Insurance
Money
Providers
Blog
News
Newsletter
News Archive
Get the latest deals, news and advice in your inbox with our no-spam guarantee!
Compare Now Financial News
Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive the latest news headlines and special offers in your inbox. You may also be interested in our blog commentary updated on a daily basis. For more info on our editorial team click here.
People prefer a 'big night in' on New Year's Eve
Whilst thousands lined up along the River Thames to see London welcome in 2012 it has been revealed that many would prefer to have a "big night in" as opposed to braving the queues of New Year's Eve.
In the seventh New Year survey by the Post Office Home Insurance it said that 36 million people would prefer to stay in compared to 72 per cent in 2010 and 55 per cent in 2007.
Experts believe that money is the main factor in people's decision although it found that the average household planning a party will spend £95 on food and drink compared to the £48 average spend for those planning on heading out to celebrate.
Gerry Barrett, Post Office Head of Home Insurance, said: "New Year's Eve can end up being a costly night and it can be even more costly for those who plan to stay in. 'Come Dine With Me fever' is apparently gripping the nation but many hosts could see their bills mount up as they look to impress their friends."
People attended events across the UK, including 80,000 people in Edinburgh attending the Hogmanay street party celebrations. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 3 Jan 2012
Brits worry about their finances every day
Over 15 million Britons worry about their finances every day, more than relationships, health and jobs.
According to MoneySupermarket.com people in the UK have concerns about home insurance rates and the cost of living more and more with the country's economy struggling.
The survey found that over a quarter (23 per cent) of people stress over their future financial situation with 21 per cent worrying about their current personal finances. It was also revealed that the main concern for people was the rising cost of petrol (42 per cent) followed by rising bills (21 per cent) and debts (17 per cent).
Kevin Mountford, head of banking at MoneySupermarket, said: "It's not surprising that people blame financial anxiety as a top cause of stress given the difficult economic environment and the rising cost of living, and we can expect next year's outlook to be just as tough, if not tougher."
It was recently found that as a result of the rise of taxes the average middle-class family paid £1,650 more in 2011 than they did in 2010. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 3 Jan 2012
Quarter of Brits have not switched and saved in 2011
Over a quarter of Britons did not switch their home or car insurance in order to save money in the past 12 months.
Research by Gocompare.com found that 26 per cent of UK consumers have not switched their policy to 20 of the more attractive financial offers in the past year but 65 per cent of insurance holders are expecting a difficult 2012.
The results found that eight per cent of the respondents - two million Brits - said that their main concern was maintaining their rent or mortgage repayments with a further 22 per cent blaming the rise of bills and living costs.
John Miles, business development director at Gocompare.com, said: "Nearly two-thirds of Brits are expecting 2012 to be a very difficult year for their finances, but our research shows that millions of consumers could be missing out on hundreds of pounds worth of savings by not reviewing their finances and switching to better deals on some of the most common financial products."
MoneySupermarket.com said that British consumers will make clearing debt from credit cards their main priority in 2012. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 3 Jan 2012
More Brits turning to payday loans
More people in the UK are turning to payday loans to pay off mortgages and rent, according to new research by YouGov.
The survey for Shelter Scotland found that two per cent of people had resorted to the loan meaning that 936,000 would use "quick fix" payments. Campaigners have warned that the latest trend is "extremely worrying".
Prior to Christmas it was reported that many were turning to the high interest loans to pay for the costly festive period but the new figures have revealed that more are using them to pay for everyday utilities.
Gordon McRae, a spokesman for the charity, estimated that one million people in the UK had taken out these types of loans.
John Lamidey, chief executive of the Consumer Finance Association, added that using short-term loans to pay for mortgages was "simply impossible".
He said: "They are loans for a short period of time, typically a month. If somebody applies for a loan and it was discovered they are in arrears with a mortgage we would not lend and we would steer them to the debt advice agencies." More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Wed 4 Jan 2012
Homeowners urged to protect their property
As storms continue to batter Britain homeowners are being urged to make sure their property is covered. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Wed 4 Jan 2012
Drivers at risk from expired photo cards
Motorists without an in-date photo card on their licence are at risk of incurring a fine of £1,000.
Sainbury's car insurance said that 1.6 million Brits are driving with an expired photo and in addition, 2.9 million will need to renew their picture by the end of 2012. The supermarket also found that 41 per cent do not know the consequences of having an out-of-date photo.
According to the DVLA, drivers in the UK are required to update their picture every ten years with British law requiring them to do so whether they are an active motorist or not.
Ben Tyte, head of Sainsbury's car insurance, said: "We would encourage all drivers to check when their photo card was issued and ensure that they arrange to update their photo when required to avoid risking a £1,000 fine. Drivers should also remember that their photo card licence serves as more than just a driving licence."
A motorist in Brackla saw his car insurance increase by more than £200 after losing his job and Sainbury's is urging drivers to renew their photos in order to avoid paying more towards the running of their vehicle. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Wed 4 Jan 2012
Storms cause increase in insurance claims
Storms that are currently battering the UK are causing a surge in car insurance claims, according to the AA.
The turbulent weather has seen a number of homes and vehicles damaged due to falling debris. A family in Cheltenham had a lucky escape when a giant beech tree fell on a carport metres from their home.
AA Insurance said it was experiencing a 200 per cent increase in calls from people making claims on their car insurance. The company's home cover emergency response branch also saw a 12-fold jump on roofing claims.
Weather forecasters are predicting more unsettled weather over the coming days with more gales and torrential rain expected.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "Cars are easily damaged by flying tiles and other debris. A common misconception is that if you car is damaged by the tiles from your neighbour's roof in a gale, that you can claim for damage from their insurance. Unless poor maintenance can be proven, you would need to claim off your own car insurance policy." More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 5 Jan 2012
Credit card usage to increase in January
The number of people in the UK that rely on credit cards has increased in January compared to 2011 figures.
Research by the Post Office found that consumers in Britain are still counting the cost of the Christmas period and are struggling with the rising price of winter fuel bills.
The company's annual Consumer Credit Report found that over 12 million will spend the first month of 2012 relying on credit cards to help pay for bills and living costs. The figure is a two per cent rise on the same period in 2011 with 38 per cent of Brits increasing their credit card spending by £200.
Az Alibhal, from the Post Office, said: "Whilst it is good to see so many people intending to manage their credit card purchases and repayments sensibly, there are still too many people who aren't thinking of the consequences."
Experts have also warned consumers not to turn to high interest payday loans to pay for mortgages and rent payments. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Thu 5 Jan 2012
Home insurance claims to soar in 2012
Home insurance claims are set to soar in 2012 due to the number of major events taking place in the UK, according to Axa Personal Lines.
Research by the company found that events such as the Olympics, Euro 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee will mean an increase in people having parties at their own home.
The insurer believes that more family get-togethers will see a rise in accidental damage and losses. For instance, on New Year's Day the company saw a 78 per cent increase in losses.
Direct Line has also reported a 300 per cent rise in home insurance claims after storms hit the British Isles causing damage to properties across the country.
Christine Matthews, head of household claims at Axa Personal Lines, said: "Around 20 per cent of homeowners have no contents insurance leaving themselves very vulnerable in the face of a year of very real increased risk." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Thu 5 Jan 2012
Man admits causing criminal damage to van
A farmer has admitted causing criminal damage to a Ford Transit van he believed belonged to suspected poachers. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 6 Jan 2012
More students look to gap years before university
Picking up a travel insurance policy could be on the things-to-do list for students in 2012, with many likely to take a gap year. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Fri 6 Jan 2012
Arctic and Antarctica becoming more popular with travellers
Travellers are looking for the "ultimate escapism" and are finding it in the shape of visiting the Arctic and Antarctica, according to an expert. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Fri 6 Jan 2012
Drivers urged to check their breakdown cover
Drivers are being urged to check breakdown cover on their car insurance during the unsettled winter weather.
In the past weeks the UK has been subject to severe gales and a number of localised flooding alerts and insurers are advising motorists to make sure they have adequate protection should the worst happen.
The Met Office has issued prolonged weather warnings across the country with the uncertainty set to continue.
Confused.com is urging drivers to consider putting breakdown cover in place, as the winter get colder and road conditions deteriorate. Breaking down without cover could cost a driver hundreds of pounds to be rescued.
Gareth Kloet, head of Confused.com car insurance said: "Extreme weather can make any car journey difficult, so it's always best to be prepared. Colder winters and more extreme weather makes getting breakdown cover beneficial. The consequences of going without cover include facing a long wait in the cold; and could be a very expensive and inconvenient alternative." More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 9 Jan 2012
Brits live in fear of car theft
British motorists are living in fear of having their car stolen or broken into despite vehicle crime dropping over the years.
According to a poll by car insurance company Admiral, commissioned by YouGov, 74 per cent of people surveyed were worried about their car being subject to crime. It found that drivers in the East Midlands and Yorkshire were the most concerned with 80 per cent of motorists being in fear of vehicle theft.
However, Admiral also found that the number of cars that were stolen or broken into fell in the past decade. In 2011 0.16 per cent of motorists insured by Admiral had their car stolen compared to 0.54 per cent in 2001.
Dave Halliday, Admiral managing director, said, "This anxiety could be linked to a general sense of unease about the state of the country and the economy in particular, our cars are after all, one of the most valuable things we own.
Derbyshire police has urged people to be extra vigilant after a driver had his vehicle stolen whilst he was delivering packages to nearby homes recently. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 9 Jan 2012
British Council defends credit card bill
The British Council has defended spending £7 million on credit cards in the past two years after a group accused staff of "living the high life abroad".
A Freedom of Information request by the TaxPayers' Alliance found that employees at the council stayed in five star hotels and dined at expensive restaurants with the taxpayer footing the bill.
The British Council spokeswoman said most of its revenue was generated privately and did not come from the public purse.
She said: "Whilst we understand and recognise the importance of the role of the TaxPayers' Alliance, it is unfortunate that they have not recognised that the British Council actually earns the majority of its income and is only partly funded by UK taxpayers."
It was recently announced by the government that companies would be banned from charging extra hidden fees for customers that use debit or credit cards to pay for online transactions. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Mon 9 Jan 2012
Motorists told to 'shop around' for best monthly car insurance
Last year saw the cost of running a vehicle become more expensive than ever before and now drivers that want to pay for their car insurance monthly are being urged to shop around.
Many motorists that want to keep their budgets manageable by paying monthly are being told by Moneysupermarket.com that failure to identify the best option could prove as costly as a normal premium.
A survey by the company found that out of 10,000 respondents 42 per cent of people blamed high petrol prices for spiralling running costs.
Pete Harrison, car insurance expert at the price comparison site, said: "Running a car isn't cheap, made worse by the rising fuel costs we have all had to find the money to cover. Paying a high premium upfront for car insurance can be another huge strain on your finances so paying it monthly in smaller, more manageable amounts is a good way of making your insurance easier to afford."
The AA recently reported that due to the storms that are currently battering the UK there has been a surge in car insurance claims. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 10 Jan 2012
Car insurance claims up by 28%
Car insurance claims have increased by 28 per cent for January 2012 from the previous year, according to the AA.
The company has highlighted the severe storms that hit the country as the main reason for the surge in claims. Officials at the broker recorded 991 claims over the first five days of January and have said that scaled up, the equivalent of over 5,600 car insurance claims nationally could be related to the weather.
Scotland was the worst hit as gales of over 90mph were recorded in the region and resulted in a 65 per cent rise in claims between January 1st and January 5th. The number of claims is also higher than the first five days of 2010 when the country was blanketed by snow.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "Several customers had their car door whipped out of their hand by a gust of wind, breaking hinge mechanisms, smashing glass or damaging a vehicle parked in the next space." More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 10 Jan 2012
Credit card users benefitting from low interest rates
Many Brits are turning to credit cards as a financial solution due to a number of low interest rates.
Savers had been advised last month to shop around for the best deal on cards and look out for companies offering zero per cent interest on their schemes. The base rate of interest being held at a current record low of 0.5 per cent by the Bank of England with advisers saying there is no better time to switch to credit cards.
The Post Office's annual Consumer Credit Report found that over 12 million people will spend the first month of 2012 relying on credit cards to help pay for bills and living costs. The figure is a two per cent rise on the same period in 2011 with 38 per cent of Brits increasing their credit card spending by £200.
Bernard Clarke, communications manager at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, told Vanquis: "The likelihood [is] that interest rates will remain at low levels for the foreseeable future. Any rise is likely to be modest and that the increases are likely to be relatively slow." More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Tue 10 Jan 2012
One in five Brits struggle to manage debts
One in five consumers in Britain have admitted to struggling to manage their debts, according to new research by the Money Advice Trust.
In was recently found that after the costly Christmas period many people were turning to payday loans to cover their outgoings from the festivities. John Lamidey, chief executive of the Consumer Finance Association, added that using short-term loans to pay for mortgages was "simply impossible".
Now, officials at the trust have found that the number of people getting help from free debt advice agencies increased in 2011 to 1.54 million people, compared to 1.4 million in 2010.
The figures also revealed that an estimated ten million people (20 per cent of the adult population) find themselves in a "constant struggle" to manage debts.
Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: "2011 was a tough financial year for many families across the UK; unfortunately more people are likely to struggle in 2012. With unemployment rising and wage growth relatively flat it's going to take a greater proportion of household income to heat your home, put food on your table and petrol in your car." More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Wed 11 Jan 2012
Consumers cutting back on credit card spending
Consumers in the UK are becoming more cautious after Santander reported that they are cutting back on credit card spending.
The bank also announced that Brits were making more purchases but the typical spend on a credit card has fallen by four per cent in the past year.
Santander reported that the amount spent in sports and toy stores saw the biggest fall in the value of money spent, dropping by 24 per cent per user, while travel agencies came second with a 13 per cent decrease.
It suggests that consumers are becoming savvier with purchases in general with customers using credit cards more frequently to make purchases as providers have upped competition with incentives and loyalty offers.
Callum Gibson, managing director at Santander Cards, said: "During times of austerity, you'd expect cutbacks to hit non-essential items like holidays and clothes. However, we've seen a drop in overall spend people are using their cards more, as demonstrated by the increase in number of transactions."
The Post Office recently said that it expected to see a rise in people using credit cards to pay for expenses such as rent and bills. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Wed 11 Jan 2012
Dogs cause 3 arguments a week
Pet dogs cause three arguments between families every week, according to new research by pet insurance company esure.
Whilst they are regarded as "man's best friend" a dog can trigger 2,000 disputes for their owners in its lifetime. Arguments can range from treating the dog too harshly or deciding what to do with them when the family goes on holiday.
One-fifth of families frequently argue whose turn it is to clean up the mess in the garden, while one in ten disagree who should clear up the carpets should they be soiled.
Some arguments can get so bad that 17 per cent of disputes result in one member of the family ending up sleeping in the spare room.
Nikki Sellers, head of pet insurance at esure, said: ''Owning a dog is not dissimilar to having a baby. Round the clock care and responsibility throughout a dog's life can become tiresome for any pet owner but should never be overlooked."
It was recently found by Gocompare.com that only 56 per cent of people have taken out pet insurance to ensure the safety of their dog or cat. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Wed 11 Jan 2012
New credit card allows people to switch account
A new hi-tech credit card that could render all other competitors obsolete is to set to be trialled in the UK.
The new card allows consumers to switch between accounts at just the switch of a button on the payment method itself.
Many people carry a host of credit cards in their wallet at any one time but experts believe that this development will blow all other cards out of the water.
Users will be able to access different accounts on the device as it has an interface including buttons and a screen. The card is already in use by US bank Citibank, and makers Dynamics inc said it was already in "advanced" discussions with UK banks and hoped to begin trials within months.
Eziah Syed, of makers Dynamics, said: "We've squeezed an entire computer into something the size of a credit card. These cards are about making things easier, and we think that in high volumes the costs are very low."
Since the Christmas period many Brits have been turning to credit cards as a financial solution due to a number of low interest rates offered by building societies. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Thu 12 Jan 2012
Wonga criticised over student loans
Short-term lender Wonga has been heavily criticised after encouraging students to use high-interest loans.
The company came under fire from the National Union of Students (NUS) after Wonga said that students could benefit from using the service.
On the firm's website under the headline "student loans" it claimed that there was a "totally new way of borrowing money to see you through until your next cheque and its called Wonga".
NUS officials branded the company as "highly irresponsible" for carrying what it called "predatory marketing". Wonga has subsequently removed the article under increased pressure from the union.
A spokesman for the company said: "We do not actively target students in any way and our marketing is all mainstream, such as on TV and radio. The two web pages in question are examples of the many search engine optimisation pages on our site, which is essentially content covering all aspects of credit."
Wonga is currently the shirt sponsor of Blackpool FC and has been since the club's promotion to the Premiership in 2010. More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Thu 12 Jan 2012
Bradford motorists face car insurance hike
Motorists in Bradford are facing the biggest increase in car insurance, according to new research by Confused.com.
A survey carried out by the website along with professional services company Towers Watson found that drivers in the Yorkshire town were subject to a 17.1 per cent increase on their comprehensive car insurance premiums in 2011.
Results showed that nationally premiums went up by 4.9 per cent, with the average cost of a comprehensive policy at the end of 2011 standing at £844.
Whilst prices in Bradford increased motorists in Scotland saw their premiums drop with the biggest fall being in Falkirk where insurance rates decreased by 4.6 per cent.
Gareth Kloet, Confused.com car insurance head, said: "In 2012 we can expect to see new factors affecting car insurance prices, such as the introduction of EU legislation due at the end of this year, meaning that insurance cannot be priced according to gender."
After storms hit the country in the New Year car insurance claims have increased by 28 per cent for January 2012 from the previous year, according to the AA. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 12 Jan 2012
Brits would welcome breathalysers on the slopes
Ski resorts are one of the most popular destinations for Brits wanting to escape the rat race and enjoy some relaxation.
However, many believe that ski culture is becoming more "aggressive and selfish" with alcohol being highlighted as the main cause of this problem. Research by travel insurance company MORE TH
Many have been injured as a result of high-speed collisions on the piste with 33 per cent surveyed saying that they have had a near miss as a result of people skiing dangerously on the slopes.
Matt Pernet, head of travel insurance at the company, said: "It's perhaps surprising how many skiers would like to see motoring style deterrents, checks and punishments introduced on the piste. Aside from the potentially life changing consequences of dangerous skiing, if someone is responsible for an accident and has been drinking they won't be covered on their insurance policy. "
People who spend their holidays skiing are being urged to take out the right travel insurance and not to rely on the European Health Insurance Card. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Fri 13 Jan 2012
Rise in fraudulent claims on car insurance
Doctors have reported a rise in people attempting to claim compensation on their car insurance from exaggerated or invented injuries.
Research by LV= found that almost two-thirds of GPs (60 per cent) saw an increase in the last two years of people feigning injuries to claim a fraudulent pay out on their insurance policy.
Nearly nine out of ten (87 per cent) GPs say at some point they have seen someone who was completely making an injury up and almost all doctors interviewed (96 per cent) said they have been visited by someone they thought was exaggerating an injury.
In the past three years, LV= car insurance has seen an increase in the number of whiplash claims where the circumstances were deemed to be suspicious and estimates that 15 per cent of whiplash claims received in 2011 were potentially fraudulent.
John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= car insurance, said: "Attempting to make a compensation claim when you do not have an injury is against the law and could lead to a hefty fine or prison sentence."
The AA recently reported that car insurance claims have increased by 28 per cent for January 2012 from the previous yea More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 13 Jan 2012
Bella top name for dogs and cats
Bella has been revealed as the most popular name for dogs and cats in 2011, according to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI).
Inspired by the popular Twilight film series the name of the franchises' lead character has topped the pet name charts since 2009. The country's oldest pet cover provider surveyed 485,000 pet owners and compiled a top ten list of the most popular names.
The VPI found that there was a tendency for owners to give their pet more human names as former popular names such as Fido and Spot came in at 13th and 17th respectively.
Bird owners named Charlie as the top name whereas people who had feline pets went for more traditional names such as Tiger or Tigger. The dog category was dominated by female names such as Maggie, Sophie and Lucy.
It was recently revealed that pet dogs cause three arguments between families every week, according to new research by pet insurance company esure.
Nikki Sellers, head of pet insurance at the company, said: ''Owning a dog is not dissimilar to having a baby." More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Fri 13 Jan 2012
Whiplash claims increase car insurance costs
Rising whiplash claims are driving up the cost of car insurance, an investigation by the Transport Committee found.
Members of the organisation are now calling upon the government to raise the threshold of compensation in whiplash cases and crack down on the "no win, no fee" culture in the UK.
Bosses at the Transport Committee criticised the "ambulance-chasing" texts, emails and automated voice messages that two-thirds of Brits receive which encourage people to claim compensation at every opportunity.
Injuries such as whiplash are very costly for insurers to challenge because the diagnosis is often subjective. Despite collision rates in the UK decreasing over 2011 the AA revealed that personal injury claims continued to rise with 70 per cent of those being for whiplash.
Louise Ellman, chair of the cross-party Transport Committee, said: "Insurers, solicitors and claims management companies are driving up motor premiums by encouraging people caught up in road accidents to claim for personal injury, car hire and other legal costs."
The AA recently found that car insurance claims increased by 28 per cent for January 2012 from the previous year. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 16 Jan 2012
Small businesses urged to lease commercial vans
Small business owners are being urged to lease commercial vans as a more "cost effective" option during economic uncertainty.
With the precarious financial situation the country is in business owners are being extra vigilant in how they spend their budgets and van insurance is one of the key concerns.
Officials at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) believe that company bosses are "confident enough" to rent vehicles if they anticipate new work.
Toby Poston, head of communications at the organisation, said that many firms were apprehensive to invest thousands of pounds on a van but would be open to leasing the vehicle. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 16 Jan 2012
Dining room ditched for open floor planning
Many homeowners are ditching dining rooms in favour of open floor planning, according to Halifax home insurance.
The company found that half a million homes in Britain could see a second reception area as owners have decided to knock through the connecting wall between the lounge and dining room.
However, Halifax warned that homeowners could be putting their cover at risk if they do not declare modifications on their property.
Ditching formal dining rooms has come about because fewer families sit down to proper meals together, many preferring to snack in front of the television and eat from their laps.
Mat Barnes, of Spire Estates, Chesterfield, told the Ilkeston Advertiser: "The way that modern families have changed their living habits has now impacted on the improvements they decide to make to the interior layouts of their homes."
Axa Personal Lines recently revealed that home insurance claims were set to soar in 2012 due to the number of major events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee taking place in the UK. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Mon 16 Jan 2012
Drivers warned of misleading car insurance
Young drivers are being warned to be extra vigilant when they are buying car insurance after a number of complaints were made about an online motor cover company.
Leicester County Council's Trading Standards highlighted Aston Midshires Insurance, based in Enderby, for selling invalid car insurance policies via the internet. The company had been targeting young drivers looking for a cheap deal.
Motorists with these policies found that when they were pulled over by the police their insurance was worthless. Car owners with this cover also run the risk of prosecution for driving without valid protection.
David Bull, head of Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards service, said: "Trading Standards has worked with Leicestershire Police to stop consumers being conned into buying invalid and illegal motor vehicle insurance from this business."
Motorists who bought cover from Aston Midshires are being advised not to drive until after they have checked the insurance is valid.
Elsewhere, a recent study by Confused.com found that drivers in Bradford faced the biggest increase in car insurance premiums with policies rising by 17.1 per cent. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 17 Jan 2012
Pet owners urged to check policy when taking out insurance
Pet owners are being urged to be extra careful and read the small print when taking out an insurance policy for their animal.
Many companies offer a host of different level cover plans with a varying amount of protection. It means that some insurance schemes do not guard the owner against costly operations which can incur a large bill.
It was recently revealed by Gocompare.com that a large number of pet owners in the UK had not taken out insurance for their animal. The survey found that only 56 per cent of dog or cat owners had taken out protection.
The BBC reported that Carrie Daniel took out a policy for her mini dachshund Rufus but when the dog suffered a ruptured disc her insurance did not cover the £4,500 needed for an MRI scan as it had a cap of £2,500 per injury.
It meant Ms Daniel had to pay the remaining £2,000 herself.
She told the source: "I was absolutely devastated. I had to use all my savings; I just had to do it for Rufus." More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Tue 17 Jan 2012
Homeowners name flood damage as biggest concern
Home insurance policyholders have named flood damage, leaks and storms as the risks that raise the biggest concerns.
A new study by insurers Deloitte found that after the recent storms people are mainly concerned about water damage in their home which can cost thousands of pounds to repair.
The company believes that the housing market will make a profit in 2011 after the loss it recorded in 2010. However, the research showed that household insurers are planning to increase the price of houses by between five and ten per cent in the coming year.
James Rakow, insurance partner at Deloitte, said: "The outturn for 2012 will largely be determined by the weather and the storms that hit Britain in the first few days of January act as a reminder of the huge losses that natural perils such as storms and floods can produce." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 17 Jan 2012
Brits to spend £22.1 billion on getaways in 2012
British holidaymakers will spend £22.1 billion on getaways this year with the average person booking a break at a cost of £765, according to new research.
Sainsbury's Travel Insurance suggests that 28.9 million Brits will escape the rat race this year but found that 78 per cent of people are looking to cut the costs of their holiday.
Of the 45 per cent planning a foreign holiday, 13 per cent said they would be staying with friends or family in a bid to save money on expensive hotels. In contrast only ten per cent of people were looking at all inclusive deals with a further 12 per cent looking to book a self-catering holiday.
David Barrett, Sainsbury's travel insurance manager, said: "It appears that more people will delay booking their holiday this year, presumably hoping to secure a better deal and the majority of us are aiming to reduce our spending money too."
Moneysupermarket.com recently revealed that 30 per cent of Brits planned to take a holiday in the UK in 2012 ahead of Spain and the US in second and fourth respectively. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Wed 18 Jan 2012
UK households boosted by falling inflation rates
Falling inflation rates could signal an improved confidence for UK households as property prices are set to decrease.
The Bank of England announced that the rate of inflation fell to 4.2 per cent from 4.8 per cent in November and analysts at Moneysupermarket.com believe this is good news for UK property investors.
In 2011, many were battling against the rising costs of properties with many first-time buyers unable to get their foot on the housing ladder.
However, the insurer revealed that the main strain on consumer finances was the high petrol prices with 42 per cent of people surveyed highlighting this as their main concern.
Kevin Mountford, head of banking, at Moneysupermarket.com, said: "The rising cost of living has had a major impact on UK household budgets for the last 12 months and signs that this is beginning to reduce is very welcome indeed. However, despite inflation falling month on month, prices are still high."
A recent survey by housing company Rightmove showed that despite mortgage rates being the lowest in 14 years only a fraction of houses have come on the market since the turn of the year. More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Wed 18 Jan 2012
Holidaymakers urged to take out appropriate insurance
Holidaymakers are being advised to take out appropriate travel insurance when they set off on their getaways over the summer.
Financial research company Defaqto is warning that before any money is committed to the holiday a suitable protection policy should be in place in the unlikely event that the travel arrangements need to be changed or cancelled.
Analysts at the company have said that the level of cover can differ in various insurance policies with some companies not protecting against cancellations or alterations.
Defaqto's data found that seven per cent of policies would provide £1,000 or less towards the cost of the holiday should it need to be cancelled while only one per cent would reimburse the entire trip.
Mike Powell, the company's insight analyst for general insurance, said: "To ensure they get the right type and level of cover to protect their holiday, people need to focus first and foremost on pinpointing the features they need from a travel insurance policy."
Elsewhere, research from MORE TH>N found that 47 per cent of Brits booking a winter holiday would ban "speed skiing" on resort slopes deeming it "too dangerous". More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Wed 18 Jan 2012
Credit card confidence hits all time low
Consumer confidence in credit cards has hit an all time low, according to new research by uSwitch.
Many users have started 2012 in debt following a costly Christmas period, and while it had originally been thought that consumers would turn to credit cards to help them ease out of the red, uSwitch's new report suggests otherwise.
The service provider revealed that two million people were unhappy with their current credit card deal, with companies such as Bank of Scotland, Santander and Halifax faring the worst in the survey.
uSwitch found that 51 per cent of people have had the same credit card for the past five years, while 25 per cent had more than three cards, down from 30 per cent in the previous year.
Michael Ossei, personal finance expert at the company, said: "With overall satisfaction and customer service getting worse across the board, and the high street banks still providing some of the worst service, consumers should look around further afield at new providers for the best credit card for them."
The Post Office recently predicted in its Consumer Report that 38 per cent of people will spend more than £200 on their plastic in January 2012. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Thu 19 Jan 2012
Home insurance rates continue to increase
Rates on home insurance have continued to rise, according to new research by the AA British Insurance Premium Index.
The first part of 2012 has seen adverse weather conditions, with storms battering Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. AXA insurance suggested that the coming year would see an increase in home insurance claims.
Bosses at the company highlighted major events such as the Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee, Euro 2012 and unsettled weather could see complaints rise. Now, the AA has shown that content and combined policies rose by 11 per cent over 2011.
Building premiums rose by 3.1 per cent, culminating in an annual increase of 9.5 per cent, whereas content rates jumped by 4.4 per cent adding to a yearly rise of 11.2 per cent.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "Storm damage, flooding and burst pipes are top of insurers' list of worries, following two harsh winters and increasingly frequent severe weather. In addition, economic pressures result in more theft claims." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Thu 19 Jan 2012
Car insurance rates rose by the end of 2011
Car insurance rates rose again in the last quarter of 2011 following a brief stall, according to new research by the AA.
The company's British Insurance Premium Index found that there was a 5.4 per cent increase over the last three months of last year. This rise added to an annual increase of 15.3 per cent for 2011.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "I expected a much smaller rise, especially following the small fall in premiums during the third quarter of 2011. The difference shows that the cheaper deals are disappearing. Young drivers seem to be the biggest losers with a higher than average increase for them."
It was recently found that people were attempting to make fraudulent whiplash claims in order to receive compensation following car accidents.
The Transport Committee called on the government to scrutinise the system within the country in a bid to stop this culture from continuing. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 19 Jan 2012
Car insurance claims of £20m after accidents 'not unusual'
Car insurance claims of £20 million for a single accident are "not unusual", according to a key industry figure at the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
The accidents, that usually involve young drivers, can invoke claims of £20 million the ABI director general told the House of Commons Transport Committee. The organisation said that as many as one in five young drivers have had an accident.
It also claimed that 18 young drivers or passengers die or have a serious accident on the UK roads each day.
Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the ABI, said: "This is a nettle which the government has failed to grasp. They see the young driver merely as a voter. Claims of up to £20 million have been made. It's not unusual to have three or four people injured in a car crash who will need care for life."
The AA recently revealed that car insurance premiums rose again in the final quarter of 2011 with the company's British Insurance Premium Index finding a 5.4 per cent increase over the last three months of 2011. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Fri 20 Jan 2012
Payday loan demand trebles over Christmas period
The demand for payday loans trebled over the Christmas period last year compared to 2010, according to a money lender.
Loan company Speedeloans has said that its figures show three times more people turned to payday credit to get through the costly festive period. Despite the rising amount of loans being handed out the firm revealed that its customers were had 30 per cent less debt than in 2010.
At the beginning of January a survey by YouGov on behalf of Shelter Scotland revealed that 936,000 people within the UK were turning to payday loans in a bid to save over the previous 12 months.
James Falla, personal debt expert at beatmydebt.com, wrote for the website: "A combination of factors has lead to a higher take up of payday loans. One of the primary reasons is the increased advertising particularly TV marketing campaigns carried out by payday lenders in the run up to Christmas." More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Fri 20 Jan 2012
Untrained skiers cause more accidents on the slopes
Brits are running the risk of losing their travel insurance cover by skiing whilst drunk or without being trained, according to Santander Insurance.
The company found that 17 per cent of holidaymakers hitting the slopes had only practised skiing on a computer game whilst 23 per cent admitted to being drunk from the night before when they headed out on the piste.
Research by MORE TH>N recently found that British skiers would welcome the introduction of breathalysers on the slopes with 47 per cent saying that the dangerous "speed skiing" should be banned.
Santander has urged anyone planning a winter holiday to take out the right insurance before they go and to be careful whilst gliding down the mountains. Bosses said that accidents can become costly eventualities with air ambulance rescues costing £30,000 in North America.
Moyra O'Doherty, group marketing manager for Santander Insurance, said: "People can get a little over-excited when they are on skiing and snowboarding holidays, and while they should of course enjoy themselves, it is very easy to forget how easy and potentially costly it is to get injured on the mountain." More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Mon 23 Jan 2012
Unemployed punished with higher car insurance premiums
Unemployed motorists are being charged higher car insurance premiums, according to new research carried out by the BBC.
The organisation asked three major brokers, via the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to conduct research into the high prices of insurance and found that average rates for the unemployed were 30 per cent higher but could rise to 63 per cent.
Officials at the ABI believed that people without a job were viewed as not being able to keep up with the maintenance on their vehicle and therefore were deemed to be a high risk customer.
Graeme Trudgill, from the ABI, told the source: "Our insurance brokers tell us that when they look around, they see some insurance companies don't charge anything if you lose your job, whereas others can charge up to 63 per cent more."
It comes after the AA's British Insurance Premium Index found that car insurance rates rose by 5.4 per cent over the last three months of 2011 adding to an overall 15.3 per cent increase for the entire year. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 23 Jan 2012
Unpaid credit cards force personal debts up
Debts in the north of Northamptonshire are continuing to rise due to unpaid credit card bills, high interest loans and mortgage arrears.
Figures obtained by the Evening Telegraph have shown that people were contacting the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) for debt advice. The organisation said that some cases reported to have debts of up to £40,000.
Many companies have been warning people about the implications of short term loans and credit cards. Payday lender Wonga was heavily criticised for trying to entice students to take up high interest loans as a way to pay back any debt they had amassed whilst at university.
In Northamptonshire the CAB found that between October and December those contacting it had debts totalling £486,745 up on the previous year's figure of £362,857.
Maggie McLeod, CAB debt advisor for Corby and Kettering, told the source: "People struggling to pay their bills are finding it too easy to get cash through pay day loans. Sometimes they don’t even have to speak to someone to get the cash." More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Mon 23 Jan 2012
Drivers urged to be aware of what is covered by insurance policies
Motorists are being advised to check what is covered by their "fully comprehensive" car insurance policy.
The comparison site Moneysupermarket.com has urged drivers to read their protection plan carefully and check the small print for what they are covered for. Officials at the company have said that different policies have varying levels of insurance and motorists need to be fully aware of this.
Research by the AA's British Index Premium Index found that the cost of car insurance premiums had increased by a total of 15.3 per cent for the entirety of 2011 and warned that many companies could raise their prices in the coming year.
Moneysupermarket.com found that insurers may not cover against occurrences such as medical treatment, car replacement or emergency accommodation. It was also found that many do not cover legal fees but it could be added for £25 to £30.
Pete Harrison, car insurance expert at Moneysupermarket, said: "For those drivers looking to take out a new car insurance policy and seeking peace of mind, checking the small print is essential to ensure they opt for a policy that ticks all the necessary boxes." More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Tue 24 Jan 2012
More Brits expect to continue using credit cards in 2012
British consumers have admitted they will continue to use credit cards to make ends meet throughout 2012.
New research by Gocompare.com has found that UK users will still be paying back debt on their credit cards during the coming year. The website found that over a quarter (26 per cent) of people expected to owe money on their plastic whilst one in ten (9 per cent) are relying on cards to help them through 2012.
Whilst the survey showed that consumers were worried about the rising costs of bills and loans, food shopping and travel costs were found to be the main outgoing cost of the average household.
Jeremy Cryer, Gocompare.com's head of credit cards, said "The rising cost of living is placing a strain on many families and credit cards are being used to temporarily ease the pain. If used carefully, plastic cards can be a useful budgeting tool, but when used to plug a gap in everyday spending, card debt can quickly spiral out of control."
Recent research by uSwitch found that consumer confidence in credit cards had reached an all time low with many users starting 2012 in debt following a costly Christmas period. More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Tue 24 Jan 2012
Mortgage lending hits £11.7 billion
The total amount of loans property investors are taking out for a mortgage has hit £11.7 billion, according to new research by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).
Figures from the organisation found that for December 2011 there had been a 12 per cent drop from November's total of £13.2 billion however it was a 12 per cent rise from the same time in the previous year.
Recent research from Halifax revealed that mortgage rates were at the lowest level for 14 years but property company Rightmove revealed that just a fraction of new homes have come on the market since the turn of the year.
The CML said that total lending for the last quarter of 2011 stood at £37.4 billion up on the 2010 figure of £33.6 billion.
Bob Pannell, chief economist at the organisation, said: "The closing months of 2011 saw stronger mortgage lending activity and housing transactions, despite the fact that short term economic prospects are challenging. There is a glimmer of light ahead for households in that real incomes could stabilise and perhaps even start rising by the end of the year." More »
By Jonathan Dawes, Mortgages - Tue 24 Jan 2012
Owners told to keep pets fit
After the over-indulgent Christmas period many people will be hitting the gym to burn off the excess pounds amassed over the festive season.
Whilst people feel the urge to get fit, pet owners are being advised to make sure that their animal is also in top shape. Research by Direct Line pet insurance found that 33 per cent of dog owners admitted to treating their canine pal to sweet treats.
Nearly half of owners (49 per cent) also confessed to preparing a special Christmas dinner for their pooch. However, Direct Line is advising dog lovers not to forget their pet whilst they are attempting to get fit.
Dogs such as Dalmations and Springer Spaniels are known as "high-maintenance" animals and need to be walked on a regular basis.
Adam Whiteley, head of Direct Line pet insurance, said: "A dog's health can be damaged by obesity just like a human's can. It is important that owners realise that pets may need more exercise to burn off their festive indulgences."
Human chocolate can potentially be toxic to dogs as substances such as theobromine contained with cocoa can increase a pet's heart rate and even result in death. More »
By Marianne Straker, Pet Insurance - Wed 25 Jan 2012
Family debt increases in the past year
Families in the UK are struggling to keep on top of their finances as the level of household debt continued to rise in 2011.
Research by Aviva found that more parents were taking out loans in a bid to reduce the level of debt they had amassed. Whilst the typical monthly income rate rose by seven per cent to £2,066 (up from £1,937 in January 2011) many more people are failing to save enough money.
The study found that 62 per cent of UK families were worried about the rising cost of living with 42 per cent of households not saving anything during the past 12 months. Many are highlighting the rising rate of inflation which has impacted on consumer confidence.
Louise Colley, head of protection sales and marketing at Aviva, said: "Families in the UK are still very concerned by the rising cost of living and levels of unemployment."
Recent research by Gocompare.com found that more Brits were turning to credit cards as a way of combating rising debts with 26 per cent of people expected to owe money in the coming year. More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Wed 25 Jan 2012
Hong Kong beats London to number 1 city break
Hong Kong has been named as the top destination for travel insurance holders looking for a city break.
The Asian country headed the list of 100 popular cities beating off competition from the likes of Singapore, Bangkok and New York City. London was knocked off the top spot of Euromonitor International's popular city list and sat in a respectable third spot.
Whilst the English capital is still the most popular European destination it failed to claim the world prize after its volume growth for 2009/2010 stagnated at 2.6 per cent compared to Hong Kong's and Singapore's rate of 18 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.
Caroline Bremner, head of travel and tourism research at the organisation, said: "Asia is booming with increased urbanisation driving income generation and hence driving demand for outbound travel. Key Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand are benefiting from the growing middle classes."
Skiing holidays are becoming increasingly popular for UK holidaymakers but research by Santander found that 17 per cent of Brits took to the slopes with no prior training. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Wed 25 Jan 2012
Brits: Life is too complicated
Over half the population believe that their life is too complicated, according to research by car insurance firm Admiral.
The company found that 52 per cent of people thought that there was too much going on in their lives. Many have highlighted the strains of managing money and not being able to strike a balance between work and social life. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Thu 26 Jan 2012
Price of food and utilities top worry list for Brits
UK consumers are more worried about the cost of utilities than they are about mortgage payments, according to new research by Moneysupermarket.com.
The price comparison website found that Brits are ten times more concerned about food, bills and petrol prices than they are about other issues such as home insurance or rent fees. A report by the site found that 43 per cent of people named rising bills as their main financial worry.
Food bills also ranked high in the list with 34 per cent of people highlighting it as a worry whereas 33 per cent blamed high petrol prices.
Despite the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealing that borrowing reached £37.4 billion over the past 12 months consumers are more concerned with the daily cost of living.
Clare Francis, consumer finance expert at Moneysupermarket, said: "Over the past twelve months, UK households have experienced a sharp increase in the cost of living with rising fuel, petrol and food prices having a major impact on the financial state of the nation, so it is no surprise that they make up the main financial concerns for the year ahead." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Thu 26 Jan 2012
Welsh Assembly criticises payday loans
Payday loans companies have been criticised by members of the Welsh Assembly for "sucking money" from the poor across the country.
Firms offering high-interest bonds have come under scrutiny in recent weeks due to the "irresponsibility" of the style of lending. Wonga, a major short-term lender, has been criticised recently after it encouraged students looking to reduce the amount debt they had over the course of their studies to use the scheme.
Now the Welsh Assembly has attacked the companies for targeting poor and vulnerable communities to take out loans they will struggle to pay back.
Simon Thomas, Plaid Cymru assembly minister, has called for there to be a cap on the high-interest loan which can be well over 1,000 per cent APR.
He said in a debate at the Senedd: "Adverts concentrate on the quickness and simplicity of the lending, the amount paid back is talked about in terms of £20 and £30. It's hard for a consumer to make a choice based on the real interest rates." More »
By Sarah Engle, Loans - Thu 26 Jan 2012
London remains top UK destination
London remains the most popular place for getaways in Britain but two Scottish cities have also been named in the top five destinations for UK breaks.
Holiday website Expedia.co.uk ranked the English capital as the number one city based on bookings for January. However, Edinburgh and Glasgow were second and fourth respectively with officials highlighting Scotland's largest city as the most "exciting" in the UK.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "To see both Edinburgh and Glasgow feature in the UK's top five destinations is tremendously welcome. Glasgow is becoming increasingly well known for its museums and its shopping and earning a reputation as one of the UK's most exciting cities."
Many people have been favouring holidays in England as a way to cut down travel insurance and other costly fees involved when travelling abroad.
Skiing holidays have been very popular with Brits but many insurance firms have warned that if people do not take out the correct cover it could lead to expensive repercussions should they have an accident. More »
By Tom Farley, Travel Insurance - Fri 27 Jan 2012
Household wealth shows north-south divide
There is a north-south divide in household finance, according to new research by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS).
Officials at the organisation described the new figures as "alarming" but highlighted that London was an exception to the rule. The analysis found that 1.8 million households (8.9 per cent across the UK) spent more than 25 per cent of their income paying back debts.
Areas with the highest level of unsecured loan repayments tended to be in the north of England with regions such as Yorkshire and the north-east topping the list for above-average rates.
Recent research by Aviva found that household debt was once again on the rise with 62 per cent of UK families worrying about the increased cost of living.
CCCS bosses also found that despite lower house prices in the north of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland many struggled with mortgage repayments.
Lord Stevenson, chairman of the organisation, said: "Households are struggling right across the UK, but northern regions are in a far more perilous position than elsewhere." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Fri 27 Jan 2012
Rush hour slowed to 15mph due to delays
British commuters are seeing their drive to work slowed to 15mph thanks to delays on the roads.
Research by Direct Line car insurance found that drivers in Manchester suffered the worst, with average commutes on busy roads taking an hour and 55 minutes to complete a 25-mile journey.
Other cities such as Birmingham and Bradford also fared badly, with drivers hitting an average speed of just 14mph. In contrast, motorists in Glasgow faced the least amount of bottlenecks, managing a speed of 18.7mph even in congested areas.
Steve Price, head of the insurer, said: "Checking your route before leaving home, pre-warning your boss when you know traffic is bad or having a flexible working agreement in place can all help to reduce the stresses and strains of driving to work."
With the Olympics fast-approaching, Transport for London organisation has launched a new "live traffic" website as well as a Twitter feed to warn drivers of possible delays in the city. More »
By Tom Farley, Car Insurance - Mon 30 Jan 2012
Buying properties becomes cheaper than renting
Buying a house is now 16 per cent cheaper than renting, according to new research by Halifax.
While the company recently revealed that mortgage rates were at their lowest level for 14 years, it also found that purchasing a property is over £100 cheaper than leasing it off a landlord.
The firm's Buying vs. Renting Review found that the typical monthly cost of buying a three-bedroom house was £600 in December 2011, while the average rent on the same property was £716.
It shows a massive turnaround from 2008, when buying was 29 per cent more expensive than renting, while in the past year buying costs fell by five per cent.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said: "The affordability gains for buyers relative to renters in the last three years have been significant. The average mortgage payment has fallen dramatically over recent years as a result of falling house prices and mortgage rates." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Mon 30 Jan 2012
Lloyds puts an end to charity cards
Major banking group Lloyds has decided to end its charity cards from companies such as Halifax and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Charity credit cards are a way for people to donate money just by using plastic on transactions in stores. Many companies offer a system where funds are given to organisations once an account is opened and then for every transaction over a certain amount a percentage is donated to charity.
However, Lloyds believes that this is not a cost-effective way of giving money and has taken the decision to withdraw its cards from banks and building societies.
In the past 23 years the company has donated millions to charities such as Cancer Research UK and the NSPCC but now it will end the scheme in the coming weeks.
Baroness Finlay, vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group on cancer, criticised the decision.
She told BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme: "I think a bank which can produce that amount of additional money to give large bonuses has to look very hard at whether it should be giving back to the society on which it depends for its business." More »
By Sarah Engle, Credit Cards - Mon 30 Jan 2012
Flood protection needs to be 'national priority'
Residents need to make flood protection a "national priority", according to the head of AA home insurance.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee found that the annual damage caused by floods cost the country £1.1 billion and the figure is set to rise. The government recently announced that it plans to cut the Environment Agency's flood risk management budget by ten per cent.
This will mean that many homes across the UK will become unable to afford the insurance premiums needed to protect a property from flooding. In 2009, Britain was hit by a number of flash floods in places such as Cumbria and Kent as a month's rain fell in just 24 hours.
Now the AA is urging residents to make sure they have measures in place to stop any further property damage caused by floods.
Simon Douglas, director of the insurer, said: "Flood protection is a national priority, yet many people in flood-prone areas may find their homes difficult to insure from later this year. People want the government to take decisive action now, to ensure that their homes are protected." More »
By Marianne Straker, Home Insurance - Tue 31 Jan 2012
