Is Baxi Boiler Cover via Domestic & General worth it (or any boiler cover)?

Amni90Palad

Hi all

I've had a Baxi Boiler plan with D&G for the past few years.  Our boiler was installed 5 years ago, brand new in a new-build, but unfortunately the builders were horrendous and installed the boilers in our street in a horrific manner where they have encountered leaks, problems etc - hence the cover.

I was just wondering whether Baxi Boiler plan cover with D&G was good from everyone's experiences?  We've had them - the service is great (annual plus parts to be fixed etc) but we're paying £27 per month!  I was wondering whether that's similar for everyone or if they can recommend whether any other providers or just ditch the plan and expect to shell out on a new boiler in x number of months/years if it breakdown and falls apart?

Stay safe!

matelodave

Personally I'd be putting the £27 a month into my own "repair fund". You are paying out over £300 a year, just in case something goes wrong. How many times have you called them out in five years (I assume the boiler had a warranty for some of that time).
I reckon that five years at £300 or more = £1500 which would buy you a new boiler rather than giving it away to an insurance company.
Just my opinion you understand.

macman

A boiler installed only 5 years ago should have had at least a 5 year manufacturer's warranty (current Baxi ones are up to 10 years), so you've been paying £300pa for cover you already had (though I'm assuming that swingeing £27pm does at least include an annual service)?

Amni90Palad

Thanks @macman

I was told that it was covered for only 2 years - hence after that finished and when the leaks and boiler started to unravel and required some work, they did replace a few parts.  It does include an annual service...

Am I better off paying just for an annual service and taking a hit when the boiler needs replacing in the long run?

macman said:

A boiler installed only 5 years ago should have had at least a 5 year manufacturer's warranty (current Baxi ones are up to 10 years), so you've been paying £300pa for cover you already had (though I'm assuming that swingeing £27pm does at least include an annual service)?

Amni90Palad

Thanks @matelodave

Appreciate that.  Yes that's what I'm thinking right now to be honest.  I was told by one Baxi engineer that I could negotiate the price plan of what I'm doing down to £17.50ish a month with Domestic and General.... so will be trying that again soon (apparently it renews every year similar to switching to broadband, mobile plans etc) so will see if I can otherwise leave them.

I've had them around annually to service for the past 3 years, plus 2 callouts in that time.

But tempted to go it alone now.... and save for that rainy day pot instead.  The boiler interior has rusted away already and our neighbours have a similar issue... horrendous really.

 

matelodave said:

Personally I'd be putting the £27 a month into my own "repair fund". You are paying out over £300 a year, just in case something goes wrong. How many times have you called them out in five years (I assume the boiler had a warranty for some of that time).
I reckon that five years at £300 or more = £1500 which would buy you a new boiler rather than giving it away to an insurance company.
Just my opinion you understand.

Amni90Palad

I wonder whether many others buy insurance/service plan for this sort thing or is it just me?!

At the moment - I think its the latter!

[Deleted User]

 I've got cover from homeserve on a 6 yr old baxi boiler and so glad. Currently the boiler is going mad, thought the thermostat upstairs was broke as heating constantly. Got them out and they replaced it, still going mad. Now they're replacing a valve which gives us dual control. 

knightstyle

Think about the profits insurance companies make for their investors.  All this comes from the majority of their clients who pay in more than they get out.  So for most things it is better for Joe Blogs not to have insurance. 
Exceptions are really expensive things like home and car insurance.

macman

Amni90Palad said:

Thanks @macman

I was told that it was covered for only 2 years - hence after that finished and when the leaks and boiler started to unravel and required some work, they did replace a few parts.  It does include an annual service...

Am I better off paying just for an annual service and taking a hit when the boiler needs replacing in the long run?

macman said:

A boiler installed only 5 years ago should have had at least a 5 year manufacturer's warranty (current Baxi ones are up to 10 years), so you've been paying £300pa for cover you already had (though I'm assuming that swingeing £27pm does at least include an annual service)?

Yes, because a call out every year is most unlikely to cost you as much as you are paying for this overpriced insurance. They are terrible value unless you cannot afford to replace an old and unreliable boiler.

Amni90Palad

_shel said:

 I've got cover from homeserve on a 6 yr old baxi boiler and so glad. Currently the boiler is going mad, thought the thermostat upstairs was broke as heating constantly. Got them out and they replaced it, still going mad. Now they're replacing a valve which gives us dual control. 

Did you find it good value for money @_shel?

Amni90Palad

knightstyle said:

Think about the profits insurance companies make for their investors.  All this comes from the majority of their clients who pay in more than they get out.  So for most things it is better for Joe Blogs not to have insurance. 
Exceptions are really expensive things like home and car insurance.

macman said:

Amni90Palad said:

Thanks @macman

I was told that it was covered for only 2 years - hence after that finished and when the leaks and boiler started to unravel and required some work, they did replace a few parts.  It does include an annual service...

Am I better off paying just for an annual service and taking a hit when the boiler needs replacing in the long run?

macman said:

A boiler installed only 5 years ago should have had at least a 5 year manufacturer's warranty (current Baxi ones are up to 10 years), so you've been paying £300pa for cover you already had (though I'm assuming that swingeing £27pm does at least include an annual service)?

Yes, because a call out every year is most unlikely to cost you as much as you are paying for this overpriced insurance. They are terrible value unless you cannot afford to replace an old and unreliable boiler.

Thanks @knightstyle and @macman - think I'm going to call time on the plan!