Student contents insurance guide

Starting university is exciting but it can be a daunting experience, too. With so much of your focus on meeting new friends, surviving Freshers' Week, starting your studies or simply finding your way around a new city, protecting your belongings might not be top of your list of priorities.

However, if you take just a minute or two to think about the things you own, and in many cases rely upon, such as your laptop, mobile phone, TV, clothes, iPod or camera, the value is probably greater than you think. So while buying insurance may seem dull, it's one of the most sensible investments you can make as a student, particularly since young people in the 16-24 age group are three times more likely to be victims of burglary and one in every three students becomes a victim of crime (source: Home Office Report ‘Crime in England and Wales 2007/2008’).
So what is student insurance and why do I need it?

Some students are under the impression that their belongings are covered under their parents' home insurance, but this is often not the case and even where cover is available it will usually be restricted. As a result, standalone student contents insurance policies are available to protect against loss or damage caused by risks such as theft, fire, vandalism, storm, flood and burst pipes.
With the average student now owning over £4,000 worth of belongings (Source: Endsleigh Student Possession Research 2008) student contents insurance can provide you with valuable peace of mind, regardless of whether you are in your first or final year of studies. Although insurance won’t make the loss, theft or damage of your belongings any less upsetting, it will ease the financial strain of replacing them.
Getting the right student contents insurance
The most important aspect of finding the right student insurance policy is ensuring that it provides suitable cover for your lifestyle. Always check the small print of the policies you're interested in to ensure they provide suitable cover for your needs. You may be living in shared accommodation or halls of residence but some student insurance policies will not cover ‘walk in theft’ (burglary without forced entry), and other policies may not cover pedal cycles or musical instruments as standard, for example.

Some insurance companies will offer flexible cover options so that you can pick and mix your cover depending on what you need - meaning you often have the option to insure one item, a selection of items or the contents of your whole room. To ensure you have an adequate amount of cover check the policy terms for item cover limits, any ‘total valuables’ limits (the maximum you can claim for multiple items), the excess (the amount you have to contribute in the event of a claim) and any exclusions (items or risks that are not covered).

Remember to check the period of insurance too, as your policy may cover your possessions during term time only and should you need cover to continue during holiday periods then you will need to speak to your insurer to arrange this.

Depending on the insurance company, other policy benefits may include a 24 hour student helpline, legal expenses cover, cover for course fees should you be deregistered due to death, illness or accident and accidental damage cover.

Business insurance guide and help topic

‘Business insurance’ is a general term that covers the different types of insurance policies that are advisable or may be a legal requirement for your business or enterprise.
Business insurance options include:
Business premises insurance, also known as commercial buildings insurance
Business assets insurance, also known as business contents insurance
Public liability insurance

Employers‘ liability insurance

Professional indemnity insurance
Other specialist policies
The level of cover available for each different type of policy is subject to the individual policy terms of each insurance company. You should always check the policy documents to see what's included as standard and what is considered an ‘optional extra’ i.e. available at an additional cost.
In this part of our guide we look at insurance for business premises and contents.
Insuring your business premises
If you have business premises then a business premises insurance policy will cover your commercial buildings against a range of risks, for example fire, explosion, storm damage and flooding. Some insurance companies offer ‘all risk’ insurance which provides cover for other damage and loss as specified in the policy terms, including accidental damage cover.
What level of cover will I need?
When you take out a business premises insurance policy you will need to insure the premises for the full rebuilding cost, also known as the ‘reinstatement value’, rather than the market value. The reinstatement value is the cost of rebuilding the property in the event of a total loss; your insurance company may give you the option to add on an additional percentage to protect against underestimates and index linking.
Don't be tempted to under-insure in order to cut costs, as should you need to claim then you will be limited to the amount you insured the premises for regardless of whether the actual loss or damage is more.
What if I am a tenant?
If you are a tenant then it may be your landlord who is responsible for insuring the premises, unless the business has a shop front, in which case the responsibility for acquiring suitable insurance cover will normally lie with the tenant. If your landlord is responsible for insuring the premises and your lease complies with the Code for Leasing Business Premises in England and Wales 2007 then the insurance should be fair, reasonable and represent value for money. You have the right to request details of any commission received by your landlord and the details of the relevant insurance policies relating to the premises.
What if I am a landlord?
If you are a landlord then there will be a variety of policy options available to you, including policies for premises that are unoccupied or let.
Insuring business assets or equipment
Insurance for business assets or equipment is also known as business contents insurance. It's designed to cover items such as stock, machinery or equipment and other contents.
What are my policy options?
When it comes to insuring business assets or equipment you will have a number of options open to you. In terms of cover, you'll normally have the choice of ‘replacement as new’ insurance or ‘indemnity’ insurance.
Replacement as new policies are also referred to as ‘new-for-old cover’ and, if the claim is valid, the policy will meet the full cost of replacing items if they are stolen or destroyed; alternatively, the cost of repair will be met if the items are damaged. Unlike replacement as new policies, ‘indemnity’ policies deduct the cost of wear and tear so that the policyholder is put back in the same state or financial position they were in prior to the loss.
There is also the option to take out a ‘business interruption’ policy to insure against loss of profits and increased overheads resulting from, for example, key pieces of equipment or machinery being damaged or stolen.
Working from home
If you operate your business from your home, or work from home on a regular basis, then you may need a specialist insurance policy as standard home insurance will not provide cover for business-related risks.
In the next part of our guide we explain what public liability insurance is and why it's necessary.

Van insurance guide and help

What is van insurance and why do I need it?

Since the Government brought in the Road Traffic Act (1930), van insurance has become a legal requirement for all drivers on the road. Therefore you are legally obliged as a driver to be insured against the possibility that you may injure another person or cause damage to another person's property. For example if you reverse your van into someone else's vehicle, your van insurance will pay for the repairs to the vehicle. Anyone who does not have van insurance could receive a fine or driving ban if they are caught.
How do insurers protect the victims of uninsured drivers?

In 1946 the Motor Insurers' Bureau was set up to provide a way of compensating the victims of uninsured or untraced motorists. All motor insurance companies must be members of the Motor Insurers' Bureau and contribute to its funding.
So if an uninsured or untraced driver injures you or damages your van, you should receive compensation from the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

Van insurance - the basics
What documentation or paper work will I get?
Once you have taken out your van insurance policy, your insurance provider will send you:
A certificate of insurance (or a cover note which is a temporary certificate)
A schedule and/or policy document
A policy booklet (or they will tell you where you can access one)
Your certificate is a very important document as it is evidence that you are legally insured and is one of the documents that police will ask to look at if you are stopped while driving.
A cover note may be supplied if the insurance company or broker needs time to complete the paperwork. This will give you the same protection as a insurance certificate but is only usually valid for 30 days.
Key things to remember!

Always read all the documents sent to you to make sure all the details are correct and that you have the level of cover you need. If you have any concerns or queries contact your broker or insurance company.
Ensure that you give the correct information to the insurance company or broker; otherwise your insurance may not be valid. If you do not, it could result in the insurance company not paying out if you were to make a claim.
Tell your insurer or broker everything that relates to you as a driver or road user, such as driving history, claims and convictions.
Keep all your policy documents in a safe place; you never know when you may need them!
What's included in my policy?
What your policy covers depends on what type of cover you have chosen and any additional cover you may have bought. The documentation you receive with you insurance policy should outline exactly what is covered.
What types of policy are there?
There are three main types of policy which each offer different levels of cover.
Third Party Only (TPO)

This van insurance is the minimum level of cover required by law in the UK. It covers:
Liability for injury to others (including passengers)
Damage to property
Liability whilst towing a caravan or trailer
Remember! This does not cover you for accidental damage to your own vehicle; you will have to pay for that yourself.
Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT)
This covers everything that third party covers, plus:

Fire damage

The theft of your own vehicle
Damage to your van caused during the theft
Comprehensive
Comprehensive is the most extensive van insurance cover and includes everything third party fire and theft does and usually the following:
Loss or damage to your vehicle
Windscreen cover
Personal effects
Accidental damage
Medical expenses

Remember!
 Some van insurance companies are now offering cheaper policies that offer less protection. These may be known as 'stripped down' policies, for example the insurance company may have removed windscreen cover. Always check your policy documents to make sure you get the right level of cover for your needs.
How do I make a claim on my policy?

You need to tell your van insurance company as soon as you can when you have had an accident or if your van has been stolen, even if you are not going to claim.

If your van needs repairing once the insurance company has all the details of your claim they will inform you of the nearest approved repairers and arrange for your van to be repaired. An approved repairer is a garage that your van insurance company has a relationship with to do repair work on their behalf. If you do not go to an approved repairer then your insurance company may not pay for the repairs.

Pet insurance guide

To help you decide if pet insurance is right for you, we've compiled a short guide that explains what it is, how it works and how you could save money but still find the right cover.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance helps to cover the cost of veterinary treatment in the event of an insured pet falling ill or being injured in an accident. Some pet insurance policies will also pay out if a pet dies, is lost or stolen or causes injury to a third party or damages a third party's property. Far from being limited to cats and dogs only, many pet insurance companies will cover smaller pets too, such as rabbits - and even exotic pets, such as chinchillas and parrots.
Why do I need it?

Pets are a big part of our lives, so when they fall ill or are injured providing the best health care for them is important. With the advances in veterinary medicine, treatments are now available that were once reserved for humans, making once fatal conditions in animals now treatable. Veterinary practices also have access to much more sophisticated equipment than they did in the past, making it possible to detect and diagnose problems that would once have gone untreated. Inevitably, these types of treatments and diagnostics come at a price, leaving some pet owners faced with a difficult choice. For this reason, many opt to take out pet insurance as not only does it provide valuable peace of mind against spiralling vets fees, but it also allows them to fully explore all available treatment options.
Pet insurance policies in more detail
Some pet insurance companies will allow you to choose from a range of excess amounts when you take out the policy – the higher you set the excess, the cheaper your premiums are likely to be. However, remember to always set the excess at an amount you can comfortably afford should you need to make a claim.
What about pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing medical condition is one for which a pet actually received care, treatment or veterinary advice before the cover came into effect. Most pet insurance companies will be willing to insure the pet, but will exclude the pre-existing condition from the cover.
Is pet insurance available for older pets?
Pet insurance companies typically treat dogs and cats aged eight and over as 'older pets'. Whilst cover is available for older pets, premiums are usually higher than for younger animals as they are considered to be at a greater risk of illness, particularly long term illnesses that are associated with age. Some pet insurance companies are still able to offer competitive premiums by increasing the policy excess or requiring that an additional contribution is made towards any claims. Where this is the case, it is usually a fixed percentage of the amount of the claim.
If you are looking to insure an older pet, the level of cover is important. Therefore always shop around and compare policies by features as well as price.

When comparing policies always compare on policy features as well as price, that way you can be sure you are getting the right cover for your needs. Spending a little more, rather than simply choosing the cheapest policy, may offer better value for money – but remember to check the excess on any policy you’re interested in before you buy. If you don't, you may have a nasty shock when you come to make a claim

Health Insurance guide

Finally, selecting the perfect health insurance policy is all about careful self evaluation and extensive research. Some time and efforts put can actually save you a huge amount of money in case of the medical emergencies. If you strictly follow the guidelines mentioned above, you are surely on the way to a quality health insurance policy.
Almost every single person in this universe has fallen ill at some point of time. Apart from general illness, a large number of people meet with an accident very often. This has thus made visits to a doctor surely imperative. However with the introduction of new technologies in the realm of medicine, the expenses and cost of treatments are on a rise as well. All these thus leave the sufferers in great financial burden. So in order to make the scenario a better one, various health insurance plans have been introduced.
Also, with coming up of technologies such as computer and television, there is even an increase in the eye problems faced by people. But the cost of visiting an eye specialist can actually leave a hole in your pocket. Thus, vision health insurance helps to cover all the costs that you incur on contact lenses, glasses, laser surgeries along with the regular checkups and emergency treatments.
In case you have a low budget, you can then purchase a short term insurance plan in order to offer health care facilities to your entire family. Moreover, another type of health insurance is the student insurance plan. It has been observed that students are more prone to illnesses due to their unorganized and tiresome lifestyles. With quality student health insurance, students can easily get covered for their health and medical expenses with much ease.
You can even save a huge amount of efforts and time when you take the health insurance quotes from online portals. If you plan to take quotes from individual health insurance providers, it will take you a huge amount of time to do so. But with the help of online comparison sites and health portals, you can carry out comparison shopping and best free health quotes.
A large number of people think that when an employer provides certain kind of health insurance plan, the insurance is not complicated. However this is not true. There are doctors to select from, plans to consider and the deductibles that are worth all the consideration. In case you are self employed, having the best health insurance can prove to be a difficult task. You may see yourself lost in the ocean of details and insurance companies available. All such difficulties can be easily sorted by getting insurance quotes from the service providers and then carefully going through their fine prints.
Even a pregnant lady has to undergo regular scans and checkups with the doctor and the midwife in order to ensure that her pregnancy is progressing safely. Though various insurance plans do not cover general pregnancy, it is crucial to note that every insurance provider has its own rules and regulations regarding pregnancy coverage. While some insurance companies cover for the issues related to pregnancy, others cover all treatments, scans, checkups that are done during the entire course of pregnancy.

Dental Insurance guide

Are you the one who grinds teeth while sleeping? Is the surface of your teeth facing some problem? If yes, you might be at risk of a serious dental problem. Thus, dental insurance is a total must that can keep your dental health in a good condition. You might be well aware of the fact that paying some visits to the dentist can cost you huge amounts. So it is imperative to find an affordable dental insurance plan that not just suits your requirements, but is affordable as well.

You can have a word with your current dentist in order to see if the professional provides some kind of insurance policy. In various cases, the dentist’s clinic is linked with an insurance firm that can save you great amounts. Being a part of some group dental scheme is a great option as you can get various treatments covered at reasonable rate. If you are not so sure about the best dental insurance plan for your needs, you can refer to your dental care professional to seek advice. In all, various dental clinics recommend affordable and cheap dental plans for the patients. In circumstances where a person does not have enough funds to buy a dental insurance policy, dentists will suggest them to use the discounted dental offers. These plans are in fact identical to the PPO or Preferred Provider Organization.
Moreover, before you search for the best dental insurance plans available, you need to evaluate your dental requirements first. Ask yourself whether you require the maintenance plan or the comprehensive one. In case you have a tendency to face big dental problems, it might be nice for you to opt for the comprehensive plan as such a kind of scheme covers all the expenses of major dental treatments. But you have to consider that the premium for such a comprehensive policy is a bit higher than you generally pay for the maintenance program. In case you are featured with a limited budget and don’t even require much repair, it is recommended that you choose the maintenance plan as this can offer you the regular checkups and annual cleanings for free of cost.

You can even enjoy a discount on your dental plan. Check with your dentist and see if he or she offers any discounted schemes. Basically what actually happens is that the dentists offer you a discount when you get the work done. The benefit attached is that you save some amount and the dental professional gets his or her money the same day without waiting for an insurance company to pay for their work. In short, using a good dental insurance can save you huge amounts that you might spend on regular visits and treatments.

Bike insurance guide

Go for recognised security features

Motorbikes can be a real target for thieves but if you go for industry-approved security measures, many insurers will chop a further 10% off your premiums.

But what are these approved steps? Most insurers want to see that your security devices, such as immobilisers, heavy duty locks and ground anchors, are Thatcham approved.


Motorcycle insurance is required by law. It is to make sure people can cover the costs of any riding related damage or injury. For example if you crash your bike into someone else, motorcycle insurance will pay for the repairs to the other vehicle.
The most important part of looking for a suitable insurance policy is understanding what cover you need and what type of risk you are to an insurance company.
An insurance company will look at a number of factors to determine what type of risk you are i.e. how likely you are to make a claim on a policy, such as:
your riding history (have you a number of prior claims or convictions which may make you a greater risk?)
the area in which you live (is there a lot of vehicle crime in your area?)
the type of bike you ride (is it a high-performance bike?)
Almost every piece of information you are asked when you get a quote will have some influence on the cost of your bike insurance.
Motorbike insurance is there to offer both financial cover and peace of mind for you and everyone else on or about the road.
How do insurance companies protect the victims of uninsured riders?
Even though by law you have to have motor insurance, you can guarantee that somewhere there is someone on the road without insurance cover.
In 1946 the Motor Insurers' Bureau was created. It ensures victims of untraced or uninsured motorists are compensated for their losses. All motor insurers must be members of the bureau and contribute to its funding.
The Bureau has a database with details of private and fleet motor insurance policyholders. The police can access the database and see whether or not motorists have current insurance during spot checks, or at the scene of an accident. The Motor Insurance Database is currently run by the Motor Insurers' Information Centre.
When an uninsured or untraced rider injures a third party or damages their property, the third party should receive compensation from the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
If a motorbike is stolen and the thief damages property or injures someone, the insurance company for the bike will be liable to pay the costs involved.

Documentation or paperwork

When you purchase your motorbike insurance, your insurance company will send you documentation to prove you are legally insured to ride on the road. You'll have to show proof of insurance for example if you get stopped by the police for any reason. The law currently gives you seven days to prove your valid insurance cover to the police.
You should receive the following documents from your insurance company:
Cover note
A cover note is a temporary certificate of insurance which is usually issued to allow either a broker or insurer time to complete their paperwork before they issue the full certificate. It usually lasts for 30 days.
Certificate of insurance
This is the document that proves your legal motor insurance cover as required by the Road Traffic Act.
Schedule and/or policy document
The schedule and/or policy document sets out the full the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
Remember! You should always read all the documents sent to you, firstly to check that the level of cover you agreed with the insurance company is correct and to also make you aware of any policy exclusions. It is your responsibility to be aware of the exact cover you have agreed. If you have any concerns or queries, contact your broker or insurance company.

No claims discount

For every year you're insured and don't make an insurance claim you will build up a no claims discount. The amount of discount you receive can vary but could be from around 30% discount the first year, increasing to around 60% for your fourth year.
If you make a claim on your policy and your insurance company can't recover their costs, it will affect your no claims discount even if the accident was not your fault. It is a 'no claim' not a 'no blame' discount.
Should you have a claim which is considered to be your fault then you will lose some of your no claims discount. The amount of discount you lose will vary from one insurance company to the next.
Bike insurance and optional extras
Sometimes you want some extra cover on your insurance, which isn't included in the policy itself, for example you may want breakdown cover. This extra cover is known as an optional extra or ancillary product and can be bought with your insurance policy.
Legal assistance or protection
Also known as legal cover or Uninsured Loss Recovery, legal assistance helps cover legal costs following an accident where a third party was at fault.
Legal professionals will deal with your case for you and try to recover any losses on your behalf, for example medical losses, loss of earnings or recovering your policy excess. They will also make a claim for compensation for you if you are injured.
How bike insurance quotes are calculated?

Insurance companies take lots of factors into account when working out what to charge you for your motorbike insurance, which is why they ask so many questions. They work out what type of risk you are to them (how likely it is that you will make a claim on your policy) and charge you accordingly.
They will look at:
Claims history

If you've made a claim on your motorbike insurance in the last 5 years, you must tell your insurance company about it. If an insurance company has had to pay out for a claim, they will see you as a greater risk to them and charge you more for your policy.

Having made a claim doesn't necessarily condemn you to paying huge sums for your motorbike insurance though. Just run a quote through Gocompare.com and we'll bring you prices from the most competitive motorbike insurance companies in the market.

Riders

An insurance company will ask for information about who will be riding your bike, including their riding history, age, claims and convictions history etc. Adding a rider under 25 who has a speeding conviction and has previously crashed their bike will certainly increase your insurance costs compared to letting a 40 year old with a no claims or convictions ride your motorbike.

Riding convictions

It stands to reason, the more riding convictions you have, the more you will be charged for your insurance – someone who speeds habitually may be seen as having more chance of being involved in an accident and so will cost their insurance company money.