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National database will be welcomed by the public

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Homeowners in the UK will be delighted to know that at long last a national crime database is to be launched. The National Police Improvement Authority (NPIA) will oversee the database that goes live today and it means that over 50 police forces in England and Wales can share information on the activities of criminals.

Database may cover for loss of neighbourhood constable

It will come as a relief to many people who worry constantly about security in their own homes even though they have good buildings and contents insurance. At a time when whole areas are losing their neighbourhood “bobby” the fact that regional forces can share information with each other will reassure property owners to a certain degree that they are not being abandoned.

Serious crime will be prime target

Of course the national database will be seen as a resource for the solving of serious crime primarily, and indeed the idea was first mooted by Lord Bichard in his enquiry into the murders of two young schoolgirls in Soham in 2004. The fact that police forces will be able to identify crime patterns nationwide though, should also help in tracking down criminals who specialise in house crime.

Database access will be vetted

The NPIA will strictly monitor the use of the new database with only about 1 in 100 policemen having access to it. The networked computers will be stored in specially designed “bunkers” that will be thoroughly secured to the point of being windowless, and only people who have been given special passes will be admitted. Each force will be able to decide what information they make available on the database and Policing minister Nick Herbert was quick to reassure civil liberty groups that measures would be put in place to ensure victims of crime were not put at further risk by the process.

System will help in the fight against cyber crime

It is thought the database will also be a big help in the battle against house crime. Many people are now robbed every day from an action that takes place in their home but is probably committed miles away. Online crime is now costing home owners millions of pounds each year and many householders have no idea they have been robbed until they check their bank balances at the end of the month. This database should also identify the fraudsters and scammers that use the internet to trap their victims.

Tags: crime, Cyber Crime, National database, National Police Improvement Authority
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Food bills set to rise again

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

The need for UK homeowners to search for cheap home insurance offers will become more pressing over the next few months as essential products such as food and energy look set to soar.

Energy Company weakens consumers spending power

The news this week that Scottish Power are hiking their gas charges by 19% and electricity by 10% should have sent nervous shudders through the halls of the Bank of England (BoE) and indeed the Houses of Parliament. Consumers who have been fed a diet of unpleasant news about the economy for many months will wonder just how things can get any worse, they will be looking more and more at the Government to get things right.

Cost of living increase

The same day of the shock announcement by Scottish Power brought news that the cost of living has shot up in the last 12 months with food inflation now nudging 5%. With salary increases as rare as a poor MP in the country at the moment, residents of the UK are now beginning to realise that their standard of living is dropping and looks set to stay that way in the near future.

Price rises beyond our control

Of course the escalating price of fuel is driving up food costs more than anything else, transporting the food to the shops is becoming more expensive and in the cut throat competition of the major supermarkets profit margins are so thin that the costs have to be passed on to the customer. Experts reckon food inflation will cost the average family around £250 over the next 12 months, about the same price as a good home insurance policy would cost. Unfortunately, some families will be forced to make a choice between the two. Yet another reason for the increase in food prices is the weather and, for a change, not ours here in the UK. Staples such as wheat, sugar, coffee and rice have all shot up in cost over the last few months due to drought, flood and storm damage in different parts of the world.

Interest rate change most unlikely

Today the BoE will make a decision on the base rate of interest. It has been at a record low for over 2 years now and in light of the continuing bad news for consumers it is certain that savers looking for more interest on their money will have to wait a little longer. The economy cannot take a rate rise just yet and no one expects Mervyn King and his team to change the status quo.

Tags: cost of living, food costs, Home Insurance, money, supermarket
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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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Security scam alert

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

With the prospect of fewer policemen patrolling the streets of the UK once the regional police forces make their enforced cuts in job numbers, household insurance and home security are going to be high on the list of homeowner’s priorities.

Despite the number of jobs going, Home Secretary Theresa May says the number of front line police officers should not be affected, but homeowners across the country are already making their own provisions on security upgrades. It also seems that as usual, unscrupulous traders are trying to benefit from the situation.

Beware of geeks offering gifts

The switchboard at Surrey Police headquarters has been lighting up with members of the public reporting a scam and Trading Officers in the County have also been alerted. Apparently members of the public are being plagued by a firm asking them to do a survey, which involves technical information about products they are keen to sell; they then finish the phone call by telling them they have qualified for a free burglar alarm.

The scam is one that has been tried in various areas of the country and homeowners should be wary of anyone cold calling and offering free gifts. In this case the burglar alarm is indeed free, however, installation costs £300 and the sales pitch involves home owners signing a maintenance contract that could well cost them £5,000. The well versed conmen will tell the poor homeowner that he will save that much in reduced home contents insurance due to his improved security.

Ask a friend

Obviously home security is all important and should not be skimped upon, but your local police force will put you in touch with a crime prevention officer who can give you independent advice on security devices and systems. A search on the internet or your local yellow pages will give a list of local companies who provide security services and failing that there is bound to be a neighbour with a security system installed. Ask them about theirs and who installed it, word of mouth usually finds a good tradesman. Security alarms can now be bought from DIY stores such as Homebase and B&Q and you can save a lot of cash if you can install a system yourself.

Tags: Home Insurance, Security scam alert
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A concrete fence will give added security

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Fitting concrete fence panels instead of waney lap panels are becoming a very popular product because they give better privacy and offer greater strength in fence construction.

There are a number of various types of fences to choose from. However, more people are turning to concrete fences because not only are they very easy to install but they also offer greater durability. A concrete fence will maintain privacy and provide good security for the home giving added protection to go with household insurance. Recently people have opted for a concrete fence to accentuate the beauty of a garden.

The panels are attractive and durable; they are not only strong but are built to last for many years. In a lot of construction situations, concrete is cost effective and concrete fencing is no different. Waney lap panels can be weak, and will get weaker each year; the whole fence can be easily damaged or blown over during strong winds. This is not a problem with concrete panels as they are less likely to fall over during bad weather or even vandalism.

Concrete fence panels are best put between slotted fence posts. This will increase the fence’s reliability, simply because wood will not last as long as concrete. Another advantage is there is no need for nails and screws. So, if the panel should ever get damaged, a replacement panel can very easily be installed without any special knowledge. Concrete fences are now available in some excellent designs. Some of them can actually look like stone or even brick and are available in a number of colours. Wooden posts and wooden fence panels are probably quicker to install but they will rot over time. Concrete posts will allow the concrete panels to slot easily into the post.

Measure the height of the fence panels and make sure that the concrete posts are slightly higher. For additional security, some concrete posts will have holes in the top which allows lines of barbed wire to be fitted, but make sure that this does not affect any passers-by or neighbours who could get injured by the barbed wire. A concrete fence will take longer to install then a wooden fence, it will also cost more but crucially it will last a lot longer, saving money in the long term.

Other considerations to bear in mind are to properly establish where your boundaries are and speak to the neighbours. Also make sure that there are no underground pipes or cables before starting the digging and installing the fence.

Tags: concrete fencing, Home Insurance, Home Security
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An audio system that is a sound investment

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Anyone who loves films or is a music lover will no doubt yearn for the clearest, crispest sound to enhance their audio experience. With all the advancements in technology, more and more people are deciding to go for a surround sound system. Having to navigate through all the options can be intimidating so it is a good idea to learn the jargon and find out exactly what equipment fits best. By not doing the homework, a lot of money can be spent on what turns out to be a disappointing or too complicated audio system. Make sure the household insurance will cover the new technology that will be in the home.

Surround sound works by using several speakers, with each one contributing a different audio channel. The system will allow the listener to hear the full effect of sound, for example take a speeding car, first, the car approaching will be heard, and then there will be the sound of it right beside the viewer and then finally the faint sound of it in the distance as it drives past. It is this reason why some say full surround sound for a movie-like experience will need at least 5 speakers. These would be front centre, left front, left rear, right front, and right rear. All the film action and speech are separated among the speakers which add realism, and also background noises will come out of the back speakers.

The figure 5.1 is often mentioned with surround sound systems and this refers to five speakers (in the positions described earlier) plus one subwoofer, which is designated by the .1. Subwoofers play the sound at a very low-frequency. It is very easy to get overwhelmed with the vast array of options to pick from. For this reason, it is best to familiarize yourself with the choices.

An important factor in choice is the size of the room in which the audio system will be in. The larger the room, the more the power will have to be increased. Receiver audio output can go from 50 watts per channel, which for a small room would be fine, to 150 watts or more for a larger room. Remember that any speakers bought should be built to withstand this power.

For anyone who is just starting out with surround sound it is a good idea to buy a small, quality system, and over time the technology can be gradually built on. It is not a good idea to be economical on the wires. They may seem similar but the wires can significantly affect the quality of the sound. Proper placement of the speakers is vital to get the most out of the system. Something else to think about is buying speaker stands. It can be tempting to save some money here and mount the speakers on bookshelves or tables, but having individual stands will deliver the best audio experience.

Tags: contents cover, Home Insurance, property insurance, sound system
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Loan sharks massing for attack

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Homeowners across the country are being targeted by bogus loan fraudsters attempting to take advantage of the stricter financial qualifications High Street Lenders are asking for from customers requiring a personal loan.

It is becoming apparent that the credit crunch and the new austerity measures imposed by the present government, has inspired a whole new industry to spring up around borrowing money and most of it is illegal. The fraudsters have discovered members of the public already in significant debt are particularly vulnerable to the scam and are now targeting these people.

The scam works in a number of ways, the basic scheme comes into operation when a member of the public receives a cold call, text or email from an unknown company offering loans at very good rates, usually far better than a person with a bad credit rating can get from a High Street Bank. The customer is told that the loan repayment conditions are indeed true and that all they have to do is pay an administration fee up front. Of course once the victim pays the fee he or she finds that the loan company is suddenly untraceable and the money is lost.

The crafty crooks, however, don’t just rely on this method. If they feel the basic rip off fee is not going to work on a particular victim they will still try to take advantage of the personal details they have gleaned from them. Bank account details, dates of birth and of course addresses are often disclosed before the victim realises the loan company is not exactly bona fide, and these can lead to even more sinister crimes such as phishing and identity fraud. Crimes which leave the victim with an empty bank account but also continuing problems with credit in the future.

Avoiding this nightmare situation is easily done by just using common sense measures when dealing with financial matters. Never, ever, pay an upfront administration fee. Even respected banks often now put administration fees on loan deals so the scam sounds plausible but always insist any fees will only be paid once the loan is in place. If this can’t be done then try somewhere else. Remember the old adage “Too good to be true”. If a deal sounds too good to be true then it more than likely is.

It is nearly always possible these days to buy legal cover with your household insurance policy; victims of scams should remember this when trying to recover their losses.

Tags: credit crunch, debt, Home Insurance, loan sharks, money
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Protect the PC the way you would a house

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Not so long ago, access to the internet was via dial-up connection and kettles across the country were switched on as people waited for the screen to display the World Wide Web, it was that bad! In just a few years broadband has arrived making things much faster. Wireless broadband has been another improvement and with it came the wireless router.

Today, a broadband connection is not just limited to serving one computer. A wireless router will make it easy to connect every computer in the home, but if the homeowner is not careful the wireless router can give access to more than just the people it was intended for. No one wants to make a claim on the household insurance because a door or window has been left open. Making sure all the computers are safe, especially the WiFi connection is just as important as locking doors and windows. Wireless sharing is a good way to make the most of a broadband internet connection, it can also raise some security issues, but a properly configured wireless network could actually make all the computers safer, this is due to the router’s built in firewall. Not only can every computer gain access to the internet at the same time, but when a wireless router is set up correctly other devices like printers, PDAs, cameras and internet telephone handsets can also take advantage of the wireless capabilities.

Using a wireless router is definitely the most convenient way of getting the best from broadband. A wired router leaves a trail of chunky Ethernet cables all over the home. It is possible to do without a router and instead use Windows Internet Connection Sharing which can turn one of the computers into an internet gateway. However, by doing this the other computers in the home will only have a constant internet access if the gateway machine is constantly switched on, which to be fair is an expensive waste of electricity and will make a carbon footprint a few sizes bigger. However by installing a WiFi router it would solve all of these problems, and it is very easy to do.

A wireless router creates a network that all of the homes computers can use to access one broadband connection. It may sound complicated, but in reality it is very straightforward. The Wireless routers job is to act as a junction box that will join the network of the home together. The wireless router will connect to the broadband line through a modem, then each of the computers in the home will connect to the router either wirelessly or, maybe if it is in the same place as the router, it will be through one of its wired ports.

For a wired connection, the computer must have an Ethernet adaptor (which most recently released systems will have), built into the motherboard. To connect wirelessly, a computer must have a wireless network adaptor. If it is a laptop chances are it will have one built in already, if it is an older desktop that is being used they are very easy to add on. The kind of router needed depends on what the broadband connection is and also the existing hardware. If it is a cable modem with an Ethernet port, than this be can used with a new router. If however it is any kind of ADSL modem it is recommended that a router with an ADSL modem built in is used, because it is a lot easier to set up and does not cost much more.

If a wireless network is left unsecured, it will mean that anyone who is within range and who has a WiFi equipped computer would be able to use the broadband line, and have access to the computer and all the files connected to it. It may seem somewhat unlikely that a hacker will do this, but just bear in mind that ‘bandwidth stealing’ is becoming all too common.

Tags: household insurance
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A tasty way to start saving the planet

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Growing your own food is one of the easiest ways of reducing a carbon footprint. There are not many better feelings than snapping off some leeks, pulling a handful of new potatoes or harvesting green beans from the garden. With money still tight for most people, home gardening is a great way to eat affordable and healthy food, as well as connect with nature and have the joy of watching them grow. Leeks are a very easy vegetable to grow and also one of the mildest tasting vegetables in the onion family. Leeks are known for their long stems and are great when used in soups, stews and casseroles, while lettuce is another easy vegetable to grow, and is very popular with gardeners old and new because within 6 weeks of planting, they can be harvested.

Not since The Good Life was on television has the United Kingdom been planting, sowing and harvesting in such numbers. Many people are very worried about food miles while others want to eat more wholesome organic produce, whatever the reason more and more are choosing to grow their own. It is not surprising then, that sales of vegetable seeds have now overtaken sales of flowers. An important job of being in the garden more is making sure the home is secure; make sure all doors and windows are secure in case any opportunist thieves are in the area. Also if you bring anything valuable out into the garden with you while working, contact your household insurance company to check theft from the garden is covered on the policy.

The good news is that anyone can grow vegetables. It does not matter how big or small the plot size; it can be a window sill or a massive garden. Many are doing organic gardening as a hobby that helps them relax. The organic garden has increased in popularity over the last few years, and even though organic food is very easy to get at all supermarkets, gardeners would rather do it themselves. Organic gardening is very satisfying and is done with the use of no chemical fertilizers no pesticides and no artificial supplements during the growing process. Making the compost is so much more fulfilling than grabbing a bag of chemical fertilizer. It is simply using up garden and kitchen waste material. Use potato and other vegetable peelings; add some rose cuttings which will help with the texture.

Organic gardening can give a good sense of pride even if the only space available is a small patch of land. It is even possible to get the children involved in organic gardening, by encouraging them to have an interest in how the food is made. They are sure to have some fun helping with the making of the compost, planting seeds and trying to think up ideas on how to remove any bugs. But most of all, they will love eating all the delicious food that has come from the organic garden. “

Tags: Garden, Garden Insurance, Growing vegetables, Home Insurance, Home Security, household insurance, Saving Money
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Garden, Home Insurance, Home Security, Possessions Insurance, Saving Money | No Comments »

Home Security

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

All responsible householders will want to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their property against the risk of fire and burglary. The cost and effort involved is small by comparison with the possible expense of replacement or even rebuilding, not to mention the grief caused by personal injury and the loss of items of sentimental value which are irreplaceable.

Many householders wrongly believe that they are unlikely to be burgled because they are not wealthy. Statistics show that most intruders are opportunists in search of expensive items such as laptops, games consoles, television sets (which today are much easier to pick up and carry away today than they were 10 years ago), DVD players and DAB radios. The average burglar will take only a few minutes to rob a house, and often they will do it in broad daylight. In all honesty no house is safe from attack, especially those that offer an open invitation to thieves. It is virtually impossible to stop a determined thieve from breaking into your house, but you can do a great deal to make it more difficult for the inexperienced criminal. There are parts of the house that are more vulnerable than others but there is no area where you cannot use methods to help safeguard your home and in many instances the more security measures you take the more likely it is you will get cheap home insurance cover.

Front Door- A thief may ring the doorbell/knock on the door and if there is no answer they will force an entry. Fit a strong lock that conforms to the current standard. Also fit a bolt top and bottom on the inside. If you have a glass panel in the front door, the bolts must be lockable. Also attach a security chain to stop an intruder bursting through as you open the door a fraction, a door viewer would allow you to view and identify the caller. If you live in a flat where the front door is the only vulnerable part of your home, consider having a multi-point lock fitted as it will throw bolts to all four sides of the door at the same time.

Dark Porch- It is important to fit a porch light so that a door viewer is usable when darkness arrives. A light may well make a thief think twice before attempting a break in.

Back Door and Side Door- It is easy for a burglar to work without being seen at the side or rear of a house. Fit similar mortise locks to those of the front door. If the door opens outwards then you should fit hinge bolts which will firmly hold the door in its frame even if the hinge pins are driven out.

Downstairs Windows – These are always vulnerable, even more so at the side and back of the house. Fit catches and locks that suit the look of the window. And most important is that they must have removable keys so that a burglar cannot break the glass and remove them.

Upstairs Windows – As with the downstairs windows fit locks that have removable keys. Even if they can only be reached from outside using a ladder, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Garages and Sheds – Always lock outbuildings to protect contents and also to prevent a thief from using your own tools to break into your home. Fit a standard lock or a padlock with a close fitting or concealed shackle, doing this means it cannot be cut easily. It is best to choose a design that covers the fixing screws, and if at all possible, substitute bolts for screws which will prevent the lock being prised off

Tags: Home Insurance, Home Security
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