Amanda Edwards

Homeownership is a dream for many, but with it comes a host of myths that can mislead even the savviest individuals. Let’s unravel some of the most common misconceptions to help you make more informed decisions about your home.

Myth 1: Renovations Always Increase Home Value

Many homeowners believe that any renovation will automatically boost their property’s market value. While improvements can improve your home and make it more comfortable to live in and more appealing to potential buyers, not all renovations guarantee a return on investment.

High-end kitchen remodels, luxury bathroom upgrades and even extending your home might not always increase the value by as much as you think.

How to Find Out If Renovations Will Increase Property Value

Research other properties in your area to look at the ceiling price for homes of your type or speak with an estate agent to ensure what your planning on doing will increase the value.

Myth 2: DIY Saves Money

The allure of DIY projects is strong, with countless TV shows and online tutorials suggesting significant savings. However, tackling complex tasks without proper skills can lead to costly mistakes and potential safety hazards. Sometimes, hiring professionals can be more economical in the long run, ensuring the job is done correctly and safely.

Myth 3: New Homes Are Maintenance-Free

A common belief is that new homes require little to no maintenance. While modern constructions are built to higher standards, they are not immune to wear and tear. Regular upkeep is necessary to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Ignoring maintenance can lead to expensive repairs down the line, regardless of the home’s age.

Myth 4: All Home Improvements Are Covered by Insurance

Not all home improvements are automatically covered by standard home insurance policies. Significant changes, such as adding a swimming pool or an extension, may require additional cover. It’s important to review your insurance policy and consult with your provider to ensure your improvements are protected.

Myth 5: Green Homes Are Expensive

Sustainable and energy-efficient homes are often perceived as costly investments. However, many green improvements, like energy-efficient windows or solar panels, can lead to substantial savings on utility bills over time. Moreover, government incentives and rebates can offset initial costs, making green upgrades more affordable.

Myth 6: Builders Have Adequate Insurance

Another critical myth is the assumption that your builders’ insurance will cover any issues that arise during construction. While reputable builders should have their own insurance, it’s essential not to rely solely on their cover.

Homeowners should secure their own renovation insurance to protect against potential liabilities and defects that may not be covered by the builder’s policy. This proactive step ensures comprehensive cover, safeguarding your investment and providing peace of mind.

How to Protect Yourself Against Unforeseen Issues

Understanding the realities behind these common myths can empower homeowners to make better decisions. Whether you’re considering a renovation, maintenance, or an upgrade, thorough research and professional advice are key to maximising your home’s potential and ensuring long-term satisfaction. Additionally, ensuring adequate insurance cover—both personal and through your contractors—is crucial to protect against unforeseen issues and financial losses.

We are here to help you. If you have any questions call any of the team on 0203 002 9859 or email pcl@jameshallam.co.uk

If you use a vehicle tracker it is very important to keep your tracking subscriptions up to date. A subscription that is overdue could affect the terms of your motor insurance policy.

Can an Expired Tracking Subscriptions Invalidate Insurance?

Unfortunately, we’ve been notified of cases where claims for stolen vehicles have been declined because tracker subscriptions have been allowed to expire. This meant they were in breach of their policy terms.

If your policy schedule includes a vehicle tracker requirement endorsement, then your insurer will require all relevant subscriptions to be paid up to date and for the tracker to be operational at the time of loss.

Why Do Insurers Require Vehicle Tracking?

Vehicle tracker systems offer a layer of physical protection that can help owners protect one of their largest assets. Many insurers require trackers to be installed and active on high-value vehicles, especially those which are kept in areas where vehicle thefts are common.

Most vehicle tracker systems will require an annual subscription. This fee covers the cost of providing a 24/7/365 monitoring service, which would alert the owner if the vehicle were stolen. Without this monitoring provision, a vehicle may be stolen, and the owner may not be aware until they notice the vehicle is no longer where they left it. By this time, it could be too late to successfully track the vehicle.

If you have any questions regarding your vehicle tracker requirements or how we can help you with high value car insurance, get in touch with us today. You can call any of the team on 0203 002 9859 or email pcl@jameshallam.co.uk.

BT have taken the decision to withdraw their Redcare alarm signalling service with effect from 1 August 2025.

What To Do If You Use BT Redcare?

If you are affected by this move, you will need to find an alternative solution before next summer, particularly if there is a clause in your insurance contract requiring you to have an alarm system in place.

When looking at alternatives it’s important to select a replacement service that provides a like for like performance level.

Single Path vs Dual Path Alarm Systems

Insurance approved and certified alarm transmission systems are categorised as either single path (SP) or dual path (DP) and will also be attributed a category, typically 1-4 for dual path systems, with systems noted as SP3, DP2 etc. A comparable system to the Redcare GSM system would need to reflect a dual path transmission system meeting a minimum of category 3 (DP3).

Replacing Your System with a Dual Path System

There are a limited number of alternative suppliers, but any dual path Alarm Transmission System with performance level DP3 certificated to BSEN50136-1:2012 should be acceptable to most insurers, as a like-for-like replacement.

We are aware of instances where Redcare’s Classic alarm transmission system has been replaced by a single path category 2 (SP2) notification, which is not considered a comparable product. It’s important that suitable transmission systems are installed in place of the outgoing Redcare products, where equivalent standards are met, or exceeded.

If you are affected by this, we would highly recommend that you act quickly as we anticipate product shortages and installation delays as we get close to the August 2025 deadline.

How to Find a Replacement System for BT Redcare

It is important that the replacement service you choose:

1. Is installed by a company regulated by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) which incorporates the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS) or a company regulated by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB)
2. Will be maintained in full working order under an annual maintenance contract, with an appropriate alarm maintenance company, or installer regulated by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) which incorporates the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS) or a company regulated by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB). Your insurer may require evidence of the maintenance agreement in the event of a claim.

If you are unsure regarding the suitability of a new system, please do not hesitate to contact us, before entering into a new agreement, so that we can seek approval from insurers on your behalf.

You can call any of the team on 0203 002 9859 or email pcl@jameshallam.co.uk