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  1. How to Get Cover for Underpinned Property

    May 15, 2013 by The Boss

    You might have been told that your house needs underpinning or you may be considering purchasing property that you know to have unstable foundations. In either case it’s important to know what underpinning is and how it can benefit you. Having a property underpinned can strengthen its foundations a lot and therefore add to its value and make getting insurance a lot easier.

     What is Underpinning?

     Underpinning is a process where new foundations are inserted underneath the current ones. The aim is to strengthen the foundations and therefore decrease the risk of subsidence. Sometimes you may be able to claim for underpinning on your home insurance policy but this will vary depending on who you have your insurance with.

     What is Subsidence?

     The most common reason that people have underpinning carried out on a property is because of subsidence. Subsidence is where a building will sink into the ground because it’s on unstable foundations. A lot of properties in the UK are at risk of subsidence because of a variety of factors. One of the main causes of subsidence is dry weather. When there’s little rainfall, the soil dries up and begines to swell and crack.

    If there are a lot of large trees and shrubs near your property then this can further increase the risk. The reason for this is that any plant with long roots will extend them to look for moisture in the soil causing it to crack even more.

     What Are The Warning Signs?

     One of the main warning signs of subsidence is cracks appearing on the walls, door frames and window frames of a property. It cannot always be assumed that cracks are a result of subsidence but if they are approximately 1 inch in length and appear in several different spots around the property then there’s a good chance there is subsidence. It’s always a good idea to call in an expert to assess your property if you’re uncertain.

     Where to Find Underpinned Property Insurance

     If you own a property that is underpinned then you may have a little bit of trouble getting a regular home insurance policy that will cover you for subsidence. In this case it’s a good idea to get a specialist underpinned property insurance policy from a specialist provider. Finding insurance providers who offer underpinned property insurance should not be too difficult. A Google search will give you a lot of providers to choose from.

    One of the best ways to go about getting quotes for underpinned property insurance is to use an insurance comparison service. These have become extremely popular in recent years as they allow you to get all your quotes from one place rather than having to contact different insurance providers individually.

    Thank

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  2. Looking after your staff

    May 10, 2013 by Dennis Bancroft

     

    Why not make a business decision today by implementing a health and well-being programme with the help of the experts online.  Promoting a safe and productive workforce can play an important part of your business to become more successful by helping to improve:-

    • Your workers’ health and lifestyle
    • A positive workplace culture
    • Personnel who are enthusiastic towards their employment roles
    • A business reputation for looking after your staff

     

    Professional online training companies have developed tailored, well-being programmes which meets the demands of businesses both large and small around the UK.  This provides the perfect opportunity for your personnel to receive and benefit from the relevant skills for basic health management that can be implemented in the workplace and at home.  Online case studies have proven that specific well-being courses, workshops and seminars more than address the needs of many blue chip UK organisations with positive results throughout management levels as well as individual staff members.

    Speak to an adviser soon

     

    If you feel any of your staff may need to attend performance and well-being workshops speak to an adviser today for more details. The best way to help improve staff performance is by firstly selecting those individuals you feel could benefit from unique online assessments which will provide you with the relevant information whether or not to enrol them on future well-being workshops and training courses.  This type of individual or group participation can also help to reduce:-

    1. Workplace injuries
    2. Absenteeism
    3. Workers’ compensation
    4. Staff discontent
    5. Poor performance

     

    Of course, legislation in the UK means that you have a duty of care towards your workforce.  Let’s face it, it’s unwise to neglect well-being issues especially when increasing numbers of staff are using the services of no win no fee solicitors to pursue work-related compensation claims if they feel you have been negligent towards them.  An injury or accident at work due to stress or lack of care may cost you thousands of pounds in compensation payments including solicitors fees, if you’re found to be at fault for even minor misdemeanors.

    Register online today

     

    It will only take a few minutes of your time to register online to receive interesting newsletters which are packed with handy hints, tips and advice concerning well-being workshops, management training, staff stress issues along with improving personnel performance.  Adapt to the future by incorporating a well-being programme as part of your business set up.

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  3. How Fleet Insurance Can Benefit You

    January 25, 2013 by Dennis Bancroft

    Insuring multiple vehicles, whether they’re for private or commercial use, can be a headache if you don’t know the right way to go about it. There are many scenarios where multiple vehicles need to be insured. Many businesses such as taxi firms and car showrooms will have a large number of vehicles, all which have to be insured. Insuring a large number of vehicles with individual policies can be very costly and time consuming. With fleet insurance you can insure any number of vehicles, all under the same policy. Below is an explanation of what fleet insurance covers and who can benefit from it.

    For Business

    There are many businesses that have a large number of vehicles in the inventory. Running a business that relies on the use of motor vehicles can be stressful and time consuming so anything that reduces time spent doing paperwork is a big bonus. When insuring business vehicles under a fleet policy it’s important to look at what the vehicles are being used for. In the case of a taxi firm or any business where members of the public are being transported for profit, it’s a legal requirement to have public liability cover included in your insurance.

    Breakdown recovery and vehicle replacement are also essential options for business fleet insurance. Any company that’s making use of vehicles needs to ensure that any damaged vehicles are either replaced or fixed immediately.

    For Individuals and Families 

    Fleet insurance has become very popular amongst private individuals and families in recent years. Whether you are a car collector or have a large family with multiple cars, fleet insurance gives you the advantage of saving time and money on your insurance. Often when families have young drivers who’ve just passed their test, they find it difficult to get insurance at an affordable price. Fleet insurance is ideal is such scenarios as the family as a whole will be assessed rather than just one person.

    How Cost is Calculated 

    When calculating the cost of a fleet policy the insurance provider will take various factors into account. The first thing they’ll look at are the types of vehicles being insured and their value. Next will be the named drivers who will be driving the vehicles. The options included in the policy will also play a significant factor. If like-for-like vehicle replacement is needed as part of the policy then the cost is going to be significantly higher. If the vehicles being covered are transporting valuable goods then this will also be taken into account

    Getting Quotes 

    Finding quotes for fleet insurance is relatively straight forward. You should have no problem finding insurance providers online who you’ll be able to obtain quotes from. The best way to go about it is to obtain several quotes from different insurance providers. The ensures that you are aware of the average price being offered so that you can select the best deal for your needs. An excellent place to get quotes is http://www.fleet-insurance.net

    Category Car Insurance | Tags: | Comments Off

  4. Your guide to static caravan insurance

    December 20, 2012 by editor

    There are generally two types of caravans, touring or static, insurance for caravans is different for both kinds. A static caravan is usually on a semi-permanent pitch on a caravan site so doesn’t require as much insurance as its counterpart the touring caravan. Statics are serviced with water, sewers and electricity in contrast to a caravan that is towed behind a vehicle often travelling long distances. caravan Your guide to static caravan insuranceWith this in mind a touring caravan is obviously subject to risks on the road which can include collisions with other vehicles, accidents caused by side winds and also incorrect loading of the caravan itself. Static caravans have different types of risks such as site flooding and damage caused by falling trees, so should be insured accordingly.

    Shop Around

    As with any other insurance, for instance car, home, life and travel it’s advisable to shop around for caravan insurance by searching online. Caravans are used so much more throughout peak holiday seasons so you could save some money for insurance by requesting a free no-obligation quote from an online broker out of season, maybe during the winter months. Caravan owners are often surprised to find out that insurance companies have different rates for different times of the year. Another tip for saving money is by letting a broker know how often you intend to take your caravan out on the road. If you’re only using it for your annual summer vacation they may offer you temporary static caravan insurance for that period only. Caravan owners who have years of no-claims bonuses for their cars may benefit from extra discounts from brokers on their caravan insurance, they should speak to an adviser about this and other possible savings. Caravanners who have installed safety devices for example immobilisers, wheel clamps or alarms could be offered additional savings too as brokers will see their caravan as less of a security risk than vehicles that have no security at all.

    Established Brokers

    Established brokers are the people to contact regarding caravan insurance. They employ professional staff who can provide you with a tailor-made caravan policy and have online facilities in place for owners to instantly get a quote and buy an insurance package. Check out the following which is usually included in caravan insurance supplied by experienced brokers:-

    • IAM caravan course discount
    • Caravan club discount
    • Public liability cover
    • Standard European cover
    Thanks to  multiquotecaravan.co.uk for the article – you can compare quotes online from caravan insurance specialists and save!

     

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  5. Don’t Leave Your Home Unprotected While You’re Away

    December 16, 2012 by Dennis Bancroft

    As a home owner they’ll likely come a time when you’ll need to leave your house unoccupied for a period of time. The most common times people leave their homes unoccupied is when they are on holiday or when having renovation work done. Often it’s not necessary to take out an empty house insurance policy as most regular home insurance polices cover your home for up to 30 days when it’s unoccupied. However if you’re going to leave your home for a longer period of time then it’s vital that you have it properly protected with an empty house insurance policy.

    It is a proven fact that when a home is unoccupied the risks from theft and vandalism increase greatly. Signs such as overgrown lawn and an unlit house act as magnets for thieves. This being the case you will want to ensure that you have contents cover included as part of your insurance policy. The value of your contents will play a role in the price your pay for your policy. It’s a very good idea to itemize all the contents that you want to have covered as well as taking pictures of them. Having pictures of your contents makes the claims process go much easier as you’re able to provide proof to your insurance provider that you owned the item.

    Getting away from the risks posed by burglars – structural damage is another big risk with unoccupied properties. For example if a water pipe was to break whilst your home is unoccupied then the house would be flooded as there’s no one there to get it fixed. Fire is another big risk to unoccupied properties. Even if the fire didn’t start in your home it could easily spread from a nearby house or shed.

     

    Where to Find Quotes

    When it comes time to get empty house insurance quotes you have a couple of different options available to you. Firstly you can look in a business directory such as the Yellow Pages and search for insurance providers. Whilst this is a relatively easy way to find insurance providers, often they will not specialize in empty house insurance. To find providers who specialize in a particular kind of insurance it’s usually better to look online.

    By searching on Google for providers of empty house insurance you should be able to find a good amount of insurance providers to choose from. Most insurance providers now have a website where you’ll be able to obtain quotes quickly and easily. When you’re looking for quotes you should get not just one, but as many as possible so you can compare them against each other. The price you are quoted can vary quite a bit depending on the insurance provider so it’s certainly worth making the effort to shop around

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  6. Ways To Obtain Comparison Restaurant Insurance Quotes

    December 10, 2012 by The Boss

    Cafe and restaurant insurance is a specialist business.  Unlike car and home insurance, getting restaurant insurance quotes is not as easy as walking down your local High Street and calling into your local banks and building societies.  So, how do you find the right cafe insurance quotes for you?

    In order to get the right cover, it’s crucial to approach specialist brokers or insurers and undertake a restaurant insurance comparison.  In our guide we look at what cover you should consider when buying restaurant insurance.  We also consider the advantages and disadvantages of the two main ways that you can obtain restaurant insurance quotes.

    Cover you should consider when buying restaurant insurance

    When you’re shopping for restaurant insurance it’s important that you take both the cost and the quality of cover into account.  Choosing the cheapest

    insurance might help you to save money, but you may later find that you aren’t covered for certain risks.  As a rule, restaurant owners like their insurance comparison to include:

    • Public liability insurance
    • Employer’s liability insurance
    • Business interruption insurance
    • Buildings and contents insurance

    You can also choose to protect yourself against a range of other risks including accidental damage, money cover, loss of licence and legal protection.  So, now you know what cover is available, keep reading to learn more about two ways you can obtain restaurant insurance quotes.

    Contact brokers and specialist insurers yourself

    Restaurant insurance is a specialist area.  When you open up your local Yellow Pages or search your local town you may only find a limited number of local insurance brokers or specialist insurers that can provide restaurant insurance quotes.

    Some people like using a local service as it’s sometimes easier to call in if you have any queries about your policy or you need to make a claim.  However, you may find that ringing round various insurers and brokers to obtain restaurant insurance quotes is time consuming.  You will often have to repeat the same information about you and your business to each insurer or broker in order to get a quote.

    Using an online restaurant insurance quotes service

    Instead of approaching insurers individually, many people prefer to use an online restaurant insurance quotes service.

    Comparison websites are generally extremely easy to use.  Typically, you will complete one form with your personal details, the details of your business and the risks that you want to be covered.  The website will then forward your information to a range of specialist insurers and you’ll receive tailor made restaurant insurance quotes.

     

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  7. Insuring Your Classic Car

    December 6, 2012 by Dennis Bancroft

    If you’re lucky enough to own a classic car then getting it insured should be your number one priority. Classic cars certainly attract attention but this isn’t always the attention you want and they can often be the target of thieves and vandals. Whilst it is possible to get your classic car covered under a regular car insurance policy, this is far from ideal as you’ll often pay over the odds and will not receive an adequate level of coverage. In this article I’ll look at what exactly is entailed in classic car insurance and how you can go about getting the best quote possible.

    What’s Entaiiled

    The first thing to look at is what the definition of a classic car is in the eyes of insurance providers. Whilst it may vary slightly, as a general rule a car must be at least 20-40 years old to be considered classic. Cars that were manufactured before 1930 fall under the veteran or vintage definition. Insuring a classic car requires a special type of policy and the reason for this is down to both the value of the vehicle and how it is used.

    To start with the value – the reason a classic car is not suited to a regular car insurance policy is because it doesn’t have a defined value that’s set by the market like a modern car does. Rather a classic cars value is much more open to interpretation. Owners of classic cars will often see the value of the vehicle as the highest price they’ve been offered for it or have it seen being sold for. Whereas insurance providers will want to set the value as low as possible for obvious reasons. This is where an agreed valuation policy comes in.

    With an agreed valuation policy, both you and your insurance provider will come to an agreement as to the value of your classic car prior to you taking out a policy. This is very important because if you’re car was to be written off, you would be fully compensated for your loss. Most of the time an agreement as able to reached between the car owner and insurance provider but you shouldn’t settle for anything less than what you’re happy with. If you know your car is worth a certain amount and the insurance provider tries to knock you down you should look elsewhere.

    Another common option you’ll find with classic car insurance is limited annual mileage. By agreeing to drive your classic car under a certain agreed annual mileage you’ll be able to save a good amount on your policy. Many people will only drive their classic cars on special occasions so this option is ideal if this applies to you.

     

     

     

     

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  8. Cheap Caravan Insurance for everyone

    November 2, 2012 by editor

    Whether you have a static or touring caravan brokers can help you find the cheapest caravan insurance quotes. They regularly update their policies to cover all models of caravans so customers can benefit from:-

    • Low minimum premiums
    • No age limit on owners of caravans
    • Low policy excess
    • Free continental cover up to 240 days per year

     

    They have reliable partnerships with many of the UK’s leading insurance companies which helps them to pass on so many benefits to their customers. Why not request a free no-obligation quote today to see exactly how much you can save?

    Caravan Insurance discounts

    There are various types of insurance cover available from reputable brokers that differ depending on your caravan model, age of caravan, value of the vehicle, location as well as policy features. Brokers can sum up all the necessary caravan insurance information to make it easy for you to choose and take advantage of different discounts such as:-

    • Money off for security devices such as trackers, alarms and wheel clamps
    • Being a member of caravan clubs
    • Touring caravans which are stored on CaSSOA sites

    Brokers realise how important it is for caravan owners to have the necessary cover at the best possible price.

    Touring Caravan Insurance

    Experienced brokers can offer touring caravan insurance for those people who own a caravan and like to be out and about on the UK roads especially when going on holiday. Generally owners take everything with them to make their caravan feel like home from home which should be protected with touring caravan insurance. It gives them peace of mind knowing their caravan will be looked after financially if an accident or theft was to happen. Unfortunately caravans are ideal targets for thieves who may be on the lookout for jewellery, mobile phones or laptops, items like these should always be insured.

    Static Caravan Insurance

    Static caravan insurance is absolutely necessary for owners to protect their caravan and its contents. This type of caravan may be sited in one place however it still needs to be insured with a policy that covers the structure of the caravan. If the caravan itself was to be damaged by fire, water or storms then without protected cover you could lose your prize asset as well as all your personal possessions too. Don’t take the risk, speak to experienced brokers today about competitive static caravan insurance.

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  9. The benefits of using the services of a personal trainer

    October 11, 2012 by editor

    There’s a reason that film stars, famous business people and professional athletes use the services of personal trainers, it helps them to successfully better their health and fitness in a shorter time period than most conventional exercise methods. Today personal trainers are used by people of all ages to get their bodies into shape and improve their health, it doesn’t matter what your current fitness level is, a personal trainer won’t judge, they will simply provide a suitable training plan in order to achieve the desired results for their clients.

    Handy tips and advice

    One of the primary reasons people are turning to personal trainers is to get professional assistance to improve their:-

    • strength and flexibility
    • endurance
    • posture and balance
    • coordination

    A personal trainer will regularly monitor your progress and fine-tune your fitness plan so you get the best exercise sessions which can also help maintain a healthy weight, reduce body fat and tone it. Many people find it hard to stick to regular exercise, they soon give up and become couch potatoes again, don’t let this happen to you, a professional exercise instructor will provide all the motivation you need to overcome your biggest obstacle, which may be yourself. It’s important to look after your health, recent statistics have shown almost 50% of clients who exercise with a personal trainer have medical problems such as arthritis, diabetes and obesity, to alleviate some of the problems connected with these types of health issues exercise is thoroughly recommended.

    Online testimonials

    For a personal trainer in the areas of Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, Kent, check out client online testimonials which are very positive about:-

    1. fitness plans
    2. training methods
    3. successfully achieving individual fitness goals
    4. losing weight
    5. increasing body physique
    6. improving strength and stamina
    7. different types of training sessions
    8. the professionalism and dedication of a personal trainer

    The great thing is that you’ll be taught from the beginning how to use equipment the right way and get the maximum results from your exercise programme, of course you will have the opportunity to learn new skills that will improve your overall conditioning along with enhancing your mind, body and spirit. Read more online testimonials about people who have chosen to train a small group of friends, it’s the ideal way to motivate one another as well as reducing costs too.

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  10. What are resin fixings used for?

    October 9, 2012 by The Boss

    Many people, ranging from DIY enthusiasts right up to trade professionals, have had the frustrating and sometimes embarrassing experience of seeing their fixings pull out of wall or ceiling surfaces etc.

    To some extent, this is something of an occupational hazard but these occurrences might be reduced:

    1. these problems tend to arise for one of three reasons;
    2. the first is that incorrect fixings and fittings have been used;
    3. the second is that the actual load applied to the fixings has been outside of their maximum tolerance and specification levels;
    4. the third is that the surface and substrate is in such poor condition that it will simply not hold any fixing of any form;
    5. of course, problems might arise for a combination of one or more of these reasons. That is why it is important to look in advance at the exact nature of your requirements, including the surface you will be fixing to and the future maximum loads on whatever it is you are trying to fix;
    6. remember when looking at the loads that a good rule of thumb is to only load the fixings up to around 25% of their maximum rated capacity. That should give you a reasonable degree of slack just in case someone in future decides to put your fixings through a heavier load test than they originally said they would;
    7. when looking at surfaces and substrate, it is also a good idea not just to fly things on a wing and a prayer. Just sticking fixings into a fundamentally unsound and unstable substrate is likely simply to result in further troubles downstream.  If the surface and substrate need to be sorted out, then you should do so before starting to worry about fixings and loadings etc.;
    8. once you understand the parameters of the job you are undertaking, you’ll need to think about the type of fixings required. Remember there are numerous types of fixings (plastic, fibre, resin, cavity fixings etc) and you’ll need to select the right one for the job;
    9. resin fixings have a particular role to play in several situations, particularly where you are fixing into brick or concrete. That’s because these fixings don’t expand when placed under pressure and that in turn means that brittle surfaces and substrates may be less inclined to fracture.  That also makes them very useful when you’re working close to the edge of a surface etc.

    There are several types available and some may be more suitable to a given situation than others. You can find out more about them through web-based research or by contacting a specialist supplier who will help you choose the most appropriate fixing for the job.

     

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