Travel Insurance Shopper

Like most people I find balancing the household finances at the end of the month a struggle. With three children all under eight and me not in full time work we need to watch every penny and I have become adept at making the money last and would be described by the popular press as a “Thrifty Mum”. I am probably not alone when I’m not only able to list all of my direct debits but also able to say the amounts I pay each week for each of them and the day they come out of our bank account. The control this gives me allows me to avoid worrying too much as I couldn’t cope with the thought of not being able to do so and the crisis I would be in would threaten everything I and my husband have worked together for. I have become very canny at looking out for offers and religiously cut vouchers out of the newspaper and keep an eye out for when the deals are on at the local Tesco supermarket.

One of the most helpful ways of saving money I’ve come across in recent years is to use the comparison websites to make sure that you aren’t paying a penny more than you have to on your household bills. I will regularly log on and do a permanent health insurance comparison or a check to see if our buildings and contents insurance can be bought cheaper than we have it already. Changing electricity and gas suppliers is always worth considering as they tend to put up prices for people who don’t switch providers like the banks and building societies do for those who don’t move their money to the best savings accounts. I believe that we can save about one month’s salary a year by switching or threatening to switch suppliers. Sometime purely mentioning the fact that you are about to change provider to your existing provider will mean that they will drop their price by a huge margin. Its well worth trying, the alternative is too awful to contemplate.

Source: http://www.permanenthealthinsurance.uk.com/blog/2012/01/27/permanent-health-insurance-must-if-you-are-self-employed/

No one likes paying for home insurance, but it’s a necessary evil for most of us. This doesn’t mean you have to pay through the nose for it though – try these 8 easy tips for cheaper home insurance and see how much you could reduce your premiums by.

- Shop Around

By comparing prices from several insurance companies, you’ll probably be able to reduce your premiums by a substantial amount. This may seem obvious, but research has shown that a surprisingly large proportion of people either just renew their current policy, or get only one or two quotes. Many insurance web sites will automatically compare dozens of policies for you, making this one of the easiest ways to reduce your insurance bill.

- Buy online

If you buy your policy online you can often get a discount of up to 20% on normal prices, because there are less administration costs involved and the savings can be passed on to you.

- Combine your buildings and contents policies

Many insurers will give you a discount if you take out both types of home insurance with them, and this usually works out cheaper than getting the two kinds of policies from different companies.

- Pay upfront

Although most insurers let you pay your premium in monthly instalments, many will charge interest for this. If you can afford to pay a full year’s premium in advance, then this will work out cheaper in the long run.

- Don’t claim for small amounts

Making many small claims can increase your insurance costs, as your insurer may see you as a greater risk and increase your premiums. You will also lose any no claims discount your policy has. Of course, you’re entitled to claim for anything your policy covers, but ask yourself if making a small claim is really worth the hassle and possible future costs.

- Voluntary excess

This is related to the last point. Insurance policies feature something known as ‘excess’, which basically means that the policy won’t pay out on claims below a certain value. On some policies, if you choose to raise your excess to a higher level, then your premiums will be lower.

- Increase your home security

Beefing up your home security with better door locks, window locks, outdoor lighting, and alarm systems can all result in lower premiums. Ask your insurer what you could do to get extra discounts.

- Reduce your cover

Many policies feature benefits that you might not need, such as cover for personal possessions while travelling, or ‘free’ legal advice. Look through your policy and see what parts of it you really need – by cutting your cover down to size you may be able to reduce your premium.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

But rattling away, bubble bubble toil and trouble;

was the boiler under the staircase, beginning to rumble.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

As they drifted off to sleep, thoughts of Santa filling their heads.

Mum finally put her feet up after a hard day’s work in kitchen,

and Dad had prepared the fruit salad, that was always his mission.

The parents sat down to wrap the presents; Grandad was bought a gnome

(he would cherish it when became unwrapped in the warm cosy home).

He would then sing the songs of great Christmases past,

The rose tinted memories always seem to last.

Dad tip-toed up to bed, full of booze, cheer and goodwill -

because he had downed the sherry left for Santa on the window sill.

‘Tomorrow is going to be perfect’ that was his consensus (but wait here’s the spoiler;

the next day was going to unfortunately unravel because of the faulty boiler).

As everyone drifted to the land of nod, dreaming of festive bliss

The boiler under the staircase was beginning to hiss.

Poorly pipes began to freeze over, requiring the loving touch of an engineer,

the boiler just could not cope with the coldest month in our year.

As the night moved on, the inside temperature dropped to an all-time low – and

Outside; the moon glazed the new-fallen snow

As the sun came up, ice had formed inside the house,

No creatures stayed these Arctic conditions; not even a mouse.

The sun peaked through the curtains, awaking Mum and Dad,

The children screaming delights of all the Christmas delights to be had,

But as they all awoke, and from bed they started to arise

Realising that Christmas was bearing a frosty surprise.

The boiler was bust, well and truly broken

Making the inhabitants of the house cry loud; truly outspoken

Eighteen people were arriving in less than 6 hours time,

The grandfather clock was aching with every chime.

While panic spread through the house quicker than Santa’s sleigh,

Dad simply sat calmly in his chair, no fear did he convey.

He picked up his phone, and entered several digits

And began to waffle down the phone for several minutes.

As Dad put the phone down the family were dumbstruck,

For dad’s face showed a smile, then up did he pluck

“My dear family, on this cold Christmas day I bring assurance

For clever old dad this year invested in boiler insurance!”

Less than two hours had progressed,

Well and truly before Nan docked her Sunday best

The friendly repairman, (in no way begrudgingly working his Christmas hol’)

Strolled in under the tinsel, a ‘handyman Santa’ out on patrol

In less than thirty minutes, Bob had fixed the tragic -

Bringing warmth back into the home with his magic

Exiting, whistling his goodbyes as he walked out the door

With thoughts of different family’s cheer (and boilers) to restore

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

The car insurance industry has got really competitive in the last few years, so prices haven’t really changed much. There are now over 100 car insurers to choose from, so there are some very good deals out there for those who are prepared to shop around. 23% of motorists still choose to insure with the same company as the year before, but they could undoubtedly save money if they did check out some other companies.

Motorists could be forgiven for not getting other quotes, it used to be a very laborious exercise involving long waits while getting routed through the call centre, and boring repetition of facts to sales advisors. Now, thanks to the internet, it’s all a lot more simple. Car insurers also offer extra discounts to people who buy online.

However, you need to consider the quality of the policy, not just the price:

Check that your low quotation is not due to an extremely high excess.

Check that you will get a courtesy car if your car needs to be taken in for repairs.

Check that legal insurance cover is included, if you want it, and automatic windscreen replacement.

Find out if there is an accident help line in case of an emergency.

It’s a good idea to ring the insurer direct to talk through the policy in detail before signing up online.

Money saving tips recommended!

You can get a quote with over 40 car insurers if you input your details into a good car insurance broker’s website. You’ll only need to give your details once. Call the insurer with the quotation to check exactly what is and isn’t covered.

If you have a garage, then you’ll save by keeping your car there overnight. You’ll also make savings if you can keep your car on a driveway. This is because there is more chance your car being broken into or vandalised if it’s kept on the road.

Give your insurer an accurate picture of how many miles you do each year you will save if you travel less.

Some occupations, like being a landlord, journalist or professional footballer (if only) attract higher premiums. You can save money if you work in finance or the civil service.

Get married! Men under 30 pay more if they’re not married it’s just the excuse your girlfriend is looking for!

Under 25’s pay more, but you can get lower premiums if can put a driver over the age of 25 with a good driving record on your policy as a named driver. That person must be under 60 though, as premiums rise again at that age.

Agreeing to higher excess (the average cost is 100) will help lower your premiums.

If your car is not of a high value, you could get third party cover and make quite a saving compared to fully comprehensive insurance.

Pay as you go insurance is a new option for 18-21 year olds. It’s a recent development introduced by Norwich Union, in which you pay a unit cost per mile. The cost per mile is more between 11pm and 6am. You pay an initial fee of 199 to have a Global Positioning System fitted to your car, and then it transmits details of your mileage direct to Norwich Union. They send you a monthly invoice and you pay for the miles you’ve done!

Taking Pass Plus lessons to improve your driving abilities could save you around a third on your premiums. They cost 15 – 30 an hour and cover driving at night, in busy rush hour jams and fast motorway driving. You can find out more at www.passplus.org.uk . You can also improve your driving skills and make insurance savings with the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( www.iam.org.uk ).

Find out the insurance group of a car before you make the purchase. There are twenty insurance groups the slower and less desirable the car (to criminals) then the lower the rating. You could make considerable savings by choosing a car in a lower insurance group.

If you want a high spec or performance car then you can expect to pay a lot more on your insurance. They’re a lot more likely to be stolen or involved in an accident. Making the sensible choice might be a bit boring, but it will be a lot cheaper.

Watch your speed. Most insurance companies will let you get away with a single fixed penalty fine but if you repeat the offence then your premiums will rocket.

Protect your no claims discount as soon as you can (usually after four years). It costs a bit extra but it’s well worth it.

Satellite navigation in your car will lower your premiums. Insurers have found that people concentrate more on their driving and less on trying to find their way, which means less chance of having an accident.

It’s a good idea to have an engine immobiliser or alarm fitted not just because it could help you keep hold of your car, it will also make you a saving of 5-8%.

If there’s two or more cars in the household, get them on the same policy to get a good discount.

One of the most stressful things that most people will have to do in their life is move from one location to the next. Whether you are moving a household or a business there are a lot of things that you will have to consider and many things that may work to discourage you completely, especially when it comes to an overseas move. However, with Robinsons International Removals the process can be made all the easier.

Relocating within the UK is hard enough and you might even require the assistance of a removal company then, moving from the UK to New Zealand can complicate matter even more. Robinsons overseas removals offers the services of one of the most well known and reputable overseas shipping companies in regards to either your personal belongings or even the relocation of your business to Oceania.

If you are Shipping to New Zealand it does not have to be an expensive affair, and there are many different ways to go about getting your belongings shipped from the UK to New Zealand depending on how much money you want to spend. If you are not in too much of a hurry you can opt to have your belongings shipped via freightliner. While this may not be the quickest option you should be able to get a fair price on international shipping.

For those people who may be in a little bit of a rush to make the move as quickly as possible, you will also be able to take advantage of air shipping services offered by Robinsons Shipping. Shipping with Robinsons will not only allow for customers to take advantage of low prices, but also the assurance that their belongings will be taken care of by accredited professionals.

Auto insurance refers to the insurance which is used for insuring the automobiles against any kind of uncertain accidents that may cause damages to the vehicle. The main purpose that the insurance serves is to give protection against the losses incurred due to accidents. Auto insurance is a type of insurance that consumers must buy to protect the life span of their vehicles and also for any kind of damages that the vehicle may suffer in an accident. Auto insurance is used to insure many automobiles such as cars, trucks and any other kind of vehicles that may need it. Different kinds of coverage are available under these insurance schemes such as Third-Party Foreign Theft and Fully Comprehensive insurance, to suit the interest and the needs of the insured.

Before buying auto insurance, it is very important that the person requiring insurance analyses the companies that provide vehicle insurance quotes. Different companies offer different quotes for the insurance of the vehicle, so the consumer must look out for the best one, which suits his needs and which proves to be highly economical. Many companies also give different discount schemes to attract more and more consumers. The consumer can save a good deal of money while purchasing auto insurance by comparing the quotes of different companies and choosing the cheapest one which satisfies all needs.

Comparing the quotes of different companies on the internet for buying insurance provides a wider platform to the consumer, where they can compare quotes from several companies and choose one among them. The main thing about choosing a quote is that the quote need not necessarily be cheap but the company must be an established one which the customer can rely on should they have an accident.

The consumer should not only compare the quotes of different companies but also the companys reputation and their way of service. While comparing, the consumer is more acquainted with the different kind of coverage that are available and can choose among them according to the needs. Buying insurance online is the most popular way of buying insurance because it is really fast and convenient, which suits to the busy life of people who have little time to phone around the various companies to relay the details of the insurance cover they are after over and over again. And the best part is that it is free of cost, i.e. no cost is involved in gathering the quotes online from different companies.

Auto insurances are needed because of the reckless accidents that happen on our roads day after day. These can only be reduced once the certainty of the accidents is reduced. The companies quote their prices for insuring depending upon various factors like the age of person to whom the vehicle belongs, the location where the car is bought and supposedly to be used and also many other factors like whether the driver already has points on their licence. The details regarding the car, like where it is being parked, whether or not it is kept in a garage (which is supposed to have less risk of being stolen) and also the mileage of the car are also deciding factors. If the car travels less than a specific limit of miles then such cars are likely to receive some kind of mileage discounts.

Since the debt crisis surfaced in 2008 there has been a growing emphasis on austerity measures in the UK which have unfortunately filtered down to households after beginning with government. UK workers are being made redundant by the thousands each month and wages are not rising in accordance with the inflation rate. As a result, too many individuals were being bankrupted so government and consumers’ advocate groups sought means to help them avoid insolvency. Amongst some of the most innovative measures during this time of austerity to help consumers avoid insolvency are debt solutions such as IVAs.

In more recent months the Insolvency Service has instituted Debt Relief Orders which can help the lowest portion of the economy to avoid bankruptcy. However, anyone who owns a car valued higher than £300 cannot take advantage of a DRO nor can anyone who owns a home or has debt equal to or less than £15,000. In other words, even amidst extreme austerity measures in Wales and England, the most commonly sought relief from insolvency is an IVA. An Individual Voluntary Arrangement is open to greater numbers of people facing insolvency which adds to its popularity as a debt solution.

One thing to understand about an IVA is the fact that it must be administered by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner but online debt relief companies such as debtfreeme can provide debt help quickly and efficiently throughout England and Wales. Even though the country is beset by austerity measures, more and more consumers are taking advantage of debt solutions to avoid bankruptcy but the key is to petition the courts before your creditors do. Seek advice from Debt Free Me before your creditors seek involuntary insolvency. It is possible to beat them to the punch if you act as soon as you discover your debt is out of control.

For many people a cruise holiday is a trip of a lifetime, so it came as quite a surprise to me to discover that some people do not arrange adequate insurance when booking their vacation. You only have to read a few selected forums or blog postings to learn how those who have decided to forego the purchase of travel insurance have ended up ruining their cruise holiday, and in many cases at great financial cost. How sad to think that if those same people had budgeted for the small additional cost of an insurance policy, all would not have been lost, and in most situations they would have been able to enjoy their holiday as normal.

The problem with insurance is that you never quite know when you are going to need it, and this is a good reason to make your arrangements at the same time that you make the booking for your cruise travel. Of course, you have no intention of cancelling your holiday, but sometimes life’s twists and turns can take us by surprise. Illness or a change in family circumstances could mean that going on a cruise holiday becomes an impossibility, and without insurance, a large chunk of your cash could be lost forever, not to mention the fact that you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

The risk of something going wrong and ruining your vacation doesn’t end when you board the cruise ship. Baggage does go astray from time to time, and while it is usually located fairly quickly, sometimes luggage is officially declared lost. In the greater scheme of things, a missing bag or two is not a huge drama. But when those bags contain all the new clothes that you purchased to wear on your cruise holiday, a drama can turn into a nightmare, especially if you failed to buy insurance before travelling. Another time when travel insurance will come in handy is in a situation where medical treatment is necessary. A fall while showering could lead to a broken wrist or ankle – and treatment for even simple accidents can be costly while cruising. More seriously, if you need to be removed from the ship to be hospitalised, an insurance policy will help to cover the costs – without one, you could end up seriously out of pocket.

Ensuring that you have a travel insurance policy also covers you for those other eventualities that are impossible to predict. It has been known, on a few occasions for a cruise ship to have to abandon a voyage due to mechanical problems or delay the journey due to extreme weather conditions. Both of these situations can be extremely distressing and disappointing, but at least for those who are insured, claims for refunds and costs can be made.

In my eyes, attempting to save money by not arranging travel insurance is a foolhardy way to go about things. When even the most simple problems can ruin your long awaited cruise holiday, why leave yourself in the hands of fate? Just take that extra few minutes to organise cover, and enjoy valuable peace of mind, knowing that if something does go wrong, you’ve got a back-up plan.

Whilst being on-board a cruise ship allows you to sit in a luxurious atmosphere, some of the most exciting times during your holiday will be spent on land. I know that the shore excursions are one of the most appealing aspects of a cruise (having gone on many Alaska cruises myself), as you are able to step off the ship and partake in activities, and then retreat to a comfortable cabin and journey to the next port of call. Cruise insurance is important to have if you are planning on spending your next holiday at sea, yet many insurance policies will not cover shore excursions, which can make it difficult to feel comfortable participating in some activities. Here are a few of my suggestions regarding cruise insurance and excursions.

Find out What the Limitations Are for Extreme Activities

Not all insurance policies are the same, so you are sure to find some that do not offer coverage for extreme or dangerous activities. If you enjoy scuba diving, white water rafting, motorcycling or bungee jumping, then you should speak with your insurance broker before purchasing insurance. Some brokers will be able to include coverage under your policy for hazardous pursuits, which will provide coverage in the event you are injured while participating in shore excursions. You may have to pay extra for this to be included in your policy.

Winter Sports Holidays Require Different Coverage

It is important to note that if you will be travelling on a winter sports holiday, such as to a place where you may be skiing, you will need a different type of policy. These policies are usually more expensive, as there is a greater risk for injury, which could result in a large amount of medical expenses. Speak with your broker about what type of policy will cover you during a winter sports holiday, and also consider asking your broker about personal liability insurance in the event you accidently injure another person. Make sure to let your broker know if you will be skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, bobsleighing or riding snow mobiles during your trip. Many policies will not cover skiing off piste, which means skiing on slopes that are not maintained or recognised.

Find Out if Personal Belongings are Covered

Many policies will not cover personal belongings that have been stolen, as they usually expect you to take proper care of personal items. It is highly important to keep track of your possessions whilst on shore excursions, as it would be easy for someone to steal an unattended item when you are swimming or ordering food at a café. Make sure to read the fine print on your policy, and find out if the insurance company will pay for items that have been stolen or not. It is also important to find out how much the company will pay out for each item.

By being prepared and discussing cruise insurance with your broker before purchasing a policy, you will be able to make sure that you and your possessions are protected whilst on holiday.

Before stepping on-board the ship and embarking on your next transatlantic cruise, you should consider discovering more about cruise insurance. We know that it can seem overwhelming and exciting; as you plan a cruise, worry over what to pack and finalize travel arrangements, but cruise insurance is important for both you and the others who will be travelling with you. There are a few different options for cruise insurance, which can make choosing the best one seem confusing. Here are a few questions regarding cruise insurance and our answers for you.

Why is regular travel insurance not adequate for a cruise holiday?

Although travel insurance may seem like it would cover cruises, some policies actually exclude coverage for cruise holidays. One reason why travel insurance is not adequate for cruise insurance is due to medical expenses, especially if you will be cruising somewhere far. If you became injured or ill on the ship, it would be expensive to transport you back to the UK. Many regular travel insurance policies will not provide enough coverage for the cost of transport and medical coverage.

Do you need one time only or annual insurance?

You can purchase cruise insurance that will only cover one trip or purchase an annual policy that will cover you throughout the year. With a one trip policy, you are only covered for that one cruise. If you decide to purchase insurance for only one cruise, make sure you find out how many days you are covered for, as some policies will have a limit on the length of time you will remain covered. If you purchase annual insurance, you will remain covered through the year, no matter how many trips you take. If you make frequent trips, then an annual policy is usually the better way to go, as it will be cheaper.

Do you need special provisions for extreme or winter sports activities?

If part of your holiday will be spent partaking in winter sports activities, we recommend consulting with your broker before you purchase insurance. Due to the increased risk of being injured whilst enjoying winter sports activities and the possibility of added expenses for large medical bills, winter sports holidays require a different type of travel insurance. For those who are adventurous, you should also speak with your broker before buying an insurance policy. Some activities, such as scuba diving or bungee jumping, may not be covered under the policy. You may have to pay extra expenses to have these items covered in your policy, but it is worth it to ensure you are protected in the event you injure yourself.

Do you need extended stay insurance?

If you are planning on spending the winter somewhere warmer or if you are about to journey on a trip around the world, you may need an insurance policy with an extended stay option. Make sure to speak with the insurance company that provides you with home contents insurance, as they may require notice of your trip if it will last longer than 30 days.