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Insurance & life assurance

Archives for July 2020

Life Insurance - freeing up cash?
Hi, It's come to my notice over the past couple of days that it may be possible to use life insurance as a means of freeing up some cash. I'm hardly an expert on it. For example, what is meant by "cash value" and how do you calculate it? And what options might be available? What should I ask the insurance company? I have…
Home insurance LV or Direct LIne
I got my renewal quote from LV on my home insurance and it was exactly the same as last year, the excess total is £ 350. Comparison sites showed LV higher than my renewal qoute. It also showed Direct Line £ 40 cheaper or the same price as LV if I lowered the excess down to £ 100. I rang LV and asked if they would they…
Car insurance with points
Hi, I received 6 points for speeding just over two years ago (June), although my car insurance renews each May. Therefore, when it comes around to renewing my insurance next May I will still have those 6 points on my licence which will then be cleared only one month later. I have a feeling that the cost of my insurance…
Death in Service - how to be sure partner will receive it, rather than company in financial trouble?
It maybe a bit of an odd question, but hear me out... I've worked for my company for 4 years. I have access to a "death in service" scheme at my employer which would pay out 3x gross salary (my salary is approx £29,000 currently) if I die while employed by the company. I was asked to fill in a "expression of wishes" form…
Fraud by my insurance company- any advice??
In 2014, I brought a tumble dryer and insurance for it. I was under the impression it was for two years. In 2016, my life took a terrible turn with my mother being diagnosed with cancer, horrendous housing issues and then later on my mother passed away and I was dealing her finances etc. I ended up having a nervous…
Medical certificate required
Hi, I'm claiming on my travel insurance for a holiday curtailment. When I purchased the insurance last year I declared a medical condition. In fact, I had to pay extra for the insurance because of the condition. Now the company want me to prove that I suffer with this condition. Easy enough, my doctor will confirm it but…
Buildings Insurance - Unoccupied with potential subsidence
Hi I'm a bit stuck and need advice. My Dad (widower) died a month ago. 3 children now in their 50's/60's live miles away and house is now unoccupied. Current buildings insurance runs out on 2 Aug. Current insurer says they don't insurer unoccupied houses and I will need to change insurers. So I was obtaining quotes from…
Travel insurance for cancellation and baggage only
I’m trying to find a company who will give cover for cancellation and loss of luggage only. I’m travelling to Canada in December and have health insurance in Canada so I don’t need to purchase it. Can anyone help?
Boiler Cover Renewal & Buying New Boiler
Hi All, Just want some quick advice, as my boiler cover(insurance) is due for renewal in a few weeks and as always is going up, but also coinciding with this is buying a new boiler and getting that installed. What advice would you have for me, as if I have the new boiler all installed around the time of the new boiler,…
Travel companion not on policy, I paid for trip - insurers refused refund
Hi, I have a family policy - this covers my partner, daughter and me - we're all named on the policy. Last year I booked and paid for a trip with my mum (only the two of us) - my mum already has travel insurance for herself, as a single traveller. Covid happened (we were due to depart on 16th March 2020) and were unable to…
Direct Line Car Insurance Price Hike?
Just had my Direct Line car insurance renewal in and despite no claims or change in circumstance it's jumped up by 43%. I've been with them a few years now and never renewed without looking around first and they were always competitive. I even got (a relatively measly £10) Covid related refund a few months ago. I'm tempted…
Canary Islands Insurance
Hi, Was due to flying out to Gran Canaria on the 11th August until the Government changed the advice to only essential travel thus invalidating most travel insurance policies. I have found a company called https://www.battleface.com/ that provide cover for countries that have this advise imposed. We are in unprecedented…
A non fault, non recovered, zero pay out cancelled motorbike claim has serious implications?
I recently had a web based insurance quote declined (via Admiral) and had to ring up to find out why. It turned out I had not put on details about a claim that was against my name back in January via Zenith Insurance. To be honest, I had totally forgotten about it because it was a scooter worth £250 which I had stolen from…
Qualifying Policy incorrectly changed to Non Qualifying Policy by AVIVA
I have an old Norwich Union unit linked life policy which started in March 1980 for an initial 10 year period, thus making it a Qualifying Policy. At the end of the 10 year period options allowed me to continue with the policy for a further 10 years and this was done in 1990, again in 2000 and again in 2010. For extension…
Home/Motor Insurance with Online Claims Process
Hi Is there a list of companies that have the feature to be able to log and manage claims online? I'm not adverse to calling a claims hotline but it gets a bit frustrating when you're on hold for long periods. I was recently involved in a car accident (third party admitted fault straight away) which happened on a Sunday…
Will I lose on car insurance again?
My car was written off this evening in an accident where I was completely not at fault. 7 years ago, my husband's car was in the same situation. He had bought it 2nd hand for £5k in September & it was written off on Boxing Day. After nearly 2 years of arguing, we settled for £2k. This was nowhere near enough to replace the…
Forklift caused damage to a van - no CCTV
Dear Forum Readers, I'm yet again in a position where I need to seek your advice. We (hubby and I)are renting a storage unit at a local business park. We sometimes also leave a van there overnight. Thursday night last week my husband left the van in a parking space just outside the estate office, he did it unintentionally…
Tennant House Insurance, is it required?
Going to be renting a room through Haart Letting Agency, they are wanting me to take out house insurance, They are offering Tenants liability cover up to £10,000 for accidental damage to the Landlords items and property that you may be legally liable for, than plus cover for my own possessions. Is this compulsory? as a…
Direct line pet insurance
Today my pet insurance with Direct Line was cancelled. In January I made a claim that Direct Line refused to pay and then the pandemic happened. Through this period I asked fr a payment holiday which they refused to do and then on the approx 6th July they demanded a months payment of approx £140 by the 19th July (approx as…
Car insurance to cover 'gig economy' work - courier, takeaway delivery, etc. - Broker?
As above, me and my partner are looking to do some Amazon Flex work (amongst other similar things, potentially) and am looking at options when it comes to insurance. My current insurer only offers 'business use' which I understand is NOT sufficient for this type of use, and that I need at least 'Commercial Travelling.'…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Insurance & life assurance

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