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The Sun
07-07-2025
- The Sun
Holiday warning for anyone heading abroad to make two crucial passport checks NOW – or risk losing £1,000s
HOLIDAYMAKERS must make two key passport checks before heading abroad or they could take a hit of thousands of pounds. Millions of Brits will be jetting off to enjoy a break over the coming months, yet it could all end in disaster if important documents are not given due diligence. 1 Travellers must check their passport for key details and not assume it is valid for travel even if it's still in date. First, you'll usually need at least six months left before your passport goes out of date to travel to many countries. However, if you're going to the EU, you can enter if there is at least three months left. Second, you also need to check that your passport is not more than 10 years old on the day you are due to enter a country. Many overseas authorities will turn you away at the border if your passport is more than 10 years old - meaning a wasted and expensive trip. Yet travellers are unaware of the rules, and get caught out at the airport. Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at comparison site says: 'If you're heading on a summer getaway soon, it's absolutely crucial to check your passport's validity well in advance. "Many countries now require your passport to be less than 10 years old and to have at least three or six months left before it expires, so even if it looks in date, it may still not be accepted. 'Failing to check could mean being denied entry at your destination or even being refused boarding, causing major disruption to your holiday plans. "And unfortunately, travel insurance won't cover the cost of an emergency passport or missed flights and holidays in this situation. "So it's always best to double-check your passport's issue and expiry dates as soon as you start planning your trip, and leave plenty of time to renew if needed. " Our passport checker can help you avoid unnecessary stress, cost, and disappointment.' Before you travel, check the specific rules of a country to make sure you don't get caught out. If your documents are not within the time frame you'll need to get them renewed. The sooner you check your passport the better. If you realise it needs renewing, you then have plenty of time to get it sorted. Nearer your travel date, you will have to pay extra if you want your passport application to be fast-tracked. I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach The UK passport office says it's a good idea to give up to 10 weeks to get a new passport. Some may get it quicker, but in the worst case scenario it could take longer. If you buy a holiday and can't go on it, you'll see all your money go down the drain. To save more cash on your holidays, remember to check if the hotel or car hire you booked has changed in price. If you can cancel for free, you may be able to save some cash. Use a comparison site such as SkyScanner, TripAdvisor, Trivago or Kayak to find the best prices. You should also think about how you will pay for items when you're abroad. Some banks and card providers charge fewer fees on overseas spending than others. Also check whether your phone offers you free roaming many providers have changed since Britain left the EU. How to avoid roaming charges Simrat Sharma, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, said switching to an eSIM - short for embedded SIM - can be cheaper than using international roaming. 'eSIMs make it easier to change networks," she said. "So for example, if you're abroad you can quickly connect to the local network to pay local rates - without having to add or swap a physical local SIM card for your device. "This means travel eSIMs are almost always cheaper than using international roaming, as users are effectively tapping into the same network plans as locals. If you're regularly switching numbers or travelling to different locations, you'll be able to keep them all safely in digital format rather than carrying around a number of small cards. 'The software can easily be accessed via your device's app store and uploaded to your phone in a few quick steps."
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
How does your title affect your car insurance quote? Data reveals price gulf between Mr, Mrs, Miss and Ms
Despite laws being in place to make it illegal for insurance providers to discriminate by gender, male drivers are still being quoted hundreds more for motor cover, according to data obtained by consumer group Which?. Motorists who select 'Mr' as their title when running insurance quotes using comparison websites consistently face higher average prices than those entering 'Mrs', 'Miss' or 'Ms', it found. In the past, car insurance quotes for women had typically been cheaper than men based on risk calculations by providers, triggering the launch of some female-exclusive insurers, such as Sheila's Wheels. However, under rules imposed in 2012, it is illegal for motor insurance providers to use a driver's gender to determine the cost of a quote. Despite this, comparison websites and Quotezone shared data suggesting there remains a significant gulf in prices quoted to men compared to women. Based on average quoted premiums, this can be as much as £1,000, the consumer watchdog revealed. Both comparison sites confirmed that their own quoted figures showed that drivers selecting 'Mr' are quoted the highest average premiums. Based on data collated the first three months of this year, said the average quoted price for a 'Mr' was £1,695. However, for a 'Miss' it was £1,331 - a saving of £364, or 21 per cent. For those selecting 'Mrs' as their title, the average quoted premium was substantially lower at £863 - which is half the price of the typical price given for a 'Mr'. But the cheapest title of all - on average - is 'Ms'. Women who select this option were faced an average annual insurance quote of just £720, which is a £975 saving compared to a male driver - a massive 58 per cent less. This data suggests there's some disparity across female titles, too; women who list themselves as 'Ms' are being quoted £611 less on average than those who input 'Miss' when requested to provide their title. That's a saving of 46 per cent. Figures presented by Quotezone - also based on data for January to March 2025 - showed a similar pattern of pricing disparity by gender title, though not to the same extent reported by The data it supplied to Which? was broken down by age in ten-year increments. For drivers aged 30, the biggest price difference between a male and female title was over £300 ('Mr' vs 'Ms'). However, the gender price gap between those titles shrinks to just £100 when drivers reach 60 years. The data also differs from with the most expensive premiums quoted to married female motorists with 'Mrs' titles when aged 30 or 40. However, for 50 and 60-year-old women drivers, 'Miss' is the most expensive title to have. 'Ms' remains the cheapest female title of all in Quotezone's data. Despite the clear difference, both comparison sites told Which? that a customer's title is not used directly when generating prices, but they are still reflective of risk profiles. Rhydian Jones, commercial director at told the consumer group: 'Data shows that men typically pay more for their insurance than women. And this is due to the fact that, statistically, men tend to have a higher risk profile than women. 'While data suggests that women are marginally more likely to have made a claim, or have a relatively similar number of convictions to men, data suggests that it's often the case that the severity of these are far greater for men.' The Confused spokesman said that men are statistically 'twice as likely' to have more severe convictions - such as driving without insurance, careless driving, or driving under the influence - as well as having more instances of multiple, or higher penalties on their licences, which has an impact on premiums. Greg Wilson, CEO of Quotezone, also told Which?: 'While our stats show that customers with the title 'Mr' are often quoted higher premiums, this is not due to their title or gender, but because on average, individuals in this group tend to present higher risk factors.' Wilson said this could be due to a multitude of other factors, such as occupation, annual mileage, claims and conviction history, or other 'relevant factors' that insurers use to assess risk. Rules on gender-neutral pricing in insurance were rung in by the European Union on 21 December 2012. The European Court of Justice mandated that insurance providers could no longer use sex as a factor in calculating premiums. This meant that women, who had previously benefited from cheaper car insurance rates due to a gender-based expectation of fewer accidents and longer life expectance, experienced an increase in premiums of around £300, while men could have expected to see their policy prices fall by around £180 to bridge the sex gap. The rules impacted all new contracts for insurance products, including car insurance, life insurance and annuities.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Drivers warned that higher petrol prices at the pump could hit in 14 days – how to reduce your bill
DRIVERS are being warned that petrol prices could rise within 14 days as global oil prices soar. Brent crude oil jumped nearly 10% before settling 7% higher at $74 a barrel, following Israel 's attack on Iran 's nuclear programme last night. 1 Experts say this marks the end of the cheapest petrol prices in the UK in four years, with wholesale costs already up by 3p per litre in the past week. Luke Bosdet, spokesperson for the AA, said: "Bottom-line, the falls in the average pump price of petrol that took it down from 139.8p a litre in February to 132p this week will come to an end." This increase was already expected, as the AA warned in May that wholesale prices tend to rise during the US summer driving season, when demand for petrol increases. However, Israel's attack overnight has added more pressure on fuel prices. Luke added: "Inevitably, conflict in the Middle East forces up the price of oil and threatens higher pump prices in the UK." That said, it typically takes around two weeks for changes in wholesale fuel costs to be reflected at the pump, as fuel needs time to move through the supply chain to petrol stations, according to the RAC. In general, if the exchange rate stays the same, a $2 change in oil prices usually leads to a 1p per litre change at the pump. To help lessen the impact of rising pump prices, Rhydian Jones, a car insurance expert at advised drivers to shop around for the best deals to save money. He added: "Simple changes to your driving habits can help reduce fuel consumption and cut down how often you need to fill up. "These include removing unnecessary weight from your car, keeping tyres properly inflated, driving gently without overusing the accelerator, keeping windows closed, and avoiding idling whenever possible." Israel launches strike on Iran as explosions rock Tehran and state of emergency declared over nuclear threats How can I find the cheapest petrol stations? Websites like can help you find the cheapest petrol stations near you. The site covers over 3,800 petrol stations using CMA data, providing daily price updates for unleaded, diesel, super unleaded, and premium diesel. To use it, simply register, enter your postcode, choose how far you're willing to travel (up to 20 miles), and select your fuel type. Keep in mind, you can only search the website five times a day, but downloading the app gives you unlimited searches. Your savings will depend on how often you fill up, which varies based on how frequently you use your car. Prices also differ by location and change week to week, so it's always worth checking to make sure you're getting the best deal. isn't the only option for comparing fuel costs. Fleet News and Allstar also offer tools to check petrol prices across different counties, letting you see how your area compares to the UK average. Plus, has a petrol price checker for registered users, allowing them to find fuel prices within a 5, 10, or 25-mile radius. How else can I cut fuel costs? ONE way to save is by signing up for major supermarket loyalty schemes, which can give you discounts of up to 5p per litre. Esso has partnered with Nectar, allowing you to get 5p off per litre when you redeem 300 Nectar points. BP drivers can use the BPme rewards card to earn one point for every £1 spent in-store or on a litre of regular fuel, with £1 off fuel or shopping for every 200 points. Loyalty schemes from Texaco, Shell, Sainsbury's, and Tesco also offer savings on fuel and shopping bills. You can further reduce fuel costs by driving more efficiently by: Accelerating gradually without over-revving. Driving in the highest gear possible. Allowing your car to slow down naturally instead of braking unnecessarily. Don't forget about clutter in your car. Extra weight from tools, toys, or rubbish can increase fuel consumption by as much as 12%. Clearing out unnecessary items can make a noticeable difference to your costs.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Number of council-owned disabled parking spaces dwarfed by blue-badge holders
The number of council-managed blue parking spaces is significantly dwarfed by the number of blue badge holders, new data shows. According to a study from Swindon Borough Council has 69 dedicated blue badge parking bays, but there are 15,641 blue badge holders. This means that for every 227 permit holders, there is one blue badge space in council-managed areas. According to Swindon Borough Council, the report only focuses on dedicated spaces that belong the the council, but misses the others available in the town. They said: 'To suggest there are only 69 dedicated blue badge parking bays in Swindon is not the case as it ignores all the spaces in supermarkets, private car parks and out of town shopping centres. Disruption after unexpected road closure surprises residents and council 'Waterfalls' spotted on iconic town centre landmark 'left to rot' Five guilty of GBH after 'excessive' defence against knifeman in brawl 'It is also worth noting that, in Swindon, blue badge holders can park in any one of the 876 spaces in our surface level car parks that are not allocated for blue badge parking for as long as they want - for free. 'Holders can also park in a resident bay with their badge on display, with no time restriction, as well as limited waiting bays. And, providing their badge and clock is displayed, blue badge holders can park on double yellow lines for three hours.' According to the same report, there are "3.2 million blue badge permit holders in the UK, in comparison with 63,000 local authority blue badge parking bays". It also seems that the demand for accessible parking is increasing, with there being a 31% increase between 2022 and 2024 for new applications. During the 2022-2024 period, there were nearly 250,000 applications rejected. In England, there are 43,604 parking bays for blue badge holders but 2,635,428 permit holders. Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at car insurance, said: "Blue badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK—but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles. "This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. 'Shockingly, for every one blue badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it. "If you're using a blue badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. "It's clear that more needs to be done—both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse. "And if you're caught using a blue badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100."
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Car insurance code that could be the key to finding cheaper insurance when you buy a new motor
A LITTLE-KNOWN code could be the key to unlocking cheaper car insurance. The average cost of motor insurance has fallen in recent months - from £621 in the final quarter of 2024 to £589 between January and March, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). But it always pays to cut costs where possible, starting with the model you choose. You may not have heard of the car insurance grouping system which places vehicles in certain cohorts and gives you an indication of what you're likely to pay for your premium. But how exactly does the system work, and how does your car insurance group affect what you pay? Here's what you need to know. What are car insurance groups? The car insurance grouping system was established by the ABI, which represents insurers, and Lloyds Market Association (LMA). These two bodies meet regularly to decide which insurance groups car and vans should be put into. The system is used by insurers to assess the risks associated with insuring a vehicle. Every time a new car gets a rating, it's added to the Group Rating System, managed by Thatcham Research. Car insurance groups are determined by a number of factors, including a new car's value (the showroom price) and the cost of replacement parts. How long it might take a mechanic to repair a vehicle after a crash and the type of brakes it uses are also used to decide what group it goes in. Five ways to cut your insurance costs Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at explained: "What group your car sits in depends on things like its value, security and safety features, top speed and acceleration, and potential repair costs. "Higher value cars with higher speeds, which are generally more costly to repair would be considered 'riskier' than others, and would therefore be in a higher insurance group. "Equally, those with anti-theft features, or more advanced safety features imply they're less likely to be involved in an incident, or stolen, which would put them in a lower insurance band." How groups affect what you pay and how to check what you pay The car insurance grouping system sees vehicles assigned a number from 1-50. Motors in the lower groups are the cheapest to insure while those in group 50 are the most expensive. According to insurer Allianz, a lower end Citroen C1 or a higher end Fiat 500 will likely be in groups 1-10. What is car insurance? Consumer reporter Sam Walker talks you through what car insurance is and what it covers you for... Car insurance pays out if your vehicle is stolen, damaged, catches on fire or is involved in an accident. As a minimum, it protects you against any damage you case to other road users, the public or their property - these are called third parties. You only need to claim on your car insurance when an accident is your fault. If another motorist is to blame, their insurance should pay out instead. Car insurance, unlike home insurance, is a legal requirement and if you don't have it you can be fined up to £1,000. You can also have your vehicle seized and destroyed. However, you don't need to insure your car if it is classed as "off-road", or holds a statutory off road notification (SORN). The vehicle has to be kept on private land and not a public highway though. A lower end Land Rover Discovery or higher end Porsche Boxster will be in groups 41 to 50. Of course, how much you'll pay for your car insurance is also dependent on other factors like your age, where you live and your estimated mileage. However, numbers crunched by comparison website MoneySupermarket show you could end up paying £640 more per year based on what group the vehicle is in. The figures below are based on policyholders who: are aged between 30 and 39 have no penalty points have held a licence for one year or more have a vehicle with just one person insured on it have an estimated mileage of 5,001 to 10,000 miles have no modifications on their vehicle use their vehicle for socialising and commuting Letters (suffixes) are also assigned alongside a vehicle's car insurance group number which tell insurers about a vehicle's level of security. The better level of security, the lower your insurance premium is likely to be. These are the suffixes and what they mean: A: Acceptable and meets the standard requirement for the car insurance group D: Doesn't meet requirements for the group, meaning the car has been placed in a higher group than normal E: Exceeds requirements for the group, meaning it's been placed in a lower group than normal P: Provisional, meaning not enough data was available when the car went on sale to rate the car's security level U: Unacceptable, meaning the car falls below security requirements and insurers may require an upgrade to security features before insuring it G: Grey import, meaning the car has been imported and will require extra checks to ensure it's legally okay to drive on roads There are a number of free-to-use tools where you can find what car insurance group a vehicle fits into, such as MoneySupermarket or Major change from early 2027 Thatcham Research is in the process of rolling out a new car insurance rating system, known as the Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system. It officially launched in September 2024 and applies to all vehicles registered after August 1, 2024. However, if you have a car registered before August 1, 2024, it will keep its old Group Rating. Meanwhile, both the Group Rating (1-50 scale) and new VRR scores are currently being provided to insurers, while only the Group Rating system can be seen by motorists online. Thatcham Research says the new VRR system will be the only rating system used for both insurers and motorists from early 2027.
