Older consumers struggling to get travel cover

A recent report has highlighted how difficult it can be for older consumers to find affordable travel insurance cover, with many finding the cost of this cover too high to afford. Many older people aged sixty five and above find themselves in a difficult situation where they suddenly have more time to travel following retirement but then discover that their age is making it difficult or impossible to get insurance for their travel.

Figures have shown that the average cost of cover for someone in their thirties is under twenty pounds for a single trip cover policy. However, for someone that is eighty years of age the cost can be around five times that amount, and that’s only if the older traveller is fit and healthy. For those that have past and existing medical problems the cost can be too much to afford.

Older people often struggle to get travel insurance cover, and this is because insurance firms see them as a higher risk and a liability become of their age and frailty. The amount charged for travel insurance for someone aged sixty five can more than double for someone aged sixty six who is going to the same destination for the same period of time.

The amount of choice that older travellers have is also limited, as there are some firms that will not provide cover for anyone aged over sixty five. The cost and availability of travel insurance cover for older people has resulted in some people being unable to enjoy the plans to travel following retirement because they simply cannot afford the cost of the cover.

One industry official said: “It can be very difficult for people of retirement age to get affordable travel insurance cover, and it is vital that they take time to compare because some insurance firms will charge a fortune.”

Tags: cost, travel, amount, consumers, finding, policy

Scottish consumers want more choice when it comes to banks

According to a recent report consumers in Scotland would be keen to see increased competition when it comes to High Street banks, and would like to see a greater choice of High Street banks. A survey was carried out by accountancy firm Deloitte, and the results showed that consumers would like to see more banks entering the market so that they have more choice with regards to which bank to use.

This comes despite the fact that consumer confidence in the banking industry is still low following the global financial crisis and the recession. However, whilst consumers are looking for more choice when it comes to the banking industry it also emerged that many would be worried about handing their money over to a new entrant in the market, especially in the current financial climate.

The Independent Commission on Banking has already launched an investigation into the state of competition in the UK’s banking system, and there is particular concern over competition amongst banks in Scotland because the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB are the dominant players in the sector.

The survey showed that around 30 percent of Scottish consumers wanted to see more choice when it came to High Street banks, and around 17 percent have switched some part of their banking to a rival provider, such as their savings accounts or mortgages. Deloitte officials said that these factors showed that there was room for new entrants to the banking sector in Scotland.

One official from the accountancy group said: “Our findings suggest that consumers will look to more established and recognised brands who extend into banking, with one in 10 saying they would be happy to bank with any large ‘household brand’. Further, consumers are more likely to take out certain products such as savings accounts from new entrants, but remain cautious about committing to longer term products such as mortgages.”

Tags: high street banks, confidence, lloyds tsb, recent report, official, bank, whilst, savings accounts

Airlines dragging their feet over ash cloud insurance payout

The Icelandic volcanic ash cloud that swept across UK airspace earlier this year caused havoc for many travellers, leaving many stranded abroad and many others unable to set off on their travels. UK airspace had to be closed towards the end of April this year for around a week, and many people that were stranded abroad had to pay for food, accommodation, and to contact people at home.

Thousands of travellers had to put in claims as a result of the chaos and the money that they had to pay out to stay abroad until UK airspace was opened again. However, it has emerged that eight months later many are still waiting for their claims to be sorted out, with some airlines dragging their feet over payment on claims.

A number of unscrupulous practices are said to be going on amongst some airlines, which includes capping payouts to consumers, only paying a fraction of the amount being claimed by consumers, delaying claims until early next year or beyond in some cases, making consumers contact foreign compensation schemes and pay for translators, failing to respond to emails forcing consumers to contact them via expensive phone numbers.

Industry official have expressed concern that many consumers with travel insurance who were trying to claim for the disaster are being directed to foreign complaints bodies that do not provide translation services.

One official said: ‘This has meant travellers have had to pay for translators to get their complaint put in to the local language. They would not have to do this if the airlines just met their obligations. For example, they cannot limit claims, and we have seen that happening. We are in constant discussions with the airlines about their responsibilities.’

Tags: Financial services, compensation schemes, Volcanic ash, phone numbers, translation services, year, food

Some drivers wasting money on wrong insurance cover

Having vehicle insurance cover in place is a legal requirement in the UK for drivers that intend to operate a vehicle or take their own vehicle out on the road. However, the cost of vehicle insurance can be expensive, and increases in premiums have left many people struggling to afford this cover.

However, in their bid to save money on the cost of insurance cover some drivers could simply be wasting money according to a recent report. It is claimed that many people are taking out vehicle insurance cover that offers them little to no protection simply because it is the cheapest they can get. This means that they are paying out money for insurance cover, but if they need to make a claim it could turn out that they are not adequately covered.

Many of those that are taking out the cheapest car insurance even though it may not be suitable are using price comparison sites to find their cover. Price comparison sites often give consumers the impression that they are getting a very good deal on their insurance cover, when they may actually just be getting the cheapest cover without the level of cover that they need.

Officials have said that many of those that simply opt for the cheapest cover without really thinking about the level of cover that they need are taking a huge risk, as they may find themselves with real problems in the event that they have to make a claim.

Consumers who are looking for cover are advised to make sure that they compare the features and coverage levels of the plans that they are considering rather than focusing their attention on the price of the cover, as this could turn out to be a false economy that will cost them far more in the long run.

Tags: insurance cover, level, Financial economics, focusing, finance

Tighten your spending for next year

With all the uncertainty over the economy and job losses many people will be stressing over their finances and for many people sorting out their finances for the New Year will be a priority. It is always a good idea to start the New Year with a streamlined budget, as it means that you can focus on your finances and try to get them into some sort of order over the course of the year.

With this in mind it is a good idea to start now when it comes to trying to sort out your finances, and there are a few simple steps that you can take, which could help you to organise your finances more effectively, make your budget more manageable, and even reduce the amount of money that you pay each month.

The first step is to go through your finances with a fine toothcomb. You need to make a list of all of your income and all of your outgoings so that you know exactly what is going into your account and exactly what is coming out of it each month. This will allow you to see where you can make cutbacks and what changes you can make to benefit you in terms of your financial situation.

Many people have a variety of payment that they make for things that they do not even use, such as gym memberships even though they never get time to go, magazine subscriptions for magazines they no longer read, and various other payments that they may have forgotten about. Take the time to cancel anything like this, as it could mean big savings each month.

Once you have gone through your finances with a fine tooth comb it is time to see whether there is anything that you can reduce payments on by switching. Many people switch services such as their utilities, broadband, insurance, credit cards, and even mortgage in order to save money, and shopping around for a better deal could make a big difference to the amount that you have to pay out each month by reducing the cost.

Finally, look at any debt that you have and consider whether consolidation might reduce your repayments and get you a better deal. You could consolidate all of your debt such as credit cards, overdraft, and loans, into one, which would save you time and hassle each month and reduce your monthly repayment.

Tags: list, broadband, fine, amount, credit, overdraft, month, uncertainty

Personal loans – strike whilst the iron’s hot

Over recent years the cost of borrowing by way of a personal loan has been spiralling, and even though the base interest rate has been at a record low of 0.5 percent for the past two years personal loan rates have remained high, especially on loans of £5000 or less. However, recent reports have suggested that the cost of borrowing has been falling, which means that consumers may now be able to get a better deal on their borrowing.

However, some industry experts do not believe that the decreases in personal loan interest rates will continue, and that the trend could quickly reverse, with rates going back up again. It is therefore worth considering looking at personal loans now if you think that you may need to take out a loan over the coming months, as you may find that if you strike now you could get a fairly good deal but if you wait around loan rates may start to rise again.

It is especially important for consumers to compare personal loan rates now that the level of interest is said to be coming down, as it increases competition and boosts the chances of being able to get a loan that is competitive and affordable. However, if the base rate increases over the coming months or lenders start to put their rates up again due to the uncertain climate many could find that they have to pay far more for their borrowing.

The internet makes it easier to compare different loans and lenders, and this means that you won’t have to do to any unnecessary hassle in order to weed out the most competitive loans. You can browse and compare loans with ease via the Internet, and you will be able to see at a glance whether the loans available are affordable for you or not.

It is important to act quickly, as many experts think that loan rates will stop falling and could start rising again, which means that you could miss out on a far more competitive rate simply because you decided to wait a couple of months before looking for your personal loan.

The rates are said to have fallen in particular on loans of over £5000, so those considering taking out a larger loan could find that they can make a significant saving on repayments due to lower interest rates by looking for a loan now rather than later.

Tags: hassle, trend, percent, finance, base rate, whilst

Another decade for first time buyer mortgages to stabilise

It has been claimed in a recent report that it could take another decade before mortgages for first time buyers stabilise and reach the level that they were at prior to the global financial crisis. Before the credit crunch first time buyers were usually easily able to get a mortgage, and often did not have to even put down any deposit. However, this has all changed and these days those looking to get onto the property ladder feel that they are hanging on to an impossible dream.

Over the past couple of years things have become increasingly more difficult for first time buyers. Restrictions in the mortgage markets resulting from the financial crisis have resulted in more buyers being turned down by lenders when they apply for a mortgage. Those with damaged or poor credit history are also charged high rates of interest or turned down for a mortgage altogether.

Another huge hurdle that has faced first time buyers over the past couple of years is the matter of the deposit that lenders want in order to get a mortgage. In the past first time buyers were able to get a mortgage without even putting down any deposit, and could even borrow over and above the value of the property with a 125 percent mortgage.

However, these days lenders are demanding huge deposits from first time buyers such as 20 percent or more, which is leaving many people out in the cold when it comes to getting onto the property ladder.

One official from the homeless charity Shelter said: “The failure of successive governments to tackle Britain’s housing crisis has left an entire generation of young people with little hope of ever accessing a secure and affordable place to live. The impact both on them and on wider society is already becoming clear, with rising numbers of young people delaying having children, unable to move for job opportunities and spending longer and longer living with their parents because of the crippling cost of housing.”

Tags: crisis, Subprime mortgage crisis, value, percent mortgage, business, mortgage, Financial crisis of 2007–2009, little hope

Comparing breakdown cover can save you money

It has been revealed that drivers who take the time to compare breakdown cover with different insurance companies are able to save more money in the long run than those that just automatically take the cover offered to them by their car insurance provider or simply go for the first breakdown cover plan they come across.

Over recent years an increasing number of people have started to take on vehicle breakdown cover plans, with more and more of them realising just how valuable this cover can be in the event of a breakdown either at home or whilst out and about. There are different levels of cover available, including plan that include home start, where someone will come out to you even if you break down in your own home.

There are now more vehicle breakdown providers than ever, as demand for these services has resulted in a surge in the number of companies that are offering cover. This means that drivers now have far greater choice, and can find a breakdown cover plan that offers them the level of cover that they need for a price that is highly competitive.

A study was recently carried out, and the results showed that people that took the time to compare different breakdown cover plans and providers were far more likely to get affordable breakdown cover than those that did not compare the different options available.

One industry official said: “The cost of breakdown cover plans can vary quite widely between different providers, and you may end up paying far more for your cover with one company than you would for exactly the same level of cover with another provider. This is why it is so important to browse and compare a number of plans and providers before you commit.”

Tags: affordable breakdown cover, time, insurance provider, vehicle breakdown cover, whilst, official, car insurance

Insurance company wins award

A leading insurance company that deals with private medical insurance has won an award that could see it becoming an even more popular choice amongst companies and individuals that are looking for a private medical insurance plan. The award was won by the insurance giant Aviva UK which won the award for health insurance company of the year at the recent Health Insurance Awards that were held in London.

The winner last year for the same award was Bupa, but Aviva pipped the rival provider to the post and took the crown for this prestigious title. The company also won two other awards during the evening, and this could really boost its profile and increase its popularity, both on a personal basis and a corporate one. Bupa also lost out when it came to the international private medical insurance award, which it has won for nine years in a row – this year it lost out to IMG Europe.

Aviva officials have said that they have been focussing on making healthcare easier for their customers by providing them with a range of tools and resources to make it easier for them to take care of their health effectively.

One official from the insurance giant said: “Aviva has developed several online tools such as a BMI calculator and MyHealthCounts to help our customers better manage their health.”

More and more people are becoming interested in private health insurance cover, as they become more conscious about their health. There are a number of providers offering competitive deals on private medical insurance cover, and it is important for anyone that is considering taking out this sort of cover to make sure that they compare different deals in order to get the most competitive price and the most suitable plan.

Tags: europe, corporate, Health Insurance Awards, insurance company, official, Health care, IMG Europe

Mortgage lending in UK to remain subdued

According to a mortgage industry group mortgage lending in the UK is likely to remain subdued and could go into decline as the year comes to an end. Lenders are said to have loosened up on their restrictions over mortgage lending over recent months following the financial chaos caused by the credit crisis and the recession, but many are still struggling to get the finance that they need to buy a property.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders claims that the mortgage market is likely to continue its decline, with the number of loans approved for the month of October this year down by 9 percent for the same month last year. This was also the lowest total for the month of October since 2000. The group said that year on year lending levels for mortgages are likely to continue their decline over the coming months.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has also stated that the total gross mortgage lending figure for the whole of this year is likely to reach £137 billion, which is thought to be the lowest since 2001. Many first time buyers are still struggling to get a mortgage at the moment, which has left many unable to get onto the property ladder, forcing them to have to rent and driving up the cost of renting a property.

However, in a separate study that was carried out by Sainsbury’s Finance it was claimed that the rock bottom base interest rate, which still stands at just 0.5 percent, is resulting in homeowners’ mortgage repayments plummeting, with the average cost of mortgage repayments said to have fallen by around 27.67 percent since 2008. This takes the figure for mortgage repayments to an average of £8059 per year according to the figures from the supermarket giant.

Tags: decline, Banking, finance, mortgage industry group, credit

Beat the VAT rise and pick up your big ticket items now

As outlined in the emergency budget earlier this year, which was delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, VAT is set to increase from the start of next year, rising from 17.5 percent to 20 percent, as the coalition government strives to make more money to clear the huge public deficit.

This will come as bad news for the many cash strapped consumers who are already struggling to make ends meet, because it means that price on many things will soar even further. This is why many people are now rushing to make their purchases in the few weeks that they have left prior to the rate of VAT increasing.

The items that many people are rushing to buy include big ticket items such as electrical items like televisions, fridge freezers, washing machines, and the like. Many are also rushing to book holidays before the prices go up, as the effect of even a small 2.5 percent increase on the cost of more expensive items can make a big difference.

Bearing in mind that VAT is set to increase by 2.5 percent at the start of the year it is a good idea to determine whether you are going to be making any big ticket purchases in the early part of next year, and then bringing the purchase forward if possible. This could save you the cost of the additional 2.5 percent, which on higher priced items can make a difference.

If you time it right you could get a bargain on your big ticket items. Directly after Christmas the price of many items is slashed by retailers, and the VAT increase is not set to come in until the start of January. This means that if you purchase your items between Christmas and New Yearn you could benefit from the lower prices from the sale, and you can avoid the VAT hike, which means that you could get a bargain.

In order to make the biggest savings plan you sales shopping, and try and work out which retailers are holding sales between Christmas and New Year so that you can plan your sales shopping accordingly. You should also consider planning ahead, and if you are considering anything such as booking a holiday make the booking early to avoid the VAT increase so that you pay less for your holiday.

Tags: additional 2.5 percent, chancellor of the exchequer, consumers, cash strapped consumers, increase, New Year's Day, budget, time

Android phones could replace credit cards

Many people use their credit cards and debit cards to pay for purchases when they go shopping, and this is partly because of the convenience and ease that this method of payment offers. However, according to officials from Google, smart phones with the next version of the Google Android Operating System could end up replacing credit cards as a method of payment in High street stores, coffee shops, and other retail establishments.

More and more people are opting for smart phones these days, and the next version of the Google Android smart phone Operating System called Gingerbread, is set to have a Tap and Pay feature on built into it. This feature will allow users to pay for things by simply tapping their smart phone against a specialist reader thus eliminating the need to use a credit card.

The technology was demonstrated recently in San Francisco by the CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, who said that he was working on an unannounced device that would incorporate Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, which is the technology that makes Tap and Pay possible. The technology ensures that credit card details are passed securely between smart phone and reader when the two are tapped together. It is the same technology that is used in existing tap and pay cards that do not require a PIN or signature.

One official said that the uptake of tap and pay enabled smart phones might be slow to start with because people would be a little cautious about using the new technology, but he said that it would most likely pick up quickly.

He stated: “Adoption of NFC smartphones could be slow at first because some people will naturally be hesitant about this revolutionary new way of paying for everyday goods.”

Tags: likely pick, version, Technology, device, specialist reader, system, enabled smart phones, street

Consumers warned against locking into costly fixed rate energy tariffs

With winter now upon us it is not surprising that many people are getting concerned about their energy bills, and this is made even worse by the fact that energy usage prices are set to soar with the energy giants increasing their prices and adding the financial burden that many households are already experiencing. Scottish and Southern Energy has already announced an increase of 9 percent from the start of December, which could see the average annual bill rising by almost £70 a year.

Officials have said that it is likely that more of the UK’s energy giants will follow suit and increase their prices. However, they have also said that consumers should resist the temptation to lock themselves into costly fixed price energy deals, as this way they could end up paying hundreds of pounds extra each year. It is claimed that fixed tariffs are around 27 percent higher than online tariffs, and this could add over £230 to the average annual energy bill.

EDF Energy announced yesterday that it would be freezing standard gas and electricity prices until March 2011. However, the annual cost of this comes to £1098 a year, compared to £867 a year for its best online tariff, reflecting a difference of 27 percent.

Ann Robinson from the price comparison service uswitch.com said: ‘Fixed tariffs can be expensive; it is only worth paying the extra if you are confident prices will increase by that much. There are two key steps to keeping a lid on your energy bills – make your home more energy efficient, and switch to a competitive energy plan so you pay less for the energy you use. This could save around £422 per year.’

Tags: EDF, fixed rate, Renewable energy, price, price comparison service, officials, tariff, Ann Robinson

Older people likely to cut back on spending before younger consumers

It has been claimed that older people in the UK are more likely to curb their spending on things such as credit cards and current accounts than younger consumers. With many people struggling financially, and with rising living costs, increasing VAT levels, and rising unemployment levels likely to further affect spending power amongst consumers, cutting back has become a necessity for many people.

An official from Lovemoney.com claims that it is the older members of society that are likely to react to economic changes before younger ones, and older people are more likely to reduce their spending on credit cards and via their current accounts. Older people are also more likely to start putting money aside in savings than younger people.

Ed Bowsher, the official from Lovemoney.com, said that with interest rates still at a record low younger people are more likely to continue spending in the short to medium term and less likely to think about reining their spending in or trying to save any money. However, he said that older people would not have that ‘feel good’ factor.

Bowsher’s prediction comes after the publication of a recent report, which showed that since the start of the recession around 75 percent of consumers in Britain had altered their spending habits, with many having to make huge changes to their spending levels because of the financial strains that have come about from the recession and the global financial crisis.

However, many people have turned to credit cards and overdrafts in order to keep up with their financial commitment or continue with a particular lifestyle, and this has led to rising debt levels amongst households in the UK.

Tags: particular lifestyle, United Kingdom, factor, consumer, overdrafts, debt levels, necessity, power

Car insurance premiums increase by up to 50 percent

It has been revealed that drivers are facing huge financial burdens, with the news that in some cases car insurance premiums have soared by up to a massive 50 percent in the space of one year. This could see some motorists now paying hundreds of pound a year extra in car insurance premiums at a time when many are already struggling to keep their vehicles on the roads due to high petrol prices and other financial commitments.

Annual renewal costs on car insurance are now said to be at an all time high, and according to some industry experts part of the blame for the soaring cost in cover lies with ‘crash for cash’ fraudsters, who are swindling insurance firms out of huge sums of cash by staging crashes and then claiming. Fronting, which is where parents are including their kids on their own cover due to the cost of insurance for a younger driver, has also been blamed for the surge in car insurance costs.

The cost of cover for male drivers aged between seventeen and twenty two years of age has soared by around 51 percent, taking the average price of cover to £2500. For female drivers of the same age the average cost of cover is around £1400 according to figures released by the motoring group, the AA.

The AA commented on the fact that many parents were engaging in fronting, stating: ‘This is actually fraud and it is driving up premiums for everyone. Insurance companies are getting much better at detecting this.’

The company added: ‘There has also been an escalation in our compensation culture, imported from America. In the past, if you had a knock or a bump and were left with a sore neck, you would take a paracetamol. Now personal injury lawyers encourage you to sue. Personal injury claim rates in Britain are four times those of any other European country – yet we have fewer accidents.”

Tags: country, paracetamol, compensation culture, car insurance costs, driver, paracetamol. Now personal injury, pound, insurance costs

Lack of mortgages leads to increased demand for rental property in London

The financial crisis is still having severe repercussions when it comes to the mortgage and property markets, and getting a mortgage these days can be very difficult for first time buyers because of the restrictions that are still in place amongst lenders and the high deposit levels that lenders are demanding from would be buyers in order to stand a chance of getting the mortgage loan that they need.

For those that are looking to live in London things are even more difficult, and the high cost of property in the capital coupled with the problems with getting a mortgage and lack of 100 percent mortgages has made it impossible for many people that need to or wish to live in the city to actually buy a place of their own. This has led to an increase in the number of people looking to rent property in London.

The surge in applications for rental properties in London has led to experts advising those looking to rent in London to look sooner rather than later, as the demand for property in the area is set to increase. In fact, it has now got to a point where demand has reached a level that enables some landlords to accept sealed bids from interested parties.

One official said that there was a revival in the city and a large number of students looking for accommodation, all of which had added to the high demand for rental property in the area. Another official said that landlords in London needed to consider not increasing the rent on their properties, as this would encourage existing tenants to stay on and could cut costs.

Tags: london, economics, mortgage, rental properties in london, personal finance, Demand (economics), sealed bids, interested parties

Energy customers could pay price for leaving fixed rate deal

Over the past couple of years many energy customers in the UK have decided to opt for a fixed price deal with their energy firm in the hope of avoiding soaring energy costs. These fixed price deals are set for a specified period of time, but in some cases when the deal expires the energy provider rolls the customer onto another fixed price deal automatically if they do not hear from the customer to say otherwise.

Officials are now concerned that customers who want to get out of a fixed rate deal with their energy supplier in order to switch to another provider could face crippling financial penalties with some facing fees as high as £200 simply for wanting to get out of the fixed rate deal that they are locked into. The Fixed Price 2015 tariff from energy giant EDF is the one that comes with the highest penalty, with customers being charged up to £200 for leaving the deal earlier than the expiry.

Experts are now urging consumers to make sure that they keep an eye on their fixed rate deals, and to make the switch when they get the chance rather than risking being rolled over to yet another contract and then getting stuck on another deal for even longer. British Gas charges up to £100 for exiting these deals early, Scottish and Southern Energy charges up to £75, and Scottish Power charged up to £50.

One official said: “This is a trap that people really should be aware of. If you are on a fixed rate deal, make sure you know when it comes to an end and switch accordingly. If you forget to do this in time, you will either end up stuck on a tariff that may not suit you and find yourself spending hundreds of pounds to get out of it. This is yet another reason to compare energy prices and tariffs on a regular basis, and make sure you switch as and when is necessary.”

Tags: uk, tariff, customer, fixed price deal, Price 2015 tariff, energy supplier, contract, provider

Cost of smart phone insurance cover rising

Over the past year or two a rising number of high tech smart phones have hit the shelves in the UK, and these days more and more people are sporting these expensive gadgets. Smart phones are also high on the list of things to steal amongst thieves, and many people find themselves victims of phone theft when taking their high tech phones out with them. Many others end up losing their smart phones or causing damage to them by accident.

The smart phones of today can do all sorts of things, and are packed with apps and features. However, these phones are also very expensive, and this can cause a problem when it comes to insuring them. Recent data has shown that some mobile network operators are now hiking up the excess charges on iPhone insurance, and some will only provide reconditioned second hand phones to replace the one that has been lost, damaged, or stolen.

Consumers are advised to shop around for insurance cover for their smart phones, as the cost can vary from one provider to another. Some people may have mobile phone insurance built into their benefits package if they have a packaged bank account, but should check to make sure that the cover also applied to high end smart phones. Officials have said that another option for consumers is to consider adding it to the home insurance policy. Consumers also need to check the details of any policy to see what the phone is covered against and what the excess charges are.

One industry official stated: ‘Insurers across the board are seeing claims rise, be it because of fraud or just because new phones are more attractive to thieves. Insurers that will cover older phones are the hardest hit.’

Tags: expensive gadgets, Insurance, bank, high tech phones, Technology Internet

Study being performed into behaviour of insurance fraudsters

A study is being carried out into the way in which people behave when committing insurance related fraud. A researcher at the University of Portsmouth, Sharon Leal, has been awarded a grant of £112,000 by an insurance fraud investigation firm to carry out studies into the way that people behave when they are committing insurance fraud.

The findings so far have suggested that many people that are committing insurance fraud give themselves away by thinking too much and too hard about their stories and about what they say. Leal said that those that were lying to insurers went into far too much detail because they planned their story beforehand whereas those telling the truth did not do any forward planning about what to say to the insurance company.

The fact that those committing fraud have to focus more on their story and think more carefully about what they are saying affects the way in which they behave according to the researcher, who is said to be an expert in detecting deception. Leal also said that it was these changes in behaviour that would most likely form a basis for new methods of detecting insurance fraudsters. Investigations into claims could be triggered by various factors such as an overly large claim being made or suspicion on behalf of the insurance employee that first deals with the claim.

Leal stated: ‘There is a real need to use evidence-based methods that are scientifically proven to work to stop wasting insurance companies’ time and money and to stop innocent people being treated as suspects while the guilty get away’ She added: ‘There is a saying, ‘when needs must, the devil rides’, which basically means that when times are tough, people are more likely to break the rules. Insurance fraud has been on the rise since the recession began and insurance companies are very keen to find a way of beating those who cheat.’

Tags: insurance fraudsters, researcher, Financial services, study, basis

Reduce the cost of the Christmas food shop

The cost of Christmas can be high enough at the best of times, with households forking out for things like gifts and going out. However, the cost of food also adds to the financial burden over the festive season, and for bigger families in particular the amount being spent on food can quickly spiral out of control. With the cost of food having increased the situation will be even worse this year, and many families can ill afford to spend the amount that they will end up paying for food for Christmas.

There are some ways, however, in which consumers can try and reduce the amount that they spend on Christmas food, and in the current climate every bit helps, so it is worth making the effort now to reduce the cost of food shopping. One thing to remember is that a lot of the food people tend to buy for the festive season is not short life stuff – much of it can be frozen, such as party foods and buffet items, turkeys, ready made roasters, and frozen vegetables.

With this in mind it is a good idea to start looking out for special offers on the food items that you will need for Christmas now rather than leaving it until the last minute. By taking advantage of special deals as you see them, such as half price deals or two for one deals, you could dramatically reduce the amount that you spend on food overall for the festive season. It also means that you won’t have to worry about finding the money all at once to buy your Christmas food because you can buy it gradually between now and Christmas.

Another thing to consider is where you buy your food, as this can make a big difference to the amount that you spend. Many discount supermarkets that have sprung up over the past couple of years offer some good deals on many food items, and although most do not have the same special deals such as two for one deals on items the initial cost of the products is often considerably cheaper. When it comes to veggies for Christmas consider going to a market rather than buying from supermarkets if you want fresh vegetables, as this can often be cheaper as well as fresher.

Finally, resist the temptation to buy too much food for the Christmas period. Many people tend to forget that shops and supermarkets are only shut for one day, and they start stocking up for no reason with food that often ends up going to waste. Just buy what you need for the big day, and you can then determine whether you need to do another shop afterwards depending on what you have left.

Tags: The cost, short life stuff, last minute, food can, cost, food, discount supermarkets, frozen vegetables

Using comparison sites for insurance

The cost of home insurance and vehicle insurance can be very high these days, and for the many households that are already struggling to make ends meet financially it can be difficult to afford these rising costs. At the same time having this sort of insurance in place is important to ensure that the home or vehicle is protected, and of course in the case of vehicle insurance it is a legal requirement.

The rising cost of insurance has resulted in an increase in the number of people looking to switch their cover to another provider in order to reduce costs, and this has resulted in a myriad of insurance related price comparison sites springing up over the past couple of years. These sites can often provide consumers with ease, convenience, choice, and speed when it comes to switching their insurance cover.

So, just how effective are these price comparison sites? In actual fact they can be highly effective in helping consumers to find low cost insurance deals that suit their needs and reduce costs, and they are very easy and simple to use. Consumers are able to compare a wide range of insurance options all under one virtual roof with a price comparison site, and the process is quick, simple, and convenient.

In order to use these comparison sites consumers simply need to enter details of their insurance needs and some personal details onto the website, and this will then bring up a list of potentially suitable and affordable insurance plans and providers. The consumer can then simply compare the costs and features of the policies and decide which one best suits their needs and their budget. This enables the consumer to arrange a new insurance policy quickly and easily, and to browse the options and compare with minimal hassle.

However, there are also a couple of things to bear in mind when considering using these comparison sites to cut insurance costs. First of all not all insurance providers are available through comparison sites, so you need to bear in mind that you might still find a cheaper deal directly through an insurance company rather than through the comparison site, as these deals may be available through an insurance provider than does not operate through comparison sites.

Also, remember that there are now many comparison sites in operation, and it is worth checking at least a couple of sites before you make any commitment in order to ensure that you get the best possible deal.

Tags: fact, price, budget, insurance needs, suit, low cost insurance deals, suits, insurance deals

Broken rung on the property ladder

A new report has shown that the UK’s property ladder has a serious broken rung, which is namely the first rung that so many first time buyers are anxious to get their foot onto. A new report entitled ‘Broken Ladder’ has been released by the Home Builders’ Federation, and its contents show just how serious a problem it has become for potential first time buyers to realise their dreams of homeownership.

Shockingly the report suggests that in the current climate someone looking to get onto the property ladder would have to spend every penny of their income saving for two years simply to raise the deposit that most lenders were demanding, and in London this figure increased to three years. This would mean having no money for rent, food, clothes, or living expenses.

Over a five year period first time buyers would still have to save 50 percent of their income to put aside towards a deposit in order to raise the amount that lenders wanted, and again this would be even higher in areas such as London. The Home Builders’ Federation has said that the situation has now become critical at a time when the property market is already in turmoil.

A spokesperson for the Home Builders’ Federation said: “These figures reveal the extent of our housing crisis. First-time buyers – the life-blood of the housing market – are almost entirely shut out. The lack of mortgage availability is further strangling a market already choking on a lack of supply. We desperately need an increase in lending and a properly functioning and sustainable mortgage market. At the same time, the Government must ensure that the new planning policy and incentives they are basing the success of their housing plans on are put in place immediately. Without more houses and more mortgages, young families will be unable to have the security of a roof over their heads and the housing crisis will very quickly reach the point of no return.”

 

Tags: food, incentives, young families, income, realise, Home Builders

PPI bill for UK banks could hit £5 billion

An analysis group has claimed that the UK’s major banks could be facing a bill of around £5 billion in relation to PPI claims from customers that believe that they were mis-sold this cover. US investment bank officials from Morgan Stanley claims that this could be the bill that UK banks are facing over the next five years, with the estimates cost of dealing with these claims continuing to increase.

Barclay’s Banks, Lloyds TSB, and HSBC are amongst those that may be footing some of this huge compensation bill. The prediction comes after American banking giant, the Bank of America, had to set aside $592 million to deal with forecast claims over Payment Protection Insurance. Officials believe that the cost to UK banks will be even higher.

Morgan Stanley has said that at the very least, as a base case scenario, the bill for UK banks is likely to be just over £2.6 billion. However, this is based on only a quarter of PPI policyholders making a claim, and also on fewer than half of these claims being upheld. Should the claims and approvals be higher than this the cost of dealing with claims could be considerably higher.

The average payout to each successful applicant is likely to be around £2000. PPI came under fire after investigations showed that over the years banks and financial institutions had been involved in mis-selling the cover, and this has resulted in many people finding themselves eligible to make a claim for compensation.

The Financial Services Authority has been trying to clamp down on PPI sales, and has brought in new proposals. However, these are being appealed by the British Bankers’ Association, which claims that the financial regulator is trying to apply new rules and standards to old sales.

 

Tags: bank, mortgage, protection, Primary dealers, uk banks, PPI sales, Business Finance, Barclay's Banks

Older women pay far more for car insurance

A recent report has highlighted how women can suddenly see the cost of their car insurance rocket when they hit the age of sixty, with a study revealing that once they hit this age they can end up pay around £80 a year more than men for their cover. Younger women generally get charged less than men for their vehicle insurance cover because they are considered to be safer drivers.

According to reports insurance firms believe that the abilities of women decline faster than those of men as they grow older, and because of this they are seen as a higher risk when it comes to driving. This means that as women get older they can see their insurance premiums increase, and once they hit sixty they will find that they may be paying considerably more than men.

The study was carried out by the consumer watchdog group Which?, and officials from the group said that sixty seemed to be the point at which women started paying more than men rather than the other way around. The officials involved on the research used a price comparison service and obtained quotes from five difference vehicle insurance companies to work out what the cost differences would be.

The research showed that after the age of sixty a woman could end up paying around 28 percent more than a man for the same policy with the same car and the same personal circumstances. The group said that of the insurance firms that were looked at only one gave a similar price for men and women after the age of sixty.

A spokesperson from Which? stated: ‘Gender is one of the factors that has an influence on the premium we offer. The difference is correct based on our estimates of the level of risk the two customers would represent to us as an insurer.’

Tags: officials, way, price comparison service, research, insurance premiums increase, level, risk, men and women

Another drop in house prices for October

October has seen another fall in house prices in the UK according to recently released figures. The figures have been released by Nationwide, and the High Street lender has said that the dearth of buyers in the UK has resulted in continued falls with house prices.

The average property price in the UK is said to have fallen by £2400 in October, with the Nationwide’s house price index falling by 0.7 percent over the course of the month due to buyers steering clear of the market. Over the course of the month the average property price has now fallen to £164,381.

Over recent months the pressure on house prices in the UK has been mounting, as buyers have shied away from the market for a variety of reasons. There are many would be buyers that simply cannot get a mortgage due to current restrictions in the market, and many others that could get a mortgage but cannot afford the high deposit levels that lenders are asking for.

Another factor that is likely to have a serious impact on buyer interest and property prices is the spending Review recently outlined by the coalition government. The sweeping spending cuts that have been proposed will have raised concerns amongst households and individuals who are now in fear of losing their jobs due to the cuts in the public sector, which could also have a knock on effect on the private sector.

An economist from Nationwide said: ‘If the recent trend in house prices were to continue through November and December, the annual rate of house price inflation would drop to between 0% and minus 1% by the end of 2010. This would compare to a rate of 5.9% at the end of 2009.’

Tags: average property price, lenders, Nationwide Building Society, buyer, finance, economist, Business Finance

September figures indicate that mortgage market will remain subdued

Industry officials have said that the mortgage lending figures that were recently released for September of this year indicate that mortgage lending levels are set to remain subdued for some time to come. Officials from the British Bankers’ Association said that a further fall in mortgage approvals in September was indicative of a continued slump in the mortgage sector.

September saw mortgage lending levels in the UK plunge to their lowest leve in ten years, and the number of mortgages that were approved also nosedived, falling to their lowest level in around eighteen months. The figures, which were released by the British Bankers’ Association, showed that net mortgage lending by the major banks came to around £1.6 billion for the month, which was its lowest since October 2006.

Industry experts have said that the figures that have been released seem to suggest that mortgage lending will continue to be slow and the market will remain subdued over the coming months. Officials have also said that potential buyers will remain cautious over the coming months which will further hamper the mortgage market.

Figures that were recently released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders mirrored the bleak outlook suggested by the BBA reports, and HM Revenue & Customs also released date showing that the number of property sales had also taken a hit. HMRC said that August saw the first significant property sales fall this year, with the sale of property said to have fallen.

In further bad news for the property market property prices are also set to fall further, with figures showing that they have already experienced another fall in September, which has taken the annual rate of gain down to just 2.6 percent.

Tags: mortgage lending, leve, mortgage, mortgage lending levels, council of mortgage lenders

Financial regulator defends plans over mortgage lending

The UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority has recently been defending its plans and proposals with regards to the mortgage and property markets, stating that something has to be done in order to avoid another crisis like the one seen over the past couple of years since the onset of the global financial crisis.

The FSA has taken a lot of flack from group such as the Council of Mortgage Lenders over the plans and proposals that it made relating to the mortgage sector. The regulator wants to put an end to the interest only mortgage, which the CML believes will eliminate any chance of some people getting onto the property ladder. It is also thought that plans to reduce the LTV levels that can be offered by lenders could further decrease affordability for potential buyers.

The FSA has now said that individual affordability needs to be carefully assessed to help the industry from experiencing the chaos that has been seen over the past couple of years. He said that in the past it was assumed that lenders were being responsible when it came to mortgage lending and taking risks, and that’s why these measures had not been required in place at the time. However, he added that times had changed especially in the financial market and measures were now needed to increased security.

She said: “We believe that a robust and effective assessment of individual affordability has to underpin any sustainable lending model. When developing the current regime, we assumed that lenders would have a prudential self-interest to manage their credit risk responsibly and, therefore, prescriptive conduct requirements were not required. That has been shown to be a mistake and we are therefore proposing to be much more explicit about the standards we expect.”

Tags: prescriptive conduct requirements, council of mortgage lenders, mortgage, onset, interest, fsa, Financial Services Authority

Consumers need to be careful with bank statements and literature

Industry officials have warned that given the increase in identity theft and fraud over the years consumers need to start being far more careful with their bank statements and other literature that may have personal details on such as credit card statements, bills, bank letters, and other sensitive documents.

Many people tend to treat their personal documents, financial letters, and statements like normal waste paper, and simply put them into the waste paper basket when they are done with them or sling them into black bags outside. However, this leaves them open to identity theft because once they are in the rubbish outside they are accessible by anyone.

Experts have said that in order to minimise on becoming victims of identity theft and fraud consumers should ensure that all paperwork such as this is shredded properly so that others cannot access details about the accountholder. The advise has come from the fraud prevention service CIFAS, which has outlined some of the dangers that can lead to consumers becoming victims of identity fraud.

CIFAS said that the effects of fraud can be far-ranging, stating this could be anything “from finding out that a fraudster has set up, or attempted to obtain, accounts, products and services in your name, through to discovering that an existing account has been emptied by criminals”.

The agency said that it was not only paper documentation and bank details that consumers had to be careful with, as many fraudsters and identity thieves were now operating online. Officials said that it had therefore become increasingly important for consumers to be more vigilant and careful when reviewing or using their financial accounts via the internet, as otherwise fraudsters could quickly and easily gain access to important account and personal details.

Tags: fraud, Crimes, waste paper, name, Bank statement, theft, identity

Mortgage affordability in UK level with other countries

According to industry officials affordability on mortgages in the UK is pretty much on level with that in other countries. A study was carried out by Capital Economics, and suggested that when it came to mortgage affordability the UK was no worse off than other countries.

The company conducted research which looked at mortgage affordability in nine major Western economies, and this included Australia, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the USA and the UK. The average amount of take home pay that was used for mortgage repayments on a repayment mortgages in these countries came to 48 percent.

Over the past forty years the level of take home pay going on mortgage repayments in the UK has been around 50 percent. The highest level of take home pay going on mortgage repayments was found to be in Sweden, where 56 percent of pay went on mortgage repayments. The cheapest was in Spain, where 39 percent of take home pay went on mortgage repayments.

One economist involved in the research said that many may have expected the level of take home pay that was being spent on mortgage repayments in the UK to be higher due to high population density and undersupply of housing, but he stated that this was not the case.

He stated: “Our analysis shows that over the past 40 years, long-run average UK mortgage affordability is unremarkable in an international context. To our minds, this casts doubt on the popular view that a chronic undersupply of homes in the UK supports high prices.”

At present the actual level of take home pay going on mortgage repayments in the UK is 44 percent, and this comes from the record low base rate of 0.5 percent, which has reduced mortgage repayments considerably for those on variable rate mortgages.

Tags: pay, record, Repayment mortgage, Major, mortgage, past 40 years, variable rate mortgages, Mortgage loan

Many fail to take out travel insurance cover

It has been reported that many people who are setting off on their travels do not bother to take out any form of travel insurance cover, putting themselves at risk of crippling financial costs in the event of accidents, illness, theft, loss or theft of belongings. Figures were released by the travel association ABTA, showing just how many people do not bother about taking out travel insurance.

The company claims that nearly 20 percent of travellers do not take out travel insurance cover, with nearly one in five British travellers said to have not bothered with this important cover. The company also said that many travellers have real misconceptions when it comes to travel insurance cover.

The travel firm carried out a survey and found that around 16 percent of those polled thought that in the event of a medical emergency the government would pick up the tab if there was no travel insurance cover in place. The results showed that 26 percent of younger travellers thought that any medical and related expenses would be funded by the Foreign Office if there was no medical cover in place.

The number of people failing to take out any insurance cover whilst holidaying in the UK was particularly high, coming in at 55 percent. The survey also found that 17 percent of consumers did not consider travel insurance to be important. However, officials have said that this sort of cover is vital for travellers, as it covers things such as medical expenses, treatment, replacement of lost cash, cancellations, delays, damage to belongings, theft, and a myriad of other things.

One industry official said: “It’s amazing how many people go off on their travels without taking any insurance out. However, it’s only when something bad happens that they realise just how expensive a mistake this can be, and how avoiding paying a few pounds for cover can end up potentially costing them hundreds or even thousands of pounds.”

Tags: finance, sort, abta, foreign, office, travel insurance, Insurance

Pet lovers should not assume cheapest deal is the best

With Britain being a nation of animal lovers it is little surprise that so many people decide to take out pet insurance in order to protect their pets in the events of sickness, injury, of even if the pet goes missing. However, in the current financial climate many people are looking to cut back on their outgoings, and are looking for the cheapest services and products possible.

Whilst most people don’t want to leave their precious pets without any protection in the event of a problem most now have to be careful about how much they spend on their cover. However, pet owners are being warned to ensure that they don’t sell themselves and their pets short by opting for the cheapest cover only to find that it is not adequate for their needs.

An official from the animal charity Blue Cross said that many people are tempted to choose the cheapest cover, and rather than finding out more about the policy simply choose a policy based on price along. However, he warned that this could be a big mistake and in the event of a problem with the pet the policyholder could end up paying out a fortune despite having cover in place.

Mandy Jones, head of re-homing services at animal care organisation Blue Cross, said: “Don’t just go for the cheapest quote, with pet insurance you do tend to get what you pay for.”

She added that having the cheapest pet insurance plan available could end up being a false economy, as the cover provided with the cheaper policies would be nowhere near as comprehensive as with slightly more expensive policies. The savings, should any issue arise with the pet, could be huge with a more comprehensive policy, as the cost of treatment can run into thousands.

Tags: Blue Cross, Pets, cheapest pet insurance plan, Insurance, pet insurance

Insurance hikes hit over 50s

The results of a recent survey have revealed that vehicle insurance hikes have been hitting people aged fifty and over in the UK. A number of surveys that have been released recently have shown that the cost of insurance cover has rocketed for younger drivers but it seems that the price of insuring a vehicle is also resulting in older drivers struggling.

Figures released recently have shown that over the past twelve months motorists aged fifty and over have seen a huge hike in the cost of car insurance, leaving many struggling to keep their vehicles on the road. In the space of just twelve months the cost of motor insurance for those aged fifty and over is said to have increased by a massive 26 percent.

The survey was carried out by the firm ConsumerIntelligence.com, and involved polling more than six hundred thousand people. The results of the study showed that for motorists aged fifty and over the cost of insurance increased from just over £355 in June of last year to just under £450 in June of this year.

It was also revealed that there was a vast different in prices being quoted by insurance firms that specialised in motor insurance for those aged fifty and over, with the cheapest being £378 and the most expensive being £563, which reflected a different of 49 percent.

It is thought that part of the reason why motor insurance firms are upping the cost of cover for this age group is because many do not expect older drivers to remain loyal. This is reflected in the number of older people that are prepared to switch motor insurance providers, with 81 percent of drivers in this age group shopping around for more competitive quotes when it comes time to renew their cover.

Tags: massive 26 percent, Insurance, insurance cover, ConsumerIntelligence.com, fifty, Vehicle insurance, June, firm consumerintelligence.com

Half of young Brits think renting is a waste of money

It has been revealed in a recent survey that around half of young Brits believe that renting a property is a waste of money. However, despite this opinion many are being forced to rent because they are unable to get a mortgage in the current climate to get onto the property ladder and get a place of their own.

Recently released figures have shown how restrictions in the mortgage market are driving up the cost of renting, and whilst many non-homeowners believe that renting is a waste of money more and more are having to do this and pay more for the privilege. With so many would be first time buyers unable to get a mortgages the demand for rental properties is high, and this is driving property rental prices up further.

Recent research has shown that the amount that buyers are now expected to pay out by way of a deposit is unmanageable for many people, and whilst buyers may have no problem affording the repayments on a mortgage, especially with the base rate at an all time low, many simply cannot raise the deposit required by lenders, which is running into tens of thousands of pounds in some cases.

The level of deposit required in London has reached nearly £30,000 for first time buyers, which means that many are relegated to renting or living with friends and family. However, with the cost of rents having also rocketed some people in the London area would be looking at paying close to £1000 a month just for a one bedroom flat, with the average rent across the UK having now increased to nearly £700.

Tags: london, Renting, research, climate, tens of thousands, mortgage, first time buyer, property

Is it time to switch your insurance provider?

A number of recent reports have shown how the cost of vehicle insurance in the UK has soared over the past year, and whilst the increase in cost is said to have slowed down it is still rising nevertheless. The cost of cover now is considerably higher than it was a year ago, and with petrol prices also sky high it has become very difficult for some drivers to keep their vehicles on the road due to the cost.

With this in mind it is important for anyone whose insurance is due for renewal to consider whether they should look for another provider –even those whose insurance cover is not yet up for renewal may find that they are better off paying any cancellation fees to their existing insurer and switching to another company that offers cheaper cover.

Whilst the cost of cover in general has been increasing it is important to remember that the cost of insurance can still vary from one provider to another. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that you look at cover from a number of different companies to see which one can offer the best value for money. The amount that you can save can be considerable, so this would be time well spent if you want to cut back on your outgoings.

In addition to switching your cover you may also want to consider whether it is worth downgrading the cover in order to save money. Obviously, if you have a pricey, new vehicle then it’s not worth taking the risk of downgrading. However, if you have an older vehicle and the cost of a downgraded policy is considerably lower then it may be something that you want to consider.

One thing to remember is that the world of vehicle insurance is still highly competitive, and your insurance company will want to retain your custom if possible. It is therefore worth speaking to your existing insurance firm and informing them that you are thinking of switching for financial reasons. In some cases the insurance firm will find a way to reduce the cost of your cover – sometimes without even changing or downgrading your policy.

Fortunately the internet makes it far easier to compare and find vehicle insurance cover, so if you do want to switch and save some money you won’t have to go to any undue hassle, and you could even use of the various insurance comparison sites in operation to speed things up.

Tags: insurance cover, General, Insurance, Vehicle insurance, new vehicle, vehicle insurance cover, insurance comparison sites, finance

Interest only loans do serve a purpose

An industry expert has stated recently that interest only loans do serve a purpose and can prove invaluable for some borrowers. Her comments came as lenders clamp down on interest only loans and the UK’s finance regulator, the Financial Services Authority sets up new proposals that could wipe out these interest only loans altogether.

The FSA is putting together proposals that would see interest only mortgage loans coming to an end, with lenders being told that they will have to continue asking for large deposits and other measures being proposed that could seriously affect the ability of many people to get a mortgage.

Paula John from Your Mortgage said that the FSA was right in trying to put together regulations to stop irresponsible lending and reduce the risk of consumers taking out loans that they could not afford to repay. However, she also said that it was important to take into consideration that interest only loans did serve a purpose and could prove invaluable for some people.

Her comments came after a statement was made by the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, which said that if the FSA regulations were put into force interest only loans could be made obsolete.

Ms John added that whilst it was right of the FSA to express concern over borrowers taking on mortgages and loans that they could not repay it was also a valid point by the IMLA that it could be a mistake to get rid of interest only mortgages altogether because some people could really benefit from them.                               

She stated: “I think [the IMLA] is right in sounding a warning bell that we could throw the baby out with the bath water and see the end of interest-only mortgages altogether.”

Tags: Financial Services Authority, Interest-only loan, mortgage loans, whilst, business

Finding PPI to suit your pocket and needs

Many people have heard of Payment Protection Insurance, or PPI, these days, and not necessarily for the right reasons. This is a type of insurance typically taken out with various forms of credit such as credit cards and loans, but has been hitting the headlines with alarming regularity over the past couple of years due to claims that it has been widely mis-sold by banks and financial institutions.

PPI is a type of insurance that is designed to cover repayments on credit for a specified period of time if the policyholder cannot work due to sickness, accident, or redundancy, and the cover provides many people with peace of mind. However, the controversy has arisen because in many cases in the past the cover was sold to those that could not claim on it, was added to credit agreements without the prior knowledge or consent of the borrower, and was sold to consumers by giving them the impression that they had to take it out with the lender in order to get the finance that they needed.

However, it has now been announced that the Competition Commission in the UK is placing a ban on the sale of PPI at the same time as financial products by banks, and this means that consumers will no longer have to face the uncomfortable feeling of trying to squirm out of taking out the cover whilst the lender is trying to push it onto them relentlessly.

For those that do want to take out the cover for their own peace of mind it is important to shop around, as you can get this type of cover from a number of providers and the cost can vary from one provider to another. In addition to this it is also worth working out whether this is the best type of cover for you, or whether you might be better off with an alternative, such as income protection, which would cover your income as opposed to certain debts.

In addition to hunting around for the best price on PPI – which can be a costly form of cover – by comparing different policies and providers consumers should also ensure that they read the policy terms and conditions carefully to ensure that they are eligible to claim and familiarise themselves with any restrictions that are in place on the policy that they are considering.

Tags: ppi, Competition Commission, finance, Insurance, credit

Bank of England base rate needs to be increased

A member of the powerful Monetary Policy Committee has recently stated that it is essential that the base interest rate is increased in order to keep a lid on spiralling inflation, which could otherwise damage the economy. Andrew Sentance has voted to increase the rate for the past several months, but with the majority of members voting to keep the rate on hold the base rate has remained at its rock bottom level of 0.5 percent for the past nineteen months.

Sentance has said that the base rate should be increased gradually in order to try and curb inflation levels, which are currently way over the 2 percent target set by the government. Sentance was making a speech in London when he expressed his views, and minutes of Bank of England meetings show that he has voted for increases in the base rate for the past few months.

Between June and September Sentance was the only member of the Monetary Policy Committee that voted for an increase, but with all others voting to keep rates on hold the base rate remained static. Its current level is the lowest in the history of the Bank of England, which spans over three hundred years, and it was reduced to this level under the former Labour government amidst hopes that it would help to aid the failing economy during the global financial crisis and the recession.

In his speech Sentance stated: “I have voted for a rise in interest rates at recent MPC meetings — as a start to a gradual movement away from the exceptional level of monetary stimulus put in place to combat very difficult economic conditions last year. And I continue to believe that this is the right policy for the situation the UK economy currently faces.”

Tags: interest rates, year, bottom level, hundred years, Monetary Policy Committee

Slowdown in insurance price increases

Over the past year many drivers in the UK have been hit hard by the rising cost of petrol, and to add to their misery huge increases in vehicle insurance have also been put into place as motor insurance firms struggle to recoup losses resulting from increased claims and investment losses. This has made it increasingly difficult for drivers to keep their vehicles on the road.

However, it has been reported recently that whilst the cost of vehicle insurance is still on the up the price increases have started to slow down, which will come as a relief to many drivers who are due to renew their policies and have been concerned about how much more this will cost.

In the third quarter of this year the cost of insurance is said to have increased by 8.6 percent, taking the average cost of comprehensive cover to £650. The increase during the previous quarter came to 14.2 percent, which was much higher than the increase for the three months to the end of September. However, whilst the increase in the cost of cover has slowed down the average cost of cover is still around 37.5 percent higher than a year ago, with the increase for younger drivers taking out third party, fire, and theft cover coming in at over 54 percent.

One official involved in the research into price increases on motor insurance stated: “The price corrections that have been taking place over the past year or so have been essential to getting many private motor insurers back on an even keel after poor 2009 results. However, the level of increases is starting to slow down, with each month in the quarter showing flatter price rises than the previous one.”

Tags: Vehicle insurance, motor insurance firms, struggle, Insurance, road, price, Auto insurance risk selection, previous quarter

Saving money on foreign currency

Whilst the traditional summer holiday period is now over there may be many people that are planning a winter break. For those that do not have children and do not have to take holidays at certain times of the year it is often cheaper and more relaxing to go away out of the typical summer months, and there are still some great places to go to get winter sun without the crowds.

Anyone that is thinking of going away over the colder months will need to get their finances sorted, and this includes ensuring that they have the currency that they need for when they go. These days there are many different ways in which to get foreign currency for your holiday, and it is important to try and get the most for your pound so that you have plenty of spending money whilst away.

There are now many ways in which you can get commission free foreign currency but the amount that you get per pound can vary depending on where you go. Often those with packaged bank accounts may find that they are able to get special deals on their foreign currency so it is always worth checking with your own bank to see what they can do for you.

The Internet provides a very effective way of finding the best deals on foreign currency as you can compare and browse the different rates paid from the comfort of your own home, and you can place your order online once you have decided which is the best deal for your needs. If you want the money delivered to your door you can often order it for delivery the next day if your order in time, but there is usually a delivery charge for this, although it will come by special delivery for your safety.

It is also advisable to purchase a combination of foreign currency and traveller cheques, especially if you are going away for more than a few days. Having traveller’s cheques will provide you with additional security in case your money goes missing, as you can get these replaced quickly and easily in most cases.

Some people leave getting their foreign currency until they get to the airport but this can be a costly mistake. If you want to collect it at the airport some foreign currency providers can arrange this, so you can order and pay in advance and collect when you get to your departure airport.

Tags: finance, foreign currency, Numismatics, airport, Currency, case, money, travel

Record low base rate remains static

For the past eighteen months the base interest rate in the UK has stood at a record low of 0.5 percent, which is the lowest it has ever been in the history of the Bank of England, which spans over three hundred years. It has now been announced that the base rate will remain at this record low for a nineteenth month, with a decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 percent being made after the October Monetary Policy Committee.

Although one member of the MPC has been calling for the base rate to be increased for the past four months according to the meeting minutes the fragility of the economy has been taken into consideration, hence the decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 percent. Andrew Sentance, the MPC member that wanted to increase rates, said that this was necessary in order to keep a lid on inflation.

For homeowners that are on variable rate mortgages the decision to keep the base rate static will come as good news, as it will help them to avoid costly repayment increases, which many may struggle to keep up with in the current financial climate.

The Bank of England said that it is vital to stimulate the economy by encouraging spending, and this is why the interest rate needs to be kept low. The central bank said that this had to be a priority over inflation, which is currently 1.1 percent over the 2 percent target set by the government.

The Bank of England also said that it would not be extending the quantitative easing scheme, which has already seen £200 billion ploughed into the economy.

One economist said: ‘So far the effects of QE in stimulating the wider economy have not been impressive. The bank sector remains weak and unable to increase lending to companies. There are dangers that further QE could lead to major new problems rather than leading to economic recovery.’

Tags: record, uk, bank of england, monetary, Monetary Policy Committee, interest

Figures show fall in credit card fraud

Recent figures have shown that the level of credit card fraud seen in the UK during the first half of this year fell. In fact, according to recently released figures the level of fraud fell to its lowest level in ten years. Officials believe that a number of factors have contributed to the drop in credit card fraud levels.

During the first six months of this year the value of losses caused by credit card fraud came to around £186.8 million. Compared to the first six months of last year this reflected an impressive drop of 20 percent. According to the UK Cards Association the drop in credit card fraud is down to a number of security initiatives.

Amongst the security initiatives that were highlighted by the UK Cards Association as being partly responsible for the drop in credit card fraud was the increased rollout of updated chip cards across the UK as well as raising awareness amongst retailers over how they could increase protection against fraud on their chip and pin machines.

Cardholders and retailers are also said to be signing up more for security measures such as Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode, which helps to protect cardholders from fraudulent activity.

Further good news was that the level of online fraud had fallen, with more people now aware of things such as phishing scams and protecting accounts more effectively in terms of passwords. Online banking fraud losses are said to have enjoyed an impressive 36 percent fall in the first six months of this year compared to the first six months of last year.

Melanie Johnson, Chair of The UK Cards Association, said: “These figures are testament to the importance that the UK’s card companies place on driving down card fraud losses and reducing any inconvenience to customers.”

Tags: fraud, Visa, security measures, Credit Cards, credit card fraud, banking fraud

Mortgage borrowers can get help with energy costs

These days mortgage loans are far more restricted than they were prior to the global financial crisis, and many people who want to get a loan for a property find themselves being refused, as lender continue to be extra cautious over who they lend to, how much they lend, and what sort of deposit they are likely to accept.

However, one mortgage lender has decided to buck the trend by offering an incentive to consumers who are taking out a mortgage. The High Street banking giant, Halifax, has decided to try and tempt eligible consumers to take out a mortgage or remortgage through the bank by offering an incentive that could save the borrower a significant amount of cash on the cost of their energy bills.

As part of the new offer customers that take out a mortgage loan or decide to remortgage through Halifax could be eligible to get £500 off their gas and electricity bills, enabling them to save a small fortune on the cost of their energy usage. This could be particularly useful with the winter months fast approaching, when many people find that their energy bills soar.

An official from the banking giant said that the company was committed to encouraging homeownership, and with consumers facing such financial difficulties in the current climate the offer would help them to enjoy making at least some savings when moving into a new home or remortgaging on their old property.

He added that as part of the offer consumers may be able to save between four and six months worth of energy costs, which would help them to enjoy better value for money on their mortgage borrowing and help them to tackle the high cost of energy usage.

Tags: electricity bills, remortgage, halifax, mortgage, bank, cost, better value

Mortgage rates cut by HSBC to help consumers

Officials from the High Street banking giant HSBC have said that the lender has cut some of its mortgage interest rates in a bid to help struggling consumers in the current financial climate. One official from the firm said that it had cut rates in order to try and help those that were struggling with their finances.

The claim was made by Martijn van der Heijden, head of lending at the company, and came after the banking giant decided to cut the interest rates on all of its 80 percent loan to value mortgages, with cuts of up to 0.4 percent on these mortgage loans. This includes a number of two and five year fixed rate mortgages, a discount mortgage that comes with a £99 fee, and two tracker mortgages.

Hejden said that many people were facing difficulties in the current financial climate, and these mortgages were aimed at helping such people. He said that because the bank had cut rates in this way it would allow more people that had a limited budget to apply for a mortgage loan with HSBC.

At present many consumers have little choice when it come to finding the best lender, and this is due to the many restrictions that lenders have in place as well as the higher rates that are charges on some mortgages, making it difficult for some to afford a mortgage loan.

Hejden said: “Our 2.79 per cent discount mortgage is designed to help homeowners, many of which are facing a tough time.” He added: “As research shows more and more lenders are now reserving their lowest rates for either existing customers or those happy to deal with them directly.”

Tags: Mortgage loan, hsbc, mortgage, bank, giant, Hejden, finance, consumers

Understanding utility bills getting harder

It has been claimed by officials from consumer watchdog group Consumer Focus that understanding gas and electricity bills is actually getting more difficult for some people, despite the fact that the energy regulator Ofgem has issued new rules that are aimed at making it easier for consumers to understand their utility bills from energy companies.

Around 10 percent of income is spent on gas and electricity, and officials are concerned that with the most expensive time of the year nearly upon us, where consumers will be using more energy due to the weather, many could end up paying over the odds because they are unable to work out what they should be paying.

The concerns come after it was revealed that one of the big six energy giants in the UK, Npower, had been inadvertently overcharging over one million households across the country, and those affected had not even noticed that they were paying too much for their energy usage.

Officials from Consumer Focus said that whilst Ofgem was trying to make it easier for consumers to understand their energy bills and avoid paying over the odds the situation actually appeared to be getting worse. This could be a combination of people finding it hard to work out what they should be paying or people simply not bothering to check their energy bills.

A spokesperson for Consumer Focus said: “If anything, we are seeing more complexity than before the rules came in. If I was an Npower customer, I would never have noticed that I was being overcharged. People don’t want their energy to be confusing – they want to be able to switch the lights on and forget it, but instead there are all these ridiculous structures.”

Tags: combination, Consumer Focus, energy giants, energy regulator, energy bills, ofgem, electricity bills, consumer watchdog

Millions have a year or more of debt on their cards

It has been reported that millions of borrowers in the UK have outstanding credit card debts of a year or more, with many only managing minimum repayments on their debts in the current outstanding climate. According to the report more than six million people have had an outstanding balance on their credit cards for at least a year.

Research was carried out by moneysupermarket.com, and officials from the firm claim that almost 10 percent of people admitted to paying only the minimum amount off on their credit card debts each month. This has resulted in 14 percent of cardholders having debt on their credit cards for over five years, with the minimum repayments barely covering the interest on their debt.

Industry officials have warned that those paying off their debts with just the minimum repayment each month will not only spend years longer repaying the debt but will also pay a huge amount in interest over the term of the debt. However, in the current financial climate following the credit crisis and recession many cannot afford to pay any more than the minimum.

The average length of time that a balance is left outstanding on a credit card according to the survey results is twenty one months, and officials want to ensure that consumers understand the repayment structure and the consequences of minimum repayments.

An official from Moneysupermarket.com said: ‘Our research reveals credit cards are still playing an important role in the nation’s finances, but in the current climate, it’s more important than ever for consumers to understand the cheapest way to borrow on their cards and avoid getting stung by high interest rates. The most important thing is that consumers understand the implications of borrowing on a credit card and that paying back the minimum amount each month will dramatically increase the total amount they pay back in the long run.’

Tags: high interest rates, Credit Cards, debt, Credit card, cheapest way, credit

Mortgage drought could affect many people

Industry experts have said that under current plans that have been proposed by the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority, many people could be facing a mortgage drought that could leave them unable to get the mortgage finance that they need in order to get onto the property ladder.

The mortgage market is already very restricted, as it has been since the onset of the global financial crisis several years ago which almost brought the banking and financial systems to their knees. However, experts from the Council of Mortgage Lenders have said that things could get even worse under new rules from the FSA.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has said that if these regulations had been in place over the past four years over 50 percent of mortgages that were granted over this period would have been refused, causing huge problems for those that were looking to buy a property and get onto the property ladder.

The CML claims that this would have equated to around four millions additional mortgage loan rejections if the FSA had its regulations in place in 2005. The group said that this shows just what a negative impact the rules could have in the current financial climate. A review by the CML suggests that under the new proposed regime millions more people a year could be turned down for a mortgage loan.

Figures show that the number of mortgage approvals in the UK have already plunged, with numbers having fallen to around 50,000 per month compared to 135,000 a months before the credit crisis hit. This has been made worse due to the strict restrictions that banks have put in place when it comes to lending, as well as the higher deposit levels being demanded.

Tags: UK's financial regulator, market, Mortgage loan, financial, council of mortgage lenders, property ladder, Financial Services Authority, mortgage

Increase in insurance claims from gap year students

According to a recent report there has been a marked increase in the number of insurance claims being made by gap year students. One insurance firm has reported that the number of claims that are being made by gap year students on their travel insurance policies has leapt by more than half compared to a year earlier.

EssentialTravel.co.uk. which provides travel insurance, said that from December of last year and May of this year the number of claims on its backpacker insurance policy had increased by over 61 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Just over 52 percent of claims were down to medical expenses, and over 18 percent were for personal effects according to the insurance firm’s figures.

More than half of the claims that were made originated in Asia and Australia, and officials said that this was due to the fact that regulations in these destinations regarding dangerous sports was more relaxed than in many other destinations. The higher claims for personal effects were put down to backpackers often travelling with costly items such as cameras, laptops, and similar high value gadgets.

The group also pointed out that the value of the claims being made by gap year travellers had increased over the past year, rocketing from £77 per claim to £584 per claim, which reflected an increase of 658 percent.

Stuart Bensusan, of EssentialTravel.co.uk, said: “It is unnerving, particularly for parents, to hear that claims from backpackers encountering mishaps abroad are on the rise, but it goes to show how important it is for them to take out adequate insurance before they leave. Preparing for a gap year abroad is arguably the most exciting time in a young person’s life and nobody wants to think about the potential pitfalls.”

Tags: Insurance, gap year, group, finance, travel insurance, dangerous sports, fact, insurance claims

Loan service launched to help consumers avoid loans sharks

A new loans service has been launched in the UK to help consumers get the finance that they need to manage financially without having to turn to loan sharks, according to recent reports. There have been many concerns expressed about consumers that cannot get traditional credit, as many turn to unscrupulous and unregulated loans sharks out of desperation.

The new loans service in the West Midlands has been launched by the National Housing Federation, and it is hoped that it will help consumers that cannot get traditional finance to avoid going through a loan shark. Consumers will be able to borrow up to £500 as part of the service, and this will be subject to a 45 minute interview to ensure that the borrower will be able to repay the loan.

Repayments on the amount borrowed will be paid weekly, and in addition to being able to get a modest loan consumers will also be able to benefit from debt advice. The scheme is being called My Home Finance, and it will offer a range of services including helping consumers to open bank accounts and offering advice on their debt and financial problems.

One concern that some have about the new service is that the interest charged is higher than the maximum level that credit unions are allowed to charge, which is 26.8 percent APR. The new scheme charges interest of 29.9 percent APR during the pilot, and this will then increase to 49.9 percent APR.

An official from the National Housing Federation said: “By offering fair loans at fair prices, we hope to offer an alternative to both loan sharks, who cynically prey on hard up families, and doorstep lenders, who are all too willing to lend cash to the desperate at hugely inflated rates of interest.”

Tags: new scheme charges, loan, National Housing Federation, Title loan, debt, personal finance, traditional credit

Mortgage lending hits ten year low for August

Recent figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders has shown that mortgage lending levels for August fell to the lowest levels in ten years for the month. The CML said that activity in the housing market remained ‘exceptionally’ low for the month, with lending levels for the month making for gloomy reading.

The CML has now stated that the second half of the year is likely to be a difficult one, with lending levels expected to be below the level seen during the final months of last year. This is partly due to the fact that activity was more buoyant in the final months of last year due to the fact that the stamp duty holiday provided by the former Labour government was coming to an end at the end of the year.

The group did state that there was a slight drop in average mortgage rates for the month of August, as competition in the mortgage market increased, driving interest rates down slightly. However, restrictions still remained tough amongst the various lenders who were being cautious about lending.

Banks and financial institutions have also continued to demand high deposit levels from groups such as first time buyers, which is still having an effect on lending levels, as it means that many are unable to apply for a mortgage because they do not have the necessary deposit to back it up.

Net6 lending for the month of September is set to remain subdued, as lenders have reported a slight fall in the number of mortgages that have been approved for property purchases for the month of August.

In the meantime the Bank of England has stated in its most recent quarterly bulletin report that lenders have been failing to pass on base rate cuts to consumers, partly due to the fact that they faced higher borrowing costs themselves.

Tags: finance, group did state, council of mortgage lenders, mortgage market, gloomy reading, borrowing, mortgage, Mortgage loan

Third consecutive drop in asking prices

It has been revealed that asking prices for properties have fallen for the third month in a row, raising further concerns that the UK economy and the property market may be heading towards a double dip. The data comes from a report released by the specialist property website Right Move.

During the five weeks leading up to September 11^th the average asking price on a home put up for sale in England and Wales fell by 1.1 percent, taking the average asking price to £229,767. During the past three months sellers have dropped their average asking prices by 3.4 percent in total, equating to £8000 in terms of value.

The drop in asking prices over the past three month has wiped out half of the gains that have been made during the first part of this year. This gloomy data relating to property prices adds to a number of reports that have painted a bleak picture for the immediate future of the property market in parts of the UK.

Estate agents are currently reporting record numbers of properties on their books that remain unsold, as more people rush to sell their homes at the same time as a greater number of potential buyers decide to hold off committing to a mortgage or are unable to get finance to buy a property.

Officials from Right Move have said that there was a fall in the number of properties that came onto the market over the course of the month, with just over 26,000 properties a week going up for sale each week during the month, reflecting an 11 percent fall compared to August and resulting in the lowest levels seen since April of this year. However, the record number of unsold properties per estate agent stood at seventy nine.

Tags: property, Estate agent, Right Move, Wales, england

More sneaky charges from car insurers over last six years

A recent report has shown how more and more vehicle insurance companies in the UK have started applying sneaky charges to the policies of consumers, contributing to the soaring cost of vehicle insurance. Over the past six years the number of insurers applying these so called sneaky charges has soared, making it costly for consumers to take out and maintain their vehicle insurance policy.

Research was carried out to show how an increasing number of insurance firms were applying these charges. Since 2004 the average cost of making changes to policies has risen steeply, and the number of insurance firms that make these charges has rocketed since this time.

The figures show that six years ago around 22 percent of insurance firms charged a fee for an early cancellation, but this has now increased to 70 percent. In 2004 only 17 percent of insurance firms made a charge to change details on a policy but this has now leapt to 67 percent.

The cost of making charges to policies or cancelling them early can be very high these days, with some average fees thought to have doubled based on the figures, which were compiled by Defaqto. Some insurance firms now even charge set up fees and renewal fees to customers that want to take out cover.

Mike Powell, insight analyst for general insurance at Defaqto, said: ‘There has been a noticeable and significant trend for motor insurance policies to charge administration fees for features that were in many cases previously standard services. Many consumers will be unaware that they may actually be paying a set-up fee or a renewal fee for their motor insurance. Such fees will be detailed in the accompanying documentation or in the renewal quote.’

Tags: fee, finance, Insurance, Vehicle insurance, insurance firms

Credit card debts soaring amongst pensioners

It has been reported recently that credit card debt amongst pensioners has been soaring, with struggling pensioners sitting on £1.1 billion worth of credit card debt. Financial problems amongst many pensioners have increased as a result of soaring inflation coupled with minimal rates of interest being paid on their life savings.

Figures were released recently by Gfk NOP and showed that pensioners were no spending a fortune collectively on their credit cards each month, with pensioners’ credit card spending values rising by 20 percent since the start of this year. June saw pensioners spend an average of £354 each on their credit cards. The last time this level of spending was reached was at the height of the credit crunch in October 2008.

The total outstanding debt level for June amongst credit card pensioners was £1.1 billion, and this reflect an increase from £900 million from six months earlier. With many pensioners being hit with the rise in the cost of living coupled with the drop in savings interest rates many have had to turn to their credit cards to fund their essential spending, and this has seen the level of credit card debt rocket amongst older people. Many also have additional debts to deal with such as loans and finance, and a recent survey showed that one fifth of those aged fifty five and over still had a mortgage to pay off.

Joanna Parsley, a spokesperson for the consumer group Credit Action, said that older people were in a very vulnerable position, stating: ‘The growing indebtedness of older people is scary. We are talking about a generation who are particularly vulnerable as the income from their savings has been devastated.’

Tags: fifth, month, credit card debt, Credit Cards, Social Issues, finance, debt level, debt

Consumers fleeced over bill payment methods

Many people these days are keen to try and reduce their outgoings, and in the current financial climate with so many people struggling financially making cutbacks has become vital for some people. One of the ways in which many people try and cut back is through reducing their bills by doing thing such as switching providers, which can help to make significant savings.

However, one way in which many consumers are wasting millions of pounds a year between them on their bills is via their payment methods. Many people fail to realise that companies these days often charge a small fortune based on how the consumer pays their bills, and that by making a simple change to their bill payment methods they could make a significant saving.

Companies such as energy suppliers, home phone providers, and broadband providers often make additional charges to those that do not pay by direct debit. Most consumers have a number of choices when it comes to making payments on bills, such as direct debit, standing order, cheque, or in person at banks and post offices.

For those that do not pay by standing orders some companies such as broadband and utility providers apply an addition monthly or quarterly charge, which can really bump up the cost of services for the customer. For example, Virgin Media, which provides phone, television, and broadband services, will charge consumers an extra five pounds a month for failing to pay by direct debit, which equates to £60 a year. In addition to this the company charges extra when customers ask for paper bills to be sent to them.

In order to save more money on their bills consumers should set up direct debits wherever possible, as otherwise they can end up being charged a small fortune on the cost of their bills. There is also another benefit to setting up a direct debit for a bill payment, and this is because it can reduce the chance s of making a missed or late payment, which can also incur charges when the payment is on something such as a credit card or loan. These missed or late payments can also result in the consumer’s credit rating being affected, which can make it more difficult to get finance in the future and makes it more expensive to get credit due to higher interest rates charged.

Tags: debit, finance, Direct debit, payment, way

Insurance premiums could soar for flood victims

It has been revealed in a recent report that consumers who live in flood risk areas in the UK could be hit with huge insurance premiums as a result of insurance companies getting tougher. Over recent years insurance companies have had to pay out a fortune as a result of severe flooding in certain areas, which has devastated homes, and it now appears that the industry is determined to clamp down.

According to a recent report some homeowners could be hit with insurance hikes of 500 percent, and may be forced to pay the first £6000 of any claim themselves. The claims come from a report from the consumer charity the National Flood Forum, and is being prepared for a summit that will take place this month between a number of parties, including government officials, insurance industry officials, local authority officials, and representatives from the charity.

The summit will take place to try and determine how flood insurance can still be available to consumers on a widespread basis. The consumer charity surveyed three hundred flood victims, and found that the average increased that they had seen on their premiums was a massive 500 percent. One tenth of those surveyed also had flooding excluded from their policies when they came to renew their cover following a flood claim.

An official from the National Flood Forum said: ‘There’s no consistency in the treatment of flood victims by insurers. And you can’t simply move to another insurer, as they don’t want you. We found Axa, Aviva and Halifax were worst for raising premiums and excesses. The biggest danger is what happens after 2013. If you can’t get insurance, no one will give you a mortgage and you can’t sell your home.’

Tags: insurance industry officials, insurance hikes, Forum, health insurance, Flood insurance

Banks fleecing customers with overdraft fees

It has been revealed in a recent report that many of the UK’s banks are fleecing their customers with extortionate overdraft rates and fees despite the fact that many of the customers, as taxpayers, have a stake in the banks because of the bailouts that occurred during the credit crisis, which were funded by taxpayers’ money from the public purse.

Last month these overdraft rates are said to have hit a new high, coming in at an average of 19.1 percent. This is despite the fact that the base interest rate still stands at a record low of just 0.5 percent, which is where it has stood for the past eighteen months. The margin between the base rate and the rates that banks are charging on overdrafts is now astonishingly wide, and many of the most cash strapped customers are being hit with the rocketing overdraft charges.

Natwest and the Royal Bank of Scotland are said to be amongst the worst offenders, and these are both part of the RBS Group, in which taxpayers have a massive 84 percent stake. The average rate of interest charged on overdrafts was a massive thirty eight times more than the base interest rate, which means that banks are making a huge profit from customers that fall into the red.

An official from the Independent Banking Advisory Service said: ‘Banks have been allowed to increase their margins despite the bank rates being so low. There is no incentive for them to do otherwise. The level of profiteering is completely out of control. Nothing about it is fair or reasonable. We face reduced incomes and increase household bills and yet again the banks are compounding our misery. We bailed them out but they have no qualms about making matters worse in our hour of need. The Government should introduce a cap on the rates. But instead it protects the banks at our cost.’

Tags: fee, overdraft fees, high, Bank charge, crisis, bank, overdraft

Finding a low cost winter break

At this time of year, when the nights start to draw in, the weather gets even colder and rainier than usual, and the prospect of the winter months brings on doom and gloom, many people start thinking about planning a winter break either before Christmas or afterwards, where they can soak up some sun, kick back and relax, and simply forget about their worries.

However, with Christmas coming up most people are on a budget when it comes to booking some time away, and most will be on the lookout for a bargain winter break. Getting away to the sun isn’t always cheap, but a number of steps can really slash the cost of a holiday, giving you something to look forward to without having to break the bank.

It is important to remember that the time of year that you book will affect the price you pay for your hotel as well as your flight. Holidays tend to be cheaper in the winter months, but can be more costly on certain weeks such as over the Christmas or New Year periods. Therefore you may find that going before Christmas such as late November or early December may be the best choice, or failing that waiting until after New Year, and jetting somewhere warm as others are heading back to work after the Christmas break.

In order to find the best price on a winter break you need to ensure that you compare prices on flights, hotels, or package holidays depending on your preferences. Many people these days prefer to book a package because of the number of small airlines and holiday firms that have gone bust, leaving many of those that booked separately unable to claim. However, if you do prefer to book your flight and hotel separately check and see whether you travel insurance policy will cover you, as some have now started to do, and ensure that you book with a credit card for extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act.

You should make sure that you also compare things such as travel insurance, airport parking, and if necessary car hire in order to get the best prices on these. Also, remember that whilst the headline prices on budget airline tickets may look cheap there are often additional extras that can really bump up the price, so you may end up paying far more.

Finally, do remember that you can often make a saving by booking your flight and hotel together, so it is worth comparing the cost of doing this against booking separately or a ready made package deal.

Tags: christmas, travel, worries, holiday, car hire, winter, travel insurance, extra protection

Government advises consumers to be aware of payday loan risks

There have been mixed opinions about payday loans over the past year or so, with these loans being highlighted as a result of the rising number of people that have been turning to them because of difficulties in getting credit elsewhere during the recession and financial crisis.

Many officials have expressed concern over the rate of interest that is charged on payday loans, stating that consumers often fail to realise what they are getting themselves into when they take out payday loans because they cannot get finance in any way. However, there are also many people and officials that state that payday loans provide a useful service to those that are in need of finance but can’t get it from other sources because it stops them having to go to loan sharks.

On its DirectGov website the government is now advising consumers to ensure that they learn about the dangers of taking out payday loans before making any commitment, and to ensure that they do not jump in without doing their research as they could otherwise get caught up in a debt trap.

The site states that there are rising numbers of people that cannot get finance from traditional banks and lenders, which means that a rising number of people are likely to go to payday lenders in order to get finance. This could have a further impact on the number of people that find themselves with spiralling debt, which will add to the already worrying personal debt problem that exists in the UK.

The site advises consumers to fully understand the charges and costs involved with payday loans, ensure that they do not borrow more than they need or for any longer than they need to, and to ensure that the lender is a member of the British Cheque and Credit Association (BCCA).

Tags: debt, consumer debt, loan, Payday loan, credit

Consumers want warmer approach from insurance firms

According to a recent report insurance customers in the UK are looking for a warmer, friendlier approach from insurance companies, with many stating that they would show more loyalty to insurance firms who demonstrated that they knew who they were and knew something of their insurance related history.

The survey was carried out by YouGov and was performed on behalf of Pegasystems. A number of areas of insurance were looked at as part of the survey including how consumers felt about their insurance companies and how consumers tended to contact insurance firms. The results of the survey showed that many insurance customers were looking for what was described as a ‘corner shop’ approach from their insurance providers, making them feel more like a valued customer rather than another number on a long list of clients.

The results also showed that the most common and popular way for consumers to contact their insurance firm was to contact them by telephone. The figures showed that 42 percent contacted their insurance providers by telephone. The survey also showed that there appeared to be growing confidence in using the internet to make contact with such firms, with 22 percent stating that they used email to contact their insurance provider, making this the second most popular method of contact.

The third popular means of contacting an insurance company amongst consumers in the UK was to go and see someone at the insurance firm face to face, but the results showed that most people prefer phone or email to communicate with these companies.

Jeremy Payne, senior director of international marketing at Pegasystems, said: “The Pegasystems research confirms the view that, in a world of increasing commoditisation and mass marketing, many consumers want a return to a ‘corner shop’ approach in which the provider knows who they are, the challenges they face and can provide an individualised solution that demonstrably meets their needs.”

Tags: Pegasystems, insurance customers, Business and Economy, consumers, view, insurance providers, Insurance, loyalty

Investigation over energy mis-selling to be carried out

It has been revealed recently that four of the big six energy giants in the UK are at the centre of an investigation over the mis-selling of energy to UK consumers. The investigation is to be carried out by the UK energy regulator Ofgem, which said that it had received complaints and reports from various sources suggesting that the four energy companies may have breached regulations with regards to energy sales.

The four energy giants that are facing questioning from the regulator as part of the investigation are Npower, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy, and EDF Energy. The investigation centres around sales made by the firms on both a face to face basis and over the telephone. It comes following new regulations that were brought in at the start of this year with regards to the sale of energy  contracts to consumers.

According to Ofgem more than 50 percent of energy customers that switched in 2008 did so after being contacted by an energy sales person, but in many cases the customers ended up on a more expensive tariff because they had been misled over their energy costs or had not been able to effectively compare costs against their existing tariffs.

The four energy giants have said that they will fully cooperate with Ofgem in the investigation, which will centre around whether they have breached the new regulations that were brought in at the start of this year. The new regulations required energy firms to ensure that estimates were given before any face to face contract were concluded and where possible comparisons were given to the consumer with regards to pricing compared to their existing provider.

Andrew Wright, of Ofgem, said: “We expect all suppliers to comply with these tougher obligations, but if our investigations find otherwise, we will take strong action.”

Tags: energy companies, EDF Energy, energy regulator, United Kingdom, energy customers

Cutbacks in mortgage benefits could pose risk to vulnerable homeowners

Industry groups and campaigners are expressing concern over the effect that mortgage benefit cutbacks by the government may have on vulnerable homeowners. There are concerns that some homeowners that are in a vulnerable position, such as disabled homeowners, could be at heightened risk of repossession because of the cutbacks put into place by the coalition government.

In its recent emergency budget the coalition government revealed the details of a range of cutbacks designed to cut public spending and bring the public deficit under control. This included a range of cutbacks to benefits and to various programmes that had been put into place such as mortgage schemes.

The National Housing Federation has launched a scathing attack, stating that there are now around 64,000 homeowners with disabilities that receive assistance through the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme, known as the SMI. However, many will experience difficulties if this assistance is reduced or cut.

According to reports the SMI is to be recalculated for thousands of people with disabilities, and officials believe that around five thousand people with serious mental and physical disabilities could end up financially worse off under the system, and could face difficulties in making repayments, which could mean an increased risk of repossession.

An official from the National Housing Federation said: “This policy will hit thousands of people with disabilities, cutting off many from the prospect of owning their own home. The fact that ministers have not carried out a comprehensive impact assessment into such a major decision is very disquieting.”

The Sheffield Centre for Independent Living added: “There’s an inconsistent response from different local authorities because there are no national guidelines on how payments are made. Now we have to help a lot of people who are finding it harder to get these grants as councils review spending.”

Tags: Government spending, councils review spending, National Housing Federation, homeowners, Independent living, mortgage

Homeowners being moved from interest only mortgages to repayment mortgages

The fears over a double dip recession in the UK are causing havoc for many homeowners who are finding themselves being shifted from interest only mortgages with smaller monthly repayments to capital and interest mortgages that require them to make much higher monthly repayments on their mortgages. For many this will cause serious financial problems, as it will really impact on their outgoings and ability to make repayments.

A number of lenders are said to have brought in new rules and regulations with regards to this issue, and this includes the Spanish owned Santander and the banking giant Halifax. Many borrowers who do not have enough equity in their homes and are coming to the end of an interest only special deal are being shifted onto the more costly repayment mortgage by these lenders.

The move comes following concerns that the UK could be heading for a double dip recession, and a number of industry experts have said that homeowners could lose the equivalent of the average salary from the value of their homes, which will see equity levels plunge further for many homeowners. Santander has revealed that anyone that has less than 25 percent equity in their homes will be moved from their interest only mortgage onto a repayment one.

One mortgage expert said: “For home owners with interest-only mortgages, a forced switch onto a repayment deal by their lender at the end of their fixed or discounted period would lead to a significant rise in their monthly payments. For those saddled with big mortgages, it may well be an unaffordable increase, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. Lenders are worried about a further downturn in prices and are introducing these changes to protect themselves, as well as borrowers. But hard-pressed homeowners may find it’s an extra cost too far.”

Tags: mortgage, santander, fears, Repayment mortgage, homeowners, Mortgage loan, Interest-only loan, Many borrowers

Consumers advised to think carefully about their holiday insurance

Whilst the summer holidays are pretty much over there may still be many people that are looking to book a winter holiday or even book their break for spring of next year. However, for many holidaymakers the various horror stories about airlines and holiday firms going bust has made them nervous about who they book with.

Over the course of 2009 over fifty airlines and travel companies went bust, and this has continued into 2010. For travellers that were not ATOL protected this meant losing money hand over first, losing their holiday, and even being stranded abroad unable to get back for lengthy periods.

Whilst many travellers and holidaymakers would never have dreamt about going abroad without any form of travel insurance anyway there are now many that may be reconsidering which policy they take out. This is because many travel insurance policies in the past have not covered policyholders in the event that their airline or travel firm goes bust, and this is something that is now making people more nervous than ever.

Given the number of travel firms and airlines that have gone bust over the past couple of years a number of insurance firms are now offering more comprehensive policies that will cover travellers in the event of the airline or travel firm going bust. Whilst these policies may be more expensive that standard policies it is likely to be well worth the peace of mind for many travellers.

A number of travel insurance firms are now adding this clause to their policies, and consumers that are planning to travel are advised to check the policies carefully to ensure that they are actually covered if there are problems such as the airline or holiday firm going under.

Tags: travel insurance firms, travel insurance, Insurance, travel firms, airline

Energy salesmen preying on vulnerable customers

It has been reported that in the run up to the winter, when many households and consumers may be concerned about their energy bills, unscrupulous energy salesmen may be preying on vulnerable consumers. Whilst regulators have tried to crack down on doorstep sales, it appears that many salesmen working on commission are still talking consumers into switching.

More worryingly is the fact that many of the vulnerable consumers that these salesmen are preying on end up on more expensive deals. Many of those that are being targeted by these salesmen are elderly or low income consumers, and this makes the situation even worse.

Tough new rules were imposed with regards to doorstep selling around eight months ago, but despite these new regulations the practice still continues. It is thought that last year around two and a half million consumers switched their energy supplier after sales staff from energy suppliers approached them on their doorsteps, in public places, or by phone in order to persuade them to switch.

The energy regulator Ofgem brought in new regulation with regards to these sales at the start of this year, and this involved the energy firms having to provide a written estimate before any sale or switch was concluded. However, consumer campaign groups are adamant that mis-selling of energy is still going on.           

An official from the consumer group Consumer Focus said: ‘We are very concerned that consumers are continuing to report being hit by bad sales practices. If any company is encouraging their employees to break the rules and talk customers into taking up an energy deal that leaves them worse off, there should be strict action from the regulator.’

Tags: Consumer Focus, energy regulator, half million consumers, Tough new rules, energy regulator ofgem, energy firms, energy salesmen, energy suppliers

Consumers advised on avoiding winter fuel hikes

With winter well on the way many people may already be getting nervous about the cost of their energy usage, and this is something that particularly concerns certain vulnerable groups such as the elderly or low income families. With many people already struggling with their finances even before having to worry about fuel bills experts have advised those concerned to take steps as early as possible to avoid costly bills.

It is advisable for those that are worried that their bills may shoot up too high over the winter period to look at other options available to them before winter sets it, and for many this may be a case of looking for a cheaper provider in the area. The cost of energy usage can vary from one provider to another so it can be well worth taking the time to look at other options and providers.

Consumers are easily able to compare the prices on offer from a wide range of energy suppliers that service their areas by going online, and a number of comparison sites are available that will make the process easier and faster. By simply typing in some details about their property and usage habits consumers can quickly find out which supplier is likely to be the cheapest, and can then easily switch and start saving money.

One consumer stated: “I was with the same energy firm for years and years, and slowly but surely I could see my energy bills getting higher and higher. It came to the point where I was paying a fortune for my energy, and I was too nervous to use the heating and hot water even in winter. However, I finally took the plunge, went online, and switched suppliers, and over the past couple of years by energy bills have been far more reasonable and affordable.”

Tags: usage, energy, fuel, energy suppliers, cheaper provider, energy bills

Is a ‘friends’ mortgage’ a good idea?

In the past most people that were buying a home either did so alone or with a partner/husband, which was the traditional way of getting a first home. However, things have really changed over recent years, and these days many people cannot afford to buy a home on their own.

This means that many have had to look at alternatives when it comes to moving out from their parents or from rented accommodation and trying to get their foot onto the property ladder, and things aren’t always easy, particularly given the difficulties that many face when it comes to raising a deposit and getting a mortgage in the current financial climate.

One of the solutions that some people have considered is to get a mortgage out with a friend, whereby both friends – or a group – are all in on the mortgage and they buy the property between them. This can certainly solve a few problems, such as being able to raise the amount needed for the deposit and being able to borrow the amount required for the property.

However, this can cause issues in the event that one of the friends involved wants to sell up and move on, as it means that they would have to get rid of their share of the mortgage. Another problem is if there is a falling out, and whilst most friends hope that they will never come to blows to a degree where things cannot be resolved this can happen.

Whilst a friends’ mortgage can be a good way of getting onto the property ladder in the current financial climate it is important for anyone getting involved to ensure that they consider both the pros and cons before making any firm decision or commitment, as things otherwise turn very sour very quickly – and it could end up being a costly mistake.

For those that do not really want to get involved in a mortgage with someone else but do want to get onto the property ladder another solution is to look at shared ownership, where only part of the property is purchased and the remainder is rented through a housing association and can be purchased in stages at a later date as and when the buyer is in a financial position to buy further shares in the home. The buyer then has the choice of buying the remainder of the home until it has all been purchased or remaining a part owner and selling their share when they decide to move on.

Tags: mortgage, share, Mortgage loan, property, friends

Making money from your home

These days many people are finding it difficult to sell their homes, largely because there is a shortage of buyers fuelled by lack of mortgage availability and low consumer confidence amongst would be buyers. The scrapping of the controversial Home Information Packs by the coalition government resulted in more people wanting to put their properties up for sale, but the low level of interest from buyers may have put many sellers in a difficult position.

Whilst it may be difficult for sellers to actually get their properties sold in the current climate there are ways in which it may be possible to make some money from the property if a decision is made to take it off the market until conditions improve. For some people this could be a viable way to clear some more of the mortgage whilst the property market improves.

Hiring out a room to a friend

Many people probably know of a friend, colleague, or even a family member who may be looking for a place to live, and offering a room out to such a person could help out the friend or family member and bring in some more money to pay the bills and mortgage. For many this is a great solution because they are sharing with someone that they know rather than a complete stranger but at the same time will still be able to make some money to make the mortgage and bill payments each month.

Taking in a lodger

In the current climate many people are struggling to afford a mortgage or even to rent a property of their own, and this has resulted in many looking for just a room to rent. If you do not have a problem offering up a room to someone that you do not know personally then taking in a lodger could be a good way to make money on your property. You could advertise your room, or you may find that there are people that place adverts to say that they are looking for a room.

Look at local amenities

It is a good idea to look at local amenities in your area, as you may find that there are colleges, universities, schools, or hospitals nearby where students, teachers, or doctors and nurses may be looking for local accommodation close to their work. Again, it may be a good idea to advertise if you are willing to rent out a room or you may find that those looking for accommodation place adverts themselves, enabling you to contact them.

Tags: money, mortgage, property, accommodation, room, month, scrapping

Trust still shrinking in UK banks

It has been claimed that the level of trust in UK banks is continuing to shrink amongst consumers following the chaos that followed the global financial crisis. The boss of Co-op said that as a result of lack of trust amongst consumers in the banking sector many were continuing to shun traditional banks.

Peter Marks, the Co-op chief, said that banks had been through a tough time since the onset of the global credit crisis, but he added that most had deserved it because they did not always act ethically. His comments came after the Co-op Bank released its performance and profits figures recently.

The bank’s first half pre-tax profits came to £260 million, which was a hike of 17 percent. Current account openings were said to have increased by 30 percent, and lending to small businesses apparently nearly doubled from £600 million to over £1 billion.

However, confidence levels in the banking sector have been sliding since the chaos that occurred with Northern Rock, which became the first official financial victim of the credit crisis in the UK. Since then various reports ranging from huge banking bonuses to senior staff to security breaches and lack of lending have seen consumer confidence take a further battering.

At one point following the credit crisis many were too nervous even to put money in the bank, and many were keeping their savings at home or in alternative places because of their lack of confidence in banks to keep their money safe.

One industry expert said: “Some banks do deserve the battering they have taken when it comes to customer confidence levels, as many have not acted ethically. It doesn’t help when all consumers see in the papers and on the internet is reports of bosses being paid huge bonuses whilst consumers are left earning little to nothing by way of interest.”

Tags: financial crisis, customer, bank, Co-op Bank, lack of trust, money

RBS to close many insurance offices

It has been announced that Royal Bank of Scotland is being forced to close half of its insurance offices. This comes after the taxpayer bailout that resulted in the company being forced to sell its Churchill and Direct Line insurance divisions. Under the plans there will be two thousand jobs axed at the division, as the lender prepares to sell its insurance business.

Glasgow will see two offices being closed, causing the loss of over six hundred jobs. There are also closures expected in Peterborough and Bristol, which will see another six hundred jobs go. Union officials are angry about the measures because they blame the loss of hundreds of jobs on the failures of the bank, which was one of those that had to be bailed out using taxpayer’s money.

The global credit crisis caused the near collapse of the banking system in the UK, and whilst the troubled Northern Rock was the first major victim of the financial crisis in the UK, and had to be nationalised after it became the first victim of a run on a British bank in a century and a half, a number of other big name High Street banks ended up following its footsteps.

Whilst it is taxpayer’s money that has resulted in the bank being bailed out lenders are still being very cautious when it comes to providing finance to consumers and businesses, which has already caused a lot of controversy. The loss of jobs resulting from these RBS closures will now cause more controversy, as the blame has been laid squarely at the feet of the bank itself by union officials.

Union Unite official Rob MacGregor said: ‘RBS staff are continuing to pay the price for the bank’s failure with their jobs.’

Tags: insurance divisions, Insurance, rob macgregor, British bank, direct, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, lender, finance

Apologies from Santander over poor service

An apology has been made by the Spanish owned bank Santander over the poor level of service it has given to hundreds of thousands of customers. The service problems have resulted in a range of problems, including delays with savings accounts being opened, problems with access to online accounts, and failure of bank staff to carry out transactions.

Steve Williams, director of service quality and complaints, made the apology last week, and the apology came after an investigation was carried out by the Financial Mail into chaos with administration at the bank. The bank, which took over a number of UK financial institutions such as Abbey and the Alliance & Leicester, has been accused of a number of failings following the investigation.

According to reports the bank has put all of its efforts into ensuring that the level of service is extremely high for its current accounts. However, in doing this it stands accused of letting customer service levels falls in other areas. In the first half of this year the bank received almost a quarter of a million complaints, the majority of which were in relation to its customer service levels, and this is what sparked the investigation.

Mr Williams admitted the bank’s failings when he made the apology, and he said that the bank was a growing one and that it understood that there were areas that needed to be addressed with regards to its service levels and other areas. This will partly be done through increased staffing.

Williams said: ‘We are creating more than 600 new jobs in our British branches and call centres. These roles will support our business and growth while enabling us to continue improving our service to customers.’

Tags: access, bank, Santander UK, Mail, alliance & leicester

MBNA credit card can be activated online

The Internet has had a huge impact on the lives of most consumers, and being able to access goods and services online has improved convenience and ease for many people that prefer this channel to alternatives such as using the phone or having to go out to access various services.

It has now been revealed that credit card giant MBNA has tapped into the enthusiasm of consumers to be able to access services online wherever possible, and has taken action that will enable cardholders to activate their cards online, which will make things faster, easier, and more convenient for many people that have internet access.

This will be the first time that customers in UK and Ireland will have a choice of options when it comes to activating their MBNA credit cards even if they are new. Previously the cards could be activated online but only if they were replacement cards. However, this channel will now also be available to those that have new MBNA credit cards.

An official from the firm said that the majority of new accountholders actually applied for their credit cards online, and therefore it was only natural that these people would prefer to activate their cards online, access their accounts online, and manage their credit cards online.

Ian Craig, customer service and channel fulfilment executive for Bank of America Europe Card Services, said: “Our customers tell us they want more online options to service their accounts so it makes sense to open up online activation to everyone. The majority of our new accounts are applied for online; so, for many, it is the right channel to offer more. We’ve expanded the scope to activate our cards as it’s quite right that we offer them the freedom to service their account via their channel of choice.”

Tags: channel, online, online activation, internet access, Credit Cards, accounts online, america

Mortgage market in Scotland sees improvement

Recently released data has shown that the property and mortgage markets in Scotland have shown surprising improvement in the second quarter of this year, with officials expressing surprise over the figures that have been released by industry groups.

Figures were released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, and it appears that things have improved with both first time buyers and home movers in Scotland. Officials have said that they will be keeping a close eye on the property and mortgage markets in Scotland for the remainder of the year, and could find that the markets outperform those in the rest of the UK if the performance continues as it has done so far.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders said that in the second quarter of this year the number of mortgage agreements for first time buyers increased by an impressive 18 percent, bringing the total for the second quarter to 4700. The total value of these mortgages came to £419 million, and this reflected an increase in total value of 27 percent compared to the first quarter of the year.

The figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders also showed great improvements in the mortgage and property markets for those that were moving house. Over the course of the second quarter of the year 8000 loans were taken out, and this reflected an increase of 36 percent, which has surprised many experts.

It is thought that part of the reason behind the improvements in these markets is that lenders in Scotland appear to be getting more relaxed when it comes to granting and approving mortgage loans. The average deposit requirement for first time buyers has fallen from 23 percent to 21 percent, and some think that this may have helped to renew hope and confidence amongst buyers.

Tags: Mortgage loan, mortgage, time buyers, value, confidence

Personal loan rates need to be capped

Calls have been made for the government to put a cap on the interest rates charged on personal loans. This follows research that showed that most consumers in Britain want to see a cap on the rates of interest that lenders can charge for personal loans. The research was carried out recently by Compass on behalf of YouGov.

According to the results of the study around 68 percent of consumers believe that the government has a responsibility to protect consumers who take out personal loans by ensuring that a cap is put on personal loan interest rates. In addition to this the research found that a similar number of people, around 69 percent, wanted to see government officials promoting affordable means of credit such as credit unions.

Earlier this year a report was produced by consumer watchdog group Consumer Focus, and this showed that the popularity of ‘legal loan sharking’ was increasing. The watchdog’s report showed how the number of people that were taking out payday loans had quadrupled in the past four years, with around 1.2 Brits now taking out such loans.

The Association of British Credit Unions also issued a recent warning to consumers, warning them to be vigilant for loans that seemed attractive but in actual fact charged up to 2500 percent in interest per year. Compass said that the calls for caps on personal loans would be a test to see whether the new government would be supporting consumers or lenders.

One Compass official said: “This is a key test of the coalition government’s stated commitment to create a fairer society. Now we need to see if it backs the people or the financiers.”

Tags: interest, Britain, credit, cap, loan, finance

Billions accrued in debt during downturn

It has been claimed in a recent report that Brits have managed to accrue billions of pounds in debt during the economic downturn as a result of their shopping addictions. Despite the money worries and concerns over job security that have been experienced by many consumers many have continued indulging in their shopping addiction, and accruing huge debts into the bargain.

The comparison website uSwitch claims that British shoppers have managed to accrue £24 billion worth of debt as a result of their recession shopaholism, which is a term that the website uses to describe those that have built up more than half of their debt through purchases of fashion items.

The breakdown provided by the website showed that there were more women than men that were classed as shopping addicts, with three million men and four million women. However, the average debt accrued was higher amongst men, coming to £3425 compared with £3353 for women. Unsecured debt for women in Britain came to £13 billion and this compared to £10 billion for men.

An official from uSwitch said that although finances have been strained for many people many women had continued to follow their idols and buy a range of expensive fashion items including clothes, handbags, and shoes rather than curbing their spending on fashion shopping in order to save money and ease the financial strain. In some cases those that have accrued debt by shopping for non-essentials during the downturn have said that the recession and economic downturn has been the cause of their spending, as they have shopped to cheer themselves up.

uSwitch officials said: “Despite the financial constraints, women have carried on copying the lifestyles and shopping habits of their idols and ignoring the debt they are racking up in the process.”

Tags: uswitch, consumers, finance, Brits, Financial services, debt, credit

Zurich insurance fined over customer data loss

Insurance giant Zurich has received a hefty fine from the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The fine has been imposed because of a serious breach of security relating to the loss of customer data files. The insurance company is said to have lost the confidential data files of forty six thousand customers.

According to reports the fine that has been imposed by the Financial Services Authority comes to over £2.27 million, even though there was no evidence to indicate that the data in the confidential files had been misused. A range of data was included in the files and this included identity information, details of bank accounts, credit card details, and more.

The FSA said that some of the data work had been outsourced by Zurich to its South African unit, which then went on to lose a back up tape back in August 2008 that was not encrypted. However, the FSA also said that it was a year later when the loss of the data was actually discovered.

Zurich was accused by the FSA of failing to oversee its outsourcing arrangements effectively, and had inadequate control over the data that was being processed. The incident was described as being unacceptable by the FSA, which said that the matter was made worse by the loss being undiscovered for a year,

An official from the FSA said: “Zurich U.K. let its customers down badly. To make matters worse, Zurich U.K. was oblivious to the data loss incident until a year later. Firms across the financial sector would do well to look at the details of this case and learn from the mistakes that Zurich U.K. made.”

Tags: Insurance, finance, Zurich Financial Services, data, credit card details

Bank account options for consumers

Although the banking industry in the UK has taken quite a bit of flack over recent years the various High Street banks do offer plenty of choice when it comes to bank accounts to suit different needs. There are many different consumers with banking needs, and their different circumstances and statuses determine which bank account is going to be best suited to their needs.

One of the accounts that most High Street banks offer are basic bank accounts, and these are ideal for some people such as those on low incomes or with bad credit ratings who might otherwise struggle to get a current account. Whilst there are some restrictions with basic bank accounts, such as no debit cards or cheque books with many as well as no overdraft facility, they do offer the ability for accountholders to effectively manage and run their finances, pay bills, get money paid in, and other basic banking functions.

Standard current accounts are what most people have, and these are accounts that enable consumers to run their day to day finances. They are very similar to basic bank accounts in that you can set up standing orders and direct debits, transfer money, pay money in, make withdrawals, etc. However, many bank accounts also come with additional perks such as debit cards and overdraft facilities.

Another type of bank account that is available from many banks these days is the packaged bank account, and these accounts are fee charging accounts with fees that vary from one bank to another. The reason for the fee on these packages accounts is that they offer a package of benefits to the accountholder, which could save them money depending on how many of the services they use. Some of the benefits that come with the package include travel insurance, pet insurance, mobile phone cover, breakdown cover, and more. However, consumers should ensure that they are getting value for money and would not be better off paying for the benefits that they use on the open market rather than paying a fee for the account.

By choosing the right bank account and the right bank for your needs you can ensure that you can manage your finances more easily and conveniently, and with so many different banks and account to choose from it should be relatively easy to find one that is going to suit your needs and circumstances.

Tags: Banking, bank accounts, finance, bank, cheque

Villages being affected by bank closures

It has been reported recently that many villages in the UK are being affected by bank closures, with many bank branches having closed since the turn of the century. An investigation was carried out by the Campaign for Community Bank Services (CCBS), and this suggested that more than two thousand bank branches had closed since 2000, and this has left many people living in smaller villages stranded when it comes to conducting their banking.

For many of those living in rural areas and small villages there is a particular problem because lack of broadband facilities makes it difficult for them to benefit from other options such as online banking due to lack of internet access. With many bank branches in smaller villages now struggling to stay open, despite profits recently posted by banks, villagers may really struggle to access banking services properly.

A number of major banks are said to have shut hundreds of branches in some cases over the past decade, and Lloyds TSB said to have closed around five hundred branches. It is the branches in smaller areas and villages in particular that are suffering, and many officials are now concerned that vulnerable, elderly, and disabled people could experience real problems if they are unable to travel further afield to access banking services.

An official from Campaign for Community Bank Services, Derek French, said: ‘We are concerned that banks will continue to close quieter branches and concentrate on meeting sales targets in busier, more profitable High Street branches.’  

With banks having been hit hard financially over the past few years there are also concerns that many may focus of closing branches to save money rather than making cutbacks in other areas, which will further impact on the accessibility of services for many consumers.

Tags: bank closures, small villages, bank, bank branches, consumers, branch, derek french

Payday loans soar due to credit crunch

Payday loans have been at the centre of controversy for some time, and this is largely due to the high rate of interest charged by these lenders on an annual basis. However, some have argues that these lenders receive unnecessary bad press, because the interest charged is not that much providing the loan is paid back in time, and some officials argue that these loans can be very useful for those that desperately need short term financial help.

It has now been reported that the level of payday loans being taken out has soared partly as a result of the global credit crunch, which has left many people short of cash and in financial dire straits. In the space of four years the number of people taking out these payday loans is said to have quadrupled, as more and more people find themselves desperate for cash for a short term period.

The APRs that some of these payday lenders charge has caused a lot of concern over recent years, but for those that only borrow for a short period and repay the loan on time rather than rolling it over the cost of borrowing is not as bad as it sounds. Some charity officials have said that it is preferable for consumers to go to payday loan companies for short term loans to tide them over rather than unscrupulous loan sharks.

Whilst there have been calls for these loans to be banned officials from Consumer Focus said: ‘These products are controversial, but we don’t agree with calls for them to be banned. Outlawing payday loans could leave some borrowers vulnerable to illegal loan sharks. Instead we need sensible safeguards now to stop borrowers becoming dependent on this high cost credit and prevent even more stringent controls being needed in the future.’

Tags: borrowing, help, loan, Payday loan, credit, debt, rate, concern

Lenders cut fixed rate mortgage rates

According to industry reports a number of lenders have slashed the rates on their fixed rate mortgage offerings even though the Bank of England decided to keep the base interest rate on hold again this month at its record low of 0.5 percent. A number of building societies and banks have cut the rates on their fixed rate deals.

High Street banking giant HSBC recently launched its lowest ever five year fixed rate deal, and last week saw Coventry Building Society and Nationwide Building Society reduce their fixed rate deals. One industry expert said that the reason why lenders were slashing their fixed rates even though the base rate had remained static was because they wanted to try and entice people off going for low standard variable rates. With banks already struggling the situation is being made worse by people opting for low standard variable rates, and this has led the banks to start taking action.

She said that many people that had come off special fixed rate deals had then moved onto standard variable rates, and with the base rate being so low this had been their cheapest option. This has resulted in lenders struggling, and many are now working on the hope that by cutting their fixed rate deals they can tempt people into remortgaging and taking out a fixed rate deal rather than a standard variable rate one.

Financial expert Michelle Slade stated: ‘Millions of customers who have come off short-term fixed-rate and tracker deals in recent years have gone on to their lender’s standard variable rate as it has been cheaper than fixing again. For example, Nationwide’s base mortgage rate is just 2.5%.’ She added: ‘The new fixed rates are certainly mouth-watering and could be worth grabbing for some borrowers.’

Tags: mortgage, variable rate mortgage, interest rates, fixed rate mortgage, interest

Double dip recession could stem from house price falls

Officials from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have stated recently that concerns over a double dip recession have been sparked as a result of house price falls. Earlier in the week the majority of estate agents reported that house prices had fallen for the first time in a year.

According to RICS there has been a surge in the number of properties coming onto the market whilst at the same time the level of interest from would be buyers has fallen as a result of a number of factors. This has sparked a drop in property prices following a period where property prices were regaining strength, and with the economy in the UK still fragile following the recent recession many are now concerned that the nation could be heading back towards a double dip recession.

The figures show that compared to the combined total of estate agents that reports stable or increasing house prices 8 percent more reports falling prices, and this was the first time since July of last year that a majority of estate agents had reported a fall in property prices.

Officials have said that falling house prices tend to take their toll on consumer confidence levels, and with a fall in consumer confidence there could also be an increase in the chances of a double dip recession. Scotland and the South West are said to be enjoying some level of stability, but all other areas of Britain have apparently been hit.

RICS said: ‘This is a reflection of both the increase in supply following the scrapping of HIPs and the more cautious stance from buyers. Significantly, the forward looking price expectations numbers suggest that this softer trend will continue through the second half of the year. However, agents are still generally optimistic about sales activity which should benefit from more realistic pricing of properties.’

Tags: house, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, prices, double dip, Estate agent, recession

Nearly three million people could get PPI compensation

According to the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority, nearly three million people could be in line for compensation over mis-sold PPI or Payment Protection Insurance. The regulator claims that 2.75 million people could be entitled to compensation totalling £2.7 billion.

Banks and financial institutions have been given until the beginning of December this year to bring in new rules with regards to dealing with complaints over PPI. The FSA has already said that over a five year period it had found a “wide and deep evidence of weaknesses in PPI sales”.

PPI is a type of insurance cover that is designed to cover repayments on loans and other forms of borrowing for a specified period of time in the event that the policyholder is unable to make repayments due to redundancy, sickness, or injury. However, investigations into the sale of this type of cover found that in many cases the insurance cover was being mis-sold.

One of the ways in which cover has been mis-sold is through selling to those that could not claim, such as the self employed. In other cases consumers were led to believe that they had to take out the cover to get the finance that they needed. In some instances consumers were not even aware that PPI, which is a costly form of cover, had been added to their finance agreement.

In a statement the FSA said: “Today is the culmination of months of hard work and now, with these measures, we look forward to consumers being treated fairly whether they are buying or complaining about PPI. Since we took over the regulation of PPI we’ve carried out 24 investigations and three thematic reviews, issued warnings, halted the selling of single premium PPI with unsecured personal loans, visited over 200 firms, and handed out some very significant fines.”

Tags: payment protection insurance, ppi, finance, insurance cover, Financial Regulator

No move for base interest rate

The Bank of England has announced that the base interest rate in the UK is to be kept on hold once again, which means that this will be the eighteenth month in a row that the base rate will have been kept at the record low of just 0.5 percent. The announcement came after the August Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

The decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 percent, which is the lowest in the history of the Bank of England, has sparked speculation that the Monetary Policy Committee is not all that concerned about rising inflation, which at present is much higher than the government target of 2 percent but is expected to fall closer to its targets level over the course of the year.

The central bank also said that the quantitative easing programme was still on hold. The programme was started by the former Labour government, and so far £200 billion has been pumped into the economy through this scheme. The MPC has now said that whilst the scheme will be kept on hold for now there is still scope to use it again in the future should it be necessary.

In the meantime many industry groups have welcomed the decision for the bank base rate to be kept on hold, with officials stating that this could help to revive the economy. The British Chambers of Commerce said that the cuts that the coalition government had made to address the public deficit would impact on the economy, so keep the base rate on hold had been a necessity.

David Kern from the BCC said: “The MPC made the right decision. The tough deficit-reduction measures announced in the Budget, although necessary, will inevitably increase the threat of a UK economic setback. Given the precarious economic background, it is absolutely vital that the MPC maintains the current low level of interest rates until the second quarter of 2011 at the earliest.”

Tags: interest rate, Central bank, bank base rate, Monetary policy, bank of england

Lloyds Banking Group retains position in UK mortgage lending market

Figures that have recently been released have shown that banking giant Lloyds Banking Group has managed to retain its position in the UK market when it comes to mortgage lending levels. This comes despite the problems that the mortgage markets have experienced since the onset of the global financial crisis and the recession.

The figures show that Lloyds Banking Group managed to retain a 23 percent share of the gross mortgage market in the UK, despite the fact that the markets have remained subdued. The large market share of the mortgage market that has been taken by the group means that it remains as one of the leading mortgage lenders in the UK.

Lloyds Banking Group has also enjoyed success when it comes to profits, having announced profits of £1.6 billion for the first six months of this year. For the same period a year ago the bank reported losses of £4 billion, which means that the banking group’s fortunes have really turned around, as have those of a number of other banks in the UK. The money that Lloyds Banking Group has set aside to cover bad debt is also said to have fallen, and has gone from £13.4 billion to £6.5 billion.

Despite the profits that Lloyds and other banks have reported industry groups have expressed concern that mortgage lending is still restricted, as banks are still being cautious and many are still demanding high deposit from those looking to take out a mortgage.

Mortgage brokers have a more optimistic view, and many have predicted that they will be doing increased levels of business as the year goes on, as more and more mortgage products become available on the market.

Tags: Lloyds Banking Group, Mortgage broker, bank, uk, Mortgage loan, mortgage, percent

What to look for with a personal loan

Whilst credit conditions have undoubtedly been strained over the past couple of years many believe that things are now easing up in the financial markets, and whilst lenders have not gone back to the days of easy credit the availability of loans and finance does appear to be easing up to some degree.

With this in mind many people may now start to think about taking out a personal loan for a variety of purchases, and with things easing up in the financial markets the choice of personal loans is greater than before, and there are some pretty good deals available for those that have a decent credit history and score.

There are many lenders that offer personal loans, and which cater for the needs of a wide range of people and needs. It is important for those that are looking for a personal loan to do some research and familiarise themselves with the different loans and deals available so that they can make a more informed choice when it comes to deciding which of these loans to opt for.

It is easiest to use the internet to browse and compare the different personal loans available, as this will allow you to quickly see which loans fit in with your needs and your budget without having to deal with any pushy sales people or feel embarrassed about going through your finances with someone on the phone or in person.

There are a number of key areas that you need to look at when browsing personal loans with a view to taking one of these loans out. The interest rate that you will be charged is a very important consideration, so this is something that you need to compare. However, do bear in mind that if a lender advertises a typical APR this does not mean that you will necessarily get that rate of interest but that most of the lenders customers get that rate.

The repayment periods on personal loans can vary from one provider and loan to another, so this is something else that you need to look at when you are deciding which loan you should go for. If you want to keep your repayments down then you need longer repayments periods, so make sure that you know what’s on offer.

Other things that you need to look at include the overall monthly repayments to ensure that you can afford the repayments, the eligibility requirements, the terms and conditions of the loan, and the borrowing limits, although this will vary based on your financial status.

Tags: overall monthly repayments, credit, loan, Unsecured loan, status, personal finance, consideration, interest

Why first time buyers could benefit from shared ownership

Buying a property has become an almost impossible feat for many first time buyers in the UK these days, not least because getting a mortgage loan has become so difficult. Whilst property prices have fallen since their peak they are still very high in the UK, and with lenders demanding a large percentage of the property value by way of a deposit many first time buyers still find themselves priced out of the market.

In some cases lenders are demanding in excess of 15 percent of the property value by way of a deposit, and this is something that most first time buyers cannot manage, as they have no pervious property from which to take equity. As a result of this many first time buyers are having to move into rented accommodation, which makes it even more difficult to save a deposit to get themselves onto the property ladder.

However, there is another option that could prove ideal for many first time buyers in the UK and this is an option known as shared ownership. With a shared ownership property buyers only get a mortgage for a set percentage of the property value, and the they then pay rent on the remaining share to a housing association. Because they are only buying a share of the property initially they will need a lower mortgage and a lower deposit, but can still get themselves on the property ladder, albeit more gradually than in the traditional way.

The share of the property that first time buyers can get will vary based on the property and the housing association, and could be anything from between 25 percent and 75 percent. Often the houses that are sold as shared ownership are new build, which means that buyers can get their hands on a brand new property without having to find a huge mortgage and deposit upfront.

The great thing about shared ownership is that you will not have to rent the remaining share of the property forever, as you can ‘staircase’. This means that over time you can buy additional shares of the property as and when finances allow until eventually you own 100 percent of the home. Alternatively you may wish to continue on a shared ownership basis and then sell your share of the home to another person that wants shared ownership when you want to move on.

A number of housing associations deal with shared ownership properties, and there are both new build properties available as well as resales from those that want to sell their own shares in these properties. Whilst there may not be a huge difference in the amount that you pay out monthly with shared ownership compared to getting an outright mortgage (although it is generally cheaper) the key advantage is that you will not need a huge mortgage or deposit to start off with and can buy the remainder of the home as and when it is viable for you.

Tags: Equity sharing, property, mortgage, first time buyer, property ladder

Cut back on your vehicle insurance costs

It was recently reported that the cost of car insurance in the UK has soared recently, with industry groups claiming that there has been a 14 percent rise in vehicle insurance related cost in the second quarter of this year. These increases are something that most drivers can ill afford, particularly considering the financial strains that most people are under due to the difficult financial climate, the after-effects of the recession, and the high price of essentials such as petrol and food.

Of course, having insurance cover in place is a legal requirement for drivers, and no driver should be on the road without having some form of cover in place. However, it is important to remember that there are different levels of insurance cover to choose from, and you may find that the vehicle that you have does not require the more comprehensive and costly cover.

If you have an older car that is not worth much in terms of monetary value there is little point opting for the fully comprehensive cover, as this will work out more expensive and you will get very little back for your car in the event that it is written off in an accident because of its low value. On the other hand if you have a newer, higher value vehicle it is best to opt for comprehensive cover as otherwise you would be shelling out a fortune in the event that you had an accident that was your fault.

It is also important to remember that the excess levels that you choose will affect the cost of your cover. This is the amount that you have to pay from your own pocket in the event of a claim, and insurance firms tend to offer a number of choices. If you go for the lower excess then you will not pay as much yourself in the event of a claim, but with the higher excess you can take a risk and cut the cost of the cover.

Comparing deals is vital in order to reduce the cost of your vehicle insurance, and this is something that can be quickly and easily done these days using the various comparison websites available online. You will be surprised at how much you can save simply by comparing deals. In some cases you can even reduce your insurance costs by phoning your insurance company and stating that you are considering going elsewhere. The competition amongst insurers is stiff, and many will negotiate a discount in order to keep your custom.

Tags: Insurance, car insurance, Vehicle insurance, insurance cover, insurance costs

Many Welsh travellers fail to take out travel insurance

Research has recently been released by the Foreign Office, with the data suggesting that Welsh people are more likely to be hospitalised when they go abroad than others people in the UK. However, despite this many fail to take out travel insurance cover, potentially causing themselves a great deal of financial harm.

The figures showed that nearly one third of Welsh people had found themselves in some sort of trouble whilst abroad, and this included being arrested, being involved in road accidents, or ending up in hospital. However, around 16 percent of Welsh travellers do not take out any travel insurance cover when they head abroad.

With the summer holiday season just around the corner the Foreign Office is now appealing to consumers to use their common sense and arrange adequate travel insurance cover if they are heading abroad so that they are protected against mishaps such as those outlined above.

The research also found that Welsh travellers spent an average of nearly £12 on magazines, snacks, and drinks whilst at the airport, which is twice the cost of basic single trip travel insurance cover. Welsh travellers were also found to spend the least time arranging travel insurance cover, with the average time being spent doing this standing at twenty one minutes.

Jeremy Brown, the Foreign Office Minister, said: “This report shines a light on the number of Britons who get into difficulty abroad each year. The worrying fact is that so many of these situations are preventable. Helping out Britons in trouble abroad is part of our job, but we can’t get you out of jail or pay your hospital bills. A bit of preparation before you go, such as arranging travel insurance and checking our website, will ensure you get the most out of your trip without bad memories and big bills.”

Tags: Insurance, travel insurance, Wales, travel insurance cover, Welsh

Vehicle insurance related costs soar

It has been revealed in a recent report that costs relating to insuring cars and other vehicles have soared in the UK over recent months, resulting in many drivers who may already be struggling financially due to the cost of living and petrol prices finding it even more difficult to keep their vehicles on the road.

According to the report the costs associated with insuring a car or vehicle in the UK have increased by more than 14 percent in the second quarter of this year. The figures have come from the EMB Car Insurance Price Index and the online insurance comparison site Confused.

The rise in costs associated with insuring a car are much higher than the increases that were seen in the final quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year. In the last three months of 2009 costs relating to insuring a car increased by 4.3 percent, and in the first three months of this year the costs relating to insuring a car increased by 6.3 percent.

The massive increase in costs of over 14 percent seen in the second quarter of this year has resulted in around £74 being added to the average cost of car insurance for drivers. This reflects a total increase of 31 percent according to figures, and brings the average annual cost of car insurance to £599.

Some areas saw costs relating to car insurance rise more than others, and amongst those to be hardest hit were inner London and Manchester. Insurance officials have also said that this is not the end of the bad news for drivers, as many believe that the cost of vehicle insurance could continue to increase, which would mean even higher premiums for many cash strapped drivers.

Tags: United Kingdom, Vehicle insurance, end, second quarter, quarter, Insurance, premiums, car insurance

Mortgage default levels falling

Over the past few years problems with finances, higher mortgage rates, and the global financial crisis has plunged many people into severe financial difficulties, and as a result of this many homeowners have been unable to keep on top of their mortgage repayments.

The high level of mortgage defaults over recent years has resulted in many people having their homes repossessed, which naturally caused a great deal of concern amongst consumers and officials. The recession also took its toll on the ability of homeowners to make repayments on their mortgages, with many people losing their jobs as a result of the recession.

However, with the recession now over and the financial markets easing up the level of mortgage repayment defaults has been falling recently. The Bank of England has issued figures showing the fall in the level of mortgage repayment defaults in the UK, which will come as good news for banks and industry groups.

The fall in mortgage defaults has been occurring for a while now, and industry experts have said that in the latter part of 2010 it will remain largely flat. Some have even predicted that in the short to medium term mortgage repayment defaults could actually start to increase again as a result in an economic slowdown caused by changes made in the recent emergency budget by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Further job losses are also expected to occur as a result of the budget changes, and this could affect the ability of more people to make their mortgage repayments. Officials advise those that feel that they are in danger of falling behind with mortgage repayment to contact their lender or a debt advice group as early as possible so that the problem can be sorted out before banks have to resort to repossession action.

Tags: default, crisis, mortgage rates, mortgage, Mortgage loan, homeowners, chancellor of the exchequer, loan

Problems with loan sharks being tackled by specialist team

A specialist team is dealing with problems relating to illegal loan sharks, with officials from the team expressing concerns about the number of people that are falling for illegal loan shark finance due to desperation in the current financial climate. One official from the illegal money lending unit covering North Staffordshire said more people were turning to these lenders as a result of the effects of the recession.

The global credit crisis has resulted in credit drying up for many people, making it difficult for them to get the finance that they need, and for many desperate times has led to desperate measures, forcing them to turn to less reputable lenders when it comes to borrowing money.

The problems relating to loan sharks are now being tackled by the Central England Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team, which was launched back in 2004. The team is funded by the government and is responsible for gathering evidence on loan sharks.  

As part of their investigation into the practices and activities of loan sharks the team has set up a twenty four hour hotline that allows consumers to ’shop a shark’ and give the team more ammunition when investigating these loan sharks.

As a result of the hotline the investigators recently managed to catch out one loan shark and get him sentenced. The team hopes to be able to catch out many other loan sharks through the hotline.

An official from Staffordshire County Council, where the sentenced loan shark was from, stated: “We hope this sends out a strong message to anyone thinking they can make money illegally. These people prey on vulnerable residents without any remorse which is thoroughly shameful.”

Tags: finance, loan, Shark, credit, Loan shark

Lack of awareness about mortgage rates amongst UK consumers

It has been claimed in a recent report that there is a severe lack of awareness amongst UK consumers when it comes to their mortgage interest rates. The data comes from a study that was carried out for the Consumer Financial Education Body, and involved polling over two thousand consumers about their mortgage interest rates.

The results of the study indicated that a massive three quarters of mortgage holders in the UK had no idea how an interest rate rise of 1 percent would affect their mortgage repayments and their budgets. The poll also found that many mortgage holders did not know what type of mortgage they had, and many also had no idea when their mortgage would expire.

The survey looked into a number of different mortgage related issues. The base interest rate has been kept on hold at its lowest level on record for sixteen months now, standing at just 0.5 percent. However, the survey results showed that over 50 percent of consumers thought that in the next nine months the base interest rate would increase.

Around 15 percent of those polled did not know what sort of mortgage product they had, such as a fixed, tracker, discounted, or standard variable rate mortgage. Around 8.6 million people out of 14.6 million had mortgages that formed part of a time limited deal. However, 15 percent of these mortgage holders did not know when their deals came to an end.

One industry official said: “Interest rates have been at record lows for some while now. Although there is uncertainty about when this will change, it is clear from our research that many people with mortgages have not thought about what it would mean for their monthly payments, or where they would find the extra money in their household budget if their mortgage rate was to go up. Lack of time means many of us often put off reviewing our finances.”

Tags: Mortgage loan, deal, interest, mortgage, finance

Banks may offer more competitive deals than brokers

A recent report has shown that banks in the UK may be offering more competitive mortgage loan deals directly rather than through brokers, which means that consumers that go through a broker could find that they end up paying more than they would if they went directly through a lender in some cases.

Direct providers and banks are said to be offering highly competitive mortgage loan deals to try and stay a step ahead of rival providers, and this means that going through a broker could end up being more expensive. However, brokers have stated that if consumers choose to bypass them they could end up missing out on a range of specialist deals.

Some mortgage lenders such as the internet banking giant First Direct, which is part of the HSBC group, have decided to bypass brokers altogether for their deals. Officials from First Direct have said that there is no need for the company to go through brokers when they are able to offer such competitive deals direct to the consumer.

However, brokers claim that there are a number of reasons why consumers should go through a broker rather than direct to a bank, such as the diminishing number of people that now qualify for banks’ deals, and the fact that whilst a particular bank may be offering the best rate at one point this can quickly change.

One broker said: “First Direct and HSBC may have the best deals today but this can change and, besides, the number of applicants who will actually qualify for the banks’ criteria of three times income, a squeaky-clean credit record and large deposit, is fast diminishing. The reality is that most cases are not this easy and will require the expertise and contacts of a mortgage broker.”

Tags: fast diminishing, consumer, broker, Mortgage broker, point, Business Finance, finance, bank

Energy price increases described as depressing

Over recent years there has been a lot of controversy over the amount that customers have been charged for their energy usage in the UK, and whilst prices have gone up and down the UK’s major energy suppliers have been accused of being quick to increase prices when the cost of wholesale energy goes up but being very slow to apply changes when the costs go down.

One comparison site, confused.com, has recently stated that the price of energy usage looks as though it is set to increase again, and has described this as ‘depressing’. One official from the company said that the end of cheap energy rates was coming from some providers, and this would make for depressing news for households, many of which are already struggling with their finances.

Energy analyst, Lisa Greenfield, said that companies such as E.On and EDF Energy looked set to end cheap rate offers, and on top of this it looked as thought the cost of wholesale energy was set to increase again. This, she said, all pointed towards energy prices in the UK increasing, and would come as bad news for those that were already on the financial edge. The move could once again send many households into fuel poverty, where 10 percent of more of their household income goes on energy costs.

Greenfield did suggest that those looking to avoid having to pay more on their gas and electricity bills, at least for the foreseeable future, could go online and compare energy prices from a range of other suppliers. She said that it could be worth consumers trying to find a cheap, fixed deal with energy suppliers before the deals were withdrawn, as they could then lock in a lower price for a set period of time to save money on their monthly gas and electric bills.

Tags: energy costs, compare energy prices, energy rates, energy, energy suppliers

Further increase expected with credit card interest rates

Over recent years there has been a lot of controversy with regards to the high rate of interest that is charged on many credit cards, with campaigners, consumers, and various other officials pointing out that the gap between the base interest rate – which is at its lowest level on record at just 0.5 percent – and the average credit card interest rate was getting wider and wider.

Whilst the base rate has been at its all time low for well over a year now credit card interest rates have continued to increase, leaving many credit card customers who are unable to settle their balances in full at the end of each month facing very high levels of interest on their debts. However, despite the controversy it appears that the problem could be set to get worse.

According to reports experts from the credit card industry are predicting that credit card companies are set to increase credit card interest rates even further, and this could further impact on the finances of many people that are already struggling to stay afloat. Experts believe that credit card providers will increase their rates in order to offset the risks that they are having to take.

Recent research showed that over five million consumers in the UK had admitted to using their credit cards on a regular basis to make bill payments and other essential payments, and this means that the higher interest rates could take their toll on many people.

A spokesperson from Moneyfacts.co.uk said: “Providers have been putting rates up and obviously there’s high unemployment and the risk of people defaulting and not repaying their debts is still quite high, so they’re very strict on who they give their cards to. The customers that pay off just the minimum every month are going to be the ones who are hit hardest. They’re going to add, maybe, hundreds of pounds extra on to their debt and take a lot longer to repay [it].”

Tags: Credit card, risk, interest, rate of interest, personal finance, increase, Credit Cards, credit card interest rates

Virgin Money makes changes to repayment system

Many Virgin Money credit card customers have been pleased to hear a recent announcement from the financial giant with regards to the repayment allocation on its credit cards. Virgin has announced that as of the start of September any repayments made on the Virgin credit cards will be allocated to the more expensive debt first, which could potentially save credit card holders a fair amount in interest.

Under the current repayment system, as is the case with many credit card providers, anyone that repays their debt gradually on the Virgin credit cards will see the repayment being out towards the cheapest debt first, which is often interest free debt. This means that more expensive debts that have high interest rates can be left to faster and continue accruing interest, which means that customers often end up paying out more.

The move to make credit card providers allocate customers’ repayments in this way has been pushed by regulators and financial authorities in the UK following similar moves that were taken in the United States. However, whilst lenders who offer credit cards will have to adopt these measures eventually many have surprised customers by bringing in the moves earlier than was necessary.

Virgin Money has become one of a number of credit card providers to bring in the changes to the allocation of repayments earlier than they needed to, and collectively customers could save a huge amount on interest as a result of these changes being made early.

One customer said: “I think its great that Virgin have decided to take this action early, because it will allow customers to save a fortune on the interest that they would otherwise have to pay.”

Tags: business, Virgin Credit Card, regulators, finance, current repayment system, credit, Credit card, way

Energy firms probed over price differences

Two UK energy firms are being quizzed and investigated by regulators over differences in prices in different parts of the country, according to recent reports. Questions are being asked over why the energy providers are charging a particular price in one part of the country and a different price in another part of the country.

Amongst the discrepancies that appear to have been picked up is the fact that the price that the companies are charging in areas where they need to compete more is different to the price being charged in other areas. According to reports the two energy firms, which have not been named, are being asked ’serious questions’ by the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem.

Ofgem has stated that if an official investigation is launched following the initial questioning then the two energy suppliers will be named. It was announced last year that energy firms could not apply price differences for no reason and that any difference in prices for energy usage had to reflect differences in cost to the actual supplier.

These changes, which were brought in last year by Ofgem, resulted in many energy customers seeing their bills falling, and in recent months the prices for those that were using a prepayment meter had dropped impressively from £111 to £69.

Whilst the questioning of the two energy firms continues industry experts have suggested that consumers who feel that they are being charged too much on their energy usage look into switching to a different provider. Many are surprised to find that when they do this they can get their energy far cheaper than with their current provider.

Christine McGourty, director of Energy UK, said: “Suppliers compete across all payment methods and tariffs, so it is important for customers to shop around to make sure they are on the best deal.”

Tags: energy regulator, energy suppliers, ofgem, energy providers, energy

Mortgage market could suffer over next quarter

Over the past couple of years things in the mortgage market have been tough, and availability of mortgages has become very restrained as a result of the global credit crisis and the recession. This has left many people unable to get their hands on a mortgage loan, and has had a serious impact on the property market.

The Bank of England has now issued a warning stating that there could be fresh restrictions in the mortgage market over the next few months, blaming the tightening of wholesale funding for the expected squeeze on mortgages. This will create additional difficulties for those that are looking to get a mortgage, and will reverse the recent trend of increased availability of mortgages.

The data comes from the Bank of England’s Credit Conditions Survey, and a number of economists have also agreed that the availability and affordability of mortgages could fall over the next few months as banks struggle with tightened wholesale funding.

Over the past quarter the availability of mortgages has actually increase after a couple of years of serious difficulties, but this is something that is set to go into reverse according to the Bank of England. Figures have also shown that over the past quarter demand for mortgages has fallen even though mortgage availability has been increasing.

Dougald Middleton, head of capital and debt advisory at Ernst and Young, said: “While the survey shows that costs of borrowing have eased over the last quarter, we think credit conditions have turned over the last three or four weeks.”

The good news from the Bank of England report was that the rate at which mortgage borrowers and businesses were defaulting on loan took an unexpected fall, which will come as good news for banks.

Tags: demand, bank of england, Impact, Mortgage loan, availability, market, finance, mortgage

Downturn hits pensions savings

It has been suggested following recent research that the economic downturn and financial meltdown that has been seen over the past couple of years has had a serious negative impact on pensions savings amongst consumers in the UK. Many have found themselves struggling to make ends meet financially, and this means that they have had to make other financial sacrifices, which for some has meant their pensions provisions.

Scottish Widows, the pensions and life insurance provider, carried out the research and according to the results of the study there has been a fall of around 6 percent in pensions savings over the past year, with the total now falling to 48 percent. This is said to be the lowest it has been since 2006.

The study showed that 41 percent of people said that the reason that they had been saving less – or saving nothing in some cases – was due to the economic downturn. Women aged fifty and over were found to have been worst hit, and whilst 52 percent of women in this age group put enough money aside for retirement last year this feel to just 38 percent.

Officials from Scottish Widows said that the effects of the global financial crisis were only just starting to affect the pensions savings market even through the crisis began back in 2007. Many people were found to be failing to put any money aside at all for their retirement, including many of those that were nearing retirement age such as the over fifties age bracket.

An official from Scottish Widows said: “The whole nation is feeling worse off than a year ago and this is really starting to take its toll on pensions savings. While there are signs that the economy is recovering, the nation’s saving habits paint a very different story.”

Tags: scottish widows, investment, retirement, finance, Pension

Fall in lending to businesses seen in May

According to recent reports the level of lending to UK businesses fell in May, despite efforts from industry groups and the government to try and boost lending by banks to businesses. Whilst the level of mortgage lending in May improved compared to the previous month the level of business lending took another hit.

The figures have been released by the British Banker’s Association. The level of lending to private, non-financial companies is said to have plunged by £1.3 billion in the month of May, which was slightly higher than the fall seen in April but slightly lower than the average decline seen over the past six months.

These businesses are said to form the backbone of Britain’s economy, and many have highlighted the importance of enabling these businesses to borrow the money that they need. However, banks are still being very cautious when it comes to lending, as many are still reeling from the financial meltdown.

In addition to this the falling demand for finance from these businesses is also affecting lending levels, and many businesses are loathe to take out costly loans and finance in the current climate. With fewer businesses wanting to take the financial risk of borrowing more money demand levels have fallen and subsequently so have lending levels.

Officials have also said that there has been an increase in retail sales, with the higher property sales levels now impacting upon the retail sector. Household goods and furniture retailers were said to have seen improvement, as did grocery retailers who may have benefitted from people stocking up for the World Cup.  Electrical retailers also benefitted as a result of people buying new television sets in preparation for the World Cup.

Tags: business, credit, finance, bank, loan

Consumers can benefit from rewards based credit cards

One popular finance website has recently highlighted the benefits of rewards based credit cards, stating that many consumers could benefit from having these credit cards providing they use them properly. Officials from the site, Confused.com, said that in the current climate many people could benefit from effectively being able to get something for nothing.

With rewards based credit cards consumers are able to earn points, rewards, or cash back when they make purchases on the card, and there are various different rewards based credit cards to choose from offering a choice of different rewards. Some of the rewards available with these credit cards include air miles, points towards discounts, vouchers, and more, as well as cash back.

Those that use these credit cards need to ensure that they clear the balance in full each month otherwise the interest that they pay on their balance could by far outweigh the rewards that they earn for making purchases on the card. However, by repaying the balance in full each month no interest is charges and customers can effectively get something for nothing by earning their rewards.

The level of rewards offered on these cards can vary depending on the card and provider that you go through, and rewards can only be earned by making purchases on the card and not for cash transactions and withdrawals.

A Confused.com official said: “Using a reward based credit card can be a great way to earn incentives like cash back, flights and shopping vouchers.  Our findings show that it is still possible to get something for nothing and that savvy shoppers really can be rewarded for using a credit card, with incentives that all the family can benefit from.  Customers who are able to pay off their balance in full each month are likely to benefit the most from a reward card, otherwise the benefits could be outweighed by interest charges.  For customers who find it harder to do this, a zero percent purchase card may offer a more suitable and beneficial proposition.”

Tags: points, rewards, Credit card cashback, Credit Cards, interest

Is renting more viable than getting a mortgage?

 

Homeownership is a dream that many people hope to achieve, but over recent years many have experienced a range of hurdles when it comes to getting onto the property ladder. First time buyers in particular have experienced many difficulties from sky high property prices to lack of mortgage available, crippling deposit demands, and more.

 

One recent report has now questioned whether first time buyers are better off renting a property rather than trying to buy in the current climate. In the recent emergency budget it was announced that the new government was looking into scrapping the stamp duty holiday extension for first time buyers, creating further financial difficulties for those that were looking to buy.

 

In addition to this the new chancellor, George Osborne, announced that the Financial Services Authority would no longer exist in its current form and that the Bank of England would be given greater powers to regulate the banking sector, which could mean that a cap is placed on the amount that banks can lend, creating further difficulties for first time buyers.

 

Officials have said that this means first time buyers could face difficulties in finding an affordable property, getting an affordable mortgage, borrowing the amount that they need for the purchase, raising a deposit, and affording the repayments. If they rented, on the other hand, they would only have to pay a month’s rent and a deposit upfront and would not have to worry about repairs because this would be dealt with by the landlord.

An official from the National Landlord’s Association said: “At a time when government funding is strapped, it is private investment that will enable essential housing needs to be met. Rather than being seen as a last resort, private tenancies are becoming the choice of many people who need the freedom to choose homes where they need and for as long as they need.”

Tags: first time buyer, mortgage, home, property, Renting

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