Buy to let insurance: Landlords forced to improve energy efficiency 

Buy to let insurance policyholders have been told that under new government proposals Landlords will be responsible for improving the energy efficiency ratings of their properties,

Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne yesterday announced “The Green Deal”, which will see landlords receive finance from approved providers in order to upgrade the energy-saving measures in their properties, such as double-glazed windows, cavity wall insulation and new-generation boilers.

The forthcoming Energy Bill will also give tenants the power to request that reasonable efficiency measures are installed in their homes from 2015 onwards, and will allow local authorities to demand that poor-performing properties are improved.

Mr Huhne said: "The Green Deal’s about making people feel as warm as toast in their homes. I want Britain to say goodbye forever to leaky lofts and chilly draughts. At a time of increasing gas prices energy efficiency is a no-brainer."

For a no obligation Landlords' Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

03.11.2010

Bonfire night generates the highest number of home insurance claims of any night of the year. Millions of us leave our homes and vehicles at risk, both of burglary and damage by fireworks or are not aware of the insurance risks of hosting a party and lighting fireworks. 

If you think the risk to insurance is exaggerated at this time of year here are some startling numbers that may lead you to think again. 

According to research carried out this October and published by Santander this week, three per cent of homeowners have had their property damaged by stray fireworks and more than two per cent of Brits have been violently attacked by people using fireworks as weapons. 

Further research from Aviva shows that burglars see bonfire night as an opportunity to break in to people's homes. Burglaries show an increase of 26 per cent compared to an average day and car thefts increase by 25 per cent. 

November has the second highest number of fire claims, beaten only by December when the nation attempts to wire their homes up with Christmas lights.  Also the run up to Christmas is seen by burglars as a bumper period with many families buying expensive gifts for one another conveniently left on display beneath the festive tree.  Opportunist theft from vehicles in shopping car parks is also rife during this time with thieves rifling cars looking for presents. 

For a no obligation Home Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

03.11.2010

15% of UK Drivers Uninsured 

Despite the UK having one of the highest numbers of surveillance cameras and CCTV in the world and it’s Police force utilising state of the art Number Plate Recognition Software linked to the Motor Insurers Database, driving without insurance is still rife on our roads with many people knowingly driving illegally. 

moneysupermarket.com has found that around 15% of motorists have driven illegally without car insurance, either by driving their own or a friends vehicle.  2% admit to having driven their own car uninsured in between renewing their insurance policy.  Of those who admit to driving uninsured, 36% claim they didn’t know they needed insurance when behind the wheel and some 12% haven’t got round to renewing their policy.  8% simply say they can’t afford cover and 7% think that they do not need car insurance as they are not going to have an accident!   

No matter how well somebody thinks they can drive it is an offence under the Road Traffic Act to drive a motor vehicle on the highway without a valid certificate of insurance in force.  If they are involved in an accident and they don’t have insurance, they could face thousands of pounds in liability, a conviction including six points on their license as well as charges up to £5,000. 

For a no obligation Car Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

02.11.2010

Young drivers and a surge in fraudulent claims are key factors behind the steep increase in motor insurance premiums which threaten to drive many motorists off the road.

In the 12 months to September, comprehensive premiums increased by an unprecedented 39%.  For third party fire and theft policies, which is the most cover that many younger, riskier drivers can afford the increase is nearly 55%. 

Young drivers face the stiffest increases simply because they generate so many claims.  Even middle aged drivers over the age of 40 have seen a 30 per cent surge in premiums and it is thought that this is partly due to many parents extending their policies to cover their children.  Some engage in the fraudulent practice of “fronting” which means that the young persons vehicle is insured in the name of a less riskier family member or acquaintance (usually a parent) in and effort to obtain a cheaper premium. 

This situation has been intensified by price comparison sites which have driven premiums so low that many insurers have simply lost money on car insurance.  Today on average, insurers pay out £1.23p in claims for every £1.00 received in premium.   

Meanwhile, few can predict when the bill for settling personal injury claims will level off as “no-win, no-fee” lawyers seek out accident victims to pursue their claims. It is estimated that 30,000 fraudulent claims are paid out each year which adds an average of around £80 to the cost of each policy. 

For a no obligation Car Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

02.11.2010

A recent study has shown that over a fifth of homes in the UK are uninsured.  The research found that 42% of those questioned did not have home insurance cover as they thought that they couldn’t afford it.  22% of people did not consider home insurance important, while 18% thought that their possessions were not worth insuring. 

Britain’s current financial woes are causing home owners to have sleepless nights as the study found that 26% of people are not confident they are able to pay their monthly outgoings, with two thirds of respondents admitting that they are worried about money. 

Financial worries seems to be the main factor in homeowners failing to take out home insurance policies, however experts warn that saving on cover could be a false economy should the property fall victim to burglary or fire as they’ll be left be left to pick up the full bill for possessions stolen or damaged. 

For a no obligation Home Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

26.10.2010

A manufacturer of steel pipework has been fined for failing to purchase compulsory insurance to protect its employees.

Essex firm Ductwork Environmental Services Ltd was fined £1,000 at Harlow Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay £750 in costs.  The court heard how the company failed to produce a current Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) certificate when a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visited the premises in June 2010.

All employers need to have an ELCI certificate and must show a copy to a HSE official immediately on request. When Ductwork Environmental Services failed to do this, it was issued with an ELCI "notice to produce" but the company failed to comply.  Appearing at court today, Ductwork Environmental Services Ltd admitted five breaches of Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, for failing to hold ELCI.

HSE Inspector David King said:  "The Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires all employers have insurance to cover employees for injury or ill health caused whilst at work.  "Failure to have such insurance could leave any employee who has an accident, or suffers ill health because of work unable to obtain compensation for their suffering, which potentially leaves employees doubly vulnerable.  "This case should serve as a warning to all employers about how seriously HSE takes this issue."

For a no obligation Public and Employers  Liability Insurance quotation call Clover Insurance Services on 020 8805 1121. 

11.09.2010