Who Invented the Caravan?


Written on February 1, 2011 – 4:12 pm | by Brayden Sani

Caravans have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, thanks in no small part to the rise of staycationing. But, the modern caravan is a far cry from those of years gone by with the history of caravans being incredibly varied, which begs the question – just who invented the caravan anyway?

This is actually a much more complex question than it originally appears. Caravans have been around for centuries, though obviously not in the form that we know and love today. Originally they were simple wooden shells that were drawn by horses, thereby offering a way of easily transporting goods. T

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Tags: Caravan

How Much Do You Have Invested in Your Vacation?


Written on January 31, 2011 – 10:11 pm | by Olivia Oom

Add up the cost of your upcoming vacation and don’t stop at the cost of the flight and the hotel. Calculate excursion bookings, resort reservations, non-refundable tickets to shows and pre-booked transport. How much did you invest? And the question is – could you afford to lose it?

Trip cancellation insurance is triggered by a number of occurrences – all horrible, especially right before you’re due to jet off to the Bahamas. You may not be able to travel because of illness, or the illness of a family member. Bad weather events, like a hurricane, can screw your vacation plans. As can burglary. You may lose your job and decide a vacation isn’t on the cards anymore.

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Tags: Vacation

Should you allow your kid to take your car back to campus?


Written on January 31, 2011 – 10:05 am | by Hunter Appel

Your college student came home for the holidays, and wanted to take the car back to campus. Before you send you agree, here are a few things to consider.

Away at school auto insurance discount

If your child’s school is a significant distance from home, you could save money by keeping the car at home. Many auto insurance companies offer an “away at school” discount if a child rated on your policy is away at college. There are some distance restrictions; with my current insurance carrier the college has to be at least 120 miles away from home. My daughter qualified, but my son did not.

Garaging address

You should also have the vehicle rated at its new garaging address.

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Tags: Campus, Car Back

House-swappers forgetful over insurance


Written on January 31, 2011 – 3:58 am | by Olivia Oom

House-swapping as an alternative to the traditional family holiday looks set to take off this year, according to new research from Lloyds TSB Insurance.

A recent study suggests that 1.6 million Britons have arranged a house swap in 2011, twice the number estimated for 2010.

However, Lloyd’s suggests that proper planning is needed, particularly in the area of potential damage to property or possessions by the incomers.

Almost two-thirds of house-swappers questioned had run the risk of invalidating their home insurance policy by failing to tell their insurer about the exchange. <

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Tags: Forgetful Insurance, Insurance

Crisis : Aon comments on Egyptian situation


Written on January 30, 2011 – 11:38 pm | by Hunter Appel

Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon Corporation, provides comment on the situation unfolding in Egypt:

Beverley Marsden, Director of Aon Political Risks:

“From a Political Risk point of view it is too early to say whether the events in Egypt will lead to losses in the insurance market. Global confiscation policies may include Political Violence cover and rioting and looting may impact assets covered under such policies.

“We cannot advise at this stage on the extent to which this has happened. Shu

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Tags: Situation