Daily Archives: May 29, 2012

Banks, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Insurance, Insurance Services, Loans, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance

Confused.com Reveals Cost Of Back Seat Driver Distractions

Confused.com has revealed the true cost of giving friends and families a ride home. Two thirds (66%) of British motorists have been victims of unwanted attention from self-appointed back seat drivers, and almost 1 in 4 (24%) have been in an accident whilst dealing with the distractions of other passengers. These distractions mean that 20% of British motorists will have to fork out up to £500 to repair accidental damages ’caused’ by back seat drivers in their driving life.

The research from the car insurance experts also reveals that the worst backseat pests are bus drivers, train drivers and delivery men who obviously forget that they’re off duty. On the other hand, teachers are the most patient of passengers and put up with the driver’s bad habits.

When it comes to family life, most respondents confess that they would rather journey with colleagues than loved ones. This is because partners are the worst backseat drivers, with husbands and boyfriends disrupting the driver most often and 45% of them voicing their traffic-tips several times during the shortest of journeys.

Particularly bad at knowing when to keep quiet are parents who feature second on the list of frequent offenders (28%) when it comes to interfering from the back seat.

The most popular backseat gestures include the terrified grip-tightening on the door handle; the not-so-subtle glance at the speedometer or, the favourite of partners and parents across the country, the imaginary brake pedal push.

When it comes to the world of motoring, Confused.com revealed that unfortunately, stereotypes are surviving, with women and the elderly being the most likely to suffer from backseat bad manners. Over two thirds of women (68%), and a shocking 70% of drivers over the age of 55 find themselves on the receiving end of this bad etiquette. Especially patronising are comments about the speed of the car (24%) or their proximity to other cars (25%).

Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com, said: “As motoring costs continue to rise at a meteoric rate, it’s never been more important for drivers to keep their costs as low as possible. Our research shows that having other people in the car can distract us from the road, and lead to accidents which in turn increase the cost of our car insurance policies.”

Jo Bryant, spokesperson for etiquette experts Debretts added: “If you’re a passenger in someone else’s car, your behaviour must be polite at all times, just as it would be if you were visiting their home. The Etiquette Guide for Back Seat drivers will ensure that every journey is courteous and civilised.”

Via EPR Network
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Banks, Bonds, Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Services, ISAs, Mortgage, Personal Finance

Virgin Money Launches New Fixed Rate ISAs And Fixed Rate Bonds

Virgin Money has launched new issues of its popular fixed rate bond and fixed rate cash ISA range. The accounts offer customers a competitive rate, combined with certainty of returns for either one or three years. Accounts are available through Northern Rock branches, online, by post and over the telephone, and interest rates are the same through all distribution channels. ISA customers receive the same rates as those with a non-ISA account.

The Virgin fixed rate ISA offers customers a rate of 3.30% for one year (issues 9 &13) and 3.60% for three years (issues 10 & 14) respectively. This matches the rate available for a non-ISA savings account and savers also benefit from the tax-efficiency of the ISA wrapper. These accounts allow transfers in from existing ISAs. Customers can withdraw subject to a charge equivalent to 60 and 120 days’ loss of interest respectively.

The one year Virgin fixed rate bonds offer customers a fixed rate of 3.30%, while the three year Bond pays 3.60% per annum. Accounts can be opened with a minimum deposit of just £1, and additional deposits can be made into the bonds during the offer period, up to a maximum of £2 million per customer. Interest can be paid annually, or for those who prefer a monthly option, on the last day of the month (available first business day of the following month). Customers choosing to receive their interest monthly receive the same AER as those receiving annual interest.

The Bonds are non-redeemable and do not allow any withdrawals or closure during their respective fixed rate periods. They are strictly limited issues and may be withdrawn without notice once fully subscribed. Once withdrawn, no further deposits can be made into existing accounts. Upon maturity the account will become a no notice matured bond account and investors will be notified in writing upon maturity of the interest rate payable.

More information on Northern Rock’s savings range is available at www.northernrock.co.uk/savings

Via EPR Network
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Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, IRA, Money, Personal Finance, Retirement

Prudential Reveals Pensioners Fail To Count The Cost Of Ill-Health In Retirement

Prudential has revealed new research which shows that despite the ongoing debate about the need to fund long-term care for the elderly, only one in five people planning to retire this year have made financial provision for ill-health in retirement.

Prudential’s ‘Class of 2012’ study into the finances and expectations of those planning to retire this year shows that just 20 per cent have set money aside for any care needs. This drops to 16 per cent among those aged 65 plus.

Prudential’s research also found that less than half (45 per cent) of this year’s retirees have planned for the fact that they may need more income in retirement as they get older.

However, funding long-term care has never been more important. Although average life expectancy for men over the age of 65 is 17.6 years, and 20.2 years for women, healthy life expectancy is just 9.9 years for men and 11.5 years for women.

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement expert at Prudential, said: “People retiring this year realise that living longer may mean they will need a higher income as they get older, but few of them have made the connection between the risk of ill-health, and needing money to pay for healthcare.

“Although life expectancy is increasing, healthy life expectancy is flat-lining. With the average person now working until they are aged 63.4, people are enjoying fewer healthy years in retirement.

“Spending the first few years of retirement trekking in the Andes and running around after grandchildren may be a reality for some, but it is important not to forget that health will worsen as pensioners get older.

“Making financial provision for the possibility of ill-health in retirement should be an integral part of the retirement planning process.”

Across the country, those planning to retire this year in Wales are the most likely to have prepared for the risk of ill-health in retirement (32 per cent), while those in the East of England (7 per cent) are the least prepared.

The Government is currently considering recommendations from the Dilnot Commission on the Funding of Care and Support which, in July 2011, proposed that an individual’s contribution to social care should be capped at £35,000, with any additional costs funded by the State.

Via EPR Network
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Debts, Financial, Financial Services, Loans, Money, Personal Finance

Cash Advances US Presents Installment Loans For Bad Credit

Being a reputable and trustworthy provider of online lending service Cash Advances US is being constantly developed by the professional and well-trained team of managers. Now the company is exploring the new ways to give people access to additional funds required in particular situations.

Today the company is proud to present a new product that is available even for consumers with non-perfect credit score and for those who find it difficult to repay the total amount of cash loan on the next payday. The service is called “installment loans”. This form of online cash advance is associated with the specific installment plan and consumers taking out this loan can pay it back according to the set terms.

The main feature of a newly announced product is its repayment terms which allow the borrowers to make partial payments during the particular period of time. Some customers say that this way they find it easier to manage their budget and this was the main reason for Cash Advances US to design the service. There are a lot of people who experience difficult financial times and the goal of the company is to provide an instant access to extra cash that may be paid off in parts releasing people from concerns related to monetary hardships.

Most consumers applying to Cash Advances US are using the obtained money to manage the short-term needs and even though the amount available for borrowing is typically less than $1,500 some people still consider that it is financially hard for them to pay back the total cost of the loan on the next payday. Thus, the direct lenders cooperating with the company suggested to perform the kind of payday advance that can be repaid in installments and may be helpful either for people with perfect credit or with the poor one. Now, the company offers its customers to try bad credit installment loans.

The application process for these short-term cash advance loans is absolutely the same. An individual willing to borrow some money in a form of installment loans for people with bad credit needs to fill in the online form presented on the website of the company. The loan amount and terms are to be negotiated with the direct lenders participating in the network of CashAdvancesUS.

The Managing Director Clare Miles said: “The aim of our company is to give people access to fast and affordable solution to their money-related problems. Thus, we do our best to develop an easy and hassle-free service that will satisfy any customer applying to Cash Advances US.”

Via EPR Network
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