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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance

LV Launches Innovative Recruitment Advertising Campaign

LV=, the insurance, investment and pensions group, has announced the launch of a ground-breaking recruitment advertising campaign. The campaign uses unique technology that enables jobseekers to interact with existing LV= staff and find out about the jobs on offer before even applying.

The poster and taxi campaign includes five different poster designs each featuring a different LV= employee who has their own story to tell. The campaign invites jobseekers to take a photo of the poster with their mobile phone and send the image to LV= via MMS or email, using short code 67777 and adding the keyword ‘LV’. Using image recognition software, LV= will then identify which employee was on the poster, and make a pre-recorded call to the jobseeker in which that actual employee says what they do at LV= and what it’s like to work there.

The campaign features imagery around LV=’s iconic green heart and uses a wide range of media including online, social media, outdoor and the innovative poster and taxi campaign. The innovation is continued on LV Careers where jobseekers can interact with existing staff as well as hear from Mike Rogers, group chief executive and apply for jobs online.

There is also a charitable element to the campaign, as for every text received through the campaign LV= will donate 10p to its nominated charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital.

LV= is currently recruiting for staff in many of its 28 offices across the UK. Locations of particular focus include its head office in Bournemouth plus LV= offices in Bristol, Croydon and Huddersfield. The majority of jobs on offer are within LV=’s general insurance division.

Via EPR Network
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LV = Recruiting For Over 300 Staff

LV=, insurance and investment group, has announced it is currently recruiting for over 300 jobs. The jobs being recruited for will be based in locations around the UK including in Bournemouth, London, Huddersfield, Hitchin and Bristol.

LV = Recruiting For Over 300 Staff

LV= offers a wide range of financial products and services including life insurance, protection, home insurance, investments, car insurance, pensions and retirement solutions, pet insurance, travel insurance and commercial general insurance products.

Many of the roles will be based in the company’s general insurance division and include positions in sales, customer services, claims and technical management. Other roles currently on offer are within various head office functions including marketing, ecommerce, finance and human resources.

The company has undergone a transformation since 2007 when a new board led by CEO Mike Rogers, was appointed. As well as a new brand image, the company has opened new offices around the UK and made a number of corporate acquisitions including Highway Insurance and the former GE Life business ‘Tomorrow’.

David Smith, HR director of LV=, said: “LV= is going through a period of significant growth so it’s a very exciting time to join us. Our general insurance operation is a particular hotspot for growth and we are looking for people both with experience in this field but also for individuals who are looking to move into this sector from other careers. When many other financial companies are making cut-backs we are actually expanding so this not only means that there is the opportunity to join us but also lots of great career prospects.”

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LV= Finds Dodgy DIY Improvements Damage House Values

New research by home insurer LV= has revealed that in the last few years as many as 4.05m homeowners have undertaken electrical jobs without professional help, 3.3m have attempted plumbing work and 1.35m have carried out structural work such as removing walls. 900,000 have undertaken major building works, such as loft conversions, and 450,000 have tackled potentially dangerous gas repairs.

According to the LV= survey, many homeowners admitted undertaking these works in an attempt to improve the resale value of their homes. However, the effects of doing these jobs badly can reduce the sale price of a property by more than 5% in some cases.

John O’Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said: “With house prices falling or stagnating in some parts of the UK, it’s understandable that many homeowners should try to bump up the value of their properties through DIY home improvements.

“But although nine out of ten people in our survey (88%) recognised that jobs like gas work should only be left to the professionals, nearly 0.5m Brits are still prepared to give it a go. Not only could bungling these jobs be dangerous, and costly to put right, but if they caused a serious problem with the property it could invalidate the home insurance cover.”

The LV= report surveyed both homeowners and estate agents, and reveals a myriad of conflicting opinions when it comes to the impact of DIY improvements. 21% of home owners believe that redecorating adds the most value to a house, followed by kitchen refurbishment (14%), garden work (12%), and bathroom replacement (6%).

Meanwhile 69% of estate agents believe decorating will make no difference at all to the asking price of a property. 64% responded that garden landscaping won’t add value; whilst 22% said even a new kitchen won’t improve the price. Estate agents also believe that the sale price of a property could decrease by more than 5% in some cases, if ‘improvement’ work was done poorly.

Despite popular opinion, estate agents say that some of the most costly jobs are likely to have only a minimal impact on the asking price of a home. Those agents who believe that improvement work usually or always adds value reported that a new kitchen, if done well, can add around 2.5% to the price, while a good new bathroom or garden landscaping can each add 2.2%.

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LV= Reveals That Today’s Kids Have Less Freedom Than Previous Generation

According to new research from LV= Streetwise, a charity which educates children about safety, today’s parents don’t allow their kids the same liberties as they enjoyed when they were growing up.

24% of children aged 15 and under said they aren’t allowed to sleep over at a friend’s house, 60% are forbidden to use public transport on their own, and 43% can’t visit their closest park without a parent by their side. In contrast, just 4% of adults were banned from sleeping-over, 2% were forbidden to use public transport or go out on their own in familiar surroundings, like their local town or park.

The restriction on children’s outside activities appears to be a direct result of parents’ growing fears and anxieties. 65% of mums and 63% of dads believe the world is more dangerous now than it was when they were growing up. ‘Stranger danger’ is the biggest worry for 54% of parents, followed by bullying (47%), mugging (47%) and road danger (34%).

On average, children today can look forward to walking to school on their own by the age of 11, use public transport on their own at 12, and babysit their brother or sister by the time they’re 14, compared with the respective 9, 11 and 12 years of age of their parents generation. However many parents know they’re being tougher on their children with 36% feeling uneasy that their kids don’t get the same opportunities as they did to experience freedom as a youngster.

The new research findings mark the launch of the unique LV= Streetwise safety roadshow, which helps to educate children about safety in the home and outdoors using a converted ‘bendy bus’ featuring a life-size kitchen, lounge, and road and rail hazard simulators. The roadshow will be travelling round county fairs and other outdoor events across the UK this summer.

Via EPR Network
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LV=’s Annual Results For 2009 Shows Strong Growth Despite A Difficult Year

The latest figures show that LV= achieved a rise in its underlying profit across the year from £41.9m to £44.2m (2008: £2.3m) and a loss in 2006, with the general insurance business making a profit of £7.0m (2008: loss of £30.1m), meaning it went into profit one year ahead of plan.

LV='s Annual Results For 2009 Shows Strong Growth Despite A Difficult Year

Mike Rogers, LV= Group Chief Executive, said: “Despite another difficult year of continued recession and market turbulence, the turnaround of the LV= business continues according to plan. Our core mission of helping our members and customers to look after what they love has enabled us to do more business with more customers.”

LV= customer satisfaction results for 2009 increased to 96% overall compared with 2008 and the number of customers and members grew by 12% to over 3.8m (2008: 3.4m). LV=’s financial strength demonstrated across the year enabled significant holdings in long term growth assets (around 74% of the fund at the year end), should also benefit members’ returns in the longer term.

Additionally LV= policyholders with a £50 a month 25 year savings endowment with-profits policy maturing on 1 March 2010 were at least 39% better-off than equivalent policyholders with four major proprietary companies. In fact the with-profits fund investment achieved a return of 15.4%, 2% above benchmark.

Mike observed, “Our strong investment performance underpins solid returns for our with-profits policyholders, ahead of most of the market, and we also remain strongly capitalised. In 2010, trading has begun strongly, with sales in the first quarter significantly up on the same period last year.

“A strong growth in underlying profit reflects our efforts in re-shaping the business and improving our organisational fitness. Improved awareness of the LV= brand, thanks to our distinctive marketing campaigns, has helped to support a strong sales performance across our life & pensions and general insurance businesses.”

2009 also provided LV with widespread industry award recognition for product quality across life & pensions, general insurance and asset management. These include a Moneywise ‘Most Trusted’ award for home insurance, several Which? recommendations and Defaqto 5 Star awards, plus a Best Lifetime Mortgage Lender award from What Mortgage?

Via EPR Network
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Lloyds TSB Is Searching For The The Weather Photographer of the Year

A leading panel of award-winning photographers and acclaimed meteorologists launched a major amateur weather photography competition – with a top prize of £10,000.

Lloyds TSB Is Searching For The The Weather Photographer of the Year

The Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year will run for six months, culminating in a public exhibition in London where the finalists’ entries will be on show ahead of the winner being announced in November.

The winner will be chosen by an expert panel featuring acclaimed weather photographers Roger Coulam and Mark Humpage – who will be looking for images that capture our love of the weather, demonstrate originality and creativity, and chart the ever changing British climate.

In addition, the public will also have the opportunity to vote on their favourite pictures online, with £100 going to the most popular photo uploaded each week.

Entrants can upload their photos at http://www.lloydstsb.com/weathercompetition.

The Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year has been organised by the leading insurer, which is proud to sponsor the Channel 4 weather.

Paula Llewellyn, Head of Marketing Services at Lloyds TSB Insurance said: “As a proud sponsor of the Channel 4 weather, we’ve launched the Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year Competition so Brits can show us what they love about the climate, and what ‘British Weather’ means to them.”

Lloyds TSB Home Insurance provides cover for a range of weather related problems such as windstorm and lightning damage.

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M&S Pet Insurance Warns Chocolate Treats Can Be A Doggy Danger This Easter

M&S Pet Insurance is warning dog owners of the dangers of chocolate poisoning in household pets ahead of the Easter weekend.

Chocolate eggs and other treats left around the house at Easter can be a big temptation to four legged friends, however unlike most people they can become extremely unwell if they eat large amounts of chocolate which is intended for humans.

The toxic chemical within chocolate is called Theobromine and the amount contained within chocolate varies according to the type and quality of chocolate. Dark chocolate usually contains high levels of the toxic chemical, compared with white chocolate which contains comparatively little. Even a small amount of high quality dark chocolate eaten by a dog can cause clinical signs such as hyperexcitability and restlessness, vomiting, tremors and convulsions.

While M&S Pet Insurance policyholders have access to a 24-hour advice line, 365 days a year, meaning that if the worst happens this Easter they know they have support at the end of the phone, as it is much better to avoid the problem in the first place.

Vetfone nurses provide concerned pet owners with immediate advice on an animal’s condition and can decide whether emergency medical treatment is required.

Vetfone Deputy Operations Manager, Clare Scantlebury, said: “Easter is a great excuse to indulge in all things chocolaty, but dog owners should think carefully about storing chocolate eggs in a safe place out of the reach of hungry dogs.

“The potential danger depends on the amount of chocolate eaten, the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate and is showing signs of illness, seek medical advice immediately.”

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “It’s not just the chocolate at Easter which can cause illness and injury in pets. We have seen claims when dogs have eaten small novelty toys from Easter eggs and shredded plastic used as packing material in Easter baskets.

“Small toys may cause internal damage or an intestinal blockage which can be life threatening. Ideally keep these objects well out of reach of your pets and supervise your dogs closely if children are playing with the toys.”

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LV=, Insurance, Pensions And Investments Group, Has Announced That It Is Opening New Offices In Huddersfield

This is in addition to LV=’s road rescue company, Britannia Rescue, which is already based in Huddersfield town centre, employing around 100 people. The new LV= offices will be in Folly Hall and are scheduled to open in July 2010. This will also become the new home to Britannia Rescue, which will be moving from its current offices in Station Buildings, where it has been based for over 20 years. Having celebrated its 25th year of operation in Huddersfield last year, Britannia Rescue has reached capacity at Station Buildings and needs to move to enable the business to expand further.

LV=, Insurance, Pensions And Investments Group, Has Announced That It Is Opening New Offices In Huddersfield

As well as the Britannia Rescue management team, LV= will open a new 24-hour call centre in Folly Hall to deal with both calls from LV= car insurance customers who have been involved in an accident, and Britannia Rescue breakdown calls. The 24-hour service will also be expanded to LV= home insurance customers during 2010 and the new office is set to become the company’s primary 24-hour call centre.

The new jobs there will be advertised later in the year and will include customer service advisor roles, team leader positions and management opportunities.

LV= is a leading mutual financial group with over 3.6 million members and customers. The company offers a wide range of financial products including insurance, pensions and investments.

The new LV= office at Folly Hall will have the capacity for around 175 people. It is located 10 minutes from the station in a Grade II listed building which has been renovated as part of the regeneration of Huddersfield’s Waterfront Quarter.

Simon Stevens, general manager of LV=’s Huddersfield operation, said: “We are delighted to be expanding in the town. Huddersfield has been a fantastic base for our Britannia Rescue business and with our positive experience here we are confident that Huddersfield will also be a great location for part of the LV= car insurance claimsoperation.

“We are committed to Huddersfield and to providing new jobs in the area. LV= is a fast-growing general insurer and when many other financial companies are making redundancies we are actually expanding. This means that not only is there the opportunity for local people to join us, but there are also great career prospects and the chance to move up in the company.”

Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “It is excellent news that such a well known and respected company is investing in our area. We have a good relationship with LV= through their Britannia Rescue operation which has been based in the two for many years and we are delighted they have chosen to expand their operation in Huddersfield and create jobs for local people. Working with Kirklees businesses, from small traders to larger organisations, is one of the many ways in which the council continues to tackle the problems caused by the recession.”

Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield, said: “The fact that LV= is expanding in Huddersfield is an excellent omen. Increasingly Huddersfield is being seen as an exceptional place to live and work, and in which to find talented and hardworking employees. The Folly Hall scheme adds to the innovative regeneration of our waterfront development and I hope that LV= and the town prosper together.”

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M&S Money Readies For Valentine’s Day Rush For Wedding Insurance

New figures from M&S Money show that February is one of the most popular months of the year to buy wedding insurance, with sales of M&S Wedding Insurance expected to increase in the weeks after Valentine’s Day as couples planning their big day make sure they are covered in case the worst happens.

M&S Money Readies For Valentine's Day Rush For Wedding Insurance

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “Considering the cost of an average wedding and the current economic climate, wedding insurance really should be at the top of every bride and groom’s list.

“When buying wedding insurance, it is important to think through all the services planned for the big day and make sure the right amount of cover is in place. Once the cover is in place couples can get on with the preparations for the big day.”

Dave Simms, Personal Lines Manager at Ecclesiastical Insurance, which underwrites M&S Wedding Insurance, said: “Supplier failure was the main cause for wedding insurance claims in 2009 and can seriously disrupt a perfectly planned special day. Suppliers struggling in the current economic climate can cause brides and grooms stress and heartache by not being able to deliver contracted services. This often happens at very short notice before the big day.

“In such circumstances, having proper wedding insurance in place can help you get your wedding back on track and help to ensure you’re not left out of pocket because of failed services. Wedding insurance really should be a top priority for newly engaged couples.”

Couples taking out an M&S policy can cover themselves against various nightmare scenarios, including a damaged cake, lost rings or stolen flowers, however there are exclusions, for example the policy does not cover cancellation where the bride or groom decides they don’t want to get married.

M&S Wedding Insurance – Key Features:
Four levels of Wedding Cover
No excess
Up to £17,500 cancellation cover
Stress counselling included as standard
M&S Cardholders receive 100 M&S points when they take out a new policy

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M&S Home Insurance Urges Romantics Check Rings Are Insured Before Proposing This Valentine’s

M&S Home Insurance is advising anyone purchasing a ring before popping the question this Valentine’s Day to check it is covered by their existing home contents insurance.

Brits spend an average of £1,800 (source: confetti.co.uk quoted on thisismoney.co.uk) on an engagement ring. While many people may be tempted to take out specialist insurance offered at the time of purchase, they may not realise the ring may already be covered by their home insurance policy.

M&S Home Insurance offers unlimited cover for possessions in the home* – so policy holders can be confident that their valuable items have adequate cover. This can be extended to cover items outside of the home.

Insurance for valuables is particularly important at this time of the year – February is one of the worst months for burglaries** as it is dark early in the evening, and many homes are empty, with people still at work, or parents out on the school run.

As the price of gold has risen by 25% compared to this time last year (Source: goldprice.org), demand for gold jewellery is high, making heirlooms that have been passed down the generations, and other older items of gold a valuable commodity for burglars, as they can be sold on quickly and easily.

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “Many contents insurance policies have specific limits on single items, so if you think an item of jewellery may be worth more now than when it was bought, it would be worth having it revalued to ensure it is going to be covered by your existing policy.

“While many items are irreplaceable because of the memories or a person or an event that are attached to them, it’s a comfort to think you can at least afford to have the item replaced with something of similar value if the worst happens.”

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M&S Money Launches New Flexi Cash ISA Option

M&S Money has announced the launch if its new flexi cash ISA option, offering a variable rate of 2.65% AER/tax-free. This includes a bonus rate of 1.25% for 18 months from initial deposit.

M&S Money Launches New Flexi Cash ISA Option

Research commissioned by M&S Money revealed that people are now more concerned about easy access to their savings (53% compared to 22% in 2009) and are looking for interest rates with a bonus, as well as fixed rates. When asked what an important factor was to them when putting money into savings, 56% of respondents wanted a savings provider they could trust, compared to 34% in 2009.

The new Flexi Cash ISA requires a minimum deposit of £100 to be made, either paid in one lump sum or £25 by monthly direct debit, up to the Cash ISA allowance of £3,600 or £5,100 per tax year. Transfers from other ISA providers are also allowed under the Flexi Cash ISA.

Flexi Cash ISA is one of the options customers can use within the M&S Cash ISA account to divide their tax free savings allowance between variable and fixed rates. From April 2010, the new limit for Cash ISA savings will be £5,100 per tax year for everyone aged 16 and over. This new limit will already exist for those aged 50 and over from early April 2010.

As an example, with the M&S Cash ISA, a customer would be able to save £2,550 in the variable Flexi Cash ISA option, and the remaining £2,550 in one of the fixed rate savings options available.

Colin Kersley, Chief Executive of M&S Money, commented: “Our research shows that more people than last year are looking for a savings provider they can trust. At M&S Money we have been providing a safe home for customers’ savings for many years, and the company itself is 25 years old this year.

“We are also part of HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations, and are continuing to develop our savings range. Cash savings are protected under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the first £50,000 of our customers’ savings are 100% guaranteed.”

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Understanding Texas Home Insurance Options

It is a smart idea that no matter what state you live in, you familiarize yourself with the types of policies and market rates for that particular state. Texas is no exception to this rule so it is important that when you’re shopping online for home insurance quotes you know what policies insurance companies in Texas offer.

Understanding Texas Home Insurance Options

According to an article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, searching for homeowners insurance quotes in Texas is just like searching for homeowners insurance quotes in any other state, only the rates may fluctuate from company to company. However, the types of policies are usually standard no matter what company you check out.

The article states, “Insurance companies in Texas offer their own particular policies that are relevant solely to Texans. Once you have a sampling of what Texas homeowners insurance offers you can shop for homeowners insurance quotes more effectively.”

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M&S Home Insurance Helps Householders Reduce Their Environmental Impact

M&S is the first home insurance provider in the UK to offer policyholder claimants two unique features to help reduce their impact on the environment.

M&S Home Insurance is now offering the features to new customers at no added cost and will be making them available to existing customers on policy renewal from 1st February.

While lost or damaged possessions are usually replaced with equivalent new items M&S Home Insurance claimants for fridge freezers, refrigerators, washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers, will be offered an environmentally-friendly A rated energy-efficient replacement, saving up to 140kg of CO2 each year*.

Additionally, insured properties requiring a rebuild will be reconstructed in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) 4, using sustainable materials where possible, emitting at least 44% less CO2 than building regulations stipulate**.

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “These new policy features, which we believe are firsts in the UK insurance market***, mean that the M&S Home Insurance policy is one of the most environmentally friendly products of its kind.”

Nick Kidd, of AXA Insurance, said: “It is becoming increasingly common for companies to launch ‘green’ products on the basis of carbon offsetting facilities which our research suggests is not valued by customers.

“The M&S product goes significantly further by providing tangible environmental benefits which will help customers to save energy, save money and ultimately, to help save the planet. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average home will emit around 5 tonnes of CO2 a year, so these new product features can have a real impact.

“At AXA we’re committed to reducing our negative environmental impact and are really pleased to work with M&S Money on this innovative product.”

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Put Home Insurance Top Of The Christmas Wish List

As a survey reveals that a third of households leave gifts under the Christmas tree well before the big day, home insurance provider M&S Money is advising householders to make sure security remains a priority this festive period.

Crime statistics reveal that domestic burglaries increase during the coldest and darkest months of the year – November, December and January (Home Office Report ‘Seasonality in recorded crime’).

The increased value of property stored in homes in the weeks before Christmas means that householders should be particularly vigilant to the threat of a break-in.

A survey by home insurance provider M&S Money has revealed that security is the last thing on the minds of 39% of householders who say they leave presents under the Christmas tree well before December 25th. Only 7% of householders are security-minded and wait until Christmas morning to put presents under the tree.

Furthermore, only 20% of people say they are ‘very confident’ about what is covered by their home contents insurance, meaning many people may be unaware they are exceeding the limits of their normal home contents insurance cover.

While 75% of UK households have home contents insurance, only 7.53% of policies across the market offer unlimited sum cover for the contents of homes. M&S Home Insurance gives unlimited cover so policyholders can relax knowing that they will never be underinsured, no matter what the value of the presents stored at home.

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “At Christmas it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season and forget about home security. However, we all know there are criminals who see this time of the year as providing them with rich pickings.

“Householders can take practical measures to deter burglars and protect their homes by keeping expensive Christmas presents out of view, closing curtains during the long dark December evenings and fitting timers to lights and radios which will create doubt in the burglar’s mind.”

David added: “Christmas should be a fun time of the year. By making sure you have adequate home insurance you can enjoy festivities in the knowledge that the contents of your home are protected should the worst happen.”

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Research Finds Brits Seriously Undervalue Their Wardrobe

New research from home insurer LV= reveals many people are seriously underestimating the value of their clothes, shoes and bags when calculating their home contents insurance. The research shows that on average people estimate their clothes are worth around £1600 with accessories such as dress jewellery and watches valued at a further £1,300. However experts at LV= estimate the true average cost of a wardrobe to be over double this at £6000.

Omnibus research was carried out by Opinium on behalf of the home insurer LV=. 2004 online interviews were carried out between 11-15 September 2009.

LV= home contents insurance experts estimate that the average women’s wardrobe is worth around £7,000, with clothes adding up to £5000 and accessories, including items of jewellery worth less than £1500 each, adding another £2000. Men’s wardrobes are estimated to be worth slightly less at £5000 but are more likely to include expensive business and sports attire.

With levels of ‘wardrobe’ underinsurance so high, LV= is warning Brits to ensure they consider how much it would cost to replace all their clothes, shoes and accessories in the event of their property being flooded or hit by a fire.

Emma Holyer, spokesperson for LV= home insurance, commented: “The majority of homeowners have contents insurance but we estimate the levels of ‘wardrobe’ underinsurance to be around 70%. When valuing their contents people just tend to think about expensive jewellery, electronics and items of furniture such as sofas, beds and dining tables and forget how much it would cost to replace their clothing, shoes and everyday jewellery should the worse happen.

“Although it’s a relatively small percentage of claims where we see an entire wardrobe’s contents destroyed if you are underinsured you could find that your insurer will reduce the amount they pay out to reflect the cover taken out.”

As well as home insurance cover not fully covering attire in the home, under half (42%) of contents polices sold include personal possessions insurance. Personal possessions cover insures belongings that are regularly taken out of the home, such as bags, ipods, laptops and clothing against theft, damage or loss.

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By Lowering The Risk You Can Save on Home Insurance

There are many factors that affect home insurance quotes. Things such as the neighborhood the house is located in, the neighborhood’s crime statistics and the amount of security the home contains are all major components. A recently published article on InsuranceAgents.com reveals that the more secure a house is, the cheaper home insurance rates it will produce.

Fill out a form to get free home insurance quotes.

For homeowners interested in preventing break-ins—not just to reduce insurance rates but also to ensure the safety of your family and belongings—they may want to consider taking certain steps to increase home security. The first step they can take is to install deadbolt locks on their doors.

“Statistics show that thieves tend to stay away from houses with deadbolt locks on ground level doors,” the article, Low Risk Behavior: Prevent Break-Ins And Reduce Home Insurance, states. “They take substantially longer to break into thus increasing their risk of getting caught. Simply put, deadbolt locks deter robberies and reduce home insurance.”

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Identity Burglary Crime Wave is Hitting Homeowners

LV= has revealed in a new report that one in seven burglaries last year was carried out solely in an attempt to steal the homeowner’s personal details.

A quarter of all burglary victims in the past year fell prey to ID fraud as a direct result of a break in. The research from home insurer LV=, which questioned both burglary victims and convicted fraudsters, reveals the scale of the crime and fraudsters’ tricks of the trade.

‘ID burglary’ is estimated to cost the UK over £150 million per year to rectify and according to the report the number of home burglaries involving personal data theft is predicted to rise by 33% year on year if ID fraud continues to increase at its current rate.

The LV= report found that credit cards, coupled with a form of ID such as a bank statement, utility bill or National Insurance number, are prized items on the black market as they make it easier for fraudsters to steal an identity. Individual identity documents can change hands for around £15, whereas fraudsters will typically pay £150 for a ‘bundle’ of personal identity information.

One fraudster said: “So many people make my job really easy by sticking all the key documents together in one place. And for all the family too, so you often get three or four identities for the price of one, so to speak.”

While ‘identity burglars’ are becoming more common, even thieves after more traditional items such as purses or wallets are likely to take the opportunity to steal personal details as well, because they know they can sell these on. Around 94% of handbags, wallets and purses contain at least one form of personal identity document.

To help assist the growing number of people affected by ID fraud, the LV= home insurance policy now includes free access to a special identity fraud helpline.

John O’ Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said: “As the trend for identity fraud increases, we would strongly urge homeowners to take appropriate measures to limit their chances of being targeted by thieves and fraudsters. As well as installing home security measures such as burglary alarms and security lights, homeowners should ensure they store personal documents securely and if possible separately to minimise the risk of ID theft.”

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Guide to Home Insurance Deductibles

When choosing a home insurance deductible, many homeowners fall into the trap of wanting to secure the lowest of the low homeowners insurance quotes. This is all good and well but if you make the mistake of making your home insurance deductible too high then you risk financial devastation should you ever have to file a claim.

According to an article recently published on InsuranceAgents.com, the key is to achieve a balance between your home insurance deductible and your homeowners insurance rates. The best way to find affordable policies, deductibles, and rates is to go online to compare homeowners insurance quotes.

The article, titled ‘Choosing Your Home Insurance Deductible’ states, “The higher the home insurance deductible, the more affordable your home insurance rates will be. However, the reverse is true as well: the lower your home insurance deductible is, the more expensive your premium will be,” informs the article. “Before assigning a home insurance deductible to your policy, you should first evaluate your budget.”

If you want to learn more about your home insurance deductible then don’t hesitate a second longer. Visit InsuranceAgents.com today to talk with an insurance agent about finding the right balance between your home insurance deductible and premium.

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Molly Is The New Face Of M&S Pet Insurance

A beagle from South Wales is to become the new face of M&S Pet Insurance after winning a national competition to find a cat or dog with true star quality to feature in a future marketing campaign.

To enter the competition, which ran from April until the start of June, M&S pet insurance customers were asked to simply submit a photo and a few words about why their cat or dog is a star. Following the huge response to the competition and after some close deliberation by the judges, five-month-old Molly, who lives with The Mainwaring family in Blackwood, Gwent, was named the M&S Pet Star contest top-dog.

This means that Molly will now have a professional photo shoot and be featured in promotional material for a forthcoming M&S Pet Insurance campaign. The Mainwaring family will receive £100 worth of M&S vouchers. Sian Mainwaring said: “Molly is very mischievous and certainly has a mind of her own but we forgive her anything – most of the time. She means so much to us and it is wonderful that she will now be the face of M&S Pet Insurance.”

Amanda Newman, M&S Head of Marketing, said: “The huge response to the competition illustrates the fact that we are a nation of cat and dog lovers. It was wonderful to spend time looking through all the photos and reading why the cats and dogs mean so much to their owners.”

About M&S Money
M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top ten credit card provider and the second largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including travel insurance, home insurance, car insurance, loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 9,500 offices in 86 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,527 billion at 31 December 2008, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

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Lloyds TSB Insurance Reports Over 50s Driving Down Crime Rates

Lloyds TSB Insurance has conducted a new study that shows community-minded senior citizens are creating ‘safe havens’ with the lowest crime rates in the country.

Lloyds TSB Insurance, the home and car insurance provider, has revealed that Britain’s emerging ‘safe havens’ include North Norfolk, Berwick-upon-Tweed and West Somerset, which experience half the crime suffered in other parts of the country and whose population includes more than two in five people (43 per cent) over the age of 50.

Rates of burglary and malicious property damage are particularly low in these ‘safe havens’, running at around 40 per cent less than national levels.

The study suggests that low crime is promoted by the community-orientated mindset of older people. The over-50s are five times more likely than the under-35s to know their neighbours personally and are far more inclined to report suspicious behaviour in their area.

This anti-crime ‘halo’ created by older people is aided by much higher membership of community groups. One in six (16 per cent) are active in Neighbourhood Watch schemes, compared to a tiny proportion of those in their twenties and thirties (5 per cent).

The waning community spirit of younger Britons is explained in part by more transient, urban lifestyles. Many young people say they see “no point” in getting to know their neighbours and a hard core of one in twenty Londoners (7 per cent) has never met or spoken to anyone who lives nearby.

Phil Loney, managing director of General Insurance at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Our findings demonstrate that younger people aren’t as community-minded as their parents and this mindset can have a big impact on safety and security in our neighbourhoods.

“Young people can learn a huge amount from the older generation about security consciousness. Taking a little time to look out for other people’s property and reporting anything suspicious can have a huge impact on burglary rates and anti-social behaviour.

“We’ve spoken to some security conscious over-50s and have published some of their security tips on our website.”

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2017 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th-29th May 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). YouGov research questioned 18-35 vs. 50+ age cohorts. 4 per cent of over-50s know none of their neighbours personally, compared to 20 per cent of 18-35 year olds

About Lloyds TSB:
Lloyds TSB offers customers a wide range of current accounts, savings accounts, travel, home insurance, cheap car insurance, personal loans and credit cards, competitive home insurance quotes investment and cash ISA accounts designed to meet different customers’ needs.

Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Lloyds TSB Scotland plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and signatories to the Banking Codes. Lloyds TSB Bank plc Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales no. 2065.

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