| | | For more tips, alerts & inevitable bad puns follow Martin: |  |  |  | | Many massively overpay due to misunderstandings and errors. Our new Cheap Home Insurance system takes you through step-by-step. Here's a starter for 10. | 1. | Turn your house upside down to see who covers what. Only freeholders need buildings cover. Renters & leaseholders just contents. Imagine turning the house upside down. If it falls, it's usually contents. If not, it's buildings. | | | | 2. | It's not your home's value that counts, it's what it'd cost to rebuild. Many massively overpay for buildings by covering what the house'd sell for. Yet the usually much lower rebuild value is key (the ABI calculator helps). | | | | 3. | Don't stick with your mortgage provider's cover — SWITCH. If you got buildings insurance with your mortgage, it's often bad value. Compare, ditch & switch, even if there's a fee. Some, such as the AA*, Churchill* & Direct Line*, pay up to £25 of the fee (ensure they're cheapest, see below).
| | | | 4. |  Underinsuring contents may halve payout. To value contents, add everything, incl clothes, which add up. Don't think "I've £40,000 worth, but will only cover £20k as I'll never claim more. "Then claim for a £1,000 sofa and the insurer may investigate and only pay in proportion, ie, £500. | | | | 5. | Combining cover usually, but doesn't always, win. You often get discounts combining buildings and contents. Yet if you're a high risk for one, try separate quotes, though claims can then fall between the two. | | | | 6. | Urgent! Even if not at renewal, lock in a cheap quote for 3 mths. Many insurers' big discounts are ending, yet get a quote NOW and the following are valid for 90 days: Direct Line* 30% off (ends WEDS) Aviva* 50%, Barclays* 50% contents (ends 1 July), Churchill* 50% off (ends 31 Mar). Don't think I'm saying "grab this", instead "grab a quote in case it's cheaper". | | | | | 7. | Find cheapest with speedy NEW 'best comparisons for you' | | Comparison sites give a wide range of quotes at speed but don't all cover the same insurers. We've new analysis of a large sample to show which combination and order are likely to be cheapest in various scenarios. | Typical home (use if none below apply) | Comparisons order: (do as many as poss) Gocompare* | CompareTM* | Confused* (94% chance of cheap quote compared with using all big 5 sites)
Always check: The missed biggies Aviva* & Direct Line* + Special Deals | One bedroom homes | Comparisons order: (do as many as poss) Confused* | MoneySup* | CompareTM * (95% chance of cheap quote compared with using all big 5)
Always check: The missed biggies Aviva* & Direct Line* + Special Deals | If you've needed to claim in last five years | Comparisons order: (do as many as poss) CompareTM * | MoneySup* | Confused* (94% chance of cheap quote compared with using big 5)
Always check: The missed biggies Aviva* & Direct Line* + Special Deals
| High contents value | For high value items always specify them when taking the policy.
Comparisons order: (do as many as poss) Confused* | CompareTM * | Gocompare* (95% chance of cheap quote compared with using all big 5)
Always check: The missed biggies Aviva* & Direct Line* and Special Deals
| | | | | 8. | Beware, comparison sites make assumptions. When clicking through to insurers, check all the info is correct and the policy is suitable, especially if your roof's not tiled, the building's listed or it's had an extension, as when insurers find out they may not cover you. | | | | 9. | Not cut the cost? Use 'we guarantee to beat your renewal' providers. More Than* and Post Office* promise to beat renewals, and for existing bank customers, NatWest* or RBS* will beat it by £25 (not all qualify). | | | | 10. | You may get PAID to take home insurance. The ALL-TIME record using our system is a PROFIT of £67 (2011's best was £9 profit). The insurance cost £53 but there was hidden £120 cashback. For how to check for cashback see the Updated Guide: Cheap Home Insurance. Report Successes: Home Insurance Winners Related: Cheap Car Insurance, Cheap Gas & Electricity
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get it themselves via moneysavingexpert.com/tips | |  Reclaim PPI for FREE — new FAQ to make it easier
Latest news is 99% of people who take Barclays, Lloyds, RBS & MBNA to Ombudsman WIN If you've had a loan, credit or store card, catalogue or car finance, check if you were mis-sold PPI. The tweet we received (below) shows how easy it is to reclaim. Yet many unnecessarily give 30% away using claims handlers, though a quick letter's often enough. People say it's as they've questions, so we've added a big new PPI FAQ with 65 answers to our guide. "PPI RESULT. Letter from MBNA re OLD credit card & it's sending a £9,000 cheque. Took 1 call" — @inthesticks  What counts as mis-selling? The PPI seller needs to ensure it's suitable at the time you got it. Typical mis-selling includes lying that it is compulsory, adding it without asking, giving the self-employed unemployment cover and not saying pre-existing conditions are excluded. See the full mis-selling checklist.- How far back can I go? It's easiest if the PPI was still ACTIVE in the last six years. If you got a loan 12 years ago, and repaid it five years ago, that's fine. Some still successfully reclaim on older PPI, but the chance is lower.
- I can't remember who my old lender was? Get your credit file. It lists all active debts from the past six years.
- I haven't got my loan agreement, how do I check for PPI? Under the Consumer Credit Act you've a right to get a copy from your lender. See the loan agreement request template letter in the guide.
- Can I reclaim if I’ve used the PPI? Yes, though success chances are lower and you may not get a full refund.
- My bank's said no, what are my chances? Many get paid by banks, but if not, don't give in. A staggering 99% of Barclays, Lloyds, RBS & MBNA customers who've been rejected by their bank then go to the free Ombudsman and WIN. The average uphold rate for all providers is 88%. See bank-by-bank PPI success rates.
MORE Q&As in the Updated Guide & Free Letters: PPI Reclaiming Related Reclaims: Bank Charges, Council Tax | 30 ways to boost Avios points
The top Avios reward cards | Earn 10,000s of bonus points | Which rewards are best ? When Airmiles & BA Miles rebranded as Avios last Nov there was much disquiet from Airmiles collectors as flight taxes are no longer free. So we've launched our new Avios points boosting guide, with 30+ ways to push to the max. A taster...  Urgent! If buying Avios, do it today (Wed). Avios lets you buy extra points to top up. 1,000 points currently costs £20. From tomorrow (1 March), this soars to £31. - 2for1 flights with best Avios credit card. FULLY repay each month and you can bag points for free on credit cards. BA's Amex* gives 9,000 if you spend £1,000 in the first 3mths, plus the usual one per £1. Those spending £20k+/yr (eg, for expenses) get a free 2for1 flight voucher giving an identical ticket, even if biz class, when redeeming. If you don't have the £30k family income to get it, Lloyds Duo Amex* gives 5x Avios for the first 3mths. Fail to fully repay and they're 19.9% & 15.9% rep APRs (see Official APR Examples). To GAIN MORE see full Top Avios Credit Cards.
- Exchange Tesco points for Avios NOW. Now's the perfect time to trade in Tesco vouchers for Avios points, as until 31 Mar, £10 Tesco vouchers gets 4,000 Avios, rather than the normal 2,400.
- Earn up to 12,000 of extra points. A few current promos give free points, eg, if you've not converted Tesco points to Avios in the last 13mths you get 2,000 extra (worth c. £16). See full bonus points list.
- Redeem on Eurostar and no taxes. Swap Avios points for Eurostar returns tickets and you don't pay taxes or charges, making it excellent value, eg, 9,000 Avios for a Paris return, depending on availability.
- Redeem either economy short haul OR biz long haul. With Avios you pay taxes & charges when you redeem flights, yet for Europe returns most pay a low fixed £27 BA/Iberia charge for economy (£34 for biz class). On long haul flights, economy taxes & charges can cost similar to a full fare on cheap airlines (see Cheap Flights). However, with prem econ/biz class tickets it can work out, eg, Martin's tale: "Over Xmas, I used two years' points & a credit card 2for1 to treat Mrs MSE to a New York trip, flying out biz, back first class. It would have cost £12,600 cash — completely unjustifiable — yet with total charges of £875, it was cheaper than economy."
For MORE see New Guide: 30 Avios boosters Related: Reclaim Tesco Vouchers, Cashback Credit Cards |  "Aaargh — I get 4 spam PPI calls a day. Help!"
If you're plagued by spam calls and texts, you can minimise them Whether dodgy PPI claims handlers, ambulance chasers or debt write-offs; you tell us they're plaguing you with texts and calls. There's no perfect solution, but get help from our Stop Spam Texts & Stop Junk Calls guides. Here's a taster... - Stop spam texts. It depends on which type: 1. For legit marketing messages (eg, you opted in) or premium messages with clear sender details, just text back STOP. 2. Real spam, eg, anonymous PPI, debt write-off types, DON'T TEXT STOP. It may add you to databases. Instead, report them — for how, see the Stop Spam Texts guide.
- Stop spam calls. Sign up your home phone AND mobile to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) (takes about 28 days). It's illegal for UK firms to call those who've registered (though if you tick yes they're allowed). Also there's the free Silent Call-gard service. Very little helps spam calls from abroad, except our forumites' cheeky overseas spam call tips. Full help: Stop Spam Calls
- Stop calls and mail to deceased relatives. NanofOne tweeted: "How can I stop companies ringing up to speak to my husband who's been dead this past 10 years? I am fed up." Ask the company to take you off the database, use the TPS and to reduce mail use the Bereavement Register & Deceased Preference Service (takes 4-6 weeks).
- Free MSE 'No Cold Callers' door sign. To deter unwanted salesmen print our Trading Standards-approved 'no cold callers' sign. If energy salesmen don't obey, you can report them. Others aren't forced, but it makes 'em think.
FULL info on junk mail too in the Guides: Stop Spam Texts, Stop Spam Calls, Cold Callers & Junk Mail | Use 18mths 0% spending card to MAKE £100s
Become a stoozer — it's MoneySaving poetry — take 0% cash and save at high interest Stoozing, put simply, is when you borrow money at 0% from banks to save so you earn interest on money lent for nowt. Right now, we've the best cards since the credit crunch for this. They even PAY you to spend on them. Only do this if you're debt-free, well-organised and financially savvy...
 Step 1: Get the longest 0% AND rewards spending card. Do all normal daily spending on it (not an excuse to overspend), repaying just the minimum. Here are the top cards (full info in Top 0% cards) — you'll need to pass a credit score.
M&S 15mth 0%* plus 100 M&S pts per £100 spent — 15.9% rep APR after
Tesco 15mth 0%* plus 25 Tesco pts per £100 spent — 16.9% rep APR after
Nationwide 18mth 0%* ONLY FlexAccount* holders, 0.5% cashback — 12.9% rep APR. - Step 2: Save unspent wages in the highest EASY ACCESS account. If you've not used this year's tax-free cash ISA the top's Cheshire BS 3.06%* AER (min £1k). Otherwise, the top savings is Santander's 3.1%*. With both, the rate plummets after 12-18 mths, so diarise to switch.
- Step 3: Rake in the cash. With a £6,000 credit limit on a Nationwide card, filled within six months, including rewards, you could be £250 up by the time the 0% ends. At which point ensure you either FULLY repay it with the savings, or do a 0% Balance Transfer to keep the stooze going (though incorporate any fee).
Stoozing needs concentration & organisation. Read pros and cons in our Full Guide: Stoozing (and Official APRs) Related: Top 0% Spending, 0% Balance Transfers, Cash ISAs | 5% off 1st & 2nd class stamps. At WHSmith stores (that don't have a Post Office within them) & online. Stock up on any labelled 1st or 2nd now and they're effectively price hike-proof. See the Deals Note: 5% off Stamps | | |  | Real Life MONEY MORAL DILEMMA:
My hubby earns more. Should he pay more of joint bills?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
When I moved in with my husband two years ago, we agreed to each pay half of all bills. He now earns twice as much as I do, so is it now a little unfair? I can afford to pay my half of the bills and still have money to buy clothes, go out, etc, but I struggle to save. My husband isn't mean, and happily pays for meals out more often than me. But it's unfair I need to pay as much when he has more disposable income than I do. Should he contribute a greater share? Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should my husband pay more? Previous MMDs: View All Suggest: A Money Moral Dilemma
| | |  | Take a small step for Fairtrade Fortnight
It's the start of charity Fairtrade Foundation's Fairtrade Fortnight — dedicated towards fair terms for developing world workers. It wants you to Take a Step (click to see local events) towards fair trade, whether swapping your sugar, having a Fairtrade coffee, or Fairtrade Mother's Day flowers. Fair Trade Discounts: Fair trade isn't always more expensive. Sainsbury's Basics tea bags are just 27p and Co-op 100g chocolate is 79p during the fortnight. Suggest a campaign: This space is for MSE to support charities, community groups and other campaigners. Send your campaign of the week suggestions. | | | | | | | | | | | | | Thursday 1st March
Lorraine, ITV1, between 8.30 & 9.30am
Real Deals Thursday 1st March
Shelagh Fogerty, Radio 5, 12-1pm
Consumer Panel Friday 2nd March
Jeremy Vine, Radio 2, 1-2pm
Subject TBC Monday 5th March
(Tbc) This Morning, ITV1, between 10.30am & 12.30pm
Subject TBC Tuesday 6th March
Daybreak, ITV1, between 7 & 8.30am
Subject TBC | | All Martin's Appearances | | | | | | UK's Best Currency Rates | | £100 will buy you: | | Best | Worst |  | € | 117.67 | 103.24 |  | $ | 158.29 | 138.86 |  | TL | 271.50 | 236.21 | | Rates correct at 6pm Tues | Find all top currency rates
Compare travel cash | | | | | | | | How much cash do you usually keep in your home and wallet/purse in total? Please select one from the below. | | | | | When did you last get a pay rise?
We asked when was the last time you got a pay rise. Of the public sector workers 77% haven't had a pay rise within the last year. And of those that have had an increase 81% got inflation or below. Only 52% of private sector employees haven't had a pay increase in the past year. And of those that did get an increase 63% were below inflation. See Pay Results. | | | | | | | | Q: Are you still covered by Section 75 if, since the transaction, you shut your account? Natasha, by email. MSE Sally's A: Yes — Section 75 means the credit card provider is jointly liable by law for all purchases made, in full or part, between £100 and £30,000. What counts is you spent on the card, not if you're a customer. Contact the original credit card provider, just as you would if the account was still open. Don't be put off if it says it's not its problem. It is, and legally it has a obligation to you. See Section 75 and Consumer Rights for more info. Please suggest a Question of the Week (big general subjects are more likely to be answered — we can't reply to individual emails). | | | | "Surprised to be contact by the rudest, most aggressive human being in the world" That's it for this week, but before we go, some emails make you laugh out loud. And this one we were copied in to by someone complaining to their mobile company, tipped off the scale: I write regarding terrible customer service... We hope you save some money, Martin & the MSE team | | |
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