People are beginning to store more and more personal posessions in their garden sheds and are not insuring them.

Mike Pickard, Head of risk and underwriting for a leading insurance company, said: ‘Even household items are now being stored outdoors, blurring the distinction between home contents and outbuilding and garden contents.’

One report has found that close to 650,000 UK homeowners have had items stolen from garden sheds or garden storage areas in the last year.

This research indicates that 11% of homeowners will spend more than £500 on their gardens and garden accessories in 2008, but these same people won’t take time to ensure the safety of these possessions.

Other research has shown that 93% of households regularly leave items outside overnight, and that even though 14% of homeowners have posssesions in their sheds valued up to £1,500, of the 69% of households with a shed, 9% never lock it.

This could render home insurance invalid, the moral of the story, keep your valuables locked away in a safe insured place.

Taking advanced driving lessons could reduce the cost of car insurance by as much as 25%, according to a report in Times Online this morning.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly met with insurance industry leaders yesterday to discuss course content and possible discount levels.

The proposed courses, which will be developed and approved by the Driving Standards Agency, are likely to include techniques that are not currently part of the standard driving tuition, such as motorway driving and high speed emergency braking.

Insurance companies may be willing to offer people who have completed an advanced driving course a 25% discount on their car insurance, because advanced driving skills could significantly reduce the risk of an accident (by as much as 35%, according to Edmund King of the AA).

The latest survey on Pet Insurance reveals that more than one million Britons believe their cat or dog has been stolen over the last five years. Tragically 5,700 dogs and cats are lost or stolen every week and around 1,500 pets are involved in traffic accidents.

These high figures are not paranoia from pet owners. According to the Missing Pets Bureau report, 38% of those who reported their pet missing have actually been the victim of theft. UK pet owner are very concerned, though pet insurance is available to cope with the eventuality of a stolen pet.

Unfortunately, victims of lost or stolen cats and dogs may find that their pet insurance policy will offer little or no support towards the recovery of their pets. Around a quarter, of all pet insurance policies offer no reward for the return of lost or stolen cats and dogs and will not provide financial assistance to owners who want to try and find their missing pet by placing advertisements. Some pet insurers offer better packages than others for dealing with pet theft, including cover for ransom fees.

Specialists believe there are three main reasons why pets are been stolen:

1. Resale Price
2. Breeding
3. Ransom

Good quality pet insurance does not need to be expensive, so look around for the best pet insurance quotes.

Everybody saw the woes that the new multibillion pounds Heathrows’ Terminal 5 had last week, but those lacking travel insurance are facing even worst problems.

On Wednesday, over 200 flights were cancelled and tens of thousands items of luggage remained on the ground while passengers flew from Heathrows’ new Terminal 5. Unfortunately, travellers without travel insurance have had to endure costs and great inconvenience as problems surround the new Heathrow Terminal.

Those with comprehensive travel insurance are able to claim for delays and lost luggage, in addition to flight cancellations and the costs of acquiring accommodation.

Baggage delays can be costly. Most travellers affected will be obliged to buy a change of clothing and other essentials, while some will incur the cost of obtaining medication that has to be taken regularly.

Financial companies are advising travellers to check their travel insurance policies to see if their luggage is fully insured before they travel abroad. Some travel insurance policies do not offer this type of cover.

Tougher planning controls are needed if flood insurance is to remain widely available for new homes, an insurance trade body warned.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said a third of the three million new homes the Government planned to build by 2020 would be on a flood plain.

It added that during the past year alone, 13 major developments had been given the go-ahead despite advice from the Environment Agency that they would be at risk from flooding. Around seven of the sites are deemed to be at high risk from flooding, including a new caravan park and a development of bungalows.

The group warned that unless tougher planning laws were put in place, increasing numbers of homes would become unsaleable, uninsurable and uninhabitable.

Speaking at the Architects’ Journal conference, the ABI’s assistant director of property Justin Jacobs said: ‘The Government’s ambitious housing plans are in jeopardy unless we reduce the flood risk.

The group said that despite it now being a statutory requirement that the Environment Agency be consulted on new developments, planning permission was still being given despite the agency highlighting flood risks.

Full article at www.thisismoney.co.uk

Norwich Union is warning its customers that installing CCTV at domestic premises will not necessarily result in lower insurance premiums.

While CCVT is still regarded as something of a niche product in the domestic market, demand for the security systems is increasing.

Electrical retailer, Maplin, has reported a 70% increase in its sales of domestic security cameras in the past year.

Over 90 different security cameras and CCTV kits are now available and one of the most popular items is a camera that allows users to view their property anywhere in the world, via the Internet

However, according to Alison Palmer, a household underwriting consultant with Norwich Union, there is insufficient evidence as to whether CCTV systems actually deter criminals.

The insurer does not therefore, take CCTV into account when calculating premiums.

Instead, Norwich Union suggests lower insurance premiums can be secured by fitting a burglar alarm and locks that have been pre-approved by the insurer.

In addition, a small discount is available to customers who are active members of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Original Article at insurancedaily

With the Six Nations gearing up for its third weekend of international rugby clashes fans are being urged to make sure their travel insurance is adequate when they travel overseas.

The Six Nations tournament covers England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France. This weekend will see an exodus of England fans visiting Paris.

Halifax Travel Insurance is advising those travelling to see games in Ireland, Italy and France to check their insurance coverage before they go.

Single trip travel insurance accounts for half of all sales, and it may be cheaper to purchase an annual policy rather than multiple, or sometimes even just one, single trip policies.

Halifax’s Paul Birkhead explains that although eager fans frequently check their tickets and passports when travelling overseas, their travel insurance is a background issue when it could prove vital.

Original article at insurancedaily