Wonderful NI Insurance News & Directory from England & Northern Ireland

Welcome to Wonderful NI!

Here at Wonderfulni.info we try our very best to bring you the latest financial and insurance news from the UK with particular emphasis on Northern Ireland whereever possible.

We are always looking for guest writers so if you are a talented financial writer, please get in touch.

Dave Johnson
The WelcomeNI Team


17May/12Off

Ask for a Shop Insurance Quote

Retail insurance covers commercial retailers and shops which can be provided by reputable online brokers however it’s important to compare prices especially if you wish to purchase multiple shop insurance policies.  Unfortunately sometimes unforeseen circumstances can interrupt your shop trading which can result in loss of revenue as well as the loss of customers, to prevent losing income speak to brokers and request a shop insurance quote for business interruption cover which can be purchased up to one year.  There’s a wide range of shop insurance cover available from standard packages to individually tailored policies that cover many risks without compromising on premium prices.

Click online for a quote

Clicking online to receive a competitive shop insurance quote is so easy to do, cover can be provided for both standard and enhanced options.  Standard policies offer cover for various risks including public and employers liability, stock cover, glass as well as fixtures and fittings, including contents protection.  Enhanced options will allow you to increase the levels of:-

  • public liability
  • business interruption
  • goods in transit
  • electrical equipment breakdown
  • theft of cash
  • seasonal stock loss.

When choosing to purchase shop insurance online from brokers you have the option to pay by monthly direct debit to help spread the costs.

Compare the market for shop cover

By completing an online quote application form brokers can compare UK insurance market for the best shop insurance cover levels for you to choose from.  Answer a few simple questions about your shop and you will receive immediate quotes from at least three providers offering you a variety of different level of cover at suitable prices.  If you prefer to talk to a broker about your shop insurance needs then make contact today by telephone where a specialist will discuss your requirements in more detail.

What does shop insurance cover include?

When requesting a shop insurance quote it’s important to read policy details online to see what the premiums include.  Fully comprehensive shop insurance will cover most of the following, damage to signs, accidental glass breakage to fixed glass or sanitary ware, loss of freezer contents, theft by shop employees, robbery, terrorism cover, loss of business income as a result of damage to the supplier, public liability, products liability, employers liability and much much more.  Look no further than the services of professional online brokers when asking for a shop insurance quote which they will be more than happy to provide.

 

11May/12Off

Whiplash for cash

whiplash car accidentDid you know that despite a reduction in the number of traffic accidents, whiplash claims have pushed up the price of motor insurance premiums by approximately 20%? The big problem that insurance companies and the paying policyholders face is that it is so difficult to prove a whiplash claim to be false. Due to this, fraudsters are targeting this area as a money making scheme.

The Association of British Insurers has recently called for a drastic reform to battle the ‘Whiplash epidemic’, including proposals such as:

  • Compensation for whiplash claimants only to be paid out where there is objective medical evidence
  • Placing a limit on the amount that can be claimed for damages for whiplash claims
  • Seeking assessment from independent doctors rather than relying on the claimants’ GP

These measures would certainly go a long way to reduce the impact on the insurance industry and help to bring down the costs of buying an insurance policy. However, the introduction of these ideas may never come to fruition or may take a long time to get set up.

That is why it is really important that you make sure that you have adequate cover for your lorry to protect you from the rising financial impact that is driven by whiplash claims. For example, you need to check your limits and legal cover to ensure that if you have an accident and are deemed to be at fault, your insurance company will pick up the costs on your behalf.

Whiplash claims can often result in astronomical medical fees or legal fees if contested in court. If someone claims against you, you need to be sure that you have an insurance company that will work in your best interests and will fight your case. Imagine if you were in an accident that was not your fault and another person tries to claim against you, not only for vehicle or property damage but for thousands of pounds of compensation. Even if your insurance company will cover the costs of this, if it is not contested and you are held liable, chances are your no claims bonus will be lost or reduced, resulting in even higher insurance premiums for the foreseeable future.

Don’t let the whiplash epidemic be a pain in your neck, speak to specialist lorry insurers today.

truckinsurances.co.uk provide an online lorry insurance comparison with a panel of specialist truck insurance providers. Check them out today.

5May/12Off

Common Insurance Mistakes with Modified Cars

Modified Car InsuranceAt InsuranceOverAGrand.com we often get asked about car insurance for modified cars. One of the most common questions we often get asked, is in relation to subtle appearance changes which do not affect the cars performance, but yet still cause your car insurance to go up when, for example, all you have are window tints! Most people, it would appear, do not tell their insurance companies about window tints, as they fear it will put their premiums up. Unfortunately this is often the case, but why?

The argument could be made, that by having modified cars with window tints, then because the criminal cannot see inside your car, then they won’t be tempted to steal your hard earned possessions to feed their lazy lifestyle. Unfortunately, insurers do not share this same pragmatic view. Instead, most insurance companies are of the opinion that it could increase the chances of having an accident – especially at night! But, as with some car modifications, this demands the question: ‘why have the car modified in the first place’? Most people have their windows tinted because they do not wish to be seen (for whatever reason)! But, the flip side of this is that it is just as hard for you to see out, as it is for prying eyes to see in!

And insurance companies do not car that people cannot see what you are doing in your car, who whom you have in it, but they DO car about the fact that you cannot see outside as clearly! So, when thinking about what modifications to have in your car, and about how having car modifications can affect your car insurance, you almost have to, for just 10 minutes, train your mind to thinking from the insurers point of view – which for many people will leave somewhat of a bad taste in your mouth!

So, instead think: ‘how will these modifications to my car increase the likelihood of me having an accident’. If you new, underwriting subconscious comes back and has its concerns, then you can bet that an insurance company will charge you more premium for your modifications! (just remember to revert to your usual way of thinking before getting back to life, otherwise you may bore yourself)!

Of course, at InsuranceOverAGrand, we work with sensible insurance companies who understand that people have the right to add modifications to their car without having to re-mortgage their houses! That’s why we are able to provide you with a car insurance quote which is tailored to your individual demands and needs, with some equal balance of common sense applied to the equation!

Dave Ingram is an experienced insurance broker and regular contributor to the insurance press. He is currently working with InsuranceOverAGrand.co.uk who specialise in comparing Modified Car Insurance cover online along with other high risk car insurance.

2May/12Off

Browse online for fantastic Minibus Insurance

Minibuses are great for taking a crowd of people to a special occasion, they’re wonderful for families as well as transporting party goers to a celebration. Companies that have fleets of minibuses to hire out often have difficulty finding an affordable minibus insurance package and just go for the first one they see. However this could be quite detrimental if an accident was to happen, the minibus was stolen or damaged by vandals, so make sure if you run many minibuses or just one to get the right insurance for your requirements.

What online brokers can get for you regarding insurance

The following are some of the topics minibus insurance can cover when bought from reputable online brokers:-

  • Policies for any driver or drivers aged between 21 and 70
  • Fully comprehensive insurance
  • Third party fire and theft
  • Breakdown cover along with European cover and home start
  • Public liability cover
  • Replacement vehicle for non-fault accidents

Compare prices by obtaining a quote from leading online insurance brokers who use a wide database of some of the UK’s best known insurance companies.

Buy good insurance no matter what the minibus is used for

If you run a school, nursing home or sports club and own a minibus to take pupils, patients or teams to different venues it’s essential to have minibus insurance that covers the passengers, the vehicle and of course the driver. You can request a free no-obligation quote online or if you prefer get in touch by telephone or e-mail to a friendly adviser who will give you facts, figures and policy details. Once you have read the small print on the policy you can then make your final decision, it is recommended to buy the best minibus insurance available so you, as an owner, can have peace of mind when your drivers go out on the road.

Be prepared, have the right minibus insurance

For a tailor-made quotation and flexible payment systems use only the best online brokers to purchase minibus insurance from. It’s best to be well prepared should any eventuality occur when out on the road, so buy the right minibus insurance first time round. Should you ever have to make a claim against your insurance, call centre staff are waiting to help you to make the process smooth and easy, they have many years of knowledge in the insurance business and are willing to go that extra mile in order that a claim can be settled quickly.

 

28Apr/12Off

Flood Insurance Made Easy

Arranging cover for the risk of flooding can be a tricky process, especially if you don’t know much about the subject. In particular, flooding is one of the more complicated insurances as they are potentially covering your home and all of your worldly belongings! When you think about the expense and the effort that it would take to restore your home and replace your belongings following a flood, you will start to see why it is crucial that you take necessary measures to find the right cover for you.

Flooding in UK

You will probably remember that back in 2007, the UK suffered horrendous flooding as over £3 billion of damage resulted from heavy rainfall. Reports stated that a month’s worth of rain fell in some areas in less than 24 hours, with our drainage systems unable to cope with the downpour. Many separate areas across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland were affected and the News was full of horror stories and unbelievable pictures of streets that looked more like large rivers. Many of the subsequent interviews of affected homeowners reflected that there was a heavy impact on their emotional state, as within a few hours their entire life was turned upside down and their belongings washed away.

A statement from Kerry Costello, Chairman of GIMRA (General Insurance Market Research Association) echoed the importance of emotional support to customers revealed through their regular surveys: “As insurers perfect the functional aspects of the claims service, emphasis is starting to shift to the emotional impact events such as floods and break-ins have on customers and their families, and how insurers can help relieve the stress.”

Should the worst case scenario ever occur and your home is flooded, you need to know that you are with an insurance company that will really take care of you and your family. There are a number of aspects that need to be considered, most importantly the claims service that they provide. This does not merely involve the call centre staff that you speak to when you take out your insurance; this expands to the claims handlers that will progress your claim and any third party contractors that they are partnered with to carry out repairs and replacements.

You may be starting to think that perhaps it really isn’t that easy to select the right type of cover for you and may entail a great deal of research on your part. Fear not, as you could simplify the process by leaving it down to the experts in the area of flooding. By simply spending a little time completing an online form with your details, a panel of experts will be able to analyse your specific circumstances and recommend the best insurance company to match your needs.

As they have extensive knowledge in the area of flooding, they will easily be able to identify a great value deal for you with an insurer that is dedicated to providing comprehensive flood insurance cover and a high quality claims service in your time of need.

Thanks to Peter Yates of floodinsurances.co.uk for the article.

4May/12Off

Your Guide To Getting The Right Landlords Insurance

Property to let image

Research in 2010 from Redbrick found that only two thirds of ‘buy to let’ investors have specialist buildings landlords insurance for their investment properties.  Redbrick, part of specialist mortgage lender Paragon, highlighted that standard buildings insurance policies often contain small print which could invalidate any claim a landlord might make under their insurance.
Specialist landlords insurance is therefore vital if you let a property.  That’s why we’ve put together this guide to making sure you’re properly protected.  Keep reading to learn more.

Get specialist landlords insurance

If you have a standard residential insurance policy for your rental property, you could find yourself facing huge problems in the event of a claim.  If it becomes apparent that the property is rented out when you make a claim, your insurance company may refuse to pay out.

Many companies now offer specialist landlords insurance for investment property owners and landlords.  So, make sure you get a specific policy which covers rented homes.

Why you should buy specialist landlords insurance

The main benefit of specialist landlords insurance is that you are fully protected even when your property is tenanted.  The buildings element of your landlords insurance then covers the traditional risks such as fire, flood and storm damage.

Many landlords insurance policies also include ‘loss of rent’.  This compensates you if your property is uninhabitable for a period of time due to a claim made under a risk such as flood or fire.

Most landlords insurance policies also ensure your property is protected even if it is unoccupied for a period of time.  Many also include cover for malicious damage caused by a tenant.

How the cost of your insurance is worked out

The main factor that affects the cost of your landlords insurance is the type and value of the property itself.  The size and location of your property will determine the premium, as will the rebuild cost.

In addition, the cost of your insurance may be affected by the type of tenants.  Students, professionals or DSS tenants all attract different premium rates, and some companies will offer discounts for certain types of tenants.

Landlords insurance if you have a portfolio of properties

Lots of specialist insurers now offer ‘multi-property’ landlord buildings insurance which may be suitable if you own a portfolio of properties.  Rather than taking out individual landlords insurance policies on each of your properties you can insure all your rental properties under one ‘umbrella’ policy.

Visit www.landlord-insurances.net to compare landlord insurance online.