It’s important to ensure that you and your family have the right level of protection, without paying more than is necessary. Everyone is different and will require their own amount of protection cover to reflect their specific needs. It’s therefore strongly recommended that you work with a professional adviser like ourselves who can source a policy that is tailored to you. The cost of your protection will depend on a range of factors, including your health, the amount of cover required and the policy term. If you’re concerned about affording cover, it’s important to consider what is most important to protect. For example, life insurance is essential for families – it can give you peace of mind that your partner and children would be financially supported in the event of your death. However, someone who doesn’t have dependents might choose to prioritise income protection insurance, so they have a safety net if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. Circumstances can easily change, so it’s important to review your policy regularly. As your needs evolve, we can help you to adjust your policy accordingly. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Source: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/how-much-does-protection-insurance-cost

Insurers paid out a record amount in property claims last year, but the average cost of home insurance declined in Q4. According to the ABI, claims payouts reached new highs last year, costing home insurers a total of £6.1bn. This is mainly due to a rise in storm and flood damage, with weather-related claims accounting for £1.2bn of payouts in 2025 (14% more than the previous year). Within this, storm payouts totalled £244m, up 32% annually, with the average payout reaching £2,450. Despite this, the average price of home insurance declined by just over 1% in the final quarter of 2025. While this will be a relief for policyholders, premiums are still an average of £29 higher than in Q4 2023. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply Source: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/whats-happening-to-home-insurance-premiums-a3EjJ5O6GVvP

The mortgage market is facing uncertainty due to ongoing developments in the Middle East. Affordability challenges had been easing slightly in recent months - mortgage rates were slowly coming down due to cuts to Bank Rate. In January 2026, the average monthly mortgage payment was 7% lower than the previous year. However, the recent outbreak of war in Iran has made the short-term outlook much more uncertain. At the start of March, 472 residential mortgage products were taken off the market within a 48-hour period, in response to rising swap rates. This trend continued throughout the month, with a fifth of overall mortgage deals removed from the market by 21 March. First-time buyers have been hit particularly badly – they may notice that rates are higher on low-deposit deals. Adam French at Moneyfacts commented, “It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as the prospect of falling mortgage rates has quickly given way to rate rises. How far they could go is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve as conflict in the Middle East unfolds.” We can help you understand how the economic situation affects you and your mortgage – get in touch for support. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/23/uk-mortgage-interest-rates-markets-bank-of-england-iran-war https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7gnkez3lo https://moneyfactscompare.co.uk/news/mortgages/impact-of-iran-war-on-mortgages/ https://moneyage.co.uk/472-mortgage-products-withdrawn-in-48-hours.php https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/average-monthly-mortgage-payment-down-january

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Moving home or renovating in 2026? Make sure you’re adequately covered. Before you move, it’s important to check the details of your home contents policy, as exclusions may apply to the removals process. For example, some insurers only cover belongings packed and moved by professionals. Additionally, your home insurance won’t automatically be applicable at your new address, so you will likely need to transfer the policy over (if allowed). Similarly, if you’re renovating your current home, it’s important to review your existing policies. If your project involves structural changes or new fixtures, you will likely need an extra layer of cover to ensure you’re sufficiently protected if something goes wrong. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Sources: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/home-insurance/moving-to-new-home/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20have,for%20longer%20than%2030%20days https://www.renovationplan.co.uk/news-and-insight/why-you-need-renovation-insurance-cover-in-2026/

A survey has revealed that homeowners are more likely to plan a new kitchen than seek out protection. Research found that respondents were more likely to spend money on new furniture (36%), redecorating (26%) or installing a new bathroom or kitchen (25%) than on taking out protection insurance, with only 15% saying it was a priority. However, many mortgage holders expressed concern about their financial security, with 62% saying they are worried they could lose their home if they became too ill to work. More than half (56%) admitted they would struggle to keep up with mortgage repayments after six months without an income. 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.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4524648/protection-ranks-lowest-importance-homebuyers

The average age of the population is getting older, which will likely change the type of protection people need in future. A report found that by 2050, 27% of people living in advanced economies will be over 65. As longevity increases, the demands placed on insurers - and on individuals - will evolve. Traditionally, protection products have focused on providing financial safety nets in the event of illness or death, often through income replacement. Longer lifespans mean cover may need to last longer and respond to more complex circumstances. People are working later, building assets over extended careers and supporting family members across multiple generations. There is also a growing need to consider later-life health risks and the potential cost of care. Protection is no longer just about replacing income for a limited period - it’s about safeguarding financial stability over decades. Regularly reviewing policies helps ensure cover remains appropriate as responsibilities, health and lifestyles change. As we live longer, protection must adapt - providing resilience, certainty and peace of mind for a longer, more unpredictable journey. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Sources: https://www.ftadviser.com/content/8284146a-0a97-4de6-8e8e-52eb26fe51df

Don’t accidentally invalidate your home insurance - here are the biggest mistakes that homeowners make and how to avoid them…

Research from Rightmove has identified the UK towns that recorded the strongest house price growth last year. The list was largely dominated by towns in Scotland and the north of England. Hawick in the Scottish Borders saw the biggest annual rise, with prices increasing by 18% in 2025. Durham followed with a 15% increase, while Stannington in Sheffield saw prices grow by 12%. Across the 50 locations with the fastest-growing house prices, the average property value was £270,711, 26% lower than the national average of £368,031. In fact, 43 of the 50 fastest-growing towns had prices below the national average. This emphasises the growing trend that more affordable areas are experiencing the strongest price growth. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Sources: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15501709/Rightmove-names-25-towns-saw-biggest-house-price-rises-2025.html

Are you fully informed about life insurance? Here are some myths that still catch people out.

Underinsurance is becoming an increasingly common problem for homeowners, making it more important than ever to check that your property is properly protected.