Cash, Cars and Babes

Over the summer, thousands of UK motorists will be driving over to Europe for their holidays, but do they realise that their level of insurance may differ? It's not just when motorists go abroad that they get caught out either.

A number of insurers have changed their T&Cs meaning that fully comp isn't as comp as it used to be.

Insurers will automatically downgrade your insurance if you take your car over to Mainland Europe. 39% of drivers weren't aware of this. Regulations state that insurers must provide third party cover in the EU. Five of the UKs 10 leading insurers automatically reduce the cover:

• Barclays
• Direct Line
• Churchill
• ESure
• Swift Cover

The companies that maintain their level of cover usually cap the amount of time you are insured for when driving over to Europe, usually between 60 and 90 days.

Even in the UK, many insurers are leaving out elements of fully comp cover that used to exist, such as windscreen cover, courtesy cars and third party cover when driving another car. If companies do offer the third part cover, there is normally restrictions, such as you must have the owner's permission, and it must be a privately owned vehicle. Certain drivers don't qualify for this cover at all:

• Under 25s
• Certain occupations such as mechanics, drivers of high power vehicles etc
• Drivers with poor claims
• Drivers with a convictions record

Windscreen cover used to come as standard, but now, the majority of providers ask you to pay an excess. Paying extra also comes as standard when it comes to legal protection, the provision of a courtesy car and any other relevant add-ons which you need.

The popularity of the Wii cannot be any better. The Wii Fit has been sold out of most, if not all, shops and online stores for ages and are currently selling on EBay for double the price. But it's no surprise people are after one. With wireless peripherals, it can provide an alternative to healthy exercise, and, in the long run, save a bundle on gym fees. The Wii Fit comes with a balance board, and a variety of different exercises and sports to have a go at. It measures your weight, your BMI and your progress, and you come away feeling exercised and refreshed. But, is the Wii even more reason to ensure you are insured in your home?

A study, by Sheila's Wheels, found that this indoor equipment can lead to accidental damage and personal injury. Below are some of their findings:

• 18% suffered some sort of accident when exercising indoors over the last year
  • 30% bumped into furniture
  • 19% pulled a muscle
  • 18% tripped over a pet
  • 13% banged their head
• 8% broke items, mostly vases
• 2% damaged their televisions

86% of the respondents either already own a Wii or are planning to. Just make sure your home insurance is up to date. And before you mock, it's not just women who cause accidents because of playing on the Wii. Males have them too. And break things because of them.

The insurance company, Aviva, has said they are to close 15 out of 22 call centres in the UK by 2010. Thats 1,800 jobs.

The company said the cuts were rational, but Unite have said it's brutal.

Earlier this year, the company said it was leaving the 200-year old Norwich Union brand behind, to create a single identity to compete in international markets.