The AnswerBank Articles

Nearly Half Of Young Drivers Carry Weapons

A recent motor insurance survey has found that almost half of all young motorists are carrying a weapon in their car because they are insecure about crime. Nearly 60 per cent say that they had previously had their vehicles vandalised, and nearly 50 per cent said that they have had something stolen from their car. Mot...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Last Will And Testament

It is never easy when a family member or friend passes away. Sorting out wills and legacies in often entangled financial affairs can be a nightmare, and cause rows in one in ten families following a death. Problems can become even worse when the person charged with executing the will's instructions may be struggling wi...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Bizarre Insurance Claims Increasing

A sharp increase in spurious or exaggerated public liability claims against local governments has led to increased costs for taxpayers and insurers. An annual list of the silliest insurance claims made against local government authorities in Britain includes a shoplifter who sprained her ankle attempting to escape and...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

London Council Begins CCTV Monitoring Of Dodgy Manoeuvres

We have all seen the little black boxes high up on street lamps and the corners of buildings. CCTV cameras are in our lives monitoring our movements. The government tells us that they are there for our benefit to help prevent crime and give evidence when crime has been committed. However, it seems that one council is n...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

UK Holidaymakers Make Easy Prey

We all deserve a break every now and then and many of us look forward to our holidays for months. However, the best planned vacation can be ruined when you are robbed. It seems this is a big problem for us, as British people on holiday lost out to the tune of £200 million through holiday thefts last year, a trav...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Budget Airlines Forced To Payout For Delays

We all look forward to our yearly break and do not want anything to go wrong. However, when the flight to or from our destination is delayed or even cancelled this can ruin anyone’s holiday. Particularly bad, it seems, are the so called budget airlines who offer cheaper prices for less frills. In recent news bud...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Crooks Targeting People Not Homes

Home insurance companies are warning that the targets of petty theft are changing as thieves no longer have to nab a stereo or TV to make crime pay. Instead, the growing numbers of high cost portable electronic devices in the nation's pockets are becoming the main objects of crooks attention, say home insurance firms....16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Car Chases Could Be A Thing Of The Past Thanks To New GPS Technology

Police are testing a new high-tech American device that could put an end to the car chases that so enliven episodes of TV police shows. The StarChase has been developed by a police force in the USA and enables officers to shoot a tiny, sticky GPS tracker onto an escaping vehicle. The laser-guided trackers can be fired...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Foreign Office (FO) Warns Badly Behaved Brits Not To Expect Jail Aid

Many of us have been tempted by the excess on holiday and have risked trouble by having a few too many to drink. It seems, however, that we should think before we get ourselves into trouble as we may not get the help we expect. The Foreign Office (FO) has warned boozy and badly behaved Britons not to expect British Em...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Half Of UK Drivers Not Prepared For Foreign Roads

Many people now take their cars on holiday with them. It can be more convenient to have your own transport at your destination plus there is no luggage allowance. However, many do not realise that some preparation is required when driving abroad, even in Europe. Over half of all drivers in the UK fail to prepare for t...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Same-Sex Couples Affected By New Tax Rules

Before December 2005 same sex couples were categorised as individuals for benefit purposes. After this date, however, with the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act those living together as a couple would be seen as such for tax credits and benefits. Despite this being a victory for homophiles it could make them wo...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Victims Call For ID Theft Support

It can be a frightening experience to have your identity stolen, perhaps your credit card was scanned in an ATM machine or your bank details hacked off the internet. Not only have you lost money but it is a violent invasion of your privacy and many sufferers have long term problems trying to get their lives back on tra...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Law-Abiding Give Thieves Easy Ride With Lax Security

We have all done it; popped out of the house for five minutes to visit a neighbour and left the door on the latch. We like to think that where we live is safe as houses. It seems, however, that we should be more careful with our homes and make sure they are locked up even if we are only going next door to borrow a cup ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Britons Unconcerned By Burglary Threat

Britain's homeowners are not concerned about the threat of burglary despite living in the most burgled nation in Europe, according to new research. A survey in a well known Sunday newspaper showed that the UK has a burglary rate of almost double that of its European neighbours but research from an insurance firm repor...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Insurers Warn Of Halloween Risks

Halloween is a great time for the kids; they get to go out at night when it is dark, dress up in scary (or otherwise) costumes and best of all they get given mountains of sweets! It can be a bit of a headache for parents having to answer the door every five minutes plus the expense in sweets for children you probably d...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

RoSPA Warns Of Sat Nav Hazards

There has been much debate about the use of mobile phones and hands free sets in car whilst driving but recent research has revealed a new distraction that could be the cause of many unnecessary road accidents. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has revealed it is concerned over the number of ac...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Women With Expensive Handbags 'Vulnerable To Crime'

A designer label handbag – the dream of many women nowadays. They can cost as much as a hundred pounds but give the wearer a sense of status, even better if it is filled with expensive gadgets. However good it looks, though, the designer bag and expensive gadgets can be a draw to thieves and you may lose everythi...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Drivers With Poor Sight May Be Dangerous

In today's health and safety conscious world it seems we cannot do anything without first getting it authorised in triplicate and signed off by three different managers. So it seems odd that many people who drive for work are having accidents on the road which may be caused by poor eyesight. A huge safety risk may hav...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Home Insurance Vital To Home-Workers

For some of us it is the ideal situation, working from home. It can help save money on travelling costs and childcare. Working from home can give benefits as simple as being able to take deliveries during the day without having to slog down to the post office after work. Or being able to take the dog out for a walk in ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Most Landlords 'Keep The Tenants' Deposits'

Whilst many of us own our own homes there is still a large proportion of the population who do not and are in rented accommodation. This has its benefits as well as it detriments. Tenants and landlords both have legal rights in agreements set up and should make sure they know what they are as it seems some property-own...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010