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Does Shopping for Insurance Quotes Hurt Your Credit Score?

With the economy slumping and people relying on credit more than ever, the last thing anyone wants to do is limit their access to credit by damaging their credit score. When you apply for insurance quotes these days most companies will pull your credit to judge what premium they will be charging you. The idea of inquiries showing up on your credit sounds like a very negative thing, but according to a recent article on InsuranceAgents.com, it’s actually no big deal.

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Applying for insurance quotes does not negatively affect your credit score. There is no reason to not shop around for a better rate on your insurance, especially in tough economic times like these when every penny counts.

The insurance company may be pulling your credit, but it’s important to know the difference between what’s called a “hard pull” and a “soft pull”. According to the article, “When it comes to credit checks, there are two types of inquiries: ‘hard pulls’ and ‘soft pulls’. A hard pull refers to credit inquiries for acquiring credit, like from a credit card company or a lender. A soft pull is an inquiry that will review your credit score, much like an agent would to determine an insurance quote. … [T]he insurance company’s name will be listed on your report, but the inquiry will not lower your credit score.”

Though insurance quotes won’t affect your credit, it’s important to understand that your credit does affect your insurance quotes. The InsuranceAgents.com article continues, “While shopping for insurance quotes may not lower your credit score, it is important to know that a good credit score can lower your insurance quotes! Insurance companies and agents that see a potential client with a high credit score will consider you a low-risk client … They will then be able to offer you more affordable insurance quotes. Good credit saves you money in many different arenas of your life, including insurance.”

The best thing you can do if you have good or bad credit is to shop around for insurance quotes. Using services like InsuranceAgents.com you can compare up to five insurance quotes at a time and find the lowest rate.

For more information, visit InsuranceAgents.com.

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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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Take Time To Compare Car Insurance Policies Before Travelling Abroad, Says Insurancewide

Increasing numbers of travellers are taking to the roads instead of the skies to get to their European holiday destinations, and keeping their car as a mode of transport whilst they explore their vacation destination. However, Insurancewide, one of the UK’s leading insurance comparison websites, is urging holidymakers to check the details of their car insurance policies carefully – they might not be insured for driving abroad, in which case it’s vital to compare car insurance policies to get the correct cover.

If you are whisking your family away, it certainly seems somewhat easier to load up the boot of your car, put the kids in the back seat and take to the road with your satelite navigation programmed. But if you get into an accident without the proper car insurance, or aren’t aware of the rules of the road where you go, you could have more of an adventure than you bargained for.

Holidays can take time to plan but the one thing you shouldn’t miss out in the rush to get ready for your driving break is to thoroughly check your car insurance policy. If you find it doesn’t cover you abroad, or it’s expensive to add this on, go online to compare car insurance, using a comparison website such as Insurancewide. It’s important not to just assume you are covered under your existing car insurance policy before setting off. If you are not it’s essential to compare car insurance nad get the appropriate cover.

You should also check the general rules of the road for where you are going – different places in Europe can have different speed limits, and different road customs in the event of a breakdown. For example, when you drive in Belgium, France and Germany you must have a warning triangle in your car.

So, it’s clear not only should you compare car insurance using a quick and easy insurance comparison site like Insurancewide, you should look into local road rules, and do your best to prepare for your trip. Carry identification with you at all times in case you are stopped by the local police and check basic maintenance such as oil and water levels before you go.

About Insurancewide
Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools which allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet.

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Term Life Insurance Protects Family, Future of Loved Ones

Term life insurance works by paying a predetermined amount of money to any beneficiary you choose if you pass away during the term of the policy. Term life insurance is the most popular type of life insurance policy because it is affordable, easy to understand, and simple to setup. It’s still important you understand how term life policies work before you go shopping for one so you know what questions to ask your life insurance agent.

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Understanding the differences between whole and term life insurance is a good place to start. According to a recent article on InsuranceAgents.com, “Term life insurance is cheaper than permanent life insurance, it’s temporary but usually renewable, it has no cash value element and no policy loan provisions, and it usually can convert or transfer to a permanent life insurance.”

If your financial needs aren’t permanent such as tax debt, a term life policy will benefit you the most since it is perfect for things such as paying off mortgages or student loans.

It’s important to remember that term life insurance starts off very affordably, but the costs do tend to increase over time. Sometimes these cost hikes are annual, but they can also be periodic throughout the course of the policy. Also, keep in mind term life insurance policies typically come in 15 or 30 year coverages and you will need to discuss with your agent which one is best for you. “When the term is up, so is the coverage. The insurance carrier will not pay the coverage if the insurer dies at any time (even a day) after the term,” according to the article.

If you don’t feel that term life insurance is the best choice for you, there are several other types like variable and whole. Discussing the available options with your life insurance agent is highly recommended on such an important financial decision like this.

To find a local agent and compare up to 5 life insurance quotes, try using a service like InsuranceAgents.com to find the lowest rate on a new policy.

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Insurancewide Urges People To Take A Fresh Look At Health Insurance

As health insurance reform dominates the headlines in America – and has news pundits writing about it here in the UK - Insurancewide urges consumers to take a fresh look at the benefits of health insurance, which doesn’t have to have a prohibitive cost attached.

Barack Obama is atttempting to bring in sweeping healthcare reforms, which will mean the millions of Americans without health insurance can have access to good quality medical treatment – it’s estimated that 46 millions US citizens live with the worry of financial ruin if they were to fall ill.

Health Insurance For Peace Of Mind

Of course, in the UK we have the NHS which has always been free at the point of service, yet we have our own healthcare worries – waiting list numbers never seem to come down and hospital-related infections are still not under control. There are many reasons people in the UK seek out health insurance, and Insurancewide, one of the UK’s leading insurance comparison sites, is urging those who may not have considered it, to take a fresh look.

Private health insurance can give you the valuable peace of mind of knowing if you were to fall ill, or need treatment following an accident, you wouldn’t have to suffer the added worry or stress of being put on an NHS waiting list. Instead, with health insurance, you would receive quick attention at a private hospital knowing it was all covered under your premium (depending on the kind of premium you had purchased).

Health insurance offers a wide range of coverage – broadly speaking, it will cover short-term illness, accidents (though not of the kind relating to dangerous sports), in-patient treatments and also alternative remedies in some cases – each individual policy must be checked and evaluated before purchase.

The best way to check health insurance policies and compare quotes, is to use an online insurance comparison site such as Insurancewide. Comparison websites are useful not only for those new to health insurance but those people who already have a health insurance policy in place – you could find a more competitive quote or a policy with more benefits tailored to your needs.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools which allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet.

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4 Tips to Better Homeowners Insurance Quotes Published

One of the first things you do when you buy a new home is you start shopping for homeowners insurance quotes. Finding the right policy goes well beyond the right price. It’s critical that you get the appropriate coverages to make sure you, your family, and your property are appropriately covered. It may seem like a daunting task at first, but this article is designed to serve as a quick guide to getting a new policy quickly and painlessly. Below are some helpful tips for choosing the right homeowners insurance policy.

Look Into the Companies You Are Getting Homeowners Insurance Quotes From

In order to insure that the company you are looking at is financial stable and has a good history of paying claims, check into their background. Use services like AM Best to find out what their credit rating is. Use search engines like Google to investigate for complaints, lawsuits, or current criminal investigations. It’s also a good idea to check with your state department of insurance to see if they recommend any particular companies as being safe before you start getting homeowners insurance quotes.

Understand Your Available Options

Two important things to keep in mind are your cause-of-loss options and additional coverages for personal belongings such as jewelry, antiques, electronics, collections, appliances, etc… The cause-of-loss option comes in three forms: basic, broad, and special. Basic and broad very general and limited coverages. Many claims will not be covered by a basic or broad cause-of-loss policy. Special on the other hand is general much more comprehensive and covers nearly any property loss/damage, for nearly any reason.

Second, consider your options for additional coverages for your personal belongings. Most homeowners insurance quotes will be for a basic rate without any additional coverages for jewelry, etc… Make sure to tell your agent if you have anything valuable you own that you would like covered and to make sure you new policy actually covers the damage of theft of those items.

Make Sure you are FULLY Covered

It’s all too common that the average homeowners insurance policy doesn’t include enough coverage for the property its insuring. Neatly 60% of the households in the US are underinsured. Its critical that when you are looking at a new policy that your homeowners insurance quote includes an accurate appraisal of your home and its contents. Double check the insurance agents calculations to make sure they are accurate otherwise you could end up severely under compensated when you go to file a claim. This is the perfect time to get a second opinion on the estimated replacement value of the home by comparing the homeowners insurance quote you get with another agent or another company.

Compare and Save Big

Using a site like InsuranceAgents.com you can compare multiple quotes from local agents in your area. When agents start competing for your business you will be amazed at how much lower of a rate you end up with in the end. This is the most convenient and fastest way to compare several different homeowners insurance quotes from different companies all from the convenience of your computer.

For more information, visit InsuranceAgents.com.

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Health Insurance Is Cheaper Than You Might Think

In recent weeks it has been reported the National Health Service (NHS) will face a shortfall of funds as the previous big spending boom comes to an end in 2011. At the annual NHS confederation conference in Liverpool, the report ‘Dealing with the downturn: the NHS’s greatest ever leadership challenge’ stated if extra money wasn’t found for the NHS in 2011/2012, it was in danger of no longer being free at the point of service. This is the worst case scenario, but even if it doesn’t come to pass, Brits could face longer waiting lists and an overall poorer experience – alarming news for the many people who don’t have private health insurance.

insurancewide

There is the general view that private health insurance is an expensive and unneccessary cost to add to your monthly outgoings – however Insurancewide – a specialist UK insurance comparison website is urging people to take a fresh look, as it might not be as expensive as they think.

Cheap Health Insurance – Benefits and Comparisons

As with most types of insurance, health insurance can be as cheap as you like, or you could go for a more expensive option – when purchasing health insurance it’s definitely worth investing a little time and effort into making the right decision. There are usually three levels of cover on offer – budget, standard and comprehensive.

Budget health insurance covers treatment but usually sets the payouts at a certain level and limits the range of hospitals the patient is able to visit. Standard plans can cover some outpatient treatment and in some instances limited complementary therapies, and premium health insurance will cover elements such as home nursing, ambulance services, all complementary therapies and treatments with no limit on cost. If you fall ill, and you have even the most basic and cheap health insurance, you can rest-assured that you will be able to bypass NHS waiting lists, choose a private room for treatment and have most, if not all, your medical bills covered – depending on the length of your illness.

So, whilst you can buy expensive health insurance if you can afford it, basic plans can still give you the peace of mind of knowing you are covered should you fall ill and need treatment immediately – and with the latest doom and gloom predictions regarding the NHS such peace of mind is very valuable. Insurance comparison sites are a quick and effective way of comparing multiple health insurance quotes from various different providers, allowing you to make a decision based on your needs.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet. The site also powered tools used on popular website Confused.com.

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Carefully Reviewing Your Current Homeowners Insurance Policy Can Expose Potentially Expensive Gaps In Your Coverage

Carefully reviewing your current policy can expose potentially expensive gaps in your coverage.

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Making sure you are properly covered is the single most important aspect of an insurance policy, yet it’s one of the most common mistakes consumers make when seeking out homeowners insurance quotes.

If your residence is one of the most important assets you own, you should make sure it is properly covered by reviewing your policy with your local agent. InsuranceAgents.com recently published an article detailing the risks many homeowners fail to cover because of gaps in their homeowners insurance coverage.

According to the article, “many times these gaps aren’t realized until the homeowner tries to file a claim and realizes their policy doesn’t provide proper coverage …” It’s important that you review your policy to see if it covers antiques, jewelry, electronics, floods, personal liability, and many other critical coverages that most homeowners insurance companies offer.

The article goes onto explain that a personal injury coverage should be included in your policy. This additional coverage pays for things such as bodily harm, personal injury, libel/slander, or defamation of character to you, your family, or your guests while they are on the property. Typically this additional coverage is not expensive and can provide a significant amount of coverage for you.

You may want to consider other additional coverages like sewage backup coverage or flood insurance. The main point the article stresses is that there are a lot of available coverages available under your homeowners insurance policy that you should consider and it’s in your best interests to find out where the gaps are in your current or new policy.

It’s your responsibility to understand your rights and protect yourself and you don’t want to be left with potentially thousands of dollars in rejected claims because you lacked proper coverage. Check out InsuranceAgents.com for more helpful article like this one about how to use homeowners insurance to protect your home and other helpful tools to help you find a lower rate.

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Term Life Insurance Presents Options for Family, Individual

Today’s economy has many people wondering about the future of their loved ones. Rightfully so; if they were to pass, not only would their family members have to deal with the emotional turmoil of their deaths, but they would also have to contend to funeral costs, financial debts, mortgage payments, and their own financial priorities.

Now there is even more reason to worry about their families; the recession continues to churn, and no one really knows if the worst has past or just begun. Unemployment has risen beyond 8.5 percent with no signs of decreasing in the near future. Many households are finding their incomes dwindle amidst rising costs. Compared to past years, more people are struggling to make ends meet. If the prime income holder was to pass away suddenly, and he or she had no life insurance, their loved ones could be financially devastated in the aftermath.

InsuranceAgents.com points out that now more than ever people should consider the benefits of life insurance. Term life insurance is a life insurance policy that insures almost anyone for a certain amount of time of your life. It is the less expensive option compared to other life insurance types, making it extremely easy to afford for anyone. There are some drawbacks to term life insurance, but its benefits at this time period outweigh the negatives.

InsuranceAgents.com suggests that anyone looking for life insurance quotes should search online. The sooner they get the best coverage and rate, the better off their families will be financially.

For more information, visit InsuranceAgents.com.

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The More Ways You Protect Your Home, The More Willing Insurance Companies Are To Offer Discounts

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Did you know that summer is the most popular time of the year for home burglaries in the US? During the summer months there is a burglary every 10 seconds since so many people are on vacation, away from their homes, and the weather is nice.

An alarm system is one of the best ways of making sure your home is properly protected. However, many people don’t realize that having a home alarm system means homeowners insurance savings.

According to a recent article published by InsuranceAgents.com, “For an insurance company, low risk is the name of the game. They like policyholders who have considered home safety and security and have taken necessary steps to thwart intruders …” This means investing in an alarm system and taking other precautions like installing dead-bolt locks and shatterproof windows can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, in insurance premiums each year.

To many people the idea of installing an alarm system can sound too expensive, but when compared against the 5-20% savings per year on homeowners insurance quotes, the costs suddenly seem much more affordable. Even a simple alarm system can still save you 5% a year or more with most homeowners insurance companies. Also, adding a deadbolt to all entry doors in your home can qualify you for a discount of 5% at many companies.

The InsuranceAgents.com article explains that the more you can show the homeowners insurance company that you are protecting your house against break-ins the more they are willing to discount your policy. With the economy still struggling and people looking to save every penny they can, this is the perfect time to review your homeowners insurance policy and find out how you can start to save more money by taking advantage of available discounts.

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Prudential UK Is Set To Improve The Service Delivery Offered To Advisers In The Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Market With The Roll-Out Of A Newly Enhanced Systems Platform

Prudential UK is set to improve the service delivery offered to advisers in the Defined Contribution (DC) pension market with the roll-out of a newly enhanced systems platform. The platform will introduce improved delivery capability and functionality for both new and existing clients and is a clear sign of Prudential’s further investment in the DC market. It also signals a serious commitment to clients and their members through the delivery of enhanced levels of service.

The new platform introduces a step change in the online services provided by giving clients greater branding options and easy access to key data. Recently enhanced retirement planning and investment comparison tools are also available to assist members in making more informed choices to help achieve their retirement goals.

The enhanced platform is designed to sit alongside Prudential’s dedicated account management programme and will produce continued improvements in both quality and member response times.

Martyn Bogira, Director DC Pensions, Prudential said, “Not only have we improved functionality for our clients, we also now have the flexibility to further tailor our service to the specific client and their members. We believe that the new platform in conjunction with our innovative investment solutions, and our communications capability will enable consultants to design bespoke solutions for our shared clients.”

Prudential’s proposition is powered by Capita Hartshead’s HartLink technology and brings together the systems expertise of the Capita Hartshead team and Prudential’s extensive experience in the DC market.

HartLink is one of the largest pension administration databases in the UK and is currently used to administer the records of over 3.4 million members. HartLink has proven to be highly scalable and the underlying architecture is effectively limitless in terms of database storage capacity.

About Prudential:
Prudential is a trading name of The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, registered in England and Wales. This name is also used by other companies within the Prudential Group. Registered Office at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. Registered number 15454. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Prudential has been in the corporate pensions and group pension schemes market since 1929 and now provide DC pensions for over 5,700 schemes. Prudential employs an experienced team of individual’s to support the DC proposition. The DC area spanning servicing, marketing, account management and investment supports over 660,000 scheme members.

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Why do I need bicycle insurance?

The number of bicycles being pedalled on Britain’s roads this summer looks set to increase, according to various accounts. The reasons for this expected rise are numerous: for starters, the weakness of sterling against the euro and the dollar has meant that Brits are holidaying at home instead of abroad this year, and a number of these holidaymakers will be opting to take cycling breaks as a relatively cheap and healthy option.

In addition, the Met Office’s prediction that 2009 will bring three months of hot and dry summer weather is likely to be a motivating factor for many people who would not usually cycle for fear of getting caught in a downpour. Also, with more households than ever before reassessing their energy use in an effort to lead a greener lifestyle, cycling is becoming the transport mode of choice for many individuals across the country.

However, whether you’re a new cycling convert or you’ve been taking to the roads on two wheels for a number of years, it’s important to ensure that you have sufficient bicycle insurance for your needs.

Why do I need bicycle insurance?

Essentially, bicycle insurance provides you with much needed cover should you get caught in a cycling accident or if your bike is stolen. A recent survey from Halifax Home Insurance revealed that there has been a 50 percent increase in bike sales this year; at the same time, research from consumer magazine Which? claims that bikes were among the most popular outdoor items stolen from households, along with garden furniture and plant pots. So, with the cost of replacing an average bicycle now a staggering £350, the value of comprehensive bicycle cover should not be underestimated.

Insurance is particularly important for inexperienced cyclists, who may be more likely to get in an accident either with other cyclists or cars. At the same time, whilst seasoned cyclists perhaps enjoy lower accident risks, it’s crucial not to be complacent about the threat posed by bicycle thieves. One of the most famous victims of bicycle theft in the UK is Conservative Party leader David Cameron, whose bike has been stolen twice in a year – first in June 2008 and again in May 2009. The incident highlights how vigilant cyclists need to be in deterring thieves and that safety precautions should always be taken.

How can I safeguard against bicycle theft or accidents?

Safeguarding against bicycle theft is simple, if you take the right steps. For instance, invest in a hardened, D-shape lock rather than a cable one, as these are more difficult for thieves to cut through. In addition, make sure you lock your bike up in a well-lit, busy area so in the event that your bike is stolen, it is more likely there will be witnesses or CCTV footage to help you find the perpetrator.

Protecting yourself against cycling accidents, can be achieved by always wearing a bicycle helmet and donning high visibility clothing – like a neon yellow jacket or vest – so that other cyclists and motorists can see you from afar.

Following these easy steps is likely to significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of bicycle theft or having an accident, whilst a comprehensive bicycle insurance policy will give you the peace of mind that you will be covered if an unfortunate event does occur. With insurance comparison websites making it easier than ever to find affordable bicycle insurance, prohibitive cost should no longer be a barrier either.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet. The site also powered tools used on popular website Confused.com. Insurancewide is FSA regulated.

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Expats Should Seek Health Insurance For Swine Flu Protection

If the outbreak of swine flu has proven anything, it’s that healthcare systems in Western countries – despite all their flaws – are generally better prepared to deal with such pandemics than their poorer counterparts in Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia. Moreover, whilst the British government may be stocking up on Tamiflu and Relenza to treat people in the UK who contract the H1N1 virus, this is likely to be of little comfort to British expatriates.

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As a result, many experts have urged expatriate communities to seek out comprehensive health insurance policies to protect their medical interests, particularly in countries where hospitals and medical facilities can be unreliable. Navigating the minefield of international medical cover can be difficult – what kind of insurance will you need and how much should you pay? By keeping your most important requirements in mind – and seeking some advice from knowledgeable sources – finding the answers to these questions needn’t be difficult.

How to approach buying international health insurance

As technological advances and the globalised economy continue to make the world a smaller place, British expatriate communities are expanding. For many of these people, dealing with healthcare systems in their chosen country of residence can be the hardest thing about living abroad. For starters, accessing medical treatment on the NHS in the UK is largely free – in other countries, this is unlikely to be the case. Therefore, finding an international health insurance policy that covers the costs you may incur when being treated abroad is essential.

Expatriate financial website ShelterOffshore.com highlights the fact that most international health insurance policies offer similar ‘one-size-fits-all’ policies, wherever in the world the policyholder may live. Depending on which level of cover you opt for – from basic packages to comprehensive policies – these can include a range of benefits, from recouping the costs of GP visits to covering repatriation in the most severe cases.

However, it may not always be necessary to have all of these cover options. In countries with exceptional medical facilities, such as Germany, it’s unlikely you will need to be flown back to the UK for treatment. On the other hand, if you live in rural China, you’re likely to need more sophisticated health insurance in order to cover the cost of transport to the nearest urban centre with access to high-quality healthcare . In fact, one US-based insurer recently revealed to The Telegraph that it could cost up to £20,000 extra to airlift a patient from rural China to Hong Kong or Singapore for medical treatment.

Getting the most out of an expatriate medical insurance policy

If you’re keen to purchase an expatriate health insurance policy that can be moulded to your needs, it’s best to contact a well-established medical insurer – for example BUPA or AXA PPP Healthcare – directly. Alternatively, ask others in your expatriate community who they would recommend for medical insurance. If you work for a multi-national organisation, it’s also possible they already have a preferred health insurance provider with discounted rates for employees.

In the event that no specialist international health insurance provider meets your needs, why not go local? Insurance comparison websites will help you find the insurer that best meets your healthcare requirements. Ultimately, the more research you carry out before purchasing your expatriate health insurance policy, the better you’ll be able to find comprehensive cover at a price you can afford.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet. The site also powered tools used on popular website Confused.com. Insurancewide is FSA regulated.

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Insurancewide Warns Staycationers Of Travel Cover Importance

The first five months of 2009 have been filled with surveys from the travel sector predicting that the number of Brits holidaying at home due to the pound’s weakness against the euro and the dollar, will skyrocket this summer. Sainsbury’s Finance, for example, recently said that caravan holiday bookings are up by more than 40 percent on last year’s levels. Financial information provider Defaqto also revealed that the number of overseas trip taken by people in the UK in 2009 is likely to decline for the first time in 20 years.

insurancewide-travel-insurance

However, Insurancewide – a specialist UK insurance comparison website – is urging so-called ‘staycationers’ not to neglect purchasing travel insurance, even if they are only holidaying a few hours away from their home. Many insurers sell UK travel insurance policies for less than the cost of a cinema ticket, so there should be no financial excuse for forgoing cover on a holiday at home.

Purchasing travel insurance for a holiday at home might not seem as essential as if you were going on holiday in Europe, but it’s still an important consideration. For example, just because you haven’t left the country, that doesn’t mean there’s less of a chance of your belongings being stolen or misplaced. With travel insurance, this eventuality will be covered.

Similarly, UK travel insurance will cover disrupted travel arrangements – if you’re travelling to your British holiday destination of choice by rail and your train is cancelled or severely delayed, you could make a claim on your travel insurance policy – provided you’ve remembered to buy one before setting off. This could be particularly useful if you’re travelling over a long distance – for example, Aberdeen to Brighton – and a delay meant that you missed your connecting train in London. What’s more, many UK travel insurance policies also include a certain level of medical cover – so if you are injured and need a private ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital or back home, your insurance policy should take care of this.

Insurancewide lets travellers compare UK travel insurance online, allowing users to request quotes and contrast policy benefits from different insurers across the market. In addition to purchasing travel insurance, Insurancewide is urging stay-at-home travellers – especially those who are caravanning or camping this summer – to check their car insurance policy for breakdown cover. Many motor insurance providers do not include breakdown cover as standard and travel insurance policies are unlikely to incorporate this feature either, so anyone planning on driving during their holiday should ensure that they are adequately protected.

About Insurancewide
Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet. The site also powered tools used on popular website Confused.com. Insurancewide is FSA regulated.

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Insurancewide, A Leading Insurance Comparison Provider In The UK, Is Urging Insurers To Offer Consumers More Flexibility When It Comes To Health Insurance

The call comes shortly after Tesco Insurance announced it was launching new levels of health cover in response to a customer survey asking for greater flexibility towards private medical insurance. The insurer revealed that it would be adding three new cover options to its list of health insurance products: Operations and Procedures, Consultations and Tests and Additional Therapies. New customers will also have the option of getting three months free when they sign up to Tesco Health Insurance.

Although figures from the Association of British Insurers indicate that the number of people covered by private health insurance is on the rise, with a 2.7 percent increase registered in 2008, Insurancewide believes that further measures can be taken to make medical cover more accessible to the general public.

Making UK health insurance policies more flexible

Since the UK has provided its population with free health care on the National Health Service for over half a century, many Brits tend to look upon health insurance as a luxury rather than a necessity. Yet with medical threats like swine flu making their way closer to home, and NHS waiting times showing no signs of getting shorter, many people have effectively come to consider private health insurance as a requirement and a valuable source of peace of mind.

However, despite this widening market, many health insurers continue to sell general medical insurance packages without giving customers much room to tailor their policy to their own requirements. For instance, a family of four may wish to have a policy weighted towards paediatric care, while a young, single man in his twenties may want to purchase a health insurance policy containing options for alternative therapies such as acupuncture and physiotherapy. Others – especially people who already have a life insurance policy in place – may want to pay less for medical insurance without accidental death cover.

Insurancewide allows customers to compare health insurance policies across the UK market, making it simpler for users to request quotes and contrast policy benefits in order to choose a plan that’s right for them. However, to provide consumers with even more flexibility, the insurance comparison provider urges medical insurers to offer consumers greater choice to build policies to their own requirements, and offer policyholders insurance packages that are bespoke, comprehensive and affordable.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet. The site also powered tools used on popular website Confused.com. Insurancewide is FSA regulated.

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Foreign Juggernauts Causing More Accidents On British Roads

New figures compiled by traffic specialists Accident Exchange show that the number of accidents caused on British roads by foreign juggernauts has increased in the twelve months to the end of February 2009 by 10%. The total number of accidents involving foreign lorries in the UK is about 9,000, but the proportions vary significantly around the country.

Nearly 50% of the total number of accidents occurring on the M25 are caused by foreign left-hand drive trucks, which is 25% of all the accidents in Britain where overseas registered trucks are at fault.

According to the last statistics released by the Department of Transport the worst offenders are Polish drivers, closely followed by those from the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Hungary.

Many of the accidents are caused by what is known as ‘sideswiping’ which happens when a juggernaut pulls out to overtake, and due to a blindspot is unaware of an overtaking vehicle.

A spokesman for Staveley Head, one of the country’s leading HGV insurance providers, said “The Government has been aware of this problem with foreign lorries for quite some time, and to some extent has taken steps to resolve it by providing magnifying door mirrors, also called Fresnal lenses, to some 200,000 foreign lorry drivers entering the country in the last year. It is disappointing that their efforts have not only failed to reduce the number of accidents but have also failed to prevent a substantial increase.”

The Staveley Head spokesman went on to say “10% of sideswipes result in the smaller vehicle being an insurance total loss, or write-off. I believe the average claim cost being quoted is in the order of £1,872, but the human tragedy cannot be measured. Many injured parties get nothing at all as the foreign drivers claim not to speak English, give false details, drive away from the accident without stopping or cannot be located by insurance investigators in their home country. Some simply don’t have any insurance cover at all.”

If you want further information about this subject, or want to know more about insurance for trucks, Staveley Head will be pleased to assist.

Staveley Head is one of the UK’s leading lorry insurance providers and will give you all the advice and assistance you need, including a very competitive truck insurance quote, if you log onto their website at www.staveleyhead.co.uk

For more information on any aspect of transport insurance contact Staveley Head on 0845 017 9991 or email quotes@staveleyhead.co.uk.

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Taking Steps To Reduce Your Car Insurance Premiums

If you’re attempting to make savings on your household’s monthly expenditure, large outgoings such as car insurance payments can seem like a major drain on your resources. In fact, a recent Sainsbury’s Finance survey found that 579,000 people had reduced or cancelled their car insurance cover over the last year as a direct result of economic pressures. This is a worrying trend: car insurance may seem expensive if you’re trying to rein in your purse strings, but its benefits significantly outweigh its potential costs – particularly since car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK.

insurancewide

It’s important to remember that there are a number of alternatives to cancelling your car insurance policy or doing away with your vehicle entirely. By following a few prudent steps, you could actually make significant headway in your quest to find cheaper car insurance.

Reducing your car insurance, one step at a time

For starters, if you’re in the process of buying a new car, it’s important to choose correctly in order to ensure that your car insurance premiums aren’t too high. A Porsche , for instance, may seem like the ultimate in luxurious motoring, but the car insurance on such a high-end model will have a heavy impact on your wallet. Choose your new model carefully and consider its car insurance band before you make a purchase – safe, dependable models are definitely the right way to go, and your car dealer should be able to help you make a decision.

Once your insurance is in place, it’s important to protect your no claims discount. By preserving this, the likelihood that future insurance premiums will cost less is much higher and so, with the right amount of cautiousness, you’ll be making long-term gains. The easiest way to do this is to avoid driving when you’re less confident of your abilities – at night, in the snow or during periods of thick fog. You’re also much more likely to have an accident when you don’t know where you’re going, so invest in a satellite navigation system or make sure you have watertight directions when travelling to an unfamiliar location.

Limiting the number of people insured on your vehicle could also reduce the cost of your policy. For instance, if you, your partner and your children are all insured under your car insurance policy, its cost is likely to be much higher than covering yourself only. What’s more, people that drive your car only occasionally don’t need to be insured for an entire year – some insurers will let you insure extra persons for a day or a weekend, which can be a much more cost-effective option.

Looking for a new insurer

Sometimes the easiest way to get cheaper car insurance is simply to switch your insurer. Web-based insurance comparison sites provide a simple way to do this, allowing you to compare quotes as well as policy benefits. Some also offer introductory discounts – but if you’re choosing one of these policies, make sure you can afford the premiums once the discount period has elapsed. Ultimately, the key to finding a new insurer with cheaper cover is to carefullt shop around – with the right mixture of consumer know-how and prudent driving, you’ll have your premiums down to an affordable level in no time.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools which allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet.

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Health Cash Plans Could Be Your Ideal Medical Insurance Option

Unlike in the United States, people in Britain very rarely think of health insurance as an essential outgoing thanks to the National Health Service (NHS), one of the world’s pioneers in the provision of social health care. However, as strains on the NHS grow across the country in the form of both population growth and the pressure to keep up technologically, many Brits are now considering health insurance as an added guarantee that they will be able to receive medical treatment – whether it’s public or private – in their hour of need.

insurancewide

Nevertheless, many of these people are also concerned about the effect this added expenditure may have on household budgets, particularly as the recession continues in the UK and fears of job cuts remain high. Yet it’s important not to let economic constraints get in the way of providing for your health – by looking in the right places, it’s possible to find affordable health care plans for both individuals and families. Health cash plans, for example, often provide a bespoke form of health insurance that can fit right into your monthly budget.

What you can get out of a health cash plan

Essentially, health cash plans allow you to claim back money against medical expenditure, including visits to the optician and the dentist – both areas of health care that are not completely covered by the NHS . If you have teeth that need special attention, this type of dental health insurance could be invaluable if it covers check-ups, dental x-rays and hygienist visits. What’s more, if you have less than perfect vision, optical costs covered by health cash plans often include prescribed glasses and contact lens subscriptions. Being able to claim back these costs could make a huge difference to your household budget.

Some health cash plans even provide insurance benefits which extend to complementary therapies, such as osteopathy, physiotherapy and even acupuncture. The ability to receive these treatments and claim back the costs on your insurance could make a significant difference to your quality of life. For instance, if you have a recurring back injury that is keeping you out of employment, physiotherapy treatments could be essential in helping you get back to work. In addition, acupuncture could be a beneficial way to beat the effects of stress, a common complaint during times of recession.

Compiling your health cash plan

To find the health cash plan that best suits your health insurance needs, it’s crucial to shop around to seek out the best deal. Some health cash plan providers may let you pick and choose your cover option in order to tailor-make your policy to your medical needs – a feature that could be particularly important if you suffer from a recurring condition. And with some insurance providers offering one month free or cash back benefits, you can be sure that you’ll find plenty of opportunities to find the health cash plan that’s right for you and your family.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools which allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet.

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Patients Should Turn To Health Insurance For Dental Care, According To Insurancewide

As a recent study from SimplyHealth indicates that people in Britain are struggling with the cost of dental care, Insurancewide – a leading UK insurance comparison site – is urging people to turn to health insurance as a way of reclaiming this expense.

insurancewide

According to the Simplyhealth Annual Dental Survey released in April 2009, one out of every three Brits is struggling to find an NHS dentist, a figure that’s up from just under one in four in 2008. The situation is particularly bad in Plymouth, where over 50 percent of people cannot find an NHS dentist. What’s more, over half of the respondents said they were putting off visiting the dentist for fear of how much it may cost. As a result,Insurancewide is urging these patients to consider taking out a health insurance policy that includes dental cover as a long-term money saving measure.

What to expect in dental cover from a health insurance policy

Before choosing a health insurance plan with dental cover, it’s important to consider what’s most important to you – for instance, do you want regular check-ups with the dentist to be covered by your policy? Or you may consider emergency dental treatment a must in your cover options. Generally, most dental insurance plans will include cover for both these events, but it’s crucial to check your policy before purchase nonetheless.

With a comprehensive dental insurance policy in place, patients can often claim back 100 percent of their dental costs (as long as they fall within their annual limit for the year). Claims can usually be made straight away and cover may be extended to include other family members at a minimal weekly or monthly cost. Dental health insurance also gives patients the opportunity to visit an NHS dentist or private orthodontist. So not only could it help eliminate the unpredictable cost of visiting the dentist, dental cover could even make it considerably easier for patients to find dentists in their local area.

Insurancewide specialises in allowing people in the UK to compare health insurance providers across the market and obtain competitive health insurance quotes. By carrying out an insurance comparison, it’s possible to consider both the price of health cover and what’s included in particular policies. For instance, some health insurance plans may include dental cover as standard; others may offer it at a higher premium. Initially, health insurance premiums may seem like an extra monthly outgoing but their long term benefits are likely to make visits to the dentist both more affordable and convenient.

About Insurancewide

Insurancewide, also known as Insurancewide.com Services Limited, is an online insurance comparison website offering insurance comparison tools which allow users to search the market and procure the best insurance policies and quotes. Insurancewide was launched in August 1999 as the first insurance comparison website on the internet.

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Leading Child Trust Fund Provider, The Children’s Mutual, Has Announced The Launch Of A Very Different Return Of Premium Term Life Insurance Policy

thechildrensmutual.co.uk

Traditional Term Insurance products ask people to pay regular insurance premiums on the understanding that if the person insured dies during the policy term a payment will be made to the family or executors. But, if the person insured survives the term neither they nor the family will receive anything back.

The Children’s Mutual has teamed up with insurance experts ACE Europe Life Ltd to offer customers the ACE Return of Premium Term Life Insurance policy, which gives families the financial security of up to £100,000 cover in the event of death, combined with a guarantee that if the worst doesn’t happen all premiums paid will be returned. This ensures that, as well as peace of mind throughout the term, policy holders will have something to look forward to at the end of it too.

Designed to be easy and affordable as well as rewarding, the Return of Premium Term Life Insurance can be applied for online by simply completing 4 straightforward questions to check eligibility. There is no medical to pass and the length of term is selected by the applicant at the time of submission – f r o m 5 to 18 years – to reflect personal circumstances and requirements.

David White, Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Mutual, leading Child Trust Fund provider, commented: “We are delighted to announce the launch of what we believe to be the only product of this kind in the UK. We have worked closely with ACE to develop a form of Term Insurance that will offer our customers reassurance and value throughout as well as giving them an added reward at term end.”

The new ACE Return of Premium Term Life Insurance policy has been created to provide a win-win situation for policy holders – with protection for loved ones should the worst happen, and money back if it doesn’t.

Benefits include:

– Peace of mind for the whole family
– Up to £100,000 of cover 
– All premiums back if the holder survives the full policy term
– Quick and easy application process 
– Variable length of policy – f r o m 5 to 18 years 
– Affordable monthly payments

To celebrate this innovative new product, a special introductory incentive is being offered, where policy holders pay just 99p a month for their first 2 months of cover. Additionally, if the partner of a policy holder also takes out cover, then they will pay just 99p a month for the first 2 months as well, plus receive 15% off all their monthly premiums after that.

About The Children’s Mutual

Home of the Child Trust Fund The Children’s Mutual’s mission is to help parents, grandparents, family and friends fulfil their hopes for today’s children and secure their financial futures. The company specialises exclusively in family-focused finance products, and is currently the choice of 1 in 4 parents for their child’s Child Trust Fund.

The Children’s Mutual, as an expert in savings for children, made a significant contribution to the Government’s Child Trust Fund consultation process and is widely recognised by the business community and press as an industry expert on family finance. This expertise has led several financial institutions and family-focused high street retailers to choose The Children’s Mutual as their stakeholder CTF partner.

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