Articles by Foster Carr on ArticleSnatch.com

Insurance for people who rent their homes

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you rent your home then your landlord is responsible for getting buildings insurance to cover the costs of repairing or rebuilding the actual structure. Your possessions will not be insured by the landlord so you need to get a separate contents insurance policy. The cheapest contents insurance policies will give you protection against financial losses if your things are damaged or destroyed by flood, fire or theft. A slightly higher premium will buy you cover for your belongings even if they are damaged or stolen when you are away from home. This cover can be especially handy for expensive items such as laptops, mobile phones or jewellery. If the home you rent is fully furnished by the landlord, then the chances are that the costs of mending or replacing any damaged items will be taken out of your deposit. You may want to take out a special tenants contents insurance policy which will protect your deposit. Shop around and you will find that these policies can be very reasonably priced. If you share your rented property with others, some insurers will allow you to take out a joint policy. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Visit Kwik Fit Insurance where you can call up competitive house insurance quotes in no time.

Sever weather warning: are you covered ?

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Most home insurance will cover flood and storm damage. As a minimum you should have buildings insurance which covers you against the costs of repairing, or in extreme cases rebuilding your home, but you would be wise to also take out contents insurance to protect your belongings. Even if your home and contents are insured, flood or storm damage can be very unpleasant and while you may be able to purchase new goods, items of sentimental value will be irreplaceable. To reduce the chances of damage, make sure that your home is well maintained. To prevent leaks check your roof for missing tiles and make sure gutters are clear of dead leaves. Cut back overhanging or dead branches which could come down in high winds and cause damage. Make sure that you back up your computer regularly, as lightning strikes can cause electricity surges that may damage your computer. Likewise leaks and floods can damage your hard drive. Even if you replace the computer, important files such as photographs will be lost. In a thunderstorm, unplug electrical goods, computers and telephones. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> It only takes a few moments to get our house insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.

Home Insurance Explained, Buildings Insurance

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Buildings insurance is a type of home insurance. If your home is destroyed or made uninhabitable by fire, storm, flood or vandalism then buildings insurance will cover your financial losses. To get a mortgage you will normally be required to take out buildings insurance to protect the asset on which the loan is based. The level of cover available varies wildly, and typically the cheaper the policy the less will be covered in the event of disaster. A basic buildings insurance policy ought to cover the structure of your home and should include permanent fixtures such as your bathroom suite and fitted kitchen. Outbuildings like garages, greenhouses and sheds are covered by most policies, but other outside items like plants, fences and boundary walls may not be. Do be sure that your policy covers the cost of completely rebuilding your house, including any amendments you have made. Make sure that you tell your insurer if you make any significant improvements to your home, for example the building of an extension. Your buildings insurance premium will be calculated based on the condition the insurer knew your home to be in, and any claims you are awarded will be based on this. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> With Kwik Fit Insurance house insurance , your home and your treasured possessions will be well-protected from the unexpected.

Maintaning your home

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

To get a mortgage you will normally at least need buildings insurance to protect you from financial losses if the house itself is destroyed or damaged, but you would need full home insurance including contents insurance to cover your belongings as well. Even if you do have full home insurance however, you may not be aware that if your home is not properly maintained then your insurance policy could be invalidated. This could mean you are left with the bill for any repairs, or in the worst case scenario, rebuilding your house if the problems were due to a lack of basic maintenance. There are some simple steps you can take to maintain your home to prevent problems. These will help you to comply with the terms of your home insurance policy and will also avoid help you avoid the hassle any damage and having to make a claim. To prevent water causing dampness by seeping into walls, make sure that gutters are free of leaves and debris. The damp course should be checked to make sure it is not clogged, as this can also lead to dampness which can be troublesome and expensive to repair. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Visit Kwik Fit Insurance where you can call up competitive home insurance quotes in no time.

Home insurance: cutting your costs

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you want to reduce the cost of your home insurance, you will as a minimum still need buildings insurance to cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home. It is up to you whether you want to also insure the things inside your home, although it could be an expensive gamble if something did go wrong and you were uninsured. However, there are a few easy things you can do to reduce your premium that that will not leave you unprotected and that cost little or are free. Firstly, shop around for your home insurance. With so many companies offering so many different deals, you may find big savings or a more appropriate level of cover at a cheaper price. Price comparison websites can be an easy way of looking at lots of providers, and most have simple guidance to help you understand the different levels of cover as well as giving prices for many different companies. It is important that the policy you have meets your needs so do look at the small print before making your decision. Buying your buildings and contents insurance from the same company can help reduce the price. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Whatever you call home, whether it's a three-bedroom semi, a country cottage, or a penthouse apartment, Kwik Fit Insurance's panel of leading insurers find you the best price for home insurance .

Home insurance: Fires.

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

All of us dread house fires, and even if not deadly the effects can be devastating. You must have home insurance to repair or reconstruct your house if it is destroyed or damaged by a fire, but of course the worst costs of fire could be injuries or even deaths. Even if nobody is hurt, house fires can be extremely traumatic and the loss of irreplaceable items with sentimental value like family photographs can be very upsetting. Insurers are naturally keen to help customers to reduce the risk of house fires, not only because of the high costs to them if a customer needs to claim, but also because of the high risks of death or serious injury from even fairly small house fires. Make sure that smoke alarms are installed and are regularly checked. Fire alarms should be replaced at least every ten years. Ensure that any windows that have bars can be opened from the inside to allow family members to escape in an emergency. Talk about escape plans with the household so that if a fire should break out, everyone knows what to do even if they are on their own. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out how you could save on your household, building and contents insurance cover with Kwik Fit's home insurance .

Insuring your home

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

With so many home insurance products on the market the choice can be baffling, and with big differences in the price of policies and the protection they give you, take time to think about your needs rather than just going for the cheapest deal available. Most mortgage providers will require you to have buildings insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your home in case of disaster. Mortgage companies lend you money in the knowledge that if for any reason you fail to make your payments they can take your house as an asset, so for this reason they will insist that the asset is insured. You should make sure that your buildings cover includes the cost of alternative accommodation in the event that your home is uninhabitable. It is also worth checking whether the policy covers the cost of rebuilding or if it gives the market value of your property. As well as the physical structure like the walls and roof, your buildings insurance policy should cover any permanent fixtures in your home, including for example your bathroom suite, fitted kitchen cabinets and garden shed. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> It only takes a few moments to get our home insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.

Home insurance:different types of cover

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

There are two main types of home insurance, buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance is for protection against financial losses if the actual structure or permanent fixtures of your home are damaged or destroyed. Contents insurance gives you cover for the items in your home that would go with you if you moved. With lots of different policies available providing very different levels of cover, there are some things you should be aware of when buying a policy. It is extremely important that your building insurance policy gives you cover for the whole cost of rebuilding your property and not just the market value. This will protect you from fluctuations in the property market and will usually give you a cheaper premium. The land your house stands on is not likely to be badly affected by fire or flood, and it is often much less costly to rebuild a house on the existing plot than to buy another. Remember that similar houses may be worth different amounts even if they are only a few streets apart, but the cost of rebuilding will be the same. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> It only takes a few moments to get our contents insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.

How burglaries affect your home insurance

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It is very difficult to make your house totally burglar proof, but there are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood that you will be targeted. Suitable home insurance, including both buildings and contents insurance, will offer you protection against financial losses associated with replacing or repairing anything that is stolen or damaged. However, the feeling that your home has been violated and the loss of things with sentimental value can be extremely upsetting. The best way to make sure your house is not a target for thieves is to ensure that your home is not an easy mark for the opportunist criminal. To make your house as secure as possible, be sure to lock your doors and windows and use your burglar alarm if you have one. Even if you are at home, thieves have been known to let themselves in to unlocked houses and snatch car keys or a handbag without the owners even being aware they had been there, so dont leave valuables by the door where they can be stolen. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> With Kwik Fit Insurance home insurance , your home and your treasured possessions will be well-protected from the unexpected.

Information on Contents Insurance

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Contents insurance is a type of home insurance. Your belongings that are not actually a part of the physical structure of your house are not protected by buildings insurance, which is usually compulsory if you need to take out a mortgage. Contents insurance is there so you do not have to pay all the costs of repairing or replacing your things if they are stolen, destroyed or damaged by flood or fire. There is a wide variety of home insurance policies available. For a slightly higher premium, some will cover items like your laptop or handbag even when you are away from home. At the cheaper end of the scale, if you want a low premium you can find really competitive deals but the price of the home insurance policy you buy will certainly affect the level of cover you get. The cheapest type of contents insurance is indemnity insurance, which will pay only what your damaged or lost property would have been worth to sell. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out how you could save on your household, building and contents insurance cover with Kwik Fit's Home Insurance.

Where to buy your next second hand car

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

There are many different approaches to buying a second hand car, such as buying from an independent dealership or attending an auction. Although there are pros and cons to each option, you can end up getting a great deal out of any of them if you play your cards right. Here, we shall discuss most of the common methods of buying a used car, and the things to look out for with each one. One of the more expensive places to buy a used car is at an authorised dealership. However, these places are usually pretty generous with their trade ins, and offer quite a high level of customer service and quality assurance. They only usually sell one or two different makes of car, so if you need a wider choice, you should look elsewhere. If you feel that you need a certain level of customer service and quality assurance, but want a wider choice than is available at franchised dealerships, then you might want to consider buying a car from an independent dealership. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Let Kwik Fit Insurance get you a cheap car insurance quote, using our simple and fast quote process.

What type of used car is right for you?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Before buying a used car, you should consider what you will be using it for. If you do a lot of city driving, then you will probably want to keep the size of your vehicle down so that parking will be easier, whereas if you engage in a lot of outdoor activities, then you might want to consider getting a larger, more rugged vehicle such as a 4x4 or an MPV. In this article, we shall look at the various car types that can be found on the second hand market, and discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of each type. City cars in good condition tend to be expensive, as they are often subjected to some fairly rough treatment and can get tatty quite quickly as a result. Small hatchbacks are one of the more popular types of car because they are cheap to run and insure, and are also very versatile. They tend to be quite cheap, although this is more to do with their low initial price than a lack of demand. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Let Kwik Fit Insurance get you car insurance quotes , using our simple and fast quote process.

Tips for improving your car security

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Over the past ten years or so, car crime has fallen dramatically. This is partly due to the popularity of highly effective engine immobiliser devices, and partly due to the decreasing demand for used cars which has come about as a result of the soaring cost of keeping a car refuelled and on the road. Most modern cars have engine immobilisers, making them very tricky to steal outright, and this has led to a massive reduction in the number of cars stolen for joyriding purposes. Professional car thieves have turned their attention away from stealing whole cars to stealing valuable, and easily accessible parts of cars, such as catalytic converters, sat nav systems, and number plates. Catalytic converters are hugely valuable as spare parts or even as scrap, due to the fact that they are full of precious metals. By leaving your car parked in a secure area such as a lock up or a car park with CCTV, you can reduce the risk that someone will climb under your car and steal your catalytic converter. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kwik Fit Insurance can offer some great deals on car insurance especially for mature drivers and drivers with full no-claims bonus.

Stay safe on the motorway

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you want to keep your car insurance premiums down, one of the best ways to go about it is to drive defensively, thereby reducing your risk of being involved in an accident. A lot of accidents come about as a direct result of motorway congestion, much of which could be avoided if everyone adhered to the correct etiquette for motorway driving. Here are a few tips to help you ease congestion, and prevent accidents, when you are out on the motorway: Use the slip road to build up to the correct speed for the motorway before you try to merge into traffic, in order to minimise disruption and the need for sudden braking on the part of approaching cars, which can cause pile ups. Unless you are overtaking, always drive in the left hand lane. Staying out in the overtaking lanes, often erroneously referred to as the fast lanes, disrupts the flow of traffic, potentially causing miles of tailbacks. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Let Kwik Fit Insurance find you the cheapest car insurance online through our panel of leading UK car insurers

Home security on a shoestring

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Perhaps the most effective way to deter burglars is by installing an alarm system, but if you cannot afford to do so, there are a number of less expensive steps that you can take to improve the security of your home. Keep any hedges, trees, and bushes near your windows trimmed back so that a potential burglar can find no hiding place in your garden, as this may be enough to make them look elsewhere. You can uprate the security of any door by installing a deadbolt, which makes the door more robust and harder to open without a key. Ideally, breaking into your home should cause as much of a disturbance as possible, so you do not want to give burglars any easy options. You can buy motion detectors which turn on your patio lights fairly cheaply, and this can be a great way to deter burglars, not to mention mischievous children, from entering the grounds of your property, and hint that you have a more involved alarm system in place. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> With Kwik Fit home insurance , your home and your treasured possessions will be well-protected from the unexpected.

The cheapskate guide to home security

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

One of the best ways to improve your home security and bring down your home insurance premium is to install an alarm system. However, alarm systems can be quite expensive to install and maintain. Thankfully, there are a number of steps that you can take to improve your home security situation without breaking the bank. Donâ€™t allow burglars any hiding places on your property. Make sure that any hedges, bushes, shrubberies or trees that are near windows and doors are kept trimmed, so that the potential burglar, upon seeing the lack of places to hide, is less likely to choose your property as the scene of their next crime. You can uprate the security of any door by installing a deadbolt, which makes the door more robust and harder to open without a key. Ideally, breaking into your home should cause as much of a disturbance as possible, so you do not want to give burglars any easy options. Motion lights, which light up the outside of your house when someone approaches, can be a highly effective, not to mention inexpensive, way of deterring burglars, as many will assume that they come as part of a more involved alarm setup. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Find out how you could save on your household, building and contents insurance cover with Kwik Fit's home insurance .

What types of water damage are covered by home insurance?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It is not always the case that every type of water damage is covered by a typical home insurance policy, and insurers can be quite particular about what they will and will not pay out for. Here is a handy guide to the circumstances in which an insurer will be likely pay out on a water damages claim, and also to the circumstances in which they are unlikely to pay out. Unless your home owners insurance policy specifically states that it will pay out in the event of damage caused by a flood, then the chances are that they will not, as flood damage is usually not covered as standard as part of most insurance policies. However, if you have sustained water damage due to a pipe leaking in your house, causing damage over a period of time, then you will most likely not be covered, as it is your duty to ensure that all the plumbing and fixtures in your home are maintained. If you are unsure as to what exactly is covered by your insurance policy, check the exact wording of your policy documents. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kwik Fit Insurance can help your to find car insurance that"'s right for you, at the right price - right away.

Home insurance: what to do when you have to make a claim

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you have to make a claim on your home insurance policy, the first thing you should do is notify the insurance company as soon as possible. After you have given your insurance agent an outline of what you need to file a claim for, they will let you know what steps to take. Keep the contact details of your agent in your wallet or on your mobile phone, in case you cannot get access to it in your home. Keep track of all the communications that you have with your insurer regarding the claim, as this may be useful to you further down the line. Take pictures or video clips of the affected areas of your house using a digital camera, such as the one on your mobile phone, as this may also prove helpful. 1. Keep a bit of paper or a notepad on you at all times so that you can write down anything that you notice is damaged or missing, as this information will be required when you come to make the claim. 2. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Whatever you call home, whether it"'s a three-bedroom semi, or a penthouse apartment, Kwik Fit's panel of leading insurers find you the best price for home insurance .

Purchasing a second hand car

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you are looking to buy a used car, you should check the condition of the vehicle thoroughly before committing to the purchase, as a lack of thoroughness now could lead to a lot of expensive repairs further down the line. Here are some of the things to look out for. Take a look inside the car, in particular for any standing water or stains, as these may be the result of a leak, which can be expensive to fix. Check all of the controls, switches, and buttons in turn to see that they all work the way they are supposed to, and make sure that all the lights and displays are functioning as they should. 1. DYou should then turn your attention to the bodywork of the car. Is it free from scratches, dents, and rust? It is important to check the condition of a car during the daytime, in dry weather, so that you do not miss any important details. Make sure you crouch down and get a good look at the underside of the bodywork, as it is this area that is most likely to be affected by scratches and rust. 2. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Come to Kwik Fit Insurance for a car insurance quote and we"'ll get you one in double-quick time.

5 ways to cut your car insurance costs

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most expensive aspects of vehicle ownership is the cost of insurance. There is no getting around this, as it is illegal to drive without insurance, but there are a few things that you can do to keep your insurance premium in check. Due to the fact that smaller, less powerful, and less valuable cars present less of a financial risk to the insurance company than large, flashy, powerful ones, they tend to be cheaper to insure as well. Insurance companies use a generic ratings scale that goes from one for small, cheap cars to twenty for large, powerful, or flashy cars. It is important to bear this in mind when buying a car, as the insurance can sometimes end up costing more than the vehicle itself over the course of a few years. 1. If you are going to have anyone else driving the vehicle aside from yourself, then you need to have their details listed on the insurance policy. Listing additional drivers on your policy can increase the cost of your premium quite dramatically. 2. **End Summary** Topics: travel insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kwik Fit Insurance offer excellent value car insurance on premium models such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.

How to Reduce the Cost of Home Insurance

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you want to reduce the cost of your home insurance, you will as a minimum still need buildings insurance to cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home. It is up to you whether you want to also insure the things inside your home, although it could be an expensive gamble if something did go wrong and you were uninsured. However, there are a few easy things you can do to reduce your premium that that will not leave you unprotected and that cost little or are free. Firstly, shop around for your home insurance. With so many companies offering so many different deals, you may find big savings or a more appropriate level of cover at a cheaper price. There are lots of price comparison websites, and most will help you understand the different levels of cover as well as just quoting prices. It is important that the policy you have meets your needs so do look at the details. If you get your buildings and contents insurance from the same company you will often get a better price. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Whatever you call home, whether it's a three-bedroom semi, a country cottage, or a penthouse apartment, Kwik Fit Insurance's panel of leading insurers find you the best price for home insurance .

Home Insurance, Types of Cover to Consider

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

There are two main types of home insurance, buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance is for protection against financial losses if the actual structure or permanent fixtures of your home are damaged or destroyed. Contents insurance gives you cover for the items in your home that would go with you if you moved. With lots of different policies available providing very different levels of cover, there are some things you should be aware of when buying a policy. In buildings insurance it is of utmost importance that the full cost of rebuilding your property is covered and not just the market value. The land your house is built on is unlikely to be damaged by fire or flood, and it is often cheaper to rebuild a house on the existing plot than to buy another. Bear in mind that similar houses just a few streets apart may be worth different amounts, but rebuilding costs will be the same. For contents insurance you must ensure that you do not under insure, meaning that the maximum your insurer will pay does not cover your losses. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> It only takes a few moments to get our contents insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.

Home Insurance, What is Buildings Insurance?

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Buildings insurance is a type of home insurance. If your home is destroyed or made uninhabitable by fire, storm, flood or vandalism then buildings insurance will cover your financial losses. Mortgage providers will usually insist that you have buildings insurance because the loan is based on the fact that they can repossess your house if you are unable to pay. There are many policies with different levels of cover available but normally cheaper policies offer less financial protection in the event of disaster with smaller payouts and fewer expenses covered. A basic buildings insurance policy ought to cover the structure of your home and should include permanent fixtures such as your bathroom suite and fitted kitchen. Outbuildings like garages, greenhouses and sheds are covered by most policies, but other outside items like plants, fences and boundary walls may not be. Do be sure that your policy covers the cost of completely rebuilding your house, including any amendments you have made. Make sure that you tell your insurer if you make any significant improvements to your home, for example the building of an extension. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> With Kwik Fit Insurance house insurance , your home and your treasured possessions will be well-protected from the unexpected.

Home Insurance for Tenants

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Your landlord will probably have buildings insurance to cover the actual building that you rent. You need to insure anything of yours that you keep in the property with a separate contents insurance policy. The least expensive contents insurance policies protect you against financial losses if your things are damaged or destroyed by fire, theft or flood. For a slightly higher premium, you can get cover for your possessions even if they are damaged or stolen when you are outside the home. This can be especially useful for expensive items like laptops, mobile phones and jewellery. If the home you rent is fully furnished by the landlord, then the chances are that the costs of mending or replacing any damaged items will be taken out of your deposit. You may want to take out a special tenants contents insurance policy which will protect your deposit. Shop around and you will find that these policies can be very reasonably priced. If you share your rented property with others, some insurers offer special joint policies for tenants. This can be a cheaper option than each of you getting separate contents insurance. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Visit Kwik Fit Insurance where you can call up competitive house insurance quotes in no time.

Flood and storm damage, Your Home Insurance

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Most home insurance will cover flood and storm damage. As a minimum you should have buildings insurance which covers you against the costs of repairing, or in extreme cases rebuilding your home, but you would be wise to also take out contents insurance to protect your belongings. Even if your home and contents are insured, flood or storm damage can be very unpleasant and while you may be able to purchase new goods, items of sentimental value will be irreplaceable. To reduce the chances of damage, make sure that your home is well maintained. To prevent leaks check your roof for missing tiles and make sure gutters are clear of dead leaves. Cut back overhanging or dead branches which could come down in high winds and cause damage. Back up your computer regularly, because lightning strikes can cause electricity surges that may damage your computer and other electrical appliances. Leaks and floods can also damage your hard drive and electrical equipment. Even if you replace the computer, important files like family photographs will be lost. In a thunderstorm, unplug electrical appliances, telephones and computers. **End Summary** Topics: home insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> It only takes a few moments to get our house insurance quotes online with Kwik Fit Home Insurance.