BG Services on your bank statement is British Gas HomeCare – a boiler and central heating cover plan paid by monthly direct debit. If you don’t remember signing up, you likely accepted it when you took out a new British Gas energy contract or had boiler work done.
I recently helped my mother identify this charge on her account. After reviewing what the cover included and how much independent boiler repairs typically cost, we decided it was actually worth keeping.
Below you’ll see when the cover is worth the cost and the exact steps to cancel it if you decide it isn’t.
What is BG services?
BG Services is a name used by British Gas Services typically for their HomeCare cover. This is insurance cover for your boiler, heating, drainage and electrics.
The amount you pay varies depending on the level of protection but on average it’s around £12 for the basic cover and paid via direct debit.
I know what you’re thinking. I don’t remember ever signing up to this. Neither did my mother. It turns out that when she joined British Gas as new customer for her electricity supply, she was given 12 months free boiler cover.
This is a common story, and while there have been complaints before, more are starting to show as people reach the end of their 12-month free term and are now being charged.
British Gas is being at bit naughty here to say the least. When you switch to British Gas the cover comes bundled up with everything else, but is actually separate contract. This means when you switch to a new supplier, the cover isn’t automatically cancelled.
Whether it is entirely legal is a matter for the courts, but It’s certainly disingenuous. The cover comes bundled with new energy contracts but is billed separately and continues even if you switch supplier, which can confuse customers who don’t realise it’s a separate direct debit.
Is British Gas HomeCare worth keeping?
For many boiler and heating cover such as that offered by HomeCare brings piece of mind, knowing that should anything fail you won’t be met with huge bill. This is especially true during winter. That alone is worth the fee for some.
HomeCare does offer comprehensive cover but it’s not the only game in town. EDF, ScottishPower, and Corgi HomePlan are amongst some of the alternatives.
For those looking for boiler, heating and plumbing cover Which has an excellent guide.
How do I cancel BG Services?
You can cancel the cover online by logging into your British Gas account selecting:
Manage ‘Account’ -> ‘My Account’ -> ‘Account Overview’ -> ‘View my Cover’ and finally ‘Cancel My Cover.
Alternatively, you can call British Gas customer services on 0333 202 9804 and tell them you want to cancel the cover. They may try to sell you the benefits of keeping it, but if you are sure that you want to cancel then stand firm.
So long as you haven’t used the service there shouldn’t be any cancellation charges, but you won’t be refunded amounts you’ve already paid, so hopefully you caught it early.
If you have made use of the service you may be due to pay cancellation charges as the work done would have heavily discounted by virtue of being a HomeCare customer.
Once you’ve cancelled, be sure to monitor your account to make sure there aren’t any more charges, and cancel the direct debit, after the last/final payment has been made.
BG Services FAQs
Is BG Services the same as my British Gas energy bill?
No. “BG Services” normally relates to British Gas HomeCare (boiler/heating cover) and is taken as a separate direct debit from your energy tariff payments, so it can appear as its own line on your bank statement.
Why did this start after 12 months?
Some British Gas sign-ups include a free HomeCare/boiler cover period that later rolls into paid cover if it isn’t cancelled before the free period ends. If the payments began around a year after switching, check your emails/letters for “HomeCare” or “Home Services” confirmation.
What should I do right now if I don’t recognise the charge?
- Check if anyone in your household set it up (it may be in their name but paid from your account).
- Look at the exact name on the direct debit mandate and on your statement. If you’re unsure what “account name” means, see our guide: What is my bank account name?
- Search your inbox (and spam) for “British Gas”, “HomeCare”, “Home Services” and “cover”.
- Log in to your British Gas account and look for any HomeCare/Home Services cover attached to your address.
- Contact British Gas and ask them to confirm exactly what the direct debit is for, when it started, and what contract it relates to.
- If you still believe it’s incorrect, ask about cancellation and whether any refund is possible, then monitor your bank statement to make sure no further payments leave your account.
Will cancelling BG Services cancel my energy supply?
No. HomeCare/Home Services cover is separate from your gas/electricity supply, so cancelling the cover should not affect your energy tariff.
Can I get a refund?
Sometimes, but it depends on your exact agreement, how long you’ve been paying, and whether you’ve used the cover (for example, a repair or service). The best next step is to contact British Gas, ask for the policy start date and terms, and request a refund review if you believe you were signed up in error or didn’t understand it was a separate contract.