Contents Insurance « Home Quote Direct

Archive for the ‘Contents Insurance’ Category

Flooding demonstrates the need for good cover

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

The value of a good home insurance policy has once again been demonstrated over the last 24 hours as flash floods and torrential rain have blighted many areas of the UK and Ireland.

More to come

Homeowners have found that their household premiums of just a few pounds a week will have saved them thousands of pounds after floodwaters entered their homes. It would seem that others in the east of the country, who don’t have home contents insurance, still have the chance to get covered but only just, as weather forecasters predict floods in the North and South East over the coming days.

Homes flooded for a second time

Yesterday it was Cornwall, Wales and Ireland that bore the brunt of the rain, and in some cases homes that had just been renovated after similar disruption last year were once more under water. In Mevagissey, Cornwall, the Ship Inn and adjacent properties in Chapel Street were flooded in similar circumstances to last year with residents distraught that their painstaking work over the last 12 months had been in vain; fortunately the floodwater was not as bad as last November although several homes were damaged. Floodwaters caused problems in Par, Camelford, and Liskeard and over the border in and around Exeter and Torquay.

Pembrokeshire on flood alert

In Wales two inches of rain fell in Milford Haven and many homeowners protected their valuable possessions by placing sandbags around their homes. Most of the damage in Wales was restricted to roads and cars but households across the principality have been on flood alert as rivers in Pembrokeshire threaten to burst their banks if the rain forecast by meteorologists proves to be correct.

Ulster suffers worst from deluge

Northern Ireland suffered most in the UK yesterday with many properties in County Tyrone being flooded. In Beragh, residents were trapped in their homes with swirling floodwaters at their feet, in all, sixteen homes suffered from flood damage and a brand new civic hall was ruined. In Strabane a electricity substation was at one time in danger of flooding threatening to leave thousands of people without power but emergency services managed to keep the waters out. Many roads were closed due to the rising waters and once again weather people are forecasting more.

In times when many households are suffering financial hardship and family budgets are closely scrutinised to see what savings can be made, the unpredictability of our climate illustrates the need for good insurance.

Tags: Flooding, home contents insurance, home insurance policy, household insurance, UK
Posted in Contents Insurance | No Comments »

Winter weather will kill thousands of UK citizens

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

As the UK prepares for winter, experts are warning that extreme cold spells will push up the already worrying numbers of Britons dying from the cold weather.

Uncomfortable choices

With the nation in the grip of economic downturn the last thing the country needs is a bad winter to rival the last two. Homeowners are already struggling to pay for items such as household insurance, luxury food items and non essential motoring. If heating requirements shoot up because of a cold snap, experts are warning the choice between buying food or fuel may well cost some people their lives.

Winter weather brings on illness

Figures obtained from the Office of National Statistics suggest that already 27,000 more people die in winter than at any other time in the UK, the majority of which die due to the cold temperatures. It is not a case of people dying from hypothermia it is a case of people typically with heart and lung problems having their illnesses brought on by the cold weather. Worryingly, research is now suggesting that at least 10% of the extra winter deaths happen in homes where the inhabitants are in fuel poverty (a home that spends 10% or more of its income on heating). It seems many people really do have to make a choice between eating or heating.

UK figures worse than Scandinavia

The figures are far worse than those of Sweden, Norway and Finland, countries that all suffer from more severe winters than the UK. Experts are warning the Government that if the austere financial conditions are combined with freezing weather conditions many more households will have to make agonising choices about the quality of their lives. Home contents insurance, hot water and three square meals a day will be luxuries indeed for thousands of homes.

Help is at hand but some will miss out

Charities are concerned about the problem as well, with many demanding that the Government do more. However, the Government will point out they have already introduced the Warm Homes Discount which should knock about £4 a week off winter heating bills and of course millions receive the winter fuel payments. Energy companies are already giving discounted or free insulation to many impoverished households and the “green deal” initiative should offer even better levels of insulation for many in the coming years. Unfortunately there are always people who somehow miss out on the safety net provided by Governments and charities and for those the coming months will prove to be a challenging time.

Tags: Contents Insurance, energy, Fuel Poverty, heating, Home Insurance, household insurance, winter
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Choose cover carefully

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

For people moving into a new property some things can be sorted out easily. Making sure you have set up payments for such things as the mortgage, utility bills and house insurance brokers is straightforward. Placing your old furniture in a new home is not so easy but you eventually get there, organising floor covering for your new home may not be so simple. Putting the right type of floor covering down is one of the most important aspects of the home. The market for floor coverings in the UK is diverse and there really is something out there to cater for all styles and more importantly all budgets, but choosing different coverings for different rooms may be complicated.

Choosing the right pile

Cut pile is the most common type of carpet. Standard textured cut pile has alternating lengths of fibres that can mask footprints and vacuum cleaning marks and can be used anywhere in the house. It is economical and used in many rooms. Plush cut pile is better quality and has thinner, level fibres. It is very soft and will be most suitable for bedrooms. Unlike the standard textured cut pile, it however will not mask footprints or cleaning marks. Berber is loop pile and has repeating looped fibres of the same length. It is generally very durable so will be most suitable for high traffic areas such as stairs and hallways. It will also mask footprints and cleaning marks. Multi-level Berber creates various textures and patterns such as floral and diamond. Cut loop is a combination of Berber and cut pile and also creates textures and patterns.

Material important

Nylon is the most popular fibre which is soft and stain resistant and much better quality than the nylon carpets of yesteryear. Nylon Tactesse is an alternative fibre which is more expensive but is stronger and much softer. Wool is the softest and most durable carpet fibre so is naturally the most expensive, but it may be difficult to remove stains from wool carpet. A good buildings and contents insurance policy will be necessary if you buy carpets that are susceptible to staining.

Colours and patterns

The general rule is to choose carpet which is darker than the walls and furniture. The safest choice will be to choose a neutral tone that fits in with the overall colour scheme of the house and that you can happily live with for a long time. Patterned carpets look interesting but you must make sure that the interior would not look too busy or confusing. Multi-coloured stripes are very much in fashion at the moment, and animal and foot prints may be suitable for kids and teenagers’ rooms.

Tags: Carpet, Colours, interior decor, new property, Nylon, Pile
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Comfort is the key

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

When it comes to furnishing a new home there is little more that’s important than creating a comfortable main living space. It is the place where the family come together most often and where comfort encourages relaxation and openness.

Make sure it fits

The seating in this room is crucial and worth spending a little extra on to get right. It is important to choose a sofa that will look good and be proportionate in your living room, so take careful measurements and make sure that what you are buying is the best fit for your home before you make a final decision. You will more than likely have buildings and contents insurance so make sure your sofa is covered by it, if not then remember sofas are easily damaged by children and pets and a household insurance policy or special cover by the manufacturers should be bought.

Check interior and exterior

Whether you have pets, small children, and energetic teenagers, or live a quiet retirement life, your sofa should be well made to give you maximum comfort and value for money. The frame should be sturdy, preferably made of kiln-dried hardwood and should be screwed and glued. The support should consist of proper springs, preferably 8-way tied, and the upholstery should consist of good foam – an inner core of foam with an outer wrapping of feathers is one of the best.

All shapes and sizes

For arm style you can choose from traditional rolled arm, curved English arm, a straight Parsons style or armless. Curved English arm is very elegant while straight arm and armless are suitable for contemporary interior. A skirted sofa may suit French style interior with lots of drapery. Otherwise you can choose from a variety of leg styles ranging from chunky to delicately tapered and carved.

Material choice important

Patterned fabric is not so popular at the moment but can cover the dirt and stains. If you want a soft and durable material choose chenille. Leather is also durable and looks attractive. Velvet has a nice texture but can wear out within a few years. If you are on a budget choose a simply designed sofa and add variations with cushion and pillows. Many furniture manufacturers offer custom-made slipcovers which you can use for a seasonal change or keep as an emergency spare.

Tags: buildings and contents insurance, household insurance, interior decor, living room, sofa
Posted in Contents Insurance | No Comments »

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
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Accountants crystal ball not promising a rosy future for homeowners

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

New research by highly respected accountancy experts Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) suggests that prospective purchasers of new home insurance should be prepared to wait a long time before the property they buy, appreciates in value.

Cloudy Weather?

According to a long range forecast by the economists at PwC they expect the housing market to stagnate over the next decade and only in 2020 will homeowners see the value of their property be equivalent to its 2007 price. For the aforementioned first time buyers, they will probably see their home drop in value over the first three years and only then start to slowly gain value. Of course long range forecasts are not always accurate!

Industry pointers concur

PwC though are fairly sure they will be right. Certainly their forecast about the next few years will find agreement with many in the industry. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) are still releasing figures that show lending to be at a depressingly low level, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report lacklustre action on house purchases and in fact reckon that prices have still some way to fall because there are so few buyers around.

Hard decisions to be made

Although the housing market has proved notoriously fickle over the years the current situation does leave first time buyers especially, with a conundrum.

Do they throw themselves wholeheartedly into saving for a deposit on a home that once they buy will actually drop in value? At the moment deposit requirements by lenders mean any conventional couple saving for their first home together will have to make many sacrifices to raise the cash for that important down payment. They must ask themselves the question is it worth it?

Alternatively they can take out buildings and contents insurance on a rented property that will leave them with money in their pockets to spend on furnishings, décor and nights out. Of course the frustration with this course of action is that tenants can very rarely set up home exactly as they choose. Most landlords will have some restrictions on just how the property is decorated, used and who exactly lives in it.

How many will own a home in 2020?

The PwC forecast did not put a figure on the percentage of the population who would own their own home in 2020. Perhaps they did not want to push their luck too far when it comes to predicting the future.

Tags: buildings and contents insurance, deposits, housing market, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

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
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Rush for household insurance as police cuts leave citizens insecure

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

As the austerity measures introduced by the Coalition Government in October of last year begin to impact, citizens across the country are beginning to appreciate the value of cheap home insurance.

One of the biggest losers in the allocation of public funds has been the various Police Forces across the UK. Many have seen their budgets slashed and as a result, constabularies such as the Greater Manchester Police have announced job cuts involving 3,000 members of staff. Although the Government have gone to great lengths to say that losing jobs should not necessarily mean fewer “front line” officers, in truth the cuts will mean the city is less secure and homeowners and their property will at more risk.

Who needs back room staff?

It may well be a front line bobby who actually comes to visit a home that has been burgled, but it will have been back room staff who took the phone call to record the robbery, it will be back room staff who direct the squad car to the address and it will be the back room staff who give the poor homeowner a crime reference number when he wants to report the burglary to his household insurance company. The notion of keeping front line staff and getting rid of others, is a similar notion to the one purported by those who recommend getting rid of nursing managers but keeping those on the wards, in the NHS. The uncomfortable truth is that one needs the other, all are part of a team and the success of the group is very much dependant on each facet functioning correctly.

Will cheap home insurance still be available?

Of course the good people of Manchester, many of whom already have good home insurance cover, will realise that if a smaller police force translates into a greater amount of house crime, then their own home contents insurance premiums may well go up, as their insurance provider anticipates a greater risk in the cover. It is then when homeowners who look for the best home insurance deals may benefit more than most. A history of several years of cover without any claims will impress the best of home insurance brokers and result in a cheaper quote. It may compensate to some extent for the feeling of insecurity many living in Manchester now feel. The slimming down of their Police Force in Manchester has upset more than those who are about to lose their jobs.

Tags: Home Insurance
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Make some New Year’s resolutions for the home

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Just after Christmas every year, people make New Year resolutions in an effort to improve themselves. It may involve taking more exercise, drinking a lot less and quitting smoking, all of which are easily made and easily broken promises. Indeed once the initial enthusiasm wears off, not many can really claim to stick to the resolutions. New Year’s resolutions do not just have to be about people though, why not make some resolutions to improve your home?

They do not have to be big expensive projects either, although the goal of a new conservatory will need a reduction in spending it is an excellent reward. Most other projects will require very little time and expense so why not make some resolutions for the home.

Don’t neglect the roof and carry out a visual inspection, taking note of any missing or loose tiles along with any leaking or blocked guttering. Taking early action via maintenance will save a possibly large bill later on down the road, not to mention the potential for considerable damage to the interior of the home. It will also avoid a homeowner making an unnecessary claim on their household insurance.

Regular maintenance of the properties heating system will make sure that it’s working at peak efficiency, plus it will help cut down on the risk of any costly breakdowns or even worse, poisonous fume leaks which can threaten all the occupants of the home. If the home does not already have them, think about fitting some immersion tank and radiator thermostats which will help save some money on the energy bills. Loft insulation is relatively straightforward and more importantly cheap, the savings though, can be massive. Lagging the hot water pipes will make sure no energy is being wasted.

Hang a curtain over all the exit doors and use draught excluders around old door frames, not forgetting the letterbox. Old windows will also need some attention. DIY stores have an array of draught excluding products to seal old windows; these include strips that fit around window openers and films that fit over the glass and window frame. Replace any loose or missing putty on the outside of the windows and use sealants around the frame. If it is possible, think about the long term and consider replacing any old windows and doors with double glazed units.

Tags: Garden design, Home Insurance, interior design
Posted in Contents Insurance, Possessions Insurance | 1 Comment »

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
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »