November 26, 2008
Direct Line Home Insurance Reviewed
Story link: Direct Line Home Insurance Reviewed
The financial news site, Finance Markets, has published a review of Direct Line home insurance which is generally positive.
However, the site does make the point that while Direct Line sells itself as cheap, this may come at the cost of customer service:
Direct Line Home Insurance Review
Direct Line impress with their competitive prices and the simple and rapid signing-up process.
However, it seems the trade off comes when it is time to make a claim. With some customers feeling that they get poor help and advice on offer, making the claim is not a welcoming prospect. A
It also makes a point that rather than renew automatically, it may be a good idea to cancel at the end of the policy and re-apply.
November 25, 2008
Keep your home safe over Christmas
Story link: Keep your home safe over Christmas
Suprisingly a high percentage of people do leave either windows or doors, open or unlocked, most of the time. The problem is in the festive season, theives are prone to be active, as they realise a lot of familes will be away for good amounts of the festive season. Keep them shut and locked at all times!
Keep your home safe over Christmas
People who do not want Christmas ruined as a result of having to make a home insurance claim need to be vigilant during the festive season, Lincolnshire police have warned.
They explained opportunist thieves were particularly active at this time of year.
Britain needs affordable home insurance
Story link: Britain needs affordable home insurance
I think the idea of making an exemption as regards to VAT where flood protection is involved is a great idea. The Government needs to allow previous or potential flood victims to equip their homes well enough, just incase.
If this doesn’t happen the home insurance companies will simply stop covering homes in high risk areas, which could be a major problem for some individuals.
Britain needs affordable home insurance
If companies are to be able to continue to provide flood cover in home insurance policies, the government will need to play their part, it has been claimed.
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) pointed out the 2007 summer floods caused about three billion pounds worth of damage, which is equivalent to about four or five years worth of weather-related claims.
November 21, 2008
No reason not to have home insurance
Story link: No reason not to have home insurance
It’s true, for the sake of the extra money every month, the piece of mind knowing that the bricks and mortar in your life are covered, is something that you can buy, and with even more and more competitive deals hitting the market every week, there is no excuse not to have home insurance.
No reason not to have home insurance
Home insurance is “competitively priced” and should not be ignored by householders, it has been claimed.
Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, said even in hard times people ought to continue paying for contents insurance.
Do you homework
Story link: Do you homework
It’s always good to find out about thieves that have actually been caught, so good job!
Maybe they should of done some more homework before deciding to break into somewhere with hidden cameras and marking sprays!
West Yorkshire police have arrested two burglars who they suspect broke into a capture house in Calderdale that was equipped with hidden cameras and marking fluid sprays.
Sergeant David Williams, of the Calderdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said such properties have been successful in reducing burglaries in West Yorkshire in the past, adding: “These arrests clearly illustrate the value of the capture houses in helping us to tackle burglary.”
Tighten up security
Story link: Tighten up security
Simple precautions such as double locking, additional alarms and interior key locking systems could be the difference between a claim, and no claim.
For the sake of a 15 minute trip to the likes of B&Q, and maybe £20.00, any homeowner can start to equip their house more substantially.
Residents in Avon and Somerset need to step up their home security measures to safeguard against burglars following a spate of incidents in October, police have warned.
Homeowners in the areas of Southville, Headley Park, Windmill Hill and Hartcliffe reported 79 burglaries last month and are now considered hotspots for the crime.
Don’t keep it visible
Story link: Don’t keep it visible
This is the most common cause of burglary; leaving valuables on show. Keys are a goldmine to a thief, whether they are for your car or you house.
This time of year is especially common for bulgaries, with the likes of Haloween and Bonfire night which we’ve already had, and then Christmas and New Year, where bulgars are sure to have 80% of houses in any given road empty.
Merseyside police have advised homeowners to take additional security steps in the run up to Christmas.
Being burgled before the festivities can prove to be an expensive experience, as many people have valuable items intended to be given as presents stored at home.
Take more precautions
Story link: Take more precautions
Simple ways of protecting you home such as making sure a big proportion of the door is glass, and that even from the inside, the door needs a key, as well as putting a protective metal casing around the letterbox could prevent a catastrophe.
Too many people become burglary victims because of shortcomings in their domestic security, a policeman has warned.
Sergeant Phil Seeley from Greater Manchester Police’s Stretford Burglary Unit made the comments after a pair of burglars were jailed for two years each.
Trick or treat
Story link: Trick or treat
Such criminals tend to work in pairs, leaving one to distract the homeowner, while the other commits the stealing offences, then leave swiftly together, with a nice selection of valuables.
Their main target tends to be the elderly, so always ask for ID and phone the company involved if necessary, if it’s an unexpected visit.
Distraction burglaries remain a major problem, figures released by Northamptonshire police suggest.
The practice involves a criminal tricking their way into a property by posing as an official, often claiming to be from a utility company.
Lock up at ALL times
Story link: Lock up at ALL times
Lock up at ALL times
It’s quite a common thing nowadays. Individuals will go out ensure every last window and door is locked and double locked. Then you get home from work; go for a bath for an hour, leaving your back door unlocked, and maybe even open to get some fresh air. Keep everything locked at all times!
Opportunistic criminals are happy to take advantage of security lapses even when people are at home, West Mercia Constabulary have warned.
People are generally aware of the importance of locking doors and windows when they are going out, but Detective Sergeant Chris Hughes said many are less careful once they are in.