+++++++++++ After writing to the OMBUDSMAN they have ruled in my favour. HOMESERVE were forced to repay all my contributions. I will NEVER again take another policy with HOMESERVE. I urge anyone with a bad experience with HOMESERVE to complain to the ombudsman. They are getting so many complaints there is a good chance you will get your premiums refunded. +++++++++++

I hope Homeserve is going to pay to fix the damage to your walls after the first plumber missed the leak. If they refuse to pay then write to the Ombudsman. If they still refuse, then go to small claims court. I have not done this myself yet but am considering it after homeserve messed me about with my boiler cover. If anyone out there has taken Homeserve to small claims court I would love to hear your story.

Well done. I too have filed a complaint with the ombudsman on the grounds that Homeserve did not publish the BER scale of valuation for my boiler. I will not bother with boiler insurance again as there are too many hidden exclusions. I will use the money for an annual service instead.

Thanks for the info richardgflack. I have made a written complaint to Homeserve but they have dismissed it. I will now follow your route and write to the ombusman and copy the charman/directors. I get the feeling there is widespread abuse of the "Beyond Economocal Repair" clause by Homeserve. If enough people complain to the ombudsman then, hopefully, they will see a trend.

Yes, I did read the T&C and your comments. Just to prove it here is section 8 of the T&C: 8. Beyond Economical Repair - The point at which we estimate that the cost to repair your boiler exceeds its value (based on the scale of valuations according to age and boiler type). In the event of the boiler being found beyond economical repair a £200 contribution will be made towards the replacement of the boiler and the policy will cease. It is in the interest of HOMESERVE to ensure that any claim which is likely to cost HOMESERVE more that £200 results in BER. This way HOMESERVE only only has to pay out £200. The way HOMESERVE ensure BER is to inflate the price of parts. Here are some other satisfied customers of HOMESERVE .... Homeserve Insurance Reviews Home Serve/ Warranty for electrical items in your house clik2complaints.co.uk-Sounding Boards - Gas and Water Companies - Homeserve GB Ltd. HomeServe say my hot-air boiler isn't covered | This is Money Land Of Leather - Blagger.com - The place to leave feedback and comments about companies you have used http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/insurance-assurance-companies/162173-homeserve-dont-do.html http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/insurance-assurance-companies/224002-homeserve-not-following-policy.html http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-consumer-issues/178585-homeserve-warranties-problem-claiming.html http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-consumer-issues/174686-boiler-problem-homeserve-powerflush.html

It seems that HOMESERVE never have to repair a boiler. They can just claim BER in every case and pay you £200. As to the cost of the parts it seems that I am in the wrong business. I can buy the same boiler brand new for £800 and just by selling 4 of the parts I can raise £1200!!

I have a boiler contract with Homeserve. My Glow-worm Enerygysaver 60 boiler started playing up so I contacted Homeserve. They sent a engineer to take a look. He found a leak and said he will order a part. A week later I got a call from Homeserve saying that the parts will cost too much and they offered me £200 towards a new boiler and they would cancel the contract. The parts they said it needed were: Main heat exchanger 2000800525 £446 , sec heat exchanger 2000800472 £465 , burner S203154P £165 , gas council number 4131994. Its seems that if the cost of repairs is above £200 then Homeserve will not attempt to fix it but just offer you £200 for a new boiler and cancel the contract. You are better off putting the money aside instead of paying Homeserve. THEY WILL KEEP TAKING YOUR MONEY AND WHEN YOU MAKE A CLAIM THEY WILL SIMPLY SAY ITS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR AND PAY YOU £200 AND CANCEL THE POLICY. SO, BEWARE IF YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WITH HOMESERVE. THE MOST THEY WILL COVER IS £200!!

I have a boiler contract with Homeserve. My Glow-worm Enerygysaver 60 boiler started playing up so I contacted Homeserve. They sent a engineer to take a look. He found a leak and said he will order a part. A week later I got a call from Homeserve saying that the parts will cost too much and they offered me £200 towards a new boiler and they would cancel the contract. The parts they said it needed were: Main heat exchanger 2000800525 £446 , sec heat exchanger 2000800472 £465 , burner S203154P £165 , gas council number 4131994. Its seems that if the cost of repairs is above £200 then Homeserve will not attempt to fix it but just offer you £200 for a new boiler and cancel the contract. You are better off putting the money aside instead of paying Homeserve. THEY WILL KEEP TAKING YOUR MONEY AND WHEN YOU MAKE A CLAIM THEY WILL SIMPLY SAY ITS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR AND PAY YOU £200 AND CANCEL THE POLICY. SO, BEWARE IF YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WITH HOMESERVE. THE MOST THEY WILL COVER IS £200!!

one more thing ... If anyone can come up with a standard complaint letter and publish it here , that would help. something that we can send to Virgin/RBS, the tabloid editors, and other consumer groups. Tony Hethrington at the Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday is pretty good at taking up this kind of consumer complaints.

I have been with Virgin One for 9 years. I like the product itself as it suits my way of handling my finances. But now, I can get the same facilities at a cheaper rate elsewhere, so I am moving my mortgate as soon as possible. I get the feeling they want close this product down, as every time I go to my local RBS branch to pay a cheque into the Virgin One account, they offer to find me a better mortgage (aren't they under the same umbrella?). New customers always get the best deals. BE A NEW CUSTOMER!