreed to have the "free" 12 months cover.
From British Gas website tariff web page

Customers will need to switch their energy tariff for both gas and electricity to this tariff. Both this tariff and the associated Central HeatingBreakdown cover, Plumbing & Drains cover, and Home Electricalcover will need to be in the name(s) of the same account holder(s) and for the same address. You’ll receive separate information about this tariff and your HomeCare agreement for your Services cover once your order has been completed. Central Heating breakdown cover, Plumbing & Drains cover, and Home Electrical cover is includedforthe first 12 months.

[Deleted User]

Also in the Cheap Energy Club when you click on the "Tariff Details" for this BG tariff, there is a clear warning message at the very top saying

Important: This tariff comes with 'free' central heating, plumbing, drains and home electrical cover for one year, though remember to cancel it. Otherwise, it automatically renews and you'll be charged about £12/mth after - even if you leave the tariff early. You can cancel the insurance at any time penalty-free by calling British Gas on 0333 202 9523.

Hasbeen

swanny65 wrote: »

I am 100% certain that when i did the switch there was no mention of a Homecare agreement - given free for the first 12 months.

However my old mum lives in a LA rented property and doesn't need Homecare. My concern is after the free period BG would have taken the £126.00 yearly premium if we didn't switch in 2020.
/QUOTE]

Had this last year made VERY plain by BG

You are 100% certain in one aspect though, they do the renewal at a higher price to include it again.

Matty36

Its the only reason I didnt get my mum on this tariff as she would forget to cancel the homecare after 12 months and be stumped with something she did not need. It did however clearly state that it was included with the tariff.

I got her on the green tariff in the end fixed til may 2020... I forget the exact tariffs full name. But said it was their cheapest.

Benight

Matty36 wrote: »

Its the only reason I didnt get my mum on this tariff as she would forget to cancel the homecare after 12 months and be stumped with something she did not need. It did however clearly state that it was included with the tariff.

I got her on the green tariff in the end fixed til may 2020... I forget the exact tariffs full name. But said it was their cheapest.

You should have gone for it.
MSE said this was the cheapest, being a reduction on their previous cheapest offering
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/24-04-2019/#britishgas

BG probably couldn't tell you this as it was not available from them directly, but only via selected comparison sites, such as the CEC; either way, the CEC would have told you the cheapest, and as you started about the tariff, "Its the only reason I didnt get my mum on this tariff..."

Also, as previously posted in this thread

You can cancel the insurance at any time penalty-free by calling British Gas on 0333 202 9523.

So no need to have waited 12 months to cancel it, or as you feared forgetting to cancel it after all that time.

swanny65

Thanks - i was clearly mistaken ! But i have cancelled the policy

Matty36

Benight wrote: »

You should have gone for it.
MSE said this was the cheapest, being a reduction on their previous cheapest offering
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/24-04-2019/#britishgas

BG probably couldn't tell you this as it was not available from them directly, but only via selected comparison sites, such as the CEC; either way, the CEC would have told you the cheapest, and as you started about the tariff, "Its the only reason I didnt get my mum on this tariff..."

Also, as previously posted in this thread

So no need to have waited 12 months to cancel it, or as you feared forgetting to cancel it after all that time.

Was unaware you could cancel it immediately and still keep it for the year. I should have looked into it more. Live and learn I suppose. Do you know if you still incur exit fees if you change tariff but stay with same supplier?

JAK_2

I opted to switch as I already have a Homecare agreement so expected to have it included in the switch for free as advertised.
Guess what, apparently as I already have Homecare ir is NOT available as part of the switch T&C. I just happened to come across a copy of the T&Cs on the web by chance.

This was not made clear at the switching stage and I feel the MSE EnergyClub should investigate this anomaly and state why this isn't mentioned.
In my case my existing Avro tariff was much on a par with the BG Energy Plus Protection Green May 2020 tariff but getting the Homecare free would have made it a 'no brainer' switch saving me £144 pa. Instead BG are happy to shoot themselves in the foot and loose a potential customer.

Benight

JAK wrote: »

I opted to switch as I already have a Homecare agreement so expected to have it included in the switch for free as advertised.
Guess what, apparently as I already have Homecare ir is NOT available as part of the switch T&C. I just happened to come across a copy of the T&Cs on the web by chance.

This was not made clear at the switching stage and I feel the MSE EnergyClub should investigate this anomaly and state why this isn't mentioned.
In my case my existing Avro tariff was much on a par with the BG Energy Plus Protection Green May 2020 tariff but getting the Homecare free would have made it a 'no brainer' switch saving me £144 pa. Instead BG are happy to shoot themselves in the foot and loose a potential customer.

IMPORTANT: This tariff comes with 'free' central heating, plumbing, drains and home electrical cover for one year. However, it automatically renews at about £12/mth afterwards, even if you leave the tariff early - so remember to cancel it. You can do so, at any time, penalty-free by calling BG on 0333 202 9523.

• ...
• ...
• Homeowners can get the 'free' insurance for 12 months, unless you already have a BG 'Homecare' insurance product.
• ...

https://clubs.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub/register/bigswitchtariff5

Benight

Matty36 wrote: »

Was unaware you could cancel it immediately and still keep it for the year. I should have looked into it more. Live and learn I suppose. Do you know if you still incur exit fees if you change tariff but stay with same supplier?

Early exit fees do not apply to any BG tariff where you do not switch away from them.