Latest news with #AlexCross
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Four common summer culprits all dog owners must watch out for in hot weather
While the summer is fast approaching, Tesco Insurance is urging pup parents to stay alert while letting their furry friends enjoy those long walks in the sunshine. After spotting a trend in dog claims - with one in six pet insurance claims in spring and summer related to grass seed injuries, costing an average of £392 - they decided to dig deeper. Why are so many incidents happening during the hottest months? Turns out, there are four common culprits. But if you know what to look for, you could save your dog from unnecessary pain - and yourself a pricey vet bill. Dog owner claims pet's favourite sleep position reveals 'secrets' about personality 'Spring and summer are perfect for enjoying the outdoors - and that goes for our four-legged friends too. Longer, warmer days mean more time for dogs to play, explore, and enjoy the fresh air,' said Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance 'But with the extra freedom comes added responsibility for owners. Whether your pup is rolling in the grass, sniffing around the flowerbeds, or eyeing up a picnic or barbecue, it's important to keep a close watch.' Alex shares the four things you need to look out for... Grass Seeds Tesco Insurance recorded over 500 claims just in July and August last year for grass seed injuries - and the costs add up fast. After walks, check your dog's fur, especially between the toes and around the ears. If seeds are loose, brush them off. But if they're lodged in the skin, don't ignore them - they might be tiny, but they're sharp and dangerous and can cause mild irritation through to serious organ damage. Call your vet as soon as possible. Insect Stings This one's a bit more expected, especially with bees and wasps flying about. Most stings cause minor swelling and discomfort, but if the sting's still in the skin, gently scrape it out and apply a cool cloth to soothe the area. Watch for signs of something more serious though: heavy swelling, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, or sudden weakness. If any of these show up, seek help straight away. Heatstroke Just like humans, dogs can suffer in the heat. If it's warmer than usual, be extra careful on long walks. Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, laboured breathing, drowsiness, vomiting or collapsing. If your dog shows any of these signs, move them to a shaded or cool area immediately and offer small sips of cool (not icy) water. Pouring water over them can also help bring their body temp down. Dogs with thick coats or flat faces - like Frenchies or pugs - are especially at risk. And if your dog becomes unconscious, it's an emergency. Go to the vet, immediately. Picnic and barbeques Sunny days scream picnic and barbeque season, but some of our favourite summer foods are toxic to dogs. Most people know about chocolate, but avocados, grapes, and raisins are also no-go's. They can trigger abdominal pain, vomiting, seizures - even comas in extreme cases. Corn on the cob isn't poisonous, but it is a choking hazard and can cause dangerous blockages. And while it might be tempting to share leftover bones, don't - they can splinter in your dog's mouth or gut. Same goes for kebab skewers. 'With the extra freedom comes added responsibility for owners. Whether your pup is rolling in the grass, sniffing around the flowerbeds, or eyeing up a picnic or barbecue, it's important to keep a close watch,' says Alex Cross 'If you suspect your dog is in pain or has eaten something they shouldn't, don't wait. Seek expert advice straight away.' Tesco Insurance customers can access 24/7 help through vetfone which has a national network of vet nurses to help with any questions.
North Wales Chronicle
29-04-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Martin Lewis home insurance price warning as prices fall
New analysis shows home insurance prices - buildings and contents - have dropped month-on-month this year. But, as the Money Saving Expert founder says: "That's good news, but it does risk people being complacent at renewal, as if the quote's only a little more than last year, you may settle for it, whereas in fact far cheaper may be available - similar is true with car insurance So here are some quick need-to-knows... "Don't simply accept their renewal price, aim for cheaper," he says. "Our Compare+ tool & its unique Price Impact Indicator finds your cheapest insurers, then shows how to cut the cost even more." One interesting point is around locks, and the questions that come with a baffling array of options. According to his Money Saving Expert newsletter: "When asked what locks you have, you'd probably assume better locks cut the cost of cover. Yet the data surprisingly shows it has an almost negligible impact on price. Which is why every question in the Compare+ tool has a 'low', 'mid' or 'high' label, telling you whether - and by how much - the answer impacts the price of your cover. You can click each label to read the full info." The car insurance world is changing and you need to be prepared. Prices have dropped 16% this year, but that doesn't mean do nothing, the opposite in fact. Do have a listen.... The best advice is to be honest, and err on the side of caution. Locksmith Craig Andres from The Perspicacity Life warns that saying your lock is more secure than it is can impact home insurance claims. "A weak lock doesn't just put your property at risk, it could also invalidate your home insurance," he says. "Some insurance providers require specific security standards, and if your locks don't meet these requirements, any claim after a burglary could be rejected. "Many insurance companies specify TS007 3-star locks or a combination of a 1-star lock and a 2-star door handle as a minimum requirement. If your home doesn't comply, you might not even realise that your insurance policy is invalid.' The best bet is to be completely honest - it may not increase your premium price much and you know you're covered if you need to claim. Another Money Saving Expert tip is to time your quote carefully: "While it sounds crackers, how early before renewal you get a policy can have an up to 25% impact on what you're charged (we get this info from analysing up to 650,000 quotes)," the website says. "So the tool will tell you when to come back if you're too early (don't worry, you can save info so you needn't re-enter it), and if you're too late, we've calendar reminders so you time it right next year." Some other tips include: As a rule of thumb, if you you turned your home upside down, everything that'd stay is usually covered by buildings insurance; everything that'd fall is usually covered by contents insurance. Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance, says: "For complete protection, it's best to take out both buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and fixtures, while contents insurance protects your belongings, from furniture to electronics. "If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require buildings insurance, but combining both policies ensures you're fully covered against unexpected damage or loss." Things you need to notify your home insurance provider of (or risk invalidating your policy). Alex Cross suggests this checklist of things you should tell your insurer about (as with most things, it's better safe than sorry). Yes. This is a key area many people forget to tell their insurer about. Johnny Thomson, marketing and communications director at explains: 'The rebuild cost is a critical aspect of property insurance, impacting your coverage and payout should the worst happen to your property. If you renovate your home, then your rebuild cost may change. You're likely adding or altering something about the property that affects the cost of rebuilding it from scratch. 'Many may think their property insurance is only impacted by large structural changes like an extension or conversion, but that's not always the case. Upgrades like a new kitchen or bathroom can impact this, too. Even smaller changes, including adding a marble countertop or installing underfloor heating, could increase the rebuild cost. 'If your home insurance isn't updated to reflect changes, you could find yourself underinsured. If the worst happens and you're underinsured, your current insurance payout may only cover the original property. This will leave you out of pocket for the additional costs that should've been adjusted to reflect the renovations.' Homeowners living in period homes, typically defined as properties built before the First World War, are paying 123% more in annual insurance premiums than they would for a contemporary home built after the year 2000, says research from Compare the Market. On average, home insurance for a period home costs £547 per year, £245 more than the average premium for a home built after 2000 which cost £302. Recommended reading: The most expensive category of period homes to insure are Tudor homes, built between 1485 and 1603, which cost £770 on average. These are followed by homes built during the Stuart period, 1603 to 1714, costing £700 on average. The average cost of insurance for Georgian-era homes, built in the period from 1714 to 1830, is £551 while homes built in the period from 1831 to 1836 cost £522. Insurance for homes built before 1485 comes to £487, £397 for Edwardian homes, built between 1901 and 1910, and £395 for Victorian homes, built in the period from 1837 to 1901. Contemporary homes, built from 2000 onwards, cost on average £302 to insure per year. Helen Phipps, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, says: 'While period homes often possess great character and charm, our research underlines the importance for homeowners to be aware of the additional costs that can often accompany owning an older property. "People living in a period home, or those considering purchasing one, should be aware of the potentially higher insurance premiums that typically come with owning an older property. 'It's important for all homeowners to compare insurance policies of different providers online to help find the right deal at the right price. '
Rhyl Journal
29-04-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Martin Lewis home insurance price warning as prices fall
New analysis shows home insurance prices - buildings and contents - have dropped month-on-month this year. But, as the Money Saving Expert founder says: "That's good news, but it does risk people being complacent at renewal, as if the quote's only a little more than last year, you may settle for it, whereas in fact far cheaper may be available - similar is true with car insurance So here are some quick need-to-knows... "Don't simply accept their renewal price, aim for cheaper," he says. "Our Compare+ tool & its unique Price Impact Indicator finds your cheapest insurers, then shows how to cut the cost even more." One interesting point is around locks, and the questions that come with a baffling array of options. According to his Money Saving Expert newsletter: "When asked what locks you have, you'd probably assume better locks cut the cost of cover. Yet the data surprisingly shows it has an almost negligible impact on price. Which is why every question in the Compare+ tool has a 'low', 'mid' or 'high' label, telling you whether - and by how much - the answer impacts the price of your cover. You can click each label to read the full info." The car insurance world is changing and you need to be prepared. Prices have dropped 16% this year, but that doesn't mean do nothing, the opposite in fact. Do have a listen.... The best advice is to be honest, and err on the side of caution. Locksmith Craig Andres from The Perspicacity Life warns that saying your lock is more secure than it is can impact home insurance claims. "A weak lock doesn't just put your property at risk, it could also invalidate your home insurance," he says. "Some insurance providers require specific security standards, and if your locks don't meet these requirements, any claim after a burglary could be rejected. "Many insurance companies specify TS007 3-star locks or a combination of a 1-star lock and a 2-star door handle as a minimum requirement. If your home doesn't comply, you might not even realise that your insurance policy is invalid.' The best bet is to be completely honest - it may not increase your premium price much and you know you're covered if you need to claim. Another Money Saving Expert tip is to time your quote carefully: "While it sounds crackers, how early before renewal you get a policy can have an up to 25% impact on what you're charged (we get this info from analysing up to 650,000 quotes)," the website says. "So the tool will tell you when to come back if you're too early (don't worry, you can save info so you needn't re-enter it), and if you're too late, we've calendar reminders so you time it right next year." Some other tips include: As a rule of thumb, if you you turned your home upside down, everything that'd stay is usually covered by buildings insurance; everything that'd fall is usually covered by contents insurance. Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance, says: "For complete protection, it's best to take out both buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and fixtures, while contents insurance protects your belongings, from furniture to electronics. "If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require buildings insurance, but combining both policies ensures you're fully covered against unexpected damage or loss." Things you need to notify your home insurance provider of (or risk invalidating your policy). Alex Cross suggests this checklist of things you should tell your insurer about (as with most things, it's better safe than sorry). Yes. This is a key area many people forget to tell their insurer about. Johnny Thomson, marketing and communications director at explains: 'The rebuild cost is a critical aspect of property insurance, impacting your coverage and payout should the worst happen to your property. If you renovate your home, then your rebuild cost may change. You're likely adding or altering something about the property that affects the cost of rebuilding it from scratch. 'Many may think their property insurance is only impacted by large structural changes like an extension or conversion, but that's not always the case. Upgrades like a new kitchen or bathroom can impact this, too. Even smaller changes, including adding a marble countertop or installing underfloor heating, could increase the rebuild cost. 'If your home insurance isn't updated to reflect changes, you could find yourself underinsured. If the worst happens and you're underinsured, your current insurance payout may only cover the original property. This will leave you out of pocket for the additional costs that should've been adjusted to reflect the renovations.' Homeowners living in period homes, typically defined as properties built before the First World War, are paying 123% more in annual insurance premiums than they would for a contemporary home built after the year 2000, says research from Compare the Market. On average, home insurance for a period home costs £547 per year, £245 more than the average premium for a home built after 2000 which cost £302. Recommended reading: The most expensive category of period homes to insure are Tudor homes, built between 1485 and 1603, which cost £770 on average. These are followed by homes built during the Stuart period, 1603 to 1714, costing £700 on average. The average cost of insurance for Georgian-era homes, built in the period from 1714 to 1830, is £551 while homes built in the period from 1831 to 1836 cost £522. Insurance for homes built before 1485 comes to £487, £397 for Edwardian homes, built between 1901 and 1910, and £395 for Victorian homes, built in the period from 1837 to 1901. Contemporary homes, built from 2000 onwards, cost on average £302 to insure per year. Helen Phipps, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, says: 'While period homes often possess great character and charm, our research underlines the importance for homeowners to be aware of the additional costs that can often accompany owning an older property. "People living in a period home, or those considering purchasing one, should be aware of the potentially higher insurance premiums that typically come with owning an older property. 'It's important for all homeowners to compare insurance policies of different providers online to help find the right deal at the right price. '
