Personal finance
Insurance policies, pension funds, and savings accounts can be complex and confusing, especially when facing life's unexpected events. Several readers have reached out to Margaret Dibben, a financial expert, seeking guidance on reclaiming lost records, transferring pension values, and investing windfalls. Key Takeaways: * When claiming for lost records
Personal finance
Homeowners, Ron Williams and John Hopkins, from Swansea, had their claims for storm damage on their buildings policies rejected by Prudential and Eagle Star, respectively. The insurers cited the age of the houses as the likely cause of the breakage, which is not covered under the terms of the policies.
Personal finance
In a time of financial uncertainty, drawing on retirement savings as a standby source of cash can be tempting. However, most of us are not wired to think long-term, and short-term financial concerns can easily cloud our judgment. Before surrendering to the temptation of tapping into our RRSP, it'
Personal finance
As the second call on BT shares approaches, approximately 1.5 million investors must pay their due amount by March 1 or face a forfeit of their shares and repayment of their original investment. The call notice, combined with a new certificate, will be sent to shareholders by February 23
Personal finance
Over the past decade, the equity market has consistently outperformed other investment options, with shares delivering nearly all-time high returns in the latest edition of the Equity-Gilt Study produced by Barclays de Zoete Wedd (BZW). Despite this, the study's managing director, Michael Hughes, cautions that recent high returns
Personal finance
Investors seeking a high income from distribution bonds must be cautious, warns the David M Aaron Partnership, as these single-premium investment bonds distribute dividends but come with a risk to capital. Millions of pounds are being poured into such bonds, mainly by income-seeking investors. Distribution bonds invest in a mixture
Personal finance
As local and overseas investment markets served up spectacular returns in 1993, leading fund managers and financial advisers are warning investors to tone down their expectations for 1994. Market pundits predict a year or two of low inflation, low interest rates, and lower investment returns. Fund managers and advisers are
Personal finance
Prominent stock market leaders have recently made crucial chart breaks, sparking renewed optimism for investors. The Ordinary shares of Commercial Union, Amstrad, Fisons, Unilever, and BP have all cleared key resistance levels, paving the way for potential price rises. This momentum is expected to drive these companies' performances in
Personal finance
Homeowners are struggling to secure contents insurance due to increasing premium costs and discriminatory practices by insurers. A recent report by Which? highlights the "growing trend of `cherry picking' insuring the good risks and excluding the bad" (Which?, n.d.). Insurance companies, despite announcing record profits, are
Personal finance
Regulators have finally given in to years of pressure from consumer groups and announced that insurance salesmen must disclose their commissions to customers. From January 1 next year, financial advisers will have to reveal how much they stand to make from each policy they sell, providing a clear written statement
