April 2012 Archive

ATOL reforms to protect holidaymakers 'don’t go far enough'

Government changes to ATOL, the holidaymakers’ protection scheme, do not go far enough, according to a report published today by the Commons Transport Committee.

Barclays raises PPI provision by £300m

Barclays is to raise its provisions for PPI compensation by £300 million

Barclays has raised its provisions to compensate customers mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) by £300 million and RBS is likely to follow suit.

Cost of car insurance falling in 2012, Shoparound index shows

Shoparound index reveals car policy quotes dip

The average premium quoted for comprehensive car insurance fell by 1.1 per cent during the first three months of this year, according to data from the AA.

PPI summit agrees commitment to help consumers

A commitment to help consumers was agreed at the PPI summit, organisers claim

The summit organised by Which? and MoneySavingExpert.com to help consumers make their own claims for PPI compensation will raise awareness and save people money, it is hoped.

One in four consumers 'unaware of PPI claims fees'

Spotlight on fees charged by claims companies

A quarter of consumers claiming for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) did not know that the companies acting for them take a fee, new research reveals.

Brits paying £448m over the odds in inheritance tax

Careful tax planning which puts life insurance under trust could save £448 million in unnecessary inheritance tax (IHT) payments, according to a new study.

Government issues follow up report on cost of motor insurance

The government has launched a follow up report on the cost of motor insurance

The government has issued its follow up report on the cost of motor insurance and pledges to hold a further insurance summit later in the spring.

DIY PPI claim campaign launched by consumer groups

Consumer groups are launching a campaign to encourage people mis-sold PPI to claim themselves

Consumer groups are to launch a campaign to encourage people mis-sold payment protection insurance to manage their own claims and avoid paying up to 25% to claims management companies.

Water companies selling "unnecessary" water pipe insurance

Which? reveals cost of 'unnecessary' pipe cover

Most of the UK’s largest water companies are promoting potentially unnecessary pipe insurance, costing consumers more than £100 million a year, a Which? study shows.

The Co-operative offers 20% discount on pet insurance

Pet insurance discount offer runs until May 31

The Co-operative Pet Insurance is celebrating National Pet Month by offering new customers 20 per cent discount when they buy a policy online.

AA: Texting motorists risk insurance hike and loss of cover

Insurers clamping down on drivers using handhelds

Motorists caught using a handheld device to phone, text or email while driving can expect a hefty premium hike or have their cover withdrawn, the AA has warned.

Black box car insurance cuts crashes by 20%, says The Co-op

Telematics could cut young drivers' insurance costs

Young drivers with telematics or ‘black box’ insurance are 20 per cent less likely to have a car crash than those with standard insurance, new research reveals.

One in three men under 25 ‘can’t change a light bulb’

Men are rapidly losing their DIY skills and are being caught up by their female counterparts, new research by the AA suggests.

LV= revamps critical illness cover

LV= gives critical illness cover a makeover

LV= has made changes to its critical illness insurance, increasing the number of conditions and partial payments covered.

Buoyant services sector lifts recession threat

Activity in the UK services sector grew in March

The latest purchasing managers index for the dominant services sector shows continued robust growth and complements the positive reports from both the manufacturing and construction sectors this week.