Property owners with vacant premises in their property portfolios should ensure they have the correct level of legal expenses cover in the event of squatters occupying their premises. Mike Colmans, underwriting manager for Aviva, said: “It is estimated that there could be as many as 20,000 squatters in the UK*. Although squatting is more prevalent in domestic properties, landlords and commercial property owners with empty buildings are equally at risk. “It is imperative that adequate measures are put in place to prevent squatters from entering...  Lire la suite

Snow and ice has hit Britain, with more expected. The insurer MORE TH>N offer the following advice on surviving the cold. At home: Leave your central heating running, not on a timer, but at a constant temperature (the coldest time is between 1am and 3am). If possible, leave it running in all rooms. If you know you’re going to be away, either leave the heating on, or drain off your water and heating systems. If you have a property that is unoccupied, drain the system. To do this, turn off the stopcock, shut down the boiler and open all taps....  Lire la suite

M&S is the first home insurance provider in the UK to offer policyholders two unique features which help householders reduce their impact on the environment if they make a claim. From 4th January 20101, at no added cost to the policyholder, M&S Home Insurance will offer the following elements which help households reduce energy costs and carbon emissions: Sustainable reinstatement of kitchen appliances: when a customer makes a claim for a fridge freezer, refrigerator, washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, they will be offered a replacement...  Lire la suite

In the past 60 years, the average child’s Christmas stocking has almost tripled in value with today’s festive stocking worth £180 more than in the 1960s (based on the equivalent spend in today’s money). When looking at the value of a Christmas stocking, children of the noughties have over £300 of presents sitting at the bottom of their bed and even more waiting by the tree! Despite this parents are in denial about how much they are shelling out estimating that they will spend just £84.88 – over three and half times less than the actual...  Lire la suite

Property owners should carry out risk management measures to protect their buildings from serious damage brought on by winter weather, says Aviva. With some firms closing between Christmas and New Year, water damage from burst or frozen pipes may not be detected until business resumes after the New Year, leaving the problem to escalate further. The number of commercial claims for frozen pipes and water leaks increase by around 20% between December and February, with claims costs rising by about a quarter (27%) more than average¹ to approx £3,100...  Lire la suite