BHRC

Protecting Yourself from Insurance Errors

It’s always a good idea to practice brutal honesty when it comes to dealing with insurance companies. While it can be tempting to lie in an effort to lower your monthly payments, it’s just not worth it. This is something that not enough people fully understand, and they usually end up paying a huge price. It is important that you know how to protect yourself from insurance errors, as they do tend to happen sometimes.

Car Insurance

If your insurer finds out that you lied about anything, your cover will be invalidated completely.

It is almost never a good idea to pay instalments for a yearly policy if you can help it. Insurance providers will charge interest, which can quickly add up. You might end up paying nearly 25% more than you needed to.

Those who are on a tight budget and can’t pay the premium all at once should take some time to find a credit card that offers 0% interest for the first year or so. This way you can make instalment payments on your insurance cover without having to pay any interest at all. There are many of these cards available, so you shouldn’t have problems finding the right one to apply for.

You should always try to steer clear of auto-renewals, as you could very likely end up spending more than you have to. There is probably a better deal available on the market, and it’s important to review your options. It is never a good idea to just assume that you are getting the best deal possible.

One of the worst things you can do when getting car insurance is to “front”, which means lying about the primary driver on your policy to get a better premium. This is actually against the law and could land you in jail as well as a £5,000 fine. If you are considered a “high risk” individual by insurance companies, you should make a point of doing some extra research to get a good deal.

It is a requirement to declare any penalty points you have on your driving record when getting car insurance. This is another thing that people forget to do or just lie about. If you don’t want to end up paying a huge fine, it’s important that you are honest about this as well.

Home Insurance

You will find that home insurance is a bit more involved than car insurance for a number of reasons. If you want to get this type of policy, you must declare any major modifications to your home. There are many different things that can affect what you pay for this type of insurance, including the state of your roof and the overall position of your home on the property.

It is important to double check to make sure that all of the answers you are giving to your home insurance provider are truthful. If they want to know which types of locks you have on your doors, you need to find out. Making even the simplest mistake in this process can land you in serious trouble.

Travel Insurance

While most people don’t bother with travel insurance when they go on holiday, it is a very good idea for many reasons. If you have decided to get this type of policy, you will need to make a point of telling the insurer about any pre-existing health conditions you have. This includes things like heart problems, asthma and high blood pressure. It can get complicated for those who have cancer or had it in the past, but you must be truthful.

The destination you travel to will definitely have an impact on how much you pay for travel insurance. It is a good idea to check the government’s official foreign travel advice online so you can stay away from potentially dangerous areas.

Pet Insurance

If you have decided to get an insurance policy for your furry friend, it is important that you take the time to read through the fine print before signing anything. Make sure that you fully understand all of the terms and conditions so that you are not caught off guard by anything later on. It is also important to remember that certain dogs can be more expensive than others to insure, depending on which health problems their breed is prone to.

Final Thoughts

Whether you make an honest mistake on your insurance form or try to lie to get a lower rate, you will regret it. Not all insurance mistakes come with hefty fines and jail time, but some of them do. It is always better to err on the side of caution in these situations.

Alternative Energy Sources That Can Save You Money Long Term

If you want to save money on your household bills while doing your part for the environment, there are numerous alternative energy sources to explore. These days it is possible for most people to power their entire homes without contributing to global warming. The more you learn about these options, the easier it will be for you to choose the right one to use for your home.

Solar Power

These days thousands of people across the UK have made the switch to solar power. There are a number of homes and commercial buildings that are powered by solar panels. It is a viable option for a vast majority of people, and the long term savings are quite substantial.

It is possible to generate up to 20 watts of power for every square foot. Before you go forward, you will need to hire a professional to come out to your home. This person will determine whether or not solar power is a good match for you based on the position of your house and other factors.

Those who need to replace their roof soon might want to consider investing in solar shingles, which can be just as effective as the more traditional panels. The system you have installed collects energy from the sun during the day and stores it to last throughout the night. This is why the sun doesn’t have to be out all the time for this setup to work.

You might be able to save additional money by taking advantage of government incentives for those who use solar energy to power their homes. There are some conditions for these savings, but it is worth looking into.

Wind Power

You will find that wind turbines are another option that you might want to take advantage of. A fairly small sized turbine can provide a medium-sized house with adequate power 24 hours a day. This option can also cost quite a bit upfront, but you will be able to save thousands over the years on your energy bills. You should be prepared to spend at least five hundred thousand pounds on a small wind turbine. While it is prohibitively expensive for most, it is a great option if you can afford it.

Another small drawback to using a wind turbine to power your home is that it can be quite loud. Those who have a lot of land can have it installed far enough away to where the noise isn’t so much of an issue. These turbines are well-suited to large properties because they tend to be large and take up a lot of space.

The good news about wind power is that it’s something that can work for most people. There are a number of companies in the UK that can install a wind turbine on your property, but it’s important that you consider this option carefully.

Hydro Power

While hydro power is very environmentally friendly, it isn’t something that most people can take advantage of. You need to live very close to an area with lots of running water for this alternative energy source to work. You will also have to pay a professional to install the necessary generator, which can be quite expensive. Those who have a background in engineering might be able to do the work themselves.

One of the best things about hydro power is that it is among the most stable of all alternative energy sources. You won’t have to worry about your power going out because of how reliable it is. The input is very consistent, which means huge savings on your energy bills. You can also rest easy knowing that the lights in your home won’t suddenly go out ever again.

Solar Water Heating

A solar heater works on a very simple concept and can be used by many people. This setup uses the sun to heat water that is channelled through a series of radiators. It is among the cheapest alternative energy options, and it’s far less expensive than electricity or gas. If you really want to save money long term, this is definitely an option to explore. Because there are numerous solar water heaters, you should do your research. Each kind has its own pros and cons that you need to explore before making up your mind on anything in particular.
Which Alternative Energy Source is Right for you?

There are many things to take into consideration before deciding to use a certain alternative energy source to power your home. Not everyone can utilize all of these methods, but they are all worth researching in depth. You can easily save thousands of pounds on your utilities throughout the years by making this switch, and it’s something many people are doing.