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Archive for August, 2011

Take time in organising insurance

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

For those families lucky enough to be purchasing new home insurance for the first time it is important they consider how much cover they need and exactly what sort of cover is requires.

Legal requirement

Of course the mortgage provider will insist that the skeleton of the home (bricks and mortar, fixtures and fittings) will be covered by buildings insurance. The inside of the home is a different matter completely and it is up to the new home buyer whether they want to buy contents insurance. Most neutral observers would advise that covering such a prized possession by some sort of insurance is a wise choice.

Don’t forget apparel

Insurance does not have to be expensive, there are hundreds of different companies offering thousands of different policies, and cheap home insurance is relatively easy to find, although you should always bear in mind what exactly you want covering. A new home usually requires a considerable amount of expense to fit out and it may well be worth adding up all the bills as they come in just to figure out how much your contents are worth. New carpets, curtains, and electrical items will quickly start the figure rising and then you should consider clothing. The clothing you bring with you to your home may well not be new; however, it has value, often great value, and the cost of replacing such items in a fire for instance would be urgent and necessary.

Consider the extras

Home insurance providers will often put a ball park figure of around £40,000 to £50,000 on a conventional three bedroomed house but it is up to the homeowner to decide if it is enough, or indeed too much. Remember accidental cover will cost more, as will cover for items away from the home, and items that hold exceptional monetary value. Make sure items are not covered twice, for example your TV may be covered under its warranty for damage and therefore may not need to included in items of outstanding value.

Use expert advice

It is always worth taking a couple of hours making a note of the value of your home, and making a list by physically walking from room to room is often the best way of getting an accurate figure. Your household insurance provider will be willing to help in this matter and it is often worth listening to the words of experts if insuring your new home is your first venture in the world of insurance.

Tags: buildings and contents insurance, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Parents prepared to pay over the odds to live near a good school

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

A report by one Europe’s largest banks suggests that home hunters are prepared to up their budget if it means securing a place in a good school for their children.

Budget breaker

The report by Santander bank revealed that people preparing to move home or buy for the first time have a set idea on just how much they want to spend when it comes to buying the home, organising household insurance, and paying council taxes, but they are prepared to go well over budget for the privilege of just one thing.

Children come first

It is not having good commuting links to work. It is not having a nice garden or even nice neighbours nor does it involve even being close to family and friends. No, the one thing that can persuade prospective homeowners to pay over the odds for a house is its proximity to a good primary school. The survey conducted by Santander asked couples in the process of buying a new home, or planning to buy one in the foreseeable future, what their priorities would be. On average the respondents to the survey said they would be prepared to spend £12,000 over budget on a home to ensure the light of their lives went to a good primary school.

No guarantees

There is no absolute guarantee that your child will go to a certain school unless you are prepared to pay for the privilege, but with fee paying schools now charging on average over £3,000 a term then it is no surprise in the current financial climate that families are prepared to go over budget on buying a house if it is in a good schools catchment area. The bad news is catchment areas for schools change!

Moving the school gates

Catchment areas are very much dependant on the number of places available at the start of a school term. So a school that as a good record and becomes popular with couples in the surrounding area may suddenly declare that instead of the catchment area being within 1 mile of the school gates, as it was in the previous year, it is now only three quarters of a mile because of the number of children flooding into the area. This scenario happened in many schools last year in England’s major cities and couples who had bought a home insurance quote on a property specifically because it was near a certain school suddenly found it was not near enough. There is very little parents can do except to move as near as possible and also to bear in mind that once they have one child in the school other siblings should be guaranteed a place in the future.

Tags: Catchment areas, household insurance, Parents, Primary Schools
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Lighting the way

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Moving into a new home is an exciting proposition. Once contracts have been exchanged and the basic essentials such as home insurance quotes, utility contracts and mortgage payments have been sorted out, it is time to get down to decorating your home.

Creating an atmosphere

Of course everyone has a budget and everyone has their own ideas about where that budget may best be put to good use. For many people creating the perfect atmosphere in a room is the most important feature and for this, use of lighting is paramount.

Lighting is one of the most powerful mood makers. It may be part of the décor during the day, but at night it can change the face and feel of the room dramatically.

Recessed lighting

Recessed lighting is what you would like to have if you live in a modern house or flat. Recessed ceiling lights are the most common and popular. They generally illuminate the room and can create stunning lighting effects against a wall. Unlike traditional central lighting there is no longer a surface mounted or hanging fitting in the middle of the ceiling which makes the room look and feel expansive.

Chandeliers make a statement

If you want to create a gorgeous focal point in your room a chandelier is a good option. It is very important that you choose a right-sized chandelier for your room for maximum effect. You need to take into consideration the height of your room and the sizes of the chandelier and other furniture. For a dining room the balance between the chandelier and dining table would be crucial. Crystal chandeliers are possibly the most expensive, and one of the most gorgeous and traditional looking kinds of chandeliers. Chandeliers often do not provide enough lighting for the whole room and you will need other accent lights.

Evocative candles

Candle flames create such a comforting, warm and romantic atmosphere which no other lighting methods can do. Long, slim and tapered candles in elegant holders are suitable for a romantic dinner for two, or formal dinner occasions. Votive candles look very pretty and cheerful and may be suitable for younger crowds. Aromatherapy candles would be perfect for bathrooms and living rooms. When handling candles health and safety issues are paramount and great care should be taken, no-one wants to be claiming on their household insurance because they were careless with a naked flame.

Tags: Chandeliers, household insurance, interior decor, lighting
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Low rates set to stay with us for some time

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Homeowners already paying record low interest levels on their mortgages can breathe yet another sigh of relief after the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave interest rates at 0.05% earlier this week.

Committee solidly behind chairman

They can also plan ahead a little more comfortably as the prospects of any rate changes seem to have disappeared for the rest of this year. The committee voted unanimously to keep the rates on hold, the first time it has happened this year, and a sign that the entire bank is solidly behind Mervyn King and his approach to the financial pressures embroiling the UK. It now seems more likely that quantitative easing will be the preferred option on bringing the UK back to more comfortable growth figures. The committee believe inflation will peak at around 5% and start falling back in the winter.

Stable rates should boost home sales

With some city experts now predicting rates to stay low throughout 2012, it does open the door for homeowners to make plans for the future. Many in the housing sector will hope the predictions of city analysts will kick start home sales, and that prospective home buyers will at long last be tempted to buy household insurance on a brand new property. Certainly estate agents across the country have been quietly noting a small increase in sales over the last couple of months and in Cornwall, holidaymakers have not only been spending their time on the beaches they have been spending it on holiday home insurance quotes as properties that have been on the market for many months are suddenly flying off the shelves.

Banks hold the key

There have been bargains galore for several years in the housing market but the restrictive offers made by lenders have made it almost impossible for young investors to get a foothold on the property ladder. If just a few decent mortgage deals are put forward by lenders, estate agents now feel the market would open up very quickly. The signs are certainly there and a buoyant housing market would certainly give some impetus to the economy. The question is will the banks let the purse strings loose?

Tags: Bank of England, Holiday homes, household insurance, Low rates, Monetary Policy Committee
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Cushions don’t always cost pin money

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Decorating a home is very much dependant on the taste of the individual, homes across the UK are personalised in so many different ways that it is really difficult to put some into a category such as minimalist, contemporary or classic, and to be honest it doesn’t really matter.

Owner should feel at ease

The main concept when it comes to decorating your home is will it make you comfortable? If the answer to that question is yes then you are on the right lines. All that is necessary from that point on is to plan a budget and try and keep to it, it does not have to be a massive amount of money and where you can make or create items that decorate your home yourself then the finished product will not only be more economical but give a more homely feel. It is always advisable to set aside a little extra money to pay for extras such as homeowners insurance, as accidents do happen when you are decorating.

Soft furnishings

One item that many people can make themselves, and add massive amounts of personality to a room, are cushions. Cushions add so much presence to the room as well as colours and comfort. Unlike furniture or wall paint they are easy and flexible home décor elements.

Plenty of choice

All types of cushions are available to suite all tastes. Plain cushions will be very easy to coordinate and would suite all types of rooms. If you have country style interior then stripes, checks and floral print cushions would be suitable. If you want to add a luxurious touch, choose decorative and embroidered cushions such as silk, damask, brocade and crewel work. Velvets cushions will also add an elegant sheen. If you like something special, how about tapestry, faux fur or chenille cushions for extra texture and unique patterns?

Mix and match

While you can choose cushions which match the colour and style of the room, you can also choose completely different ones and use them as accents. A mixture of large and small cushions would be good for family/living rooms. Use riser cushions if your family members need assistance when rising from an easy chair. Draught excluders are alternative cushions which will keep out those cold draughts in the winter in a very attractive and stylish way.

All budgets catered for

If you are on a budget choose all-in-one cushions which are machine washable with polyester fillings. These types of cushions are especially suitable for children’s rooms. Other, more costly cushions come with removable covers with synthetic or feather-down fillings which can be either machine washed or dry cleaned. The prices range from £7 to £60 and so should be covered with some sort of affordable house insurance quotes. Online shops are probably the cheapest places to buy, but if you really want to be sure of the textures, volumes and colours then you should visit shops and check these yourselves.

Tags: Cushions, Decor, Homeowners insurance, interior design
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Low interest rates good news for some

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

City experts were split over the effects of the latest inflation figures released by the Bank of England (BoE) but at least in the short term homeowners can expect to see little change in their mortgage interest rates. How and where savers can find a safe haven for their money, however, becomes more complicated by the day.

Inflation and growth overestimated

The report suggested that the BoE’s prediction for growth in the economy and the inflation rate may both have been too high and they now forecast both to be less than they first thought. Following on from the announcement of the USA’s federal bank’s assumption that low interest rates will be around for at least the next two years the BoE seem to be suggesting the same thing in the UK.

Borrowers will benefit

This is good news for homeowners who have held mortgages for some years and have benefited from the low interest rates that currently are attached to their mortgage. It is also good news for those looking for a home insurance quote on a new home if they have the wherewithal to find the huge deposits that lenders are now looking for. It is not such good news for savers who seem to be running out of options for safe places to put their money.

Riots will make investors think again

The riots in London and other Provincial cities will have caused many homeowners to make household insurance claims; the same will apply to landlords and property investors. The letting and housing sector in London has been booming for the last 12 months and much of the investment in the housing market has come from savers who have been looking for a good return on their cash.

Banks have only offered miserly interest rates for over two years now and the uncertainty of the currency exchanges has ruled them out for all but the boldest of investors. Gold has been a safe haven in times of trouble down the ages but the current price of gold means that opportunity has now passed. That left property and the stock markets as the best two choices for the average investor. The astounding fall in share prices across the globe last week may have decided many global investors to turn their wallets towards the London property markets, the disturbances of the last four days will have ensured that idea is put on the back burner for many, and investors and savers across the world must be wondering just where is a safe place for their money.

Tags: Home Insurance Quote, Homeowners, Mortgage, property market
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Insurance bill will run into billions as London burns

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

As areas of London endured their third night of rioting this week, the value of household insurance cover has never been better illustrated. Cars, business and homes have all been damaged by the disturbing anti-social behaviour, and homeowners without household insurance must be worried that they could lose their entire possessions through absolutely no fault of their own.

Tottenham the catalyst

The riots which started in the North London district of Tottenham brought confrontation between groups of hooded youths and a police force that struggled to maintain law and order. The damage to cars, buildings and personal possessions will run into millions and the riots in Tottenham proved to be a catalyst for similar scenes in London suburbs over the last two nights. Enfield, Walthamstow and Brixton all came under a prolonged bout of rioting where it seems criminals and anarchists took advantage of tensions between police and youths in the area.

Damage in other cities

Last night Peckham in the south and Hackney also endured a night of rioting with the police force struggling to keep crowds under control while fire fighters damped down burning buildings. In Croydon homes were ravaged by fire as youths had free reign over the district for hours, before police gained control. Looting was widespread across the capital with homeowners complaining they were left to protect themselves and their property with law and order forces nowhere to be seen. By the early hours of morning, copy cat rioters in cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool had also wreaked havoc with looters and thieves exploiting the situation.

Value of insurance

The cost to house insurance companies will be significant and in the long run will once more be passed down onto customers. For some the riots are a chance to vent their anger at society, and law and order in particular, for others it is a nightmare and the destruction of their dreams. Many local businesses popular with local people will be gone forever as thieves helped themselves to the merchandise within the shops.

In times of austerity home insurance is sometimes considered to be something that can be done without, the scenes across London this week have reinforced the value of protection more than ever before.

Tags: Businesses, Homes, house insurance, London riots
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Memory stick lost after contractor stops for drink at his local pub

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Two London housing bodies are in trouble with privacy watchdogs after one of their contractors lost an unencrypted memory stick in a pub. The memory stick held data on 27,000 tenants of Lewisham Homes and Wandle Housing Association.

Privacy watchdogs revealed the unencrypted stick also held the tenants’ bank account details. Thankfully no harm was done because the lost stick was found by a Good Samaritan who handed it into the police. Despite this, both housing bodies have been publicly named and shamed over the lapse by the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office). The two housing bodies have been ordered to improve their data security and ordered to make sure all portable devices which are used to store personal information on tenants are secure and encrypted.

Sally-Anne Poole, from the ICO, said “Saving personal information onto an unencrypted memory stick is as risky as taking hard copy papers out of the office. Luckily, the device was handed in, and there is no suggestion that the data was misused. But this incident could so easily have been avoided if the information had been properly protected. Using a memory stick to transport sensitive information may be convenient but it’s certainly not secure.”

Both housing organisations will now be subjected to a stricter monitoring regime by the information commission. They have apologised to all tenants and assured them it will not happen again. Tenants are angry that the property they rent and protect with household insurance could have been at risk if the memory stick had been found by a less honest person, had this happened the repercussions could have been severe. Newspapers have reported similar cases over the last few years and it does seem that data protection is still not taken seriously by many companies.

Tags: household insurance, privacy, tenants
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Centurions on the march

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

A report out today suggests the youngsters of today will be paying much more on products such as life insurance and home insurance in the years to come as they live much longer lives.

The study by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was based around figures provided by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and suggests that today’s youngsters will not only live longer but will have to work longer and pay more for their pensions if the fabric of UK society is to remain the same.

According to the study, 1 in 3 girls born in the UK this year will live to reach their one hundredth birthday, 1 in 4 boys will do exactly the same. The DWP say that this means there be at least half a million people in the UK over 100 by the year 2066. The figures suggest a child born in 2011 is 8 times more likely to live to 100 than a child born in 1930 and it doesn’t stop there. The report says a twenty year old today has double the chance of living to be 100 than their generation older parents. It is a remarkable figure and one that explains the DWP’s urgency to sort out pensions and retirement age issues quickly.

This year has already seen industrial action by workers in the public sector who are now being asked to pay a lot more into their pensions and at the same be prepared to work longer. It has come as a bitter blow to some, especially those in their fifties and near retirement age. Women in particular have been hit hard. Teachers, Nurses and Civil Servants expecting to retire at 55 on full pensions are now looking at retiring at 66. It has happened in a few short years and has caught many out. Not only are they being asked to pay more and work longer before they get a pension, but their present jobs are in danger and the prospects of finding something similar negligible.

Tomorrows Nurses and Teachers may well be looking at a 60 year working life and still a long and healthy retirement. It is a strange fact that as the human race manages to elongate its life expectancy to such high levels the material things we produce have a smaller and smaller life expectancy all the time. How many homeowners insurance and motor insurance policies will the little girl in her cot today take out before her life has run its course?

Tags: Department for Work and Pensions, Homeowners insurance, Life Insurance, Office of National Statistics, Youngsters
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Security the key to a successful move

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Moving home is said to be one of the most traumatic non emergency experiences we go through in the day to day routine of our lives. It is also a period when home security is more at risk than usual and is a time when homeowners need to be aware of the problems inherent with inviting strangers into ones home.

Household insurance a must

From the moment you advertise your home for sale you should realise that your daily routine is going to be disrupted. Depending on how long the house takes to sell will depend on how much disruption you have, but it is for sure that you will be encountering more visitors than usual. It is imperative to ensure in this period that your household insurance is up to date and covers accidental damage as well as other conventional precautions.

Choose wisely

The first stranger to visit will more than likely be the Estate Agent. It is always tempting to go with the agent who provides the lowest price estimate for selling your home but remember the agency may well be holding a set of keys to your home, bringing strangers to look around the home while you are not there, and generally have access to your property. It is far better to investigate thoroughly the credentials of the agent rather than go with the lowest bidder. Ask friends and relatives if they can recommend any from personal experience and also bear in mind that a company that has been around for a number of years must be doing something right.

Don’t invite trouble

It is also their job to vet any would be purchasers, but that does not mean you should presume that people coming round to look at your house are bona fide customers. Without being rude, because after all most people will be genuine, make sure you do not leave them unaccompanied. It is a mistake to take them a quick tour around your home and if they seem enthusiastic invite them to go round again on their own, by all means be pleasant and informative but do not give them free rein.

Keep on your guard

As the sale progresses you will encounter more and more visits, from people such as surveyors, utility companies, removal firms and even tradesman, measuring up for the new incumbents. At all times ensure your own security by checking their credentials before they enter, and when they do enter make sure they are suitably attired. The last thing you want is to make a claim on your buildings and contents insurance because of a clumsy workman with dirty boots. Moving home can be exciting as well as traumatic but it is always worth remembering to keep your security levels as high as normal in the run up to the big day.

Tags: buildings and contents insurance, Estate Agent, Moving home
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