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Now is the time to check your heating system works

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

At a time when many households in the country prepare to switch off their central heating systems as the early spring sunshine warms up their homes, few will consider maintaining the radiators and pipe work, but they should. Many people only think about their heating when it goes wrong and by then it is often too late. A cold house or even worse a leaking radiator that leads to a household insurance claim can be avoided by a little forethought and planning.

There are many simple things you can do to solve the problems with a central heating system before arranging an engineer visit or purchasing a new unit.

System running hot and cold

The most common problem is that your radiator is hot at the bottom but cold at the top. It means that air is trapped in the system preventing the efficient circulation of the hot water, so you need to bleed the radiator. You need a radiator-bleeding key which you can buy at DIY store. There are sophisticated automatic bleeding keys which cost around £10. I bought a manual bleeding key at a DIY shop for £1.99 which works perfectly. It is very easy to bleed a radiator and if you are not sure there are many how-to videos posted on YouTube and other DIY websites. You only need to bleed it once a year or so. This simple operation can save you a couple of hundreds on your energy bills.

Leaky valves can be sorted out

The other common problem is radiator leakage. Sometimes, especially in winter when the heating system is in constant use the pipes just wobble and the nuts and screws loosen which may cause a small leakage. In some cases the leakage might be temporary and stop in a couple of days – it happened to one of my radiators. If not you need to get a spanner and tighten the gland-nut and the cap-nut. If it still does not stop the leak then you can try applying PTFE tape down into the valve spindle, which can be done without draining the system. Again, you can find many video instructions on the internet.

When all else fails make sure you are covered

If the above methods fail then it may be time to call an engineer. It is worth watching out for leaks and checking radiator temperatures from time to time. It is also worth bearing in mind that central heating systems are made to last a long time and should do so. Many homes still house radiators and pipes that were installed in the 70s and 80s– and they are still in perfect working order.

It is always a good idea to make sure your home insurance broker includes heating cover in your policy as it can often be an emergency situation when the home loses all heating options, and that is why the system should be sorted out now.

Tags: heating system, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Banks shocked by High Court findings

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Homeowners across the UK will have cause to look carefully at any past loans or purchases they have acquired, as a High Court ruling on Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) made retrospective claims on the mis-selling of such policies a possibility for many consumers.

How it should work

PPI is unlike most other insurance products but millions of policies have been sold over the last few years. Unlike a conventional home insurance policy PPI was often sold to customers signing up for loans without them grasping the fact that they were really purchasing a product. PPI basically covers a person’s loan/purchase repayments if they become sick or unemployed. It will cover the cost of repayments if the purchaser suddenly finds themselves out of work or incapable of work due to an illness.

Sold to the wrong people?

There is no doubt that like any good insurance products it can be very welcome in times of an emergency. The big problem with PPI is how it was sold! Banks and other loan companies have been accused of selling the PPI product to people who really had no call for them but did not really appreciate the fact.

Banks argument rejected

In a ruling today the High Court rejected an argument put forward by the British Bankers Association (BBA) that the recent rules update by the Financial Services Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service were unfair because they were retrospective. Importantly, the rules also stipulate how the banks should deal with past cases of potential mis-selling of PPI, a decision which could cost banks billions of pounds.

The right of appeal

The banks have 21 days in which to appeal against the reviews findings and it is for sure that is exactly what they will do. In the meantime homeowners who think they have been mis-sold PPI in the past should look for any saved documentation of the loans taken out. There is a chance they did indeed sign for PPI without knowing it, in which case they may have a claim.

Compensation could amount to billions

As experts reckon the average claim could easily be £1000, and the total run into billions, some homeowners may get enough cash returned to sort home insurance costs and possibly other insurance costs out for the next year.

Tags: high court, Home Insurance, house insurance
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Steady increase in the price of home insurance

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

In news that will cause little surprise to hard pressed homeowners anywhere in the UK, a recent survey has confirmed their assumptions. Homeowners looking for the best home insurance deals will find their project a little more difficult this year as a leading insurance company provides evidence that policy premiums have increased in the first quarter of 2011.

Increase across the board

The increase applies to both building and contents insurance, with buildings cover increasing less than that of contents cover. The complicated system used by the provider, involved working out the average of the three lowest quotes provided to each separate researcher working on the survey. When the figures were collated the cost of a buildings insurance policy averaged out at £147.29 and contents cover came in at £76.39, increases of 2.7% and 5.5% respectively.

Experts impressed

Experts in the industry said the figures were far better than they expected and certainly far better than the increases consumers are experiencing when looking for car insurance. One industry insider said that considering the amount of claims most insurers had experienced during one of the harshest winters for 50 years, the increases were more than acceptable, they were very good. Apparently the industry had been hit for £900 million in December alone.

The increases although appearing slight over the first quarter of a year don’t hold up so well when compared to the price of the same policy in March 2010. The difference then becomes more marked, buildings having increased by 13.6% and contents by 11.9%.

Good value for peace of mind

Burst pipes and other winter emergencies also have an effect.

Another statistic revealed by the survey was that the average claim for winter damage was over £2,000, and when this is taken into account then perhaps a figure of less than £80 for the peace of mind of knowing you are covered by home owner insurance is worth it. Worryingly though, Government figures suggest that almost a third of the population don’t bother with household insurance at all. Surely this works out to be a false economy in many circumstances, especially as flood events seem to be more and more common throughout the UK.

Fraudsters add cost to everyone

Another worrying aspect of the cost of insurance is that insurers reckon fraudulent claims increase the price of premiums for everyone by over £40 per annum, a situation that simply must be stopped.

Tags: Home Insurance, home insurance prices
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Homeowners wait on inflation figures

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Homeowners already faced with mounting expenditure on home expenses ranging from household insurance to food and drink, will be nervously awaiting news on the inflation rate for March, which is due to be released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) around lunchtime today.

Status quo predicted

Experts are predicting that figures will be very much in line with those of February, which showed the Consumer Price Index to be 4.4 %. If so, homeowners can be sure that the highest level of inflation since the bottom of the recession in 2008 will put even more pressure on the Bank of England (BoE) to raise interest rates next month.

Mortgage increase could be tipping point for many

Spring 2011 really is proving to be a tough time for the majority of households in the UK. If the BoE do raise rates next month then the mortgage providers are sure to follow. The result could easily tip many precarious family incomes over the edge.

Already faced with record high fuel bills, a hike in their mortgage payments could prove disastrous for some family budgets. Unfortunately interest rates are not the only black cloud on the horizon, rumours abound that utility companies are set to announce massive price hikes this summer that will put all other price increases in the shade. Talk of bills going up by over 10% is common place and it sounds like the rumour mill is just the utility company’s way of preparing the ground for the announcement.

Bank reform paid for by the public

On top of this, City insiders are predicting that the Independent Commission report on Banking will give banks the green light to extract from customers on the retail banking side of the business extra charges to fund the changes demanded by the Commission. Estimates of around £100 a month more on a £120,000 mortgage are being bandied about by observers.

Is there a silver lining to the black cloud?

So is there any good news around for the hard pressed homeowner? Well perhaps there is a little good news out there. First of all consumers can often find the internet can be very helpful in cutting bills. The proliferation of comparison sites on the web means that with a little bit of time and effort homeowners can find items such as cheap home insurance and cheap groceries, both of which will be a good help to any budget.

Secondly the abysmal retail sales figures for March could also actually help consumers. It sends a signal to the Government and BoE that the general public really is feeling the pinch and that any increase in interest rates may send many businesses to the wall. There are still many in the Finance Committee of the BoE who want to keep interest rates on hold until inflation hits 5%. Many will hope that they win the day when it comes to the next vote.

Tags: Home Insurance, inflation figures
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Pets attracting pests like never before

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

It is no secret that Britons are regarded as the most pet loving nation in the world, almost half of the homes in the UK harbour some sort of pet and according to recent research they may be harbouring other forms of life they will not be so keen on having.

Can I cover against pet damage?

A recent report by researchers at Bristol University revealed that Britain’s best loved pets, in the shape of dogs, were carrying far greater levels of pest infestation than was previously thought. Of course that also means that households across the UK will be home to the uninvited guests. In the past few years there has been a glowing clamour for household insurance companies to provide policies that cover pet owners from damage caused by pets, this latest report may well put paid to the chances of this happening.

Visitors from overseas

To make matters worse the researchers discovered that one of the ticks found on the pests was an invader from abroad. The foreigner was found to be prevalent in South East England and West Wales and is said to be a well known transporter of a number of diseases that can affect humans including Lyme’s Disease.

15% not up to scratch

The research involved the testing of over 3,500 dogs by over 170 veterinary surgeons, other interesting facts to emerge included that at any given time in the UK approximately 1 in 6 dogs were affected by ticks and fleas and that, unsurprisingly long haired dogs were more susceptible to infestation. Dogs in the South-West, East Anglia and parts of Scotland were worst affected by the pests but no region was “clean”.

Check with home insurance provider

Pet loving homeowners will know that there are many sprays and tablets on the market that promise to get rid of fleas and ticks on dogs, and that many sprays can be used around the house to stop the pests breeding. It is however, important that homeowners read carefully the instructions on the can and check with their home insurance broker on how it can affect their policy before going ahead and using it. The sprays can discolour carpets and furniture and may also leave an unpleasant odour in the atmosphere for a short time.

Tags: Contents Insurance, household insurance, pests
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Cover for extensions should not be forgotten

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

With the current well recorded difficulties experienced by homeowners across the UK when trying to buy and sell homes, the level of home extensions is soaring. Household insurance providers are encouraging homeowners who do decide to stay where they are and build, to check their policy covers the extra part of their home.

Under insuring is a big problem for insurance providers but an even bigger one for those householders when disaster strikes. A recent survey by home insurance providers found that many dwellers don’t realise the amount of value they are adding to their home when they extend.

Survey reveals shortfall

A poll of 1200 homeowners found some rather interesting and in some cases disturbing views on protecting ones assets. Over 700 of the 1200 questioned said they would not consider informing their insurance provider when they did home improvements and 1 in 4 said they were not aware that their insurance company had to be informed if they added extra rooms to the building or a conservatory.

The survey did confirm that householders frustrated by the stagnation in the housing market were upgrading their present home instead of moving on, with many viewing an addition of a conservatory as the easiest and simplest way of creating more space.

Bedrooms and bathrooms

Other popular additions to the home were the conversion of a garage into living space, the erection of a second garage and of course the favourite for those with no room to extend was the conversion of an attic into a bedroom. For others bedrooms were not such a priority and the conversion of a spare bedroom into a bathroom or en-suite came high up on the list.

Roof terrace high on the agenda

A newcomer on the home extension list is the roof terrace. This is becoming very popular in certain places in the UK and probably emanates from holidays spent in the Mediterranean and Caribbean where drinks and meals are taken outside as the norm.

Whatever you decide to do with your home remember that you are adding value to the property and therefore need to update your protection. This does not just include the value of the new space created, remember this space will include new soft furnishings and electrical appliances it is vital that your home contents insurance is up to the mark as well.

Tags: buy and sell homes, insurance providers
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Stay put, lock up and bring down your costs

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

As the credit crunch continues to bite, many homeowners have decided to put off moving home and decided to stay put. The ever escalating cost of living has not only put people off moving, it is making them more conscious of where they can make savings in the property they have. It is without doubt that savings can be made on a whole host of things, and one of these is definitely household insurance.

Compare your deal

Anyone spending a couple of hours watching TV will realise that home insurance comparison sites exist. They will also realise that some are spending quite a lot of money in competition with each other via adverts rather than substance. However, it really is a good idea to try and get a better deal than you already have.

Once you have selected an insurance company there are still other ways you can bring that quote down. It is of the utmost importance that you fill in your insurance application form honestly and to the best of your knowledge, but just by looking at the questions you will see how easy it is to bring your quote down.

Ways to bring down your home insurance

If someone is occupying your property day and night; for instance you are retired or work from home, then this reduces the risk of burglary, fire and flood and will bring in a cheaper quote. If you have a burglar alarm that has been fitted and maintained to a professional standard and you can prove it, then once again this should reduce your premium.

Window and door locks are another aspect of security that can bring down your costs. Questions on what sort of locks are on your doors can seem a little tricky and the best way to find out exactly what sort of security is installed in your doors is to ask the firm who fitted them, failing this a quick call to your local crime prevention officer will probably get you the information you need. The better the locks, then the cheaper the quote.

Pay up front and in bulk

You will usually save money by organising your home contents insurance and buildings insurance at the same time and with the same company, you will also save money by paying up front i.e. paying the full cost of the premium in one lump sum as opposed to paying by a monthly direct debit.

Tags: Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, household insurance
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Go up and stay put

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

With the current state of the housing market being one of stagnation, many families in the UK find themselves in a very difficult situation. There are certainly hundreds of thousands of families currently desperate to move for one reason or another who just cannot sell their home.

Consider your options

For those looking for a larger house then the answer may well be to stay put and consider adding rooms to the property they already have. A bedroom, conservatory, dining room or even a granny flat can be added to many homes without costing anywhere near as much as actually moving into a bigger home. Planning permission, building regulations and of course household insurance all have to be considered when adding to or altering your home but it may well be worth it.

Finding room

First of all you need to identify an area in or around your property that can be utilised. This may be the attic, spare land to the sides or the rear of the house or even above the garage. You perhaps have to look at your property in a way you have not considered before.

Once you have identified the area you can use, then it is best to draw up a rough drawing to see what can be achieved using the space and if it will be sufficient to live comfortably in your present home. Make a plan and get a ball park figure off a builder, if indeed you would need a builder, before you commit yourself to anything concrete. If you are happy with the space and have identified a workable design the next thing to do is check to see if you need planning permission.

Planning permission not so difficult

You may be pleasantly surprised on this score. Town and Country Planning was amended in 1995 with the result that many small extension projects no longer need planning permission. Many local councils now allow residents to put in a rough sketch (not an architect’s drawing) of their proposed project and for a small fee give them a quick answer on whether planning permission is necessary. In many cases residents can go ahead without any official permission being needed, this will almost certainly be the case for a small extension or change of use of a room, if it does not affect a neighbouring property in any way.

Do things right

Building Regulations are quite different to Planning Permissions and usually apply to any building work. There will be a fee for this, because it often requires a building inspector to visit your home to check that the work is done according to regulation and complies with such things as drainage and insulation issues.

Of course it is important to inform your home insurance providers that you are carrying out work in your home and to ensure you get a new home insurance estimate once the work has been done.

Tags: Contents Insurance, Home Insurance
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Heating the home

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

With inflation rising and the impact of the austerity cuts imposed by the Government still to fully bear down on the wealth of the nation, the general public can hardly be blamed for getting cold feet about planning any major expenditure. For those moving into a new home, however, there is little choice, necessities such as heating systems, household insurance and council tax must be sorted out quickly.

Fuelling inflation

The aforementioned inflation figures are to a great degree being driven by the spiralling cost of fuel. Most Britons associate the cost of fuel with motoring but in fact expensive fuel prices usually mean expensive heating bills and this affects even more people than does the price of petrol. It is important therefore for homeowners moving into a new home to select the right type of heating.

Which system?

Gas central heating systems are by far the most popular choice of heating for most Britons, but it is not every house that is connected to gas, and for the millions that are not the choice of fuel is definitely more of a complication. Central heating of any kind is welcomed by the majority of homeowners in the UK, as our cold winters mean the entire house needs some sort of heat to make it comfortable. Central heating systems are available in solid fuel, electric and of course oil.

Home insurance claims drop

Nothing looks better than an old fashioned fire place or wood burner and of course an open flame still evokes in many of us warm memories of a childhood where we sat in front of a fire to get warm and even toasted bread there. This no longer happens because open fires are few and far between. It is no coincidence either that home insurance claims have dropped as the number of open fires has diminished in the UK. For all their homely beauty, open fires were the cause of numerous disasters in homes and the cause of many deaths.

Oil central heating is the preferred choice of many but the escalating price of oil at the moment will be enough to put off most people from installing such a system at this time. The cost of benzene, the fuel used in oil central heating, has risen so much this winter that it is actually being investigated by a Government committee this week.

Electric heating has for many years been frowned upon by the general public in the UK because of its expense and the lack of any real aesthetic quality of electric heaters. Both of these problems have now been addressed and systems from countries such as Germany and Sweden which use tiles instead of bricks to store heat, inside radiators which look very much like those used in Gas Central Heating systems, have made them attractive to consumers. These systems make temperature control easier, energy output more controlled and they look much better than the old bulky storage heaters that put many people off choosing electric heating.

Tags: heating, Home Insurance, household insurance, wealth of the nation
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Fake That – Artificial Grass Can Have Its Advantages

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

There are a large number of benefits in installing artificial grass in the garden. Obviously it will not need much time spent on its up-keep and instead of using valuable time in the summer cutting the grass the time can instead be spent sitting and enjoying what little sunshine we get in the United Kingdom. People have less time to spare these days so it is perfect for busy professionals with families and it can be perfect for the elderly who want a lawn but just can not manage a grass one. Just because the maintenance is too much does not mean they should miss out.

Even looking at it from an environmental point of view, an artificial lawn has its benefits. Many people are becoming aware of the need to save water, and hose pipe bans are becoming more and more frequent each summer. Of course artificial grass does not need watering. Another environmental plus is that an artificial lawn will require no mowing so the need for households to use a petrol lawnmower is removed, which saves fuel and emissions. Artificial grass does not require any fertiliser or chemicals and mossy grass is a thing of the past. So, man made grass not only saves the planet it saves you cash, and the money saved can be put to good use in purchasing other home essentials such as household insurance.

Owning a second home is also on the increase and planting artificial grass in the garden of a second home is very useful as the garden will not have to be maintained while the property is either rented out or unoccupied. Artificial grass has a rich green appearance which does not fade or deteriorate no matter how much wear and tear it is put through. It can be installed quickly and with little hassle, and will not suffer discolouration or bald spots that blight a natural lawn.

Artificial grass has come a long way in the last decade. Not just the product technology, but also people’s attitude towards it. In fact the entire negative comments about it feeling harsh and abrasive and it being cheap looking and unappealing on the eye have completely changed. Having an area of bouncy, lush green lawn all the year round is becoming something of a ‘must have’ for more and more people.

Tags: Artificial Grass, DIY, Home Insurance
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