Consumers try to avoid High Street debt

In the current difficult climate there are many people that are looking for ways to cut back on their outgoings. For many this has meant cutting back on their spending and reducing their debt levels. His desperation to avoid debt was reflected in recent figures that showed there had been a drop in High Street store card borrowing and High Street finance for the month of November.

November is normally a busy time when it comes to spending on store cards and store finance, as many people are purchasing gifts for their loved ones for Christmas. Whilst in the past people may have signed up for store cards or taken out store finance to purchases these goods, a shift in attitude brought about by the challenging financial climate has resulted in fewer people spending on store cards or taking out store finance to make purchases.

Figures have shown that during the month of November last year the level of lending on store cards plummeted by 25 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. Just £202 was advanced on store cards during the month. Instore instalment finance levels also fell, with an 11 percent drop in the level of store finance compared to the same period a year earlier.

However, whilst store borrowing definitely took a big hit in the month of November there was an increase in the number of personal loans that were taken out by consumers. The figures were released by the Finance and Leasing Association, and showed that borrowing through personal loans increased by around 34 percent over the course of the month.

The report also showed that the largest source of advances was credit cards, which came as no surprise to most people. Whilst credit card lending for November remained was flat in November year in year it was still the source of £2.71 billion worth of lending.

Tags: Unsecured debt, consumers, christmas, drop, financial climate, shift, period, card

Credit card spending to soar this week

As Christmas Day fast approaches many people are rushing around trying to sort out their last minute Christmas shopping, and many will be doing this using their credit cards. Research has been carried out and the results indicate that many people will be spending on their credit cards this week in the run up to Christmas. The research was carried out by Sainsbury’s Finance.

Many people that have already done their Christmas shopping will have given their credit cards a good airing, but it appears that the consumer assault on credit cards is not over yet, as many are still hitting the shops brandishing their plastic as they rush around to try and get their last minute gifts or try and pick up a bargain in the last few shopping days before the big day.

Officials from Sainsbury’s Finance are now claiming that consumers will spend almost £2 billion on their credit cards in the week leading up to Christmas Day. In total around £6.7 billion is expected to be spent in the run up to Christmas, and just under one third of this will be on credit cards.

The big freeze that has been seen over the past couple of weeks has put people off from hitting the High Streets in the usual way, but has not put people off from shopping. Many will be getting their credit cards at the ready and getting online to order goods from the comfort and warmth of their own homes using their credit cards.

However, those that are planning to make purchases online in time for Christmas need to be conscious of the effect that the weather conditions are having on deliveries, which could result in some deliveries being delayed until after Christmas.

Tags: minute christmas, effect, Business Finance, deliveries, Christmas Day, High Streets, christmas, finance

Keeping friends and family entertained on the cheap

Christmas is fast approaching and after a particularly difficult year in terms of finances many of us are dreading the extortionate costs that tend to come with the festive season. Read more

Tags: thing, little forward, food, cooking, example, Gift, christmas

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

Cold weather does not put Christmas shoppers off

With the effects of the recession and the global financial crisis still taking its toll on many households many may have been keen to cut back on the spending this Christmas and try and avoid spending a fortune over the festive season. However, despite the financial difficulties that many are facing at present it appears that even the freezing weather in the UK has not put off the shoppers that are determined to get their purchases bagged and home in time for the big day. Read more

Tags: purchases, Snow, New West End Company, Richard Dickinson, credit

Getting ready for the January sales

With Christmas almost upon us many people will be getting ready for the big day, and will be busy wrapping gifts, sorting out Christmas dinner, and organising visits to and from relatives. Read more

Tags: christmas, discounts, Seasons, Christmas and holiday season, Boxing Day, sales, january sales, online sales

Is your pet insured against Christmas chaos?

There is evidence to suggest that over the past year many cash-strapped consumers have been trying to save money in what is still a difficult financial climate, and one way in which some have done this is by reducing or cancelling insurance policies that are not legally required such as health insurance and pet insurance. Read more

Tags: pet insurance, dogs catch sight, pooches, treatment, anything, christmas, pocket, pet accident

Save yourself some money this Christmas

Whilst Christmas is now only around the corner there are still plenty of people that simply haven’t had the time or spare cash to get their Christmas shopping done as early as they may have liked to have done it. Read more

Tags: Retailing, Credit card, New Year's Day, online shopping, Pricing, shopping

Get ready for sale time

Whilst many of us may still be thinking about the forthcoming Christmas and New Year period, which is fast approaching, there are also many people that will be thinking ahead to the January sales, which are always popular amongst savvy shoppers in the UK. Read more

Tags: fever, money saving, full swing, sales, thrifty consumers, christmas

Christmas clubs increasing in popularity in current financial climate

A couple of decades ago Christmas clubs in the UK were extremely popular amongst consumers that wanted to ensure that they had enough put by for the Christmas period when they would have to spend a fortune on gifts and food. Read more

Tags: christmas clubs, spending, christmas, office, ongoing recession

No impact from VAT cut

Last year saw the government introduce a number of different measures to try and ease the effects of the financial and economic crisis on consumers, and one of the measures that was introduced was a cut in VAT, which was cut from 17.5 percent to 15 percent before Christmas. Read more

Tags: put, government, Small business, christmas, Federation of Small Businesses, minimise

Burglary levels set to rise

According to recent predictions the number of burglaries taking place across the UK is set to rise as a result of the economic downturn and reports show that burglary is set to become a growth industry in the current climate. Officials have said that during the last recession in the late 1980s and early 1990s the number of domestic burglaries increased by around a third, and figures suggest that by the end of this year the number of burglaries in the UK may have risen by 7 percent. Read more

Tags: christmas, phone call, growth, comparison website, valuable items, call

Tips on saving money this Christmas

After a particularly difficult year financially many families will be trying to cut back on the cost of Christmas this year, and with consumer spending levels already having fallen most retailers are well aware that they will need to take action in order to get consumer spending levels up and keep their profits up at the same time. The recent VAT cut of 2.5 percent may go a little way towards making this a more affordable Christmas, but the difference this small cut will make is negligible, and it is really up to the individual to try and take action to keep costs as low as possible. Read more

Tags: Business Finance, different retailers, case, christmas, Another way, time, vat cut, financial climate

Will you be shopping or saving this Christmas?

The turmoil that has hit the financial markets over the past year have affected many of us in a number of ways, and tighter credit conditions coupled with soaring inflation, rocketing bills and petrol costs, high mortgage repayments, and other rising costs has left many of us with very little money to blow on spending, which has in turn affected the economy sending the nation spiralling towards recession. Read more

Tags: financial, industry, consumers, finance, Healthcare reform in the United States, rising

Will you be cutting back on your heating this year?

With energy prices having rocketed twice over the course of this year, it seems that an increasing number of us will have to cut back on our energy usage in order to cope with rising bills. Many elderly people will be doing just that, and recent surveys have revealed that millions of elderly people will be heating up just one room in their homes or even staying in bed in order to try and keep warm over the winter months. For many the colder months are set to be miserable ones. Read more

Tags: Household, heating costs, christmas, money, energy bills

Paying off last year’s debts contributing to budget strain

Paying off last year’s debts and current levels of inflation are both using up consumers monthly budgets, one debt expert has claimed.

Debt Action said as inflation has kicked in, people have found that more of their take-home salary is taken up with paying back pre-Christmas loans as well day-to-day expenses.

Chris Tapp, director of Credit Action, said that increasing numbers of consumers have been forced to use their credit cards to fund their everyday lifestyle.

“This is a very worrying scenario to find yourself in and at that point – when you start using your credit card as a necessity, or you’re unable to pay it off month by month – you should go and get help,” he stated.

Credit Action also warned that in the long-term, consumers cannot use a credit card to pay off a mortgage and this is a “worrying indicator” for a spenders’ financial future.

According to figures from Debt Help UK, up to 74 million credit cards have been issued in Britain and by 2009, credit card possessions are estimated to rise to 99.2million cards.

Tags: strain, inflation, personal finance, Chris Tapp, Stoozing

Christmas consumers expect debt to hang around

Only 61 per cent of spenders expect to clear their Christmas debt by end of January, according to new research.

Research from Sainsbury’s Bank revealed that 483,000 consumers believe paying off their debts will take over a year and 71 per cent of this figure are female.

Donald MacLeod, head of cards, Sainsbury’s said: “We estimate that around 18 per cent of Christmas spending was placed on credit cards.”

“Our research indicates that around 8.6 million people intended to put half or more of their festive spending on cards,” he continued.

He advised that those Christmas consumers who anticipate having difficulty in paying off their debts should look at spreading the cost of their festive debts.

Sainsburys announced news of better-than-expected turnover with sales over the third quarter were up by 3.7 per cent, excluding petrol. This compares with 3.1 per cent in the second quarter and is Sainsbury’s 12th consecutive quarter of growth

The bank predicted nearly £1.5 million per minute would be spent in the Christmas Eve rush.

Tags: 5 million, christmas, sainsburys, spenders, Marketing, cost

Balance transfers make Christmas debt manageable

Balance transfers and consolidation loans are a “manageable way” of tackling post-Christmas debt, according to industry experts.

Thomas Charles, a financial firm that offers a free confidential debt counselling service, has advised that consumers who overspend in the festive season should explore all the options available to them.

James Falla, director of Thomas Charles, said: “If you do find that you have overspent, there is nothing wrong with doing a balance transfer and transferring the balance onto a new credit card.

“But the key piece of information which is not discussed after doing that is that you must make sure that you cancel the previous card and cut it up so you don’t have the temptation to use it again.”

He added that it is the consumers who have done balance transfers and explored the consolidation loan route but not changed their attitude to spending that will “get themselves into trouble”.

Recent research published by Thompson found that consumers were still intending to spend more money this Christmas than they did in 2006, regardless of the credit crunch.

Tags: them.james falla, credit crunch, temptation, christmas, money

Online shoppers one step ahead in the Christmas sales

An estimated 60 per cent of consumers used the internet on Christmas day to pre-empt the festive sales, say industry experts.

According to a survey of over 2,000 shoppers, the Post Office said that one in five of festive online users would make a purchase over the internet.

Post Office Broadband manager Stewart Fox-Mills, said: “Whereas families traditionally fought over the TV remote control on Christmas Day, the growing popularity of computers and the internet means more people will be fighting over the mouse this year.”

Marks & Spencers launched its online sale at midnight on Christmas day and reported busy trading into the early morning.

The retailers reported particularly busy trading between midnight and 1am.

Meanwhile, shoppers are still expected in the shops in the traditional post-Christmas sales.

Industry experts are expecting some retailers to offer discounts of up to 70 per cent in an attempt to make up the slow build-up to the festive period.

Tags: online sale, christmas, morning, post office, step

Extra home insurance needed during Christmas

Consumers need to make sure they have adequate home insurance cover to protect them from theft as well as damage during the festive period, warns Bradford and Bingley.

With 76,000 homes the target of unwelcome intruders, the bank has said that shoppers need to ensure they have enough insurance cover taken out to protect Christmas gifts.

Dave Foyle, head of general insurance at Bradford and Bingley, said: “With so much money and effort invested in the Christmas period, people should make sure that they don’t overlook the necessity of protecting their home and its contents from unwanted visitors.”

He added that by making sure adequate home insurance cover is in place consumers can make the most of the “fun time” which is Christmas.

The Deloitte Christmas Retail Survey for 2007 revealed that consumers were set to spend seven per cent more on Christmas this year, with the total average spending now at £706 compared with £662 in 2006.

The total predicted spend for this Christmas is £33.6 billion.

Tags: home insurance, place, average, extra, christmas

Do you need additional insurance for your Christmas gifts?

With consumers across the UK clamouring to the shops to get their Christmas shopping sorted out, retailers are raking in the money despite the apparent slowdown in the economy and in consumer confidence.

Many retailers are also looking at ways to increase profits at the busiest time of the year, peddling everything from high interest rate store cards to costly insurance policies. Most people are aware of the dangers of store cards, which charge a fortune in interest if the balance is not repaid in full each month. But what about insurance cover on the gifts that you buy?

Most people will be familiar with the patter that sales employees give when purchasing certain items such as electrical gadgets. This is where the employee tries to persuade you to take out additional cover to get the item replaced if it breaks down or gets damaged within the first three years. However, this cover can be expensive, often coming to a third of the price of the actual item, and many retailers try and push this cover on items as cheap as a fiver, which could be easily replaced by the consumer in the event that anything happened.

However, experts are warning that even with more expensive items consumers should think carefully before shelling out on cover, as in many cases this cover may be unnecessary. Industry experts state that consumers already enjoy a high level of protection without having to take out additional cover, with the manufacturer’s warranty, credit card purchase guarantees under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, and the Sale of Goods Act.

Those that do wish to benefit from additional protection on the gifts and items that they purchase over the Christmas period may fare better by looking into specialist stand alone policies that provide cover for several items rather than a specific item. In addition, consumers should remember that many of the items may be covered under their home insurance policy.

Tom Smith
10th December 2007

Tags: purchases, protect, cost, interest, shopping, payments, christmas, extra, Insurance

Christmas get savers back “into the habit”

The availability of Christmas saving schemes has been welcomed as a way of getting people back “into the habit” of saving by a consumer charity.

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said access to easy credit has made people’s habit of saving redundant.

It welcomed consumers using saving schemes during the festive period as a way of getting people back into the practice of saving money.

James Ketchell, spokesperson for CCCS, said actually putting money away was what was important rather than how consumers do it.

“The important thing is for people to save. It doesn’t matter what way they choose to do that, everybody is different,” he added.

Christmas saving funds can help consumers avoid financial card debts in the New Year. Spreading the cost of Christmas across 12 months can be especially useful for those on a low income the CCCS declared.

Meanwhile the Post Office recently announced the launch of its Christmas saving scheme. This will begin in the New Year in time for the festive period in 2008.

Tags: Consumer Credit Counselling Service, financial card debts, Counselling, personal finance, christmas, service, practice, James Ketchell

Christmas – a ‘good’ time to renew home insurance

Christmas is a good time for consumers to look at renewing their home insurance cover according to insurers Direct Line.

Home owners should be extra vigilant during the festive period by checking their cover and removing any expensive items from display states the company.

Andrew Lowe, head of home insurance with Direct Line, said: “Expensive items such as those over £1,500 in value, for example jewellery, may need to be specified separately on your policy – it is a good idea to check with your insurer.”

He also advised students to be extra vigilant if they return home for Christmas.

Unoccupied student housing can be an ideal target for thieves. Students should ensure they are fully covered for their contents and remove any expensive items from view, he said.

Recent research by Liverpool Victoria revealed that theft accounts for 36 per cent of crime in the UK and costs the nation £2.8 billion per year.

The findings also show that 68 per cent of homes in the UK leave expensive items such as TVs, PCs and antiques on display.

Tags: example jewellery, Unoccupied student housing, nation, display, Types of insurance

Credit card Christmas spending likely to soar

Consumers are planning to splash out this Christmas on credit, and could find themselves in financial difficulties as a result.

Having studied the latest Bank of England consumer credit data, credit reference agency Callcredit found that last Christmas, vast amounts were borrowed on cards.

60 per cent of the whole of 2006’s credit card lending took place in December last year, and Callcredit has warned that this is likely to be repeated this year.

Indeed, with many experts warning that unsecured personal loans are getting harder and harder to get hold of, thanks to the impending credit crunch, this year’s figure could be even higher.

Head of consumer finance at Callcredit, Mark Ward, warned: “From our review of these statistics, and in spite of the widely reported credit crunch, we’re still anticipating that many consumers will turn to credit at Christmas in order to fund their spending.”

“Worryingly, it could be these people who may find it more difficult or expensive to borrow on credit,” he added.

Tags: consumer credit data, consumer, head, christmas, crunch, callcredit, vast amounts, consumers

Brits are fretting about their finances

People in the UK are deeply concerned about their finances, a new study has shown.

Research from Alliance & Leicester indicates that 3.4 million Britons consider their finances to be their biggest worry – with 18 per cent fretting about cash on a daily basis.

Despite this, around half of those questioned admitted that they had not thought about whether changing their bank would provide them with a better deal.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study revealed that Brits tend to worry more about their cash at certain times of the year. Half said Christmas was a stressful time financially and 40 per cent admitted to thinking about their finances before a holiday.

“Money is obviously a topic at the forefront of most people’s minds,” explained Andy Bayes, head of current accounts at Alliance & Leicester.

“Regardless of whether money worries stem from managing day to day finances or finding the money in the run up to special times of the year, it’s crucial people check that their bank account is working hard for them.

“Considering the time people spend worrying about money, and the lengths some will go to find more, it’s surprising to see that so many customers still remain faithful to the same bank they have been with for years, which pays very little in credit interest.”

Research from Lloyds TSB indicates that 36 per cent of people from the UK plan to sort their finances out this autumn.

Tags: britons, christmas, credit interest, biggest worry, bank account

Barclays customers hit by fraudsters over festive period

Many consumers that bank with Barclays have been receiving fraudulent emails from scam artists over the festive period, with the content of the emails designed to persuade them to provide their financial data such as account details and personal information. Millions of emails were sent out to Barclays customers over the Christmas period, with the fraudsters claiming to be from the Protection Department of the UK banking giant.

The emails that were sent out had the official Barclays logo on, as well as links to help line numbers. The emails went on to ask consumers to complete their account and financial information online. The conmen were then able to use this information to access customers’ accounts and conduct further fraudulent activity. The process of sending out fraudulent emails and setting up fake websites to obtain customers’ financial and personal details is known as phishing, and this is an activity that has seen a real increase over recent years.

Barclays officials have gone on to advise consumers that they should never respond to this type of email, as the bank states it would never send out an email asking a customers to provide their financial details. The bank also warned that anyone that has already responded to these emails by providing their data should contact the bank as soon as possible in order to get their bank account frozen to minimize the risk of further fraudulent activity on their account.

One Barclays spokesperson stated: ‘This is a mean thing to do at this time of the year. What these are, and our anti-fraud guys will have picked them up, are phishing emails. Barclays would never ask customers for personal details in e-mails. If customers get them, they should delete them straight away and not enter any details.’

For more free advice try any of the following sites:

• Citizen’s Advice
• Direct Gov
• FSA’s Money Made Clear

Tags: Banking, scam, customers, christmas, fraud, email

Consumers could accrue bank charges over the Christmas and New Year period

According to recent data released by the consumer group Which? a large percentage of consumers in the UK could be at risk of accruing hefty bank charges by using their overdraft facilities to fund the expense of the Christmas and New Year period. Read more

Tags: customers, charges, christmas, banks, cost, consumers, accounts, accrue

Content insurance claims due to rocket in January

Barclays Home Insurance experts have warned that the level and cost of contents insurance claims in January is likely to rocket compared to claims made over the rest of the year, following a similar trend to recent years. Barclays state that this is due to the increase in thefts and burglaries in homes over the festive period, where thieves target homes because of potential rich pickings in the way of gifts, as well as the increased likelihood of homes being empty due to homeowners being out at parties or visiting relations.

According to Barclays Insurance the number of claims during the month of January can rise by around fourteen percent, and based on last year’s figures the cost of claims could shoot up again this year. In January 2006 there was a rise of fifteen hundred pounds compared to the amount claimed throughout the rest of 2005. Barclays experts state that consumers need to take care to minimize the chances of theft.

Barclays also advise customers to ensure that they have adequate cover in place in order to protect themselves during this higher risk period.

One official stated: “The least you can do to make sure your Christmas doesn’t get spoilt by burglars, is to ensure you have sufficient cover in place as part of your home insurance policy. While your insurance won’t be able to compensate you for the distress a burglary can cause, it will allow you to replace all of your stolen items, so that your Christmas doesn’t have to end in a bitter disappointment.”

Consumers are also advised not to leave present on show, and to ensure that there is someone to look after the home in the event that they have to go out for a long period or are away visiting relations.

The Barclays spokesperson added: “Christmas should be the time of fun and happiness but it has unfortunately also become a time of year where more thefts and burglaries are occurring. Nowadays many presents are high in value but also light and portable, such as laptops, jewellery, gadgets like iPods and BlackBerrys or the latest games console – making them ideal targets for burglars. ”

Tags: contents, barclays, burglary, steal, home

UK consumers should compare contents insurance policies

With experts advising UK consumers to ensure that they have adequate contents insurance cover over the festive period, which is when there is an increased risk of accidents, damage, and theft, Insurancewide.com has now added an additional warning – that consumers thinking of taking out cover to protect their contents should be careful when it comes to companies offering special Christmas and festive deals and discounts on cover.

According to Insurancewide.com there are a number of companies that are offering a range of offers on contents insurance cover over the coming Christmas and new year period, with some offers that include increased cover over the festive period at no extra cost, as well as Christmas discounts on contents insurance policies. Amongst the companies offering special deals on contents insurance cover over the Christmas and New Year period are American Express and Tesco.

However, Insurancewide experts have advised consumers to ensure that they look carefully at any policy before making a firm commitment, no matter how tempting the short term special offer may be. A spokesperson for the company stated that those looking to purchase contents insurance need to make sure that the policy they go for continues to benefit them after the festive period is over, making it suitable for the long term rather than just on a short term basis. This means reading the small print on policies as well as comparing the different policies and deals on offer.

James Harrison, chief executive of Insurancewide, stated: “It’s great that insurers are remaining competitive and offering their customers a chance to save money. But we urge people to pay close attention to the increase in the sum insured, to compare like with like, watch out for unexpected policy exclusions and check other insurers’ offers according to their precise needs before being lured by advertising campaigns.”

Tags: deals, offers, winter, theft, buildings, Insurance, home, cover

Consumers Advised To Get Home Insurance Before Christmas Arrives

With an alarming percentage of homeowners having inadequate or even no contents insurance cover to protect their worldly goods and their homes, experts are advising consumers to ensure that they get themselves sorted out with protective cover before Christmas comes around. With reports suggesting that claims on contents insurance tend to rocket over the Christmas period, consumers are being advised to ensure that they do not get caught short at a time when it seems that accidents and burglaries are most likely to occur.

According to research carried out by Zurich, a whopping ten percent of UK homeowners have no contents cover at all, which means that they are not protected in the events of theft, loss, or damage. A further twenty percent do not have adequate contents insurance based on the items that they have in their homes. The reports also suggested that fifty percent of those with contents insurance had no accidental damage cover on their policies, reducing the protection they received from having cover.

Data provided by Barclays Insurance suggested that the festive period was the time when accidental damage in the home was most likely to occur, and statistics showed that the rise in contents insurance claims tended to shoot up over this period. This is also the time of year when many homes are left empty, as people go to stay with friends and family, as well as the time of year when there are many valuables in homes, in the form of gifts and cash. These factors combined could also mean an increased risk of burglaries.

Data showed that there was a rise of over forty percent in home insurance claims after the Christmas period in 2005 compared to claims made the month before. One Barclays spokesperson stated: “Our data shows that during the Christmas party season, people are particularly likely to incur accidental damage incidents in their homes. The cost of replacing items or cleaning carpets or furniture can quickly add up. It is therefore important to add accidental damage cover to your home insurance policy.”

Tags: home, premium, prepare, claim, christmas, winter, Insurance, storm, weather