Churchill Car insurance - Enhanced Courtesy Car

Churchill Car Insurance provides you with loads of add on benefits when you buy car insurance from Churchill Car Insurance. One such good add on feature or benefit is that you get an enhanced courtesy car cover starting at just 2.28 GBP per month. Read on for the details:

Enhanced Courtesy Car cover from just £2.28 a month.

If you rely on your car, you need to be able to rely on your cover. A courtesy car which is, for example, much smaller or less powerful, could turn simple things like getting the kids to school into a nightmare.
Designed for customers who need more than the standard courtesy car that we offer, Enhanced Courtesy Car cover guarantees you a replacement car similar to your own.

Just what you need?

The Enhanced Courtesy Car product could be just for you if you
• Drive a larger or more powerful car

• Drive a car with seven seats like an MPV

• Have high annual mileage

• Have only one car in the household

• Use your car for commuting/business use

• Drive a van

What do I get?

• A replacement car for repairs and write offs and if the car is stolen

• A car of a similar size - up to a large family estate, mini MPV or small van

• A replacement car within 24 hours of registering your claim

• £500 transport allowance (for public transport and taxis) if you are injured and unable to drive

• £50 emergency fund to complete your journey if your car is taken away after the accident • Cover for up to 28 days from registering your claim How do I buy? To buy Enhanced Courtesy Car simply tick the box when you apply online or call us anytime to take out this cover. For just £27.30 a year for comprehensive customers there will be no need to worry about getting around should you have to claim. You can also add this to non-comprehensive policies for just £38.85. Upgrading your car after a claim can prove costly, from just £2.28 per month we will make sure you get the cover that suits your needs.

Link to previous articles: Churchill Car Insurance - Legal Assistance Service Churchill Car Insurance: Online Quote Underlying Assumptions Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims

Churchill Car Insurance - Legal Assistance Service

Churchill car insurance offers the insurer a legal assistance service, that comes in to your help in case there are any legal requirements. Offcourse that comes at a small and nominal cost, which depends upon the plan you choose.

Below are the details of Churchill Legal Assistance services:

The hourly rate for a qualified solicitor or legal executive is likely to be in excess of £100*. For as little as £1.93 per month, Churchill Legal Assistance Service (CLAS) will provide up to £100,000 of legal costs to help you to recover losses that cannot be claimed from any insurance policy.

Examples may include:
• Compensation for injury or death

• Your car insurance excess under your Comprehensive policy

• Accident repair costs if you do not have Comprehensive cover

• Damage to your clothes, luggage or personal belongings if you do not have Comprehensive cover

• Hire car costs

• Loss of earnings

Churchill Legal Assistance Service also extends protection for anyone authorised to drive your car and for any authorised passengers travelling in your car at the time of the accident.

The solicitor acting for you will handle all aspects of your claim, including locating a medical expert such as a physiotherapist or osteopath, if this is necessary for the treatment of an injury resulting from the accident. The specialist’s charges will be met by CLAS.

The appointed solicitor is regulated by the Law Society which, in addition to the high standards of service you would expect from Churchill, ensures that you receive a professional legal service. CLAS provides you with extra peace of mind and a hassle free solution when you need it the most. Please see policy wording for full terms and conditions. If you have a road traffic accident involving your car that is not your fault, you have a right to claim back your uninsured losses from the driver responsible.

Link to previous articles: Churchill Car Insurance: Online Quote Underlying Assumptions Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary

Churchill Car Insurance: Online Quote Underlying Assumptions

Churchill car insurance online quotes are based upon certain assumptions. Hence, it is important to understand clearly the underlying assumptions before you finalize a deal with Churchill car Insurance.

Please ensure that the information provided by you and the statements on this page are correct. If you decide to buy a Churchill car insurance policy, these details will form the basis of the insurance contract between us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy. Under European law you and we may choose which law will apply to this contract. English law will apply unless both parties agree otherwise. Our cancellation and complaints procedure is detailed in the policy, where you can also find the details of the 14 day cooling-off period.

If your circumstances change between the date you purchase the policy and the date when you require the policy to commence, please call us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the car insurance policy.

Here is the list of assumptions that Churchill makes while giving you the opportunity to purchase economical price insurance online:

• All drivers are at least 17 years of age, hold a valid EU driving licence and are permanently resident in the UK

• All drivers are under 80 years of age (quotes are available by phone for drivers aged 80 or over)

• The total number of accidents or claims for all drivers does not exceed 2 in the last 3 years

• The total number of convictions, fixed penalties or disqualifications for all drivers does not exceed 2 in the last 5 years

• The vehicle is owned and registered by you at your address and has not been modified or altered in any way (including optional extras). For example - wheels, suspension, bodywork and engine

• You use the vehicle for social, domestic and pleasure use or for commuting to and from your normal place of work if your occupation is one of the following: Motor Trade, Retired, Housewife/Househusband, Driver, Student and Unemployed. For all other occupations the vehicle may be used in connection with your business or those of your spouse, partner or civil partner (not business partner). If you require additional drivers to have business use or are uncertain about the type of use you require, please contact us.

• Your business or the business of your employer is not in any way connected with any of the following: the entertainment and fashion industry, professional sports, foreign service or diplomatic personnel, scrap or salvage merchants, general dealers, mini-cab drivers or controllers

• The annual mileage of your vehicle does not exceed 25,000

• The value of your vehicle is no greater than £50,000

• Your No Claims Discount (NCD) must be provided by an insurer from an EU country. We accept Proof of NCD from other countries entirely at our own discretion. Proof must be the original documentation (not a copy), written in English and the NCD level shown in years, not as a percentage.

• You accept this car insurance policy on an automatic renewal basis and agree to us automatically renewing your policy each year using the payment details given when you purchased the policy unless you ask us not to.

All of the above statements must be correct for you to be able to complete a car insurance quote online. If any of the statements do not fit your requirements, please call us as we may be able to complete your quote by phone. After buying your car insurance policy, please send proof of your NCD to Churchill at the following address: Churchill Insurance Company Limited, Churchill Court, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, BR1 1DP.

Link to previous articles: Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover

Direct Line Life Insurance Critical Illness Cover: Amount of Cover

How much you should take out is something you must consider. There is not a definitive answer, but you may wish to think about some of the following:

What do you require the life cover for?

• Security for your family/partner.

• Required to pay off your mortgage or other loans.

There are other considerations which you should then take into account:

• How much is your mortgage.

• What type of mortgage do you have.

• What are your general family living expenses.

• For how long will your partner and/or children be dependent on your income and what education commitments might you be required to meet.

• If you have other savings what might it earn for family income. You should also allow for a reasonable rate of inflation as life cover is generally a long term purchase. For example compare prices now to ten years ago. It really is up to you, you should consider what income would be required should you die or suffer a critical illness to keep your dependants in the same lifestyle and standard of living as they have now. Also note this will not just be for one year, but possibly a number of years, especially if your children are young. It's tempting to put off any decision about taking out life cover but beware:- • Approximately 1,700 people die everyday in the UK (Source: The Office for National Statistics). • Every year that you delay increases the cost.

Link to previous articles: Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover

Churchill Car Insurance Overview

Car insurance - price guarantee

We guarantee to beat your renewal quote as long as it’s on a like-for-like basis and you’ve been claim free for the last 3 years. What’s more, independent research (Consumer Intelligence – Q4 2006) shows that 1 in 10 people save as much as £140 by switching to Churchill car insurance.
Add breakdown to your car insurance quote and buy online now for
up to 25% off breakdown cover and up to 10% off car insurance.

Why Churchill?

• Courtesy car at no extra cost when you use an approved repairer

• Repairs guaranteed for 5 years when you use an approved repairer • Up to 65% No Claim Discount which, if it is 4 years or over, you can choose to protect • 24 hour accident recovery • Optional Churchill Legal Assistance Service • Up to 25% off breakdown cover We guarantee to beat your car insurance renewal. So if your online quote doesn't beat your renewal premium, simply save the quote and call us on 0800 200 326.

Link to previous articles: Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover

Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover: Types of cover

Direct Line Critical Illness cover has two types of cover:

• Fixed Term Life Cover with Critical Illness
• Mortgage Life Cover with Critical Illness

Fixed term life cover with critical Illness

This is a protection policy that will pay out a cash lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a critical illness that meets our policy definition within a set period of time known as the policy term. The amount of cover remains fixed throughout the policy term.

Mortgage life cover with critical illness

Unlike the Fixed Term policy, this is a decreasing protection policy where the level of cover reduces each year during the term of the policy roughly in line with the outstanding balance on a standard repayment mortgage – hence it is frequently referred to as “mortgage protection”.

Provided the initial sum insured and term are the same as the mortgage at the outset it means that in the event of death or diagnosis of a critical illness that meets our policy definition the policy should be sufficient to repay the mortgage provided interest rates have not risen above 12% p.a.

General policy information applying to both products

• Minimum age to take out a policy is 18 next birthday

• Maximum age to start a policy is 65 next birthday

• Minimum term is 5 years

• Maximum period of cover is up to the age of 70 next birthday

• Minimum sum assured

• Up to the age of 40 - £30,000

• Over the age of 40 - £20,000

• Maximum sum assured - £500,000 • Both pay out in the event of death or on diagnosis of a terminal or a specified critical illness. (A terminal illness claim must be notified to us at least 18 months before the end of the policy term) • Both policies can be written in trust if required. • Both polices can be taken out on a single life or joint life first death or diagnosis basis • Premium payment is by monthly direct debit only • Once confirmed terms have been offered, confirmation can be faxed to your solicitor or lender if a mortgage is involved • Your premium can change during the term of your policy There is no surrender value or cash-back at the end of the policy term - it merely expires as it is a protection only policy

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Critical Illness Cover Overview Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made

Direct line Critical Illness Cover

The Critical Illness Cover deal that gets even better...

1. Our life insurance with critical illness cover is available from 27p a day

2. You can arrange your cover easily by phone or online

3. No complicated forms to fill in as we take care of it all for you 4. We can often offer cover instantly What is critical illness cover? Our life and critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if you either die or are diagnosed with a critical illness thats meets our policy definition. We only cover the critical illnesses we define in our policy and no other. We offer two types of cover: - Fixed Term Life Cover with Critical Illness - Mortgage Life Cover with Critical Illness

Link to previous articles: Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ

Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims FAQ

Q: What kind of details and additional information will I be asked to provide?
Q: What is a Policy Excess?
Q: What service does the emergency helpline offer?
Q: How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?
Q: While I'm away from home, do I need to report any loss or theft to the police?
Q: What should I do if my belongings are damaged or temporarily lost in transit?
Q: What should I do if I need medical attention while abroad?
Q: What should I do if I need to return home urgently?
Q: What do I need to do in the event of a travel delay?
Q: Are there organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?
Q: How long will it take to sort out my claim?
Q: Who will deal with my claim once it has been reported?
Q: What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud?
What kind of details and additional information will I be asked to provide?

It is helpful if you keep receipts, guarantees, instruction manuals, valuations or photographs of your belongings as these may help to support your claim.
We may also ask you to provide us with estimates or invoices for claims involving replacement of items or medical expenses.

What is a Policy Excess?

This is the part of the claim that you agree to pay - we cover you for the remaining amount up to the limit of your cover. Our Claims representatives will inform you of the amount of the excess and details can also be found in your policy schedule.
We will deduct the amount of the Policy Excess from the settlement of your claim, or alternatively our appointed specialist or supplier will collect this amount from you on our behalf.

What service does the emergency helpline offer?

When away from home, the unexpected always happens at the most inconvenient time. If you are unable to contact us, you can call our emergency helpline service, which is operated in conjunction with Direct Line Assistance Service.
Direct Line Assistance Service are a specialist provider who operate a 24-hour emergency assistance service. They are available at any time to discuss the nature of your problem and to provide specialist advice and assistance to you.

How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?

Our Claims representatives are fully trained and have an excellent knowledge of the policy cover you have arranged with us. Wherever possible, we will let you know during your first call to us whether your claim is covered by your policy. It may help you to read through your policy details before ringing us to report your claim.

While I'm away from home, do I need to report any loss or theft to the police

Yes, you should report any loss or theft to the police within 24 hours of discovery.In the event that you are unable to contact the police, a report should be made to either your tour representative, accommodation provider or carrier - for example the airline or ferry company.

What should I do if my belongings are damaged or temporarily lost in transit?

You should report any damage or temporary loss to your carrier (for example the airline or ferry company) and obtain a 'Property Irregularity Report' (commonly known as a 'PIR') from them. Please keep any damaged items for inspection.
If your belongings have been temporarily lost and you need to purchase any replacement items, please keep all your receipts as this will help us to deal with your claim.

What should I do if I need medical attention while abroad?

If the medical condition appears to be serious, you should contact our emergency helpline straightaway for advice and assistance. For any other medical treatment, you should pay any bills yourself and keep the receipts as this will help us to deal with your claim.

What should I do if I need to return home urgently?

In the event that you need to return home urgently - don't worry - simply contact our emergency helpline straightaway for advice and assistance.

What do I need to do in the event of a travel delay?

You should obtain written confirmation from the airline, train or ferry company, giving exact details of the reason for and length of the delay.

Are there any organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?

Direct Line, in association with Victim Support, can provide you with support when you need it the most. The emotional effects of a theft or loss can be difficult to deal with - you may feel angry, frightened or unsafe.
Most people suffer in silence, but you needn't - just sharing your thoughts can help. Together, Direct Line and Victim Support can help you pick up the pieces practically and emotionally.
Victim Support is the national charity offering victims of crime emotional support through trained volunteers and, if you need a knowledgeable and sympathetic ear, the service is available 24 hours a day.
Simply call the Victim Support line on 0845 30 30 900 or have a look at their web site at www.victimsupport.com

How long will it take to sort out my claim? Some claims are more straightforward than others - when you call us, one of our Claims Advisors will give you an indication of the timescales involved. Who will deal with my claim once it has been reported? We have our own dedicated Travel Claims Unit, based in our Glasgow office. The contact details are: Travel Claims Unit Direct Line House 14-18 Cadogan Street Glasgow G2 6QN Telephone - 0845 246 8680 Fax - 0141 204 4754 Calls may be recorded What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud? Our main aim is to ensure that our honest customers, which of course are the vast majority, are dealt with as soon as possible. However, we know that fraud is a reality and that a very small number of people provide false details in order to make up, or inflate claims. We believe that it is important that we identify these people and avoid paying such claims as they affect the cost of insurance for everybody. As fraud is a criminal offence, we believe it is our duty to forward details of fraud to the Police. There are a number of insurance industry databases through which we share information with other companies about claims and fraudsters. This allows us to use the latest technology to make many checks looking for unusual features and fraud. We also share some information about fraud with other companies within the financial services industry, the Police and other bodies where the law allows us to do so. These pages are for information purposes only. They do not form part of the contract of insurance.

Link to previous articles: Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim?

Directline European Breakdown Cover: Travel claims

Need to make a claim to Directline European Breakdown Cover? We're here to help you.

It is when you need to make a claim that you find out how good your travel insurer really is. You can be sure that we will deal with your claim quickly and fairly, paying up to the limit of your cover.

Call: 0845 246 8680

Lines open: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Out of hours call: 24-hour Emergency Helpline on:

Direct Line Assistance Service
+44 870 241 4628

Calls may be recorded. Max call charge from a BT landline is 3p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.

Your step-by-step guide to making a travel claim

Before you ring us

Please have your policy number ready - you will find this at the top of your schedule.

What happens Next? You will be asked to provide details of your claim by one of our friendly Claims representatives. We will advise you whether your claim is covered by your policy and the amount of any excess which may apply. We will issue a claim form to you straight away. You may be asked to provide us with additional information to support your claim. We will explain to you what will happen next.

Link to previous articles: Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ

Directline European Breakdown Cover Summary

Two levels of cover - the choice is yours:

1. Breakdown

Our standard level of cover provides you with emergency assistance if your car breaks down or is involved in an accident. If your car can't be repaired, we will provide a replacement vehicle and make sure the car and passengers get home to the UK. And if the driver's taken ill or injured, we'll get the stranded passengers home too.

2. Breakdown and Travel Cover

In addition to first class European breakdown cover, this option includes extensive travel insurance for you and all your passengers. We'll be there to help should there be a medical emergency, and you'll be protected from incurring costs due to things such as unavoidable cancellation, delays and lost baggage.

Summary of Cover

Breakdown Cover

Pre-departure protection	Up to £800
Roadside assistance and recovery service	Up to £250
Hire of replacement vehicle	Up to £800
Returning you and your car to home address	Market Value
Emergency repairs following theft	Up to £175
Driver illness	Repatriation costs paid*
Delivery of replacement parts	No limit
Loss of tent	Up to £100 per person
Legal advice and expenses	Up to £10,000 per person
Alternative route	Up to £1,500 per party

Travel Cover

Emergency medical expenses	Up to £5,000,000 per person
Personal possessions	Up to £1,500 per person
Personal money	Up to £500 (£250 cash) per person
Cancellation	Up to £5,000 per person
Curtailment	Up to £5,000 per person
Travel Delay	Up to £200 per person
Personal liability	Up to £2,000,000 per party
Personal accident	Up to £25,000 per person
Loss of passport	Up to £250 per person

You can also add Winter sports cover to your Travel cover

Equipment	Up to £500 per person
Essential replacement items	Up to £300 per person
Loss of ski pass and fees	Up to £250 per person
Piste closure	Up to £200 per person
Delayed resort departure	Up to £200 per person

*In the event of driver illness we will ask for another member of the party to drive is there is one, or we may provide a qualified driver to drive the vehicle back. Repatriation (up to market value) will be arranged if either of these is not possible. Excess: An excess of £40 per person will be applied to certain claims in respect of Personal Possessions and Money, Emergency Medical Expenses, Loss of Passport, Cancellation, Curtailment and Winter sports. A £100 excess will apply to certain Personal Liability claims.

Link to previous articles: Directline Travel Insurance: European Breakdown Cover Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview

Directline European Breakdown Cover

Directline European Breakdown Cover: A good deal that gets even better...

• Choice of European breakdown cover on it's own, or including travel and winter sports insurance

• Cover for your tent in the event of theft or damage

• Cover for missed motorail connection • Alternative driver covered if you're medically unfit to drive • Pre departure cover (providing purchased more than 7 days prior to departure) • UK call centres on hand, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Link to previous articles: Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need

Directline Tradesman Business Insurance: Assumptions made

Tradesman insurance assumptions - saving you time with your quote

Please ensure that the information provided by you is correct, and you comply with the statements on this page. Should you decide to buy this policy, these details will form the basis of the insurance contract between us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy. Under European law you and we may choose which law will apply to this contact. English law will apply unless both parties agree otherwise. Our cancellation and complaints procedure is detailed in the policy documents, where you can also find the details of the 14 day cooling off period.

If your circumstances change between the date you purchase the policy and the date when you require the policy to commence, please call us. Incorrect information could invalidate all or part of the policy.

Mid term adjustments to your policy will result in a maximum amendment fee of £21.00 (including Insurance Premium Tax where applicable) in addition to any premium charged or refunded.

If you decide to cancel your policy during the period of insurance a cancellation fee will apply amounting to 1/12th of your annual premium, up to a maximum of £50.00 (calculated at the time of cancellation, plus Insurance Premium Tax where applicable).

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever had a proposal for insurance declined, renewal refused, cover terminated, increased premium required or special conditions imposed by any Insurer

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever been convicted of or have any prosecution pending for any offence involving arson, violence or dishonesty of any kind (e.g. involving fire, fraud, theft or handling stolen goods)

• Neither You, nor Your Directors nor Your partners have ever been subject of a County Court Judgement (or the Scottish equivalent) or been declared bankrupt or insolvent.

• The number of persons working manually in the business (total of Proprietors, Partners, Employees, Working Directors, Labour Only Sub-Contractors and Trainees) does not exceed the maximum allowed of 10.

• Your business does not involve the use of hazardous substances, such as Radioactive Substances/Devices, Explosives, or materials giving rise to dust, flames or vapours, discharge of toxic or dangerous substances into the atmosphere, waterways or elsewhere and any substance regulated by COSHH regulations

• Your business does not use Cranes, Hoists, Passenger Lifts, Escalators and Scaffolding unless erected by a specialist scaffolding Contractor. Your business does not operate in what may be considered a high risk environment, such as Nuclear Plant/Power Stations, Gas or Chemical Works, Oil Refineries/Bulk Oil Storage, Off Shore Structures, Airfields/Airports, Railway Property, Quarries, Towers, Steeples, Chimney Shafts, Bridges, Viaducts, Flyovers, Underpasses, Docks, Harbours, Piers, Wharves, Dams, Reservoirs, Lakes, Rivers, Foundries or Forges, or in connection with Tunnelling, Mining, Piling, Ground Stabilisation, Underpinning, Dewatering, Water Diversion, Flood Protection, or Sea Defences, processes involving a noise level exceeding 90 decibels, Manual Work outside of the EEC.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice

Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: Claims FAQ

Frequently asked claims questions

Q: What questions will I be asked when I phone to register my claim?
Q: What kind of additional information will I be asked to provide?
Q: What is a Policy Excess?
Q: How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?
Q: Are there any organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?
Q: Will my premium increase at the next renewal date if I make a claim?
Q: How long will it take to sort out my claim?
Q: Who will deal with my claim once it has been reported?
Q: What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud?
What questions will I be asked when I phone to register my claim?
We will ask you what happened and when it happened and what action you've taken so far. Then we'll ask you what it is you're claiming for and the approximate cost(s) involved.

What kind of additional information will I be asked to provide?
It is helpful if you keep receipts, guarantees, instruction manuals, valuations or photographs for your most valuable items in a safe place as these may help to support your claim. By valuable items, we mean tools, computer equipment and business equipment whilst in transit in your vehicle.
We may also ask you to provide us with estimates or invoices for claims involving repair or replacement of items.
If the claim involves a repair, we normally request two estimates for comparison purposes.
If the incident involves theft or criminal damage, or if any property has been lost outside of the workplace, you should inform the police immediately and make a note of the police incident number.

What is a Policy Excess?
This is the part of each claim that you agree to pay - we cover you for the remaining amount. The experienced claims handler will inform you of the amount of the excess and details can also be found in the policy schedule.
We will deduct the amount of the Policy Excess from the settlement of your claim, or alternatively our appointed specialist or supplier will collect this amount from you on our behalf.

How will I know if my claim is covered by my policy?
Our experienced claims handlers are fully trained and have an excellent knowledge of the policy cover you have arranged with us. Wherever possible, we will let you know during your first call to us whether your claim is covered by your policy.
It may help you to read through the policy booklet along with your schedule of cover before ringing us to report your claim.

Are there any organisations I can contact for counselling if I am upset by the incident?
Direct Line, in association with Victim Support, can provide you with support when you need it the most. The emotional effects of a theft or loss can be difficult to deal with - you may feel angry, frightened or unsafe.
Most people suffer in silence, but you needn't - just sharing your thoughts can help. Together, Direct Line and Victim Support can help you pick up the pieces practically and emotionally.
Victim Support is the national charity offering victims of crime emotional support through trained volunteers. If you need a knowledgeable and sympathetic ear, their services are available 24-hours a day.
Simply call the Victim Support line on 0845 30 30 900 or have a look at their website at www.victimsupport.com. Calls may be recorded.

Will my premium increase at the next renewal date if I make a claim?
Our tradesman insurance policies do not include a 'no claims discount', as we feel it would be unfair to penalise clients for the many types of trade claims which are totally outside of their control e.g. flood, fire or theft. However, making several claims under your policy could result in an increased premium at the next renewal date. This depends on the number, type and value of claims you make. Our premiums are calculated individually and you will be notified in advance of the renewal date.

How long will it take to sort out my claim?
Some claims are more straightforward than others - when you call to register your claim one of our experienced claims handlers will give you an indication of the timescales involved.

Who will deal with my claim?
Our Claims Handling Centre is based in Liverpool. The details and contact numbers will appear on any correspondence we send you.

What measures do Direct Line take to prevent fraud? Our main aim is to ensure that our honest customers, which of course are the vast majority, are dealt with as quickly as possible. However, we know that fraud is a reality and that a very small number of people provide false details in order to make up, or inflate claims. We believe it is important that we identify and avoid paying such claims, as they affect the cost of tradesman insurance for everybody. As fraud is a criminal offence, we believe it is our duty to forward details of any fraudulent activities to the Police. There are a number of insurance industry databases through which we share information with other companies about claims and fraudsters. This allows us to use the latest technology to conduct checks for unusual features and fraud. We also share information about fraud with other companies within the financial services industry, the Police and other bodies where the law allows us to do so. These pages are for information purposes only. They do not form part of the contract of insurance.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim? DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover

Direct Line Tradesman Insurance: How to make a claim?

Directline is here to help you make a claim quickly, and deal with it fairly - with as little hassle as possible.

To make a claim, or for information on claims, call our experienced claims team on:
0845 303 1753

Lines open:
8am - 8pm Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday
Calls may be recorded. Calls from a BT landline charged at local rate. Calls from other networks may vary.

How to claim

• Ring us and we'll tell you if your claim is covered - if you are, we'll register your claim straight away. Please have your policy documents to hand.

• If you have suffered a break-in or lost any items outside your property - call the Police straight away, and make a note of the crime reference number.

• For all large claims, we'll arrange for a claims adviser or loss adjuster to visit you as soon as possible

• A Direct Line approved specialist or supplier may be appointed to deal with the claim on our behalf. • Damaged items may be repaired for you. Have you been a victim of crime? Victim Support is the national charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. It provides free, confidential, practical help and support - you can call them on 0845 30 30 900 (9am - 9pm weekdays, 9am - 7pm weekends, 9am - 5pm Bank Holidays. Calls may be recorded.).

Link to previous articles: DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need?

DirectLine Business Tradesman Insurance FAQ

Q: What if I don't have an email address?
Q: How long is a quote valid for?
Q: How far in advance can I get a quote?
Q: What if I don't know the date of my claim?
Q: What if I don't know the amount of my claim?
Q: What if the cause of my claim is not there?
Q: How many claims can I have?
Q: What are the exclusions on this policy?
Q: What are the standard excesses?
Q: Do you accept cheques or cash?
Q: What does public liability cover?
Q: What does employer's liability cover?
Q: What if I haven't got a business name?
Q: I'm not a Tradesman, can I insure with Direct Line for Business?
Q: Can you cover my van under the tradesman policy?
Q: What if my trade is not on the list?
Q: What do I do if I have multiple trades?
Q: How many trades can I have on this policy?
Q: What do I do if I have more than three trades?
Q: What is the maximum number of people I can cover for manual work?
Q: What is the maximum number of people I can cover for clerical work?
Q: What covers are available under this product?
Q: If I select the tools section will they be covered in the van overnight?
Q: Under what circumstances will my premium in year 2 be the same as year 1?
Q: What would be a material change to my risk?

What if I don't have an email address?
You will need to enter a valid email address to obtain a quote. If you do not have an email address you can still obtain a quote and buy a policy by calling us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

How long is a quote valid for?
Your quote will be valid for 30 days from the day you receive it.

How far in advance can I get a quote?
You can get a quote up to 30 days in advance.

What if I don't know the date of my claim?
If you are unsure of the date of your claim(s) please contact your current or previous insurance provider to find out. Alternatively you can enter an approximate date and then contact us on 0845 303 1760 to amend your claims details with the correct information. Calls may be recorded.

What if I don't know the amount of my claim?
If you are unsure what the amount of your claim(s) is please contact your current or previous insurance provider to find out. Alternatively you can enter an approximate cost and then contact us on 0845 303 1760 to amend your claims details with the correct information. Calls may be recorded.

What if the cause of my claim is not there?
If you can not find the cause of you claim from the list provided, please contact us on 0845 303 1756 for help. Calls may be recorded.

How many claims can I have?
You can provide us with up to four claims within the last 3 years. In the majority of cases we will be able to help, but our ability to provide a quote will depend on the information you supply. Unfortunately, if you have more than four claims we will not be able offer a quote

What are the exclusions on this policy?
Please refer to the policy summary document where we detail the general exclusions. For more details please refer to your policy wording or call our customer services department on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What are the standard excesses?
Your individual excesses will be found in the 'Your Summary' page when you have completed the quote details or alternatively please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

Do you accept cheques or cash?
No, we only accept payments by direct debit and credit/debit cards. Cards that are accepted are MasterCard, Visa Electron, Visa, Maestro and Solo card.

What does public liability cover?
This provides protection against your legal liability for death or bodily injury (other than to an employee) and / or loss or damage to third party property arising out of the operation of your business.

What does employer's liability cover?
This protects you against claims for compensation from employees following injury for which you are legally liable

What if I haven't got a business name?
If you do not have a business name then please enter your full name instead.

I'm not a Tradesman, can I insure with Direct Line for Business?
We only provide insurance solutions for Tradesmen, Residential Properties and Vans at present. We are in the process of developing some additional products.

Your Business

Can you cover my van under the tradesman policy?
Unfortunately your van is not covered under the tradesman policy but Direct Line does offer van insurance as a separate product. If you would like to get a quote you can do this online or call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What if my trade is not on the list?
If you can not find your exact trade, or one that best matches what you do, on the list provided please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What do I do if I have multiple trades?
You have the option to input up to three trades so that we can fully understand your business. If you need some help selecting the right trade or you have more than 3 trades under one policy please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

How many trades can I have on this policy?
You can select up to a maximum of 3 trades on your policy.

What do I do if I have more than three trades?
If you need to add more than three trades under your policy please call us on 0845 303 1756. Calls may be recorded.

What is the maximum number of people I can cover for manual work?
You can have up to a maximum of 10 people covered for manual work under your policy.

What is the maximum number of people I can cover for clerical work?
You can have up to a maximum of 10 people covered for clerical work under your policy.

What covers are available under this product?
Our policy provides the following as standard:
• Public Liability
You can also insure:
• Employers Liability
• Tools

If I select the tools section will they be covered in the van overnight? Only if your van is in a locked building or compound. Please refer to the policy wording for full details. Under what circumstances will my premium in year 2 be the same as year 1? The premium will be fixed for two years if there is no material change in your risk. What would be a material change to my risk? Some examples of materials changes to your risk are if you hire more employees, make changes or additions to your trade, or add extra covers to your policy.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Business Insurance: Overview Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers

Directline Business Insurance

Whether you're a plumber, decorator, electrician or builder you won't want to put your livelihood at risk. After all, one small mistake could jeopardize your ability to earn an income.
Tradesman Insurance from Direct Line protects you from such situations, giving you a really good deal: the comprehensive standard policy gives you up to £1 million public liability cover, with the option to increase up to £5 million and add additional covers, allowing you to get precisely the insurance you want.
For full details, please refer to the tradesman insurance policy document, or read on for a guide to our cover: it's a good deal better!

Standard Cover

Public Liability: up to £1 million of cover for compensation payable arising from injury to third parties or damage to their property caused by you in the course of your business or arising from the sale, supply, servicing/repair or use of the goods that you sell and for which you are held legally liable. You can increase the limit of cover if required.

Optional Covers

Employers' Liability: up to £10 million of cover against compensation claims by your employees injured in the course of employment by you where you are held legally liable, as well as expenses and legal costs arising from such an injury. Tools & Equipment: all risks cover against damage to tools and equipment. Different levels of cover are available, up to £1,500 per worker.

Link to previous articles: Direct Line Life Insurance: Mortgage Life Cover Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers

Directline Life Insurance: Mortgage Life Cover

One of the main reasons for taking out life insurance is to make sure your loved ones don’t go without a roof over their heads if the worst were to happen. If this is your main priority then Direct Line Mortgage Life Cover could be an appropriate choice for you…
With Direct Line, you can choose from two types of Life Insurance: Fixed Term Life Cover (the type that pays out a fixed lump sum on the death of the life assured) and Mortgage Life Cover. The latter is sometimes known as mortgage protection.
For many people, mortgage life cover is an unknown entity until they purchase their first property. This is because many mortgage lenders recommend that there is some insurance in place that will make sure it will be paid back –if you die during the term of the mortgage. You may find that Direct Line Mortgage Life Cover offers great value for money.

A must for mortgage protection

Even if your mortgage lender doesn’t specify that you take out mortgage cover, it is vital that you consider how your dependents would repay the loan if you are not here, otherwise they may need to sell their home.

While the amount you may need to pay off a mortgage can be built into Fixed Term Life Cover (along with provision for living expenses and maintenance of lifestyle), Mortgage Life Cover can be a cheaper option, if you are on a budget for example. This is because Direct Line Mortgage Life Cover is a decreasing protection policy where the level of cover reduces each year, roughly in line with the outstanding balance on a standard repayment mortgage. Provided the initial sum insured and term are the same as the mortgage at the outset (and interest rates do not rise above 12%), the policy should be sufficient to repay the mortgage in the event of death.

On our website you’ll find general policy information on Direct Line Mortgage Life Cover under ‘Types of Cover’, plus full policy terms and conditions. You’ll also find details on Fixed Term Life Cover, which can be taken out as a separate policy if necessary for extra peace of mind. Why not apply for a quote for Direct Line Mortgage Life Cover today.

Link to previous articles: Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers Direct Line Life Insurance: Overview

Directline Life Insurance: Level of Cover you need

Don’t underestimate the amount of life insurance required to protect your loved ones – sadly many people do. A few simple sums before you apply for a quote could make all the difference.

Generally the point of taking out life insurance is to make sure you don’t leave your loved ones in the lurch should the worst happen to you. But if you don’t take out any, or even enough cover, that’s exactly what you could do. For example, a total sum of £100,000 might sound like a lot, but how far will it stretch to cover a family of five over 20 years?

To get started on working out the right amount for you, first check out the range of Direct Line Life Insurance on offer under ‘Types of cover’ to check which one may be suitable for you. You’ll see that we offer Fixed Term Life Cover and Mortgage Life Cover. We also offer Life with Critical Illness Cover on both Fixed Term and Mortgage Life. We can’t tell you how much cover to take out, but there are some guidelines on maximum and minimum amounts. For full details on our Life Insurance policies you should read our Life Insurance Policy Documents online.

If you choose a Fixed Term Life Cover policy, you might wish to work out a figure that will provide enough security for your family or partner. This would provide a lump sum that could include cover for the mortgage, bills, education costs where relevant and any extra living costs that they are accustomed to.

If you choose a Mortgage Life Cover policy, the cover amount can be directly related to how much mortgage you have left to pay. The level of cover reduces each year, roughly in line with the outstanding balance on a standard repayment mortgage.

In both cases you also need to work out the ‘term’ of your policy – anywhere between five years and the time between now and your 70th birthday for persons between the ages of 17 and 64 years. The factors that may influence your choice of term are such as your age and how old your children are.
To help you work out a final sum for Fixed Term Life Cover, you may wish to consider the checklist below:

What are my monthly general expenses?

Mortgage (amount left to pay and in what format, consider would this be repaid from this life cover or another policy)
Family living costs (bills, education, food, clothing, transport, lifestyle / entertainment etc.)

What are my one-off expenses?

Debts to pay off (loans, bills)

Other questions to ask

• How much does your partner earn / could this contribute to costs? • Do I have any savings / assets that could be sold? • Does my partner have life insurance? • How old are my children and what are their dependency / education needs? • How old am I, and what is the death risk involved (is there any illness)? • How long do I need the policy for? • What is the rate of inflation and how will this affect me? • Do I have other life cover? When you have worked out the total amount of cover you need you are ready to apply for a Direct Line Life Insurance quote, we will work out a premium for you.

Link to previous articles: Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers Direct Line Life Insurance: Overview Direct Line Pet Insurance Claims Process

Directline Life Insurance: Tips and Advice

No time like the present

Taking out life insurance can be a great weight off your mind, especially if you have family or loved ones who depend on you. With Direct Line Life Insurance, arranging cover sooner rather than later can help keep your premiums down and give you peace of mind.
Life insurance is often seen as an afterthought – just one more bill to pay. But if you have dependants, it’s vital to make sure they will be provided for if you are not around. Direct Line offers two types of Life Insurance. Fixed Term Life Cover ensures a fixed sum is paid if you die within the agreed policy term. Mortgage Life Cover ties in with your standard repayment mortgage and could provide a cash lump sum, that will decrease at a similar rate to your mortgage should the worst happen.
In both cases the age range that can be covered by Direct Line Life Insurance is 17 and 69. The maximum age to start a policy is 65 (next birthday), with the minimum term being five years. It’s worth noting that your age and personal situation, will determine how much premium you will pay. Younger people tend to pay less because of course life insurance is worked out using life expectancy and generally the older you get the more likely you are to die.

Of course, you may have been putting off taking out a life insurance policy because you can’t face the thought of all the paperwork. With Direct Line, there are no complicated forms to fill in – we take care of all this for you. You can apply for a quote by phone or quickly and easily online. Once we’ve approved your quote, you could be covered from as little as £6 a month depending on your age and personal situation.

Stop smoking

Worried about the costs of smoking? Not only can your nicotine habit seriously affect your health and leave a dent in your bank balance by the sheer cost per packet, it can also affect how much premium you pay on your Direct Line Life Insurance.
Of course, many factors affect your Life Insurance premium. But while you can’t change things such as your age, you can help your case by giving up smoking. Not only does a ‘non-smoker’ status score points when you apply for a Direct Line Life Insurance quote, it also positively impacts on other factors, such as your health. Cheaper premiums are available for ex-smokers who have given up smoking for at least 13 months.
While very few people would give up smoking just to keep their Life Insurance premium down, having to tick the ‘smoker’ box and know that it adds even further to your living costs could be the catalyst to help you give up the habit for your health.
The costs of smoking

Puffing away might feel great at the time but this means many smokers are in fact in denial about the effects. To others these noticeably include wheezing and shortness of breath, lack of energy, dull skin, poor circulation and nicotine-stained fingers and teeth. On the inside – and more seriously – smoking could also be a culprit behind lung cancer, heart attack and stroke, and emphysema.
On the financial side, the results can be equally as crippling: at today's rates, a 20-a-day smoker will spend £36,500 over the next 20 years (Figure taken from www.ash.org.uk).
Then, of course, smoking doesn’t only affect you. It pollutes the air around you, places children at a higher risk of asthma and can be unpleasant for those who don’t smoke but have to share public places with you.
Help giving up

It isn’t all doom and gloom, though. Medical research shows that within 10 to 15 years of giving up smoking the risk of developing lung cancer is only slightly more than for a non-smoker.

Once you decide to give up, there is plenty of help at hand. You can visit your GP for advice or look on the NHS website www.gosmokefree.co.uk. This includes a range of fact sheets, tips and advice such as what makes you smoke in the first place, how to break the habit, aids to use such as patches and chewing gum, and what to expect as and when you do give up. Research also shows that stopping smoking is easier with the help of others, so you can also benefit from the recently launched ‘Together’ scheme. This guides you through the process of giving up smoking from the day you decide to stop until you have successfully quit, full stop. The service is free – all you need to do is register online at givingupsmoking -together.broadsystem.com or call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 quoting 'Together Online' (lines open daily from 7am to 11pm). They can also put you in touch with a local NHS Stop Smoking Service, so you can see a specialist on a one-to-one basis or join a group of people who are giving up at the same time. So for the benefit of your health and your bank balance, why not decide to stop now?

Link to previous articles: Directline Life Insurance: Get Life insurance cover Directline Life Insurance: How much cover do you need? Direct Line Life Insurance: Types of Covers Direct Line Life Insurance: Overview Direct Line Pet Insurance Claims Process Direct Line Pet Insurance: Summary of cover