British Gas HomeCare Plans Explained (2026)

British Gas HomeCare plans are home boiler and heating cover products that pay for repairs, breakdown call-outs and an annual boiler service in exchange for a monthly or annual fee. Cover starts from £22.00 a month with a £60 excess on British Gas’s boiler and heating cover page, and the exact price is quote-based and depends on your postcode, boiler and the excess you choose.

For a bill-conscious household already stretched by energy costs, the real question is not just what HomeCare includes, but whether paying a monthly premium works out cheaper than fixing a boiler when it breaks. We source pricing from British Gas’ own published pages and set out where independent providers can undercut it, so you can decide with the figures in front of you.

Last updated: August 2026

Written by the Free Price Compare editorial team | Reviewed August 2026

How much do British Gas HomeCare plans cost per month?

British Gas HomeCare plans start from around £22 a month with a £60 excess, according to British Gas’ current boiler and heating cover page. The price is quote-based, so what you pay depends on your postcode, your boiler and heating system, the level of cover you choose and the excess you select. Choosing a higher excess generally reduces the monthly premium, while a £0 excess increases it but means you won’t contribute towards eligible repairs. British Gas currently offers the first three months free to new customers paying monthly, with payments starting in month four, or an equivalent 25% discount if you pay annually upfront. Because HomeCare is individually priced, treat any advertised figure as a starting point and get a personalised quote before comparing policies.

It also helps to distinguish HomeCare from your energy bill. An energy tariff includes unit rates and a daily standing charge, whereas HomeCare is a separate insurance product. It doesn’t include a standing charge or energy rates—you simply pay a monthly or annual premium for the cover you choose.

If your motivation for cover is simply cutting monthly outgoings, it is worth checking your energy tariff at the same time. Households on a standard variable tariff can often move to something cheaper, and our guide to the impact of UK utility bill increases in 2025 explains where the savings tend to sit.

Compare home energy tariffs →

What’s the difference between the HomeCare cover plans?

HomeCare cover plans differ by how much of your home they protect, building up from your boiler alone to your whole heating, plumbing and electrical system. The entry-level plan covers your boiler and controls plus an annual service. Higher tiers add central heating (radiators, pipework and the hot water cylinder), then home plumbing and drains, and finally home electrics. Every plan, from the cheapest upwards, includes unlimited repair call-outs and the annual boiler service, so the choice is really about how many home systems you want under one contract. Buying more cover raises the monthly price, so a household with a newer boiler and no history of plumbing problems often does not need the top tier. Domestic & General lists **boiler protection at £7.99 a month** and **boiler and heating cover at £9.99 a month** on its UK heating page, dated from the current product listing. [7]

• Entry level: boiler and controls, plus the annual boiler service and breakdown repairs.
• Mid level: adds full central heating, so radiators, pipework and the hot water cylinder.
• Higher level: adds home plumbing and drains cover.
• Top level: adds home electrical wiring and fittings.

Comparing tiers is easier once you know what a basic plan should include. Our overview of boiler and central heating cover sets out the standard inclusions across the market so you can judge whether a top-tier plan is worth the extra.

Do I need to be a British Gas energy customer to get HomeCare?

No, you do not need to be a British Gas energy customer to buy a HomeCare plan. HomeCare is sold as standalone boiler and heating cover, entirely separate from your gas and electricity supply, so you can hold cover with British Gas while buying your energy from any supplier you like. This matters for a bill-conscious household, because it means you are free to keep your heating cover and still switch your energy tariff to whatever is cheapest. Your HomeCare contract and your energy contract are two different agreements with different terms, prices and cancellation rules. Ofgem’s energy price cap sets the default tariff for households on standard variable tariffs, while a separate HomeCare contract can have its own terms, prices and cancellation rules under its own agreement.[15]

Because the two are independent, it is worth reviewing them separately. If you are on a standard variable tariff sitting above the price cap floor, moving to a better deal can save you more each month than the cover itself costs. You can start that review at our home energy comparison hub without touching your cover plan.

Cutting your energy bill first

Sort your gas and electricity tariff before adding cover, so you know your true monthly outgoings.

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Does HomeCare include a boiler replacement?

No, HomeCare does not include a full boiler replacement as standard; it covers repairs to keep your existing boiler working, not fitting a new one when the old one reaches the end of its life. If an engineer decides your boiler is beyond economical repair, or parts are no longer available, the plan pays to repair covered faults but not to install a replacement. This is one of the most common misunderstandings among households who assume years of premiums entitle them to a new boiler. Some HomeCare products do offer help towards a replacement in defined circumstances, so read the policy terms closely and check the age and condition rules before you rely on it. British Gas HomeCare states it will provide a **replacement boiler** if it cannot repair it and the boiler is **less than 7 years old**, or **between 7 and 10 years old** if British Gas installed it and it has been continuously covered by them; claims within the **first 14 days** are also excluded, per British Gas’s current HomeCare terms and boiler cover pages (2026).[1][4]

An older boiler is also more likely to be declined for cover or to face exclusions, so if your unit is over ten years old, weigh the annual premium against the likelihood of a replacement you would still have to fund yourself. Comparing how other providers treat ageing boilers is useful here, and our OVO vs British Gas boiler cover comparison shows where the terms differ.

Is British Gas HomeCare worth it, or too expensive?

British Gas HomeCare is worth it for households that value a single, well-resourced national engineer network and want repair bills capped at a predictable monthly figure, but it is often more expensive than independent boiler cover offering similar protection. The value case rests on how likely your boiler is to fail and how much a repair would cost you out of pocket. A modern boiler in good condition rarely breaks, so the maths can favour self-insuring by setting money aside. An older or troublesome boiler tips the balance towards cover. Because HomeCare sits among the higher-priced options, always price at least two or three independent alternatives on identical cover levels before renewing. The FCA’s general insurance value measures data notes that home emergency cover is designed so insurers’ claim payouts typically cost less than an independent tradesperson appointed by a customer in an emergency, and it publishes claims frequency, acceptance and average payout data to help consumers compare product value beyond price.

All UK boiler cover repairs must be carried out by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register, which is the legal requirement under gov.uk rules for anyone working on gas appliances, so this is not a point of difference between providers. What varies is price, excess, response times and how boiler age is treated.

Compare boiler cover providers →

British Gas HomeCare plan reviews: what customers report

British Gas HomeCare plan reviews commonly praise the 24/7 call-out network and the reassurance of a large national engineer base, while criticism centres on price rises at renewal, the annual service falling outside a neat 12-month window, and the gap between what people expect and what the small print covers. A recurring complaint is renewal premiums climbing sharply year on year, which is why checking the renewal quote against a fresh comparison each year matters. Another is the annual boiler “service” being lighter than expected, so it is worth understanding what a service actually involves before you judge value. None of this makes HomeCare poor value for the right household, but it does mean you should read the cover terms and renewal price carefully rather than auto-renewing. The FCA banned “price walking” and required firms to make it easier to exit auto-renewing home and motor insurance policies, with these rules in force from 1 January 2022 (FCA PS21/5, updated by PS21/11).

If price at renewal is your sticking point, it is worth knowing your options for pushing back. Our guide on how to challenge UK utility bill increases explains the general approach to querying rises and negotiating, which applies to cover renewals as well as energy bills.

How do I cancel a HomeCare plan or get a refund?

To cancel a HomeCare plan, contact British Gas directly, though whether you can cancel penalty-free depends on your contract type. Monthly plans generally run for a fixed 12-month term, so cancelling part-way through usually means paying the remainder or an early-exit charge, unless you are inside the initial cooling-off period. Rolling monthly agreements can normally be ended with about a month’s notice. If you paid annually upfront and cancel early, any refund is usually pro-rata for the unused months, minus the cost of any service or call-outs you have already used. Always check your own policy documents for the exact terms, because the rules differ between plan versions.

• Cooling-off period: you can usually cancel within 14 days of taking out cover for a refund, provided you have not claimed.
• Fixed 12-month monthly plan: cancelling early may trigger a charge or require you to pay the balance.
• Rolling monthly plan: normally cancellable with around one month’s notice.
• Annual upfront payment: a pro-rata refund for unused months, less any services or repairs already provided.

Cheaper alternatives to British Gas HomeCare

Cheaper alternatives to British Gas HomeCare include boiler cover from energy suppliers and independent specialists, which frequently price similar cover levels below British Gas while still using Gas Safe registered engineers. Because the annual boiler service and repair call-outs are common to most plans, the main differences come down to monthly price, excess, boiler-age limits and response times. Comparing two or three quotes on matching cover is the single most effective way to cut what you pay, and switching providers at renewal is straightforward since HomeCare is not tied to your energy supply.

• E.ON Next heating cover for a supplier-backed alternative.
• EDF heating cover plans and boiler service options.
• Hometree heating cover from an independent specialist.
• OVO Energy boiler cover plans and pricing.

When you compare, match the cover levels exactly, note the excess on each quote, and check how each provider treats boilers over ten years old. A £5 monthly difference adds up to £60 a year, which is often the same as one excess payment.

See heating cover options →

How does the annual boiler service work under HomeCare?

The annual boiler service under HomeCare is a yearly safety and performance check of your boiler, included in every plan, carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The service checks the boiler is operating safely and efficiently and flags any issues, but it is not the same as a full strip-down or a guarantee that faults will be found early. A common frustration is the gap between services stretching beyond 12 months because it is booked to your availability, so book yours as soon as the window opens each year to keep the interval close to annual. A regular service also helps keep your boiler’s manufacturer warranty valid, since most warranties require yearly servicing by a qualified engineer. A boiler should be serviced **every year / once every 12 months** to keep a manufacturer’s warranty valid, according to British Gas guidance dated 2026.[1][2]

An annual service is worthwhile in its own right, even outside a cover plan, because it supports efficiency and safety. If you do not want full breakdown cover, a standalone service from an independent engineer is often cheaper than a HomeCare plan bought mainly for the service element.

• E.ON Next Heating Cover | Boiler Service, Plans & Energy Prices
• EDF Heating Cover | Boiler Service, Plans & Energy Prices
• ServiceBox Heating Cover | Boiler & Central Heating Plans
• OVO Energy Boiler Cover | Service Plans & Energy Prices
• 24/7 Home Care Heating Cover | Boiler & Central Heating Plans

Information correct as of 5 August 2026. Prices, tariffs, policy details and providers change frequently, so please check the latest details before making a decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Free Price Compare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).