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: policy, amount, industry official, finding, Types of insurance, cost, consumers, travel

Keeping insurance costs down

For most people having insurance cover in place is a way to provide a financial safeguard against a plethora of possibilities, from the chances of having a car accident to the chances of being burgled or falling ill. There are many different types of insurance policy available these days, with cover to protect against a wide range of events and possibilities, and having this cover in place can provide consumers with real peace of mind.

 The cost of cover can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of cover being taken out, the level of cover, and any past claims made, amongst other things. However, the insurance market has become incredibly competitive with a wide range of companies vying for the business of consumers, and this has resulted in some very competitive deals being made available for consumers.

 In this day and age, with many people still reeling from the recession and the global credit crisis, it is vital to try and keep costs down, and therefore it is important to ensure that you get the best deal on your insurance cover no matter what type of policy you are looking for. There are plenty of deals available these days offering all sorts of incentives from cut price protection to several months of free cover.

 Some people have decided to cut back by cancelling their insurance policies altogether, but this can work out to be very costly in the long run if something goes wrong. An alternative is to try and reduce the level of cover to one that you can comfortably afford, although you should make sure that you do not under-insure yourself otherwise you may still face financial difficulties if something goes wrong.

 Another important thing to consider is the importance of comparing policies from a wide range of providers, as there can be a big difference in price and you could find that you are paying far less with one company for the same level of cover than with another. There are various price comparison sites now available that will allow you to compare different insurance policies and companies with ease and speed, and you can really save time by using these. However, do bear in mind that not all insurance firms operate through these price comparison sites, so it may be worth checking on individual insurance firms’ sites to try and get the best deal.

Tags: insurance policies, insurance policy, Types of insurance, Insurance, insurance firms

Elderly not always getting best deal on insurance cover

Many older consumers in the UK opt for insurance services that cater specifically for the elderly, and in most cases they believe that they are getting a great deal on their cover. Read more

Tags: cheaper motor insurance cover, British Insurance Brokers Association, insurance cover, insurance services, Types of insurance, health insurance, Insurance

What to consider when you take out home insurance

Every year many people renew or take out new home insurance policies to protect their belongings against theft and damage, but a recent report has highlighted how many of these people overlook necessities when taking out home insurance cover and forget to take into consideration basic needs that could end up costing them big time in terms of their finances. Read more

Tags: home insurance policies, garden tools, Garden furniture, home insurance, Insurance, home insurance cover, Types of insurance

Green insurance on offer from M&S

High Street giant Mars & Spencer has branched out into a number of different areas over the years, including financial services and insurance. It has been reported recently that those thinking of taking out cover with M&S insurance services will be able to do their bit for the environment as the retail giant is now offering green insurance cover. Read more

Tags: energy bills, M&S Money, Mars & Spencer, energy efficiency rating, Insurance, Types of insurance, energy saving

Skiers need to remember their travel insurance

Industry experts are warning skiing enthusiasts not to skimp on their travel insurance of they are planning to head to the slopes over the coming months. Figures were compiled by the Ski Club of Great Britain recently, and officials from the group claim that more than one million people from Britain will be heading to the slopes in the months to come. However, the group also claims that worryingly nearly 50 percent of these people will fail to take out ski travel insurance. Read more

Tags: ski travel insurance cover, Skiing, ski travel insurance, Ski Club of Great Britain, travel insurance cover, travel insurance, Insurance, winter sports, Types of insurance, snowboarding

Many travel companies adding unnecessary travel insurance cover

According to some industry experts many consumers who are heading off on their travels are being ripped off by travel companies that are adding insurance cover that is not actually required. Read more

Tags: insurance cover, effective suitable cover, travel companies, cancellation, Types of insurance, travel insurance

Victory over bank sales of PPI

Over recent years there has been a lot of controversy over single premium payment protection insurance cover. Whilst much of the concern has been related to the way that this type of insurance cover has been mis-sold by many lenders and providers, there has also been a lot of concern relating to the cost of single premium PPI. Read more

Tags: PPI product, Types of insurance, useful type, alliance, Lloyds Banking Group, ppi, payment protection insurance, PPI victory

Check your insurance if you’re heading to Ireland, says AA

Holidaymakers travelling to Ireland this summer need to make sure that their car insurance policy covers them for driving abroad, AA Ireland has advised.

Thomas Brosnan, spokesperson for the insurer, said that people planning a road trip to the Gaelic nation need to check that if they have comprehensive cover in the UK, they also have the same terms in other countries, otherwise they could be caught out and have a hefty bill to pay in the event of an accident.

Last year, nearly five million Brits visited the Emerald Isle, with most of them staying in Dublin (63 per cent), according to figures from Tourism Ireland.

For those thinking of taking their cars to discover the country by car, Mr Brosnan offered the following advice: “If a person is bringing their own vehicle here, certainly they should check with their own insurance company the level of cover they will have while here.”

Tags: hefty bill, Tourism, The Automobile Association, trip, planning a road trip, insurer, Types of insurance, Insurance

Cover yourself on a stag do, advises expert

People heading abroad on a stag do which may involve dangerous activities need to check that their insurance policy covers them in the event of something going wrong, Designaventure has said.

The stag and hen weekend specialist said that Britons going to a friend’s pre-wedding do need to closely inspect the clauses included in their policies so that they know whether they will be covered for taking part in dangerous activities such as machine gun shooting.

Anna Makin Made, project manager of Designaventure, said: “We advise everyone to take out their own insurance and check that they are covered for the activities that they’re doing.”

Figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2005 revealed that 70 per cent of young British people go abroad for their stag or hen weekends and 57 per cent of them left the travel details down to the organiser, with nearly half of all them travelling without valid insurance.

Tags: Anna Makin Made, Exmoor, finance, valid insurance, Types of insurance, cent, machine gun

AA: More people choosing small cars for cheaper insurance

More drivers are opting for smaller cars in an effort to secure cheaper car insurance premiums, AA Insurance has said.

Ian Crowder, public relations manager at the insurer, said that smaller cars are also becoming popular because they are more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly.

Drivers thinking about buying car insurance have been advised to check that it covers them for driving in a foreign, country, especially with the summer holidays coming up and people planning road trips to Europe.

Research company Defaqto found that more than one in five policies do not provide cover for driving in another country.

Mike Powell, consultant for General Insurance at Defaqto, said: “You need to check with your insurer to confirm cover is provided before you travel. Even if cover is given, policyholders should always inform their insurer of a trip abroad as this often forms part of the policy terms and conditions”.

However, the study also found that 46 per cent of policies do provide insurance abroad for up to 90 days at no extra cost.

Tags: Types of insurance, General, policy, public relations, trip, Financial economics

Home insurance is an “important consideration”

Home insurance may seem expensive for low-income households, however it should be an “important consideration,” according to insurance comparison website Confused.com.

Weekly payment schemes such as the one recently launched by Zurich Municipal can make home insurance more accessible to those on a low income, Debra Williams, managing director at the website commented.

Zurich Municipal launched a new scheme to help increase access to home contents insurance for social housing residents by helping them to insure based on what they need rather than what they can afford.

“We would hope the ability to spread the cost will encourage people to consider home contents insurance as a way of protecting their treasured possessions,” Ms Williams said.

The latest AA British Insurance Premium Index reveals that the widely-predicted price increases in home insurance following last year’s flooding are not being realised.

Andrew Strong of the AA said this could be explained by a rise in the number of risks not being quoted by some insurers, indicating a sensitivity to the risk of floods.

Tags: aa, com, possessions, Types of insurance, ms williams, Weekly, finance, Managing director

Non-smokers save 50% on life insurance

With annual non-smoking day arriving in March, consumers give themselves an opportunity to kick their habit and make savings on their life insurance, claim financial experts.

According to Lifesearch, premiums for life insurance and critical illness cover can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent if a person does not smoke.

Matt Morris, policy adviser at Lifesearch, said that ‘do you smoke?’ is one of the first questions that an insurer will ask a potential new client, and that a non-smoker has to be someone who has quit their habit for 12 months.

“A cheaper premium is not certain, as it also depends on age and health, but there is a very good chance that the premium will fall,” he said.

The research showed that a 30-year-old non smoker could save up to £1,850 over a term.

Meanwhile, the company said that the value mothers bring to a family is often under-appreciated and they should be looking into protecting themselves and their finances with insurance cover.

Tags: savings, value mothers, value, Tobacco, GBP

One in 20 do not tell the truth in insurance applications

One in 20 consumers admit to having lied when filling out a life insurance application, according to new research.

Findings from a survey by Friends Provident showed that 95 per cent of people said they always tell the truth when completing forms for insurance.

Mark Jones, protection products and actuarial manager at Friends Provident, said: “It’s good to see many people recognise the importance of advice when buying insurance, and they take the time to answer all questions truthfully when applying for insurance.”

Over half of the respondents said that those who did not tell the truth deliberately on the forms should be punished by not being allowed any benefits

Under half said they would do research online before taking out insurance while 20 per cent would take advice from a financial expert and a further 15 per cent would rely on information from family and friends.

A further one in five admit to not reading the terms and conditions in a policy before signing up.

Meanwhile, research from Nationwide has revealed that a fifth of homeowners do not have buildings insurance.

Tags: Provident, policy, actuarial manager, respondents, Financial services, benefitsUnder half, Types of insurance

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: Unoccupied student housing, example jewellery, display, expensive items, christmas, nation, return home

Bank highlights major UK protection deficit

There is a £2.3 trillion protection gap in Britain, Sainsbury’s Bank said yesterday.

According to the high street bank, many people do not take out life cover with their mortgages and this is largely contributing to the deficit.

Clare Moyles, a spokesperson for the bank, said: “Anybody aged 18 plus with a family really needs to be thinking about protecting their family and protecting their mortgage.”

She added that it was not a priority on many people’s “agenda”.

The Association of British Insurers recently found that one in every three Brits is without life insurance and the same figure are uninsured through not renewing life cover for five years.

Furthermore, it revealed that between 2005 and 2006 people paid £41,168 million on life insurance premiums and £45,469 million on life insurance benefits.

Sainsbury’s Bank recently advised young people to shop around beyond their mortgage lender for a better deal on life insurance to avoid losing out on significant savings.

Tags: mortgage lender, Types of insurance, Insurance, Sainsbury, Association, Bank highlights, lender, Sainsbury's Bank

Young people should ‘consider insurance options’

Young people should shop around more for life insurance providers, an industry expert has said.

According to Clare Moyles of Sainsbury’s Bank, younger people are often inclined to use the same provider for life insurance as they have to take out a mortgage.

She said: “Younger people tend to go with their mortgage lender because they might be a first time buyer and that tends to be the easiest thing to do.

“Not shopping around is a disadvantage for them because with life insurance your premiums do stay the same.”

For those who are “younger and healthier”, she added, premiums will cost less. By sticking with one lender without looking at the other options, people are missing out on possible savings.

Information from the Association of British Insurers this year showed that £160 million per day was paid out in Britain in 2005 by the UK insurance industry.

This figure comprises £17 million in death benefits and £144 million paid to pensioners and long term savers.

Tags: United Kingdom, time, Title insurance in the United States, expert, Types of insurance, economics, Insurance, shopping

Floods put insurance premiums ‘on the increase’

Claims made due to extreme weather conditions this summer have pushed home insurance premiums up.

According to the AA’s British Insurance Premium Index, flood claims are blamed for a three per cent year-on-year rise in home buildings insurance which represents the biggest increase since 1994.

The flooding in July this year is estimated to have cost the insurance industry £3 billion, according the Association of British Insurers.

John Close, insurer relations director at AA Insurance, said: “Some predictions that premiums would rise by 15 per cent were overly pessimistic and, although I believe premiums will continue to rise as insurers dip into their reserves, I expect competitive pressure will keep increases affordable.”

He added that one advantage of the flooding was that people with no contents insurance are realising that it is a necessity leading to “many insurers reporting increasing business”.

Furthermore, he advised, there are variation in prices and “deals to be done” when organising cover. He emphasised the importance of comparing cover charges before deciding on an insurer.

Tags: contents insurance, Service industries, floods, extreme weather conditions, Financial services

Travel insurance a must for holidaymakers

Travel insurance is an absolute must when taking holiday time overseas, specialists have claimed.

InsureandGo, an online broker, claim that trips abroad without the necessary cover are incredibly risky and should be avoided.

Strongly urging all travellers to invest in some sort of cover, Perry Wilson, a spokesperson for InsureandGo, said: “Travel insurance should not be considered a luxury – it is essential for anyone going on holiday.

“We know people lead busy lives and sometimes things are left to the last minute and that’s why we have tried to make travel insurance as easy to buy as possible.”

He added: “Travelling without insurance simply isn’t worth the risk and we hope there is no excuse for not getting round to it.”

Meanwhile Sainsbury’s Bank, also concerned by holidaymakers shunning overseas cover, claimed that the situation was worsened by the strong surge in last minute deals.

Tags: Perry Wilson, claim, travel insurance, Insurance, sainsburys, overseas cover

Annual travel cover ‘more popular’

More people are taking out annual travel insurance cover because of changing trends in holiday habits, it is claimed.

According to Halifax Travel Insurance spokesperson David Bruce, people are currently taking more short breaks rather than one long summer holiday, meaning that the flexibility provided by annual cover is becoming more popular.

Cheaper airlines are believed to be part of the reason, enabling frequent and affordable weekend breaks abroad, Mr Bruce said.

“More and more people are taking more than the traditional one summer holiday a year so it makes more sense to have annual cover,” he claimed.

However, Mr Bruce warned that should holidaymakers be required to make a claim in the event of a theft abroad, they must obtain a crime reference number or else “the claim cannot be validated”.

According to the Association of British Insurers, travel insurance policies should provide cover for consumers in the event of medical emergencies, loss or damage to personal possessions, loss or theft of money and expenses incurred due to a delay or cancelled departure.

Tags: travel, crime, Association of British Insurers, flexibility, departure, Types of insurance, travel insurance policies, cover

Younger drivers ‘pay more for insurance’

Revealing that one in three male drivers writes off a car in the first year after passing their test, car insurance provider Direct Line has warned young males that they will always have to pay higher premiums because they pose a greater risk.

A spokeswoman for the insurer explained: “Young drivers present a greater risk than experienced drivers, and, as insurance is based on risk, they will pay a higher premium. They are much more likely to have an accident. Those who present higher risk pay a higher premium.”

She explained that newer drivers would always suffer higher premiums because of their inexperience on the road, but advised those looking to minimise the financial damages to invest in a smaller car and take advantage of the Pass Plus advanced driving scheme.

“It is a government run initiative and it is six one-hour sessions and it costs around £100 to take and you can do this and get 35 per cent off,” she added.

A recent survey from Churchill Car Insurance revealed it is not just new drivers who pose a risk on the roads. More than one million infrequent drivers suffer from “rusty driver syndrome” and forget basic rules of the road, the insurer found.

Tags: risk, insurer, greater risk.A spokeswoman, Types of insurance, insurance provider, Insurance, finance

Poor home security affects insurance, Halifax says

Insurers at Halifax warned today that poor home security can invalidate claims.

According to statistics released by the insurance provider, claims for unforced burglary tend to rise hugely at this time of year, with a full 50 per cent increase in August 2006 over the figures for January of that year.

Received wisdom that the increase is caused by claimants jetting off on their holidays is also incorrect: 55 per cent of claims are made from those who occupied their home at the time of the robbery.

Open windows and doors due to the warmer weather was cited by the insurer as the main reason behind the break-ins.

Underwriting manager at Halifax Vicky Emmott said: “During the summer, we invariably see claims for unforced burglary increase dramatically, as people leave doors and windows open to keep their homes cool.

“Burglars can be in and out in seconds, so we are advising people to keep valuables out of sight, and avoid leaving doors and windows open when rooms are unoccupied, or when out in the garden.”

Other top tips offered by the insurer looking to boost their security, such as recommending that neighbourhood watch schemes be joined and that safety latches on windows be used.

National Home Security Week begins on August 25th.

Tags: home insurance, Types of insurance, cent, August, burglars, January, manager, out of sight

Flood claims ‘could total £1 billion’

Claims made by the thousands of Britons who have been affected by the recent floods and storms could total some £1 billion, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has commented.

The figure follows estimates by the ABI that 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses experienced damage as a result of the recent inclement conditions.

Extra insurers are already being redeployed to visit properties as quickly as possible, the ABI’s director general Stephen Haddrill said, but even with these emergency measures “normal standards of service” could not be delivered.

Outlining how older customers, those with health difficulties and families were being supported first, Mr Haddrill added: “We hope that other people can bear with us as we work through the backlog. We will reach everyone as soon as we can.”

Insurer Zurich says it has received more than 2,600 claims in the last ten days as a result of the flooding and has flown in loss-adjusters from the Europe, US and Australia to cope with the problem.

Jon Cawley, UK property claims operations manager for Zurich, said: “This flooding is taking longer to clear than previous flooding, for example in Boscastle three years ago.”

Tags: Outlining, claims operations, Types of insurance, operations manager, Zurich

Holidaying Britons need ‘comprehensive insurance packages’

Holidaymakers planning to take their car overseas this summer should make sure they are comprehensively covered, M&S Money claims.

The group believes that with the holiday season gearing up to get into full swing, motorists need to make sure their insurance packages cover them to drive in the EU.

M&S Money’s figures show that last year over two-fifths of Britons had no idea whether they were insured to drive in Europe.

The group claims that while a quarter of other policies in the market charge extra for the addition of cover in the EU, M&S insurance includes full policy cover in the EU as standard.

Its policies also include breakdown cover as standard for both the UK and Europe, with only one in ten packages from other insurers including this.

Steve Price, insurance manager for M&S, said: “It’s important to be aware of what’s required for driving in Europe as you may be caught out quite easily.”

He added: “Just as important is making sure you’re covered, which is why we designed M&S car insurance to enable people to carry on with their holiday or get home safely if there’s a problem with their car.”

Tags: Vehicle insurance, full swing, problem, policy cover, addition, Types of insurance, standard

Holidaymakers – accommodation top gripe

Holidaying Brits are more likely to complain about their accommodation than anything else.

New research by Halifax Travel Insurance shows that 82 per cent of complaints from Brits abroad concern accommodation.

Holiday reps across Europe were asked to disclose what the most common complaints are and following accommodation, noise pollution was the next most popular.

This was followed by problems concerning nearby building work, complaints about the quality of food and gripes with organised excursions.

The research also highlighted that many holidaymakers are unsure of what to do if they are the victim of theft while abroad.

According to the reps, 20 per cent of British tourists do not know that a police report is needed before an insurance claim can be made.

Shockingly, 3.5 million Brits in the last five years have failed to obtain a report following a theft and £1.5 billion worth of items were not properly covered.

“Halifax Travel Insurance would advise all holidaymakers to research their destination thoroughly before travelling, completing the appropriate medical forms and establishing what to do if they become a victim of crime,” said Paul Birkhead, underwriting manager at the insurance firm.

“It is important when holidaymakers take out insurance that they read the terms and conditions carefully, so they know the correct procedure for making a claim.”

Tags: Types of insurance, Holidaying, food, finance, GBP

Homeowners losing £40m on insurance

Homeowners who fail to shop around for home and life insurance are losing out on a combined £40 million per year.

The figure has been put forward by the Post Office which says many Brits simply get their insurance from their mortgage lender due to convenience.

Around eight million people in the UK opt to buy their insurance from the same firm that gives them their mortgage, with one in ten people incorrectly believing that it was compulsory that they do so.

A further one in 20 were convinced that their loan would be at risk if they did not also buy insurance, while 63 per cent chose their mortgage provider’s insurance because it was convenient to do so.

“Convenient doesn’t always mean cheap,” said head of insurance at the Post Office Phil Ashkuri. “Many homeowners don’t realise taking out buildings and contents insurance with their mortgage lender is generally not the best value deal. And it’s not compulsory for securing their mortgage.

“Our advice is shop around as there are better home insurance deals out there from standalone providers.”

The majority of buyers will be able to find a better deal by getting their insurance from a different source to their mortgage, loan or credit card provider.

Tags: better home insurance, shop, United States, Brits, Types of insurance, homeowners, Agents and Marketers, figure

Direct debit costing insurance customers millions

Millions of people are paying too much for their contents insurance because they are being charged for paying by direct debit.

New research from Abbey shows that 9.3 million of us are being forced to pay a combined total of £290 million in direct debit charges.

The firm found that of the 215 policies which are on the market, 44 per cent charge interest to customers who use direct debit.

It has been calculated that the average person is paying £31 a year more for the privilege, with some being forced to pay £55 a year.

Of greatest concern for Abbey is that many people may be completely unaware of the interest being charged, leading to a false sense of satisfaction with a provider.

“Using direct debit to buy home insurance is not a service you should be paying for,” said Prasad Shastri, head of insurance marketing at Abbey.

“There is no point using a competitively priced insurer if they then go and add to your annual bill using back-door methods.

“Customers should carefully look to avoid insurers that levy an additional fee for paying premiums over the course of the year,” he added.

If you are considering taking out any type of insurance check to see if a charge is levied for paying by direct debit and calculate if it is worth your while switching provider.

Tags: Direct debit costing insurance customers millions, finance, insurance customers, Financial economics, Types of insurance, Debit card, Business Finance, Direct debit

How Your UK Credit Rating Can Affect Your UK Car Insurance Premiums

So you’ve never had a parking ticket, speeding ticket, been picked up for drunk driving or had any points on your driving licence. In short, you are the model UK driver. And yet, when you compare your car premium payments with your friends, you find out that you are paying more them. How can that be so? Read more

Tags: credit rating, UK motor insurance, licence, Insurance, UK car insurance, car insurance premiums, Types of insurance, event

Getting Cheap Car Insurance Online

According to a recent survey undertaken by the AA, 75 percent of us will head directly to the internet to check out online car insurance quotes before we decide whether or not to renew our existing policy. However, out of that 75 percent, 60 percent of us spend less than three minutes checking out competitive cheap car insurance quotes online and, unless we see an immediate reduction in our car insurance policy of at least 10 percent or more, we won’t bother looking any further! Read more

Tags: choosing car insurance, survey, finance, different car insurance, cheaper car insurance, internet, Types of insurance, car insurance

Travel insurance industry slammed in report

Millions of us could be going on holiday without adequate travel insurance due to hidden clauses in our policies.

That is according to the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) which carried out a report and found that many people are not being told exactly what they are buying when they take out insurance.

The TSC highlighted that there is “insufficient awareness” among consumers about clauses in travel insurance policies.

“All too often, exclusions are buried in the small print of insurance policies,” said John McFall, chairman of the TSC.

“Holidaymakers are risking damage to their health or considerable financial loss if they require treatment while abroad or repatriation to the UK.”

The report has caused a stir within the industry, with Which? calling it “damning” and saying that it reiterates “the urgent need for consistent regulation of travel insurance”.

“Which? research shows that travel insurance is being mis-sold and consumers aren’t being given the appropriate information,” said Mike Naylor from Which?.

“There is no reason why travel agents should be excluded from regulation.”

People planning a trip abroad are advised to take out travel insurance and Which? has compiled a list of tips to ensure that you get the right cover.

Declaring any information that may lead to a claim, checking cover limits and exclusions, looking out for excesses, reading the small print and informing the insurer of any medical conditions are all advised.

Tags: Financial services, Types of insurance, adequate travel insurance, treasury, report, travel agents

Musical instruments can cause mayhem

As Valentine’s Day approaches (February 14th) the country’s romantic souls are being offered a few words of advice.

Allianz Cornhill Musical Insurance (ACMI) says that this time of year can often lead to accidents involving musical instruments as boyfriends try to impress their beau by serenading them.

According to the firm, many claims are lodged each year regarding damage or accidents involving a musical instrument and they have decided to disclose a few.

Among the most humorous was a claimant whose cello spikes got caught in clothing and led to him falling onto his instrument and breaking it.

Many claims are made regarding young brothers getting carried away in a bit of rough and tumble, only to destroy their prized musical instruments.

Finally, ACMI says it has even received a claim after a wasp flew down someone’s shirt, leading to a fit of panic and a smashed instrument.

“Some of our policyholders have come up with some ingenious ways to damage their instruments so we have become quite expert in providing risk management advice,” said John Feaver from ACMI.

“The advice in this case is quite simple: please don’t try climbing a ladder while playing a guitar or violin – it could seriously damage your health and your instrument.”

If you are considering taking out insurance for your instrument, it may be worth checking your current home insurance policy to see if it is already covered.

Tags: Types of insurance, finance, clothing, health, advice, Manufacturers, firm, allianz

Types of UK Car Insurance

If you think that the UK car insurance policy is stringent enough, then keep in mind that it is so to secure your own interest. The UK car insurance policy is generally targeted for the protection of any innocent victims of accidents. It is obligatory by law to carry the UK car insurance certificate for a user of the road. Read more

Tags: commencement, car insurance types, lot, car insurance certificate, someone, car insurance provider, Types of insurance, Business and Economy

What kind of coverage can I expect with home insurance?

Home insurance was created, and is provided in order to insure a person’s possessions. As you can imagine this can potentially be a vast list of items ranging from do-it-yourself appliances to the kitchen sink. Read more

Tags: choice, Types of insurance, range, home insurance coverage, redress, mind, check, equipment

Common Car Insurance Questions

Like any specialist area in financial services there can be a wealth of information which simply goes over the head of the typical customer. For car insurance this can be from terminology used such as ‘no claims bonus’ or the why’s and where-fore’s of procedure (example: ‘How exactly do I make a claim?’). To help as best we can and clear the head of online users seeking car insurance we have answers to the typical question that are posed. Read more

Tags: premiums, typical question, company, driving accidents, drive on, car insurance questions, Types of insurance, liability insurance

Advice On Choosing Car Insurance

Price? Well there are many more important features to remember when choosing your next policy. Here are a few of the main points. Read more

Tags: quotes, Admiral Group, choosing car insurance, Vehicle insurance, sexist women, Types of insurance, finance, Social Issues

Buying Contents and Buildings Cover

Keep it Decent

Exceptional deals on insurance are hard to come by as companies are all competing neck and neck for your business, but with a few sensible guideline and armed with some understanding of the industry you can still pick up a good deal. Read more

Tags: indemnity policies, contents insurance, Types of insurance, insurance covers, few minutes, cheaper home insurance, buildings insurance