June 21st, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

New data from SpareRoom, the UK’s number one flat-sharing site, has revealed the staggering financial impact of cleaning-related deposit deductions on renters.

Almost two thirds (63%) of UK renters have experienced deposit deductions due to cleaning-related issues, leading to over £724million*** worth of losses overall per year in the UK. These losses are based on claims that the property was not thoroughly cleaned prior to the tenancy ending, and therefore landlords have needed to pay for professional services.

The average amount of money deducted from renters’ deposits was £250, but 29% suffered deductions of more than £500, and 16% had over £750 subtracted.

Of those who experienced cleaning-related deductions, only one third (34%) proactively contested them and of those who did contest, 41% were able to reach an agreement with their landlord to reduce or cancel the proposed deductions. Seeking legal advice from tenancy deposit dispute solicitors can help tenants to challenge these types of deposit deductions.

And the topic of household cleaning also rears its head as a common cause of breakdown in flatmate communication. Whilst 27% of renters say they’ve created a cleaning rota to determine who cleans when, 28% say they don’t have a system at all, and simply chip in when needed. The latter, however, doesn’t always prove fruitful, as almost three in five (59%) renters said they’d experienced arguments with flatmates over cleaning. This is despite ‘similar standards of cleanliness’ ranking second in a recent SpareRoom poll of the most important flatmate characteristics.

Only 17% of renters said they paid for a professional clean prior to moving out, and commenting on these figures, Matt Hutchinson, SpareRoom Director said, “Navigating the moving out process can be a stressful one, for both renters and landlords, and ultimately landlords want to ensure their property is left in a good condition as much as renters want their deposits back.

Although landlords can’t legally demand that tenants pay for professional cleaning, to minimise the risk of cleaning-related deposit deductions, renters should ensure that they’ve conducted a thorough clean either themselves or using a professional service, as well as staying on top of cleaning throughout the tenancy. It can be a tricky road to navigate, but transparent landlord-tenant conversations throughout the process can help to ensure there are no surprise deductions at the end of the road.”

The dreaded deep clean

According to SpareRoom’s research, the oven is the most dreaded appliance to clean, meaning renters put off cleaning it longer than they should, followed by kitchen cupboards and drawers. But how often should you really get down and dirty? SpareRoom experts reveal exactly how you should be deep cleaning your property and appliances…

•     Oven

○       Often the most dreaded appliance to clean, generally an oven should be deep cleaned every three months to avoid grease build-up and keep things sparkling, which may come as a shock to the 13% of renters who said they’d never once cleaned it!

•     Dishwasher

○       A whopping 31% of renters said they’d never cleaned their dishwasher, and why would they? It cleans itself, right? Wrong. Although your dishwasher does a great job of cleaning dishes, it still needs its own TLC, and a dedicated dishwasher cleaner will do the job, removing mineral buildup and detergent residue that may be trapped within the machine.

•     Fridge

○       When fresh food is involved, it seems Brits are pretty good at staying on top of cleaning. Whilst it’s recommended that you deep clean your fridge every few months, nearly a quarter of Brits (24%) say they give it a clean every week. Having said this, a deep clean should always involve removing food and storing in a cool bag, before switching off, removing all drawers and shelving and getting into every nook and cranny!

•     Windows

○       11% of renters have never cleaned their windows, meaning streaks, stains and dirt build-up are commonplace for many. Although regular exterior window cleaning isn’t essential, we should be cleaning them at least twice a year – if your flat is above ground floor, speak to your landlord or building maintenance team to discuss professional cleaning.

June 17th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | Uncategorized

New research from Go.Compare home insurance has found that 65% of the population currently has a shed or outbuilding at home – and despite the fact that the average UK shed is used to store around £455 worth of valuables, 55% of shed owners didn’t have insurance to cover their sheds or outbuildings, hadn’t thought about it, or didn’t know if they had the right cover.*

The new research quizzed more than 1,300 shed owners about how they currently use their outbuildings – and found they aren’t just for storage. The results revealed that men are the main shed owners in the UK (69%) and are almost three times as likely (13%) to use them as a “man cave”, compared with just 5% of women using their sheds as a “woman cave”.

One in ten shed owners use them as a “hobby space”, and a further 13% use them for their original purpose – as a potting shed for gardening. Eight percent of those questioned have converted their sheds into gyms and 6% use them as a games room.

When it comes to the younger generations, those aged between 18-34 are nearly twice as likely to use sheds/outbuildings as a gym (15%) compared to the general public (8%). And it seems the home bar hasn’t gone out of fashion four years post-pandemic, with those aged 18-24 THREE times as likely to have converted their sheds or outbuilding into home bars.

According to the data, the average value of the contents that UK householders keep in either a shed or outbuilding is £455, though for 1 in 6 people (16%) it’s more than £1,000. However, despite the high value of these items, only 44% of those surveyed are certain they have insurance cover in place.

Ceri McMillan, home insurance spokesperson for Go.Compare, said on the research: “We did a similar survey in 2021, during the pandemic, where we found that UK adults had spent an average of £1,976 on their gardens during the pandemic. We wanted to find out if the way people are using these spaces has changed four years on, and whether or not these former havens were now defunct – so it was heartening to see people are still making the most of these spaces.

“It’s clear many people are keeping quite valuable items in their sheds. But whether you’re using your shed to store gardening tools or gym equipment, it’s important to know if it’s properly protected. Many of us may not think about the value and security of our garden contents in the same way as we do about our homes, but when you start adding up the cost of garden structures, furniture, BBQs, lighting, and ornaments, even the average garden can house several thousands of pounds worth of items.

“Sheds and other outbuildings are often covered under your buildings insurance – but this just covers the structure, not what you keep inside.   Instead, these items – along with any patio furniture, BBQs, garden planters and ornaments – can be covered by home contents insurance under ‘contents in the open’, which provides cover for loss or damage to contents left outside but within the boundaries of your home.

“While there’s often a degree of cover for gardens and outbuildings in a home insurance policy, the amount and level of cover can vary significantly.  So, if you’re keeping valuable items in your shed, you may want to check your insurance cover and make sure it’s right for your requirements, or even buy additional garden cover.”

Go.Compare Home Insurance has provided some tips below to help secure your garden and its contents:

1. It’s a good idea to keep boundary hedges and fences maintained as this will help to deter opportunistic thieves.
2. Where it’s practical to do so, keep outdoor possessions in a locked shed or garage and consider installing security lighting or CCTV.
3. You can also secure expensive plants with wire pegs dug into the ground around the root ball.
4. Use a security pen to mark valuable items that are left in the open with your postcode (e.g. garden furniture, ornaments and trampolines).

For more information on garden and shed insurance visit: https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/shed-and-garden-insurance/

June 11th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

Almost a quarter (22%) of holidaymakers buy the cheapest travel insurance they can find, according to a new Opinium survey of 1,000 holidaymakers by Multitrip.com, a specialist travel insurance provider. Additionally, only three in ten (29%) say they do a lot of research into which travel insurance to buy.

Worryingly, only a third (33%) check that the cancellation limit amount would cover the cost of their holiday, if they had to cancel before travelling, and the same number also do not check that the luggage limit amount would pay for their lost or damaged luggage and contents. Also, only a minority of holidaymakers (17%) check travel insurance protects them for events including strike action, natural disasters and IT failures.

Christian Bennett from Multitrip.com said: “It’s really important to do your research when buying travel insurance to make sure that you put in place the right cover for you. Ask yourself if the baggage and cancellation cover is enough for what you need. Make sure that the activities you plan to do, such as diving, parasailing, water skiing are included or can be added to the policy. If you’re concerned about strikes and delays, include Travel Disruption cover in your policy for additional peace of mind.”

He continues, “Gadgets are an essential part of people’s travelling kit. The value of all these gadgets can easily exceed the protection offered by most standard travel insurance policies. We offer additional Gadget Cover to enable customers to protect the gadgets they want to take away with them.”

Multitrip.com offers three levels of protection, Essential, Premier, and Premier Plus. Adding Travel Disruption Cover, Gadget Cover, or Winter Sports to a travel insurance policy ensures you’re covered for more specific travel needs.

June 5th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

New research shows that Birmingham is home to the UK’s most expensive airport for parking outside of London. The figures show it costs an average of £176.14 for two weeks’ parking at Birmingham Airport – £41 more than the UK average. This makes it the most expensive to park at outside of the capital.

The research by MyVoucherCodes reviewed the cost of parking for two weeks at over 140 car parks across the country’s 19 busiest airports. It found that, outside of London, Birmingham Airport had the highest average price for a parking space over 13 months.

In fact, the research found that travellers from this region are probably better off flying from East Midlands Airport instead. A parking space is an average of £74 cheaper at East Midlands Airport, and driving the extra distance costs just an estimated £4.76 each way in fuel, leaving flyers with a saving of £64.

Other airports outside of the capital that proved to be particularly costly for parking include Bournemouth (£171.45), Bristol (153.33) and Cardiff (£135.38). Several northern airports also made the top 10, with Manchester (£125.44), Newcastle (£124.37) and Leeds Bradford (£119.26) all being named.

Both Belfast airports were also on the list, with Belfast International being slightly more costly by around £4.

The UK’s 10 most expensive airports for car parking outside of London can be found below:

Unsurprisingly, London-based airports were by far the most expensive. The average cost of an airport parking spot in London was found to be £166.44, whereas the average for the rest of the UK was only £123.52 – a difference of £43. London City Airport had the highest price for a spot, costing an average of £213.14 for two weeks – £37 more than in Birmingham.

Sarah-Jane Outten, savings expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: “There’s a clear difference in what travellers are paying for their airport parking across the country, with those flying from Birmingham and London being hit with particularly pricey rates.

“Airport parking can be costly, giving travellers all the more reason to find ways to save where they can. Park & ride and off-airport car parks tend to be the cheapest, so consider booking a space at one of these if you want to cut costs. Also, some car parks are cheaper if you book further in advance, so it’s worth booking sooner rather than later if you can.”

“Plus, while it’s not one of the categories where vouchers are used the most, many airport car parks offer discount codes for their spaces. So, it’s worth checking if any deals are available for car parks at your departure airport before finalising your booking.”

More information about the costs of airport parking, including tips on how to save, can be found on MyVoucherCodes’ website.

May 29th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

American Express has launched a trio of limited time offers, including a boosted new Cardmember offer on the Amex^® Gold Card, offering up to 30,000 bonus Membership Rewards points for taking out the Card, 10,000 more points than the usual sign up offer.

From today until 16 July, 2024, new Amex Gold Cardmembers will be able to earn 25,000 points, boosted from the usual 20,000, when they spend £3,000 in their first three months. New Gold Cardmembers can then earn a further 5,000 points when they make a transaction of any amount in the fifteenth month of Cardmembership, taking the potential bonus points available to 30,000.

30,000 points can be redeemed for £150 in gift vouchers at a range of shopping, travel and lifestyle partners, used to offset purchases made on the Card, or redeemed against flights and hotels with Amex Travel.

The Gold Card is free for the first year. Gold Cardmembers have access to a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits in the first year and beyond, including:

• £5 back on Deliveroo twice a month;
• Four Priority Pass accesses to 1,300 global airport lounges;
• Access to exclusive experiences; and
• The ability to earn at least 1 Membership Reward point for every £1 they spend, plus 2,500 additional points for every £5,000 spent, up to 12,500 additional points.

‘Invite a Friend’ offer

American Express has also launched an enhanced referral bonus when existing Cardmembers invite friends to become new Cardmembers. Running until July 2024, different offers are available across multiple Cards (see table below for Cards, offers and end dates which vary across July*), where both the existing Cardmember and the referred friend will earn enhanced points or cashback. There are also exciting opportunities for many referrers to earn ‘accelerated’ points as they spend.

For example, an existing Amex Gold Cardmember who invites a friend will have their bonus increased from 9,000 to 14,000 Membership Rewards points for each successful referral**. On top of that, for the first referral, they will receive an additional 2 points for every £1 spent, for 3 months, up to £6,000. The invited friend will also receive 30,000 points, up from 22,000, if they spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Card membership.

The process of inviting a friend is quick and easy. Referral can be done via the existing Cardmember’s Amex^® App or website, where Cardmembers will find their unique referral link. Cards that are part of this offer include the Amex Gold Card, The Platinum Card^® and The American Express^® Rewards Credit Card.

American Express^® Platinum Cashback (Amex^® Cashback Card) offer

The third offer American Express has launched today sees the first-year annual fee lifted on the market leading Platinum Cashback Card for new Cardmembers. Until 2 July, 2024, new Cardmembers will be exempt from the usual £25 annual fee, for the first year***.

New Cardmembers can continue to earn 5% cashback up to £125 in the first three months of Card membership. They then earn up to 1.25% cashback on purchases, the highest ongoing cashback rate in the UK.

Dave Edwards, Vice President, American Express, commented: “With summer just around the corner, many of us will be planning holidays, shopping trips and experiences to share with friends and family. With this trio of limited time offers, new and existing American Express Cardmembers have the opportunity to earn even more rewards, which they can put towards their next purchase or adventure.”

The American Express Gold Card has an 88.8% APR variable. The Platinum Cashback Card has a 36.7% APR variable. Terms apply. 18+. Subject to status.

May 28th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

A new study has revealed that English and Welsh residents lost around £98.7 million in a single year due to uninsured burglaries. This means thousands might have faced the double whammy of suffering a break-in and replacing their lost items themselves because they did not have protection in place.

The research, by Go.Compare Home Insurance, estimated the number of uninsured burglaries in a year based on a combination of Home Office and FCA data. It then applied the average contents insurance claim to uncover how much will have been lost in claims as a result.

The comparison site estimates that a third of all residential burglaries are uninsured. In England and Wales, this is equivalent to 62,718 residents suffering a break-in and having no protection to support them. Out of the 187,749 residential burglaries that took place in the year ending September 2023, around 125,031 had a policy in place to help them cover their losses.

According to the figures, residents in England and Wales suffered a ratio of one burglary for every 132 homes over 12 months. This follows the news that Cleveland in North East England is the country’s biggest burglary hotspot, where there is one burglary per every 61 homes.

London and Yorkshire and the Humber were also named as the worst regions for burglaries, where the ratio is 1:90 and 1:92 respectively., Dorset and Somerset was highlighted as having the lowest burglary ratio in the country, where the rate was just one burglary for every 395 homes.

As a result, Go.Compare is urging residents to make sure they have the necessary cover in place to avoid losing thousands in a worst-case scenario.

Nathan Blackler, a home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s truly shocking to see that thousands of people might have suffered a burglary without a policy in place, possibly losing millions as a result. This means they would have had no financial support to help them through an extremely challenging time.

“Unfortunately, living somewhere with high crime rates can have a negative impact on the price of your home insurance. But getting some form of cover in place is still important, as failing to buy a policy could end up costing you thousands in the long run. You should also prioritise your home security to make sure your property is as protected as it can be.

“Although you might get a higher price than in other areas, there are still things you can do to reduce your premiums. Adding improved security features, joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, and paying annually can all lower your costs. Regularly comparing policies will also make sure you’re constantly getting the best price for your cover.”

More information on uninsured burglaries, as well as England and Wales’ biggest burglary hotspots, can be found at Go.Compare.

May 28th, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

New research shows that a staggering 95% of sellers overlook simple yet effective steps to get the best price for their car.[1] Concerningly, close to one in four (23%) sellers neglect any price-maximising measures altogether.

The recent survey by Carwow sought to find out whether drivers are missing out on extra cash in car sales because of a lack of preparation. It found that very few vehicle owners topped up their fluids (23%), removed dents or scratches (21%), or fixed minor issues (27%) before selling, overlooking vital steps that could have increased the value of their cars.

While two-thirds (67%) of respondents cleaned their cars before a sale, Carwow explains that this step alone often falls short of fully maximising a vehicle’s value.

Surprisingly, most motorists failed to update or replace essential documents such as service history (86%) or obtain a new MOT (80%), this means there’s a whopping 86% of sellers missing out on potential profits.[1]

The online car-changing marketplace also spoke to its dealers to determine what factors deter them from bidding on a car. Almost half (48%) of the dealers admitted that they didn’t bid on a vehicle with too little information, with the most stated reason being a missing service history.[2]

Interestingly, used car sellers were the most likely to skip over all the price-boosting steps. Close to a quarter (23%) of second-hand car owners took no measures to prepare for sale, while only 17% of new car sellers said the same. In fact, those selling new cars were more likely to take all the listed steps to improve the selling price.

Men tend to be more vigilant than women when it comes to maintenance tasks like topping up fluids and fixing minor issues such as replacing a bulb or fuse. However, women were more likely to get an up-to-date MOT before selling their car. On the other hand, they were also slightly more inclined to skip over all of these steps, with 23% of women admitting to performing none of the listed tasks, compared to 22% of men.

John Rawlings, Consumer Editor at Carwow, said: “Our findings show that there’s a significant opportunity for sellers to get a better price for their cars through straightforward yet frequently overlooked measures when preparing for a sale.

“Overall, there’s a shared understanding of the importance of basic preparation steps like cleaning your vehicle. However, it’s clear that there’s still room for improvement, especially when we know that dealers can be put off from bidding on cars because of elements like missing documentation. These considerations could turn a failed sale into a successful sale and ensure that you’re selling your car for what it’s really worth.”

For more information about how to make the most of selling your car, visit Carwow’s website.

May 22nd, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

 As summer fast approaches, new research from American Express shows the impact that summer, and good weather, will have on Brits’ dining habits, boosting the hospitality industry.

Good weather plays a big part in Brits’ dining decisions. 30% of UK adults say they spend more on food and drink at restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs when the weather is sunny. In the sunshine the average UK adult plans to spend 5% more than usual, per visit, while over a quarter (26%) say they will stay out longer eating and drinking.

Looking at summer more broadly, the research also found that nearly half (48%) of UK adults are more likely to dine out during the summer months compared with the rest of the year. Over half (55%) of UK adults plan to dine out at least once a week during the summer months, while 18% of UK adults are planning to dine out twice a week or more. The average UK adult will spend nearly £300 (£298.35) on dining out at restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs during the summer months.

Enjoying longer days (47%) and making the most of al fresco dining (i.e. sitting outside – 37%) are important factors driving increased dining during summertime.

Dave Edwards, Vice President, American Express: “Our latest research shows how Brits prioritise eating out whenever sunny weather allows it. Whether it’s pizza on a restaurant’s terrace, or a pint in a pub garden, over a quarter (26%) of UK adults say they will stay out longer eating and drinking in sunny weather. We know our Cardmembers enjoy dining out and socialising all year round and will make the most of this on the fast-approaching sunny days, earning rewards as they do so.”

Al-fresGO

Given Brits’ love of the sun, it’s no surprise that nearly half (48%) of UK adults are planning to dine al fresco at least once a week this summer, with 17% doing so at least twice a week.

Pub power

And when the sun is shining, Brits said there’s no better place to be than the pub, with over a quarter (28%) of UK adults stating that pub gardens are their venue of choice on a sunny day. Gen Z buck this trend, instead favouring restaurants (30%) in the sunshine.

American Express is giving venues in London and Manchester the chance to apply for a share of £220,000 to help grow their business this year through its Backing International Small Restaurants grant programme.

Restaurant owners in London and Manchester can learn more about the programme, eligibility and apply for the grant at downtown.org/foundation. The deadline for applications is 30 May 2024.

May 22nd, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

New research has warned that car insurance policies cost £369 more for those caught holding and using their phone while driving. The study says that the median insurance price for those with no motoring offences on their policy was £625 in 2023, however, this jumps to £994 for those issued with a penalty for using a device while driving.[1]

The figures come from Go.Compare Car Insurance, who reviewed the median prices for policies bought through their site last year. It evaluated the prices for drivers with no offences on their policy and those with at least one CU80 offence (which is the breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone), highlighting the £369 difference.

Drivers caught holding and using their phone at the wheel could also receive a £200 fine, meaning those who check their phone as they drive could be left £569 worse off as a result. The comparison site warned drivers that they must inform their insurer if they receive a penalty, or they could invalidate their policy.

As part of the study, over a quarter (27%) of drivers admitted to holding and using their phones while behind the wheel when asked anonymously.[2] It’s estimated that this is equivalent to approximately 11.4 million motorists in Great Britain. With over one in four drivers admitting to using their phone, it’s likely that drivers will encounter someone who uses a device when on the road.[3]

A concerning detail of this is that those who drive the most frequently are the most likely to check their phone on the road. The comparison site said that 45% of those who drive daily admitted to using their phone. In contrast, under a third (28%) of those who drive only once or twice a week made the same confession.[2]

Perhaps surprisingly, the findings revealed that younger motorists are the least likely to swipe as they drive. Despite having a reputation as irresponsible drivers, only 14% of drivers under 25 said they’ve used a phone at the wheel. Those aged 55 and over are also among the least likely to check their device while driving, with just a fifth admitting to this.

Drivers between the ages of 25 and 54 were found to be much more likely to use their phone while driving, with 25-39s being the main culprits – 39% of those from this age range confessed to checking their device. Men are also slightly more likely to check their phones than women, with 31% of male motorists admitting to this compared to just under a quarter (23%) of women.

Tom Banks, a car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s alarming that such a significant number of motorists are taking such a dangerous gamble. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see a driver holding their device while on the road, and that poses a serious risk to everyone’s safety, as it means that an incident is statistically much more likely to occur.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of resisting temptation and leaving your phone untouched while behind the wheel – it simply isn’t worth the safety consequences. Then there’s the financial repercussions, too. Getting caught could leave you over £500 worse off, so it’s just not worth the risk. If you really need to use your phone, pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so before picking up your device.”

More figures on drivers using mobile phones can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

May 21st, 2024 | Andrew Hagger | News

The experts at Go.Compare mobile are urging those planning a holiday abroad this year to check their provider’s data roaming policy before they travel, to avoid being caught out and left with a hefty bill.

Since the UK left the EU there has been a change in the regulation, meaning some mobile networks have reintroduced roaming fees for using your mobile phone data in Europe. The costs and rules differ between networks and can depend on when you signed your phone contract.

Whether you are looking to translate something, get directions or contact friends and family at home, using your mobile data abroad might seem like a necessity rather than a luxury. To do any of these things, your data roaming setting must be turned on – but before doing so, it’s important to check if you’ll be facing any unexpected fees.

To help intrepid travellers cut the costs, Go.Compare has taken a look at the policies of some of the major phone providers and revealed what they now charge for using your phone’s data abroad.

• EE
  If you have a pay monthly handset or SIM plan with EE that started after 7 July 2021, there is a £2.47 a day charge for using your minutes, text and data in its European roaming zone.
• O2
  O2 doesn’t charge its customers any extra to use their usual allowance of calls, texts and data within the EU, up to the limit of 25GB. After this, a £3.50 a day charge will come into effect on any data used.
• Vodafone
  Charges by Vodafone will depend on your travel destination, as well as when you bought your plan. It charges £2.25 a day (or £10 for 8 days) for contract customers roaming in Europe up to a limit of 25GB, with a charge of £3.13 for each GB used past this limit. Although, if you are on a pay monthly plan and travelling to ‘Zone A’  (Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Iceland or Norway), there are no charges.
• Three

If you signed up or upgraded a contract with Three after 1 October 2021, you will be charged £2 per day for countries within the EU, and £5 for some countries outside of the EU. Alternatively, it offers Go Roam passes for three, seven and 14-day passes depending on how long you need to use data roaming abroad, which are subject to a 12Gb fair use limit.

• Spusu – currently offers its users a free monthly EU roaming allowance (data and minutes) as part of its Sim only packages which start from £4.90 per month

Catherine Hilley, mobile and broadband expert at Go.Compare explained, “Heading to a new country can be really exciting, and you might need to use your data roaming for all sorts of reasons – whether it’s to look up directions, research local tourist attractions, or stay in touch with friends and family back home. While these are things you can do without incurring additional charges in the UK, they could lead to an unexpected and expensive phone bill when done abroad.

“UK phone providers used to offer free data roaming throughout the EU. And although networks like O2, Sky Mobile and iD Mobile haven’t reintroduced roaming fees, most others have. It might not be your first thought when planning a holiday, but it’s important to be aware of the data roaming regulations in your mobile contract before you jet off, as this could save you from unexpected charges while away.

“There are things you can do to keep the cost down and avoid hefty roaming charges:

• Use an alternative SIM: Opting for an eSIM or a local SIM, especially if you know you are going to use a fair bit of data while abroad, can be a cheaper option than paying your network’s fees. It might mean you have to use a different number while you are away but it could save you some money if you know you’ll require a constant data connection.
• Download before you go: If you want to watch, listen to or read any content while you’re travelling, downloading music, books or films before you leave home is a great way to use less data. The same goes for the journey home. If your hotel or accommodation has free Wi-Fi, make the most of it and download the whole series of that show you’ve been binge-watching. Just be aware that a lot of public Wi-Fi connections aren’t secure, so avoid using it for anything too sensitive, such as online banking.
• Set spending caps: If you plan to use a bit of data but don’t want to rack up huge bills then setting your own spending cap might be a good idea. Most networks will let you do this and it means you won’t return home to a huge bill.

“Whether you have just signed a new contract or had your phone for a few years, make sure you know the rules around data roaming with your provider before you head off. Then you can go and enjoy some summer sun without the stress.”

For more information on data roaming within the EU and the rest of the world, or to find out about your network’s roaming policy, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/mobile-phone/data-roaming/.