Cost of BG Homecare 4

[Longshanks]

Hi

We’ve been paying BG for Homecare 4. This includes annual service of boiler, CH, plus repairs for plumbing drains and home electrics. They also check gas fire. (Can’t check flue as fire sealed to wall-non compliance report…) The cover also includes repairs to hob, washing machine and dishwasher.

We’re currently paying £90pm, which is twice as much as our gas bill.

I’ve looked on tinternet, and Homecare 4 is quoted as £260pa.

I know we may have a more comprehensive version of Homecare 4 but would you say we’re being royally ripped off?

(Contract ends on 14 Dec, so we’ll be reviewing then)

Thanks

 

[Wayners]

Do you need all that cover?
If electrics are in good condition why do you need cover?
If you put £90 a month in a savings account and used that to pay for repairs.
Just get boiler breakdown although new boilers can come with 10 year warranty. You just pay for service

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks. No we don’t need all the cover. It’s a case of wife being ultra risk averse and costs and cover being increased over last 20 odd years.

Our boiler is 20 years old and still going strong . (Worcester Bosch 30CDI Greenstar) Will look for boiler breakdown cover when current contract expires.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do you need all that cover?
If electrics are in good condition why do you need cover?
If you put £90 a month in a savings account and used that to pay for repairs.
Just get boiler breakdown although new boilers can come with 10 year warranty. You just pay for service

Correct!

BG don't do that at a loss, in the monthly payment, will be a large element of profit to be made for them. Put the money each month instead, into a savings account, you will then be well in profit, and have the money to pay for any repairs/replacements needed.

Were you to make a claim, you may well find there are numerous exclusions, things they do not cover, items they say they just cannot source parts for - you need to buy a new version from them..

 

[Mister Banks]

And not forgetting the £60 excess you pay BG for every fault call-out.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And not forgetting the £60 excess you pay BG for every fault call-out.

I thought they only charged, for no fault to be found - user error?

 

[Mister Banks]

I thought they only charged, for no fault to be found - user error?

No, there is an excess per fault. On my Homecare 3 it was £60.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

No, there is an excess per fault. On my Homecare 3 it was £60.

So you pay monthly for the cover, then to deter you from ever claiming, they charge you £60?

Nice little earner for BG..

 

[Longshanks]

It gets worse. New customers can get exactly same service and cover for £27pm. Also looked at last renewal letter, and it seems our already exorbitant monthly payment was increased as they carried out a repair. (Replaced battery in gas fire!)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It gets worse. New customers can get exactly same service and cover for £27pm.

It's what they do, hoping the customer will not notice...

Unknown to me, 10 years ago, my partner was paying almost £500 per year for basic house insurance. It had just increased dramatically, year-on-year, until I realised. I stopped it, got a quote for similar, at £80. It is still below £90, even now.

 

[Old Salt]

All of those warranties, guarantees and home cover are a rip off. Best to find a local guy who can service and maintain the boiler, heating etc and an electrician you can trust then bang the premiums into a savings account to build up for when you need them.