What invalidates home insurance? This habit puts you at risk
However, experts have claimed that one habit could be putting your home insurance at risk.
It's also a mistake that is more likely to happen during the summer months and shockingly one in 10 Brits say they do it.
🚨Looking for a place to rent?
⚠️ Fraudsters create fake listings on legitimate rental platforms to lure victims into rental scams
✅ You, or someone you trust, should always view the property before you make payment
Find out more: https://t.co/1XNBzRy0HT pic.twitter.com/pYU84bKsuq
Leaving a key under the doormat or plant pot while away on holiday is one of the most common ways homeowners invalidate their home insurance.
Heath Alexander-Bew, director at insurance provider Alan Boswell Group, explained: 'In many cases, in the event of a burglary or stolen possessions, there will need to be signs of 'forced entry' to make a valid, successful claim.
'By leaving a key to the property under a doormat or plant pot, homeowners make it easy for burglars to enter, potentially resulting in a declined insurance claim.'
Instead, it is recommended to leave a key with a trusted friend or family member.
Mr Alexander-Bew continued: 'Alternatively, invest in security measures such as a wall-mounted key safe which can only be accessed by someone who has the code.
'Always ensure your home is completely locked and secured before going on holiday, and do not leave any spare keys around.'
Further advice suggests to never reveal on social media that your home will be empty.
Home insurance protects your home in case something unexpected happens.
HSBC advises: 'Without cover, you risk having to pay for replacements or repairs if something happens to your home or belongings. This could be if they're damaged in a fire or a flood or if your things are stolen.
Recommended Reading:
Homeowners could be fined £20k for cutting garden trees
Can you paint over algae on a fence? How to remove it
Dog owners warned of fatal plants that could endanger pets
'With household insurance in place, if anything happens to your property or possessions that are covered by your policy, you'll be protected financially.
'If you're renting, you don't need to worry about buildings insurance, as this is your landlord's responsibility.
'But you should consider contents insurance to help cover the costs of replacing possessions if something happens to them.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside hellhole jail where British Angel Delight drug smugglers face terrifying 'threats'
Three British drug smugglers have been spared the death penalty in Indonesia, but experts reveal that the conditions they will face whilst serving their sentences will be hard to endure Three British drug mules have been sentenced to one year in prison after being caught smuggling over 900 grams of cocaine into Indonesia. At first, it was feared that all three could face the death penalty after coming afoul of the country's strict anti-drug laws. However, Lisa Stocker, 39, her partner, Jon Collyer, 39, and accomplice Phineas Float, 31, were spared this fate - and could be back in the UK relatively soon after finishing their prison sentences. The trio were arrested on February 1 at Bali's international airport, after a routine search found 17 packets of Angel Delight in their luggage, in which £300,000 of cocaine was hidden. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body. Collyer had 10 of the packets in his suitcase, and Stocker had seven, and their accomplice, Float, was due to receive the 922g of the Class A drug a few days later. All three pleaded guilty to the smuggling charges and were sentenced to one year in prison. Because of time served, they should be home by January 2026 - but the conditions they will have to endure in the meantime will likely take a "heavy psychological toll", experts have warned. All three of the drug smugglers are expected to serve their sentences in Kerkoban prison - a facility notorious for its overcrowded conditions, gang deaths, and riots. Criminologist and psychologist Alex Iszatt explains to the Mirror: "Unlike many foreign drug offenders in Indonesia who face long sentences or even the death penalty, this case is unusual for the relatively light sentencing. The court pointed to their remorse and polite behaviour as mitigating factors. But that doesn't make their time behind bars any easier. "Jonathan Collyer, Lisa Stocker, and Phineas Float have avoided execution, yes, but their one-year prison sentences will still be brutal – marked by harsh conditions, isolation, and a heavy psychological toll, even for such a short term. "Indonesian prisons, especially Bali's notorious Kerobokan facility, are overcrowded, under-resourced, and riddled with corruption." Adam Jones, Legal Expert at HD Claims, echoes these sentiments, explaining that despite the short length of their sentences, it will still be an incredibly challenging period for the three Brits. "While the couple have avoided the death penalty – which is still a legal punishment for drug trafficking in Bali – their sentence will still be extremely tough by UK standards," Adam says, adding, "Prison conditions in Bali are known to be strict and, in some cases, harsh – with overcrowding, limited access to healthcare, and hard labour not uncommon. Communication with family members is possible, but often restricted and subject to state approval, making regular contact a challenge." Inaccessible healthcare will present problems for Stocker, who is said to suffer from some health problems. "Health concerns add another layer of difficulty. Lisa reportedly has pre-existing skin cancer, and Indonesia's prisons have very limited healthcare facilities. These prisons are also hotspots for diseases like tuberculosis and dengue fever, while chronic illnesses often go untreated," says Alex. Both experts felt that being foreign nationals in the notorious jail will bring extra challenges for Stocker, Collyer, and Float. "Foreign prisoners may also face added scrutiny or stigma and often struggle to understand or access legal or procedural support compared to local inmates," Adam explains. Alex noted, "As foreigners convicted of drug offences, they occupy a precarious position inside prison. Locals may resent them, seeing them as targets, but their British nationality could also buy some protection – if they have the funds to bribe guards or gangs. "Physical violence might be less common because of their short sentences, but extortion, intimidation, and psychological pressure remain very real risks." There is a chance that the three Brits could "fare slightly better" Alex explains, but the expert pointed out that Indonesian prisons are a world away from what people from the UK might expect to find. "Foreign inmates sometimes fare slightly better, but basic necessities – clean water, medical care, even a decent place to sleep – are often in short supply. These prisons are nothing like what Brits expect. Prisoners rely heavily on money sent from family to buy essentials like food and medicine. Without that support, they're vulnerable to the system's harsh realities." Stocker and Collyer - a couple - are not likely to be together during their sentences - or have much contact, the experts explain, which could add to the psychological pressure they are under during their time in prison. "Lisa will be held separately in the women's section, while Jonathan and Phineas will be in the men's. Conjugal visits are almost unheard of in Indonesia, meaning Jonathan and Lisa may not see each other throughout their sentence," explains Alex. "Foreign nationals in Indonesian prisons are typically separated by gender, so it's very likely the pair will be placed in different facilities, with little to no direct contact. That, combined with language barriers and unfamiliar cultural expectations, can create a highly isolating experience," Adam said. There is no doubt in Adam's mind that it will be an "extremely tough" sentence for the three Brits, with the expert pointing out, "Their mental and physical resilience will be tested throughout their sentence." Alex agreed, explaining, "The mental strain is severe. After the terror of facing the death penalty, the shock of incarceration, even for a year, can cause intense anxiety and depression. Language barriers and social isolation only make it worse. "While their sentence is lenient by Indonesian standards – where drug traffickers often face decades behind bars or execution – the reality is that a year in Kerobokan will feel much longer. The one silver lining is that their sentence will be reduced by the time they've already spent in detention since February 2025, meaning they could be out by early 2026."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Millions of Brits could get £1,000s in compensation from six lawsuits – from Mastercard fees to loans, can you claim?
Read on to find out which lawsuits are ongoing and if you are due compensation RECLAIM YOUR CASH Millions of Brits could get £1,000s in compensation from six lawsuits – from Mastercard fees to loans, can you claim? MILLIONS of Brits could get thousands of pounds in compensation after being overcharged on their loans or bills. Several major collective lawsuits have been launched in the past year and consumers may be able to cash in. 1 You could be in line for compensation from one of these class action lawsuits These legal cases are called class action lawsuits and help to chase compensation for millions of consumers that have been let down by companies. In these cases one person usually takes a company to court on behalf of all consumers. The cases have become popular in the UK after changes introduced in the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The act allowed a new 'opt-out' collective action system in the UK, which lets groups of consumers pursue claims against companies for breaches of competition law, including fixing prices or restricting supply. Scott Dixon, who runs The Complaints Resolver, said: 'Many familiar names including easyJet, VW and M&S have been caught up in these class action claims. 'You may only get a few hundred pounds, but it's power in numbers.' It is worth noting that legal cases can take time to go to trial and pay out customers. If you are affected by a class action lawsuit then you do not need to do anything to get compensation if the claim is successful. We have rounded up the cases that are currently ongoing and those that could lead to you getting your money back. Homeowners hit with 'secret' insurance charges Some 20,000 people who own flats in the UK are taking legal action against the companies that own their apartment blocks. Legal letters claim freeholders - the building owners - took commission fees when they arranged the building insurance. The freeholders were allegedly paid the fees by insurance companies in exchange for buying their products. These were then added to the cost of the buildings insurance by the freeholders or their agents, and the total amount was then charged to the flat owners in the form of service charges without their knowledge, the leaseholders claim. The flat owners believe this was secretly added to the service charges they paid. Collective claims for compensation Lawsuits that result in compensation for many people are often referred to as "class actions". In England and Wales a Group Litigation Order (GLO) is often used for this kind of lawsuit. Collective Proceedings Orders (CPOs) are also used for claims of breaching competition law. Collective action has been made easier under the UK's Consumer Rights Act 2015. It means the courts can treat similar claims as one, rather than having hundreds or even thousands of separate individual claims. There are a number of stages to bringing this kind of lawsuit, including the courts needing to give permission. Both sides can also appeal decisions at various stages making it a lengthy process with no guarantee of a payout. Lawyers have urged Brits to join several other collective claims for compensation in recent years. There is no cost to sign up, but the firm will usually take a cut of any payout if the claim is successful to cover legal costs. There's no guarantee of a payout and collective claims of this type have not yet been fully tested in court. Lawyers have suggested that each flat owner could be awarded up to £3,500 in compensation. They have also suggested that up to 900,000 homeowners who own flats in multi-occupancy blocks could be affected. Velitor Law, the firm taking the class action lawsuit, has written to four of the UK's largest freeholders - E&J Estates, Consensus Business Group, Long Harbour and Ground Rents Income Funds - to recoup the fees. It is expected that around two dozen landlords, who control the leaseholds for close to 900,000 homes, may be subject to the Leaseholder Action claim. The claim seeks to recover a minimum of six years' worth of commissions from landlords. However, lawyers have applied to suspend the usual period of limitation, which in certain cases could see the claim stretch back as far as 1997. Liam Spender, the lawyer at Velitor Law, said: 'This first set of landlords are now on notice of this claim and they are now going to have to answer in court.' The firm said a second tranche of legal letters to landlords will be issued before the end of the year. The Sun has contacted all four freeholders involved for comment. They all deny any wrongdoing. Shoppers overcharged by credit card companies Millions of shoppers are due to receive £70 each after a tribunal approved a settlement in a lawsuit against Mastercard. The verdict came after a long-running legal case dating back almost a decade. The action was brought by Walter Merricks, a former financial ombudsman, who argued that shoppers were charged higher prices after fees were wrongly levied on transactions made between 1992 and 2008. You do not need to have owned a Mastercard at any point to be eligible for compensation. Consumers can claim compensation if they lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland for at least three months between June 1997 and June 2008. They need to have bought goods or services from UK businesses that accepted Mastercard credit cards. For those who live in Scotland the starting point is May 1992. The settlement is worth £200million and half of this has been ringfenced for consumers, who have until the end of the year to claim. Around 2.5million people are expected to come forward. If this number does make a claim they will each receive £45. But if fewer people apply then the payments will be capped at £70 per person. iPhone users could get share of £3billion lawsuit Consumer group Which? is leading a claim against Apple on behalf of 40million UK customers. The £3billion class action lawsuit claimed the tech giant breached competition law by 'forcing its iCloud services on customers'. It said Apple encouraged users to sign up for an iCloud subscription to store photos, videos and other data, which meant it favoured its own products. Which? argued the company also made it difficult for customers to use other products, which ultimately stifled competition. The consumer group said it is acting on behalf of all UK consumers that used iCloud from October 1, 2015. The first court date in the claim will be heard in the Competition Appeal Tribunal on November 19-21. During the hearing the tribunal will decide whether Which?'s legal claim against Apple is appropriate to go ahead on a 'collective' basis. Energy bill-payers could be due hundreds of pounds A former head of the UK's gas regulator is leading a claim against energy companies on behalf of customers. Clare Spottiswoode has been authorised by the Competition Appeal Tribunal to act as the class representative in the lawsuit, which she hopes will prove that households were overcharged for their energy between 1999 and 2009. The overcharging comes as a result of companies which sold high voltage and underwater electricity cables running a cartel. They were fined for doing this by the European Commission in 2014. Anyone who has paid an energy bill in Britain since 2001 is eligible to be included in the lawsuit. Lawyers hope to recoup hundreds of millions of pounds. Victims of data breaches could get thousands There are several actions against firms that have been negligent by allowing data breaches, which put customer information at risk. Among them is a collective action against Marks & Spencer after its data breach earlier this year. The proceedings are being led by Patrick McGuire, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors, on behalf of Scottish victims of the hack. The hack exposed sensitive customer information and left hundreds of people worried about their online safety. It is unclear how much victims could be entitled to as the case is still in its early stages. Compensation for mis-sold car finance loans Thousands of motorists will get a share of £20billion in compensation for undisclosed broker commission arrangements. The Court of Appeal ruled in October that the firms broke the law by not telling borrowers about the broker commission terms. This is because banks allowed car dealerships and brokers to set their own interest rates on loans. Under these now-banned discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), dealerships and brokers had a financial incentive to charge higher interest rates, as this would increase their commission. But many customers were not aware of this practice. The case was taken to the Supreme Court, where it was decided that customers will be compensated. Lenders are all now liable to pay out £20billion in compensation. It is not yet clear when customers will begin to receive this compensation, which is likely to be administered through a formal redress scheme. What are class action lawsuits? Lawsuits that result in compensation for many people are often described as 'class action'. In England and Wales, a Group Litigation Order (GLO) is often used for this type of lawsuit. Class action lawsuits have become easier after the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It means that courts can group similar claims together, rather than having to deal with hundreds or even thousands of separate claims. There are several stages to bring this type of lawsuit, including the courts needing to give permission for a GLO. Both sides can appeal a decision at various stages, which can make the process lengthy without a guarantee of a payout. The Mastercard case was the first of these big claims to be launched after the changes were introduced in 2015. It was first launched in 2017 and consumers have not yet received compensation. Lawyers have urged Brits to join several other class action claims for compensation in the past few years. There is no cost to sign up but the firm will usually take a cut of a payout if the claim is successful. This money is used to cover legal costs and it can be as high as 30%. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Popular supermarket slashes ice cream tub to 60p
Asda has revealed how to get your hands on 60p ice cream this weekend after Brits spend eye-watering sum on fave treat, including 3,000 supermarket scoops in a lifetime A recent study has found that Brits are particularly fond of ice cream, spending over £8,700 on the frozen treat throughout their lifetime. The research revealed that more than 3,000 supermarket scoops will be enjoyed during this period, along with a similar number of ice creams on a stick and over 2,300 treats purchased from ice cream vans. However, the price of Britain's beloved summer indulgence has risen dramatically. Nearly a fifth of people now pay over £7 for a single scoop. And with the classic '99' cone now averaging £4.60, it's no wonder parents are making excuses to avoid the ice cream van. Some parents are even telling their kids that when the iconic ice cream van chime is played it actually means they have run out, while 12 per cent conveniently 'forget' where they put their wallet. It comes after an exciting heatwave forecast with maps revealing the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK. Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment 'I accidentally named baby after dog food brand and I don't know what to do' The study was commissioned by Asda, which launched a one-day-only Asda Price Cream Van pop-up on Brighton Promenade, dishing out complimentary vanilla scoops to seaside visitors to mark its 60th anniversary. Those fortunate enough to have caught sight of the limited-edition van could claim the nation's favourite ice cream using a special '60p' token. For those unable to make a visit to the van, the brand has reduced the price of its two litre tubs of vanilla ice cream to 60p this weekend. A spokesperson from Asda, which has also brought back its Price Promise to customers, said: "Summer wouldn't be summer without ice cream - but we know the cost can add up fast, particularly during the holiday season. "That's why, to continue our 60th birthday celebrations and further mark the return of Asda Price, we're making this simple pleasure accessible to all." When it came to the top flavours consumed, vanilla was most popular, followed by chocolate and mint chocolate chip - while strawberry came in fourth. And mixing flavours is no problem according to 39 per cent, with the same number associating the sweet treat as deeply connected with the summer holidays. Regardless of its price, 33 per cent said an ice cream by the beach is a great feeling, even if it's expensive, though 28 per cent don't see a 99 as good value anymore. And 37 per cent consider it an all year-round treat, according to the data. TOP 10 ICE CREAM FLAVOURS ACCORDING TO BRITS: Vanilla Chocolate Mint chocolate chip Strawberry Salted caramel Raspberry ripple Rum and raisin Pistachio Cookies and cream Honeycomb
