Homeowners are being warned by Aviva to beware vandalism, theft and burglary as the winter nights become longer and the clocks go back. The insurer conducted research, surveying 16 police forces regarding last year from 30 October to 5 November, and found that average reported burglaries increased by more than a quarter (26%) compared to [...]
The trend for new British homes to be built with ever smaller floor areas has stopped, according to new figures from The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). From 1900 to 2000 new homes saw a decline of 16% in terms of floor area, but this long term trend has halted across the full spectrum of [...]
South West rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual has released new figures confirming that the terrible winter the country suffered last year was one of the costliest on record. The Truro-based company received almost 300 claims from the start of November 2010 to the end of March 2011 which cost the firm over £700,000, with an [...]
Specialist home and contents insurer Hiscox has commissioned research which has revealed that 57% of people are unaware of the value of their vintage valuables. In addition to fine wine, vintage goods of possibly high worth include books, musical memorabilia and furniture. Andrew Cheney, senior risk and valuation advisor at Hiscox, explained that the ‘vintage’ [...]
As the nights draw in, Towergate Insurance has offered homeowners a range of tips to help deter burglars taking advantage of the prolonged darkness from breaking into their homes. Burglaries typically increase during this time of year, when clocks go back and nights become darker. Jonathan Walker, CEO of Towergate Insurance broking division, explained that [...]
Lightning strikes twice for nearly one in 10 people who make a related insurance claim, with property owners in Wales and West of the UK 89% more likely to suffer lightening damage than elsewhere. New research from Confused.com, based on the firm’s home insurance quotes data, also indicates that: Insurers have seen a 68% rise [...]
As the new university term draws nearer the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has reminded students of the importance of taking out appropriate insurance. Students often take goods worth several thousand pounds to university, meaning that any loss through burglary or accident can be a painful financial hit. The ABI advises students to have proper [...]
The days of burglars carting off their loot in vans may be gone, as AXA reveals there is £135.5bn in jewellery and small gadgets in British homes. The small but expensive items means that burglars can make off with a fortune, and need only a rucksack to carry their ill-gotten gains. According to research from [...]
ARAG is launching two new divorce products to the market, following a successful trial run with solicitors Mishcon de Reya and Prolegal. Pre-nuptial Legal Solutions and Divorce Legal Solutions are aimed at law firms preparing nuptial agreements and provide legal expenses cover from the date of a marriage or civil partnership. Sold alongside nuptial agreements, [...]
Crawford & Company is warning that the UK’s recent civil disturbances are unlikely to be expressly declared a “Riot” by the police, irrespective of media coverage and references to the same. However, claims under the Riot Damages Act 1886 must be received by the local police authority within 14 days of an alleged incident, and [...]
Climate change is leading to increased subsidence, which is now the most expensive natural hazard in Europe, according to Swiss Re. Subsidence is a highly expensive but relatively unknown risk to homes, which is exacerbated by prolonged dry weather. Over the last two decades, the Swiss Re report states, claims related to subsidence in France [...]
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has expressed its sympathy for residents and business owners who have suffered damage to their properties in the London riots. The Association’s director of general insurance and health, Nick Starling, says: “This is a time of enormous stress for them and their insurers will be on hand to answer [...]
There are enough household water leaks to fill 3,880 Olympic size swimming pools in a single year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Failed efforts at DIY and more plumbing-related appliances have increased the number of water leaks, with 9.7bn litres a year lost through leaks. Almost 20% of buildings and contents insurance [...]
Claims related to damage by water could increase home insurance premiums by up to £40, which is particularly concerning as the cost of claims for water damage have spiked by 44% in just one year. The surprisingly high surge in the cost of claims, published by Allianz, follows an announcement by the Association of British [...]
A flying toilet roll holder, an invented wedding engagement, a fake photograph and an invisible wall featured among the record number of fraudulent claims detected by insurers in 2010, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Around 133,000 fraudulent claims were uncovered last year (2,500 a week) with the figure up 9% on 2009. [...]
In response to the latest British Crime Survey (BCS), Legal & General’s Malcolm Cooper has expressed the firm’s view that there is a correlation between recessions and spikes in burglary. The BCS showed a 14% rise in burglary in England and Wales, as the country continues to grapple with economic difficulty despite having left recession. [...]
New research commissioned by Direct Line has revealed that 5.2m people have not reported a crime because of the fear it would deter buyers/renters if the incident appeared on a police crime map. Three-quarters (3.9m) of those not reporting crime have ignored vandalism, drug dealing or similar offences, and 45% have not reported stolen or [...]
Fewer than half of burglars (44%) convicted in 2010 were subject to a custodial sentence, and of those who got a suspended sentence more than half (52%) went on to reoffend, according to data that LV= received in response to an FOI request. The figures comes as new research suggests homeowners are concerned about repeated [...]
