Earth quake insurance quote

Hundreds of Britons are missing, feared dead, so that death certificates cannot be issued and their assets are frozen.

Several government departments are looking at whether “criteria necessary for proof of death” must be changed, the Foreign Office says.

But insurers say life policies could still pay out without certificates.

The relatives of some of the missing Britons are calling for a change in the law to allow interim death certificates to be issued.

Without them, they say they will not be able to inherit their loved ones’ assets or sell property belonging to them.

However, insurers say life assurance policies can be still be paid out without certificates.

Among those calling for a change is Kath Lloyd-Jones, 56, of Warwickshire.

Barry Lloyd-Jones has not been seen since Boxing Day

Her husband Barry, 68, has not been seen since the tsunami hit as the couple were having breakfast on a beach in Thailand on Boxing Day morning.

She told BBC News: “It’s hard coming to terms with the actuality of these events, particularly when you feel it’s unnecessary.

“The hardship of day-to-day living, the hardship of finances being tied up, the prospect of ‘My God, am I going to die before all this is resolved?’ - I call that pretty hard.”

The seven-year rule is intended to stop people who deliberately go missing being absolved of their financial and legal responsibilities.

circumstances’

It is possible for bereaved families to apply to have their relatives declared officially dead before the seven years have lapsed but each case would have to be considered by the probate court.

The Foreign Office has confirmed the government is urgently looking into whether special arrangements could be made for the families of missing Britons, because of “exceptional circumstances” surrounding the disaster.

Officials are examining the “criteria necessary for proof of death”, a spokesman said.

The Home Office later issued a statement saying it was working to establish “the quickest possible process” to enable the Foreign Office register deaths overseas without a formal identification process.

It added that a key issue was to insure police could “complete their investigations and establish whether, on the balance of probabilities, an individual is dead”.

Meanwhile, insurance companies have spoken out to dispel fears that bereaved families might have problems claiming on their loved-ones’ insurance policies without death certificates.

The Association of British Insurers, which has 400 members, said life assurance companies would not automatically require a death certificate.

Whatever other problems there may be, there should not be a problem with life insurance being paid Malcolm Tarling British tsunami victims

Spokesman Malcolm Tarling said it was standard practice to deal with claims, even without a body.

He said: “They are not going to say ‘No death certificate, no claim.’

“Where there is reasonable evidence to suggest that the person is missing, presumed dead, for example, someone was booked into a hotel which was badly affected, then insurers will deal with the claim.

“We are keen to reassure people that whatever other problems there may be, there should not be a problem with life insurance being paid.”

So far 51 Britons have been confirmed dead in the disaster, which struck south-east Asia on Boxing Day.

Of those still missing, 349 are people who are known to have been in the areas struck by the tsunami, and who, it is considered, would have made contact by now had they survived.

Another 568, many of them backpackers, are thought to have been in the vicinity and have not been heard from since the disaster.

It is feared the bodies of many of those killed may never be found.

Others may eventually be identified by DNA testing among the thousands of bodies of various left in the wake of the tsunami but this is likely to take at least a year, officials have warned.

Airline passengers will now receive more compensation for delayed, lost or damaged luggage, following new international rules.

Under the newly ratified Montreal Convention, payouts will be related to the value of the goods, and passengers can receive compensation from airlines of up to 800.

The legislation applies to all flights departing or arriving in any of the 54 countries that have signed up.

Previously, the Warsaw Convention awarded passengers only 12 per kilogram of luggage lost or damaged. This cost guideline was set in 1929.

We are concerned with the practical implications James Freemantle, Air Transport Users Council

For passengers such as BBC Radio 4’s Money Box listener Andrew, the previous rules seemed hopelessly outdated in compensating him for his stolen digital camera.

He told the programme:

“As the camera - that had cost me 600 - was weighing less than one kilogram, British Midland offered me 12.78. It was insulting.”

Proof of purchase

A from the Association of British Travel Agents said the new rules are a “welcome improvement”. But travellers should not relax all caution when handing over their bags.

Industry Affairs Advisor at the Air Transport Users Council, James Freemantle has concerns over whether or not airlines will actually pay up.

“We are concerned with the practical implications,” he told the programme.

This is going to cause arguments between passengers and airlines Mr Freemantle

“Airlines are likely to want to have proof of purchase of items or bags that have been lost or stolen. This is going to cause arguments between passengers and airlines.”

Many passengers will simply not have receipts for the contents of their bags, which would make it difficult to get compensation for clothes, toiletries and other everyday items.

The advice from Mr Freemantle is to keep receipts for any item that you buy to take away with you.

Travellers are however more likely to keep receipts for valuable items.
But in practice, Mr Freemantle said people could still end up with a dispute.

“Airlines may try to say that they are not liable for valuable items. But, the legislation makes no exceptions, therefore they are liable for items such as cameras,” he said.

In the event of such a dispute, the airline would be contravening the Convention and passengers should contact the Air Transport Users Council.

Making a claim

One bag in every 100 goes missing. If it happens to you the advice is to report it immediately at the lost baggage desk. Any damage would also be inspected and noted there.

Passengers are then required to fill in a Property Irregularity Report detailing the extent of loss or damage, and the value of goods affected.

BBC RADIO 4’s MONEY BOX The programme was broadcast on Saturday, 3 July, 2004 Programme information

Only once this form is handed in have you made a claim. You are likely to need to provide proof of purchase for all items that you claim for.

If the luggage simply does not arrive, a claim will only be made for delayed baggage at that point.

Belongings are not officially “lost” until 21 days have passed without them being returned. Once it is declared “lost”, you then have seven days to submit a claim.

What happens next remains to be seen. With margins becoming narrower in an competitive industry, the additional cost will be hard for airlines to absorb.

While the Montreal Convention is an improvement, Mr Freemantle recommended that all travellers take out insurance that specifically covers for baggage loss or damage.

BBC Radio 4’s Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 3 July, 2004, at 1204 BST.

The programme was repeated on Sunday, 4 July, 2004 at 2102 BST

The Pensions Commission report revealed the extent of the UK’s retirement shortfall. A pensions expert outlines ten simple steps to securing a retirement.

Don’t count on the state

As a nation, we are all living longer.

This means that in the years to come, there will be many more pensioners than now and the value of the basic state pension may struggle to keep pace.

Don’t put off starting a pension

UK’S PENSION CRISIS Why many are heading for poverty in old age At-a-glance

Because of the way compound interest works, the earlier you start a pension plan, the less it will cost you.

So start early and pay in as much as you can.

As a rule of thumb, a good starting point would be about half your age as a percentage of your income.

So at 22, that would mean 11% of your income but if you cannot afford that much any lower amount would be useful as a start.

Explore other ways to save

Property, individual savings accounts (ISAs), even paintings and other works of art are all possible alternatives.

Try to make yourself familiar with the rules of your scheme and how it works

Indeed the more you diversify your investments, the better it usually is.

However, with an approved pension plan you receive tax relief on all your contributions at your highest personal rate. And for the most part, the fund that you build up is also allowed to grow tax free.

Show an interest in your pension

Try to make yourself familiar with the rules of your scheme and how it works.

Make sure you know with a personal pension or money purchase type company scheme what investment vehicle is being used for your monies and make sure you are comfortable with the level of risk chosen.

Join your employer scheme

Always consider joining your workplace pension scheme, the employer will be contributing and for you not to join is therefore tantamount to giving up pay.

One exception might be in a salary-related scheme if the company were to be insecure and in risk of becoming insolvent.

With the advent of the pension protection fund next year, however, some of the risks for members will be considerably reduced.

Unless you feel very confident, always take professional advice before making important decisions

Review your pension regularly

You should check the regular pension statements you receive to make sure your plan is on course to deliver the level of income you expect to receive when you retire.

Get a forecast of your state pension

This will enable you to establish whether there are any gaps in your National Insurance contributions record and gives you the opportunity of making this good by paying voluntary contributions.

Give yourself time to act and get a forecast at least ten years before you are due to retire.

To obtain a forecast, ring the Pensions Forecasting Service on 0845 3000168

Keep paperwork safe

These papers may be essential later on.

It is no use trying to challenge something or for example make out a case for without the necessary evidence some 20, 30 or 40 years after the event.

Take professional advice

Unless you feel very confident, always take professional advice before making important decisions, such as changing your pension provider or seeking a transfer.

If you do not have a regular financial adviser you can obtain details of three advisers in your area by contacting IFA Promotions on 0800 0853250.

For free advice on issues other than investment and guidance generally, you can also ring the OPAS Helpline on 0845 6012923.

Always ask questions

Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question about pensions

Pensions can be immensely complicated and people sometimes feel inadequate.

You should not worry about this.

You have a right to have things properly explained to you in language you can understand and should not feel inhibited about asking the most basic questions.

Opas are running a free helpline for women with pension problems the number is 0845 600 0806.

The views expressed are solely those of Malcolm McLean’s and not the BBC’s. Any guidance is for general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

But the bomber managed to drive his load over the concrete defences, and although guards opened fire to try to stop him, he managed to reach the front of the Shaheen Hotel, where the vehicle exploded.

Iraqi police and the US military said it was packed with between 500 kilograms and one tonne of explosives, Mr Shaheen says.

The attack is thought to have been targeted at Iraqi Labour and Social Affairs Minister Sami Azara al-Majoun, who had been staying at the hotel for four months.

Picking up the pieces

Mr Shaheen is hoping to rebuild the hotel and have it up and running again soon, although without insurance - “not in Iraq” - this will require hard cash and patience.

Given the country’s state of flux, it will be difficult to find the materials to replace the damaged structure.

Iraqi insurgents have targetted Iraqis who co-operate with the US forces

Mr Shaheen, who had been planning the of a second hotel, has now put all his plans on hold while rebuilding his first property. But he is hoping to attract foreign investors for the reconstruction of his first.

He believes the bombing would not have happened under Saddam Hussein.

“Suicide bombers are who are coming from outside Iraq - al-Qaeda or others. Under Saddam, people suffered, but did not do things like this,” he said

There is no doubt Saddam’s departure has made a massive to people’s lives in Iraq, he says.

“People feel freer. Before, under Saddam, they were afraid for their safety. Now there is a different mood.”

Painful departure

Mr Shaheen has visited every three or four months since the fall of Saddam and is hoping to remain for longer periods later in the year.

Of Armenian origin, Mr Shaheen and his family left Iraq in July 1994 when a law banning alcoholic drinks from being served in hotels led to a swift downturn in business. This, combined with the embargo at the time and the generally sombre mood in the country, convinced him to leave.

“Social life was bad, business was down, and people’s mood was down. Intelligence people could come at any moment to take you away. People were always afraid.”

In the end, Mr Shaheen decided to leave, plumping for Turkey where he already had business associates and friends - although leaving Iraq was not easy.

“In Iraq, we lived like kings. In Turkey, we were just foreigners.”

Mr Shaheen hopes to be able to settle in Iraq as soon as the political situation stabilises. People are happy, but they would like to have authority given back to them, he says.

“There is no doubt that there is big business in Iraq in the long term. Property prices are now doubling. Iraqi people are good people. When the election happens, everything will be settled.”