Warning over Xmas mishaps
Longford Insurance Schemes is seeking to raise awareness of the costs of post-accident payouts with a call on brokers to ensure their clients are covered for accidents in the home over Christmas. According to recent research from the Department of Trade and Industry, there were almost £2.8 million of accidents in the home in 1998. Longford says its Chauffeur-plan product costs from £6.20 a month and covers a multitude of post-accident transport expenses. The broker commission is 20% on all sales.
RIAS adds 10% in holiday time
An extra ten per cent cover has been added to home contents policies offered by The Retirement Insurance Advisory Service (RIAS) for the Christmas and New Year periods. The aim is to cover the additional risk associated with the storage of Christmas presents. The cover runs out at the end of December. Meanwhile, new RIAS Home Emergency policyholders will this month be entered into a draw for a holiday; the winner will travel to Holland to see the tulip fields next spring. A policy costs £36 a year and has many benefits.
"Trying to find a reputable, qualified tradesman is often difficult enough, but trying to find one outside office hours can be either impossible or else ridiculously expensive," said RIAS managing director David Holden. "You can easily pay £100 for a plumber to unblock a toilet, £60 to replace a lock, £120 to repair a burst pipe and £100 to repair a leaky radiator."
ERM increases broker profits
Euclidian Risk Management (ERM) has promised to increase broker profits on travel insurance sales if they sign up with the company for 2000. The company says it intends to combine lower premiums with benefits to ensure more value for brokers. Director Steve King said ERM was preparing quotes for more than 1,000 agents and was writing to other interests controlling large travel insurance accounts. ERM is a founder member of the Truly Independent Travel Organisation and its only travel insurance provider.
Insurance gift vouchers
Travel insurer Preferential Direct is promoting a novel Christmas idea – buying travel insurance vouchers. The gift vouchers are available in £20 denominations and each one buys a month's continual worldwide travel insurance. Cover includes £1 million of medical insurance, a similar amount of personal liability and up to £1,000 for cancellation.
Holiday of a lifetime
A couple from Langport in Somerset have won an all-expenses-paid holiday worth £2,500, after entering a competition organised by BCWA Healthcare. They will take their holiday, in the Swiss Alps, in the spring.
