Homeserve, Anglian Water Direct - What's going on?

[Old Salt]

Last year I accepted a free offer of Water Supply Pipe Cover..........It expired 1 Jan 2009.........Since then I have been enundated with letters and offers encouraging me to renew.

The annual premium is �22.00, which they have today reduced to �20.00.

I have never needed it before, but, as with all insurance, it is supposed to kick-in-when-you-need-it.

However, I cannot see exactly what they may cover, due to the legal speak in the terms and conditions

Has anyone had to make a claim using the Homeserve cover? Does anyone know anyone who has made a claim? Was it a good experience?

So many questions, and no answers

Hope someone can help

I know I was better off at sea
Old Salt

[sandmaster]

I don't know what Anglian cover, but Br Gas in this area offer Homeserve at �7 pm and it covers all pipes and sewers indoors and out. I've refused it as �72 saved every year will go a long way to paying a plumber when and if I need one.
But �20 per year seems good if it covers all this.

[Old Salt]

My delima sandmaster is

Even the full �22.00 a year sounds too cheap to be anything but one of those insurance deals where when it comes to a claim, if you get one approved, you get the "Oh yea, it's covered, but only to a maximum of (usually beer money) value." Also, they often have a matrix which they have to use for all approved claims, and so on.

The short answer is I just don't believe them or any govenment promise.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and it sounds like good advice.....but, like you, I find it hard to accept it is value for money.

Old Salt

[sandmaster]

Hi Oldsalt

When I was a lot younger someone gave me good advice.
Insure what you have to (car for instance). Insure what you cannot ever afford to lose (house).
Insure your life if you have debts and dependants.
Hopefully consider the above necessary but a waste of money (that is hope you never have to claim).
As for the rest, you cannot afford to insure everything so just chose things that will give you peace of mind (pet insurance perhaps - although I've never bothered).
Then save a little regularly to cover any contingencies you are not insured for. In 35 years of property ownership I've called a plumber once.

[4getmenot]

I deal with these people alot through work. They tend to just deal with clearances and any surveys but dont so many repairs. If any reapirs are needed we dont actually take any Homserve cover and you would need to contact your actually building insurance company

[4getmenot]

basivally if you pay building insurance then you may aswell use them for what they are for

[4getmenot]

its a bit like insuring your car then getting seperate insurance out on windscreens which is covered under your car insurance anyway

[sandmaster]

Oops, just reread my first answer - I'm not usually that bad at maths!!

[Old Salt]

Yet more good advice sandmaster

I think I will carry on as I have been over the past 69 years, of which 40+ years I've been a homeowner. Whenever anything needed fixing, which I couldn't do, I called someone (with a good reputation).

I still maintain an 'emergency fund' for things not covered by normal buildings and content insurance.

Thank your for taking an interest in my problems.

Maybe I can return the favour sometime

Old Salt

[Old Salt]

Oh yea, and your math was good enough to get the point across

Old Salt

[4getmenot]

..

[Old Salt]

Thanks for taking the time to reply 4getmenot

Old Salt

[buildersmate]

Water pipe replacement cover repairs the mains supply pipe from the stop-valve in the road into your house. It is generally not part of Buildings Cover (but check), and it is not the water utilities job either.
As you have discovered, there's a ready supply of water utilities peddling this cover.
Unless you have a combination of:
an ancient set of pipes - say more than 60 years old
live on clay or land with a history of slip that regularly causes water seeping from thje ground around your neighbourhood
are planning major excavation in the garden
-- I reckon it is a waste of money. The risk is very low - that's why the cost might seem low - but you can bet the peddlers are making a bundle of money from them. It gives peace of mind, I suppose.

[Old Salt]

Glad to hear that buildersmate

Although I have spent a tremendous amount of time around water, I have only ever worried about 'shipboard watertight integrity.' Land water was something I experienced during a run-ashore and the odd year or two when the Navy would give me a shore assignment - and I usually wound up in dire difficulties, social and monetary.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to give me some good advice

Old Salt

[charlady]

We have been with Home serve through Anglian for some years. They have been to us several times because we have dodgy plumbing/sewers. Always a fast response in an emergency and reasonably helpful. Major problems always sorted at the first aid stage although later follow up sketchy. Once we had a plumber who made a faulty diagnosis, which did n't cost us anythimg other than time and hassle. The plumber who comes out is a contract guy rather than a homeserve employee but I believe that is standard whoever you are with. Hope this helps.

[Old Salt]

Well, I never would have believed it charlady

I had given up on finding anyone with a good example of their service

Thanks

Old Salt