This article was published on 23 Sep 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

Christmas can be hectic even at the best of times – especially if you’re on those long, cold night shifts! Which means it’s even more important that when you are home with your family, you can relax and enjoy yourself. With this in mind, we’ve put together a few handy hints and tips to help you and your family through the festive period.

Around the home

Boiler and radiators
No one wants a cold home to come back to. Bleeding radiators is one of the easiest ways to improve the efficiency of your heating. It’s also a good idea to have your boiler serviced by a registered engineer to ensure it’s ready for the coldest months, when it will be working hardest.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
You should regularly check that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning correctly and not low on battery power. It’s a quick job that will give you lasting peace of mind. Many fires start in the kitchen so never leave any cooking unattended.

With temperatures dropping during December, it’s a good idea to check the loft to see whether you need additional insulation. Lagging pipes and water tanks will prevent heat escaping while also reducing the risk of ice forming and the plumbing problems it can cause. It’s also a good idea to leave your heating on at a low temperature even when you’re not there, to help prevent things like frozen or burst pipes.

Windows and doors
Faulty seals or gaps around windows and doors allow warm air to escape and cold air to get in. Blocking these draughts can make a big difference to the warmth of your home and help cut your energy bills. Using draught excluders at the bottom of doors can also be an effective measure.

Christmas lights
Christmas normally means fairy lights and lots of them. So make sure that you switch them off and unplug them before you go to bed, or when you leave the house. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Worst case scenario are fires causes by faulty lights left on unattended.

Christmas gifts and presents
With Christmas gifts galore, your home will probably contain more items such as jewellery, watches, cash, laptops and other technology, just to mention a few. Although many insurers will increase your contents cover value during a religious festival, it is worth checking with them to see if you are covered.

If you are with Police Mutual for home insurance, it is worth noting that you are covered with an additional £5,000 of contents cover at no extra cost during any month in which you celebrate a religious festival, to cover gifts and food bought for the occasion. Terms & conditions apply.

Out and about

The festive period creates a higher risk of burglaries and with many families away from the home, consider the following:

Leave lights on
Keep valuables out of sight and connect lights to timers so that they come on at different times of the day. It’s even a good idea to connect the timer to the radio, so it appears that you are home. It’s also a good idea to have external areas well-lit as well.

Secure your property
It’s stating the obvious, but be sure to lock every door and window when you’re out of the house. If possible ask a friend or neighbour to check on your property regularly if you’re going away for a while.

After Christmas

Reassess contents cover
When normality returns, you will probably find that you may have some new jewellery, new phone or even a new TV. So now is a good time to check with your insurer that you have sufficient contents cover.

Great protection, no hidden costs, easy to switch
With no admin fees* and interest-free monthly payment option, Police Mutual’s Home Insurance could help alleviate the financial strain we can all feel at this time of year. We also make it easier to switch straightaway by paying any cancellation fees you might be charged by your current provider, up to the value of £125.

For more information on our Home Insurance click here or call our dedicated team on 0151 242 7460.

Police Mutual Home Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. Home Emergency Cover is provided by ARAG plc.

PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

*PMGI Limited may make a charge for policy cancellation.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on 23 Sep 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

It probably seems like a lifetime ago since your last holiday with one lockdown after another, but positive developments mean you may be heading away on that well-deserved break sooner rather than later! As Police professionals, much of the following will come as second nature to you, but it might be handy to share with your family.

Before going on holiday most people consider the things that they’ll need whilst they’re away – passports, luggage, and travel insurance – but it’s all too easy to forget the things that need to be taken care of back at home during that time.

If you’re going to be leaving your home unoccupied for more than just a few days it’s important to consider some of the safety and security factors below.

After all, an owner-free home still filled with valuable electrical goods such as televisions, laptops or state-of-the-art coffee machines are both a potential fire hazard and a burglar’s dream. And then of course there’s the possibility of gas or water leaks and the resulting damage. So, here’s how to best prepare your home for when you’re gone…

Keep burglars at bay

If you have a burglar alarm be sure to turn it on as soon as you leave, but do be aware that there are other factors in keeping your house secure whilst on holiday. Whether you have an alarm or not reducing or entirely removing obvious signs that no one is home is imperative.

Cancel milk and paper deliveries so they don’t create an evident backlog making it apparent that you are away. Plus, no one wants to arrive home from holiday to find two-week old milk sitting on their doorstep, especially in summertime.

Consider connecting lights to timers so that they come on at different times of the day. Invest in some for your living room and a few bedrooms to give the appearance of someone being home in the evenings.

Involve the neighbours

If you’re friendly with your neighbours ask them to drop round to the house either every day or every few days to give the impression of someone being home.

Ask them to clear up piles of post or parcels which may well be visible from outside. Suggest they draw the curtains in the evening and then back again the follow day. And, if they’re really amenable, ask if they will keep an eye on your flower pots, lawns and bushes – overgrown grass or plants in the front garden is another sign that a property is currently uninhabited.

If you’re taking your car away with you, see if a neighbour is happy to park theirs on your drive every so often so it appears as though someone is coming and going whilst you’re away too.

Lock up your valuables

It goes without saying to double-check that you’ve locked doors and windows before leaving the house, but make sure that nothing potentially appealing to thieves is left on display as well.

Even when you’re not on going away, locking up valuables and keeping sought-after items out of sight is a great idea, but if you’re leaving them around for days on end, put phones, tablets, laptops and other coveted technology in a safe, in drawers or in boxes out of view.

As for jewellery, heirlooms and other precious pieces, lock them away in a chest, bureau or a well-hidden secure safe if you have one.

Any spare door or car keys you don’t need whilst you’re on your travels put in drawers, and definitely do not leave them in reach of intruders. Make sure to empty side tables in the hallway and key racks near the front or back door.

Consider your outside space too

It’s not just the contents of your home that you need to think about before heading away. Make sure that any items of value normally kept outside, like garden furniture, bikes and children’s toys, are locked away in a shed, garage or brought inside the house.

Though you might not think garden furniture is at risk of being taken, due to its light weight and durability, it’s very easily carried or thrown over an outside fence.

Expensive plants, pots, and barbecues are also worth locking away while you’re gone too.

Think about fire and escape of water prevention

Aside from burglary, reducing the risk of fire and leakages while you’re on holiday is important too.

Turn heating appliances (portable heaters, electric fires, electric blankets) and kitchen appliances (toasters, kettles, coffee makers) off at the switch and unplug them from the wall to be on the safe side.

With items most often kept on standby (televisions, radios, satellite boxes), be sure to turn them off at the wall unless you’re using them as an additional method of security (see above).

Dependent on whether you are leaving your central heating on a timer, during your time away, you may want to turn off both your gas and water supply at the mains too to avoid any such leaks, and of course be sure to check no taps are left running when you leave the house.

If it seems there’s an overwhelming amount of things to consider before you leave for your holiday, consider making a holiday checklist and tick things off as you go. The security of your home is something that should never be forgotten.

Police Mutual Home Insurance

Of course should the worse happen, home insurance is always needed to rely on. Police Mutual Home Insurance includes up to £75,000 contents cover and £1,000,000 buildings cover as standard. With Home Emergency Cover as standard, provided by ARAG Insurance plc. Plus, interest-free monthly payment and no charges for making mid-term policy amendments*. We also make it easier to switch to Police Mutual Home Insurance by paying any cancellation fees you might be charged by your current provider, up to the value of £125.

Find out more about or get a quote for Police Mutual Home Insurance here. Or call our dedicated team on 0151 242 7640.

Police Mutual Home Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.

*Please note an administration fee may apply for policy cancellation.

PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on 23 Sep 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

From a lick of paint to building an extension or conservatory, there are a number of ways to add value to your home.

Your home is probably the biggest asset you’ll ever own, and whether you’re looking to sell it, or simply make it more comfortable, there are some DIY jobs that can add value to it.

A fabulous frontage
If you have a viewing planned, remember that first impressions count, so make sure your home’s frontage is spick and span. Tidy up the exterior by clearing the front garden, cleaning up your garage and front door, and consider adding new door accessories such as a smart letterbox or doorknocker.

Always make sure drain pipes are secure and not leaking, and a coat of paint can make them look as good as new. At the back, tidy the rear garden and maybe add a splash of colour by painting the fence or shed.

Freshen up the interior
The main reception rooms create the biggest impression, so always ensure the carpets or floors have been properly cleaned, and it’s always worthwhile touching up any paintwork.

If you’re going to treat your living room to a fresh lick of paint, neutral colours are best. Upstairs, you can make over the bathroom with simple changes such as new taps, new grouting and a new shower screen or curtain. In the bedrooms, replace any broken storage and keep everything neat and uncluttered.

In the kitchen
Fancy a new kitchen but don’t want to fork out thousands for the pleasure? Then simply replace your cabinet doors and drawers. New facings can transform a tired-looking kitchen and give it a completely new look. They cost just a tiny fraction of the price of a full replacement kitchen, and there’s none of the mess involved in ripping out the old one.

And best of all, you can do it yourself. New doors and drawer fronts are available for just a few pounds each, and they’ll completely change the look and feel of your entire kitchen. Or if you’re an experienced DIY-er, you might even consider fitting new worktops or laying new flooring.

To DIY or not to DIY?
Whatever home improvement projects you’re planning, doing them yourself can save a small fortune compared to hiring a handyman. But be careful not to bite off more than you can chew, because some jobs really do require the services of a professional, and a botched DIY job can leave you with a hefty bill to put it right.

For anything electrical, call in a NICEIC-registered contractor. And don’t even think of going near a gas supply – call in a Gas Safe engineer. Even putting up a new shelf or hanging a picture can have disastrous consequences if you hit a cable or pipe in the wall – so always check using a multi-detector. You can buy a handheld detector for around £15, and it could be the smartest investment you ever make.

Protecting your investment
If you’ve invested in your home, make sure you’re adequately covered with home insurance. Police Mutual’s Home Insurance provides a range of benefits including £75,000 contents cover as standard (including contents in outbuildings), Domestic Emergency Cover as standard (up to £500 per claim) and a dedicated claims team should you ever need it.

To find out more about Police Mutual Home Insurance call us on 0151 242 7640 or click here.

Police Mutual Home Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd, Home Emergency Cover is provided by ARAG plc. 

PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on Thu 27 May 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

Buying their first home can be exciting, but many first-time buyers can struggle to get on the property ladder – with the demand for high deposits, along with the difficulty in qualifying for a mortgage. There are ways you could support your child in buying their first home, depending on your financial circumstances and your view on what support you wish to provide.

How can you help?
There are a number of ways that could help them get on the property ladder.

• Gifting their deposit—worked out as a percentage value of the property. A larger deposit may give them access to better interest rates. There are currently no initial tax implications in doing this, however, if you die within seven years of gifting the deposit the amount gifted could be subject to Inheritance tax
• Use your home to raise cash—a secured loan can use the equity in your home to raise money for their deposit. You do need to bear in mind that if you can’t keep up repayments on a secured loan your home may be repossessed
• Equity release – lets you access the cash tied up in your home if you’re over 55. You could borrow up to 50% of the value of your home depending on your age and health
• Joint mortgage/borrower – you would legally own a share of the property and may be liable for any mortgage payments. Some lenders may decline to give a mortgage to borrowers over a certain age. It may also be considered a second home and you will be liable to pay increased Stamp Duty when the property is purchased and Capital Gains Tax on the profits if it’s sold. Although some lenders offer this without the parent going on the deeds or owning the property, which means there is no additional Stamp Duty or Capital Gains tax to be paid. 
• Family supported mortgage deals—you could deposit funds into a savings account linked to the mortgage which acts as a guarantee against the mortgage debt. This allows your child to secure a mortgage without needing a deposit. A condition is that you can only withdraw funds from your account after a certain period of time or once a percentage of the mortgage debt is paid off.

Getting on the ladder without financial help

If you’re unsure that you can afford to lend a hand financially, then there are other ways that could help.

• Let them move back home—cutting down their monthly outgoings so they can save easier
• Rent to Buy—Government scheme that enables subsidised rent on a qualifying property for a set period, after which they’ll have the option of either buying the property outright or entering into a shared ownership deal. No deposit is required
• Help to Buy—another Government scheme where the Government lends up to 20% of the cost of a newly built home, so they’ll only need a 5% cash deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest

A mortgage is a loan secured against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

It’s important to remember the risks in all of the above options and you should consider the following:

• Can you afford to help, not just now but in the future
• Get professional advice from a solicitor, an independent mortgage advisor or an independent financial advisor
• Make sure you understand the terms of any mortgage before you sign up.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on Thu 27 May 2021. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

One of the biggest bills we face each month is a mortgage. Here are some ways you could reduce your monthly mortgage costs.

Consider coming off a standard variable ‘lenders rate’
If you’re on a mortgage deal, most lenders will revert you to their standard variable rate (SVR) once your rate comes to an end. This will usually see your mortgage payments increase as the SVR tends to be higher than the product rate your payments were based on. Now is a great time to shop around for a more competitive deal either with your current provider or by switching to a new one.

Switching to a cheaper mortgage deal
Even if you’re mortgage deal hasn’t come to an end you could still switch to a cheaper mortgage deal with another mortgage lender. Whilst this could reduce your mortgage payments, it is likely that you will have to pay charges for ending your current deal early. It’s worth looking at your current deal to see what these would be and working out if switching deals is a cost effective option.

Get a deal that charges daily interest
You could be paying more on your mortgage if you are charged interest annually rather than daily. Every payment you make reduces your balance and the lower your balance the less interest you have to pay. If your interest is calculated annually it doesn’t factor in all payments you have made during the year. So interest calculated at the start of the year will be higher than later on in the year.

Annual interest mortgages are not very common today but if you are on one you should consider switching- however this option won’t be for everyone and you may incur charges.

Review your term
Repaying your mortgage over a longer period of time can reduce your monthly payments in the short term, making them more affordable if meeting your monthly payments is a struggle. You could talk to your lender to discuss your options in the first instance, as extending the term may not be suitable for everyone.

By increasing your term you will pay more in interest over the duration of the mortgage. If this is something you’re considering you must make sure you get mortgage advice to make sure that all of the options available to you have been fully explored.

Untie your home insurance
Usually lenders will require you to have insurance for your property as a condition of the mortgage offer. This is so you’re able to afford to rebuild should your home be destroyed.

Some mortgage providers bundle home insurance with the mortgage. These deals could end up with you paying a higher home insurance premium than if you paid your insurance separately. Your lender may charge a fee for cancelling or moving but it’s worth checking.

Find out how much you’re paying and take a look at our home insurance to see if we could save you money.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on Fri 18 Dec 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

We are pleased to announce that we have today completed the transfer of Police Mutual’s IFA and mortgage advice services to Tenet – one of the UK’s largest financial adviser companies.

Our IFA service has become part of Tenet & You, and our mortgage advice business has become part of Tenet Mortgage Solutions Ltd, both financial advice businesses within Tenet.

The transfer was subject to consultation, and in respect of our IFA business, required clients representing at least 80% of the IFA business’ annual renewal income to sign new Client Agreements with Tenet. We are delighted to confirm that this threshold has been exceeded.

Why is the transfer positive news?

As part of Police Mutual’s transfer into Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited, there was a strategic review of the services provided by Police Mutual, including the Independent Financial Advice (IFA) and mortgage advice services.

We believe that the advice, service and support provided by our IFA and mortgage advice teams is important and highly valued by customers. To ensure the on-going provision of the IFA and mortgage advice services, while also aligning to Royal London’s business model, we have transferred these services to Tenet.

Our IFA and mortgage businesses’ colleagues have all transferred to Tenet under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations).

What does this mean for IFA and mortgage advice service customers?

• IFA customers who agreed to transfer will continue to be provided with the trusted, specialist advice they expect. Their adviser will remain the same now the deal has completed. Obviously, going forward, as with any business, as Tenet develops the business, the structure of how it provides services to customers may evolve
• Tenet & You also has access to investment models and systems which may result in reduced investment portfolio and platform charges
• For mortgages customers, now the deal has completed their adviser will remain the same – continuing to provide expert, tailored award-winning advice via the fee-free Mortgage Advice Service

What does this mean for all other Police Mutual customers?

• We are able to refer any Police Mutual customers to Tenet if they want IFA or mortgage advice in the future
• We are now promoting Tenet’s propositions to our customers

Why Tenet?

Tenet has won multiple awards for the services it provides. Like ourselves, it believes in establishing and maintaining long term relationships to help customers throughout their financial journey. Tenet is owned by corporate shareholders Aegon UK Distribution Holdings Ltd, Aviva Life and Pensions and Aberdeen Standard Life PLC.

We believe that Tenet is an excellent fit as its focus is on providing great service allied to value for money. It also shares similar, complementary values to Police Mutual, being focused on improving the lives of its customers, who are at the heart of all that it does.

Want to learn more? Access our wellbeing hub here.

This article was published on Thu 28 May 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

According to the Association British Insurers (ABI) Home Insurance Premium Tracker, one in four households across the UK, have no contents insurance protection. The ABI found the region with the most uninsured properties is London, where 45% have no contents cover at all. Their research also shows that renters, especially those in big cities, consider insuring their possessions as expensive or unnecessary. However, while individual items might not be of high value, if all possessions were added up it would equate to a significant sum should it need replacing all at once.

Here are a few things to think about if you’re a renter:

Contents insurance

Even though it’s not a legal necessity, it’s always a good idea to insure anything you bring into the property yourself.

At first glance, you might not think you have a lot that’s worth insuring. However, when you tot up all your clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, your TV, your crockery and gadgets, it comes to a sum that few people would have to hand if all those possessions needed to be replaced. A fire, a break-in or a flood could potentially spell financial problems. So, with that in mind, it makes a lot of sense to insure your contents.

Add it up

While it’s time-consuming to work out the total value of everything you own, it’s better to be thorough than just guess an amount.

Go through your home, room by room, and add up the value of all your possessions if you had to replace them as new. Include all of your contents, not just the big-ticket items such as the TV and sofa.

Be as accurate as you can – there are many online calculators available to help you get a better view of the value of the things that make your property a home.

Added valuables

The vast majority of contents insurance policies will have a single item limit. This is the maximum value of one single item covered in your policy. If you have an item that exceeds this amount, such as an engagement ring or valuable musical instrument, this will need to be declared separately from the rest of your contents.

Home and away

Obviously not all of your possessions spend all of their time in your home. Some, such as phones, jewellery and laptops, will be frequently taken out and about with you. It is possible to add cover for your possessions against damage or theft when they’re out of the home. This is generally not included in contents insurance policies as standard, but is widely available as an optional add on.

Accidents will happen

While most contents insurance policies cover you against damage that isn’t your fault, such as theft, fire or flood, they may not necessarily include cover against accidental breakage or damage.

You can usually add accidental damage cover to a policy if it isn’t already included. This could be useful if you own expensive or fragile items like glassware.

Tenant improvements cover

If you have made any improvements to the property it would be worth looking to see if your insurance covers you for tenant improvements. In the event of a claim, the landlord’s insurers would only reinstate the building back to its original state, not including any improvements you’ve made to the building to make it work for you. This could therefore leave the improvements made uninsured and your investments in the property at risk.

Why not take a look at Police Mutual Renters’ Insurance?

We offer renters’ insurance for those that just need the reassurance of contents cover. Provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc, renters’ insurance is available to serving or retired Police Officers and Staff, Specials and their families.

Why not talk to us today?

Call us on 0151 242 7640 for more information.

We’re open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 1073408. Registered office: Alexandra House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS136QS.

For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

* Association of British Insurers (ABI)  – Cost of home contents insurance falls to a record low, yet one in four UK households are uninsured, news article February 2019.

This article was published on Wed 18 Mar 2020. At the time of publishing, this article was true and accurate, however, over time this may have changed. Some links may no longer work. If you have any concerns about this please contact us

You’d be surprised at how small changes can make a big difference. Whether you’re looking to cut energy costs, or do your bit for the environment, we’ve put together 5 top tips to help you save energy around your home.

Don’t leave appliances on standby

Leaving appliances on standby is one of the most common ways homeowners waste energy. Simply turning your appliances off at the plug could save you £30 a year*.

Why not go one step further and invest in smart plugs? They allow you to turn your appliances on and off via your phone and certain models allow you to monitor your energy consumption.

Smart plugs do require a small current to work, yet this is will have a negligible effect on your energy consumption, in comparison to leaving appliances on that could be increasing your energy bill.

Turn down your thermostat

We all want to come home to a warm house after a long, hard day, but cranking up that thermostat will cost you. Turning it down by just one degree, could save you up to £80 a year*! You can also program your thermostat, so it only comes on at certain times, to help save energy.

Ask your energy supplier to install a smart meter

A smart meter will give you a better understanding of your gas and electricity consumption, and produce more accurate bills, which will help you budget better. What’s more, there’s no initial set up fee and your energy supplier will get it going for you. By the end of 2024, smart meters will be offered to every home in Britain. Why not ask your energy supplier about installing yours today?

Don’t let heat escape

Double glazed windows are big energy savers. They help insulate your home, and at the same time, reduce your bills. You can also invest in draught excluders to prevent heat escaping from cracks in your flooring, under doors or through your letterbox.

Be water smart

The amount of hot water you use will also have an impact on the cost of your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Making some small changes, like washing your clothes on a lower temperature, washing up in a bowl instead of keeping the tap running, or even buying an energy efficient shower head could knock pounds off your bill each year.

* Reference https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/energy-saving-quick-wins