Increase in potholes gives rise to a surge in breakdown car cover claims

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by Tiffany Parker January 18, 2011 in Insurance News

Potholes are likely to escalate the number of breakdown car cover claims being made in the UK, according to an insurance provider.

Consumers are being advised to compare savings on car insurance deals following the recent spell of bad weather . In recent weeks, snow and ice has engulfed most of the UK and the AA has warned breakdown car cover holders to be on the lookout for an increasing number of potholes on roads across the country. The provider indicated that many driving surfaces are “on borrowed time”, because of the combination of these hazards along with snow and heavy rain.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, stated that the last few years have seen an upturn in such problems. He said: “We expect the pothole problem to be significantly worse this year because of three successive bad winters and the growing backlog of road renewal.” In addition, Paul Beaurin, managing director at Pro-Align, said that axles and wheels can be damaged during icy conditions. Read more…

Arag reveals divorce insurance plans

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by Danielle Bailey January 17, 2011 in Insurance News

Legal expenses insurer, Arag, has revealed that it is considering launching divorce insurance in the UK, following a government announcement that almost all Legal Aid for divorce disputes settled by the courts is to end.

Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, has already highlighted the need for insurance to cover divorce-related legal costs, and speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme on Saturday, Arag managing director, Tony Buss, said he would be examining the German market over the coming year, where couples can typically buy €30,000 of cover for €100.

Policies have a waiting period, usually three years, before they can be triggered and carry an excess in the region of £500 per partner.

With regard the UK market, Mr Buss said that insurers have previously shied away from divorce insurance as it has not been regarded as socially unacceptable, but that he is hopeful launching a product in 2012.

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Have You Thought About Group Travel Insurance?

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by Tiffany Parker January 15, 2011 in Insurance News

Being the organizer of a group trip can be a thankless task. Trying to make everyone happy is impossible and the responsibility can often be stressful. One of the best ways you can ensure a successful group trip is by organizing group travel insurance.

Group travel insurance is great for student and school groups, corporate trips and missionaries or charities. Group travel insurance is for parties of five or more travelers outside the home country and can be organized for five days to 12 months – perfect for the long-term charity project as well as a short trip to see the sights of Europe. You can cover up to a combined tour cost of $500,000.

Group travel insurance protects you from losing the entire cost of your trip should one or more of your party be unable to travel. The insurance cover includes medical, evacuation and repatriation, as well as baggage loss or delay for groups of 10 people and above.

You can make a single payment for the whole group by submitting a roster. W

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Home insurance main target for fraudsters

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by Danielle Bailey January 11, 2011 in Insurance News

Home insurance is now the number one target for insurance fraud, with latest industry data showing that 170 of the 335 fraudulent insurance claims detected each day, on average, are cheating householders.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), typical fraudulent household claims involve “accidental” damage to carpets and furniture due to drink spills, which have been caused deliberately.

However, fraudulent motor claims are the most costly: 108 bogus motor insurance claims, worth £1.12 million, are exposed by Britain’s insurers each day, out of a total of £2.3 million in fraudulent claims.

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