Too many parents overlook protection New data has found that many parents are overlooking protection when purchasing homes. Only 19% of parents actively planned for protection cover when buying their home. Despite this, the average parent thought that, if they suddenly lost their income, they would only be able to keep up with mortgage repayments for four and a half months. Also, 43% of those with children said they would like some form of insurance to help them maintain their standard of living if they were unable to work. That’s where protection comes in – the right cover can provide peace of mind that you and your family would be financially supported during difficult times. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage Sources: https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/vitality-urge-parents-to-think-beyond-mortgage-and-safeguard-stability/ https://www.ftadviser.com/content/8d7135ee-7e94-4c64-97cd-ff78a0be41e7

The start of a new year often prompts people to review their plans and for many, that might include a resolution to move home. As market conditions continue to evolve, prospective buyers and sellers might be wondering what will happen with property prices in 2026 and beyond. The latest five-year outlook from Savills provides a useful insight into what’s to come, including some forecasts for house prices between now and 2030. The report predicts that house price growth will be slow in the near future, with projected growth of 2.0% in 2026. This subdued performance is due to ongoing economic uncertainty and weak buyer demand. Looking further ahead, the landscape becomes more positive. Interest rates and mortgage costs are expected to ease, which should boost activity in the housing market. Savills anticipates annual house price growth of 4% in 2027 and 5% in 2028, before peaking at 5.5% in 2029. Over the five-year period, property values are expected to increase by 22.2%. Regional outlook The report indicates that regional differences in house price growth are forecast to persist in the coming years. It is expected that the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber will record the strongest performance between now and 2030, with prices expected to increase by 28.8% in both areas. On the other hand, London (13.6%) and the South East (17.0%) are likely to see much weaker growth as affordability challenges continue to limit house price growth. Improving conditions for FTBs Savills noted that, over the last year, first-time buyers (FTBs) have been a driving force in the housing market. In recent years, it has been notoriously difficult to get onto the property ladder, so it is promising to see that FTBs might be growing in confidence. In fact, new homeowners are the only buyer group to record activity above pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, FTBs are the most active group in the capital, despite it being the most expensive place to buy in the UK. Challenges for upsizers Conditions are a little more challenging for ‘second steppers’ looking to move on from their first home. Weak growth in flat values means that this group of sellers is less likely to make a good profit on the sale of their home. To fund the purchase of a bigger property, many second-steppers are therefore relying on their initial deposit as their primary source of equity. As a result, the number of home movers is well below the levels seen in 2017-19. However, activity is expected to pick up as interest rates fall and house price growth strengthens. Contact us We can help you navigate the changing property market. With the right advice, you can turn your property dreams into a reality. Get in touch today. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage Sources: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15256621/House-prices-rise-22-2-five-years-adding-80-000-typical-value-says-Savills.html https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/382244-0

New research suggests that many UK adults significantly overestimate the cost of life insurance. According to a recent survey from L&G, respondents believe that life insurance typically costs £79.50 per month. In reality, the average policy was £27.95 in 2024, meaning that people are overestimating the cost of cover by an average of 184%. This substantial gap highlights the lack of public knowledge about the true price of insurance. Misconceptions about cost The report revealed that the biggest barrier to insurance was the cost, with 27% believing that it is too expensive. But the findings suggests that many people may be basing their decisions on inaccurate assumptions. Perhaps if more UK adults knew the real cost of life insurance, they would feel confident enough to take out protection. The attitudes of different age groups The research also highlighted differing opinions depending on age group and region. Brighton residents aged 45-54 were the most concerned about the price of life insurance. Younger adults shared similar worries; 18–24-year-olds also viewed life insurance as ‘too expensive’, despite this group being particularly engaged with their finances, reviewing them around 35 times a year on average. Motivation is also a barrier among younger generations, with 24% saying that they don’t have plans to take out life cover. Meanwhile, 13% of respondents said they ‘haven’t had time to look into it’. Don’t wait for big milestones Previous research from L&G found that many adults are waiting to reach key milestones before taking out products such as life insurance. However, with people getting married and buying houses later in life, many could be delaying having important conversations about financial security. Life insurance is not just applicable to those who have experienced a major life event. If you rent a property, have you considered how others in your household would keep up with payments if you were no longer around? Or if you have other dependents who rely on you financially, such as an unwell family member, it’s important to get cover. Don’t put it off Securing life insurance provides long-term peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially supported at a difficult time. It’s understandable that younger adults may not want to think about what will happen in the event of their death. However, getting protection now could result in cheaper premiums in the long run, as it is generally more expensive to take out a policy when you’re older. We can help you source a policy that fits your budget and meets your specific needs. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage Sources: https://protectionreporter.co.uk/uk-adults-overestimate-life-insurance-costs-by-184.html

In 2024, insurers paid out £585m in insurance claims for weather-related damage. Here’s how to prepare your home for winter so you can minimise your chances of making a claim. In the colder months, there are many reasons why you might need to make a claim on your home insurance policy. While you can’t completely stop damage from happening, there are precautionary measures you can take to reduce the risk. Common claims in winter Water pipes can freeze over, resulting in water leaks or burst pipes. Make sure to get your boiler serviced annually and cover exposed pipes so they stay insulated. It’s important your house doesn’t get too cold, especially if you’re going away - if you have a smart thermostat, the anti-frost setting can help with this. Winter storms are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Remember to secure your garden furniture and fences so they don’t blow away. Clear your gutters, check for any loose roof tiles and trim any trees and branches. You may think that fire is less of a hazard when it’s cold. But heaters, candles and Christmas lights could all pose a risk if left unattended. Ensure that any electrical items are turned off overnight and test your smoke alarm regularly. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply Sources: https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2025/2/more-action-needed-to-protect-properties-as-adverse-weather-takes-record-toll-on-insurance-claims-in-2024/ https://www.tescoinsurance.com/home-insurance/guides/prepare-your-home-for-winter

Research has highlighted a significant protection gap among manual workers in the UK. Almost a quarter (23%) of manual workers believe they are likely to experience an accident at work within the next three years, higher than the national average of 19%. But this demographic is one of the least insured groups – only 4% have income protection in place and 1% have accident-only income protection. Despite the occupational hazards, 36% of manual workers have not considered how they would cope financially if they had a non-fatal accident. A quarter (24%) wouldn’t know what to do in this situation – this is notably higher than the national average of 15%, therefore indicating a knowledge gap within this occupation. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply Sources: https://protectionreporter.co.uk/mind-the-gap-why-manual-workers-are-falling-through-the-cracks-in-income-protection.html