Contents Insurance « Home Quote Direct

Posts Tagged ‘Contents Insurance’

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 »

Don’t forget your clothes!

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

The latest unemployment figures show just how much the financial downturn is affecting people across the UK. The figure of 2.5 million people unemployed can only be seen as a massively disappointing amount, but experts are warning that over the next few months even that figure may be surpassed. With such a worrying backdrop affecting families in every corner of the country many will be looking to cut their outgoings as much as possible, and it is at this time that people should be wary of just where they cut down.

Hard to see the value?

One area that many people consider doing without is insurance. It is easy to see the reasoning behind anyone who is struggling to pay their bills; cutting out a payment they can’t tangibly see the benefit from. That is the idea of insurance and in a perfect world perhaps no-one would need to purchase cover against disaster striking. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world.

Don’t break the law

It is even illegal to go without some insurance. Car insurance is a legal necessity and if you have a mortgage then your loan provider will legally require you to have household insurance that covers the external shell of your property. It is when we get down to things like home contents insurance that some people consider doing without or indeed cutting down on the cost of their premiums.

A bargain is always worth looking for

It is always a good idea that home owners consider whether they are paying too much for a product, and in the case of home insurance they can easily get a good idea of what they should be paying by visiting a home insurance comparison site and filling out a quick and easy form. It really is a simple process but not something that should be done without first identifying your needs.

Make a note

First of all it is worth remembering that being under insured is little better than not being insured at all. Insurance companies can easily nullify your claim if it is apparent that you are massively under insured. So first of all take a pen and paper and go from room to room. Don’t forget things such as kitchen utensils (you’ll be amazed at how many you have), ornaments and bowls dotted around the house, books, DVDs, and photo frames. If you didn’t go from room to room you would probably forget about your clothes, your shoes, your camera and maybe your mobile phone. That little list will come to several thousand pounds as will your clothes and shoes. It is amazing how many fashion conscious ladies forget to include them all together.

Tags: Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, household insurance, Legal Requirement, Unemployment
Posted in Home Insurance | No Comments »

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

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
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Home Insurance, Home Security, Saving Money | No Comments »

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

Don’t get caught out, backup the computer today

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

With so many expensive items in homes throughout the country, it is vital to have household insurance which will replace items should the worst happen. However, it is possible to lose everything on a home computer without the machine being stolen at all.

Backing up a computer is one of those things that many people always promise themselves that they will do, but never get round to it. If a computer or laptop dies and the hard drive is lost, including all of the applications and all of the data, the impact can be huge. Backing up a computer is never something that is forgotten once the worst has happened because there is nothing like the benefit of hindsight.

It is important to backup all data regularly, not just any documents used but also mail files, calendars etc. Everyone unfortunate enough to lose their entire hard disk, not only loses data and applications but other little things such as; Cookies which automate all login information used on a daily basis, links and bookmarks for favourite websites and options and preferences for all apps used, not to mention all of the default settings.

Assess just how vital the computer is and take appropriate action; CD, DVDs and memory sticks are fine for saving a small amount of data or some important documents. However, an external hard drive is more than worth the cost if the other option is being without the computer for a few days or losing data. For the average home user an external hard drive will be more than adequate, the more complex systems are aimed at business users. The older a computer is, the more likely it is to happen. But just because the computer is new, does not mean regular backups should be ignored.

Backing up the system is very easy, first plug the external hard drive into a power source and place the external hard drive’s USB cable into the respective port on the computer. Next click start then “accessories” then “System Tools” and then click “Backup”. Follow this by Clicking “Next” on the “Backup or Restore Wizard” screen which will appear. Ensure that the “back up files and settings” option is selected and Click “Next”. Then select the “All information on this computer” option from the “What to Back Up” box and Click “Next”. Select external hard drive on the menu asking to “Choose a place to save the back up”. Provide a name for the back up in the space provided and click “Next”. Finally Click “Finish” on the “Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard” page and click “Close” once the

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

Planning permission should not be ignored

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

When carrying out home improvements it is vital to do your groundwork correctly. Some improvements will require planning permission and it is also a good idea to let the neighbours know about any work that you intend to undertake. Your neighbours are likely to be concerned about any work which may affect them and the enjoyment of their property.

A well-designed building or extension is much more likely to be attractive and it will also add some value to your house. The insurance company should be told of any improvements made so that they can update the all important household insurance policy. Examples where planning permission may be needed include adding or extending a flat or maisonette, dividing off part of a property for use as a separate home, using a building in the garden as a separate residence for someone else, building a separate house in the garden or dividing off part of the property for business use. Lighting itself, and minor light fittings, are not subject to any planning controls. However, if the plan is to install external lighting for security, make sure that the intensity and direction of any lighting will not disturb anyone.

It is possible to make certain types of minor changes to a home without the need to apply for planning permission, these include fitting an alarm or putting up a wall or a fence which is below a certain height. Patios and driveways or also exempt. Other projects that can be carried out as long as they meet certain important criteria are conservatories and having a loft conversion. If you build something which needs planning permission but without getting permission first, you may be forced to put things right later, which could prove troublesome and costly. If you are in any doubt, contact the planning department of your council.

The success of any planning application will depend greatly on the quality of the application which has been submitted. If it is the first time planning permission has been applied for, it is highly recommended that an agent is employed to make sure everything is correct. They will complete the planning permission application form and look at any building regulations. A good agent will take away a lot of the hassle involved. The use of an agent will mean paying a fee, but this is often money well spent. An agent will have experience of working in this area and will also have a good knowledge of local regulations and policy and quite often understand the council and what they will expect from any development. More importantly an agent will make the completion of a planning application form straightforward. If the forms have been completed incorrectly it means that valuable time is wasted.

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

Go back in time with cottage style décor

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Cottage style is not just a decorating theme; it is also a lifestyle where people choose the country charm over modern life. English cottage style decorating will look as if it has come straight out of a Jane Austen novel, but it will make the home look beautiful.

Reinventing the home from inside to capture the essence of English cottage style décor can be done by using some ingenuity and also having some fun. Pick a colour scheme from the array of pastel colours for cottage decorating. Choose from green, yellow or pink which would all set the tone for beautiful décor. Creating a cosy and comfortable space is the basic décor concept ideas to be sought, and a hardwood floor with matching rugs will complement the room.

English style windows should allow the light to enter the room properly. Choose some gorgeous lace curtains instead of heavy drapes. Fabrics for the upholstery, bed sheets and curtains need to be made of floral prints that match the pastoral setting. Go for soft lighting to brighten a room. Vintage lamps can be easily found at an antique store or try to convert an old item such as a vase or jug in to a table lamp.

English country cottage style furniture was simple and rustic. Choose a large sofa and a simple quaint table. For a real English country style look add some antique picture frames. The setting would not be complete without an afternoon tea set. Therefore, make sure the kitchen cupboard has some fine chinaware and a teapot. Remember that household insurance is as important in a cottage style home as it is in any other.

Try to keep the whole décor as simple as possible to enhance the beauty of the home. Some pine furniture will play an important role in the cottage style or if you can get some wicker furniture it will be all the better. Add some handmade accessories to give a finishing touch.

Wicker baskets can be used for hanging plants. Fresh flowers and wooden wall hangings are the best pieces to achieve the cottage style look. English cottage style décor is becoming one of the more popular decorating styles, and it’s no wonder as its light and breezy style is well suited to today’s lifestyles. Contrary to what the name implies, it can be used in any type of home, not just a cottage. Even a three-bedroom home in the city can have the ambience of a cute cottage if the décor is designed correctly.

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

Laptop that does a job home or away

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

These days most homes have a desktop computer, a great majority now have a laptop as well. They are ideal for children when studying as they can be used both at home and in college as they are easy to transport. Commuters also love them as it means they can work during their commute hence giving them the option of working fewer hours in the office.

Computers should always be protected by household insurance policies, but remember if they are taken away from the home then special clauses may come into play.

If you are looking for a small and light notebook, then the Advent 4489 could well be the answer. It is ideal for the traveller as it is super light weighing just 1.2 kg. It is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper but has a 9 inch screen which is plenty big enough to enjoy videos or pictures.

The netbook is really easy to use, the keyboard is light and gentle on the fingers, yet big enough to use comfortably, the touchpad is responsive and accurate. Another big plus is that the Advent 4489 is energy efficient. If left unused for 15 minutes, it automatically shuts down but the information is readily available when switched back on.

One downside to Advent 4489 is that programmes cannot be played from CD or DVD without buying extra equipment, but its primary use is the internet and considering its price then that is acceptable. The battery supplied lasts just over two hours which is okay for short trips and it does recharge quite quickly. To make it the perfect travelling companion for any trip, higher capacity batteries can be purchased for around £30.

The Intel atom processor is 1.6GHz and comes with 512 MB of RAM, which is quite sufficient for the commuter working on office documents. Upgrades are available and are inexpensive if the computer is to be used for games etc.

Overall, I think at just over £200 the advent 4489 is great value and although it will never be a main computer it can certainly be used as a backup. It is a perfect train traveller.

The netbook is available at PC World and can be bought via the collect at store option.

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

First time buyers still wary of taking on debt

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

The percentage of the housing market occupied by first-time buyers went down to 34% in July; this represents a drop of 4% from the previous month and is at its lowest for three years, according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

The CML says the reason for the drop is due to the increasing difficulty a first-time buyer has in getting a mortgage. Early this year the problems seemed to have eased but now loan criteria have tightened up meaning first-time buyers will have to find a deposit of 24%, an increase of 3% in April and May. Mortgage activity does generally drop in August because of the summer holidays, however this years decline is much larger than was expected. And the mini-housing boom of the past twelve months has slowly stopped, and is very unlikely to pick up before next year.

With cuts in the public sector, tax hikes and constant talk of a double-dip recession, buyers’ confidence is low. We should know better how the housing market is going to perform once the coalition government has announced their spending review, and it may be that many prospective buyers are waiting until the details are announced before deciding whether to take on more debt. It may mean renting and taking out household insurance for protection until the market picks up.

Howard Archer, of economists Global Insight, said “This mortgage data for July remains very low compared to long-term norms and does little to dilute suspicion that house prices will remain under pressure. It is also notable that mortgage approvals to first time buyers actually weakened in July, which suggests not only that they may be becoming more reluctant to move into the housing market in the current uncertain economic environment. It also suggests that first time buyers are finding it hard to get mortgages.”

Tags: Advice for Tenants, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, household insurance
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Home Insurance | No Comments »