Homeserve boiler nightmare

MDI

I have always covered my boiler and heating system with British Gas. 

Some months ago their engineer came and fully serviced the boiler. 

Because I thought their cover was becoming too expensive (£37/month) I decided to come to MSE and check what was possible to do. Out of the quotes Home Serve came as the cheapest. 

I entered an agreement with them. To my unpleasant surprise, when they came to do the Boiler Health Check they declined to cover my boiler. They didn't even explain why.

 I am really disappointed with them given the previous provider had fully serviced it and passed it on the test. Felt like they let me down with my boiler uncovered knowing that it has always been properly serviced 

It was installed in 21/07/06, old but not 20 years old as some say to change boilers in 20 years?

 What a situation, any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

MDI

JJ_Egan

Different company's have different rules regarding age etc .

daveyjp

A lucky escape and you can cancel.  Read a few reviews about Homeserve and find a trusted engineer for the brand of boiler you have.

Homeserve were contracted to undertake a warranty repair on my newish boiler.  

Arrived, assessed the problem, boiler OK but it needed a non essential part. Job signed off, boiler safe and all working correctly.  Engineer leaves. I turn the tap and no hot water. Error code on the boiler.

The engineer signed off a boiler as being safe to operate when he hadn't turned the gas back on after the work, so he couldn't have tested it.

Carrot007

MDI said:

It was installed in 21/07/06, old but not 20 years old as some say to change boilers in 20 years?

Near enough though.

I thought it was near impossible to get cover for a boiler over 15 years old. And by then I mean they will sell you it but cancel and return the money if they find out. I also though most only went to 10 years and 15 was teh rare exception.

However they are all a waste of money so find a good local persobn who you trust (and preferably who fitted the boiler).

worrywart_3

Homeserve broke my boiler 

Hasbeen

worrywart_3 said:

Homeserve broke my boiler 

Wow! To much info. Break it down into paragraphs so people will understand the problem and get help from our response? 

Flash32

Why bother with this type of cover?  We've never had this.  Boilers are normally fairly reliable, but of course, you could be unlucky.  We have our boiler serviced annually without fail by a local Gas Safe plumber.  So far it's 12 years old (at least) and has only ever needed one spare part, which was fitted for far less than the annual cost mentioned by the OP.  Our boiler services cost us around £85 incl VAT. 

To illustrate further, I've just had a new 3-port valve fitted to the heating system (nothing to do with the boiler), full service of boiler and two gas fires and the whole lot, including inhibitor, travel time, etc., came to £320 incl VAT.

Homecare and similar schemes are little more than extended warranties and IMHO aren't good value.  My advice - get a good local Gas Safe plumber and save your money.

CRISPIANNE3

Carrot007 said:

MDI said:

It was installed in 21/07/06, old but not 20 years old as some say to change boilers in 20 years?

Near enough though.

I thought it was near impossible to get cover for a boiler over 15 years old. And by then I mean they will sell you it but cancel and return the money if they find out. I also though most only went to 10 years and 15 was teh rare exception.

However they are all a waste of money so find a good local persobn who you trust (and preferably who fitted the boiler).

Are boiler is coming up to 20 years old and to be honest it is not over worked. BG Homecare normally service once a year and confirm they can still get the essential parts. However no service so far for this year because of the pandemic and strikes. 

MDI

Thank you for the responses, everyone, it is very helpful to hear your thoughts!

MDI

I'm on the phone with Homeserve, it is being 30 mins and they can not even find out why it has not passed the Boiler Health Check! What a joke this company is with their customers. They are very quick to get a contract and then let clients down as daveyjp mentioned. Never again. Going for the local Vaillant Gas Safe registered engineer. Thank you all.

Mister_G

Well our Baxi Bermuda back boiler is coming up to 39 years old.  In that time all its had is a new gas valve £40 and a new thermocouple £10.  It gets a regular annual service by our local RGI for £50.

It may only be 65% efficient, but I've no intention of changing it until it finally dies.  All parts still seem to be available and there's not a printed circuit board in sight!