With the increased popularity of location-based social networks like foursquare, Gowalla and Brightkite, which tell the wider world where you are at any one given time, people need to be aware that what they post online can put them at an increased risk of being burgled. As a result, MORE TH>N has put together some simple precautions for home owners to follow online:

10 tips to prevent thieves using social media to steal your stuff

1. Consider turning off the geo-location feature on Twitter. Otherwise you are providing a constant record of where you are at any one time, which could allow someone else to build a daily routine of you.

2. Don’t tweet or post out the exact days you go on holiday or your plans for a night out.

3. Consider turning on the maximum privacy settings on social networks, so that what you say and your routine can’t easily be found via search.

4. If your Twitter feed is open, think before you tweet – would you want complete strangers to know what you are up to, or where you are?

5. If you do post your plans online, think about what network you do it on. Facebook is more often used for your existing friends, but your Twitter friends are more likely to people you don’t know very well.

6. If you use foursquare or similar geo-location networks, only accept friend invitations from people you really know and would trust.

7. If you have children, make sure they use discretion about telling the outside world online about where they, or you are.

8. Be careful about posting or tweeting your very expensive new purchase.

9. If you have a house party be careful about advertising the details online, or you may have a lot of uninvited guests.

10. Don’t post YouTube videos or Flickr images of the inside of your house, unless you use the maximum security settings.

Do you have any other tips to share? Leave us a comment. Alternatively, if you’re a member of the press or blogger you can reach Nick Dear in the press office by email.

Over half a million Brits will unwittingly ski or snowboard at almost double the drink drive limit on their alpine getaways this ski season, putting their safety and the safety of others at risk, according to a new report released today by MORE TH>N travel insurance.

On at least one occasion on their week long getaways, 568,000 Britain’s:

 Will have seven units of alcohol still in their bloodstreams from the night before when they set off on their first morning runs – almost double the drink drive limit in the UK
 Won’t come back under the drink drive limit of four units until at least 11:00am.

With the average intermediate level skier travelling at up to 20mph on unimpeded runs, the threat of serious accidents is very real indeed – especially as most skiers and boarders have little more than a flimsy jacket to protect them if they crash.
 
Showing skiers and boarders ignorance of the issue, 74 per cent of those polled think drinking heavily the night before doesn’t affect their skiing ability the next day – erroneously claiming the cool air clears their head.
 
After quizzing over 1,000 British skiers and snowboarders on their après-ski drinking habits, MORE TH>N worked with General Practitioner Harvinder Gill to calculate just how drunk people will be on the slopes this year during morning ski sessions.

With seven units of alcohol in their systems at 9:00am, Harvinder was able to demonstrate how skiers and boarders will be susceptible to the following:

 Increased reaction times
 Impaired balance
 Reduced visual acuity, peripheral vision and glare recovery
 Impairment of perception
 Loss of critical judgement.

The results of the research will make bleak reading for sensible, sober skiers, as they also show how a large majority of the 2.5 million Brits heading for the slopes this winter are just as excited about the cocktails on offer in the local bars as they are the fresh virgin snow.  A headache inducing 45 per cent confess to planning to drink every single night.

Rounding off the national statistics, one third (31 per cent) of skiers wrongly believe their insurance will not be affected if they cause a serious accident on the slopes the morning after a heavy night on the booze. Breaking the data down, men are shown to be worse offenders than women, none more so than those in their mid-twenties from the North East.

Commenting on the research, MORE TH>N spokesperson Pete Markey said, “The findings of the research are extremely concerning – nearly 600,000 Brits will ski or board drunk at some stage this ski season which is not a small number. Brits abroad have a reputation for drinking to excess but throw a high-speed downhill sport into the mix and you have a very nasty combination.  Drink driving is severely frowned upon and drink skiing should be too – it can be just as dangerous’.  

To help British skiers stay safe on the slopes, MORE TH>N and Harvinder Gill are offering the following advice:

 If you have a lot to drink and don’t feel right the next morning, don’t ski right away. Give the alcohol time to get out of your system and start skiing after lunch
 If you are going to drink, decrease the pace. The faster you drink, the faster your blood alcohol concentration increases
 If you do plan to drink on your skiing holiday, buy a mini pocket breathaliser and take it with you so you know when you’re safe to ski (they’re cheap and readily available)
 Don’t be fooled by thinking the ‘cool air will clear your head’ – it won’t. Cold temperatures don’t affect alcohol absorption.
  Be careful about what you eat. Eating a big meal will delay the absorption of alcohol, in some cases by as much as up to three times. The myth that food helps you to sober up isn’t true.

- MORE TH>N offers homeowners and motorists essential advice -

Snow and ice has hit Britain, with more expected. MORE TH>N is offering the following advice on surviving the cold.

AT HOME:

• Leave your central heating running, not on a timer, but at a constant temperature (the coldest time is between 1am and 3am). If possible, leave it running in all rooms.
• If you know you’re going to be away, either leave the heating on, or drain off your water and heating systems. If you have a property that is unoccupied, drain the system. To do this, turn off the stopcock, shut down the boiler and open all taps. If you’re unsure about the central heating, speak to a plumber. Remember to leave your insurance details with a friend or neighbour.
• Check the lagging on your pipes and water tank – pay a visit to the loft if needs be. If you have enough constant heating in the house, it will prevent the water tank from freezing. The most likely effect of the sub-zero temperatures in the home will be frozen pipes and water tanks.
• Bring pets indoors and if you have fish, leave something floating in the middle of your pond – ie a ball. When you want to get air to them, lift up the ball.
• Keep a supply of batteries, torches and provisions.
• If your home loses power – keep the freezer door shut.

All MORE TH>N customers have access to a free-phone 24 hour help-line as part of their standard home insurance policy. In the event of a household emergency customers can ring the help-line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pete Markey, spokesperson for MORE TH>N comments: “We are prepared to help with the cold front with many of our staff ready to help out in the affected areas and customers can rest assured that should the worst happen, we are here to help them around the clock.”

IN THE CAR:

Cold weather can play havoc with cars. Flat batteries are the main cause (32%), followed by cars turning over but won’t start up (15%). In fact motorists are 50% more likely to breakdown in January, February and March when temperatures are often colder, than any other month of the year.

MORE TH>N’s advice to motorists during freezing weather conditions:

• During the current bad weather, only make journeys if they are absolutely necessary. You can check weather conditions through the Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk
• Slow down during bad weather, everyone will be in a rush to get home, but breaking distances are longer during wet conditions, and even more so in ice or snow.
• If you are driving during bad weather, stick to main roads as these are more likely to be gritted or maintained than side and minor roads.
• If you have an iPhone, download MORE TH>N’s free Car Claim app. Should you have an accident it will provide you with safety tips as well as prompting you to gather the necessary information from the scene.
• During cold weather its especially important to check tyre, battery and wiper blade condition. Make sure the lights are fully functioning and double check oil and fuel levels before setting off. Tyre tread should be at the very least at 1.6mm (the legal minimum) it is best to have them at around 3mm for best grip on the roads.
• Keep water, blankets and a first aid kit in you car, for emergency situations.
• Check anti-freeze levels and carry de-icer in case the locks freeze
• For cars that are not being used that often ensure you regularly turn the engine over and keep the engine running to keep the battery energised
• If warming your car up don’t leave it unattended with the keys in the ignition. Many cars are stolen this way by opportunist thieves each year.
• Take your breakdown telephone help-line number and mobile phone with you on all journeys
• It’s also useful to keep a torch, ice scraper - and in extreme weather conditions wellington boots and a shovel in your car

Above all, Brits affected by the extreme weather circumstances should keep a close watch for further weather warnings, and heed the advice of the emergency services.

It showed fuel costs jumped by 3.42 per cent, while raw material prices rose by 1.57 per cent over the three month period. Meanwhile, gas prices fell by 16.99 per cent and labour costs dropped by 0.22 per cent. The overall impact meant manufacturing firms’ costs rose by 0.63 per cent, while service firms saw a 0.55 per cent rise over the quarter.

The BIG, developed in conjunction with Warwick Business School, is a quarterly index that measures a basket of 20 of the most important expenditure items for small businesses. In Q3 2009, the BIG recorded price increases in 12 of the 20 items.

Head of MORE TH>N BUSINESS, Mike Bowman, said: “The results should come as good news to small businesses. The figures are a clear sign that growth is returning to the economy. However, the predicted sharp rise in commodity prices as we go into next year is likely to raise the cost of running a small business, perhaps more than market demand. As a result, it’s important that small business owners manage cash flow carefully as suppliers begin to push prices up again as markets revive. Business owners with a heavy dependence on heating, lighting and fuel are expected to experience the sharpest rise in costs.’’

Stephen Roper, Professor of Enterprise at the Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, said: “We expect small business costs to rise sharply at least until Easter, when we predict prices will reach the same level as they were before the recession. While costs are on the up, the disappearance of deflation means markets are strengthening and consumer spending is growing. This all suggests we are now beyond the crisis, but small business owners must keep an eye on cash flow.’’

Regionally, northern England, with its heavy dependence on manufacturing, saw the biggest rise in costs across Britain, jumping 0.8 per cent. Elsewhere, the BIG recorded a rise in inflation of 0.5 per cent in southern England, 0.5 per cent in the Midlands and Wales and 0.5 per cent in Scotland.

Micro-firms – those with less than 10 employees – experienced price rises of around 0.6 per cent, the same as the national average, but faired better over the year with costs down 2.6 per cent compared to a year ago.

Overall small firms’ costs in Q3 2009 remain about 1.7 per cent lower than a year earlier due to the deflation in late 2008 and early 2009.

The cost of running a small business¹ in the UK has risen by 2.2 per cent during the second quarter of this year bringing an end to six months of deflation², according to the latest Business Inflation Guide (BIG) from MORE TH>N BUSINESS.

The return to inflation is consistent with wider evidence that the economy is beginning to recover, but the speed of progress and growth is hard to predict, warns MORE TH>N BUSINESS.

The BIG recorded price increases in 13 of the 20 small business expenditure items which calculate the index. Labour costs rose by 3.5 per cent and raw material prices jumped by 3.2 per cent. While on the other hand, energy costs fell by -11.4 per cent and gas prices declined by -29 per cent.

Overall, small firms’ costs in 2009 Q2 remain about 2.1 per cent lower than a year earlier due to the impact of deflation in late 2008 and early 2009.

Head of MORE TH>N BUSINESS, Mike Bowman, said “The return to inflationary conditions means growth is returning to the economy, but we are not out of the woods yet. There are still many small business owners struggling to survive, which is why it’s incredibly important to react quickly to this latest inflation indicator. Small business owners should be reviewing their pricing structure and where necessary passing on any extra costs to customers. If demand is still weak this will be difficult. Use this time to prepare a post recession plan in readiness for when the downturn ends,’’ Mr Bowman said.

Stephen Roper, Professor of Enterprise at the Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, said: “While we are starting to see some positive signs in the small business economy, there is always a danger that some firms will get the wrong impression that the tough times are over.’’

The Energy Effect

Interestingly, when energy prices are taken out of the `BIG’ picture, inflation would be sitting at a significantly higher 2.6 per cent. The continued fall in energy prices has reduced the overall impact on inflation in the small business economy. The last year has seen a dramatic reduction in energy prices, but if energy costs start going up again then this will add to inflation levels. Energy analysts have predicted prices still have a long way to fall, but the drop in energy costs are not being passed to customers.³

Professor Roper said: “The energy effect has certainly had a noticeable impact on the BIG figures this quarter. If energy prices start rising then inflation will spike more dramatically. Small businesses need to take this into account when planning for the post recession period.’’

“Research has shown that businesses which prepare a formal business plan are generally the ones that experience growth. Small business owners should prepare a plan for the next six to 12 months.’’⁴

Top tips for preparing a post recession plan

1. Research how your pricing compares to your competitors.
2. Adjust your pricing to what your local market will accept and demonstrate added value.
3. Set business goals for the year ahead, but remain flexible as things can change very quickly.
4. Identify your priority target customers and focus sales towards these groups.
5. Research and consider how your business compares to your competitors and where necessary make changes to stand out.

In comparison to BIG, the UK’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) currently sits at 1.6 per cent and the Retail Prices Index is - 1.3%, as announced on 15 September, 2009.

Regionally, the BIG recorded a rise in inflation of 2.2 per cent in southern England, 2.1 per cent in the Midlands and Wales, 2.5 per cent in northern England and 2.1 per cent in Scotland.

To view the Business Inflation Guide visit

www.morethanbusiness.com/BIG

From today, customers calling MORE TH>N to register a new claim will be allocated a Personal Claims Handler – a highly trained claims specialist who will process the claim from the moment it is registered right through to its conclusion. Customers will be given their Handler’s full name and contact details so they can call direct to discuss their claim, confident in the knowledge that the person at the other end of the line will know every detail of their case.

Pete Markey, Marketing Director at MORE TH>N, commented: “When we spoke to our customers it was very clear that one of their biggest frustrations was having to repeat the details of their claims to several different claims handlers.”

“Our new Personal Claims Service cuts out that problem by making sure the same Handler deals with the customer throughout the whole claims process, providing proactive updates and being the first point of contact for the customer every time they call. We’re confident this will give our customers an unrivalled claims experience in today’s insurance market.”

For more information on MORE TH>N’s Personal Claims Handler service, or for a quote, log on to www.morethan.com

A consumer confidence crisis in the banking industry is putting British savers at risk to the tune of £9.26 billion¹.

This is according to a report from home insurers MORE TH>N that reveals two-thirds of British savers (60%) no longer trust the banks to safeguard their savings and 3.2 million people (8%) admit to keeping all of their savings under the mattress. With the average UK adult having savings of £19,700², Brits could be leaving themselves particularly vulnerable in case of a break-in.

The research also reveals that one in ten (12%) people report keeping at least some of their savings at home since the start of the banking crisis. This shift towards stashing money at home comes despite a growing fear of crime sweeping the nation. MORE TH>N also reveals that 8% of householders expect their home to be burgled before the end of 2009.

MORE TH>N spokesperson Pete Markey said, “As a result of the well-reported banking problems and low interest rates, it is increasingly tempting for savers to look for unconventional methods of keeping their nest egg secure.

“Whilst we can understand why people might want to stay cautious, there’s no better place for savings than the bank, particularly for large sums. Keeping cash under the bed might make savers feel better in the short-term, but risks leaving them high and dry should the unthinkable happen.”

Around the UK, people living in Belfast (22%), Newcastle (15%) and Bristol (15%) are most likely to stash their cash under the mattress, with people in Glasgow (9%) least likely to keep their savings at home.

MORE TH>N’s new contents insurance offering makes it easy for customers to ensure all their belongings are covered. All MORE TH>N protected homes are covered up to the value of £75,000 as standard, whereas some insurers’ policies can leave customers woefully underinsured. MORE TH>N Home Insurance offers £250 cash cover for money kept in the home.

For more information on home security, or for a quote, call 0800 107 1905 or visit

www.morethan.com

Unawareness of the threat of cash-for-crash accidents is the main reason more criminals are not brought to justice, says car insurer MORE TH>N, as new data reveals 41 percent of drivers have never even heard of this form of gang crime.

This dangerous form of highway-banditry occurs when criminal gangs deliberately cause an accident with an innocent motorist, with the intention of making a false or inflated insurance claim. But despite co-ordinated efforts from insurers and the police that have resulted in an 11 percent reduction in cash-for-crash cases in the last two years, awareness levels have not risen during that period. In fact, two-thirds of motorists would not even know if they were involved in a deliberate or staged accident, while a further 32 percent would not know what to do if they found themselves victim of one of these situations.

Worryingly, the insurer says that unless people become aware of the cash-for-crash scam they may not recognise the signs if it were to happen to them, meaning crimes would go unreported unless the insurance company noticed anomalies during the claims process.

Pete Markey, spokesman for MORE TH>N, commented: “Even though police and insurers are making great headway in eliminating the threat of cash-for-crash accidents, there are still thousands more cases that slip under the radar. The reason for this is that motorists either aren’t aware of this threat, or aren’t able to spot the signs that they have become a victim.

“If more drivers were made aware of the dangers they are facing, it becomes more likely that they will be able to report anything unusual to their insurance company who could then make investigations and cut down on levels of fraud. What’s more, not only does insurance fraud put innocent lives at risk, but it is also responsible for adding about £40¹ to the average honest policy holder’s premium so its in everyone’s interests that we make it harder for crooks.”

Regionally, drivers from the NorthEast were least aware of the threat, with 52 percent of them not having heard of deliberate accidents compared to only a third in the NorthWest. The Scottish were not too far behind, with 48 percent oblivious to the crime.

If caught and successfully prosecuted, fraudsters not only face a criminal record and, in extreme cases, a jail term, but they would also find it almost impossible to secure insurance cover or indeed any financial products in the future. But despite this, it seems fraud is only too common on UK roads. In fact, 2.6m UK drivers said they would consider or already had hit a parked car but driven off quickly without leaving their details, while a further half million had been involved in a road accident but had sped off to avoid taking the blame.

The bad news for insurers, however, is that almost a million motorists have had repairs made to their vehicles, via insurance, that were not caused during an accident they were claiming for, while half a million claim they have lied about the details of a smash in order to make sure the insurance company paid for their repairs.

To help motorists avoid being involved in a cash-for-crash situation, MORE TH>N has provided a list of useful tips:

 

• Take extra care at busy roundabouts or junctions.

 

 

• Check you rear view mirror.

 

 

• Maintain a safe distance to the car in front at all times.

 

 

• Be aware of overly helpful witnesses.

 

If witnesses appear surprisingly quickly to offer assistance beware as they may be a part of the act. Corrupt doctors and mechanics have also been known to be involved, helping to inflate the value of claims. You should do this anyway, but in these situations the driver in front may brake suddenly and for no reason. They may also have unscrewed their brake lights, making it harder for you to react. Often these gangs operate from several vehicles, with one following from behind who may try to push you into the vehicle in front if you manage to stop safely. Other drivers may also be following who act as ‘witnesses’. Crooks know your attention will be split between what’s ahead and what’s approaching from other angles. You may find the car in front has not proceeded in the way you may have expected it to.

Not only is it important that you can spot the signs of a deliberate accident, but that you know what to do if you think you may have been involved in one. Follow these tips if you suspect you may have been involved in a deliberate accident:

 

• If you suspect you have been involved in a staged accident, don’t say anything other than ‘it is a matter for our insurance companies’

 

 

• If anyone is injured, the police should be called

 

 

• If possible take as many pictures of the accident as possible, including the driver, passengers, vehicle and any damage

 

 

• The identity of the driver is crucial so take a good description

 

 

• Establish how many passengers are in the other car and again, take a good description of them

 

 

• Take note of any other cars involved including damage and registration numbers

 

 

• Try to find an independent witness for the accident but be wary of any witnesses quick to offer their services as they may be corrupt

 

 

• Be wary of any companies who contact you quickly offering to repair your car, unless these are through your insurance company

 

 

• If you suspect the accident was intentional, inform your insurance company at the earliest opportunity

 

 

• If you know of anyone involved in staging accidents you can confidentially call the IFB Cheatline on 0800 328 2550.

 

To help beat the fraudsters, MORE TH>N is now providing all customers with a handy accident guide booklet to use in the event of an accident. The guide can be left in the glovebox and used to note down all the important information in the event of an accident, whether its deliberate or a genuine accident.

To find out more about MORE TH>N Car Insurance, or for a quote, log-on on to www.morethan.com/car or call 0800 300 220.

Head of MORE TH>N BUSINESS, Mike Bowman, said: “The fact that we’re experiencing such sustained deflationary conditions demonstrates just how deep the recession has become in the UK. While it is cheaper to run a small business, it is clear that demand for goods and services is dropping off considerably and that is why prices are spiralling downwards.’’

Developed in conjunction with Warwick Business School, the BIG is a quarterly index that measures a basket of 20 of the most important expenditure items for small businesses. The index has been measuring the health of the small business economy for the last year.

Now in its fourth quarter, the BIG has recorded one of the most turbulent periods in history for small businesses, measuring record levels of inflation and deflation. For Q2 2008, the inaugural BIG recorded a cost inflation of 9.9 per cent. This eased to 9.4 per cent inflation in Q3, before plummeting to -2.9 per cent deflation in Q4 and -1.4 percent in Q1 of 2009.

Mr Bowman said the last four quarters of extreme instability has made planning very challenging. “The volatility has made it very difficult to plan and invest, placing tremendous pressure on cash flows and managing stock and staffing levels. There are a lot of small businesses which have never experienced anything like this before.’’

With widespread redundancies across the UK, thousands of displaced workers are expected to launch small businesses this year. Mike Bowman continued: “While weak market conditions mean it is not an ideal time to start a new business, it will be somewhat easier for new services companies. They are largely labour-based and will benefit from the current decline in labour costs. New manufacturing businesses on the other hand are likely to face increasing material input prices in the year to come”.

Stephen Roper, Professor of Enterprise at the Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, said: “Looking forward it is genuinely quite hard to predict which way the small business economy will move over the next year. I doubt we will get back to the very sharp inflation we have seen, but I suspect we will move closer to cost stability next quarter”.

In comparison, the UK’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) currently sits at 2.3 per cent inflation, and the Retail Prices Index (RPI) currently sits at -1.2 per cent deflation.

To view the Business Inflation Guide visit

www.morethanbusiness.com/BIG