Car insurance risk factors

Image

Motor insurance is something that all drivers require. When it comes to the premiums you need to pay, rates differ dramatically, and this all comes down to one thing: risk. Insurance is all about risk. You are going to be subject to more expensive premiums if you are considered a great risk.

Preparing for your summer holiday abroad

This time of year sees many of us jetting off abroad for adventure, relaxation and time away from everyday life.

Whether you have summer holiday plans looming or are dreaming of a holiday abroad next year, there is a lot to think about when planning a holiday so that it stress free. From picking your dream destination to booking it to packing for it, there are also a few other key things you should remember to help make your holiday a dream come true.

Dream home

Over the years I have lived in a number of properties. By the time I reached my teenage years the number of houses I had called home was in the double digits. Some of the houses were ones we owned, others privately rented.

Having lived in numerous houses and experienced the benefits and downsides of both owning and renting a house, I have developed my own views on what makes a good home.

My thoughts of what makes a good home has inspired me to dream of the perfect home. As my life has changed over the years, from being a single 20-something with no responsibilities to a mum in a family of 4 in her early 30’s my dream home has also changed. Before having my own little family my dream home consisted of a spacious, modern apartment. Then I met Lee and settled down and had kids. Now my dream home is a large home fit for a growing family.

Tips for renting a house

Since I moved out of my childhood family home where I lived with my mum and sister at the age of 18, I have rented a number of properties. Over the 14 years or so (eeek where does the time go?) I have experienced renting a few different properties from very different landlords.

Thankfully I have never had a nightmare landlord and not had any major issues when renting but the experiences have been very different and over the years I have learnt a lot about renting. My experience with renting has helped me learn how best to rent smartly so that I am aware of my rights and responsibilities which help make renting easier for a hassle-free and happy home.

Whilst I have not had any horrific renting experiences personally I have known a few friends who have had terrible times renting and had nightmare landlords. One friend who was not savvy about renting with it being their first time renting a property on their own had a landlord who did not use Tenants Deposit Scheme and she had him refuse to pay any of her deposit back when she moved out in spite of there being no cause not to return it as she had left the property immaculate and is it was the day she moved in. Another friend had major problems getting his landlord to fix any issues or problems in the home even though the landlord was responsible for fixing them and keeping the house in a good state of repair as per their contract.

What to do when the worst happens to your home

We all fear the worst when it comes to our homes, especially during the holiday season when we’re away for extended periods of time. There’s the worry of break-ins or vandalism, not to mention fires or floods. So, what do you do when the worst happens to your home? Let’s go through some of the worst-case scenarios and what you can do to get things fixed.

The joy of pets #PawHumour

I have always loved animals and have been fortunate enough to experience the joy of being a pet owner since I was a young child. Over the years since my very first pet, a gorgeous ginger tabby cat, I have had a variety of pets including cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters.

I have had my current pets, 2 loveable dogs for a number of years now. I am eternally grateful to the joy and love they have given me over the years; in fact it is partly due to them that I am still here today. I got my little dogs, Trixie and Sassy, when I was in the dark depths of depression. Thankfully having two loveable dogs to care for, helped pull me out of the darkness, towards recovery and a brighter future. They motivated me to leave the house to give them walks and to drag myself out of bed even when I did not want to.

Over the years my fluffy friends have given me lots of love, laughter and amusing stories.

I fondly remember watching Trixie chase after bubbles. It was a delightful and amusing sight watching my beloved dog prance, jump and run around wildly as she tried to catch the glistening bubbles as they floated in the air before bursting.

How to avoid house damages caused by kids.

The latest survey carried out by More Than states that the house damage caused by kids till they reach their 10th birthday may amount to £2000. Kids are more accident prone than adults but it is still quite surprising how much damage they can cause in our households.

This is quite a lot of money to be spent on various fixes and replacements.

Apart from typical issues such as having wallpapers ripped off, painted on carpets or broken windows they are plenty of other damages caused by our youngsters.

15% of parents admitted that they had their kids blocking their toilets or sinks, and the same amount has had a window smashed. 

4% of parents stated that their kids were ever so creative to set something on fire in their homes…

The research proves that 2 in 3 boys seemed to be rather hazardous to their homes, whereas only 1 in 4 girls seemed to be as hazardous in comparison.

Various domestic mishaps seemed to be caused more often by sons aged 4-10 than daughters.

No wonder that about 29% of parents saves some part of their incomes in case they kids cause some accidents in their households and 22% of them never leaves kids unattended when they are playing.

Nonetheless 25% of parents still feel they can’t buy anything delicate for their homes until they kids grow up.

If you are one of them think about preventing your house from kids caused damages. Consider entertaining your kids with washable pens and board games or simply hide the precious belongings for some time until they grow up. 

If you have quite unpredictable and energetic kids you may consider getting accidental damage insurance. Check out More Than home insurance accidental damage cover to see what can be covered through their insurance. The cover will help you cover the repairs or replacements you will need to have in your house and can be optionally added to your regular home insurance.

* Sponsored guest post *

Pet Facts Video Infographic - Petplan.

As I’ve mentioned previously I love animals and have a fondness for pets, having always had at least one pet since I was about three years old.  Currently we have two dogs, Sassy and Trixie plus two recent new additions to the family in the form of two goldfish who Bug received as a birthday present. 

As well as treating our dogs to lots of love and attention, long walks, nutritious food and yummy treats we also ensure they receive veterinary care to keep them in tip top health and cover them with pet insurance.  When Sassy went on her great escape, disappearing for a number of days before miraculously returning home by her lonesome looking very sorry for herself and bedraggled, it was reassuring to know she was covered by insurance if the worst had happened and she had gotten injured requiring medical help.

Realising the importance of insurance for your beloved pets the UK’s favourite pet insurance provider, Petplan who specialise in pet insurance and passionately focus solely on pets, ensure they help millions of owners get their beloved pets back on their feet after illness and injury thanks to Petplan’s very best pet insurance policies and great customer service.