Articles by seamus on ArticleSnatch.com

Fire claims on the rise in the UK whilst fire still rages in California

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:46:58 -0400

The number of no win no fee claims made during the recession has soared. The overall amount of compensation claims made has increased significantly as the downturn of the UK economy has left the councils, employers and motorists struggling to cover the costs of carrying out health and safety regulations and simple repairs. Road accidents With more motorists failing to carry out MOT and safety checks in fear of having to fork out extra repair costs during the crisis, along with the increasing number of pothole damage to Britain's roads, previous claims that the number of road accidents will soar has been proved wrong. Figures from the Department for Transport, (DfT) revealed that the number of road accidents in the UK has reduced for the year ending March 2009. According to the figures, the number of road casualties fell by eight per cent with the number of fatalities or those seriously injured falling by nine per cent. AA Insurance has welcomed the DfT's figures. Fall figures good news Director of AA Insurance, Simon Douglas said: "The falling accident rate is good news, especially as this continues a long-term downward trend. **End Summary** Topics: No win no fee]]> Compensation claim]]> Personal injury]]> Road acc]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out how to make a no win no fee claim if you have been injured .

Student Loan Repayment Break Cut To Two Years

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:45:46 -0400

There was a time when being a student was strictly limited to those who came from privileged backgrounds, but with the introduction of student loans and top up fees, further education became more and more accessible. Now recent reports are suggesting that the time students have to repay their loans is to be cut from five years to two years meaning that many could be crippled by debts delaying students getting onto the property ladder. This new measure being introduced by the government has been condemned by certain student bodies for being short sighted, getting the money back from student loans may offer a short term windfall but a lack of long term investments i.e. students investing in the property market. Martin Lewis, from the advice website moneysavingexpert.com, speaking to the Independent newspaper, said the move was likely to hit poorer students. He said: "While a two-year repayment holiday is a good addition, it is no way as good as a five-year break, which allows students to buy a property or sort out their other debts. **End Summary** Topics: Loans]]> Student loans]]> Loan repayments]]> Interest rates]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you need help with your finances or are after a loan , find the product that suits your circumstances at Only Finance .

Farmers Fear A Wave Of Compensation Claims

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Farmers, live stock keepers and land owners with public rights of way on their land, are being warned to look carefully at the potential dangers. This warning comes after a woman recently made a successful compensation claim **End Summary** Topics: Compensation claims]]> Accident]]> Personal injury]]> Accident claims]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, find out of you can make a compensation claim when you speak with one of our injury lawyers .

New Report Shows Debt Is On The Increase

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

A new report idicates that the levels of personal debt among people seeking help from the Citizens Advice bureau has doubled in the last five years. The Drowning in Debt report, which looked at cases brought to Citizens Advice bureau workers in its Scottish branches, paints the picture that more and more people in the region, are deep in debt, whilst creditors and debt collection agencies resort to increasingly aggressive recovery tactics. The statistics mentioned in the report speak for themselves really with one in ten CAB clients having a personal **End Summary** Topics: consolidation consumer debt lending tree]]> loans for debt]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you are in "OnlyFinance" .

Many Consider Becoming "Reluctant Landlord"

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

A new financial website has revealed that around 5 million homeowners are considering becoming "reluctant landlords" in an effort to help pay off mortgages that they canâ€™t afford to repay on their own income. This has come about largely due to the recession with other causes being cited as the slowdown in the housing market. This has meant that it is becoming harder for property developers to sell properties, leaving them with no other option than to rent the property to keep up with mortgage repayments. London lodgers The research has shown that young homeowners, aged between 18 and 34 are the most cash strapped and are considering renting out there property or taking in a lodger. Alongside those who are considering auch actions, around 400,000 homeowners have already taken the plunge and taken in a lodger. Homeowners, who live in London are those who are thought to be the most likely to consider renting out or take in a lodger. This is largely put down to the higher house prices in and around the London area and thus the need for more finances to fund the home expenses. **End Summary** Topics: Mortgages]]> Landords]]> Lodgers]]> Homeowners]]> London]]> Renting]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> RESOURCES If you are in need of advice or financial assistance, find the right mortgage , loan or debt advice at OnlyFinance

Government Scrappage Scheme Could Benefit Van Drivers

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget report may have come into a lot of criticism in the past week or so, but many van insurance customers will be extremely pleased to hear about the new scrapping scheme in an attempt to increase van and car production and sa;ses within the UK. The new scheme will mean that anyone with a car registered before July 31st 1999 will receive Â£2,000 in trading their old vehicle for a new one. This would appeal to many tradesmen, who rely on their vans to get around, store essential equipment and keep the business going. Many van owners may have been unsure whether or not to upgrade their vehicle, which may have been well needed, for fear that the recession would see a downturn in business. Insurers give green light for screapage scheme The new government scheme will no doubt help many van owners lower to their van insurance premiums as many insurers will be encouraged to provide cover for the newer vans with better security and safety features. The new scheme will be part funded by the government who have put aside Â£300 million to fund the scheme. **End Summary** Topics: Van Insurance]]> Scrappage scheme]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you plan on getting a new van, make you you have the right van insurance , find the right cover at OnlyInsurance .

Residents Want Local Council To Reduce Speed On Accident Prone Road

Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Furious residents have blamed Hertfordshire County Council for the number of car accidents on a well known dangerous stretch of road. The residents of Jersey Farm are angry at the local council for ignoring their pleas to lower speed limits on the road that has seen eight accidents since 2002. A review was carried out last October revealing the concerns of the residents living near Sandringham Crescent who fear that someone will be killed if something is not done soon. The council leaves itself open to the risk of costly car accident claims being made against it if it continues to ignore the residents assertions that the road is dangerous and something needs to be done. At the time of the review the council said that they would introduce some speed reducing measurers including introducing speed humps and reducing the width of the road. Yet despite several complaints to the council and a petition which attracted nearly 200 signatures, work has yet to start on the road. **End Summary** Topics: Car Accident]]> Speed Limit]]> Hertfordshire]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you have been involved in a car accident you could make a car accident claim against the guilty party and win compensation for your injuries.

Work based driving tests to reduce van insurance quotes

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

A recent study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) has shown that employers would welcome a new driving at work qualification, in a bid to bring down the number of driving related work accidents thus bringing down the price of van insurance for many business owners in the UK. It is believed that the current system of learner training and testing does not adequately prepare young drivers to drive as a part of their job. If employers make all new drivers take a further test to ensure they are adequately trained to drive on the job then there is little doubt that savings could be made from the insurance policy. Three quarters of the employers who took part in the questionnaire said that a lot of their young drivers are out in situations which are not covered by the standard driving test. Alongside that many young drivers will have never of driven a van and getting used to driving a large van can take time - meaning that a further driving qualification could prove to be extremely beneficial. **End Summary** Topics: van insurance]]> insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Searching for the best deal on your van insurance can be a struggle. Use a price comparison site to compare hundreds of van and car insurance quotes in seconds.

Injury Lawyers fearful of legal aid reforms

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Amanda Stevensâ€™, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has expressed her own fears that the government are now backpedalling on the issue, with Jack Straw recently saying he would consider the issue. Now, comments made by Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice, appeared to have put a halt to any further debate on the issue. Bridget Prenticeâ€™s comments came at the bills committee stage, a stage which every proposed government bill must pass before becoming a law. During this stage MPs made amendments to make legal aid easily accessible to families but the Justice Minister's response to the amendments was that If I were composing my own shopping list, I would think of a number of things that I would put in before I would extend legal aid, in particular in terms of benefiting families and putting them at the heart of the system.â€ At the moment approximately 21 percent of families are able to attend with legal representation provided by legal aid, meaning that a huge percentage of bereaved families are having to attend what can often be a stressful inquest without a legal mind to clarify things. **End Summary** Topics: personal injury lawyer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Get legal aid today - speak to a personal injury lawyer for free legal advice.

Cheap cars to insure

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Downgrading your car is an easy method to lower the cost of insurance whilst if youâ€™re lucky enough making a little profit out of your old car. There are two options you can take; selling your car and buying a cheaper one privately which can be time consuming and stressful. The easier but more expensive option is to go to a car dealer who will possibly sell you a cheaper car and buy your old car off you. Remember times are hard for business too, so tread carefully when dealing with a car dealer. Insurance Classification If you have decided to take this option then what you need to know are what cars are cheaper to insure than others. There is no point buying an older, cheaper car if it will cost more to insure than the car you sold. It is important to remember that car insurance companies have different classifications ranging from 1 being the lowest to 50 being the highest. These are set by the association of British Motor Insurers and cannot be changed by the insurance company so fear not your 1. **End Summary** Topics: car]]> insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out what your car insurance group is by contacting your insurance provider and see if you can shop around for a better quote. Always try using a price comparison website as it gives a better indication of pricing.

Ledgers Life Insurance policy can finally be put to bed

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Hollywood's history is littered with talented actors and actresses dying in tragic circumstances, Heath Ledgers death shocked the acting world early last year and whilst tributes poured in for the Ledgers family his life insurance company launched an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. News earlier last week revealed that a settlement has been reached meaning that ledgers daughter Matilda will receive an undisclosed settlement from Ledgers life insurance provider ReliaStar. His death still causes a lot of pain for some actresses as fellow Aussie and ex girlfriend Naomi Watts revealed recently to American magazine Parade It was just something deep in his eyes. You could look into them, and they would tell a thousand stories in one glance. There was a wonderful mixture of power and fragility at work in everything he did, which just pulls you in. His strength didn't scare you. It intrigued you. His fragility touched you It's still incredibly difficult [to talk about]. Heath Ledger who died just before the release of the much acclaimed Dark Night, and whilst initial reports were sketchy the Media went into the frenzy writing about possible drug addictions, depression and a possible suicide attempt. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]>