Allianz Retail offers Christmas security tips
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Allianz Retail offers Christmas security tips
As Christmas draws nearer Allianz Retail has issued advice to customers and brokers to help ensure properties are as secure as possible over the festive season. Many spend time away from home, visiting family and friends, which can leave unoccupied homes easy pickings for criminals. The insurer has issued a range of tips to avoid [...]
Groupama offers tips to avert burst pipes
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Groupama offers tips to avert burst pipes
Groupama Insurances has alerted policy householders to pre-emptive measures they should take to help avert burst pipes due to the freezing winter weather. The firm advises homeowners to keep their heating on a high enough level to prevent freezing occurring, lagging pipes and insulating vulnerable areas, and to check plumbing joints. Head of Household at [...]
Cost of UK flooding hits five year high
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Cost of UK flooding hits five year high
Aon Benfield’s catastrophe model development centre of excellence has released its latest monthly Global Catastrophe Recap report. The report reveals that the recent floods to hit the UK damaged over 1,100 homes, and, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers’ report, are likely to cost insurers up to £500m. This will increase the total cost of floods to [...]
AXA bolsters customer support for flood victims
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA bolsters customer support for flood victims
In response to the recent flooding AXA has announced that it has increased the number of staff on hand to respond to customers. The measure has enabled AXA to maintain a fast response for the claimants who have been affected by the widespread flooding to afflict the United Kingdom. Numerous staff members have been reallocated [...]
QuestGates warns of floods’ environmental aftermath
by Richard Kilner
Story link: QuestGates warns of floods’ environmental aftermath
QuestGates’ Alan Dobson, director of Environmental Claims, has warned that the potential implications of environmental damage caused by flooding are often ignored in the early stages of the event. Dobson explained that unless proper assessment and management of the environmental aspects of the flooding occur the ultimate cost faced by insurers and danger faced by [...]
ABI issues flood advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI issues flood advice
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued advice to people who have been affected by the recent flooding. Those who have suffered damage to property or contents should contact their home insurer as soon as possible, most of which have 24 hour hotlines. Policyholders should also effect temporary repairs, if necessary to present the [...]
ABI issues advice to avoid burst pipes
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI issues advice to avoid burst pipes
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has urged homeowners to take pre-emptive action to reduce the risk of burst and frozen pipes. Two years ago the especially savage winter led to insurers being swamped with 3,500 claims a day for burst pipes. The problem can be very expensive, disruptive and stressful, but taking simple steps [...]
Aviva warns of rising theft on Bonfire Night
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Aviva warns of rising theft on Bonfire Night
Aviva has warned that Bonfire Night is the worst day of the year for burglaries, with 25% more burglaries occurring than on a standard day. Gold and jewellery are particularly sought after, with a 33% rise in claims for them compared to the September/October average. Car thefts also spike during Guy Fawkes Night, during which [...]
Winter weather warning for British homeowners
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Winter weather warning for British homeowners
AXA has advised its customers to carry out home maintenance, as 60% make inaccurate assumptions about coverage offered against stormy weather. Every year around one in 20 claims against damage caused by stormy weather is declined because the damage is attributed not to bad weather but to poor maintenance. This is contrary to the expectation [...]
Uninsured homes on the rise
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Uninsured homes on the rise
New research from The Co-operative Insurance has revealed that almost a fifth (18%) of UK adults lack home insurance and are therefore financially exposed to the risks of burglary and other hazards. The incidence of no insurance is twice as prevalent for the under 35s, 36% of whom lack it. More than half (52%) of [...]
RSA renews Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank partnership
by Richard Kilner
Story link: RSA renews Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank partnership
Global insurer RSA has announced a five year renewal of its partnership with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks. As part of the reaffirmed deal, RSA will provide Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks with Home and Motor insurance. Managing Director of Affinity at RSA Mark Allan said that the firm was proud to have renewed its partnership with [...]
Nationwide launches new home insurance products
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Nationwide launches new home insurance products
Nationwide Building Society has launched a pair of home insurance products: Nationwide Home Insurance and Nationwide Home Insurance Essentials. The building society’s customers will now be able to select the level of coverage and premium that best fits their particular needs. Independent financial research company Defaqto has rated Nationwide Home Insurance with 5 stars and [...]
L&G launches “Interactive House”
by Gill Montia
Story link: L&G launches “Interactive House”
Research from Legal & General (L&G) suggests that less than a quarter of homeowners are clear about what is and isn’t covered under their home contents insurance, while only one in five are likely to know exactly what their buildings insurance covers. To help consumers get a better grasp, L&G has launched an “Interactive House” [...]
Some progress on flood insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Some progress on flood insurance
Caroline Spelman, the Defra secretary of state, has told the Association of British Insurers (ABI) that the beginning of a solution to flood insurance has been found. In order for flood insurance to remain available and affordable a comprehensive replacement for the Statement of Principles on flood insurance needs to be created, and whilst this [...]
AXA advises DIYers to check their coverage
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA advises DIYers to check their coverage
With Easter approaching and three-quarters of Britons due to do a little DIY around the home, AXA is warning of costly accidents as claims are expected to spike on Easter Monday. The Easter break is expected to see 71% of people doing DIY or maintenance around the home, but AXA has warned that the 50% [...]
ABI offers subsidence advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI offers subsidence advice
As parts of the UK become gripped by drought the Association of British Insurers (ABI) is advising homeowners not to worry unnecessarily about the risk of subsidence. Trees, especially ones that are large or especially near a home, can increase the risk of subsidence due to the substantial quantity of water they absorb, which dries [...]
Cost of burglaries on the rise
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Cost of burglaries on the rise
Analysis by The Co-operative Insurance has revealed that the cost of home theft claims has increased substantially over the last two years. In 2010 the cost of theft claims increased by 8%, followed by a 9% rise in 2011, after three years of the cost remaining flat. The average burglary claim of today costs £225 [...]
Direct Line Sale offers discounts
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Direct Line Sale offers discounts
As of today homeowners can benefit from a 30% introductory discount, as part of the Direct Line Sale, with a further 20% discount for shopping online. Stuart Curson, head of home insurance at Direct Line, said that after the high spending of Christmas January was the month to get finances in order, including home insurance. [...]
AXA warns of a ‘year of risk’
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA warns of a ‘year of risk’
Home insurer AXA has warned Britons that a range of factors could make 2012 one of the riskiest on record for home insurance claims. Britain is poised for an eventful year, including occasions such as the Olympics, the Diamond Jubilee, the possible continuation of drought conditions and ongoing economic pressure. Thefts from homes increase by [...]
Towergate warns of festive burglary
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Towergate warns of festive burglary
The festive period of Christmas and New Year often sees home contents rise significantly, which can also attract burglars, according to Towergate Insurance. Retail CEO Michael Rea explained that thousands of pounds of gifts tempt thieves at this time of year, and urged homeowners to pay attention not only to locks and security but to [...]
