Between my family and I we have four different plans with 24/7.

When setting them up, the price sounded very reasonable but when having to make a claim we were told that because the boilers were of a certain age there would be an excess charge of £95 per callout.

Asking about this I was told that for an additional monthly premium I could go for a no excess policy. (A hidden extra?)

In the case of another boiler in another property; on call out I was told that it was beyond economical repair and 24/7 could replace it but the premium would have to be increased quite significantly, in spite of what would be a brand new boiler.

The day before the agreed replacement, I received a call to tell me that because the engineer was not a joiner, he could not refit the boxing that the boiler is in, so in short I would have to pay for someone to tidy up after him.

When taking out the agreement, I was told there would only any be any extra expense, if any pipe work had to be changed but since it was only a swap of like for like of a wall mounted combi boiler, this was not likely.

Although their prices are lower than for a British Gas Homecare plan any such savings would be wiped out after a few claims - in this instance I wish I had looked a gift horse in the mouth and not accepted.