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Rugby fans heading to the World Cup told to check their travel insurance
Brits travelling across to watch the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand should be very careful when driving on the country's roads. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Thu 1 Sep 2011
first direct launches a new 20 month 0% balance transfer credit card
first direct has launched a new credit card deal today (September 1st), allowing customers zero per cent on balance transfers for the first 20 months. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Thu 1 Sep 2011
New vehicles could mean its time for a change in car insurance providers
Brits considering buying a new '61' registration plate vehicle this September could possibly save some money with a new car insurance policy. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 2 Sep 2011
Make sure jewellery is covered on home insurance policies
Brits have been advised to ensure that the current value of their jewellery is up to date on their home insurance policy, as property thefts increased by 14 per cent in 2011. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 2 Sep 2011
Pet insurance is important when buying a pooch
Brits looking to take out pet insurance when they buy a dog have been advised to consider which breed of pooch is most suitable for them. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Fri 2 Sep 2011
TomTom warns of school run traffic misery
Car insurance policyholders are expected to suffer a day of traffic chaos as the majority of school children return from their summer break. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 5 Sep 2011
Car insurance premiums 'forcing youngsters off the road'
Young people are not able to practice safe driving as they are being forced off the road by sky-high insurance prices, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 5 Sep 2011
Drivers more likely to opt for course over points
UK motorists are more likely to opt for a speed awareness course than have points on their license, according to new research.
New statistics released by moneysupermarket.com have revealed that over 70 per cent of drivers would rather take the National Speed Awareness course if they were caught speeding.
This may be because of the impact it would have on car insurance premiums, says a representative of the website.
"It is no surprise the course option is proving to be the most popular. Insurers clearly take a dim view on policyholders who speed and this is reflected in higher car insurance premiums," Pete Harrison noted.
Mr Harrison goes on to point out that for the first speeding offence, motorists can expect their premiums to increase by an average of 17 per cent.
This comes as the Institute of Advanced Motorists recently claimed that younger drivers are being forced off the road because of high insurance rates. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 6 Sep 2011
Motorists 'are comfortable' with buying car insurance online
Many UK motorists are comfortable with buying car insurance online, according to new research.
The findings come from Defaqto, which states that 86 per cent of motorists surveyed said they would be happy to research and purchase motor insurance on the web.
Mike Powell, insight analyst for the firm, pointed out that people should be sure to consider what the insurance policy would provide should the car be stolen or written off.
"To ensure they get the right type and level of cover for their new car, people need to focus first and foremost on pinpointing the features they need from an insurance policy," he commented.
Mr Powell went on to note that when comparing car insurance, price should not be the primary concern, but the quality of the cover.
In other research from moneysupermarket.com, it was revealed that over 70 per cent of motorists would rather take the National Speed Awareness course instead of getting points on their license and increasing their car insurance premiums. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 6 Sep 2011
BRC: Spending dips in August
Consumers were not hitting the High Street in August as much as in July, according to new figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
UK shoppers have been dipping into their credit cards and loans less over the past month, with total sales increasing by 1.5 per cent in August, compared to a rise of 2.5 per cent the preceding month.
Food sales have remained steady, whereas non-food sales have fallen below the previous year's month-by-month level. Footwear and homewares in particular have proven less popular with spenders.
Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said the retail sector performance has been flat despite the increase in VAT and a spell of hot weather at the beginning of the month, which initially boosted sales.
"Poor consumer confidence, high inflation and the on-going squeeze on personal finances remain the biggest threats to the retail sector," he noted.
In similar news, Citigroup has predicted that consumer spending may fall a further 1.1 per cent next year, despite a previous estimate of a one per cent growth. More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Tue 6 Sep 2011
Car insurance policyholders opting for hybrid over electric
Hybrid cars are winning the battle over electric vehicles when it comes to environmentally-sound motors, according to a recent survey. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Wed 7 Sep 2011
Winners announced at What Car? Green Awards
Car insurance owners have been notified of the best green vehicles currently on the market. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 8 Sep 2011
Travel insurance policyholders opting for British holidays
Brits are looking more favourably on taking holidays within the UK, those looking for travel insurance have been told. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Thu 8 Sep 2011
Students 'should take out contents insurance'
Students heading to university this month should be sure to insure their belongings, an expert has warned.
John Baker, head of general insurance at Nationwide, said that this is something that should not be ignored, despite the fact that a recent survey by the building society revealed it was not high on their priorities.
A survey conducted by Nationwide showed that 40 per cent of students will take over £500 worth of items with them to university, but that joining in social activities is more important to them than insuring their belongings.
Mr Baker noted that 15 per cent of university goers have had something stolen while studying.
"Rather than ignoring it, this is something that students should take account of [and] should do something about, so that if something does happen to them they are adequately protected," he commented.
Students may find it difficult to insure their cars as younger drivers are being priced out of the market, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, which recently claimed high premiums are a deterrant.
More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 9 Sep 2011
Safer drivers would make for lower premiums, says expert
Car insurance premiums could be reduced if learning to drive was made tougher.
This is according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), following the government's reaction to a Transport Select Committee inquiry into the cost of motor insurance.
It noted that the government's decision to ban referral fees paid by lawyers and claims management companies to insurers fell short of what was required to help reduce premiums.
Otto Thoresen, director general at ABI, said insurers will continue to develop competitive products, as it is necessary to help young drivers be safer on the roads.
"To ensure young drivers are properly prepared for the roads we have long campaigned for a tougher learning to drive regime, including graduated licensing, as the best way to reduce their high accident rates," he commented.
Meanwhile, new research from Defaqto revealed that 86 per cent of motorists are happy to research and purchase car insurance online.
More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 9 Sep 2011
MPC holds interest rate at 0.5%
UK consumers looking to compare money may be interested to learn that interest rates have been held at 0.5 per cent.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced that the interest rate is to remain the same, representing a static rate for over two years.
Savers and loans customers may be particularly affected by the news, following the Bank of England's decision, which also included an announcement that it would not be extending its quantitative easing programme.
According to earlier figures released by the bank, savers have missed out on some £43 billion because of the continuing low rates of interest.
Commenting on the decision, Ian McCafferty, chief economic advisor to the CBI business group, had a positive outlook for householders next year.
"We hope the UK economy will be on a firmer footing by next year, when a lower inflation rate will bring some relief for households," he said.
UK homeowners could be assisted if the government focused providing a lower cost of living, according to Jonathan Davis, economist and managing director of Jonathan Davis Wealth Management.
More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Fri 9 Sep 2011
West Yorkshire and West Midlands named the UK's car insurance notspots
Drivers in West Yorkshire and the West Midlands are eight times as likely to have an uninsured vehicle compared to the national average. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 12 Sep 2011
Mortgage lending in value and volume up in July
Overall landing for property purchases increased in both volume and value during July when compared with June, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Mon 12 Sep 2011
Brits unaware about contributions being made to workplace pensions
Almost a third of Brits with a Defined Contribution (DC) pension scheme in the workplace do not know how much they are putting into it. More »
By Tom Farley, Pensions - Mon 12 Sep 2011
Life insurance: Cost of dying has increased to £7,248
Brits should consider investing in life insurance as the cost of dying has increased, according to research by Sun Life Direct. More »
By Marianne Straker, Life Insurance - Tue 13 Sep 2011
Pet insurance can protect animal owners' pockets
Pet insurance is becoming a popular policy for consumers to take out to protect their pocket and their pooches. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Tue 13 Sep 2011
Rising living costs and static wages make repaying loans difficult
With the cost of living increasing and wages remaining the same, the problem of repaying loans is becoming more difficult for UK families. More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Tue 13 Sep 2011
Govt must help FTBs access mortgages to get on the property ladder
The government must do more to make it easier for first-time buyers (FTBs) to access a mortgage and get onto the property ladder, it has been claimed. More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Wed 14 Sep 2011
Brits 'must take out travel insurance' while holidaying abroad
Travel insurance should be as important as taking a suitcase on holiday, according to the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA). More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Wed 14 Sep 2011
More than a third of working Brits have no pension plans
Over a third of British workers admit to not having a pension in place, according to research by Prudential. More »
By Tom Farley, Pensions - Wed 14 Sep 2011
Pet insurance is vital to deal with rising vet and treatment costs
Brits should consider taking out pet insurance as vet and treatment costs increase, according to Petplan. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Thu 15 Sep 2011
Around 40% of car insurance owners take pets on long road trips
Almost two-fifths of car insurance customers take their cats or dogs on car journeys regularly. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 15 Sep 2011
Car insurance: Young Brits pick up on parents' driving habits
Young drivers are likely to have similar driving habits to their parents when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to research by AXA. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 15 Sep 2011
Increase in Brits wanting home insurance policies to cover rare objects
There are a growing number of Brits looking for home insurance policies to cover gold and rare objects in their dwellings, according to research by moneysupermarket.com. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 16 Sep 2011
Cover for life 'is the best type of pet insurance policy available'
Cover for life are the best pet insurance policies on the market, according to Petplan. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Fri 16 Sep 2011
Help available for Brits struggling with mortgage repayments
British homeowners struggling to make their mortgage requirements can find help from a number of sources, according to What Mortgage. More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Fri 16 Sep 2011
Around 23% of female motorists apply make up while driving
Over three and a half million female motorists apply their make-up while on their morning drive, according to research by Diamond. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 19 Sep 2011
'Raising aviation taxes could price people out of flying abroad' say MPs
Around three-quarters of MPs believe that raising aviation taxation may price some people out of flying in the future, according to research by the Travel Association (ABTA). More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Mon 19 Sep 2011
Travel insurance: More over-55s taking gap years rather than students
More people in their late fifties are considering a 'gap year' rather than students, according to new research by Post Office Travel Insurance. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Mon 19 Sep 2011
Home insurance: UK dwellings each have stories to tell
The average family home will witness 2,000 arguments and suffer 233 slammed doors before occupants move out, according to research by esure home insurance. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 20 Sep 2011
Car insurance providers must address young driver premiums
The young driver market could offer opportunities for car insurance providers in the future, according to Defaqto. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 20 Sep 2011
Paying home insurance monthly can increase premium costs by up to 11.89%
Paying home insurance monthly could add 11.89 per cent onto the original premium price, according to moneysupermarket.com. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 20 Sep 2011
Home insurance could be important as winter approaches, says AA
As winter approaches, home insurance policyholders are being urged to make sure their policy is up-to-date and provides them with the right cover. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Wed 21 Sep 2011
Planning for a pension is important as the cost of living increases
Brits over-55 planning to take out their pension may find it harder than they thought to enter retirement. More »
By Tom Farley, Pensions - Wed 21 Sep 2011
SVR mortgages 'still the most popular in the UK'
Standard-variable-rate (SVR) mortgages are still the preferred option for property owners, according to research by unbiased.co.uk. More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Wed 21 Sep 2011
Compare credit cards 'to avoid paying through the nose'
Brits should be sure to compare credit cards before choosing their accounts, as many may be "paying through the nose" for transactions without realising it.
Moneysupermarket.com reported that certain credit card payments, such as foregin currency and postal orders, are actually classed as cash on the account – bringing with it an extra raft of charges.
The firm highlighted that, for example, paying for gambling activity with a Virgin Credit Card will see a 27.9 per cent APR as the payments are classed as cash.
Commenting on the findings, Kevin Mountford, head of banking, said: "Credit cards are hugely useful products and simply understanding how providers charge before pulling out the plastic means consumers can avoid those little charges that soon add up and ensure they get the most bang from their buck."
Last week, What Mortgage suggested ways in which customers can get help to stem any shortfalls they may have in their finances. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Thu 22 Sep 2011
Consumer Focus launches travel money super-complaint
Those seeking loans to fund their dream holiday may be interested to hear that a leading customer rights group has launched legal action about the costs associated with travel money.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that it had received a super-complaint from Consumer Focus, which states that charges applied by some banks and credit card firms to purchase foreign currency are "unfair".
It added that "complex and unclear" charging structures are used for card transactions abroad and claims of "zero per cent commission" and "competitive exchange rates" could be misleading and stop people shopping around.
The OFT commented: "[We] will now consider the issues raised in the super-complaint in order to establish whether or not any feature, or combination of features, in the relevant market is, or appears to be, significantly harming the interests of consumers."
Last week, it was suggested that more people over the age of 55 may be taking loans to fund adult gap-year travel. More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Thu 22 Sep 2011
Lane changing accidents cost car insurance owners over £437m a year
Over six per cent of accidents on Britain's highways are caused by lane change manoeuvres, according to research by Accident Exchange. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 22 Sep 2011
Struggling with mortgage repayments? Contact your lender
Brits struggling to make their mortgage repayments should consult their lenders at the first sign of trouble. More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Thu 22 Sep 2011
Home insurance customers spend 5hrs a week improving their dwelling
Property owners have been driven to improve their homes to emulate dwellings on TV programmes like Grand Designs or MTV Cribs, according to research by esure home insurance. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Thu 22 Sep 2011
Ford KA2 'cheapest vehicle for young car insurance holders'
The cheapest vehicle for young car insurance policyholders to get cover for is the Ford KA2, according to research by Confused.com. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 23 Sep 2011
Home insurance: Rise in property thefts in Plymouth
Home insurance policyholders in Plymouth have been advised to keep their dwellings as safe and secure as possible following a recent rise in property thefts. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 23 Sep 2011
Sustainable features could improve property values
Sustainable features like insulation, double glazing and more could add value to people's dwellings. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 23 Sep 2011
Music is a necessity for many car insurance customers' vehicles
Over 50 per cent of car insurance policyholders say they 'could not cope' without music in their vehicle, according to research by confused.com. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 26 Sep 2011
'Home insurance policies cover falling space debris', says AA
Debris from falling satellites that could potentially damage people's dwellings should be covered by their home insurance policy, according to the AA. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Mon 26 Sep 2011
Young car insurance owners could pay over £12k for first year driving
Young car insurance policyholders are likely to pay more than £12,000 for a year on the road, even before the vehicle is driven anywhere. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 27 Sep 2011
Pets can cost over £17,000 during their lifetime for owners
The average lifetime cost of owning a dog or cat today stands at around £17,000, according to a report from Sainsbury's Pet Insurance. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Tue 27 Sep 2011
Around a third of Brits have put pension contributions on hold
More than a third of UK pension scheme members have put their contributions on hold, according to Prudential. More »
By Tom Farley, Pensions - Wed 28 Sep 2011
Allianz Retail has added home insurance cover to its online brand
Allianz Retail has announced it has added a home insurance product to its recently launched online brand. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Wed 28 Sep 2011
Car insurance: Tailgating tops annoying drivers' behaviour list
Tailgating tops the list of annoying driving behaviours in the UK, according to research by Admiral. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 29 Sep 2011
