CLICK4QUOTE.COM Insurance

Government may limit houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

2009-08-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

Property landlords should be aware that the Government is thinking about giving local authorities the power to limit the number of HMOs in a single area. A spokesman for the Communities Department is reported as saying “Students bring benefits to the places they live in but too many residing in one area can impact negatively on a community”. Presumably they are worried about excessive drinking and other ant-social behaviour.

Several organisations have written to Communities Secretary John Denham to oppose the scheme, arguing that there is only a problem in a very small number of wards around the country and that the proposals are “discriminatory”.

The Chairman of the Residential Landlord’s Association Alan Ward is quoted as saying “Planning permission can affect the marketability and value of property, forcing landlords to repay capital on their loans or sell resulting in loss of homes for tenants”.

If the above is passed what would happen to the validity of landlord insurance if a landlord has a HMO property in an area you are not supposed to? This will be an issue both landlords and insurers will have to look at.

Market on the way up?

On a more cheerful note for landlords, Halifax says that the average home increased in cost by 1.1% in July. Taylor Wimpey the builders added to the good news for property owners by saying that sales were rising and prices were no longer falling. Its order book is up 67% since the end of last year.

Undervaluing by surveyors damaging the market

The National Association of Estate Agents believes that valuers are so worried about being accused of over valuing by lenders that they are routinely undervaluing by 10% or even more. If a property is repossessed and sold for less than its purchase price there is a risk that the surveyor might be sued. This happened in the 1990s and the NAEA thinks surveyors are worried that it could happen again. People seeking buy to let finance may find this a very real problem.

Let us know what you think:
Have we reached the bottom of the market and house prices are now on the way up?
Are landlords now ready to expand their property portfolio or should they have moved to buy months ago?
If you are thinking of buying more property contact click4quote and make sure you have your cheap landlord insurance in place.

Government database of landlords?

2009-08-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

A national database of landlords is being considered by the government. The idea is to crack down on landlords who treat tenants unfairly by allowing properties to fall into disrepair or refusing to return deposits. The Communities Secretary suggests that private landlords will have to pay a fee, probably £40 to register. Councils will then be able to track down landlords and even ban them from letting properties.

Many people have expressed concern that Revenue and Customs will be allowed access to the database. At present tax inspectors can only access landlords’ details in cases of possible tax evasion. The National Landlords Association is also worried that the extra bureaucracy will deter people from renting out property.

The Communities Department say that this proposal is not intended as a way of chasing tax revenue but to make it easier for local authorities to deal with bad landlords.

Some landlords sometimes try to use their landlord insurance as a maintenance resource for their run down property however they are not successful as insurance is for those risks that are unforeseeable and is not provided to fix property that falls into disrepair.

Do you need landlord insurance? Then contact click4quote.com.

The different lives of similar landlords

2009-05-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

Joe owns a 3 bedroom semi-detached property. His old neighbour Emily owns next door and both rent their properties. While Emily is struggling to make her rent cover the bills Joe is on holiday (again) seeing some European delights.

How can their lives be so different when they are both landlords? Well, Emily is a reluctant landlord, she purchased her property to live in when the market was buoyant, however she had to relocate and due to the property price falling she could not afford to sell. Emily required security so she opted for a 5 year fixed rate mortgage at 6.5%, so not only is she stuck with capital loss on the property she also has a mortgage she can not change due to the capital loss (she had only required a 5% deposit which at the time seemed logical). Emily is renting in her new location and also funding the rent on her old property and is stuck with the prospect of funding the property until the rent rises, and is stuck with the property until the market regains some of it’s losses.

Joe on the other hand has equity in his property, a whole 35%. He purchased the property a few years back with a reasonable deposit and made some gains when the market was rising. He is an experienced landlord with 5 rented properties on variable rate mortgages. His returns were always quite reasonable but presently, due to the low interest rate, he is making significant gains allowing him to pay off more capital and re-invest in some of the properties making them more attractive to prospective tenants due to the competition created by the influx of properties available to rent.

Being a landlord can be a proactive choice of investment, it can also be a reluctant choice that drains finances. In some instances we are seeing tenants evicted due to landlords failing to pay the mortgage while other landlords stand happy in auction rooms picking up bargains which will make significant capital gains over the next ten years.

Being a reluctant landlord or an investment landlord, you must always cost in to your budget the price of landlord insurance. Even if you are in negative equity and making a loss on your rent, being prudent and limiting your risk should be viewed as a necessity. To contrast, there is a negative loss on your property and there is total loss (due to fire or impact) which if uninsured would be a disaster. If you owned your property outright would you leave the property uninsured and run the risk of losing your asset? landlord insurance will not cover very possible loss but will cover the main risks that could cause significant detriment. Paying by direct debit also makes the cost of cover more manageable by breaking payment down in to smaller portions.

Cheap landlord insurance is available from click4quote.com, both online and by phone so if you are looking to maximise your returns or minimise your losses get a quote from clikc4quote.

Are you a reluctant landlord? How are you coping and do you have any tips for other reluctant landlords? Maybe you are an experienced landlord with good advice for newer landlords. Post a comment and let us know.

Landlords, are you offering a realistic rent for your property?

2009-02-11T00:27:00.000-08:00

With the property market as it is, more and more people are deciding to rent their properties, as they can’t sell at a price they want. With all these new landlords in the market, it is important to make sure that you get things right and make sure your property stands out from the rest. For comprehensive landlord insurance, make sure you visit Click4Quote.com for a competitive quote to protect your property whilst it’s being let out. Landlord insurance will cover your property and contents adequately compared to a homeowner policy, which may not be valid when a property is tenanted.

More and more houses and flats are coming on to the rental market, which means that many areas are seeing a fall in rent levels. If you are a new landlord then you may not be sure what level of rent you should apply to your property. You could ask a local letting agent, however for an unbiased view it would probably be best to look on websites such as rightmove.co.uk to see what rental values landlords are setting for properties similar to yours in your area. To make sure your property does get rented out quickly, and so that you can start covering costs as soon as possible, it is advisable to lower your rent by around 5 or 10%, to make sure your property looks attractive to the tenant. This does make sense as the properties shown on the website are obviously still vacant, and leaving your property vacant is not good for the property itself or the landlords pocket. After 6 months you could review this and propose a rent increase of say £25 if you feel it’s appropriate.

If your property has fallen unoccupied because you can’t find suitable tenants, or if you are planning on doing some renovation work at your property, Click4Quote.com can offer an unoccupied property insurance policy to ensure you have appropriate cover for the property when its left vacant as some policies will only cover up to a certain number of days of unoccupancy between lets.

Click4Quote.com offers comprehensive landlord insurance for a wide range of tenant types such as professionals, students or tenants in receipt of DSS benefits. So when your property becomes occupied again we can switch your existing unoccupied property insurance to a landlord insurance, saving you the hassle of cancelling one policy and setting a new one up.

Avoid the Credit Crunch Crime Wave

2009-01-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

Hopefully you will have been lucky enough to escape a burglary in the past, however, recent statistics have shown that the chances of a burglary happening are increasing due to the current economic climate.

A Home Office report showed that the number of domestic break-ins rose by 4% between July and September 2008, which the Government is linking, to the recent economic downturn.

Whether you are a landlord or homeowner this problem could affect you especially if your property is unoccupied at present.

To avoid this happening to you, Click4Quote have put some simple points below.

Make sure the final exit doors of your property have secure locks preferably British standard 5 lever mortice deadlocks, and window locks fitted. Ensuring that the hinges, frames and glass panels are in good condition is also a good idea.

In addition to this it is important to make sure that these locks are used when you leave the property or retire for the night, a surprising amount of burglaries occur from the opportunist thief, who does not need to use force to gain entry. Crucially this will often mean that you will not be able to claim on your homeowner insurance or landlords insurance, as there is usually a condition that requires violent and forcible entry has to be made for a theft claim to be valid.

The above would also apply in the growing number of cases whereby thieves have gained access to a property by using hooks or magnets through letterboxes to get keys located near a door or window. Make sure keys are secure placed away from any easily accessible areas.

If you take a few simple precautions to protect your property it will make it harder for thieves to target you especially in these times of economic downturn.

If the worst should happen and you do become a victim of burglary you will have to make a detailed insurance claim. This is easier if you have a record of your possessions, the best way to do this is to use a free account on www.underyourroof.com, which enables you to list all your treasured belongings online so that you can access the information even if your computer is damaged or stolen.

Ensuring your property is adequately insured in the first place is also an important point. Making sure you have the appropriate insurance for your needs is key in making sure that should you have to make a claim, your insurance will be valid.

If your property is let to tenants or is unoccupied at present, this will usually mean that standard homeowner insurance will not be suitable for this type of property.

Click4Quote.com offer standard policies underwritten by AXA for landlord insurance, unoccupied property insurance and homeowner insurance if you occupy the property yourself. Feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to advise you and offer a free quotation.

If you have any tips to share with others about reducing crime to your property, please share your comments here.

Tax allowances on income from property for Landlords

2009-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you are a new landlord you may not yet be fully aware of the tax deductions that may apply to you. Click4Quote.com have listed some examples where tax deductions can be made, which could cut your costs.

You can deduct the premiums you pay for almost any insurance like fire, theft, flood insurance, for your rental activity. Get a landlord insurance quote to arrange your property insurance if you haven’t done so already.

The costs of repairs of rental property are fully deductible in the year in which they are incurred.

Landlords are entitled to a tax deduction whenever they drive anywhere for their rental activity.

Interest is often a landlord’s single biggest deductible expense. Interest on credit cards, on loans for various purposes for their rental property should be exempted from the taxes.

If you travel overnight in connection with your rental activity, you can deduct your airfare, hotel bills, meals, and other expenses. But all the documents should be kept very carefully.

Landlords may deduct their home office expenses from their taxable income.
If you hire anyone to perform services for your rental activity, their wages should also be deductible from the taxes as a rental business expense.
You can obtain a tax deduction for casualty losses like any type of damage or destruction.

You can deduct fees that you pay to attorneys, accountants, property management companies, real estate investment advisors, as operating expenses.

Tax deductions for landlords can make the difference between losing money and earning a profit on a rental property. So make sure you take full advantage of these. More information is available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/TaxOnPropertyAndRentalIncome/DG_10013376

For more advice about becoming a landlord you can visit Landlord Zone or Residential Landlord for a wealth of invaluable information about letting your property.

Don’t forget keeping your Insurance valid for rental use is quick and easy. Visit Click4Quote.com for a free landlord insurance quote, or for an Unoccupied Property Insurance quote whilst your property is vacant or undergoing any renovation.

Festive Ski Holiday? – Get Travel Insurance!

2008-12-16T03:16:00.000-08:00

Most people enjoy the festive period at home with the Great British weather – cold, wind and rain! However more and more people are travelling abroad to enjoy Christmas and the New Year in more traditional wintry surroundings - seeking snow and ski sports activities.

If you are departing on a Christmas break it is important to remember ski travel insurance when you go away as you are more likely to get an injury whilst on this type of holiday than a normal summer break. It is estimated that about 10% of all British skiers suffer an injury on the slopes with the risk of more serious injury increasing in the last decade. One factor that increases injury on the slopes is lack of correct preparation. It should always be remembered that skiing is a very active and physical sport and that you should prepare your body for the trip by exercising and strengthening the muscles that are particularly involved that are not necessarily used on a day-to-day basis back home.

Buy taking time to prepare before you go may mean you don’t lose out on a days skiing whilst away just because of muscle ache, or you don’t enjoy the holiday to the full as you end up skiing with a pulled muscle for a week!

Our top ski holiday tips

• Take out skiing travel insurance when taking any ski trip abroad and always check which activities are covered as these vary from each providers wording
• Alcohol can take affect quicker at high altitudes and most ski insurance providers will not pay out if you injure yourself or others whilst under the influence – so beware and be careful. A drunken skier is a dangerous skier and it won’t just be the ruined holiday you end up paying for.
• Know your abilities and level - don't take the black run straight from you nursery slope lesson – it just doesn’t make sense. Always use the correct equipment also as it will help protect you and others.
• Research your destination as local laws and customs differ from one place to another!
• Take photocopies and/or store copies of your important documentation (passport, insurance details, credit card number and cancellation details) online using a secure online data storage site
• If travelling in Europe, take your EHIC, available for free from post offices or online. Remember the EHIC is not a substitute for ski travel insurance - you must have both to be fully covered.

Are you off to the slopes and need ski insurance? If so contact click4quote now on 08450 89 90 91 or buy ski travel insurance online.

Research: http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/press-release/2008/01/fco_npr_skiers150108

Watch out for those opportunist thieves - Homeowner Insurance

2008-10-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Watch out for those opportunist thieves - Homeowner Insurance is a must!

The clocks went back last weekend leading to longer darker nights and an increased risk of burglary. Home insurance claims rise some five per cent once the clocks go back – according to data from Norwich Union.

Some 39 per cent of people report they feel more at risk of burglary when the clocks go back. However 20 per cent still do not lock their doors and windows at night, 13 per cent admit they still leave windows open when they’re out and 27 per cent do not think about home security at all.

The vast majority of crime is carried out by opportunist burglars looking for an attractive proposition, be it a purse left on a table or a set of car keys hanging by the back door, so don’t make it easy for them, make sure windows and doors are locked when you leave the building or retire for the night . You can put the best security measures in the world into a house, but if homeowners don’t use them, this can lead to all sorts of problems. Not only could you have the trauma and upset of being burgled but you have to deal with the loss of items which may not be replaced by your homeowner insurance policy if there is no evidence of violent and forcible entry.

Thefts from sheds also increase over the winter months, so deter criminals by fixing a decent lock on your shed and remember not to leave items out in the garden that can actually assist thieves to break in to your shed or even your house such as forks or spades.

Remember to check your homeowner insurance, as many policies require there to be violent and forcible entry into your property for a claim to be covered. It is a good idea to ensure home insurance is fully up to date for contents cover, and is at a high enough level to cover all belongings sufficiently. Bikes are often not covered as standard on home insurance so it may be worth adding this cover to your contents insurance, however bikes left in the open or laying in your garden usually will not be covered. Property left in the open or in your shed may be covered, but only up to a limited value so make sure this limit covers your most expensive items including mowers and power washers for example. If you are unsure of the cover you have check with your home insurance provider.

Great Savings with Multi Trip Travel Insurance!

2008-10-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

Many people buy their travel insurance at the time they buy their holiday, but if you take a number of holidays during the year the premiums for each trip can build up quickly.

In this sort of situation Multi Trip Travel Insurance is very useful. Not only do you only have to pay a single premium for one year’s cover, entitling you to as many holidays as you like, but in many cases the cost of a multi trip policy can be covered by just 2 holidays.

When buying Multi Trip Travel Insurance, there are certain aspects of the cover that you will need to check, to ensure that the holidays you take are all adequately covered by your policy.

You should always check whether there are any limits on the number of holidays or the number of days in total covered by the policy for every year.

You should also check the maximum duration of a single trip – these are usually limited to around 30 days as standard, but many companies can extend this if you are taking any particularly long trips.

If you are partial to winter sports, many policies can include additional cover for a small additional premium.

Other activities can also be included, so if you participate regularly in a particular pastime on holiday, you should be able to get a quote to have it covered for all your trips (subject to the insurer’s underwriting criteria.)

So for the regular holidaymaker, Multi Trip Travel Insurance can not only save time and effort, but also save you money! Click4Quote.com offers comprehensive Multi Trip Travel Insurance, with prices starting from as little as £36.93 so why not get an instant quote on our website or you can always get a quote over the phone by calling us on 0845 089 90 91 (lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm).

Is your unoccupied property covered by your home insurance?

2008-10-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Talk of the financial turndown is somewhat repetitive at the moment – every time you open the paper or watch the news headlines hit you. Some commentators believe we are talking ourselves into a more severe downturn than it should be however there is no escaping that the most noticeable area is housing, and more specifically, house sales.

We are fully aware of the conditions causing this and it is a fact that people cannot sell their property with some buildings sitting unoccupied awaiting sale or let. Unoccupied home insurance is a real nessesitity in these circumstances, as normal home insurance will only cover properties if they are permanently occupied leaving property owners with out cover.

Specialist unoccupied property insurance is available and should be obtained which covers you for standard insured perils, and if you are selling or renting the property furnished, some unoccupied property insurance policies can also provide contents cover.

If your property is going to be unoccupied for a long period then some unoccupied home insurance providers may also insist on a minimum level of security such as 5 lever mortise deadlocks to all entrance and patio doors plus key operated window locks on all accessible windows – this will vary by provider.

Unoccupied building insurance polices may also request alarm and exterior lighting depending on the sums insured. This may seem overly cautious if you do not already have these in place however if requested, these requirements are good and proven security measures and are a small cost compared to the consequences of your property being broken into.

First Time buyers- Don’t forget your Homeowner Insurance

2008-10-10T03:33:00.000-07:00

Buying a home is probably the biggest financial investment you will ever make so it is worth taking the time to ensure you are protecting your property by purchasing a good Homeowner Insurance policy. Should the worst happen and your property was to suffer a fire or flood, you would become responsible for all the costs of repairing the property, as well as finding the money to live somewhere else whilst the repairs took place. If you didn’t have insurance these cost could leave you financially crippled on top of the obvious stress an occurrence like this would create. It is therefore essential that you take the time to buy Homeowner Insurance.

If you are planning to buy a property for the first time to rent to tenants, you will require landlord insurance to cover the property for similar perils, along with loss of rent cover if the tenant had to move out due to the property becoming uninhabitable through an insured peril following a big insured loss. It is important to get the right cover for the type of occupancy of the property, as this could affect a claim should the worst happen to your property.

As well as Landlord Insurance or Homeowner Insurance other associated costs are involved with buying a house for the first time. You also need to take the following costs into consideration:

Mortgage repayment costs, and how these may fluctuate.

Mortgage protection insurance for if you fall ill or lose your job

Life assurance to enable your family to pay off the mortgage if you die

Contents insurance against the risk of theft, fire, flood or other accidents

Council tax and water charges, Gas, electricity, telephone, etc

Ground rent and service charges may apply As part of the process of buying a house or flat you may also need to pay for:

- a solicitor or licensed conveyancer
- an independent survey
- the mortgage to be arranged
- the Land Registry fee

Stamp Duty if applicable

So all in all, there are a lot of costs to consider, but once you have made thorough calculations and made the decision to buy your property, you could get a great deal in the property market in the current economic climate. First time buyers could see their investment grow rapidly in the next few years in certain areas of the UK.

Don’t forget Click4Quote.com can give you free instant quotes over the phone or online, so why not give us a call to see what we can offer you for your Landlord Insurance or Homeowner Insurance. We have the facility to beat any like for like property quote for Homeowner Insurance and residential Landlord insurance, so we really can save you money when you really need it the most!

Personal Accident Insurance – Get Covered

2008-10-10T03:13:00.000-07:00

Thankfully most of us never fall seriously ill during our working lives, or have a serious accident which means we have to take a large amount of time off work or we are left with permanent loss of limbs or loss of sight.

However, it is always possible that this may happen, either at work or home. Having Accident Insurance insured people can be assured of a set benefits package if they have a serious accident and lose limbs, their sight or even die. Additionally, if insured people are unable to undertake all or part of their job you may also have access to a pre-set weekly benefit if they have chosen this cover option.

This is where Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance can be very helpful. For only a small monthly premium, individuals can be covered for a weekly benefit if they are unable to take part in all or part of their work which give some assurance over outgoings for a period up of to 104 weeks. The figure paid should not be more than the insured’s net income.

Insured people should remember that if they undertake particularly hazardous or dangerous jobs or pastimes, they should expect to pay more than someone who works in an office. Cost of a policy does vary on the benefits package sought by the insured person or group.

Most Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance policies will offer cover against a variety of perils – usually ranging from temporary total or partial disablement, to permanent total or partial disablement, loss of limbs and loss of sight, and even death.

Importantly, if you do already suffer form any pre-existing medical conditions, you must disclose these as fully as possible to your broker or insurance advisor, so that they can adequately assess your medical history. In some instances you may have restricted cover for any particular conditions, and sometimes you will not be covered at all, so it is important that you take this into account when shopping around. Remember that if you do not disclose any medical condition, this may affect your right to claim if this causes you to claim for any of the benefits you are covered for at later date.

It is also worth checking if your employer is part of a Group Accident Insurance scheme. Your employer may be able to take advantage of discounted rates if all employees are covered together, especially if you work for a large company.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM we offer Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance, and bespoke Group Accident Insurance quotations, so why not call us on 08450 89 90 91 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm) for a quotation, or for some more information.

Can’t wait for the Winter Sports Season? Remember your Travel Insurance

2008-10-10T01:57:00.000-07:00

Winter sports season already? Yes! It’s now the beginning of October (you’d be forgiven if you were still waiting for a summer) and the new ski gear is out, bookings are being made and it’s not long before snow flurries will fall and winter sports holidays will begin.

When packing, the usual list will be drawn up to ensure everything is remembered - goggles, gloves, ski outfits, passports etc. A top tip from click4quote is to make sure winter sports travel insurance is also on that list, as if forgotten this is not something that you can go and buy off the shelf when you arrive or when you need it.

When buying travel insurance make sure you select winter sports travel insurance and not standard travel insurance. Winter sports cover is usually sold as ‘extra cover’ available for an additional price as it is designed to cover you again what is generally a hazardous activity – skiing and snowboarding!

Another top tip from click4quote is to not simply treat winter sports travel insurance as an item on your list that needs to get checked off. Take time when purchasing cover as most winter sports cover does vary, as do standard travel insurance policies, so read the policy summary and the policy wording carefully.

This sounds boring doesn’t it – reading an insurance policy – watching paint dry is probably coming to mind! Lets put it this way, that ‘boring’ wording is protecting you, your partner too or even your family and what is 10 minutes reading to check you have cover compared against a huge medical bill for thousands of pounds or maybe not getting the assistance you need when you and your family need it most?

Be sensible, if you are off to a resort and want to go off-piste skiing, heli-sking, to snowboard parks or any other extreme winter sport make sure you tell your insurance provider or check the wording as winter sports travel insurance does not always cover all winter sports automatically although cover may be obtained for additional premiums or special conditions may be applied to your policy, such as having to have a resort guide and be within resort boundaries if you want to ski off-piste.

So remember, be sensible, take time when choosing travel insurance and most importantly – have fun! Don’t let a small accident spoil your trip because you didn’t take time to read your travel insurance policy!

UK Holiday Home Insurance - Ensuring your Holiday Home is adequately insured

2008-10-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

Do you have UK Holiday Home Insurance?

Whenever you buy a holiday home in the UK, not only is it a significant investment, but also it will act as a haven for you to get away from the strains of everyday life. Therefore it is important that when considering insurance for your holiday home, you ensure that it provides adequate cover considering that it may be unoccupied for prolonged periods during the year, and may be used by other members of the family, friends or even holidaymakers renting the property.

Therefore CLICK4QUOTE.COM recommends that owners of holiday properties in the UK take out specialist UK Holiday Home Insurance. As well as providing suitable cover for the buildings when being used as a holiday property, cover can be purchased for your contents and furnishings, and there are additional benefits that are of great use.

The UK Holiday Home Insurance policy offered by Click4Quote.Com includes cover for Property Owners Liability AS STANDARD. In most cases this is covered up to £5 million. This is an important element of cover since there will often be a significant number of visitors to the property. If anyone were to suffer accidental bodily injury or damage to their property, they could make a claim against you, so it is recommended that this cover be in place.

In addition, our UK Holiday Home Insurance policy provides access to a 24 hour emergency help-line to assist with domestic emergencies (for example if you home is not secure following loss of keys or if your drains become blocked). This services also provides cover for the loss or theft of keys (either for the main door of the holiday home, or for an alarm).

One other useful element of cover offered is for loss or damage to personal effects and valuables and loss of money outside the property when you are on holiday. In addition cover can also be provided for garden ornaments, freezer contents and pedal cycles, and this is always worth bearing in mind.

Most policies will also cover the property if you sub-let it to holidaymakers, although there may some restrictions if you do this, and you should check your policy carefully if you do sub-let it at any time to ensure that you are complying with any relevant conditions.

If you have not checked your insurance recently, we recommend that you do just in case you are not adequately covered. If you have any concerns, we are more than happy to discuss your insurance requirements by email (enquiries@click4quote.com) or telephone (08450 89 90 91 Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm). As ever, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions, so please feel free to send us your feedback.

Landlords do you have your Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) ready?

2008-10-05T23:49:00.000-07:00

EPCs are a starting point to improving energy efficiency. Many of our buildings, especially older housing stock, will receive lower ratings. The intention is to encourage property owners to move to the next level, enabling people to take simple and easy first steps to saving energy and reducing waste.

If you are not already aware, as from 1st October 2008, if you are renting out property you will need to provide a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to any prospective tenant. However, there is no need to obtain a certificate for existing tenants. The certificate is valid for 10 years but can be renewed earlier if the landlord wishes to reflect any improvements made. If a valid certificate exists when changing tenants no new certificate is required. It will be the landlord's responsibility to make the EPC available to all prospective tenants.

The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'. Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report, which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.

EPCs are only required for self-contained properties i.e. a property with its own bathroom, kitchen and entrance. Houses of multiple occupancy will also require EPCs, but only when the whole dwelling is rented out or sold; an EPC is not required if tenants renting rooms have separate contracts with the landlord.

There is no fine for getting a lower rating. You will only be fined for failing to comply with the law, and not showing an EPC to a new tenant. The EPC has no requirements, just recommendations to make improvements. If you want to act on your recommendations, there are grants and incentives available to do so.

The EPC and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by a landlord to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than: when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective tenant; or when a viewing is conducted; or if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let.

An Energy Performance Certificate does not have to be made available if the landlord believes that the prospective tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property; or the landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination) EPCs can only be produced by accredited energy assessors. They may be employed by a company (such as an estate agent of energy company) or be independent traders. Always check they operate as part of an accreditation scheme, as this ensures your energy assessor is operating to professional standards.

If you are looking for an established Landlord Insurance policy, contact Click4Quote.com today for a quote or visit us online. Click4Quote.com have the facility to beat any genuine like-for-like evidenced quote for residential landlord insurance , so you can ensure that you are getting a great deal for yourself.

Landlords Legal Protection- A useful cover option for Landlords.

2008-09-29T03:29:00.000-07:00

If you are an existing policy holder with Click4Quote.com for landlord insurance you may already be aware of what this added extra is, however if you are thinking about purchasing a landlord Insurance policy with us it may well be worth considering Landlords Legal Protection as an add on to your policy.

Many insurers offer extra cover options for landlord insurance for an additional cost, and Click4Quote.com is no different, giving clients the option and flexibility of cover to suit their needs. The Landlords Legal Protection we offer as an “add –on” provides useful cover for Landlords seeking that extra level of legal protection against being prosecuted under certain Landlord regulations such as the gas, furniture and electrical equipment regulations. Additionally, if a neighbour commits a trespass or nuisance at your property legal costs can be provided up to £50,000. There is also a very useful 24-hour help line for landlords needing advice for any problems relating to their property.

The additional premium for the cover is just £19 per property for the whole year and can offer real peace of mind knowing that you have cover for the specified events as well as access to a specialist to talk to should you need advice for tenancy related problems at your property any time of the day.

Visit our website to get a landlord insurance quotation with or without Landlords Legal Protection to see what level of cover would suit you best. If you require any further information or would like a copy of the Landlords Legal Protection policy wording emailed or sent to you please contact Click4quote.com and we will be happy to arrange this.

Are you protected if your insurer goes bankrupt?

2008-09-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have read this week that the US Federal Reserve has had to spend £48 billion to rescue one of the world’s largest insurers – AIG – to prevent it from going bankrupt. Although an American company, the collapse of AIG, had it happened, would have had severe repercussions in the UK as well, since large numbers of big organisations (and private individuals) in the UK are covered by policies underwritten by them, including Professional Indemnity and Liability policies, and a number of Personal Lines insurance products. The current economic downturn could see the demise of a number of large financial institutions, including insurance companies if no-one is willing to bail them out.

What if such a large insurer were to collapse during the current economic downturn? What would be the use of having Let Property Insurance to protect your investment if your insurer goes bankrupt or is unable to pay your claim?

Thankfully for investors, in the worst case scenario, as long as you purchase your policy through a broker or insurance provider which is authorised and regulated by the FSA, you will be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). If the insurer who underwrites your policy is unable to pay your claim, the FSCS will in most cases pay for all or the large majority of your claim. (The exact amount will depend on the class of insurance and the total size of the claim. Any private individual should be eligible to claim for compensation, except in exceptional circumstances – please visit http://www.fscs.org.uk/ for more information on eligibility and how to claim if you think you are affected.)

Therefore at Click4Quote we recommend that you always purchase your Landlord Insurance from an authorised firm. Click4Quote are proud to have been authorised by the FSA since authorisation was brought in in January 2005, so all products we sell are protected by the FSCS.

If you would like to discuss your Landlord Insurance with us, you can email us at enquiries@click4quote.com or call one of our advisors on 01206 771755 (opening hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm) to discuss the options open to you, and how we can help.

UK Property Market slump doesn’t look set to improve till 2010.

2008-09-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

According to the BBC, it has been reported this week that some estate agents have been selling fewer than one home per week in the past three months showing that the slump in the UK property market is continuing with little sign of improvement.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said sales were at their lowest level since its monthly survey started in 1978, and that the continued shortage of mortgage funds was "stifling" buyers.

Until a wider range of mortgages become available it seems that the problem is not likely to get much better. Rics spokesperson Jeremy Leaf stated, "A lack of mortgage liquidity is the key issue which is keeping the housing market from showing any real sign of recovery, "While money is scarce, many will continue to be denied the next step on the property ladder.

"The Government's stamp duty policy will not be enough to kick start transactions," he warned.

Meanwhile, the head of the Nationwide Building Society told the BBC that he expected house prices to fall by 25% from their peak last autumn. Graham Beale also said he does not expect to see signs of recovery in the housing market until 2010.

If you have been affected by the housing market slow down, you may find yourself in a situation where your property has become empty pending sale or that you have had to accommodate a lodger or rent your property out. Don’t forget to make sure you have adequate property insurance for these situations. Many homeowner insurance policies only allow a certain period of unoccupancy meaning that a potential claim may be invalidated if a claim occurs outside the specified allowance. Click4Quote.com offer Unoccupied home insurance along with Landlord Insurance if you decide to rent out a property. In addition to this we offer Home Insurance which can accommodate lodgers if you have decided to part let your home to ease these increasingly harder financial times.

If you would like to discuss any of this you can email us at enquiries@click4quote.com or call us on 01206 771755 to discuss your options, and how we can help.

Landlord Insurance Information

2008-09-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

Q – Why do I need landlord insurance? What is wrong with standard home insurance?

A – Some new landlords are unaware that most standard house insurance excludes cover whilst a property is being rented. It is therefore essential that a landlord has in place specialist landlord insurance, which is specifically designed for this purpose.

Landlord insurance will not only protect your capital investment, buy to let insurance will also include landlord liability cover. If your tenants were to hurt themselves within the property due to your unknowing negligence, they could make a claim against you for damages. Landlord liability can cover the award for damages plus legal costs which otherwise would not be covered under standard home insurance.

Q – Does anyone offer landlord insurance for non-standard construction properties?

A – We understand that not all properties are built the same, which is why we also offer buy to let insurance for properties of non-standard construction, as well as standard construction. So if your building is thatched, timber framed or even listed – non-standard construction property landlord building insurance quotes are available – just click 4 quote or call 01206 771755!

Q – What is a policy excess?

A – The excess is the amount you are liable to contribute towards each and every claim per section of your landlord insurance. If your excess were £100, you would pay the first £100 of any claim no matter what value the claim. For example, if your claim settlement was £200, the insurer would pay you £100 as you are liable for the first £100. The excess can vary depending on your circumstances. Buildings and contents excesses are usually £100 per section, with the subsidence excess usually £1,000.

Q – Is my landlord insurance tax deductible?

A – Yes!

Q - I have multiple rented properties, should I buy one policy per property?

A - There is no need to purchase individual policies for each property. Use Click4quote.com and you can build up a portfolio of properties on one policy, adding and deleteing properties when you need. This way you have a common renewal date which makes your insurance portfilio more manageable and decreases the risk of losing papers for one property and it going uninsured.

Q - What is the Buildings Sum Insured (BSI)?

A - This is the cost of rebuilding your property should it be completely destroyed, from clearing away costs to seyvoyars fees. The cost of landlord insurance usually uses this figure in the calculation but to not be tempted to understate this value, as the percentage that you have underinsured by will be deducted from claims

If you require a cheap landlord insurance quote contact clikc4quote.com now or get a quote online.

New Let Property Lending Decline

2008-09-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

Loans fell to 144,600 for let property, down from 176,500 during the second half of 2007 and 169,500 during the first half of 2007.

On average, banks offered a maximum Loan To Value (LTV) of 83% in the first half of 2008, down from an average 85% last year.

The rented property market is being affected in line with the wider residential mortgage market due to the reduction of funds available for loans and lending criteria becoming stricter, such as larger deposits.

The let property lending decline is not as pronounced as the home mortgage market which has fallen by 28% in the first half of 2008 compared 18% for let property.

Arrears are up in the let mortgage market, to 1.1% over 3 months from 0.73%, however this is still less than home mortgage arrears up to 1.33% over 3 months. Worryingly repossessions are inline with the wider market at 0.16% with landlords facing higher mortgage rates, unable to increase rent due to increasing supply and unable to re-mortgage as some have little deposits or face significant costs in re-financing.

What do you think is the long term outlook?

Are you a new landlord looking for landlord insurance? For a great deal on landlord insurance visit click4quote.com.

‘Forced to Let’ Property Owners short guide

2008-08-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Following on form our blog yesterday in which we wrote about the increase of new rental property on the market due to property owners failure to sell, we have produced a short guide to some points of interest that new landlords may not be aware off.

HM Inland Revenue Tax Return – You’ll now be running a ‘small business’ so you are therefore are required to complete a tax return. There are many tax breaks and personal allowances so it is worth researching or using a qualified accountant.

Gas certificates - a legal requirement when letting your property, you’ll require a Corgi Certificate every year you rent the property. These can only be sought from a registered Corgi engineer and a copy has to be left with your tenant.

let property insurance - Specialist let property insurance is required. Many standard home insurance policies do not cover you for letting your property. Rates are very competitive compared with standard home insurance and includes essential cover such as liability as the property owner. You may even add accidental damage for buildings and contents to your let property insurance for some tenant types (usually working/professional). Contact CLICK4QUOTE on property insurance specialists for great deals.

Mortgages – Lenders need to know if you are going to rent your property. There is usually an administration fee for changing the mortgage over from a personal mortgage to a let property mortgage. If you mortgage company will not allow the switch (and many don’t) you’ll need to contact a specialist let property Mortgage Company.

Electrical Certificates – If you are letting furnished it is advised to have electrical equipment checked and passed safe by a qualified electrical engineer. This is a worthy check to make just in case an incident occurred.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme – legal requirement since April 2007. Tenants deposits must be protected by depositing the funds within 14 days into a Government Authorised scheme. You must tell the tenant how it is protected and for more information please click here (www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit)

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – Another government legal requirement. As of the 1st October 2008, like when selling a property, property owners will now have to have a EPC drawn up (valid for 10 years) to ‘inform’ prospective tenants.

Private Let or Agency Let – That is the question! Renting privately may save you fees however you have to advertise to find a tenant and do you really know who you are renting to? If you are set on renting privately then make sure you have drawn up a legal contract (many are available online) and vet the tenant thoroughly, again these services are available online at a reasonable price. Agency letting takes the hassle out but there is a cost, usually a high percentage of the first months rent (for finding a tenant) and for a completely managed service a lower ongoing percentage of the rent each month. Managed services usually include property checks, emergency service and some form of rent guarantee.

Has the property market forced to let your property?

Will you part fund the property, as the rent does not meet the mortgage?

Do the costs of letting a property outweigh the loss of selling at a lower price?

Volume of properties available for let jumps as people struggle to off-load their homes.

2008-08-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) the slump in housing market is forcing homeowners to become landlords. Rics have reported their fastest ever increase of new properties up for rent in July, however due to the credit crunch the supply of tenants is still larger than the glut of properties becoming available which is pushing up rents.

Would be buyers are continuing to find it hard to get a mortgage so are now opting to rent. In the Rics survey 43% more of its members reported rising landlord instructions than falling instructions during the three months to July, up from a 30% in the previous quarter.

In line with this residential property lettings increased strongly, with 37% of surveyors recording an increase than a fall.

The Rics report is at odds with other recent reports, which suggested that the flux of new rented properties are in fact reducing rents rather than increasing them as it has been widely suggested that tenant demand is not as great as some believe. London has been single out as a particulatly susceptible area with suggestions of rental yields falling by up to 5%.

New landlords must remember to purchase specialist buy to let insurance for there property as standard home insurance does not usually cover you whilst the property is let. Aspects of cover that should be looked into for in let property insurance include loss of rent, costs of alternative accommodation and landlord property liability.

Do you think tenant demand outstrips property supply?
Are new landlords aware of the need for specialist buy to let insurance?
Will house prices increase when mortgages become available?

Information sourced from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7567963.stm

What is buy to let property insurance?

2008-08-18T02:02:00.000-07:00

When insuring a buy to let property, it is important that you obtain cover under a specific buy to let insurance policy. It is important that the cover you purchase is designed for the buy to let market. This is because most household policies offer no cover for buildings, contents and the landlord’s third party liabilities while the property is being let out, and if this is the case you may not be paid for a claim.

Therefore it is beneficial to have specific buy to let insurance so that you have the peace of mind knowing that you are adequately covered under the most suitable terms and conditions.

In addition, there are also some important differences between standard home insurance and buy to let insurance, which is why it is important to check you have the right cover for your property.

Buy to let insurance differs from standard household cover also in the fact that there are more limitations to cover than you might expect. This includes some restrictions on cover for theft, attempted theft and malicious damage – usually these perils are only covered if the damage is caused by violent or forcible entry to the property. This reflects the fact that the owner of the property is not the occupier, and so the individual with the insurable interest in the property, who would always treat the property as if uninsured to minimise any possible loss, is not living at the property. It also means that you are not covered if your tenants run off with your property, so it is also important that you arrange a suitable deposit.

It is also important to check if you have any accidental damage cover on buildings and contents. The standard wording for many policies limits accidental damage to certain areas (for example to fixed glass and double glazing, solar panels, sanitary fixtures and ceramic hobs, domestic oil pipes, underground water-supply pipes, sewers, drains, underground gas pipes, underground electricity and telephone cables. It is now often possible to extend accidental damage to the whole buildings, and to landlord’s contents. There may be stipulations on this depending on the types of tenants you have, so it is worth checking what you can be covered against.

If you have any concerns about buy to let insurance, we are more than happy to discuss your insurance requirements by email (enquiries@click4quote.com) or telephone (08450 89 90 91 Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm). Or why not get a quote on our website.

As ever, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions, so please feel free to send us your feedback.

Make sure your holiday is trouble free!

2008-08-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

You may have heard in the news recently about the increased number of Brits getting arrested whilst on holiday, as well as holiday hospital admissions and lost passports whilst on holiday. This has highlighted the importance of arranging travel insurance to many holidaymakers.

The annual Foreign Office report has shown that the country us Brits travel to the most, Spain, resulted in 2,032 of us being detained, which is an increase of 32% from the previous year.
Spain also saw the highest number of lost passports (6,710) and hospital admissions (695).

Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn said: "The report highlights what can go wrong on holiday. It is a reminder to all that taking out comprehensive travel insurance is a crucial part of your holiday planning and not something that should be sacrificed to save a few pounds.

In a separate survey by the Foreign Office, two-thirds of almost 2,000 British holidaymakers admitted they would be spending less on holiday preparations this year because of the credit crunch.

The government has urged people not to cut corners on travel insurance, and the Foreign Office advises Britons going abroad to check laws and local customs in areas they planned to visit before travelling in order to reduce the likelihood of experiencing problems.

More travel insurance policies were taken out in 2007 (20 million) than in 2006 (15 million), according to the Association of British Insurers, but many people still don’t see holiday insurance as an essential. Medical bills abroad in countries such as the USA and Spain, can run into thousands, so make sure you don’t get caught out!

Single Trip Travel Insurance and Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance is available from Click4Quote.com from as little as £5.04, so go online or call us today to make sure you are covered!

Insuring Landlords Contents

2008-08-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

When purchasing any Landlords Insurance one of the key considerations is how to deal with covering any landlords contents, fixtures and fittings.

As landlords you should always be careful when arranging your insurance to ensure you adequately cover all contents, fixtures and fittings.

As a general rule, fixtures and fittings are included in a Landlord Buildings insurance policy. This will generally include any kitchen and bathroom units, fitted appliances (if they are fitted into your kitchen). As always it is best to check your insurance policy to be absolutely sure. Any boilers would also be classed as fixtures and fittings.

Any items which are easily removable from the property are otherwise classed as contents. This usually includes furniture, electrical goods (other than fitted appliances) and any personal items left in the property.

One key exception to this rule is carpets and curtains. Most policies will not include carpets and curtains within the buildings section, so you will need to check if you have these covered as contents. In some cases a policy may include these items under the buildings section, so if you are unsure it is best to check this with your provider.

Cover for any fitted wooden floors that you may have fitted need to be checked carefully as insurers tend to differ in the definitions they use as to whether these come under the buildings or contents section of your policy. As a rule if a wooden or laminated floor has been glued down, this will be classed as buildings as it will not be possible to move this flooring into another location. However, if it is just slotted into place, this may then be classed under contents. In this instance we would recommend that you check with your insurance provider if you are unsure whether you are adequately covered.

As always when insuring your contents, you should ensure that the value of contents cover you have covers the cost of replacing whatever items you have in the property, as this is the usually the basis of the settlement of any claim. If you are under-insured this may have an adverse effect if you do have to make a claim, as your insurer may not pay out the full value of any damage, so it is always important to check that your contents sums insured is adequate.

Remember, you are not responsible for any contents that your tenants move in with them, so only take account of what is yours, and where possible keep an inventory of items you have in the property, with receipts or valuations if possible, so that in the event of a claim, you can see quickly what the situation is. Your tenants would be well advised to do the same.

As ever, if you are unsure, it is always worth checking your landlord insurance with your insurance provider for clarification and guidance. At CLICK4QUOTE we are always happy to discuss your insurance needs with you. If you have any comments about this, please feel free to let us know.

Have a healthy holiday!

2008-08-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

If you are going on holiday in the next few weeks or months you may find the advice below helpful in terms of staying healthy and safe on holiday so that you can enjoy it to the fullest!

Check with your doctor as soon as possible to find out if you need any vaccinations before you travel. Some countries are unfortunately associated with more serious illnesses. Bear in mind that some vaccines need to be given in multiple doses and spaced over a certain amount of time. You may also need to take anti-malarial tablets (even if you are only visiting a malarial zone for a stopover) and if you are visiting more remote areas of some countries you may need additional vaccinations.

If you do become ill in a foreign country this can be very traumatic and expensive if you have not taken out Travel Insurance prior to leaving the UK. Perhaps the most important reason to take out holiday insurance is to provide cover for emergency medical expenses abroad as the bills can run into many thousands of pounds, especially in places such as the United States.

Click4Quote.com offers Travel Insurance from as little as £5.04 so it is well worth taking cover out to protect yourself and your family should the worst happen.

Make sure you’ve got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid. Filling in the emergency contact details in your passport will make it much easier to contact someone if necessary as well. If you are applying for a passport for the first time you must now attend an interview to verify your identity. It now takes up to six weeks to get a first passport. For more information on this you can visit www.ips.gov.uk.

It is definitely worth checking the travel advice pages on the Foreign and Commonwealth office website travelling-and-living-overseas/for the country you are visiting, as this offers a wealth of information on your travel destination. If you sign up for email alerts and you’ll get the latest updates for that country.

The new LOCATE service offered by the Foreign and Commonwealth office is also worth signing up to online if you are a British National so that in the event of a catastrophe such as a tsunami or terrorist attack, they will be able to locate you and crisis staff can provide better assistance in an emergency. They would then be able contact you to make sure you’re OK and provide advice, and if family and friends need to get in touch with you they can help them to find you. It only takes a few minutes to register your contact details and travel plans online and the local British embassy will know you’re coming. There's no need to contact them directly.

Remember that when you are on holiday think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts; don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home! Find out the local emergency services numbers and the number of the local hospital so that you are well prepared in the event of an emergency.

Travelling to different climates and environments abroad can expose you to disease and health risks. You should be aware of the dangers and how to stay safe and healthy. It is however impossible to plan for every eventuality and sometimes bad luck can just occur, that’s why Travel Insurance is a must for any trip you may take whether its for a weekend away or a trip around the world.

We welcome any comments you may have so please feel free to share these with us.

Burglaries and Break-ins

2008-07-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

For any home insurance or let property insurance, cover for theft and malicious damage is usually one of the first things you check that you are covered for because it is perceived to be one of the greatest threats to your home, and any burglary or break-in can be a very traumatic experience.

However, although cover is offered for theft and malicious damage on almost all property insurance policies as standard, there are things that we all need to be aware of when buying our insurance so that we can be assured that we have adequate cover for these events should the worst happen.

If you have insurance for your main residence, theft and malicious damage will almost certainly be included as standard. However, you should check if your insurance company imposes any conditions regarding security requirements at the property. Sometimes insurers will request that locks are fitted into the main entry door that are to a minimum specification. Some may also request that some or all of the accessible windows are fitted with key operated window locks, and the patio doors be fitted with a security device or lock also. For larger properties, or those containing valuable items, you will almost certainly need strong security measures in place, and often you will need to ensure you have an alarm fitted by an approved supplier.

It is important that you check your policy for any such conditions. If you do not follow any security conditions stipulated and you do suffer a burglary or break-in, your insurer may not pay for any losses or damage. If in doubt, always check with your insurance provider.

The same applies also for landlord insurance. In most cases insurers will also impose a restriction that theft or malicious damage is only covered when it is subsequent to violent or forcible entry to the property, so it does not allow for any theft or damaged caused by your tenants or their guests. Again, if you do have landlords insurance you should check what security requirements (if any) have been imposed by your insurer.

One further tip we can give you is to look out for any restrictions that may be imposed if your property is unoccupied for prolonged periods (usually periods longer than 30 days). This is especially important if you let your property (where you may experience long periods between lets) or if you take long holidays.

If you have holiday home insurance for a property which is unoccupied for large parts of the year, your insurer will be more likely to impose security conditions on your policy given the higher risk associated with a property which is often left empty.

Many insurers include exclusions or restrictions on theft and malicious damage cover when the property is unoccupied, so it is important that you check your policy documents if you think you may be affected. At CLICK4QUOTE we are always happy to discuss what cover we can provide to best match your requirements, and any associated restrictions that might apply.

Click4Quote.com Summer holiday money saving tips!

2008-07-29T01:26:00.000-07:00

We all like a holiday but in the current financial climate it may seem like an unnecessary luxury with the prices of fuel and food on the up. However there are many ways in which you can make great savings on holiday necessities such as Travel Insurance and accommodation costs. In this blog Click4Quote.com have compiled some tips to help your money go further! If you haven’t tried already, booking online and in advance can really save you money.

Some airlines and most ferry providers offer a discount for booking online as opposed to over the phone, which can be as much as 20%. You can save hundreds of pounds by using one of the low cost airlines to jet off at much reduced rates compared to other airline providers. They often have special discounts and deals so look out for these by signing up to their newsletters. If you can, try and book off-peak and mid-week as you’ll find that hotels and flights are cheaper, as well as during the off-season. If you want to try something different why not arrange a home swap .

The world’s largest home-swap agency is HomeLink with more than 13,000 properties to choose from. The company charges a fee of £115 for a year’s website listing and brochure entry: once you’ve paid, you can contact other owners direct and make the arrangements. What you can get obviously depends on the home you have to offer, but it’s location, not size, that counts. A one-bedroom flat in central London was recently exchanged for a four-bedroom beachfront mansion in Vancouver!Contact the tourist office in the area you are planning to travel to and find out if they have any special offers going. They may even know of a new hotel just about to open doing an introductory deal, for example. Pre-booking airport parking is a great deal cheaper than turning up on the day. Consider your transport carefully - for large families and groups a taxi transfer to the airport can be better value or consider using the coach or the train.

Check the weight of your luggage before leaving home. Some flights will charge £9 per kilo on excess baggage, so check your airlines restrictions before you get to the airport.

One of the cheapest ways to manage your money abroad is with your debit or credit card, however it is worth checking what your bank charges for this first. Nationwide’s bank account make no charge for using your card abroad, so if you travel frequently it could be worth opening an account with them specifically for your holidays.There is a large choice of insurance available for car hire, and the best thing to do here is to check your own Travel Insurance and motor insurance policies along with those offered by the car hire firm to avoid paying out twice.

Travel Insurance Many Holiday Insurance policies offer the option to remove baggage and personal effects cover on its own or with money. Check your Home Insurance policy to see if your personal possessions are already covered for trips abroad so that you can get a reduced rate on your Travel Insurance.

The Click4Quote.com Single Trip Travel Insurance and Annual Multi Trip policy also offers the option to waive your policy excess for just a small additional premium so that in the event of you needing to make a claim, your usual excess will not be deducted from the claim amount.If you have any holiday money saving tips you would like to share, please post your comments.

Geographical boundaries for travel insurance!

2008-07-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) campaign called ‘Know Before You Go’ Click4quote.com promote the understanding and the need for travel insurance.

As part of this campaign we feel it is important for people to understand which countries are included and not included when you select your geographical destination whilst purchasing travel insurance.

Firstly, travel insurance UK – UK is usually defined as England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

Travel insurance Europe– A common definition of Europe would include the UK (as above) plus European countries west of the Ural mountains (this is the mountains range that runs across Russia north to south, just above Moscow and is usually considered a natural boundary between Europe and Asia), the Azores, canary islands, Madeira, Iceland and countries bordering the Mediterranean sea (excluding Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Libya).

This means that some African countries on the Mediterranean are also included within a European travel policy so there again is potential to save money by checking the definitions. It must be noted that the countries excluded around the Mediterranean varies from policy to policy so care must be taken to read and understand what countries are included.

Travel insurance worldwide– Worldwide would include the UK and Europe as above, however there are often two options available for worldwide travel, those being ‘excluding USA and Canada’ or ‘including USA and Canada’. Travel insurance for travel to the USA and Canada is more expensive due to the medical costs incurred in those countries tending to be higher than in other destinations, which is why there is often the option of buying multi trip travel insurance excluding those countries which is cheaper and can save you money.

FCO ‘Travel Warning’ Cover Exclusions

Travel insurance cover is usually subject to the FCO stating that it is safe travel to your destination. Most, if not all travel policies will exclude cover for travel to any country or specific regions in a country that the FCO advises against travelling to and again it is essential that this wording be checked before travelling. If you are unsure if a travel warning has been issued for your destination up to date information for individual countries can be checked at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

If you require holiday insurance quotes these are available online from click4quote.com. We recommend that you take care to ensure that you select the correct geographical destination for your insurance and we are happy to quote for your travel insurance requirements.

What do you think – post a comment: -

Should there be industry wide definitions for UK and Europe to make buying travel insurance easier?

Do you check the FCO website for advice on your destination before you go?

Were you aware of the FCO Know Before You Go website?

How to minimise the effects of Jet lag if you are flying long haul this year.

2008-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

We can plan and prepare many aspects of our holidays in advance these days, such as the activities we want to do whilst away, and protecting ourselves with Travel Insurance prior to leaving should the worst happen. However, little is known about we what can we do to help minimise the detrimental effects of jet lag.

If your body clock gets out of sync it can take as long as a week before you feel back to your usual self again. It isn’t just a matter of feeling tired either; jet lag can cause headaches, indigestion, stomach upsets and nausea as the body readjusts to a new time zone.

Being out of sync like this could lose you a business deal or ruin the first few days of an expensive holiday. And despite many millions more of us leaving our carbon footprints all over the world, there is still no real cure. However, there is plenty we can do to minimise jet lag with a bit of forward planning.

Click4Quote.com has put some commonsense measures together that can help minimise jet lag so that you can start enjoying your holiday as quickly as possible!

Set your watch to your destination time zone before you board the plane and try to base your on-board meals and sleeping times around this new time.

Use an eye mask if it is still light outside when you need to sleep, your eyes will detect this even when they are shut and the sleep will be of poor quality.

During the flight, avoid alcohol, coffee and sleeping pills and take regular drinks of water to stave off dehydration. Walk around as much as feasible and do stretching exercises in your seat to avoid muscle cramp and protect against deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Avoid napping when you reach your destination and try to adapt to eating at the correct time. If you feel like sleeping try and get into a situation where it is impossible to sleep such as going for a walk.

A very useful site for helping calculate your sleeping and waking times is http://www.bodyclock.com. It offers tools such as a jet lag calculator and time zone maps.

Don’t be in denial about jet lag. Accept that you will suffer to some extent, so don’t overload your timetable for a day or so after your arrival to give yourself time to adjust. If you're flying at night and facing a short night because of the time difference, have a meal at the airport so you can sleep as soon as you're airborne, rather than wasting valuable sleeping time eating.

If you have been very badly affected in the past it may be worth looking into different ways of getting to your destination. If you fly to Australia or Japan via the USA jet lag can be less severe when flying West rather than East.

Medication is available but many have side effects and they ultimately mask the symptoms rather than fixing them. Time to re-adjust, and prevention is the only really effective solution.

For peace of mind whilst away, don’t forget your Holiday Insurance which covers you for a range of benefits such as medical and repatriation cover and personal effects and baggage so that you have a little less to worry about should the worst happen on your holiday.

Do you have any additional useful tips on how to minimise the effects of Jet lag? If so please post a comment and share your knowledge!

Is flood cover now secure for all?

2008-07-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

In May, you may recall that we were writing about the dilemma for insurers and government surrounding the continued provision of flood cover to homes in areas at higher risk of flooding.

In a deal announced last Friday that will provide relief to millions of homeowners, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has now agreed that the industry will now continue to offer flood cover on Home Insurance and Landlords Insurance to “people at moderate risk and existing customers at significant risk”1. Cover for flood will still be subject to individual insurers requirements and subject to the history of flooding at specific addresses, however insurers should now take all factors in to consideration when offering a policy.

This is good news for homeowners who should continue to be able to obtain adequate insurance against the risk of flood, who until this point were becoming vulnerable to the possibility of flood cover being withdrawn from the worst affected areas.

Under the deal struck by the ABI and the government, flood cover should also remain at affordable levels, which will continue to encourage everyone to maintain insurance against all risks, not just that of flood, should the worst happen.

The ABI has said that as long as the government shows the way forward in investment in flood prevention, the insurance industry will continue to work with them to continue to keep flooding covered at affordable levels on Home Insurance and Landlord Insurance policies.

Do you welcome this deal to encourage wider flood cover to all households? Please feel free to give us your feedback or suggestions.

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7501034.stm; 11 July 2008.

Watch out for the varying costs in Travel Insurance, a specialist broker often provides much better value and lower premiums.

2008-07-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

At the moment, many travel agents will sneakily try and bundle holiday insurance with just about anything you buy from them, whether its reserving your flights accommodation, rental car, or travellers’ cheques! It often seems like the easiest way of sorting things out to just go along with the agent's suggestion, pay an extra twenty pounds or so, and have your insurance all dealt with by the time you walk out of the agency.

However, this could be a costly - the Treasury Select Committee says these bundled policies are 91.8% more expensive than the most competitive insurers. They get away with charging these higher because, unlike standalone Travel Insurance, purchased from a broker or online, policies sold by a travel agent along with another product are not subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).This means that travel agents do not have to stick to the same rules about competition, transparency and fairness.

MPs have rightly called for tougher rules over the insurance policies that travel agents sell this way. Indeed, the FSA are currently consulting with the financial and the travel industries to bring the sale of connected travel insurance (as it is known) within the FSA’s regulatory scope. Until then, make sure you don’t get caught out.

It is definitely worth shopping around for specialist Travel Insurance as these companies can offer a professional fair service with comprehensive cover at very reasonable prices

The Click4Quote.com Travel Policy, is provided by specialist insurers at Lloyd’s, and offers a wide range of cover options specifically designed to cater to individual travellers needs. The rates start from as little as £5.04 so you can be assured of a great deal with comprehensive cover. Full details of the cover can be viewed online here, along with the option of getting a quotation or actually purchasing a policy online, with immediate documentation being emailed to you directly.

This process could genuinely save you money; time and all importantly provide the right cover for your holiday, so that all you need to worry about is having a good time!

Motor Insurance Fraud

2008-07-09T01:44:00.000-07:00

You may remember that over the past few months CLICK4QUOTE.COM has highlighted the increase in fraudulent claims being seen across the industry.

The Association of British Insurers has recently released a report saying that within the car insurance sector alone there were 24,000 fraudulent claims last year, worth a total of £260m, representing an increase of 70% in just three years. This demonstrates the point we have been making that this is a serious issue that needs to be tackled across the industry.

The common perception is that insurance fraud does no harm to anyone except the insurer – but remember, insurance fraud adds on average £40 to every car insurance premium, demonstrating how insurance fraud is no victimless crime

Insurance fraud of course is not just limited to the motor insurance sector. Home insurance and travel insurance sees its fair share of fraudulent claims too, so everyone who purchases insurance will pay towards the actions of a relative minority.

The incidence of fraud is now so widespread, that most insurers now have their own insurance fraud investigation teams, so when someone does take a chance, there is a greater likelihood of them getting caught. This is to be welcomed so that insurers can do their best to keep premiums as low as possible for all of us.

As ever, we would welcome any comments you might have on this issue.

Summer Holiday Sun!

2008-07-09T01:31:00.000-07:00

Protecting yourself on holiday with Holiday Insurance is easy enough, however, it seems that we are still not taking the associated risks of sunbathing and getting a tan seriouly enough when going on holiday. The importance of taking care in the sun to protect our skin from ageing, and potentially more serious problems such as skin cancer is not something we should be taking lightly.

Most of us like to get a tan on holiday, however this shouldn’t mean that we bake ourselves for 8 hours on the first day of our holiday! It takes time for our skin to adapt to the stronger rays abroad so a high factor sun cream is especially important. A national survey* by Cancer Research UK, to launch its 2007 SunSmart campaign, found that 30 per cent of 16-24 year olds said they were certain to get sunburnt on their summer holiday. And a further 30 per cent said they might get sunburnt. The survey questioned 2000 men and women of all ages throughout Britain about their sunbathing habits.

Overall more than a quarter of adults (27 per cent) thought getting burnt was all part of getting a tan. Almost one fifth (19 percent) said they planned to get burnt and a further 21 per cent said they might. Scientists know that malignant melanoma – the potentially fatal form of skin cancer – is linked to short intense bursts of over-exposure to the sun. And research has shown that sunburn doubles the risk of skin cancer.**

Dr Lesley Rhodes, a Cancer Research UK dermatologist, said: "Getting sunburnt increases the risk of skin cancer in general. But the kind of sunbathing binges that happen when people go to much hotter climates and bake on the beach is particularly dangerous”. Dr Rhodes added that it was particularly worrying that more than a quarter of people surveyed believed burning was all part of getting a tan. "Rates of melanoma are set to treble in the next thirty years unless there is a radical change of behaviour among holiday makers addicted to sunbathing."

SunSmart is the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign commissioned by the UK Health Departments and run by Cancer Research UK. The campaign focuses on those most at risk of skin cancer and the key target audience this year is holidaymakers.

The SunSmart Messages:

• Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3. The summer sun is most damaging to your skin in the middle of the day.

• Make sure you never burn; sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer.

• Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. When the sun is at its peak sunscreen is not enough.

• Remember to take extra care with children. Young skin is delicate. Keep babies out of the sun especially around midday.

• Use factor 15+ sunscreen.

• Apply sunscreen generously and reapply often.

• Also report mole changes or unusual skin growths promptly to your doctor.

Travel Insurance will also help keep you protected on holiday should the worst happen, so don’t forget to arrange this before you go! Great Annual Multi Trip and Single Trip Travel Insurance rates are available, starting from as little as £5.04.

* The survey by BMRB Omnibus was conducted by telephone, between February 2-11, 2007, among 2000 adults aged 16 plus. Results were weighted to make them nationally representative.

** Research says that sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma. (References: Gandini et al. 2005 "Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma II: Sun exposure"; Elwood & Jopson 1997 "Melanoma and sun exposure: an overview of published studies".)

Choose Travel Insurance to suit your individual requirements and you could save money!

2008-06-30T03:10:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Click4Quote.com Travel policy is flexible to suit your personal travel requirements? We believe that certain cover should be optional to the individual traveller so they can decide what cover best suits their needs. Some companies do not offer the option to remove certain benefits meaning you end up paying for cover you don’t actually require at a higher premium.

The Click4Quote.com Travel Insurance policy is flexible with regard to your destination. For example we offer cover for Worldwide cover excluding the USA & Canada, which means we can offer you a lower premium if you are not travelling to these countries, due to the associated higher cost of claims in those countries.

There are also family and couple rates on the Annual Travel Insurance policy and the Single Trip Travel Insurance policy, which are better value than if you were to buy cover as individuals, so look out for those options when buying your policy.

Winter sports, golf and business cover can also be added on to the Annual Travel Insurance policy if required - it will not be included automatically like on some policies which means that you could end up paying more for cover which you don’t require. Alternatively if you do need cover for these activities you can tailor the policy to suit your trip.

There is also an additional option on the Annual Travel Insurance policy and Single Trip Travel Insurance policy, to waive the policy excess. This could be especially useful to you if you require a family policy since the excess is payable per person, per section, so in the event of a claim being made the excess you may have to pay could add up if there are a number of people on the policy. If you include the excess waiver option then this means that you would not be required to pay any excess in the event you needed to make a claim, which would reduce financial stress at a time when you could do without any added worries.

If you would like to take advantage of any of these cover options then cover can be obtained instantly online at Click4Quote.com with instant documentation issue, however if you would prefer to talk through any of these options with an advisor, then they are available to talk to in office hours, Monday to Friday and will be more than willing to help you find the most suitable cover for your travelling needs.

Cover for an Annual Travel Insurance policy starts from as little as £36.93, so why not take a look at the website to see the benefits and cover options available.

Golfing Holidays – get covered for tee-off! Get Golf Club Travel Insurance

2008-06-30T03:04:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods added more evidence to the claim that he is best golfer ever by winning his 14th Major title at the US Open aged just 32 and looks a certainty to beat Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors. More impressive about this victory than most was that Tiger played whilst injured!

With the golf season now in full swing and with the Ryder Cup and British Open to look forward to - inspiration is hitting many golfers to test themselves on different types of courses around the UK, in Europe or around the World.

Golfing whilst away is popular as either a corporate event, a few friends getting away from it all to enjoy a shared passion or a quick game when away with the family. Destinations such as Scotland, Ireland, Portugal and the United States are well liked, along with many impressive courses in England.

If you are planning on playing golf while you are away or are going on a specific golf trip then you should consider buying golf travel insurance or adding golf club travel insurance cover to your existing travel policy because is there anything more frustrating than watching your friends tee-off whilst you wait to find out where your clubs are?!

Travel Insurance with golf cover should include cover for golf equipment such as clubs, bags and shoes along with the hiring of replacement golf equipment if your equipment is temporarily or permanently lost, damaged or stolen.

Golfing holiday insurance should also extend medical cover to include green fees and golf equipment hire if you are unable to travel or play golf due to accidental injury or illness.
For peace of mind on your golfing holiday, golf travel cover is a valuable addition to your holiday insurance.

Post a comment and join in the discussions on the following topics:

Is Tiger Woods the best golfer ever?
Where is your favourite golf holiday destination?
What is the best golf course you have ever played?
Who will win the Ryder Cup this year?

Subsidence

2008-06-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

When purchasing any landlord building insurance, one of the Key perils to check for on your policy is subsidence. Although thankfully subsidence is still relatively rare, it is important that you are adequately covered because when subsidence claims do occur, they can be extremely complicated, time consuming and expensive to settle.

The main reason for the complexity of subsidence claims is that there are many different causes that could account for the problem. Shrinkage of the soil, tree roots and collapsed drains are the main causes, and identifying the exact cause and location of the problem can take time, and require specialist help.

When buying your landlord building insurance, you first of all need to be sure that subsidence is covered by the policy, and you should ask your insurance provider when purchasing the policy. Usually subsidence is subject to a higher than normal excess, often £1,000, but don’t be alarmed as this is a standard across the industry.

If you property has previously suffered from subsidence or cracking, or is located in an area close to other properties with subsidence, or is in a previous coal mining area, it is important that you declare this when getting a quote. If you do not declare a material fact regarding subsidence, this may have a bearing on a future subsidence claim if such an occurrence were to occur down the line, and your claim may even be declined.

Often if you do declare a previous history of subsidence, you will be asked to complete a subsidence questionnaire, which will help the insurer decide if they wish to include subsidence cover.

If your property has suffered from subsidence, you may find it difficult to get let property insurance cover with a new provider. However, the Association of British Insurers΄ Domestic Subsidence Claim Handling Agreement is in place whereby the insurer of a property which has dealt with the subsidence claim is obliged to continue providing cover for subsidence if you stay with them. This is to ensure that it is possible for you to keep the property adequately insured. It is worth discussing this with your insurance provider if you are unsure whether you are eligible for this if your property is currently experiencing subsidence.

As ever, it is always worth checking your policy small print. At CLICK4QUOTE we are always happy to discuss your insurance needs with you. If you have any comments about this, please feel free to let us know.

What can we do to be more eco friendly travellers?

2008-06-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

At Click4Quote.com we realise that more and more people are now seeking ways in which they can minimise the impact of climate change made by their holidays, and even bring benefits to local economies. But what can we do that will really help make a change?

One of the major problems comes down to the sheer numbers of us wanting to fly. Annually around 120 million passengers pass through the UK’s three busiest airports alone, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, and this figure is growing. It is largely the issue of emissions, principally carbon emissions, that is blamed for contributing most to climate change, and the simple fact is that the further you go, the more emissions that are generally produced.
The carbon released at high altitude is more damaging than the same amount at ground level. On the face of it, flying long distances at 30,000 feet, long haul must surely plead guilty to all the charges laid against it, however this is not a problem that we can easily solve or hope will just disappear.

How else can we get from one side of the globe to the other, unless we have a few months to spare to go by boat? While this is the most compelling argument in favour of long haul, it may also be the only really justifiable use of flying at all. There are practical transport alternatives available for many internal and short international trips; by contrast, trains and ferries are simply not viable substitutes for long haul flights.

The aviation industry itself may hold part of the solution to the future of long haul. Designed to carry over 500 passengers at a time within its double decked fuselage, the A380, the latest from Airbus, uses high-efficiency engines and lighter alloys to promise 20 – 30% lower fuel consumption per passenger than equivalent aircrafts. In turn this should mean that other manufacturers will follow in the same vain, hopefully making this level of fuel economy and low emissions standard in the long-haul arena. If so, it will not solve the problem entirely, but it must surely help.

So what can we do as individuals wanting to take a holiday? Why not plan a route to minimise the CO2 by travelling by train and bus, wherever and whenever practical. It would not be unfair to argue that the rail network on the Continent is far superior to the British version. Trains are quiet, fast, and luxurious, and fares are reasonable. In countries such as Switzerland, taking the train offers stunning scenery and can be the highlight of the holiday. Another bonus is that bus and train stations and ferry ports tend to be closer to city centres than airports, saving you money and emissions on transfers. Reducing flying time is, of course, important but minimising internal flights and stopovers should be a more major element in the plan, since take-offs and landings release the most carbon. When you simply have no alternative, then you can offset the carbon emissions produced by your flight. The website www.ecotravelling.co.uk offers some useful tips on how to reduce carbon emissions in your travel plans.

If you are really keen to check out your carbon footprint on your holiday travel, an excellent calculator can be found at www.carbonfootprint.com/calculater.aspx.

As always don’t forget essential Travel Insurance for your holiday, details of which can be found on our website http://www.click4quote.com/travel-insurance.htm. Instant cover and documentation can be provided by email.

If you have any views on this subject, we welcome your comments as usual.

Is Terminal 5 at Heathrow back on track 3 months on?

2008-06-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

After the problems with the opening of Terminal 5 suffered back in March, you may be wondering whether the experience for passengers has now improved, especially if you will use this terminal for your holiday in the coming months. You may be concerned as to whether Travel Insurance will cover Terminal 5 as some insurers previously decided to exclude claims relating to this terminal. This is not the case with the Click4Quote.com Travel policy, however we would advise you to check with your insurer if you are currently insured elsewhere.

Although the media coverage has died down recently and it appears that the initial problems have been ironed out, it will be interesting to see how the terminal copes leading into the busier months with additional flights and millions of holidaymakers making their way through the terminal.

This week, Terminal 5 has started handling 30 additional long-haul flights, with little of the chaos that surrounded its opening. Having used the Terminal myself, I was very impressed with the check in and security procedures which were efficient and seemed to run smoothly. It is an exciting space, modern and airy, and has some great benefits such as a wide variety of restaurants and areas to relax. If you forget where you parked your car then you can use the automated, state-of-the-art Car Finder at the car park entrance. This feels, momentarily, like a 21st-century airport.

But elsewhere, the sense of an organisation stretched close to breaking point is ever-present. Terminal 1 is undergoing a major refit, but still feels tired and inefficient. One of the automatic doors at the entrance is broken, and there is an "Out of order" message on the car park ticket machine. Over the summer, Heathrow and Gatwick have the worst delays in Europe.

However not everyone is gloomy. "You will always have problems in the summer," says James Fremantle of the Air Transport Users Council. "Heathrow is extremely congested and there is little or no flexibility when logistical problems arise. But things are moving in the right direction. Terminal 5 has helped ease congestion, and so would a third runway. Passengers know the score, and most, according to our research, would be prepared to pay a little extra for improved services."

People expectations are changing, most just want to get from A to B without losing their luggage or being diverted. But with ticket prices soaring, and ever more surcharges, how many holidaymakers will be prepared to endure a visit to Heathrow?

Travel Insurance for single trips is an essential for peace of mind when travelling, and Click4Quote.com offer cover to suit most trips at competitive premiums. Delayed baggage, and Travel delay and inconvenience are common problems wherever you travel from especially in the coming busier months, so visit us online today to take out a policy, so that if such problems do arise you can rest assured that you would not lose out financially.
If you have any views on this we welcome your comments.

Liability for the Landlord

2008-06-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

One important aspect of all types of Buy-to-Let property insurance cover that is often overlooked is the Liability section. In many policies it often tends to be a section tucked away in the middle of a policy wording, and listed as just one of many selling points. However, the limit of cover for Property Owners Liability tends to be the highest within the whole of a standard policy, and it could lead to a big claim if you as the Landlord are shown to be negligent in your duty of care to your tenants and their visitors.

As an example, the CLICK4QUOTE.COM Landlord Insurance policy includes cover for Property Owners Liability up to £2 million AS STANDARD, which is representative of a good industry standard.

For the Landlord, having adequate cover for Property Owners Liability is essential because you are allowing other people to be living in a property you own, and so you will not be there all the time to ensure that everything remains in good order and to monitor problems as they develop.

As part of being a Landlord, it is always recommended that that you (or someone on your behalf) undertake regular inspections of each property you own, and note any work that may need addressing so that this can be put right as soon as possible. This will limit the possibility of anything going wrong, and will also demonstrate your willingness to maintain your duty of care.

Of course occasionally things do go wrong, for which you as a Landlord may be responsible, even when you have taken every appropriate precautionary action. This is where Property Owners Liability comes in to play, and why it is so important that you ensure that you have an adequate level of cover within your landlord building insurance.

If you do have any concerns, we are more than happy to discuss your Landlords Insurance requirements by email (enquiries@click4quote.com) or telephone (08450 89 90 91 Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm). Or why not get a quote on our website.

As ever, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions, so please feel free to send us your feedback.

Holiday Homes Overseas – Get The Right Insurance Cover

2008-06-09T02:14:00.000-07:00

With the huge expansion of low-cost short-haul flights during the last decade, the size of Europe has become seemingly smaller and the idea of a Holiday Home in another European Country a reality for an increasing number of people.

What made holiday homes even more viable was the strength of the pound against the euro which meant that property overseas was much cheaper than a traditional holiday home in the UK and a buyer would receive more square footage, in a warmer climate and in stunning locations for less money!

Typically, homes overseas were insured under contracts sold by companies within the holiday property’s’ location, often with the wording not translated too clearly back into English (if at all) so when it came to claiming the problems would begin and so grew the demand for comprehensive insurance cover for overseas property written in English and insured by UK insurers.

Good Overseas property insurance holiday homes cover will include a variety of extras in addition to ‘standard perils’ that are usually covered including emergency travel cover if there is a major claim at your overseas property and your presence is required, along with additional expenses for accommodation if you can not stay at the property. Other cover would include loss or theft of keys, legal helplines, domestic emergency helplines (to supply contact details of local contractors in the event of an emergency), trace and access cover and emergency access.
Good policies will include different sections of wording applicable for property located in different countries such as liability wordings and special conditions to comply with local laws for example:

French Holiday Home Insurance

Specific liability wordings for property in France and a special condition - natural catastrophe - for French holiday homes to comply with French Law No. 82-600 of 13th July 1982.

Spanish Holiday Home Insurance

Specific liability wordings for property in Spain and a special condition - 'Consorcio' - for Spanish holiday homes to comply with Spanish Law dated 16th December 1954 which created the Insurance Compensation Consortium ('Consorcio de Compensation de Seruros'), and subsequent adjustments by Royal Decree.

Holiday Home Insurance Portugal

Specific liability wordings for property in Portugal.

As a consumer of insurance for property in the UK, you would be used to earthquake being included within ‘standard cover’, however it must be considered that this risk is much larger in some other European countries and is not normally included ‘as standard’ so you must check your wording carefully. Countries that may have earthquake excluded would be Italy, Greece and Cyprus however this may vary from wording to wording. If earthquake cover is included there may be significant excesses applied for these particular countries.

Always check the conditions that you have to comply with whilst your property is unoccupied as these can sometimes be very onerous and if not complied with, in extreme instances, invalidate insurance cover.

A new initiative for holiday home insurance is called ‘pass the phone’. The service provide a 24 hour helpline that can be called and used as an interpretation service, a booking service (for restaurants, doctors appointments, golf tee times etc), information helpline or to assist in the event of an emergency or crime and is a valuable service to have at hand. This service is sometimes included free for a stated number of calls with additional calls purchasable separately.
As the economy slows down, the strength of the pound weakens against the euro and the cost of flights increases the opportunities to visit overseas holiday homes may decrease, however adequate protection of your assets should be maintained as this is an area you should not look to save costs by reducing quality of cover.

Click4quote.com offer comprehensive overseas holiday home insurance with a wide unoccupancy wording for properties located in France, Spain, Italy, Southern Cyprus, Portugal, Bulgaria (main resorts) or the Republic of Ireland. Our cover also includes four free calls to a ‘pass the phone’ interpretation service, which additional calls being purchased after this free allocation is used up.

If you are a property owner searching for comprehensive insurance for overseas holiday homes written in English Call CLICK4QUOTE NOW for a quote.

Whether you intend to laze by the pool or bungee jump in Zambia, Click4Quote will have a travel insurance policy suited for you!

2008-06-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

As you know it is important to get Single trip Travel Insurance for any holiday you take whether that be for 2 days or 3 months, however, it is especially important if you are considering taking part in any hazardous activities or sports on holiday. It is important to consider what activities you are likely participate in before you travel so that you can arrange cover for them. If you fail to do this you risk the chance of the activities you take part in not being covered, and any costs resulting in medical treatment being met by yourself, which could run into thousands of pounds.

Common Travel policy exclusions:
• Claims arising from your participation in hazardous activities or some adventure activities such as horse riding, skiing, scuba diving or cycle touring (listed activities vary).
• Claims arising from ongoing medical conditions that you suffer from before you take out the insurance;
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are planning to participate in any potentially hazardous activities and you want these to be covered, you must tell the insurer before you travel to confirm whether they will cover you for claims arising from these causes. If in doubt ask your insurer.

About half of the policies in the travel insurance market cover medical expenses caused by a terrorism event; check your policy for details and shop around to get the cover you want.

The Click4quote.com Single trip Travel Insurance policy can accommodate for a wide range or activities so it is worth checking to see if an activity you may participate is already covered as standard or whether it is something that may be able to be considered for an additional premium, don’t assume your activity will be covered without checking.

In addition to this the Single trip Travel Insurance and Annual Multi Trip policy can be extended specifically for business or golfing holidays to cover a wider range of benefits that will be suited for that type of travel. For full details click here to see what can be covered.

Is more planning needed to prevent a flood of claims?

2008-06-02T02:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we were talking about the seemingly increasing number of potential flood claims that we could see in the future, with premiums for Home Owner Insurance and Buy to Let Insurance possibly on the increase if no further preventative action is taken.

The flash floods in Somerset last night, which the Devon and Somerset Fire Service reported to be their “busiest night in living memory”, brings this issue back into the public imagination, as insurers will soon expect to see a large number of flood damage claims as a result. Although the flood waters soon subsided, hundreds of homes were already flood damaged.

What this latest flooding incident shows is that flood damage can arise in numerous ways – the cause of the flooding in Somerset was different to those in Gloucestershire last summer. Whereas last summer flood water built up gradually as it flowed down from higher ground, these floods developed from a fast build up of water, and the drains were unable to cope. With climate change leading to more frequent bouts of short-term heavy rainfall in a localised area, we may well see a lot more of this sort of event in the future.

For the government it demonstrates how imaginative they will need to be to find appropriate solutions in an effort to keep future flooding catastrophes to a minimum.

As long as the government shows the way forward in flood prevention, the insurance industry will work with them so that it remains possible for flooding to remain an insurable event at affordable levels, rather than a fundamental risk which many will begin to exclude from Home Insurance or Landlord Insurance policies.

Do you think it would be unfair to exclude flood insurance generally? Would you welcome more government intervention? Please feel free to give us your feedback or suggestions.

Free Travel cover sounds great, but it may not be what you think.

2008-06-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

As you are probably well aware, banks and other companies may try and sell you products with free travel cover as a perk and incentive to buy, however do you really know what you are getting in this cover and how it compares to standard Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance?

You might be under the impression that the free travel cover is comprehensive and similar to many other policies out there on the market, but it is definitely worth checking, as you may be surprised to hear that many of these policies are known in the industry as “Travel Accident Insurance”. This type of cover usually extends only as far as you having an accident while you are travelling to or from your holiday destination on public transport. Once you are “on holiday”, the cover ceases. Also if you suffer an illness and are unable to travel that would not be deemed an accident so cover would not be provided.

According to the Ombudsman, complaints regarding travel insurance are decreasing overall but are increasing in the area of free travel cover.

Bearing this in mind, your free travel insurance might not be the cover that is best suited to what you need, and may not cover you for some serious potential outcomes at all. The limit of cover may also be restricted for medical expenses, baggage or personal liability, if these are even included, so it always worth reading the policy wording to ensure it meets your requirements.
It’s also worth noting that if travel cover is included with the credit card, sometimes this cover only applies when you buy the holiday with that particular card which you may not want to do.

If your credit card or bank account is offering free travel insurance, the chances are that the costs of the insurance are being covered by other means such as high interest rates or fees. It may be better value to seek out a card that offers a lower interest rate or without a fee, and take out an Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance policy out separately. This way you can travel confidently knowing that should you need to make a claim that costs will be covered appropriately, and you won’t be left out of pocket.

The Click4quote.com Single Trip Travel policy starts from as little as £5.04 so it is great value for the cover you would receive if the worst were to happen whist away on holiday. Alternatively an Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance policy starts from £36.93 which could work out to be better value if you take a few trips a year.

Visit us online today to see the cover we provide and to take out a policy for your holidays away.

Taking Care with Landlord cover

2008-05-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

When purchasing Landlord Building Insurance , it is always important to ensure that you check what your policy covers, and when you are dealing with tenants it is always important that you are aware of what you are or are not covered for when it comes to them.

Standard perils are usually covered, so if you suffer a fire, a flood or subsidence, you should be covered for these as standard, although it is important to check your policy and any exclusions which may have been applied as certain exclusions or limitations may apply for some properties with special circumstances (for example, if your property is in a flood zone), and of course cover differs between insurers.

One factor to be wary of however is for cover for theft and malicious damage. By definition, if your property is rented, you are not living there as the owner, so insurers will always treat these two perils differently from a standard home insurance policy . In most cases they will only include cover for theft and malicious damage when it is consequent upon violent or forcible entry to the property – in other words there was a break in or such like. Most policies will not include cover in the event of theft or malicious damage by the tenant, although this may be available in some circumstances from specialist providers. It is therefore important that you vet your tenants carefully for their suitability.

One other aspect of cover that it is important to consider is accidental damage. Again, some buy to let insurance policies include full Accidental Damage cover as standard, whereas others may include it only on a limited basis if at all. This is an important consideration for landlords, especially if you let your property furnished and you have some valuable or personal items. At Click4Quote we believe in allowing the Landlord to be flexible, so we are happy to quote either with or without accidental damage over the telephone*.

As always with insurance, the key point is to check what you are covered for, and if you are unsure, to check with your provider. Is accidental or malicious damage cover something you assumed was always covered as standard? Has this piece informed your view? At Click4Quote, we are always happy to discuss your insurance needs, so please feel free to email us (enquiries@click4quote.com) or telephone us (08450 89 90 91) for a chat. As always we are happy to hear your views on the blog.

*subject to terms and conditions. Online, only limited accidental damage cover is available

How Vacant Homes and property Improvements can affect insurance.

2008-05-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

How Vacant Homes and property Improvements can affect insurance.

It is fairly common for owner occupied or residential let properties to become unoccupied at some point, whether that is due to an extended holiday for a few months, or plans to update or modernise some flats you rent out, but have you ever considered the effect this may have on your Home Insurance or Let Property Insurance.

This is something that your insurer should be made aware of and needs to be declared if the unoccupancy of the property is for an extended time, for example for a period longer than 30 days, or as per your individual policy terms and conditions. It is also worth noting that certain conditions may apply when the property becomes unoccupied for a period longer than 14 days or more, for example central heating requirements during the winter, so it is always worth checking your policy documents to ensure you are adequately covered.

If you are unsure, we would recommend calling your broker, to see if any terms or conditions would apply to make sure that your cover will continue, and whether you are expected to carry out any additional duties. If you will be leaving your property for a long period of time, it could be the case that the insurer can no longer cover you on that basis at all and you would require a specialist unoccupied insurance.

If you are thinking about doing some DIY, or putting an extension on your home, you may also not yet have considered the effect this may have on your home owner insurance. It is often easy to get so involved with plans and the work involved, that the thought of insurance goes straight out the window!

This could be a costly mistake, as most insurance policies do not cover renovation work as standard, and you may find that in the event of you having to make a claim that cover will be invalidated. Similarly landlord insurance policies have restrictions on unoccupancy, for example between lets, or whilst some refurbishments take place.

It can be hard to find cover for unoccupied property Insurance especially if the property is unoccupied for a long period of time or if major work such as rewiring, replumbing, or structural work will be taking place. Click4Quote.com do offer buildings renovation insurance that can cover unoccupied properties undergoing renovation. Quotes can be obtained online, or by phone on 08450 89 90 91 if you wish to talk through your plans with a friendly advisor.

You may also have a JCT contract in place for works in progress, which the Click4quote.com Unoccupied renovation policy can also accommodate for, making this a flexible product that can suit your individual plans.

Insurance Fraud Update – One Month On

2008-05-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of months CLICK4QUOTE.COM has written about the growing amount of insurance fraud being seen across the industry. If you recall, we wrote about how Coronation Street was running a storyline where the characters of Leanne and Paul conspired to set fire to their restaurant in order to claim on their Property Insurance, once it was clear that the business was failing.

To start with the storyline continued by having their insurance company pay nearly the full value of the claim, and it seemed that they would get away with it.

However, in a move which is likely to please insurers, when one of the characters recently confessed to setting fire to the restaurant deliberately, the insurance company withdrew the payment immediately following further investigations and criminal proceedings were instigated against those involved.

It is a good sign that the fraudulent actions of two individuals on a high profile television drama were eventually uncovered and hopefully this will deter others from doing the same.

It will also hopefully act in a positive way so that insurers are better able to clamp down on fraudulent activity across the industry, so that people will be more likely to get caught when trying to claim falsely, or trying to claim for more than they are entitled to. Remember, it is believed insurance fraud adds £40 to each premium for every customer in the country, whether you buy motor insurance, home owner insurance, insurance for landlords etc., so if we can help insurers reduce the level of fraud, this will be beneficial to all of us who buy insurance.

As ever, we would welcome any comments you might have on this issue.

Sail Away in to the Sunset with Click4Quote.com!

2008-05-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Sail Away in to the Sunset with Click4Quote.com!

You may own your own boat, or simply just enjoy being out on the open water for a sailing holiday away from the usual day-to-day stresses; either way sailing is a great way to see the world at a pace that suits you.

If you are interested in owning a boat or simply want to learn more about sailing, many training courses in the UK are administered by the Royal Yacht Association, and are provided by many companies around the UK. They vary from starter courses in sailing for complete novices, to Yacht Master courses for the experienced yachtsman or woman. All recognised schools and clubs have to meet high standards of quality of instruction and safety, and only RYA recognised Training Centres are permitted to display the tick-mark logo. The RYA provides guidance on many water-based activities and sports, including sailing, sail cruising, motor cruising, windsurfing, dinghy sailing and personal watercraft.

If you have decided to buy a boat it is likely that you will need to moor your vessel. There are several types of moorings available and these include a marina/harbour, boatyard, or a swinging mooring. As you may be aware, prices do vary a lot between areas of the UK and the type, location, and the size of your boat.

Marinas are the top of the range as far as moorings are concerned. Moorings in a marina tend to provide deep water throughout the day and therefore a jetty or pontoon is provided so that you can walk to your boat without getting wet. These are known as Pontoon Moorings. They will also provide most of the facilities that you require whilst using your boat. These may include showers and toilets, chandlery, parking, cafe and even a clubhouse. The security provided by a marina will be good and in many cases will include electronic access gates and CCTV cameras.

If you have arranged a leisure yachting or sailing holiday away this year, remember that it is important to get Sailing Travel Insurance to cover you whilst away on the boat.

Click4quote.com offer a Sailing Travel Insurance policy designed for single or annual multi trips for sailing holidays, whether they are in the UK, Europe or Worldwide, inside and outside of territorial waters. Comprehensive cover is provided, including medical and repatriation cover including emergency assistance services up to £5 million, and personal accident cover up to £20,000. Other perils such a personal liability and personal effects and baggage are also covered for your sailing holiday.

Click4Quote.com can cover sailing trips up to 1 year, as long as the original departure is from and returning to the UK. The Annual Sailing policy can be extended to include sailing holidays up to 120 days for any one trip, with no limit of how many trips taken in the year. The Sailing Annual Multi-trip policy also covers any additional land trips you may take in the year up to 31 days each.

Sailing Insurance with Click4Quote.com starts from as little as £18 including tax, and cover for your sailing holiday insurance can be arranged over the phone with a friendly UK based advisor on 08450 89 90 91 during office hours.

A Flood of Future Claims?

2008-05-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

A lot has been written recently about the prospect of climate change and the likelihood of an increase in the number of flood claims on Home Insurance in future years.

As last year’s floods showed, the problem is a national one with major flooding from Gloucestershire to Yorkshire, with some locations suffering flooding on more than one occasion. Even this week, a major insurer called upon the newly elected Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to take action now before London suffers a potential flood catastrophe which could cost insurers billions of pounds. This followed on from the premiere of the ITV drama Flood last weekend, which predicted that a freak wave could hit London at any time and cause extensive damage.

It is possible that insurance premiums could increase rapidly over the next few years if no action is taken to reduce the likelihood of widespread flooding. This would affect anyone with a property to insure and would become harder to find cheap Landlord Insurance or low cost Home Insurance.

Many people may take this as another attempt by insurers to make more money at the customers’ expense. However, if you look at things from the insurers’ point of view, it may be inevitable.

If no further action is taken to minimise the possibility of major flooding in urban areas and more of us have our properties flooded, the value of claims made will increase significantly. Insurers have to pay for these claims out of the premiums we all pay for insurance, and that can only mean charging people more for flood cover in the future to ensure that the market for flood cover remains sustainable, unless more action is taken soon.

That is why CLICK4QUOTE.COM welcomes the actions of the major insurers to encourage government and other key players to take a firmer stance on flood defences and invest more in them, to protect the general public from the prospect of future and more frequent flooding in the future.

What do you think? Is the fight against climate change necessary? Or is it being blown out of proportion? Do you worry about your home? As ever, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions, so please feel free to send us your feedback.

For A Stress- free holiday, follow Click4Quote tips!

2008-05-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Going on holiday can often leave us feeling like we need another one to recover from it! Click4Quote.com have put some tips together to help make your holiday as stress free as possible!

Research your destination

When deciding where to go on holiday it is often worth doing some research to find out about the climate and what local events may be happening when you are planning to go. Extreme heat or busy crowded streets might not be the relaxing family holiday you’d hoped for. Find out about any jabs or medicine you may need for your holiday – some of them should be carried out 8 weeks before departure. You can visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for advice relating to your destination at www.fco.gov.uk/travel, and we advise to you take a good guidebook with you.

Before You Book

It is worth considering your flight times when you book - Saturday daytimes are the busiest, whereas midweek night flights are much quieter. Most charter flights allow you to reserve seats with extended legroom, which is well worth doing on long-haul flights. If your flight is early in the morning, an airport hotel is also worth considering. Look out for deals that include parking and an airport shuttle, which can save you money.

Preparing for your Trip

Check your passport carefully. If the expiry date is less than a year away, check the immigration requirements of your destination as it could be refused. Similarly if it’s on the tatty side it is liable to be refused, resulting in a ruined holiday. If you are honeymooning or have changed your name recently, check that your name is the same on your Passport, EHIC, Tickets and Travel Insurance.

Check to see if your airline allows online or automated check-in, this is a great way to avoid standing in tedious queues. Also, remember, that different airlines have different hand luggage requirements, regarding size and weight, and have restrictions on what items may be carried on board (find an up-to-date list at www.dft.gov.uk).

Take out Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is an essential when taking a holiday to ensure that any medical or cancellation costs, as well as many other eventualities, are covered and prevent you from a great financial loss should the worst happen. Make sure that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that these have been declared, and if you are planning on doing any hazardous activities, that these have also been declared before you travel to ensure that cover can be provided for them.
Taking out an Annual Travel Policy could save you money if you are planning a few trips in a year, especially if you are travelling as a family or if you are staying abroad for extended periods.

Home Security

If your home is going to be left unoccupied for a week or two, it is worth asking a neighbour or friend to check on your house, water plants, and pick up the post. If you are away longer than this, check your home insurance to see if there any special requirements that need to be taken into consideration, that otherwise may invalidate your cover.

Remember, don’t put your full address on your holiday luggage – your name, house number and postcode are sufficient and prevents from advertising the fact that your house is unoccupied for two weeks. Similarly don’t leave a message on your voicemail saying that you are on holiday as this could attract unwanted attention to your property.

Hopefully these tips may be of some use to you, and prepare you for a fantastic trip away!

Landlord information sites. Where do I go to get advice?

2008-05-01T03:32:00.000-07:00

As more and more people become landlords for the first time, whether it be renting out their own home whilst working away, or they’re becoming a property investor with a portfolio of properties there is an increasing need for information and advice relating to landlord issues, and the easiest and quickest way to obtain this is often online.

It is not always straightforward when trying to find a website you can trust to find accurate and current advice on landlord issues, so Click4quote.com have listed a few sites that may be of interest to you if you are looking for some free advice on a wide range of topics affecting landlords.

LandlordZONE.co.uk

This is an on-line community, a portal for landlords involved in letting property - novice and experienced alike. It provides free access to information, resources and suppliers of value to residential and commercial landlords, tenants and other property professionals.
Access to the whole of LandlordZONE® and the Question and Answer Forum is totally free.

Residential landlord.co.uk

Again, this website offers a huge amount of information and latest news on landlord issues. You can also find a selection of forms, notices and other documents commonly needed during the course of tenancies on their website. All are entirely free to download and use. Other than prescribed forms, and legal forms in required format, letters and forms are generally suggestions and are available in Word format so that they can be edited and personalised to meet your particular circumstances, these can be found via the following link:

http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/resourcecentre.htm

Those faced with unusual or complicated circumstances, or those unsure about any aspects of what is required, should always seek professional advice.

Ezylet.co.uk

This is a property rental network designed to give tenants and landlords access to forums, free advice and property listings. Whether you need to ask a question, or would like to contribute regarding a property rental issue, Ezylet aims to open up communications between the landlord and tenant. It’s free to register and its free to list a property to let in the UK or abroad, there’s only a small charge of £2.95 if you require a premium listing.

Regency Law.co.uk

As we know, a tenant may get legal aid and free legal advice from a number of organisations. However, this is not often the case when a landlord needs help. Regency Law tenant eviction offer free advice and will assess your documents free of charge, they will then advise on the course of action you can take. Unlike most companies, they do not charge up front advance fees and for "tenant eviction" they are the only company in the UK to offer a No Win, No Fee option.

As always, Click4quote.com offer free landlord insurance quotations online or by phone, and do not charge any administration fees. Our UK based advisors are always happy to provide as much assistance as possible when dealing with your policy and will endeavour to meet your needs as a busy landlord. Therefore if you are looking for very competitive landlord insurance for your buy to let property, with great customer service, visit Click4Quote.com, we look forward to hearing from you.

Why Should I Buy Landlord Insurance?

2008-05-01T03:25:00.000-07:00

Some Landlords may think that standard household insurance will do when it comes to insuring a property which they rent out. However, what you may be unaware of is that Landlords who do not make their insurers aware that their property is rented may be refused a claim. This is because most standard Home Insurance policies do not adequately cover rented properties.

CLICK4QUOTE.COM recommends that Landlords take out specialist Landlord Insurance. As well as providing suitable cover for the buildings which are being rented out, cover can be purchased for Landlord’s contents and furnishings, and there are additional benefits which are of great use.

Firstly, the CLICK4QUOTE.COM Landlord Insurance policy includes cover for Property Owners Liability up to £2 million AS STANDARD. This is essential because of the large number of legitimate visitors that can often be found in a rented property – the tenants of course, but also the tenants’ guests, letting agents and the like. If any of these legitimate visitors were to suffer injury or damage to their property, they are within their rights to make a claim against the Landlord, so it is highly recommended that this cover is in place.

Additionally, the CLICK4QUOTE.COM Landlord Insurance policy also includes cover for loss of rent if you are unable to continue to rent your property temporarily following an insured loss – for example flooding or a fire. You cannot reasonably expect the tenant to stay while remedial works are taking place if the damage is serious, so for this reason many Landlord Insurance policies additionally include the costs of alternative accommodation in these cases, and we recommend you check that your policy includes this cover.

Our policy can also provide Accidental Damage cover on buildings and contents and cover for other additional expenses such as increased water metre charges following an escape of water and some professional fees incurred.

If you have not checked your current insurance recently, we recommend that you do so in the near future so that you can see whether you are adequately covered. If you have any concerns, we are more than happy to discuss your insurance requirements with Landlords by email (enquiries@click4quote.com) or telephone (08450 89 90 91 Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm). Or why not get a quote on our website.

As ever, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions, so please feel free to send us your feedback.

Online Insurance- It’s the way forward!

2008-04-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

The internet is revolutionising the way many of us buy insurance - it can be much more convenient, saving time and money. Quotes are available at any time, and if you decide to purchase, the process can be completed day or night! At CLICK4QUOTE.COM we have embraced the internet by making our most popular policies – Landlord Insurance and Travel Insurance – fully available online. For those people who would prefer to talk to someone directly, you can still get a quotation for all our products by telephone.

However, care still needs to be taken when purchasing insurance online to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with it.

First of all, when buying insurance online, you need to check that the company you are using is properly authorised to sell insurance. All UK insurance providers need to be authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and they need to state this clearly on their website. If it doesn’t, you should avoid it. Also check that the site you are using has adequate online security, so that if you do purchase online, you can be sure that your details are safe.

Whenever purchasing insurance on the internet, you have to be especially careful that you read all information displayed correctly. Unlike buying insurance face-to-face or over the telephone, there is no adviser taking you through everything and ensuring that the product is the most suitable for you. Therefore you should be extra careful. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of the product you are looking at, or about the cover it provides, it pays to make a quick call to the company concerned. Any reputable online insurer should have a telephone enquiry service so that their advisors can field any of your queries about the products they sell.

Additionally, we would always advise you to answer all questions on proposal forms very carefully and honestly. If you are not sure how to answer a question, telephone the company for advice – they should be happy to give it.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM we also seek to ask you as much as we can up front, rather than relying on assumptions which many other online quote facilities use. We feel that this ensures you give as much accurate information as possible so that we can ensure the best possible service. Since we offer Non-Standard Building Insurance alongside other schemes, we feel this better suits the service we try to offer, and prevents confusion when navigating assumptions pages. Remember that answering a question on a proposal form incorrectly, even inadvertently, could lead to a problem if you come to make a claim or need to make a change, so if in doubt, seek advice first.

Once you have your quote, we also recommend you compare cover as well as prices. What may seem a good deal on price may turn out to provide more limited cover, or more restrictions, than an alternative quote which is, on the face of it, more expensive. For example, when comparing Single Trip Travel Insurance, the cheapest quotes listed may exclude some more standard cover, such as Baggage and Personal Effects, or Money and Credit Card cover. Therefore it always pays to check the cover, picking a policy which covers you for what you need, as well as being suitably priced.

If you bear these tips in mind, it should make your browsing much safer.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM, we have advisors at the end of the telephone during normal office hours to answer any questions you might have about one of our products, or if you simply want some guidance with the online quote process. Why not get a quote online for Landlord Insurance or Travel Insurance to see just how quick and easy the process actually is. As always we are more than happy to listen to your comments and suggestions.

What is the EHIC, and do I still need Travel Insurance if I have one?

2008-04-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

You may be aware that as from the 1st January 2006 the previously used E111 form became invalid, and from that date the European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC as it is called) came into force. The card, which you are able to apply for online, or at the post office, is free and entitles you to reduced -cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you are temporarily visiting a European Union (EU) country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Therefore if you are travelling to one of these countries, and haven’t applied for one of these cards yet, Click4quote.com strongly advise that you consider applying straightaway. You can do this online at https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do.

The EHIC, which is normally valid for three to five years, covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as a resident living in the country you're visiting. Remember, this might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care and you might not recoup all of it back.

Click4quote.com strongly advises that you should always take out comprehensive Travel Insurance wherever you are travelling to, regardless of whether this country is covered by the EHIC. Private Travel Insurance will cover any contribution which is not reimbursable under the EHIC and offers many other benefits such as cancellation and baggage cover. In addition having both an EHIC and Travel Insurance means that should you need to claim for medical expenses, you won’t usually have to pay any excess.

Please note that the EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip, (neither would Travel Insurance), and it wont cover you for any medical expenses in countries outside the the EEA.

Remember: The EHIC is no substitute for comprehensive Travel Insurance so Click4Quote.com advise that you make sure that you take both to ensure you are fully covered. If you are going on holiday soon check out Click4Quote.com’s Travel Insurance today, which starts from as little as £5.04 and covers a range of benefits specifically tailored to meet travellers’ needs.

What's inoffensive to us can be offensive to others abroad - Check out Click4Quote's tips to avoid getting yourself in trouble!

2008-04-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

As we all know, Travel Insurance is essential when traveling abroad, however one subject often overlooked when planning a trip is the different laws and customs of each country. Sometimes unconscious movements and gestures we use in our social lives on a daily basis in the UK can cause major offence to locals, so it is important to research your destination properly before you go. To help, Click4Quote have put together a list of top tips from around the world to help stop causing any unintended offence!

● In Argentina avoid asking people what they do for a living, as it can be considered rude.

● In Brazil, don’t make the “OK” gesture with your thumb and forefinger – it is considered extremely offensive.

● Similarly giving the thumbs-up in Iran is also very rude.

● Chewing gum in Singapore could lead to a fine.

● Chopsticks are surprisingly communicative in China – the further away you hold them from the end that picks up the food is said to indicate a higher social standing and where chopsticks are wrapped in a restaurant, you should not open the packaging until you are just about to use them. At the end of the meal they should be laid across your bowl – placing them upright is only done for offerings to the deceased.

● In Egypt avoid crossing your legs when sitting down as exposing the soul of the foot is seen as an insult. At meal times adding salt to your food can be interpreted as an insult or imply the meal is tasteless.

● In Jamaica try to finish everything on your plate at meal times as it is considered polite.

● In Maylasia, as with many Asian countries avoid using the left hand, which is considered unclean, and don’t offer your left hand in greeting either!

● Business cards in Hong Kong are treated with a certain amount of reverence – they should be offered and received with both hands, must be carefully studied and never written upon.

● In Thailand, avoid pointing as it is considered offensive, it is better to use your whole hand instead. Thai people greet with a handshake or the ‘wai‘, involving bringing palms together, raising them to your chin and bowing your head. Whichever greeting is used should be returned.

● Tipping is something else that varies widely between countries. In the USA the tipping culture is so prevalent that the wages are set lower and staff rely on tips to supplement their income. In other countries it borders on the offensive, so do your homework.

A great place to get further travel advice about your holiday destination is from the foreign office website with their Know Before You Go Campaign.

Wherever you decide to visit, find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws -there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial to us at home.

As always, don’t forget your Travel Insurance, as this too can save you a lot of inconvenience and expense in the long run, and give you that all important peace of mind whilst away.

Getting your sums right – don’t be under or over-insured!

2008-04-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

When dealing with your buildings cover – whether it be for your Home Insurance, Landlord Insurance, or Commercial Property Insurance, one crucial factor that many people often don’t think much about is how much they need to insure the buildings for.

However, if your insurance company does ask you how much your property would cost to rebuild, it is something that you need to consider carefully so that you can give an accurate response.

“Why does it matter?” you may ask. Well, if you underinsure your property (in other words you insure it for less than it would cost to rebuild to its current state), if you were to make a claim, your insurance company would limit they amount they pay for your claim, proportional to how much you are under-insured. This is the case if you are claiming for a small sum as much as a large sum. If you are under-insured by a significant amount, lets say 50%, your insurer may only pay you for 50% of what you are claiming, so for a £5,000 claim, you may only receive £2,500, and even then this will be less your policy excess.

Similarly, you should check that you are not over-insured. Although this won’t affect any claim you might make, usually insurers will rate your property including the sum insured as a key factor. Therefore if you do over-insure yourself, you may be paying a little more than you need to.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM, we cannot advise how much you should insure your property for, however we can point you in the right direction.

First of all if you have just purchased or re-mortgaged your property, always check your buildings survey or mortgage report (if one has been made), as this usually gives a figure for the rebuilding sum insured for your property (sometimes called the reinstatement value).

If this is not possible, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) gives guidance on rebuilding sums insured on its website [http://abi.bcis.co.uk/]. It is to be noted that this is only for guidance, but will give you a good idea of whether you are thinking along the right lines. It is important to remember that the rebuilding cost you choose should also allow for professional fees and costs of clearance and demolition, so bear this in mind if taking independent advice on the matter.

Remember too that every year your rebuilding cost will go up because of inflation. All CLICK4QUOTE.COM Landlord Insurance and Home Insurance policies allow for index-linking every year, but it is always worth remembering to check your rebuilding sum insured periodically (for example every 5 years) to ensure that you remain adequately covered.

It always pays to take a few moments to check your sums insured, because if you are underinsured, it is something that is fairly easy to correct with your insurance company, and it could prevent a lot more problems in the future in the unfortunate event you do have to make a claim.

Alfesco Theives

2008-04-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Summertime is upon us and now is the time to dust off those garden items you’ve been storing in the garage or the shed, ready for some alfresco living over the next 6 months. Children will be out on their bikes, adults mowing the lawn or enjoying a glass of red overlooking the garden and if the weather holds out some of us could even manage a barbeque or two! Summertime is a happy time with most people enjoying the extra light, however so do alfresco thieves. Research shows that by mid-august claims are significantly higher compared to the beginning of the year, by up to 60 percent.

It is important not to lower your awareness for security over the summer period, opportunist thieves often prowl for ground floor or easily accessible windows that have left been open to ‘air’ the house overnight or during the day when you are not present, in fact most burglaries happen when properties are empty. Thefts from sheds also increase so deter criminals by fixing a decent lock on your shed and remember not to leave items out in the garden that can actually assist thieves to break in to your shed or even your house such as forks or spades.

Remember to check your home contents insurance, as most policies require there to be violent and forcible entry into your property for a claim to be covered. Bikes are often not covered as standard on home insurance so it may be worth adding this cover to your contents insurance, however bikes left in the open or laying in your garden usually will not be covered. Property left in the open or in your shed may be covered, but only up to a limited value so make sure this limit covers your most expensive items including mowers and power washers for example. If you have a holiday home in the UK it is advisable to check the same applies to your holiday home insurance.

Enjoy the extra light and warmer weather this summer, but remember to be safe and do not leave your home or garden at risk to those alfresco thieves.

Do you have particular ways you protect your property during the summertime? If so post your ideas to us.

Fees – Be Careful!

2008-04-10T02:39:00.000-07:00

Many people are aware that it is common practice for some firms to make charges when you purchase your Motor Insurance, but fees are often charged for Homeowner Insurance and more recently Landlord Insurance too.

What many people are not aware of is that you can also be charged if you need to make a change to your policy before renewal. For example if you change address, or you want to increase your sums insured. These fees are on top of a potential increase in your premium. According to research by Data Thompson Intermedia released by uSwitch.com, the average charge for a change to a motor policy was £22.

We would always advise that it is always important to check your policy where possible before you buy, so that you know whether you are likely to be charged if you need to make any changes further down the line to prevent any shocks later! Your insurer or broker should include information about any fees it will charge mid-term and at renewal as part of its policy paperwork, so if you can’t find this information with your quote, then don’t be afraid to ask for it!

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM we have a policy of not charging fees on top of insurance premiums for arranging insurance, and only in a small minority of cases charge cancellations fees, for example for the cancellation of some annual policies. If we are going to make any sort of administration charge, we are always clear about it when you buy your policy, as part of our commitment to openness with our clients, and in support of the FSA’s principle of Treating Customers Fairly.

Do you think that admin fees and charges are fair? What is your experience of these ‘top-up’ charges? Do you think they need to be flagged up more clearly? As ever we look forward to your views.

Insurance Fraud Update – Setting The Right Example

2008-04-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

You may recall last week that we at CLICK4QUOTE.COM were discussing the issue of insurance fraud and how some people think that it is OK to exaggerate or falsify a claim where it won’t hurt anybody.

A prime example of this phenomenon was this week seen the popular ITV1 Soap Coronation Street (Monday and Wednesday) when characters Leanne and Paul conspired to set fire to their restaurant business. The restaurant was financially performing poorly, so instead of trying to turn the business round; they saw the option to make a bogus claim on their Property Insurance, thinking no-one would get hurt.

In the end no-one did get hurt – physically. In real life, if this was a real situation and the claim was accepted, it just puts the premiums up for all the honest and upstanding policyholders throughout the UK. To re-iterate, it is believed insurance fraud adds £40 to each premium for every customer in the country.

We are yet to see whether Leanne and Paul will get found out in Coronation Street. The right outcome would see Leanne and Paul get their comeuppance and be punished for what they have done through the appropriate legal channels. It could also be a useful way to highlight to the public at large how damaging and expensive insurance fraud can be for us all in a way that no government or industry campaign would.

Coronation Street are providing a great example of how the actions of a small minority only serve to raise the premiums for the rest of us, and remember fraud affects all insurance, including Travel Insurance and Home Insurance as well as the case at hand (Commercial/Business Insurance).

How do you feel Corrie has handled this storyline? Do you think it these characters would really have taken this route so quickly in real life? Is it going to be an effective way to highlight this problem more widely?

We will have to wait and see how this storyline turns out before we can estimate the effect on the viewing public though…watch this space!

Treating Customers Fairly?

2008-04-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

Within the insurance industry something called “Treating Customers Fairly” (TCF) is the focus of attention at the moment. The regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), is pushing through this initiative to ensure that all customers are treated fairly by all companies throughout the insurance industry. Those in the industry know that this is the current buzzword, but customers themselves may know little about it.

Essentially TCF is all about ensuring that all firms in the financial services industry, including general insurance, are focussed on the customer in all their procedures, both when in contact with the customer, and in all other aspects of the product life-cycle.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM we have always believed that the treatment of the customer is central to all we do, and our procedures have always been focussed around the customer, with their interests at the heart of what we do.

One aspect of service that is an important part TCF is clear communication with the customer. The FSA requires that all communications with the client should be “clear, fair and not misleading” and that full information about the product needs to be disclosed by the insurance company.

On the telephone this often means that you may have to listen to a lot of scripted information and answer a lot of questions, which you may find tiresome and time-consuming. However, it is important that we do this so that we can ensure we can find the most suitable cover we offer to best fit your requirements, and that when we do sell it to you, we know that it is the right product for you.

When we are discussing your Landlord Insurance requirements for example, we will ask a variety of questions about you and your property. As long as you can answer these fully and accurately, it helps us to ensure we can get you a quote quickly and with the minimum of fuss, and also ensure that it covers you for what you need. The principle of TCF then continues when we issue your policy, and at all times afterwards, for example if you need to make a change to your policy, or when you come to renew it.

We at CLICK4QUOTE.COM think that we are doing a good job for our customers in this respect. But how do you feel we treat you as a customer? Do you think we are fair? As always we are happy to read your comments, and answer any of your questions.

Fraudulent Claims Punish The Rest Of Us

2008-03-27T02:27:00.000-07:00

It’s a phrase many of us often hear – “We can try and claim for that on the insurance”. It is becoming increasingly common for people to try and make fraudulent claims on their insurance. A recent ABI (Association of British Insurers) survey found that one-in-ten of all respondents had admitted to cheating their insurance company, and that nearly half (48%) of all people surveyed would not rule out making a dishonest claim in the future.

These people seemingly think that it is OK to either exaggerate or completely make up an insurance claim – they may see it as a way of trying to get some of their money back, and they may think that the only people that lose out are the insurance companies, who they think make enough money anyway. They might think that it harms no-one if, when making a Homeowner Insurance claim for theft, you add a few extra items to the list that you didn’t own in the first place, or that it is OK to overstate the value of rent received from tenants if claiming for Loss of Rent on Landlord Insurance.

Well, this is simply not the case. Some people may think that fraudulent claims are an easy way to cheat the system, but the fact of the matter is that it only serves to increase future premiums for honest policyholders who only claim in genuine circumstances. The ABI put the cost of insurance fraud in 2006 at £1.6billion, increasing the average premium for each policyholder by an average of £40 each. Since around half of all dishonest claims are for Homeowner Insurance, premiums for this class of cover are worst affected by insurance fraud.

As a result, insurance companies are increasingly putting in place extra, more sophisticated measures to detect insurance fraud to protect the interest of the honest majority who only claim when they need to.

So potential fraudsters should beware - think twice before exaggerating or falsifying claims, because if they do try to cheat the system, they are now more likely than ever to

Going on holiday this year? Don’t get caught out…

2008-03-27T02:16:00.000-07:00

You may think, like many others, that Travel Insurance is just an unnecessary extra when planning and booking a holiday, however, this small extra cost may actually result in you saving a substantial amount of money should the worst happen and things go wrong.

It is often easy to think that everything will go according to plan on holiday, but that could be a costly mistake as things can happen that are outside of your control in many cases.
This is especially true in the event of you suffering an accident or illness whilst away on holiday and needing medical attention. A simple check-up in A&E can reach several hundred pounds, and a hospital admission can be very costly indeed.

In the USA for example, the cost of a Travel Insurance claim arising from a broken leg can reach as much as £20,000. The cost of repatriation and transfers to a hospital or back home if medically necessary is also covered under most Travel Insurance policies should the worst happen. The Click4quote.com Travel Insurance policy covers medical and treatment expenses up to £5 million, therefore you can rest assured that should a medical problem arise, that you are more than covered for any costs you may incur.

There is also the potential risk of losing your prepaid travel and accommodation costs if you, or one of your party or a close relative falls ill. You may think the risk is relatively small, but even a minor illness could have a serious impact on your holiday plans. For example, airlines can refuse to carry someone who has an infectious illness such as chicken pox and some countries may refuse entry or even quarantine people in these circumstances.
There is also the possibility that you are required to be present at your home following a burglary or major damage, resulting in the cancellation of your trip. In this circumstance, the Click4Quote.com Travel Insurance policy would cover you for any prepaid irrecoverable costs you may incur.

In addition to this, a sudden redundancy or being called for emergency duty as a member of the armed forces for example may result in the cancellation of a planned holiday. Most good Travel Insurance policies offer cancellation cover up to £3000 for any trip affected by such occurrences, so it really is worth the extra few pounds to make sure you are protected.

There are also a number of other benefits available as standard and as add-ons on the Click4Quote.com Travel Policy, please look at our policy summary for an overview of the cover we can provide for your holidays away. You may be surprised at just how much cover you will get for a very reasonable price.

As you can see, taking out travel insurance really is key in preventing huge potential expenses and for providing that all-important peace of mind whilst away. It means that you can travel confidently, knowing that should the worst happen, you have arrangements in place to help you deal with unexpected extra costs.

If you are planning a holiday this year, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

2008-03-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

CLICK4QUOTE.COM is an official partner of the Know Before You Go safety and information campaign run by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). The key campaign message is simple and applies to everyone - Know Before You Go. When travelling abroad the Campaign advises travellers of the importance and benefits of purchasing travel insurance. It also advises travellers to research their destination, to visit their GP at least six weeks before departure (for vaccinations and such like), and to make copies of important travel documents.

CLICK4QUOTE.COM decided to help promote this campaign due to the number of people we come in contact with either through Travel Insurance or Overseas Holiday Home Insurance to communicate this important travel advice. So if you are travelling overseas this year please take time to read the below to ensure you are prepared.

The Key Messages of the Campaign

• Take out Travel Insurance adequate for your medical history that will provide cover for all the activities you intend to do at your destination.

• Visit your GP at least 6 weeks before you travel to ensure you have appropriate vaccinations.

• Familiarise yourself with the laws and customs of your destination(s).

• Make copies of your passport (including any visa pages), insurance policy documents plus 24-hour emergency numbers, and ticket details. Leave these copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and friends and/or store copies online using a secure online data storage site.

• Tell someone where you are going and leave your emergency contact details with them.

• Have access to emergency funds.

• Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.

• Ensure you have a valid passport that is in good condition and the necessary visas.

• Check the FCO’s Travel Advice on your destination by calling 0845 850 2829 or by visiting the website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

Advice for Winter sports Travellers

It is essential to take out Travel Insurance when taking any trip abroad, no matter how short your trip. It is especially important when participating in high-risk activities such as skiing or snowboarding. You must ensure your policy covers these activities as they are often not included as standard.

• Make sure you use good quality equipment and protect yourself against injury. Know your ability level - don't take on the black run after two days on the beginner slopes!

• Research your destination at www.fco.gov.uk/travel in case local laws and customs differ from the UK.

• Take photocopies and/or store copies of your important documentation (passport, insurance details, credit card number and cancellation details) online using a secure online data storage site.

• If travelling in Europe, take your EHIC, available for free from Post Offices. This card entitles you to reduced cost or free healthcare in most European countries. Remember though, that the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance - you must have both to be fully covered.

• For more tips if you're planning on taking a winter sports break. Check out www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

Remember – Don’t forget to arrange your Travel Insurance to ensure your own peace of mind, policies start from as little as £5.04 with Click4Quote.com.

Please call us on 08450 89 90 91 or go online for any further advice you may require.

What are your thoughts?

Is the FCO advising the right actions in your opinion? Should they be doing more?

Is Click4Quote providing adequate cover for holiday insurance in your opinion?

Let us know and we can pass your opinions onto the FCO to help guide the campaign and it’s objectives.

It’s all in the service…

2008-03-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

A lot about customer service has been said and printed in recent times. Earlier this month the BBC’s breakfast programme ran a week of reports on the subject, and only a couple of weeks ago Channel 4 broadcast a documentary focusing on the call-centre. Good customer service is as important within the insurance industry as it is in any other, and in most cases the key point of contact with the customer is over the telephone.

It is well-known that many large insurers have relocated some of their call operators to India, and more recently South Africa, including Norwich Union, Esure and Admiral. Many have taken this to be an attempt by insurance companies to make more money at the expense of the customer experience. However, there may be other motives for doing so – for example better qualified and more motivated staff abroad, and to increase operating capacity within the company to ensure that calls are answered more quickly.

All too often there are reports that people are unhappy with how long they are kept on hold, that their problem isn’t being resolved quickly enough, or that the call is routed through to a call-centre in another country where the operators, although knowledgeable, friendly and well-qualified, do not have that essential knowledge about Britain itself to always provide the best response to someone’s concern. Even if they are just calling for a quote for Homeowner Insurance, they expect their call to be answered speedily.

At best feedback on call-centres abroad is mixed. While there is significant minority of people who have been against the idea of “moving British jobs abroad” from the start, many customers report having had positive experiences of speaking to an operator in India. Often the reasons for poor performance are not related to where the call centre is based. There may be issues of training and communication - the sorts of problems that exist whether the centre is located here or abroad.

At CLICK4QUOTE.COM, we find that the specialist nature of some of the products we offer, especially Landlord Insurance, but also specialist Travel Insurance, means that it is easier for our customers to ring us in the UK for a quick and efficient response. Indeed we aim to answer almost every call within three rings to meet high customer expectations. The very small number of complaints we receive we feel is indicative of a good standard of service to our customers.

Will Riley commented: “Customer Service is vital to CLICK4QUOTE.COM’s success. We know that customers who purchase Landlord Insurance especially are looking for service which is quick, efficient and comprehensive, and we believe we deliver this on all levels to all customers, through answering all telephone calls quickly, and by responding to emails and letters within one working day.”

Many other companies have also found that where the call is likely to be of a specialist or sensitive nature, it is easier to route these calls back to the UK. But equally other insurance companies feel that where this is not an issue for them, they are happy to relocate.

In any case if, having relocated the call centre abroad, the customer experience deteriorates, the company concerned would be compelled to take action, whether the call centre be in the UK, India or elsewhere. This would mean that those call centres in India which are performing well should remain open and flourish. It is a simple commercial decision.

At the end of the day, surely the most important thing for customers is that their call is handled correctly, quickly and efficiently? Shouldn't it matter whether the person taking your call for a Travel Insurance quote is in Calcutta or Colchester, as long as you get the service you expect? What do you think?

We would welcome your thoughts and opinions on this article. If you would like to leave a response please do so in the comments section.

Whipping up a storm…then come the claims!

2008-03-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

This week has been a turbulent one for many householders, quite literally. The storms which have been lashing our shores so far this month have prompted property owners everywhere to check that they have adequate Homeowner Insurance in place should the worst have happened. After all, no-one wants to wake up to a leaky hole in their roof, or to find part of a wall in the road! Having suitable insurance cover is important so that in case of major storm damage to your property, you don’t have to count the cost single-handedly.

For landlords especially it is very important to have adequate cover in place. You don’t want to see your investment diminish in value were something unexpected to happen and you’re not insured.

Not only can storms cause significant damage to the property, but there may also be consequential damage to your tenants’ personal possessions. In the worst case scenario, you may also need to find them somewhere else to live if the damage is extensive, and you can’t expect any rent while they are unable to live there.

In our experience this is where Landlord Insurance is essential. Not only is your property protected against storm damage if the worst were to happen, but you can get additional cover for loss of rent and alternative accommodation if your tenants need to move out temporarily, and for your liability to tenants and other members of the public if the damage causes problems further down the line.

However, limiting your exposure to storm damage is not just about ensuring you have suitable Homeowner Insurance in place. It is also wise to undertake a regular maintenance programme at any property you own. For example, to best prevent storm damage to your roof in the first place, you should check regularly that the roof tiles or slates are all secure and that none have come loose or are missing, and repair any damage before it can cause any further problems. If you have a chimney it is best to check that it is structurally sound too.

It is a common misconception that insurance covers you against anything. However, it is important to remember that there are standard exclusions that apply to any policy - it doesn’t cover you if the building is not properly maintained, or against everyday wear and tear, so it is important that you keep a close eye on the property and check regularly for anything unusual. This best advice we can give is to act as if you are uninsured and take precautions where you can. This will help in the long run.

Any good insurance broker will be happy to talk through what you might need by way of Homeowner Insurance or Landlord Insurance. If you have suffered storm damage in recent days, it is best to contact your insurance company’s claims department as soon as possible so that they can assist you as quickly as they can.

Welcome to the Click4Quote.com Blog!

2008-03-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

We thought this would be a great way for us to keep you updated about Click4Quote.com, the products we offer, and general news relating to the insurance industry that may be of interest to you. It will also be an opportunity for you to voice your opinions and to gain advice from others that have possibly been in similar situations as you.

To start off we would like to provide some background information to let you know what Click4Quote.com is all about.

Our company started trading in December 2004 to service the specific requirements of individuals who wish to purchase personal lines insurance products such as Landlord Insurance and Travel Insurance. We focus on providing excellent service and value for money, rather than selling on price alone. Our online service makes the process of arranging insurance quick and simple and is available 24 hours a day, however, we have a dedicated UK based team on hand if you prefer to talk through any queries or concerns.

The team is based in Colchester, and all members of staff are trained to advise on all aspects of your policy from inception to renewal, whether it be landlord insurance, sailing travel insurance or one of our other competitive products. The business has been deliberately structured to ensure close control over all activities and to ensure that customer service is kept to our extremely high standards.

We greatly value all our customers’ opinions, existing and new, and we would love to hear your thoughts and views so that we can continually improve what we do, and continue to offer the services and products that suit your lifestyle perfectly.

We look forward to hearing from you,

The Click4Quote Team