ALMOST one in three young people are taking out minimal home insurance to keep the cost of their premiums down, despite being a target for burglary, according to a report out.
A study by RAC Financial Services found that 31% of young people were failing to protect their homes properly, despite data from the 2004 British Crime Survey which shows householders under 25 are almost three times more likely to be a victim of burglary than the national average.
ALMOST 350,000 people who took two-year fixed rate mortgages in 2003, at record low levels, face a whopping £52m rise in monthly mortgage repayments as fixes expire, says broker Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB). On a £100,000 repayment loan, monthly repayments could soar from £547 to £699.
MAB suggests three options to ease the pain: a two-year fix at 4.69% (with fees); a two-year fix at 4.89% (no fees), or a tracker at 4.80%. MAB enquiries: 01332 200020.
SAVERS may delay investment in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) until after the Budget on March 16 to see if the Chancellor slashes ISA allowances in the 2006/7 tax year, says fund manager Invesco Perpetual.
The fund manager offers a 2% discount on charges of all ISA investments/transfers until April 5. Enquiries: 0800 085 8677.
REMEMBER carpet baggers who used to invest in building societies in hope of a windfall? Next target, says broker SQC Research, might be Share plc, parent company of The Share Centre, an independent retail stockbroker currently managing about £820 million worth of investments and with 81,000 of its customers as shareholders. SQC Research (020 7638 8750).
JUST in time for Crufts (Mar 10-13), Argos Pet Insurance promises all dog breeds pedigree protection with flat priced policies. Argos Platinum cover for a three-year-old cocker spaniel in Milton Keynes at £162 per year covers vets fees up to £5,000. Enquiries: 0808 156 1146.
