Contents Insurance « Home Quote Direct

Posts Tagged ‘Contents Insurance’

The mouse that everyone needs

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Before 1984, the thought of a mouse being inside most homes and people happily handling the mouse on a daily basis would have been crazy talk. However, 26 years later, that is what happens in millions of homes and offices throughout the world. The Mouse first entered into the public consciousness with the introduction of the Apple Macintosh, and since then they have helped to completely redefine the way that we use computers today.

Every day of computing life, means reaching out for the mouse whenever the cursor is needed to move or something needs activating. The mouse will sense any motion and the clicks are sent to the computer so that it can respond appropriately. It is amazing how simple and effective a computers mouse is, something else amazing is the fact it took so long for a mouse to become a part of everyday life. It was originally born in the 1960s, but it took a couple of decades before the mouse was to become popular.

For many years light pens were used on an array of machines as a pointing device, and graphics tablets and even joy sticks were also popular in the 70s. None of these really took off as the perfect pointing device. However, when the mouse hit the scene (attached to the Mac), it was an instant success. It is easy to see why as there is something about it that is natural. When compared to a graphics tablet, a mouse is inexpensive and they also take up very little space. In the computer world, the mouse took longer to gain ground; this was because of a lack of support within the operating system. Once Windows made Graphical User Interfaces standard, the mouse quickly became the pointing device of choice for the public at large, and PC’s started appearing more and more in the home. Now most homes will have some sort of computer covered by their household insurance.

The first type of mouse around was the mechanical mouse (also called a ball mouse), and it used a moving ball to work. As the mouse was moved across a surface, the ball moved as well. An optical mouse is one of the most common computer mice in use today. It works by using optical technology and so does not need any moving parts. As the optical mouse is moved over a surface, a small red LED (Light-Emitting Diode) will emit light onto a surface and then it will read the pattern on that surface. The mouse will then convert the surface information into meaningful data which it then sends to the computer. Laser technology has been the newest technology breakthrough in a computer mouse. They work similar to an optical mouse, but with better results as it can deliver up to 20 times the performance of an optical mouse.

Tags: Contents Insurance, home entertainment, Home Insurance, technology
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Television no longer a box in the corner

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

With so many HD Television channels starting to appear, getting a new HDTV is becoming more popular. Wanting tobuy a new HDTV is easy; knowing which one to get can be the hardest part. Is it Plasma or a LCD HDTV? Firstly decide how much money is available to spend on a new television, and when a new expensive television is bought, make sure it is covered on the household insurance policy. Bear in mind that a LCD TV will only use about a third to half the electricity that is needed to power a Plasma screen television of the same size, so take into consideration the amount of money that will be saved over the lifetime of the television by going with an LCD television.

The lighting of the room needs to be considered. In a very bright room, a LCD television will have better pictures as they are not as reflective as Plasmas. While in a dark room the plasma television will give the better picture. This is simply because a Plasma television will display black much better than a LCD television can do. Decide whether the viewing angle is an important feature. A LCD television is best viewed at a straight on angle because the bigger the angle a LCD is looked at, the more the picture will darken slightly. A Plasma television has better viewing angles.

Another consideration is the type of films that will be watched and whether the television will be used playing lots of video games. On a LCD television, motion blur can be noticeable with fast images. With a plasma television it will be barely noticeable. If a lot of sport will be watched on the television, then the only one to choose is a Plasma TV. It has got an amazing viewing angle, which basically means that watching a game will have the same perfect picture from anywhere in the room.A Plasma television will provide the best colour, the best contrast ratios and the best motion in the HDTV department. This is because each individual pixel controls both the brightness and colour which gives the plasma televisions much more shadow detail, as well as better depth of field.

Finally a Plasma television will last just as long as a LCD TVs. Most plasma manufacturers give a life span of around 100,000 hours. This is a huge number, even if watching a television for 18 hours a day. If picture quality is at the top of the list then a plasma television is the only way to go. Soon there will be another television to choose from, the LED television is the new kid on the block, and it is making giant steps in the television market. The developers of LED televisions say thy will be so thin that they can be attached to the wall as if it was wallpaper. LED Televisions do cost a fortune, but they do offer a much better picture quality and resolution when they are compared to both Plasma televisions and LCD televisions.

Tags: Contents Insurance, Home Insurance
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Caution For Homeowners As Garden Thefts Expected To Rise This Summer.

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

HomeQuoteDirect would like to caution homeowners about the growing threat that they face this summer with garden theft. HomeQuoteDirect would like to ask that homeowners be vigilant this summer with securing their shed and garden items.

Garden theft is a growing problem in the UK. The threat of garden theft is highest between March and August. This summer, it is expected that 3 million Britons will fall victim to garden theft. Unfortunately, many Britons purchase tools and other garden items of value and do nothing to protect their goods from being vulnerable to garden theft.

A common misconception amongst Britons is that they don’t expect to be a victim of theft, as well as being prone to other damage such as vandalism or weathering damage. Some of the most notorious areas for garden theft in the UK are in the north of the UK.

Not all household policies cover garden loss, damage or theft. It is up to the individual to check with their broker to ensure that you have adequate cover for your garden tools, equipment and stored items. HomeQuoteDirect also provides household insurance policies that adequately cover your garden against loss, theft or damage.

Some types of theft and damage that is common include:

•    Garden stripping – whereby people (particularly rogue landscapers) steal and resell plundered assets to unsuspecting clients. Cases can be so extreme that people have returned home to find their entire garden and furnishings removed.
•    Garden property vandalism – People damaging the contents within your garden.
•    Shed contents theft – Whereby people break-in to steal valuable items. (Usually bikes or power tools.)

Common items that are targeted include:

•    Barbecues
•    Bicycles
•    Power tools
•    Garden ornaments (such as garden gnomes)
•    Lawn
•    Furniture

Some precautionary measures that homeowners can take during this summer include:
•    Installing security lighting in your garden to deter thieves.
•    Installing a sensor alarm to alert neighbours or authorities against trespassers.
•    Use a pen or engrave identification onto your valuable goods in case of theft.
•    Improve the secure latching on your shed or valuable items.

It would be ideal to take out a policy on your garden contents. Typically, garden policies will cover:
•    Theft
•    Fire
•    Storm/flood damage
•    Malicious damage
•    Accidental damage
•    Damage by wild animals
•    Branches

You can get with a from HomeQuoteDirect’s household insurance policy will usually provide you with basic garden cover, however you may need to adjust your cover to specific items that is in your garden. The basic garden policy can cover you for up to 15% of your value. Click here to get a quote on household insurance from HomeQuoteDirect.

Image credit : rainvt

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

Top Tips for Home Insurance

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Do you need to reduce your home insurance premium? Take a peek at our top tips below!

Shop around
- Make sure you get a number of quotes to make sure you’re not paying more than you should be.
- Don’t accept the first quote you get; and don’t think you have to get your home insurance from your mortgage lender – you’re not obliged to!
- Using a site like HomeQuoteDirect enables you to shop around quickly and easily, as you get a number of quotes from different insurers and there’s only one form to fill in!

Only Pay for the Cover You Need
- For buildings insurance you only need to insure your property for the cost to rebuild – not the market value. There can be a vast difference!
- Similarly for contents insurance – only insure up to the value of your possessions and be as accurate as you can be.

Limit the Risk
- If insurers perceive your home to be less of a risk, then the cost of your home insurance is likely to reduce –
  - Consider installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to reduce the risk of fire damage
  - Make sure your home is as secure as possible – consider by installing a NACOSS or SSAIB approved alarm system; fit deadlocks to doors etc

Don’t Make Unnecessary Claims
- Think before you claim – many companies now incorporate no claims bonuses into their home insurance (just like they do for car insurance). You may find that it’s works out cheaper to pay for any repairs yourself than suffer a rise in your home insurance premium

Tags: Advice, Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance for Renters, Saving Money, Tips
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Home Contents And Personal Possessions Insurance.

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Students that find themselves living away from home during their times of studies often find themselves living in student residences. These are often in student halls of residence or shared accommodation off campus.

Living in these student dwellings usually open the first time student to the responsibilities of being independent and accepting the rewards and risks that come with being away from the family home. Unfortunately, some of those risks involve further risks against your own belongings.

Students should consider purchasing student insurance if they decide to live in a residence away from home to study. Student insurance is a type of insurance policy that will cover the cost of the goods that is owned by the student within their studying residence.

The student home contents and personal possessions insurance policy can cover the contents for a student living away from home either on or off campus. The student is responsible for their own personal belongings and to insure their items are adequately covered against theft, accidental damage and break-ins.

Insuring your belongings whilst you are away from your home can prove invaluable in the case that damage, theft or break-in occurs. Furthermore, policies may also protect the person over a short period of time whilst they are away from their student residence. (Typically over holiday season.)

The following items should be considered for protection when taking out student insurance.

1.    Consumer electronics
2.    Money
3.    Jewelery
4.    Personal Documents

The common items tht are often of high value and should be considered for taking out a policy include:

Electronic goods – these usually hold a high value, making them an ideal theft target. By insuring the electronic goods, you will have a degree of protection for replacing those goods if they are subject to theft, damage or break-ins.

Desktops and Laptop computers
Computers are a popular target for thieves. Laptops are a high value target for theft in a university residence, as they are often valuable and the replacement cost is usually expensive.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are also another popular item that is subject to theft in student residences due to their value.
MP3/4 players
Portable players are also another popular item which is usually subject to theft or loss.

Money
If there is money that is within the residence, most policies will cover this up to a certain amount.

Jewelery
Jewelery is typically a popular theft item due to its high value. You should insure valuable items and specify them in your policy.

Personal documents.
Loss of documents such as passports and bank statements can prove costly if lost or stolen. Identity theft is on the increase and the insurance policy can also cover you against this type of theft.

Students can take advantage of the student insurance provided by HomeQuoteDirect to start protecting their belongings when living away from home. Click student insurance to find a policy the right policy for your student residential needs.

Tags: Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance for Renters, Possessions Insurance, students insurance
Posted in Contents Insurance, Home Insurance, Possessions Insurance, Student Insurance | No Comments »

Home Insurance Advice for Tenants

Friday, April 17th, 2009

If you are renting a property, as a tenant, what sort of insurance do you need?

If you are renting a property, be it from a private landlord or from a council or local authority, you are not responsible for insuring the building itself. This is the responsibility of whoever owns the building.

Your landlord or council / local authority will have taken out buildings insurance which covers any damage to the structure and fabric of the building. Therefore, in the event of a fire, the buildings insurance will cover the cost of any remedial works.

However, you should be aware, that as a tenant, the buildings insurance does not cover any of your personal property.

As such, in the event of a fire, if your belongings were damaged or destroyed you are not covered under the owner of the property’s buildings insurance. Similarly, should the property which you rent be broken into, and your belongings stolen, again you are not covered under the buildings insurance.

As such, if you are renting you should really consider home insurance to protect your belongings in the event of a fire, flood, theft etc.

You do not need to get buildings insurance as that will be covered by the owner of the property, you simply need an insurance policy to protect your belongings. This is called contents insurance.

Contents Insurance Advice for Tenants

Most importantly, we would advise tenants to ensure that they select their insurance carefully and ensure that they choose a policy which provides adequate cover for all of their possessions (including furniture, TVs, stereos, computers, clothing, valuables, household appliances etc).

If you rent a furnished or part-furnished property bear in mind that you may also be responsible for loss or damage to these items whilst you are living in the property. Check your tenancy agreement to see if you are liable – if so, make sure that these items are also covered under your contents insurance.

If you own something particularly valuable you may need to get extra cover. Remember, it’s far better to take the time to check that you are adequately covered at the time of taking out the policy, rather than finding out that you don’t have sufficient cover when you need to make a claim.

Finally, make sure you keep your insurer appraised of any changes – for example – if you move, make sure you let your insurance provider know so they can make any necessary amends to your policy. Similarly, if you purchase anything new – e.g. a new TV, make sure that your existing policy still offers adequate cover.

The Citizens Advice Bureau have produced an excellent guide to Contents Insurance – click here to read more.

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

Posts Tagged ‘Contents Insurance’

The mouse that everyone needs

Television no longer a box in the corner

Caution For Homeowners As Garden Thefts Expected To Rise This Summer.

Top Tips for Home Insurance

Do you need to reduce your home insurance premium? Take a peek at our top tips below!

Home Contents And Personal Possessions Insurance.

Home Insurance Advice for Tenants

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