August 2008 Archive

Zoom closure strands passengers

Doubling of oil prices means Zoom forced to close

Low-cost airline Zoom has cancelled all its scheduled flights after revealing it is to file for bankruptcy.

MPs call for personal carers to be paid more

Carers looking after their family and friends deserve a better deal from the government, an influential group of MPs stated today.

Covering the gap

Taking a gap year is becoming increasingly popular and not restricted to the young, as many professionals are now taking time out of work to travel the world. However, things that go wrong far from home can quickly turn disastrous.

Direct Line ad sparks vandalism complaints

Direct Line has been cleared of promoting vandalism in a radio advert by the advertising watchdog.

Two-thirds overestimate life insurance cost

Many think life insurance is more expensive than it is

Legal & General has found two-thirds of people over-estimate the cost of life insurance.

Thieves target catalytic converters and fuel

Thieves are after catalytic converters on cars

Thieves are targeting catalytic converters and fuel from parked cars, causing hundreds of pounds of damage, the AA has warned.

Can I insure my digital camera?

A reader from London wants to know if he can get specialist insurance for his digital camera.

Will I lose my no claims bonus on my second car?

A reader from London is worried about losing her no claims bonus if she has a second car with her brother and he has an accident.

Theft affects one in 11 backpackers

Backpackers are often victims of theft, study suggests

Backpackers are vulnerable to crime with one in 11 travellers admitting they have been a victim of theft while abroad.

Insurance premiums cheaper than 1931

The 1931 bookmark from Co-operative Insurance

The Co-operative Insurance has been rummaging in its archives and discovered that home insurance has actually risen very little in price over the last century.

FSA fines motor retailers for PPI failings

Motorists were being sold PPI along with their car loans

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined five motor retailers for selling payment protection insurance (PPI) without checking its suitability for customers.

Comparison sites confusion

A good deal on home insurance may be harder to find than you thought

It may be necessary to use more than one comparison site to get the best deal on insurance, research has shown.

Private medical insurance: Do you need protection?

Private medical insurance grows in popularity

Despite increased investment in the National Health Service, there are still enough complaints about the system to keep the demand for private health insurance healthy.

Pedigrees cost 15% more

Vets bills can cost pedigree owners more

Pedigree dogs cost their owners 15 per cent more in vets fees compared to mongrels, a study has shown.

Student insurance: Protect yourself and possessions

Student contents insurance needed for protection

With A-Level results out, students can now begin gearing up for university. With the decision of what to do and where to go now out of the way, it is time to think about the practical details, including a bank account and insurance. <i>Sarah Routledge </i> looks at protecting yourself in academia.