Finding the money for a repair or replacement to your boiler, electrics, plumbing or heating could make a big hole in your finances. A good way of minimising the financial damage done could be take out boiler cover.
HomeServe has been providing home assistance to householders for the past 25 years. They have a nationwide network of engineers and experts to deal with claims on a 24/7 basis.
The HomeServe website is clear and easy to navigate. They have a help and advice section with how-to guides and blogs that include advice about common household problems, such as how to unblock your kitchen sink or how to cool down a room fast.
Topics
Boiler Cover and More
HomeServe offers a standalone boiler service as well as five separate policies that cover boiler, heating, electrics, drainage, security, roof tiles and pest control. In the first year of your insurance for each of the five policies, you will get a free boiler service.
Gas Boiler Service:
This is a boiler service that you will need to pay for with a one-off payment, rather than paying monthly.
The boiler service is a detailed check on the health of your boiler. It includes cleaning the burner, combustion chamber, injection and heat exchanger, as well as looking at seals, gaskets, condensate traps and drains.
Heat outlet and pressure is checked against the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the flue, to make sure it is all functioning correctly.
Boiler Breakdown
In the first year of this cover, you’ll get a free boiler service. The rest of this policy covers you if your boiler breaks down and you don’t have heating or hot water.
An engineer will repair your boiler and its controls and components. If you have a leaking gas supply pipe this will also be repaired.
If your boiler breaks after you’ve had your contract for six months and it’s beyond economical repair, anything under seven years old will be replaced and installed under the terms of the cover. However, if your boiler is over seven years old it will be replaced but you must pay for installation.
Plumbing and Heating
Their Plumbing and Heating policy contains all of the cover of the Boiler Breakdown policy but it also includes any leaks you have in your central heating system.
As well as this, you are also covered for problems with your plumbing. Cover includes leaking pipes in your home, sink and toilet blockages, dripping or seized taps and blocked drains.
Plumbing, Heating and Electrics
This c0ver includes all the services of Boiler Breakdown and Plumbing but also includes cover for electrics.
You will be covered for failed wiring, broken light switches, fuse box/consumer unit breakdown and faults on your electric shower.
Heating, Plumbing and Electrics Plus
This cover includes all the other services offered in the last three plans as well as including pest infestation from mice, rats wasps or hornets (not bees).
You are also covered for damage caused to windows and doors because of a break-in or lost keys to your external doors. If you lose tiles on your roof this plan covers you for temporary repairs.
Use our price comparison guide to save money on your boiler cover!
Pricing
All available cover prices has a policy excess. For boiler repairs, it is £100.
Claims for anything else have a £30 excess.
These prices are for the first year of your cover only. In the second year, your cover price will increase to the amounts shown below if you haven’t made a claim.
Gas Boiler Service is a one-off payment of £96.
Cover Prices With £100 Excess:
Gas Boiler Breakdown: From £8 per month in the first year and £17.50 in the second year.
Gas Central Heating Breakdown: From £13 a month in the first year and £22.50 in your second year and beyond.
Plumbing and Heating: From £14 per month in the first year and £32.50 in the second year.
Plumbing, Heating and Electrics: From £17 a month in the first year and £37.50 in the second year.
Heating, Plumbing and Electrics Plus: From £21 a month in the first year and £41.50 in the second year.
Cover Prices With a £60 Excess:
Gas Boiler Breakdown: From £11.50 per month in the first year and £21.50 in the second year.
Gas Central Heating Breakdown: From £16.50 a month in the first year and £26.50 in the second year.
Plumbing and Heating: From £17.50 per month in the first year and £36.50 in the second year.
Plumbing, Heating and Electrics: From £20.50 a month in the first year and £41.50 in the second year
Heating, Plumbing and Electrics Plus: From £24.50 a month in the first year and £45.50 in the second year.
Save money on your boiler cover by using our price comparison guide!
Exclusions: What’s Not Included
There are certain things that aren’t included in your cover. If you read the terms and conditions you will find the inclusions and exclusions for each cover policy.
For example, in the terms and conditions regarding heating, you will find that you aren’t covered for:
- Elson tanks
- Thermal storage units
- A warm air heating system
- Underfloor heating
- Fan convector heating
The terms also state if your boiler is more than seven years old you will have to pay for the installation of the new one supplied by the plan. HomeServe’s installation costs start from £1,500 and the price depends on whether the boiler is a basic swap or a complete system change.
They state the highest amount for an installation charged in 2019 was £3,000.
It is vital that you read the terms and conditions for the plan you want to take out. This will reduce the risk of you having to pay out for a repair your thought was covered.
Advantages and Disadvantages of HomeServe’s Cover
Advantages
- A good number of plans to choose from
- Reasonable prices in the first year
- Free boiler service in the first year
- Low excess for non-boiler claims
- No claims limit
- No call-out fees
- 12-month guarantee on most repairs
Disadvantages
- Prices rise significantly after the first year
- No boiler replacement cover for the first six months
Customer Reviews
The Trustpilot rating for HomeServe is ‘Great’ and many people comment on their prompt response and excellent service.
Trustpilot: 4.2/5, ‘Great’, (based on 51,337 reviews)
Which? Give HomeServe a brand score of 65% on each of the plans they offer. They say the pros of the plan are that you can renew your boiler cover for the lifetime of your boiler.
If you want to save money on your boiler cover, check out our comparison guide!