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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

top tips home insurance

top tips home insurance : The typical cost for buildings and contents insurance cover has risen from £142 to £151 between January and March this year, equivalent to 2.5p per day.

It’s true to say that car insurance premiums are rising faster, however, insurers are facing the cost of last years huge winter repair bills for the freezing winter weather and the costly clean up from incidents of flooding.

Change the locks - If you've moved to a new home you never know who might still have a key. It is important to maintain locks. Five-lever mortise locks are recommended for external doors while windows should ideally have two bolt locks.

Install a good home security system - Sometimes there are alarm systems that might be preferred by an insurer. The NACOSS standard alarm can cut premiums with some companies by 7.5 per cent.

Time-switch lights - Your home is more vulnerable to theft when you are not around. Time-switch lights will give the impression that you are at home.

If you are away - Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries and ask someone you can trust to open and close the curtains and collect mail.

Keys - Don't leave them in obvious places such as under a doormat. Also beware of 'hook n crook' thefts - where keys are left so close to a door that a burglar can simply hook them through a letterbox and open the door.

Install security lighting - illuminate your visitors for their safety as well as your own. Unwelcome visitors are less likely to loiter if they're 'in the spotlight'.

Join a neighbourhood watch campaign - this can help to reduce your premium if you inform the home insurance company of your participation in a scheme. It can reduce your premiums by up to 5 per cent.

Avoid frozen and burst pipes - If you think pipes are frozen, turn off water at the valve and header tank to cut down the water that can escape.

Fire - Fit a smoke alarm and take simple steps to avoid accidents. Most fires in the home are caused by smoking or cooking; never smoke in bed, don't leave cigarettes lying around and don't leave cooking unattended. Other fire tips include closing doors at night to contain fires, check the home is safe before going to bed and keep matches away from children.

Don't smoke - As covered above, the fire risk greatly increases if you smoke cigarettes. Most insurers will now ask if you are a smoker.

Think about your cover - Do you really need accidental damage cover? This can increase premiums by 25%. Think carefully about the add-ons you need.

Don't claim unless you need to - The fewer the claims, the higher your no claims discount. So for minor issues that would be inexpensive for you to cover with your own cash, think twice before making a claim. For the latest updates PRESS CTR + D or visit Stock Market news Today

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