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| | Car insurance risk of foreign motoring | | http://www.myfinances.co.uk/insurance/car-insurance/car-insurance-risk-foreign-motoring-$16041986.htm | Churchill Car Insurance today warned drivers to check their cover to make sure they would not be underinsured while overseas.
This is because, while all insurers are required to cover third party cover for travel abroad at no extra cost, this does not cover any damage or loss to the driver's own car or possessions.
And this can be an expensive gap, with the average cost of repairing a vehicle in places such as Greece, southern Italy, southern Spain, and Scandinavia coming in at around £1,200.
In many cases insurers only provide very limited free days of comprehensive cover overseas, or none at all.
Other insurers charge fees for an extension that would allow motorists to enjoy the same level of comprehensive cover on the Continent as they have when driving in the UK.
This can cost £30 for a fortnight abroad, Churchill points out.
Motorists should check with their insurer before they travel that they have adequate cover for their needs," said Darren McCauley, head of car insurance at Churchill.
Churchill has provided a series of tips to try and ensure motorists taking their car abroad have a smooth journey:
Thoroughly plan the route in advance - ensuring allowance for rest stops for the driver along the way
Ensure the car is recently serviced, paying particular attention to the oil, water, screenwash etc.
Carefully check tyres and pressures, as incorrect pressure could lead to poor vehicle handling or blowouts, and ensure the spare wheel is in a good condition
Ensure you take a spare set of keys (but do not leave them in the car)
Carry spare headlamp bulbs
Do not forget to adjust the headlights for driving on the right
In case you do have an accident or breakdown carry a warning triangle (again this is a legal requirement for most of the continent)
Make sure that you have comprehensive breakdown assistance to help in the case of an emergency overseas. You will need breakdown cover to help continue your journey without your car or to bring you and your passengers back to the UK
Brush up on the driving laws of the country you are visiting ahead of your journe | | | | Insure against dog-snatchers | | http://www.myfinances.co.uk/insurance/pet-insurance/insure-against-dog-snatchers-$16050482.htm | As many as 2,000 dogs could be stolen from their owners each month, Sainsbury's Bank has calculated.
But this pet-theft could leave owners out of pocket as well as heartbroken.
As such Sainsbury's is calling on pet insurance providers to give greater cover against this growing problem, and has said policies should provide at least £250 reward for stolen or lost dogs.
As well as a reward for the return of the stolen pet, owners could lose out financially in the cost of providing advertising to try and secure its safe return.
As things stand only half of pet insurance polices provide this cover, Sainsbury's points out.
The theft of pets is a growing problem and owners need to be more aware of this risk and take simple steps to safeguard their pets where possible," said David Pickett, pet insurance manager, Sainsbury's Bank.
Sainsbury's Bank offered the following tips to help owners protect their pets:
Ensure that your pet wears a collar and pet identification tag
Have your pet micro-chipped. This takes seconds and is virtually painless. Consult your local vet for details
Keep garden boundaries as secure as possible to prevent your dog from escaping and also to deter thieves from entering
Always supervise your dog, whether it is in your own garden or in a public area
Try to avoid tying your dog up outside a shop or leaving it unattended | | | | First company to sell Insurance via SMS | | http://www.esato.com/news/article.php/id=601 | | The service is available through a regular mobile phone and promises to provide quotes to your phone within 60 seconds. The company started selling Hastings Direct-branded travel insurance through this new channel late yesterday afternoon and plans to expand into other forms of general insurance in the future.Reports biosmagazine Text2Insure was founded in June 2004 by three entrepreneurs, Nicholas Thurlow, Graham Wright and Malcolm McLean, and is backed by broker Hastings Insurance Services. Launched in 1997, the latter offers car, motorcycle and home insurance and now has over 750,000 policyholders, over 1300 staff and handles in excess of 3 million enquiries each year, according to the company. www.text2insure.co.uk | | | | Why travel insurance is crucial | | http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/travel/news/tm_objectid=15634082&method=full&siteid=50080&headline=why-travel-insurance-is-crucial-name_page.html | Holiday insurance is never an optional extra. Ask anyone who has suffered the nightmare of coping with illness away from home.
It can cost a packet, especially in far-flung parts, unless you have paid for cover.
Recently, Watchdog highlighted the plight of Barbara Guest from Thornaby, whose husband Anthony died in Wales.
He suffered a heart attack only a day after they arrived at the hotel.
Barbara was left to organise and pay for everything and her relatives had to drive from Teesside to bring her home.
She reckons the tragic affair cost £600.
The couple had bought holiday insurance through Claims International, but signed a waiver over Anthony's heart condition. That meant none of Barbara's costs were met.
Watchdog believes Barbara and Anthony should have been given the chance to buy comprehensive insurance, which would have met the expenses. It would have cost more, but they should have been given the option.
So with the summer holiday season ready to take off, Watchdog offers some timely holiday insurance advice.
Do you need it? The answer is a resounding yes. Fewer than 60 countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK.
In the European Union you may be covered under the E111 scheme, but do check. In some countries you may have to pay for medicines or even for your hospital bed.
If you are planning a trip to the United States, remember that US medical treatment can be very expensive.
The best advice is to buy good quality cover and shop around for the best.
Where to buy? Resist any hard sell from travel agents. Insurance may be a condition of booking, but you choose which you buy.
If you are a regular traveller, annual insurance can be cost effective.
Search the internet or go to insurers direct or a broker to get the best deal.
Trying to get cover for a medical condition can be difficult, but the insurance industry says it is trying to be more sympathetic.
Many insurers will refuse to cover epilepsy or cardiac and terminal conditions. But specialists might, with a "loaded" premium.
Many travellers are aged over 70 and most travel insurance policies have a cut-off at that age. Again, shop around and try specialists such as Saga or Age Concern.
It is important to declare existing medical conditions. If you don't and the insurer finds out, they are very likely to refuse cover.
If you are pregnant, airlines and insurers impose restrictions. British Airways allows women to travel up to 28 weeks, but between then and 36 weeks, a doctor's certificate is needed. After 36 weeks flying is not allowed. Cover will vary, so check with the airline.
An area of great controversy is dangerous sports. Declare all activities you are to be involved in. A policy is only as good as the information you provide, so be open and honest. Paying a few pounds more for extra cover could save you hundreds. | | | | Saga annual travel insurance launched | | http://www.quotesearch.co.uk/news/764/saga-annual-travel-insurance-launched/ | | Saga annual travel insurance has been launched, aimed at the growing market of those aged over 50 in the UK. The Saga annual travel insurance package has no upper age limit, with cover able to be extended for the whole family if one policyholder is over 50. It also features a comprehensive cover option for up to 90 days. The Saga annual travel insurance was launched following new figures that show that in the last 12 months 9.87 million over-50s have taken at least two holidays, accounting for 50 per cent of the over-50 population. Andrew Goodsell, chief executive at Saga, commented: "Many people don't think about travel insurance for a short break but it's taking a huge risk to travel without it."
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