ABI offers advice to survive the theftive season
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI offers advice to survive the theftive season
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has dubbed the theft prone festive season the ‘theftive season’, as criminals target easy pickings during Christmas and the New Year. More than 10,000 burglary claims were handled by insurers over last Christmas with payouts totalling £15m. Many such cases involved the homeowners being away, on holiday or visiting [...]
Government urged to address flood insurance
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Government urged to address flood insurance
The Government is being urged to announce proposals to address the matter of flood insurance after June 2013, when the Statement of Principles expires. The Statement of Principles was made between the ABI and the Government, and commits insurers to providing flood insurance (in given circumstances). As insurance policies frequently last a year the matter [...]
ABI provides Scots with flood advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI provides Scots with flood advice
Those affected by flooding following the heavy rain that has afflicted parts of Scotland have been advised to contact their insurer with all haste by the ABI (Association of British Insurers). Director of General Insurance Nick Starling described the flooding as precisely the sort of reason that insurance was designed for. Starling added that insurers [...]
Perkins Slade offers winter advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Perkins Slade offers winter advice
As winter approaches, Perkins Slade has offered homeowners some guidance regarding the best way to stave off the worst effects of the cold weather. Almost a third (30%) of people are unaware of where their stopcock is, rendering them helpless should burst pipes occur and increasing the eventual bill. In addition, many people (the elderly [...]
AXA warns of winter weather dangers
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA warns of winter weather dangers
AXA is warning homeowners about the dangers of burst pipes due to adverse winter weather. The last two winters have both been historically severe, and saw one in every thousand people fall victim to burst pipes, with claims averaging £25,000. ‘Escape of water claims’ have spiked by 50% during the last two winters, putting tens [...]
Direct Line finds UK’s subsidence hotspots
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Direct Line finds UK’s subsidence hotspots
Analysis by Direct Line home insurance has uncovered the worst subsidence hotspots in the UK. London and the south-east are particularly prone to the problem due to the nature of the soil there, which has more clay than is usual in other parts of the country. Subsidence claims run into thousands of pounds, and the [...]
Aviva advises pipe protection in winter
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Aviva advises pipe protection in winter
After the costly cold weather that struck the country last winter, Aviva is advising homeowners to give their properties a once over to help stave off burst pipes. Last winter Aviva recorded sixfold the average number of claims related to winter weather, with 60% of claims for burst pipes. As well as being greatly inconvenient, [...]
AXA warns homeowners to beware tricks
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA warns homeowners to beware tricks
Home insurer AXA has warned homeowners of the potential for significant damage during Halloween. Almost 10% of UK households have been damaged at one time or another by trick or treaters, and whilst most damage is minor some can be serious. Claims can increase by as much as 200% on Halloween compared to a typical [...]
ABI offers flood damage advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI offers flood damage advice
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has advised those affected by the recent flooding in Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England to contact their insurer as soon as possible. Director of General Insurance Nick Starling said that it was precisely for such events that insurance existed, adding that insurers will have been aware of bad [...]
Aviva warns of Bonfire burglary bonanza
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Aviva warns of Bonfire burglary bonanza
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 [...]
British homes no longer shrinking
by Richard Kilner
Story link: British homes no longer shrinking
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 [...]
Cornish Mutual reveals scale of winter claims
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Cornish Mutual reveals scale of winter claims
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 [...]
Hiscox offers vintage advice
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Hiscox offers vintage advice
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’ [...]
Towergate offers anti-burglar tips
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Towergate offers anti-burglar tips
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 [...]
Students advised to cover themselves
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Students advised to cover themselves
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 [...]
AXA urges homeowners to protect their gadgets
by Richard Kilner
Story link: AXA urges homeowners to protect their gadgets
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 [...]
Climate change increases subsidence risk
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Climate change increases subsidence risk
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 [...]
ABI: UK awash with leaks
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI: UK awash with leaks
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 [...]
Water damage costs surge by 44%
by Richard Kilner
Story link: Water damage costs surge by 44%
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 [...]
ABI warns against announcing holiday plans
by Richard Kilner
Story link: ABI warns against announcing holiday plans
The 35 million Britons who utilise social media sites are being urged not to disclose their holiday plans by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Estimates suggest up to a third of people who use such websites disclose their plans online, providing free and useful information to eagle-eyed thieves. Last year the peak of the [...]
