British Gas HomeCare Two Essential Cover
British Gas has several central heating breakdown cover plans, and the HomeCare Essential is the second-level policy that covers the basics.
HomeCare Essential – At a Glance
This policy includes everything in the HomeCare Basic plan plus your central heating system.
- £21 per month.
- £60 excess on each claim.
- Free annual gas boiler service.
- Cover for gas central heating system only, including boiler, controls, radiators and hot water cylinder.
Many of us try to keep costs low, so when it comes to insurance, we often ask why we should get this type of protection. It’s only those of us who remember when our boiler breaks down, and we have no central heating or hot water that have such a plan.
The British Gas HomeCare Essential policy starts at just £21 per month (and there are some special deals around sometimes to save an additional 20% if you’re a new customer and pay by monthly direct debit).
You may have had this type of policy in previous years. British Gas has changed the names of its insurance products over the years. For comparative purposes, the Essential product used to be named HomeCare 200 and then HomeCare 2.
Why Choose HomeCare Essential from British Gas?
Here are some of the reasons British Gas describe about their HomeCare Essential product and why you should choose them:
- You get immediate access to a 24/7 UK telephone hotline 365 days per year to report a problem straight away.
- There are no limits to the number of times you can telephone British Gas or make claims.
- You get an annual service included each year.
- British Gas fixed over 2.2 million systems in the UK last year.
- All British Gas engineers are Gas Safe qualified (formally the CORGI registered system).
- The engineer will call you when they are on their way to your home so you can plan your day better.
Some of The Items HomeCare Can Protect
Many problems could occur with heating systems. Here’s a rundown of just a few things that this policy covers:
- Your heating doesn’t come on at all because of a faulty pump or management system.
- Leaking radiators or pipes.
- Your radiators are overheating because of a defective thermostat.
- Your cold water tank is overflowing because of a faulty ball valve.
What Does The HomeCare Essential Product Cover?
Once you pay your monthly fee, there are no other costs to pay except for a £60 excess fee on each claim. Some of the items that are fully covered include replacing a boiler circuit board, repairing a leaking radiator, replacing the boiler fan, replacing the heat exchanger, replacing a thermostat, replacing a central heating pump, replacing a time clock or pilot light and if it can’t be repaired replacing the boiler itself.
The policy includes all parts and labour.
Our View of HomeCare Essential
We recommend that you have some form of insurance policy against the breakdown of your gas heating boiler, and the British Gas HomeCare Essential is a great entry-level product designed for this purpose. British Gas also has two other products in its HomeCare range, which include electrics, drains, and plumbing. These are HomeCare 300 and HomeCare 400, which, of course, cost a little more but protect more of your property.
We recommend the HomeCare Essential product as a minimum for any home; with this policy, you also get the annual service. Check the British Gas website to sign up for this product online. Remember to check the exclusive offers section to save more money. You can locate these discounts under the maintenance and repair section on the website. Sometimes, there is cashback available on the relevant offer websites such as TopCashBack or Quidco to make additional savings.
Alternative Home Emergency Cover Plans
British Gas is one of many companies that supply emergency home services protection. Their competitors include HomeServe, 24|7 Home Rescue, Your Repair, and Home Emergency Assist.
Additional Detailed Information on HomeCare Essential
What is this type of insurance?
HomeCare Essential covers repairs in case of a breakdown or damage to your boiler and central heating system. Also included is an annual service of your boiler by a British Gas approved engineer to ensure it continues to run safely and efficiently.
This insurance is for domestic use only, and you own the home that you are taking cover out on.
What is insured?
- Unlimited repairs to your gas central heating system, including boiler and controls and gas supply pipes that are visible and accessible.
- All parts and labour.
- Emergency, priority and standard repairs.
- Annual service of your boiler.
- Accidental Damage.
- Cover up to £1,000 (including VAT) to gain access and make good for each repair.
- Boiler replacement if we can’t repair it and it is less than seven years old (or less than ten years old if we installed it and have covered it ever since).
- Replacement of parts that we can’t repair (subject to terms and conditions).
What is not insured?
- Claims within the first 14 days of you taking out the product.
- Pre-existing faults or design faults.
- Removing sludge or scale or repairing the damage it causes if we’ve already told you about it.
- Showers, taps and sanitary ware.
- Deliberate damage or faults caused by someone else you have used for repairs.
- System improvements or upgrades.
- Repairs that are purely cosmetic.
- Replacement of curved or designer radiators.
- Repairs to steel gas supply pipes or any gas supply pipes that are not visible or accessible.
- Elson tanks and other specialist cylinders.