Sometimes there’s just no way around it, you need to get some repair work done on your car. General wear and tear damage can lead to more significant problems so it’s often best to nip them in the bud where possible. No matter how important the repair work is, it’s always best that you take your car to a mechanic that you trust.

The question is, how do you know if you can trust a mechanic if you’ve never had to visit a centre for that make of vehicle, such as a Volkswagen service centre, and how do you know that you’re getting the best price? It really is a case of not knowing until you give it a try sometimes, but there are a number of measures you can take to ensure that you’re going to the best people for the job.

One such measure is to speak to trusted friends and family members who may have visited that mechanic previously and find out about their experiences, or you can take to the Internet and try and find some reviews to see how other people got on. You’ll need to find out about the quality of the workmanship, the level of service received and also about the value for money because you certainly don’t want an over-the-top price and sub-standard work.

As you may be without a car for a period of time, whether it’s a matter of hours or a couple of days, it’s worth finding out where the repair or service centre is in relation to your home or work. You may need to arrange alternative transport during that time through family, friends or colleagues and you will also have to get back to the centre to collect the vehicle.

You should also speak to the mechanics rather than a receptionist to get the full detail on the work required and what has been done. A good quality mechanic will explain in detail – but in language you can understand – what needs doing, how long it will take and what was done; and they will also listen to you and your concerns over the job and what you would like doing. For instance, if you only want or can afford a routine service, don’t let them convince you to have further work done that you neither need nor can afford.

Finally, make sure you get a number of quotes and that they all include the cost of labour. Many initial quotes will only include the cost of the parts required to complete the work that can be misleading as you can budget for that price only to have more slapped on top that you might not have been expecting. Also, compare your quoted price with another centre to find out if you’re getting the best deal going – you don’t want to be paying any more than is necessary.

Insuring your car can be one of the most difficult processes you experience each year, and many are already annoyed by the fact that they have to shell out yet more money on a legal requirement just to drive on the roads. With everyone feeling the pinch and trying to keep an eye on their finances, insurance is seen by many as an unnecessary expense, while it should be seen as a necessity and budgeted for in advance.

There are a number of different kinds of insurance policy available, especially for motorists, ranging from fully comprehensive cover that will insure your vehicle against all risks on the road to budget third party car insurance that will cover you for less, whilst still allowing you to drive on the roads. Without any form of insurance policy you need to remember that you are actually breaking the law by driving on the roads.

Third party car insurance, as mentioned, is the smallest form of cover to get you out on the roads. Put simply, it only covers damage caused to other vehicles or property belonging to the other car owner, and any injuries that they suffer as a result of an accident that is deemed to be your fault.

The ‘property’ covered under third party insurance isn’t just the items in the car with the person at the time – such as their mobile phone, contents of their rucksack or their awful CDs – but it can include things such as garden walls or shop fronts, (the things you collide with essentially in the case that it isn’t a car-on-car collision).

The biggest benefit of third party insurance over fully comprehensive, for instance, is that it is often far cheaper making it ideal for new drivers or those strapped for cash. As a new driver, you may have just spent a significant amount on your first car or you might be going onto your own policy for the first time and it is particularly expensive. However, you need to be insured before you can drive so having third party cover makes sense until you can save up more for when your renewal comes around.

With a third party policy in place, you can start to build up your no claims discount which will help to bring your premium down in the future. The longer you spend driving with your policy in place and without making a claim, the greater the discount you will be awarded at renewal time because you’re showing the insurer that you’re a responsible driver and not someone who is reckless and crashing every few months!

Whether you’re choosing a new car or a used model, you never quite know what you’re going to get until you take a look around the vehicle and take it out for a test drive. Reading specifications online or the brochures at the dealership will give you a feel for the car, but different people look for different things when buying a car.

Some look for the same manufacturer they’ve driven for years because they’re so impressed with the reliability, others look for the most modern tech and gadgets that come with the various models while others will buy from a particular dealership, such as T W White because they find that the service is so good and the cars on the forecourt provide everything they could want.

The latest range of vehicles, known as crossovers, have people scratching their heads for a completely different reason, because they’re so new to the market and people are unsure how the various components work when put together. The Suzuki Sx4 is just one example of a crossover vehicle, incorporating the bets bits of a family saloon and a traditional 4×4.

So why is it so good? Rather than just re-writing all of the various industry reviews or telling you the kind of things you’d hear at a dealership, let’s deal in cold hard facts and figures:

• There are two main models of the Sx4 – a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel. The petrol version comes in front-wheel drive OR four-wheel drive, while the diesel model is available in four-wheel drive ONLY.

• The petrol model has a top-speed of around 115mph, reaching 60mph in around 10.7 seconds, with emissions ranging between 141 and 115g/km depending on the manual or automatic transmission. In terms of fuel consumption, the petrol produces between 42 and 45.6mpg with pricing ranging from just over £11,000 to just under £15,000 depending on the option you choose, with a series of optional extras adding to the standard price.

• In terms of the diesel, you get better fuel economy, as you would expect, with 53.3mpg and the fewest Carbon Dioxide emissions with 139g/km. It has a top speed of 112mph, going from 0-60 in 11.2 seconds and costing between £16,500 and £17,000.

• Available in a choice of six colours the choice is yours, allowing you to choose the model that meets your requirements and specifications.

• All models come with a standard Suzuki three-year or 60,000-mile warranty that you get with all new Suzuki vehicles.

Every year, car manufacturers release the latest model to add to their ranges, not only to fall in line with what the consumers wants, to utilise the latest in car technology but also to become one of the preferred car brands in the world. Manufacturers either improve an existing model but adding up to date technology or have a complete new design to add to their expansive list of every day vehicles.

There are so many different car types that manufacturers can focus on to appeal to the target consumer. Whether they look at the size of a car, the effect it has on the environment or even the overall cost of the vehicle, all are appealing to the potential customer.

Cars aren’t just a luxury; they are an intricate part of everyday life and the most popular mode of transport.

2013 has been the year that leading car manufacturers have chosen to launch their newest additions and designs. Below are the 5 I think all car enthusiasts will enjoy…

1. 1. Peugeot 208 GTI

The lighter more powerful version of the original 208 will no doubt be just as popular as the original model. Peugeot have focused on re-designing and improving areas of the model that proved unsuccessful last time round. Stronger suspension, bigger breaks and a sporty appearance make the 208 almost unrecognisable.

1. 2. Volkswagen E-Golf

Conscious of the negative effects cars have on the environment, Volkswagen have released the environmentally version of the Golf. By far the manufacturers most popular model, the car now comes with the title of being the best electric car created so far. A longer driving range, different driving modes combined with the standard Golf appearance will ensure this car is a success.

1. 3. BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

The 5 door hatchback will easily eclipse the success of the GT model. The car has been made more spacious, faster and sleeker. The features are similar to that of the GT but they have been enhanced to make the ideal family car, just with the edge of a spoiler for increased speed.

1. 4. Mercedes Benz f125

Labelled as a luxury vehicle, the hydrogen power shows a real advancement in fuel technology with Mercedes joining the attempt to create an environmentally friendly car that doesn’t lose the qualities of a petrol based car. The car is made of carbon fibre and is lightweight and nimble and has an overall sharper appearance.

1. 5. Toyota Auris Touring Sports

Toyota has launched the estate version of the incredibly popular Auris. The design is incredibly similar with the differences being difficult to identify. Full hybrid power has increased the speed of the vehicle and the rear of the car has been overhauled to ensure it differs from the original model and to allow for the increase speed and space. The Auris Touring Sports is one of the most reasonably priced estate cars available.

Buying a new car is one of the hardest choices, yet one of the most exciting purchases you can make. A new car takes pride of place on the driveway and owners have an overwhelming desire to keep it in perfect condition for as long as possible. One of the best ways to keep your new car scratch and dirt free is to have it delivered to you, car transport on uship is one of the best ways to ensure your precious purchase arrives to you safely and in the best possible condition.

In 2011 whiplash claims cost the UK motor insurance industry a staggering £2.2 billion according to The Association of British Insurers (ABI). But it’s not only the insurance companies who are bearing the brunt, as these claims are bringing up the price of the insurance premiums in a desperate bid to reclaim the lost money. But why do we make so many claims in comparison to other countries and what is being done to get this problem under control?

What is ‘whiplash’?

Whiplash is an injury to the neck caused by a sudden collision, e.g. a car hitting you from behind. It has been estimated that 25 per cent of claims may be fraudulent, with people trying to get compensation for suffering a collision in their vehicle – even if they did not damage their neck in any way.

Why are there so many false claims?

It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose whether or not a person has whiplash – especially is a person is looking for compensation at any cost and therefore may be willing to claim their symptoms are worse than they actually are.

What can be done to cut down on false claims?

The government is planning to take measures to bring down the amount of false claims by devising a way for a deeper and more accurate diagnosis by doctors. And of course there’s the extra addition of an average of £90 to insurance policies.

What if I really do have whiplash?

After the extensive media coverage of fake whiplash claims, it can be worrying to think that you may not be believed if you really did get injured. It will involve an accurate diagnosis by your GP and you should take up your accident claims with a personal injury lawyer.

What does the future hold for whiplash claims?

The plan is to deter people from false claims by making diagnosis more difficult, the process more thorough and to question claims that do not add up. This will make it less straightforward for people to make a claim and hopefully put people off for fear of being caught out.

All in all, whiplash is a huge concern for the UK as there are people who have genuine injuries as a result of an accident, yet due to the number of fraudulent claims, their claims are taken less seriously. The Government is taking this issue seriously in order to minimise the amount it is costing the motoring insurance each year, which is impacting on higher premiums for drivers – many of whom have never made a claim.

If you want to know more about the Government’s plans to tighten up on whiplash, visit Gov.uk.

Despite encouraging economic news with the UK manufacturing industry reporting record growth in the past two years, the fact remains that standard of living for most British families has continued to fall.

With the costs of basic goods and services such as food, fuel and transport continuing to rise, this year it’s important to gather as much information as possible on how to save money in your household.

Check out these how-to tips for saving money if you’re on a budget.

 Change supermarkets

You may be used to shopping at one of the more expensive or middle-range supermarkets like Waitrose or Sainsbury’s, or you might even shop at a lower-priced store, but always buy branded goods.

Whatever your situation, there is always room to slim down the cost of your weekly shop. First, try shopping around different supermarkets each week to find out which ones have the best value quality goods for you.

Another way forward is to save money by purchasing your fresh goods from the more expensive supermarket and then your longer-life items from the cheaper one, as the quality of such things is not impaired in the same way.

Shop online

Whether it’s clothes, makeup, books, records, furniture or DVDs, there are always fantastic deals to be had when you shop online.

Not only do you cut out the hassle of physically looking around the shops on the off-chance you’ll actually find what you want (and then queuing for a lengthy period to pay for it), you can check out what’s available on the websites of shops you want to visit, and see at the click of a mouse which of them has the best deal on the product you’re looking for.

Often, retailers offer online discount, which happens less when you’re shopping in-store unless there’s actually a sale on.

Use comparison websites

From car insurance to paying for your next holiday, comparison websites offer the most quick and effective way to find out what the best deals are, instantly.

Do an online search for the best tried and trusted price comparison sites, and enter your search terms. You should then see a comprehensive breakdown of the difference in prices for whatever it is you’re thinking of purchasing.

Get a cheaper car

One of the most expensive products we own are our cars. From making repayments on a new car, to the £3,000+ average yearly cost of running them, if you have the wrong car you can seriously dent your pocket.

Do some research to find out if the car you own is currently economical. Add up all your yearly costs, then look at your car’s emissions, insurance bracket and miles per gallon to see if you’re actually paying over the odds.

If you discover that to be the case, then you could do worse than check out the best car finance deals to see what options you have on getting yourself funds for a new (or new to you) set of wheels.

If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault then it’s quite likely you’ll be entitled to a claim. However, for your road traffic accident claim to have the best chance of success, you need to be able to provide sufficient evidence to back it up. The best place to start collecting this is at the scene of the accident.

Photographic evidence

This is the best way to start when gathering evidence. If you can, you should take pictures of the accident immediately after it’s taken place. Luckily, most of us carry phones with built-in digital cameras and picture phone photos should easily suffice.

One thing you should be concentrating on is the view that both you and the third party had when approaching the accident scene. This is probably the most effective way of helping an impartial inquiry establish fault. It’s also very useful to capture an overall view of the road lay-out, focussing on any road markings or traffic signs that may have be relevant to the accident. Try and make these as clear as possible.

Creating a record of debris on the road is also necessary. However, it’s not the debris itself that you need to focus on, but rather its position on the road. Ensure that you do not clear it from the road or move it until you have a photographic record, taken from a good distance so you can tell its relation to the road and possibly even vehicles.

In addition, skid or tire markings on the road are usually a good way of piecing together an accident after it’s happened. Like the debris, you want to get a good shot of them from a distance, showing their relation to the road. It’s a good way of telling the speed of the vehicles, or the intent or concentration of the drivers.

Obviously, you also want photos of the damage to the vehicles involved. Both close-ups conveying the extent of the damage and angles showing the positioning of the damage on the car are important for your claim.

Statements

It’s important that you note down the name, address and other contact details for anyone that witnessed the accident.  These can prove invaluable when making a claim. If any police were present and any reports made, then even better. Ensure you record the reference number and pass these on to your representatives as soon as possible.

Injuries

Photographing these at the scene may or may not be relevant, depending on the injury. Whatever the injury, though, at some stage you will want to create photographic evidence of any injuries to go with your claim. Bruises can take a while to come up, but cuts, grazes and other such damage can be recorded instantly. Photos of injuries should be taken close up and at various angles, and should be taken in natural light.

For more serious injuries, you will need to obtain medical reports from professionals as evidence. You can also keep ‘pain diaries’ that record your healing process. For less serious injuries, like bruises or cuts, it might be worth taking follow-up photos showing how long they take to heal – perhaps a photo once a fortnight.

Spiralling costs of living and changes within the NHS mean that health insurance is now more important than ever. Private medical Insurance (PMI) can offer a full alternative to the NHS in case of serious illness. A cashplan on the other hand covers day to day costs of regular care such as dental and optical. They can be purchased separately according to your budget and needs or in conjunction with each other to provide comprehensive cover. People are more aware than ever of the impact of lifestyle, diet and exercise on their health and are increasingly looking for alternatives to drug-based treatment. This is leading to a growing understanding of the benefits of complimentary therapies, such as Hypnotherapy. But, are insurers keeping up with these changes by including cover for such treatments and therapies in their policies?

If you’ve been looking for health insurance that covers hypnotherapy you’ll know that a lot of insurers do not cover it as standard. Most major health insurance plans don’t cover any treatments that could be classified as unproven or experimental but hypnotherapy isn’t an alternative therapy. It is an approved complimentary therapy that is becoming increasingly popular and well recognised by the medical profession. Some top health insurance providers that cover hypnotherapy, in their PMI and/or in their cashplans, are:

• PruHealth
• Westfield Health (as part of its corporate package)
• BUPA
• AXA PPP Healthcare

Under their policies hypnotherapy is covered for the treatment of certain conditions including:

• Depression (combined with Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies)
• Smoking Cessation (for more info please see http://www.thetherapylounge.com/hypnotherapy/stop-smoking)
• Stress related illnesses
• Palliative care

As with all insurance there will be clauses. Most insurance providers limit cover to a list of approved practitioners, or stipulate which professional bodies the hypnotherapy provider needs to be registered with if they are to recognise them for reimbursement. The Therapy Lounge, for example, is a member of The General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR). The GHR is a professional body recognised by health insurance that covers hypnotherapy. Membership of these recognised professional bodies also means that GPs, hospitals and other NHS services can refer patients for hypnotherapy treatment.

Before purchasing a policy, or paying for any form of treatment, you should always check the terms and conditions of the policy. It is recommended you check the following:

• Does it require a GP or clinical psychologist referral
• What is the timescale of your cover
• Does hypnotherapy cover your given diagnosis
• How many visits are allowed in a year as some treatments consist of several sessions
• Is there a cap on cash back claims

Whatever type and level of health insurance cover you opt for, if you are interested in having the benefits of complimentary therapy alongside your dental and optical, and if you are in any doubt as to whether or not your health insurance provider covers hypnotherapy, always contact the insurer directly for details.

Spiralling costs of living and changes within the NHS mean that health insurance is now more important than ever. Private medical Insurance (PMI) can offer a full alternative to the NHS in case of serious illness. A cashplan on the other hand covers day to day costs of regular care such as dental and optical. They can be purchased separately according to your budget and needs or in conjunction with each other to provide comprehensive cover. People are more aware than ever of the impact of lifestyle, diet and exercise on their health and are increasingly looking for alternatives to drug-based treatment. This is leading to a growing understanding of the benefits of complimentary therapies, such as Hypnotherapy. But, are insurers keeping up with these changes by including cover for such treatments and therapies in their policies?

If you’ve been looking for health insurance that covers hypnotherapy you’ll know that a lot of insurers do not cover it as standard. Most major health insurance plans don’t cover any treatments that could be classified as unproven or experimental but hypnotherapy isn’t an alternative therapy. It is an approved complimentary therapy that is becoming increasingly popular and well recognised by the medical profession. Some top health insurance providers that cover hypnotherapy, in their PMI and/or in their cashplans, are:

• PruHealth
• Westfield Health (as part of its corporate package)
• BUPA
• AXA PPP Healthcare

 Under their policies hypnotherapy is covered for the treatment of certain conditions including:

• Depression (combined with Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies)
• Smoking Cessation (for more info please see http://www.thetherapylounge.com/hypnotherapy/stop-smoking)
• Stress related illnesses
• Palliative care

 As with all insurance there will be clauses. Most insurance providers limit cover to a list of approved practitioners, or stipulate which professional bodies the hypnotherapy provider needs to be registered with if they are to recognise them for reimbursement. The Therapy Lounge, for example, is a member of The General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR). The GHR is a professional body recognised by health insurance that covers hypnotherapy. Membership of these recognised professional bodies also means that GPs, hospitals and other NHS services can refer patients for hypnotherapy treatment.

Before purchasing a policy, or paying for any form of treatment, you should always check the terms and conditions of the policy. It is recommended you check the following:

• Does it require a GP or clinical psychologist referral
• What is the timescale of your cover
• Does hypnotherapy cover your given diagnosis
• How many visits are allowed in a year as some treatments consist of several sessions
• Is there a cap on cash back claims

 Whatever type and level of health insurance cover you opt for, if you are interested in having the benefits of complimentary therapy alongside your dental and optical, and if you are in any doubt as to whether or not your health insurance provider covers hypnotherapy, always contact the insurer directly for details.

When thinking about making a will there are some key considerations that you need to make.

First you need to consider how you would like to divide up your estate. Consider all the people who currently depend on you, both in and outside of your family, this way you won’t miss out people who are important to you.

Secondly, if you have children, you will need to consider how you would like them to be cared for you if you were not around. This includes financially, where they live, and what education they get.

If your children are older you may want to consider what kind of financial support they will need, and which of your assets they have particular attachments to.

Writing a Will

A will isn’t just about money however; it also includes your wishes regarding funeral arrangements and general property.

Once you have decided what to put in your will you will have to appoint an executor who will be in charge of distributing your estate according to your will once you have passed away.

It is always best to go to a solicitor firm or legal company when writing a will as often hand-written wills are contested or there is no proof that they were not written under duress.

This is why you should always seek professional advice before making a will as it is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your passing.

Other things to think about:

Should you ever become incapable of conveying your wishes, whether it is due to an illness or an accident, then it is important to consider appointing a power of attorney who will be legally allowed to act on your behalf.

A lasting power of attorney will be able to make decisions on your behalf regarding both your finances and your health care, which means you really need to think about who you want to hold this position.

Although most people assume they will never be in a situation where a power of attorney will be necessary, it is important to plan for the ‘just in case’ situations.

If a power of attorney is not appointed, until the time of your death, money cannot be retrieved from your personal bank accounts, which means you would not be able to financially support your family, even if you are financially capable of doing so.

Choosing a vehicle for business use is very important, especially when you need to get something to carry out specific tasks. While cost will naturally be a consideration, it is equally important to ensure the vehicle is able to perform the functions expected of it.

Whether you are looking for a small independent company or a larger firm, the basic requirements remain the same. You’ll need to pick a vehicle that is fit for purpose, along with a reliability that means it will remain on the road with few or no problems.

Vans

Vans, particularly transit-style vehicles are incredibly popular in the UK and used by many in building and other manual trades.

One of the advantages of a van is that it is securely lockable and a way to store equipment and tools relatively safely. The vehicle features an integrated design which sees the cabin and storage area set out as a single unit separated by an internal partition.

Whilst the enclosed storage area is highly practical with regards to weather protection, it does make loading the vehicle troublesome at times – especially for those dealing with awkwardly shaped items.

The interior cabin of a van is usually extremely sparse too, with little consideration given to driver and passenger comfort. Performance credentials are usually fairly good but will largely depend on the type and size of the van.

Pick-up trucks

A pickup truck is basically a light vehicle designed for the commercial sector which combines practicality with comfort. The vehicle includes a front cabin which, depending on the model of truck can offer a slightly more ‘luxurious’ driving experience than a van.

Its unique design features an open-top rear area or ‘bed’ which is ideal for the transportation of materials or tools. This is generally separated from the cab itself and provides great flexibility when it comes to load capacities.

The standard of comfort in a pick-up truck can, if you manage to find the right kind of vehicle, far exceed that of a comparable van. Some are offered with leather interiors, heated seats and even additional equipment such as Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity. This is a great development for the commercial vehicle market and ensures businesses are able to find vehicles with appropriate levels of comfort and practicality.

Pick-up trucks are often built to last in a number of testing conditions. Rust-proofed chassis with galvanised body panels on certain makes and models means that they can withstand the odd bump and knock, along with all sorts of weathering.

Choosing a business vehicle

Ultimately the choice between buying a van or a pick-up truck comes down to the type of work you need it for. There are advantages to both but you need to weigh up your options. Ultimately, for building and construction work a pick-up truck will be the superior choice because of the ease of use, it’s strong and robust build and the comfort it can provide.

Life cover insurance guarantees that, in case you pass away, your mortgage will be repaid and your family will be able to continue living in your house. Put simply, life cover pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries, if you pass away within the set term, which usually matches the length of your mortgage. However, if you survive the term, your dependants are not entitled to the death benefit.

To be provided with life cover insurance, you need to pay a fixed monthly premium to your insurance company, which, in return, is committed to pay a specified death benefit to your beneficiaries in the event you pass away within the term of the policy. The death benefit allows your family to anticipate the sudden loss of income and cover their living expenses adequately.

Types of life cover insurance

Life cover insurance can take two forms: as mortgage protection – also known as the decreasing term insurance policy and as life insurance – also known as the level term insurance policy.

The decreasing term insurance is a type of mortgage life cover suitable for homeowners who struggle with a repayment mortgage. As the years go by, the loan balance gets lower and the total amount of your insurance decreases as much as your mortgage. At this point, it may be a good option to purchase mortgage life cover. As time passes by, your mortgage amount decreases and, therefore, if you pass away, your dependants will have to pay less money on the remaining mortgage.

Level term insurance is a type of life cover that provides consistent coverage during a certain period of time, usually 1 to 30 years, at a fixed face value. Level term insurance has a fixed rate during the coverage period and does not build any cash value. The only possibility for the rate to be increased is if the probability of the policyholders’ sudden death rises.

How to select life cover insurance

Before selecting life cover insurance, you need to take into account several factors:
• What does life cover insurance include?
• Is life cover insurance beneficial to me and my family?
• How much will the death benefit be if I pass away?
• What is the fixed monthly premium for my case?
• What happens if I miss out on a payment?

Once you have answered all above questions, then you need to proceed with a second round of factors that address the insurer’s credibility:
• How renowned are they?
• Who underwrites them?
• Are they reliable enough to be around in the next twenty or thirty years to actually pay out the death benefit to my family?

Before choosing your insurer, make sure to shop around and approach at least five different insurance companies to get the greater picture of the different life insurance plans and options available to you, and then compare each plan using the above questions.

Why you need to insure your mortgage

The main reason why you need to purchase a life cover for your mortgage is because you need to protect the current level of your debt. This means that, as your mortgage decreases, so does your insurance and it will reach a point that your mortgage won’t be protected anymore. In the event of a sudden loss of income, your family will be unprotected. Therefore, it makes financial sense to purchase life cover for your mortgage so that you offer an extra protection to your family in case something happens to you, but also to have a level of coverage that you can afford paying while alive.

Your family is the most important capital to protect and your goal is to prepare them to deal with any financial emergency. The best you can do is start making all the necessary provisions today so that, in case you are not suddenly around, they are able to continue their mortgage payments and live in your house.

The background of a finance journalist who writes about the insurance services has helped Terry McBrearty compile particularly useful and factual overviews of the plans and products provided by big companies like Aegon . Read more of his articles and overviews on lifeassurancequotes.org.uk .

We have come to associate the term ‘personal injury’ for accidents that happen when someone else is responsible, and is a potential situation which could lead to the injured party making a claim for compensation.

In this article we take a look at some of the most common personal injury types and how they can be caused.

 Strains and sprains

This is mostly associated to jobs based around manual labour and lifting. However, even office and clerical work can require the moving of supplies or other boxes from time to time. Injuries sustained by this type of activity account for more than a third of work related accidents.

Much of whether a claim can be made will be down to if the relevant safety procedures have been explained to the employee beforehand, or if the appropriate lifting equipment has not been provided. 

 Burns and chemical damage

 When chemicals are not being handled properly or electrical equipment and installation not being maintained to a safe standard it can be extremely dangerous for those around it. Electric shocks from mains devices can be fatal in a worst case scenario and minor discharges can cause serious burns.

 Accidents involving hazardous materials often occur as a result of lax safety procedures. In any workplace where appropriate signage and training is not provided, injuries sustained will more than likely be eligible for compensation.

 Whiplash

 Most of us encounter traffic in our daily lives, where it is as a driver, passenger or even as a pedestrian. So it is no surprise that a great many personal injury claims arise from accidents involving motor vehicles.

 Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained by drivers and passengers of cars involved in collisions. It is inflicted by the weight of the head and neck being forced forward and backward during a sudden change of speed or impact.

 As well as causing great pain and discomfort, the damage it can cause to the nerves that travel through the vertebrae can lead to serious complications.

 Illness

It isn’t only physical injury that can lead to a successful claim. Illnesses, whether short or long term, are also covered and in some cases psychological complaints count as personal injury too. If these conditions are aggravated or triggered by your place of work or a third party then you may be entitled to lodge a claim for compensation.

 Ultimately, if something impacts your well-being, quality of life or disrupts your lifestyle then there may be a basis to claim.

With winter on its way, now could be the perfect time to take out home insurance cover with a company like HomeServe. It will help protect your premises in an emergency, but what should you look out for and what do you need to know about the different policies available?

The difference between home and contents cover

If you have become a property owner for the first time, it’s essential to understand that there are two main types of home insurance available – buildings and content. The former protects the physical structure of your home including the windows, roof and walls, as well as permanent fixtures such as a newly-fitted bathroom suite. It should also provide you with adequate protection against instances of fire, flood, subsidence, falling trees and other things that could damage your premises. You must insure your property for the amount it would cost to rebuild it from scratch including legal fees.

Contents cover, on the other hand, will offer you a financial safety net for the things inside your home including furniture and jewellery. It provides peace of mind that you’ll be compensated in the event of a natural disaster or theft, but you must read the small print to fully understand the contract. As the contents of your home might tally up to more than you think, estimate the value of your belongings as accurately as possible to avoid being underpaid if you ever need to make a claim.

Is there anything buildings insurance won’t pay for?

All policies are different, so take the time to read the terms and conditions carefully. You’ll probably find that major incidents are covered, but that normal wear and tear will be down for you to pay for. What’s more, if no one is living at your home for more than 30 days in a year, the insurance policy could become invalid, so always double check this with your provider. If you have a mortgage, the property lender might advise you on the type of insurance you need, but don’t sign a contract until you fully understand what it entails.

Do I need insurance if I’m renting a property?

While the landlord should sort out buildings insurance, it’s a good idea to protect the contents you have within the property including laptops, computers and other technical gadgets. Families and students are responsible for looking after their belongings, so think about insurance as soon as you move somewhere new. There are many different policies available, but be aware that some providers won’t insure you if you live in shared accommodation.

Theft and crime can happen all year round, but with temperatures set to drop, make sure you are insured this winter.

Medical negligence used to be something that people shied away from, unsure of how to carry out an investigation into pain and injuries suffered as a result of said negligence. However, with the rise of  ‘no win no fee’ solicitors, medical compensation claims are increasing in number each year.

If you play your case right, you will be able to gain a successful medical claim with the help of medical negligence solicitors. This article seeks to inform you of the variety of types of medical negligence that can occur.

Misdiagnosis

This can be an extremely grave mistake for a doctor to make, and one that can lead to a lot of health problems. Misdiagnosis can occur when the symptoms of your condition or illness are not already obviously apparent.

Doctors often fail to diagnose things like cancer, symptoms of an impending heart attack or a stroke, diabetes, meningitis or appendicitis.

If you are being treated for something that you don’t have, or worse, not being treated at all, it can lead to very serious damage to your health.

Surgery-related negligence

This is a rare, but nonetheless very grave offence that will hold your doctor liable for violating his or her code of conduct. If you are operated on without giving your consent to the doctor, this is classed as ‘battery’, legally speaking.

There are many other pitfalls when it comes to surgery, unfortunately. The unintentional laceration of an organ or tissue that isn’t related to the area of concern will cause extra, unwarranted damage to your body.

Wrong site surgery occurs when there has been a mistake in communicating the area of concern to the doctor, and he or she in turn operates on a different area of your body.

A lot of jokes are often made about foreign objects being left in the body after surgery; there’s not that much to laugh at, unfortunately, if it happens to you. If something is left inside your body after the operation, it will more than likely lead to severe, life-threatening infection.

Anaesthesia-related negligence

There are two areas where negligence-caused damage can occur with an anaesthesiologist. During your patient review, he or she will go through your entire patient history to see whether you have a particular allergy or other conditions they need to be aware of.

A mistake in the review will inevitably result in a mistake during the operation, where an allergic reaction could cause severe damage or even death.

Even if the review is successful and the anaesthesiologist is adequately prepared, slip-ups may occur during the surgery, where they may not react in time to changes occurring in front of them.

Despite the decrease of serious traffic accidents in the UK, there is always a chance you may be involved in an accident. Whether the damage to you and your vehicle is minor or serious, you are always able to seek compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Here are some key considerations for those wanting to make a road traffic accident claim.

Never admit it was your fault

If you’re involved in an accident, admitting the accident was in any way your fault could invalidate your insurance claim. This means you should even avoid apologising, as some cases have been denied after a claimant was heard to have said ‘I’m sorry’. Instead, you should exchange all important details such as name, address and so on. If the other driver refuses to give you their details, note down their licence plate so your insurer can get them for you.

Contact your insurer

Failing to notify your insurer of an accident can immediately invalidate your policy, so make sure that you contact your insurer at the first given opportunity. From there, steps can be made towards getting compensation.

If you sustained serious injury as a result of an accident, be sure to consider the services of a specialist solicitor. For instance, if you’ve stained serious spinal damage, a spinal injury solicitor will be of much more use to you than a general practice solicitor.

Collect evidence

As with all insurance cases, you need to be able to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault. This means you should always try and prepare as much information as possible before going through the legal process. To help your case, you should try and collect any pertinent information from eye witnesses, as well as their names and address. If you managed to take any photographic evidence at the scene of the accident, be sure to have this ready for your solicitor.

If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured driver

If you have an accident with an uninsured driver, you will be unable to make a claim to an insurer. You will however be able to settle your claim through the MIB (Motor Insurers Bureau).

Repairing your vehicle

you should never get your car repaired without your insurers consent in case they want to have somebody inspect the damage. You should always check with your insurer first, as you may be required to use a mechanic who is approved by your insurer.

Liability

It’s important to remember that if an accident was partially your fault, you could be faced with a reduced amount of compensation. If for example you were seen to have been 50% responsible for an incident, you will only recover 50% of your compensation.