A study carried out by Sainsburys Bank looking at data for the last 12 months has shown an increase in car insurance cover of 5.8 percent.
Sainsburys Bank has been studying the data since 2005 and this is the first time that the average annual premium has gone over the GBP500 mark, standing currently at GBP514. Commenting on this increased cost a spokesperson explained that premiums take into account both the cost of vehicle repair and personal injury and as these increase so premiums have to go up to cover those costs.
Car insurance premiums are also affected by the number of claims, something Sainsburys Bank would like to see reduce. They are therefore asking drivers to take more care behind the wheel, avoiding dangerous activities in order to have less accidents which will then lead to a reduction in insurance costs.
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.
