Endsleigh Insurance is warning homeowners that getting repairs and home improvement work done by non-approved people can mean home insurance is not valid, leaving the consumer unprotected.
Should the design or workmanship of a home improvement project be below the typical standard, or if unsuitable materials or tools are used, Endsleigh Insurance will not pay out for any claims made. They, along with many other insurers, will also refuse to pay when structural modifications that have been done on a DIY basis, lead to a buildings insurance claim.
The view of the insurer is that they are basing their premiums on the perceived risk of the property as described. If this changes, through a home improvement project for example, the insurer, be it Endsleigh home insurance or any other, needs to know about it, and to what standard it was done, so they can re-evaluate the risk profile.
A study carried out by esure car insurance has found that younger drivers are more likely to buy an environmentally friendly car than older drivers.
Over 80 percent of drivers under 25 would consider using a hybrid, electric or bio fuel car according to the esure survey results, reflecting their attitude to the future of the planet or perhaps their concern at the rising cost of fuel. In fact 20 percent of all drivers said they would think about moving to a more fuel efficient vehicle to save money.
The hybrid and electric cars are certainly cheaper to run than existing petrol models, though initial purchase cost is high. Car insurance premiums are also relatively high due to the cost of any repairs that may be needed. Being new and innovative means parts cost much more than regular models.
The RAC is advising UK drivers to make sure they check their tyres regularly to avoid problems.
Having asked drivers about tyres it seems that a number of them are unaware of legal requirements regarding tread and also the general condition of the tyre. The RAC survey found 45 percent of drivers did not know that the minimum tread depth of a tyre is 1.6 mm. For female drivers this went up to 60 percent being unaware of the figure.
Tyres can be forgotten about quite easily but they are very important for road safety, general performance and also fuel economy. The RAC would like drivers to check their tyre condition and pressures at least weekly to avoid having a problem on the road.
