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.

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 Thu 27 Feb 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

David Reeves, from our insurance team, explains how to navigate some common home insurance terms and work out what level of cover might be right for you.

How do I work out what cover I’ll need?

There are two types of home insurance: buildings and contents cover.

Buildings cover refers to any permanent fixtures and fittings like bathrooms and fitted kitchens, as well as the structure of your home including any outbuildings such as garages and sheds.

You’ll need to work out how much it would cost to rebuild your home, which is not the same as the market value of your property. Consider things such as demolition costs, surveyor’s fees and the actual cost to rebuild your home.

If you obtained a survey on your property, an estimate of the rebuilding cost may be included in the report, but alternatively you can find many resources online including the ABI/BCIS Residential Rebuilding Costs calculator.

If you own a leasehold property, it’s best to check what your responsibilities are and potentially what buildings cover you may need. If you are a renter/tenant, it’s unlikely that you will need buildings insurance, as this should be the landlord’s responsibility, but it’s always advisable to check your tenancy/rental agreement for details.

Contents means the things you use to furnish your home, such as carpets and furniture, as well as all your personal belongings – essentially, all the things that would fall out if you turned your property upside down. Everyone should consider contents cover to protect their personal belongings, whether you own the property or are renting.

You should think about how much it would cost to replace as new all the things you’ve got in your home – you might be surprised at how much it adds up to! 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.

How do I cover any items I take away from my home?

Personal items like jewellery, mobile phones and cameras can normally be added to the personal possessions section of your contents quote, which offers cover against accidental loss, damage or theft outside the home.

Levels of cover differ and some policies require you to specify single items worth over a certain amount on the policy.

What do insurers mean when they talk about ‘valuables’?

When insurers refer to ‘valuables’ they generally mean items such as pictures and other works of art, items of gold, silver or any other precious metal, jewellery, furs and stamp, coin or medal collections.

What is domestic emergency cover?

Domestic emergency cover provides immediate assistance for a number of domestic emergencies. ‘Emergency’ situations could include, for example, the breakdown of your main heating supply, plumbing and drainage problems, loss of domestic power supply, and damage to the roof. This cover may cost extra; however, many insurers provide this as standard.

Covering possessions for family members at university?

Many insurers offer cover for family members’ belongings if they’re kept within temporary accommodation at university. Sometimes this is standard to the policy but can be an additional cost with many.

What are pairs, sets and suites?

This typically gives you the option to upgrade your cover to ensure that if part of a pair, set or suite is damaged, lost or stolen, the insurer will pay the cost of replacing any undamaged items if they cannot be matched. Under the buildings section this would cover your bathroom and kitchen. The contents section will include items such as a three piece suite or dining room furniture.

What’s the difference between standard and accidental damage?

Standard buildings and/or contents cover insures against the main perils such as fire, theft and escape of water.

Accidental damage for buildings could include accidental damage to sanitary fixtures, fixed glass and underground pipes and cables.

Accidental damage for contents could include accidental damage to audio/visual equipment including TVs, stereos and desktop computers.

Many insurers also offer “Extended accidental damage” as an extra under both buildings and contents insurance to cover any damage that you or your family might cause, such as putting a nail in a wall and bursting a pipe, or spilling wine or paint on your carpet.

Why not take a look at Police Mutual Home Insurance?

We provide a range of insurance products, to help protect people who own or rent their homes, including home insurance, which includes up to £500 in Home Emergency Cover, should the unexpected happen – Terms and Conditions apply. We also offer renters’ insurance for those that just need the reassurance of contents cover. Both of these are available to serving or retired Police Officers and Staff, Specials and your 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.

Home insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc.

Renters’ insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc.

Home Emergency Cover is provided by ARAG plc.

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.

This article was published on Wed 01 Mar 2017. 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 adding new door accessories such as a smart letterbox or doorknob.

Always make sure drain pipes are secure and not leaking, and give them a coat of paint to make them look new. At the back, tidy the rear garden and 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 have been professionally cleaned, and touch 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 new shower screens. 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 DIYer, 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.

Police Mutual’s Home Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. 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 WS13 6QS.