February 2018 - Oakhill Independent Financial Services Limited

When making their Wills, many parents appoint relations and close friends who would act as the guardians of their children in the event of their deaths. Although anyone nominated to fulfil this important role would be gratified to be thought of as worthy of carrying it out, it’s important to remember that there could be all sorts of financial implications for both them and their families.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

If family members had to step in and look after the children, they would need to have sufficient financial provision in place to be able to do so. If, for instance, a guardian lives in a different part of the country, they might have to move both house and job to look after the children’s needs. As any parent knows only too well, raising a family is a life-affirming experience but it can also be very expensive.

POLICIES TO PROVIDE FUNDS

This is where life cover comes in. It can provide the funds necessary to ensure that a family’s needs are protected, and they can enjoy the sort of lifestyle you would have provided had you still been around. Life cover provides a payout on death that can ensure that families don’t face financial burdens at a difficult time. Critical illness cover provides funds if you are diagnosed with a serious illness. Income protection can enable you to pay off loans and maintain your standard of living if you have an accident or illness that means you can’t work.

HOW WE CAN HELP

We’re always on hand to help you choose the most appropriate protection policies based on your needs. We know the life insurance market well, and can save you hours of internet searching and calls to insurance companies for quotes. We help make the process far less stressful and time-consuming, and you won’t be charged a fee for this service; we’ll be paid by the companies whose policies we recommend.

This time of the year, it’s worth doing a few simple checks around your property to make sure it’s prepared for what winter might bring, so that any period of prolonged bad weather doesn’t take its toll.

EXTERNAL CHECKS

Winter wind and rain can cause severe damage, so check that your roof is in good repair. Are there any loose or broken tiles? Is the flashing around chimneys secure? Apart from the damage that can be caused by falling tiles, their loss can lead to damage to the fabric of the building. Make sure that your guttering is clear and free from obstructions like fallen leaves, moss and debris, as overflowing gutters can cause major structural damage to walls. It makes sense to drain or lag outside taps in case they freeze. Garden furniture and patio sets should be stowed away in a shed or garage to prevent winter damage.

Keeping walkways and paths clean and free from moss and algae will help ensure that they don’t become a hazard if they freeze. It’s worth keeping some de-icing salt handy in case of need. Check that outside lights and security lights are clean and working properly.

INTERNAL CHECKS

Central heating boilers and radiators need to be regularly serviced. If you have boiler cover, you may want to keep the emergency contact telephone number handy. Make sure you know where the stopcock is located, in case you need to turn the water off in an emergency. Pipes and tanks should be lagged and the tank should have a lid fitted.

Smoke alarms need regular testing to ensure the batteries are in working order, and burglar alarms need to be maintained and tested, especially as burglary rates increase during the dark winter months.

It’s worth checking your home insurance policy to see what cover you have for home emergencies, and keep your insurance company’s helpline contact number to hand.

Protecting your family’s future

Winter Home Checklist

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