Seized Stop Tap - Severn Trent Water Homeserve?

anotheruser

So I got a marketing letter today about Severn Trent Valley's Homeserve with an offer for £6 for the year.
You have to pay £30 excess but anything above that is free.

I also recently noticed my stop tap is seized.

I'm thinking perhaps I could take out their insurance and a few months later, get them to change the tap - probably cheaper than getting a company to do it?

A good idea?

neilmcl

Why not if it's cheaper than getting a tradesman or handyman in. Why wait a few months though, just get them in as soon as you've signed up.

One thing though have you tried some WD40 on the tap? Also never leave a stop tap fully open as this is the sort of thing that often happens.

FreeBear

anotheruser said: I also recently noticed my stop tap is seized.

If this is your external stopcock next to the water meter (if you have one), Severn Trent will replace it free of charge - The stopcock is their responsibility.

But if this is an internal stopcock fitted after the external one, a new tap from Screwfix (other suppliers available) is only a tenner at most.

[Deleted User]

That is a very good deal especially if it includes electrical, heating, plumbing and drains. 
takes the hassle of finding a trades man for all the little jobs. 

My excess with BG is £60 for all of the above. 

Another_Level

Have a look at their t&c's on what is covered and what is excluded, have done insurance work before (not homeserv) and seized tap's were covered  to unseize them only 

Beware they may mention the tap/valve has not been maintained  but your a new customer they will want to keep you as a customer. 

Hope you get it all sorted out.

neilmcl

FreeBear said:

anotheruser said: I also recently noticed my stop tap is seized.

If this is your external stopcock next to the water meter (if you have one), Severn Trent will replace it free of charge - The stopcock is their responsibility.

But if this is an internal stopcock fitted after the external one, a new tap from Screwfix (other suppliers available) is only a tenner at most.

True, but he needs to get it fitted too and it sounds like he won't be doing it himself so it's likely  that it would be cheaper to use the Homeserve offer if it covers this.

TELLIT01

Just check the t&c for how long you have to have the policy in place before making a claim,

anotheruser

I think the policy needs to be in place for 28 days.
If I cancel before then, they'll refund.  I can cancel after the 28 days and they'll pro-rata refund minus any work I've had done but I'd just keep it for the year.
I think anyway - only briefly read.

I'll scan / take a photo of the marketing thing and post it later.


FYI: internal stop tap.  Also only covers plumbing.  Tried WD40 on it, but a recent boiler service person said they didn't want to twist it more as they think it'll snap off.

anotheruser

Here's a photo of the letter:
 

canaldumidi

Most insurance policies will exclude 'pre-existing conditions/problems'. Same as breaking down in your car - you can't phone the AA sales team, sign up, and then immediately call them out....

So the plumber they send might look at the stopcock and say "it's been like that for yonks. Poorly maintained. Sorry I'll have to bill you."

Or he might not.....

anotheruser

I wonder if it would be up to them to prove it though.
While it "may have been like that for yonks" it also may have happened fairly recently.