Archive for January, 2010

Sheilas Wheels launches travel insurance

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by admin January 18, 2010 in Insurance News

Sheila’s Wheels has broadened its product range to include travel insurance with the launch of a policy aimed at the ‘savvy female holidaymaker’.

The new insurance package will have standard ‘handbag on holiday’ cover plus a ‘kids-go-free’ feature and these will be included on both single and two-parent family policies. It also offers access to a 24-hour helpline to provide support in emergency situations and a ‘travel-bag’ top up option, which gives extended-trip travellers, or people who like to pack more, the option of paying a higher baggage limit.

Jacky Brown, spokesperson for Sheilas Wheels, said: “Traditional travel insurance cover has, until now, remained unisex in its offerings but Sheila’s Wheels travel insurance looks to target the savvy, female holidaymaker. This female-focused brand has features that should appeal to the needs and priorities of today’s modern woman, whether they are single, a wife, a partner or have a family.”

Although targeted at women, the product is also available for men to buy. Read more…

Home insurance claims could rise due to burst pipes and flooding

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by admin January 17, 2010 in Insurance News

Virgin Money home insurance is warning households to protect their homes against burst water pipes and subsequent flood damage due to current weather conditions. Such eventualities accounted for more than 15 per cent of all Virgin Money home insurance claims between December 2008 and November 2009, and with the recent freezing conditions across the UK, the insurer is encouraging households to take precautions. The average claim for repairing the damage caused by burst pipes and escaped water was nearly £3,000, Virgin Money’s data shows, which is considerably more costly than the cost of personal possessions protection against loss and theft provided by home insurance. Commenting on danger which frozen pipes pose to household tranquility, Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, said: “Although Christmas has passed, the cold weather is far from over and homeowners should be prepared for the effects that the cold weather could have on their property.

Read more…

Ask the expert: Our cat heart murmur, a pre-existing condition on our policy?

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by admin January 15, 2010 in Insurance News

Earlier this month I received an email from Melissa, concerned that her cat’s heart murmur might be considered as a pre-existing condition by her insurer. Is it or is it not? Let’s find out…

Hi

We have pet insurance and rescued 2 x 3 year old moggies from a rescue centre at the end of November, when the policy was taken out.

We took them to our local vets on Saturday 9th of January to have their jabs and basic health checks.

We were told that one has a heart murmur. We had no idea anything was wrong and are now worried that our insurance company will treat this as a pre-existing condition if we claim?

Thanks

Melissa

 

Hi Melissa and thanks for contacting me via pet-insurance-discount.co.uk.

I think it should be covered by your pet insurance company. You took the policy end of November and the very first time you found out about the heart murmur is on the 9th of January – which is way past the waiting period. I believ

Read more…

Motorists admit to using mobile phones while driving

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by admin January 15, 2010 in Insurance News

As many as 12 per cent of motorists have used their mobile phones while driving during the last month, according to Sainsburys Finance .

This is despite the fact that speaking on a mobile telephone without using a hands-free kit is illegal and people who are caught doing so facing a fine and points on their licence. Also, 11 per cent of those questioned admitted that they had sent text messages while behind the wheel.

Recently, the Transport Research Laboratory reported that in spite of the tough penalties, more people are engaging in dangerous activities while driving than did before the rules were introduced. Ben Tyte, Sainsbury’s car insurance manager said: “We would urge motorists to give their driving their full attention and not be tempted to engage in anything that could distract them.”

Sainsbury’s Finance had predicted a rise in the number of claims it would receive following the festive season, with an estimated 37 per cent more claims during the first week in January than at any other time in the year. Read more…