Can you make a claim for mis-sold payment protection insurance?

Have you been mis-sold a payment protection claim? Now there is an easy way to start claiming compensation for them; Click here to find more information on how to go about it.

PPI, which stands for ‘Payment Protection Insurance’, is basically designed to cover your loan, hire purchase agreement or credit card repayments for a year in case you are unable to repay your loans on time because of accident, sickness or unemployment. But consumers have often complained that they have been forced to buy a policy from the same provider as the loan in order to qualify for the insurance product, which is not true.

Mis-selling has been rampant and widespread primarily because the sales people disguised as insurance advisers were offered huge incentives and commissions to drive sales and sell PPI whenever possible. This led them to misguide their clients and customers, who erroneously believed their advisers. Sales people did not make clear that the policy was entirely optional, and even insisted that the policy was required to qualify for the product or help with the application. They sometimes deliberately implied that the product would become more expensive if the customers did not opt for the PPI.

These policies are usually very expensive as compared to the level of cover they provide and many policies have important exemptions, making it difficult for policyholders to make a legitimate claim. PPI mis-selling has been around for a long time, and only very recently have new regulations enabled customers to claim compensation for their mis-sold PPI. Even though the financial regulator started fining PPI companies in 2006, no drastic change was noticed until 2011. Though there is no set deadline for a person for reclamation, but it is usually better if it is done within six years of the account being closed.

Sometimes people are mis-sold PPI without even knowing it. In this case, they may first need to find whether they have been mis-sold a policy by either checking their credit card statements or by directly contacting the lender. And if the financial institution, or the Financial Ombudsman Service, agrees that you were mis-sold the insurance, you can claim and get back all the premiums you have paid, along with the interest. Even if you were not mis-sold the policy initially, but not treated in a fair manner when you wanted to cancel your premium or cover, you can still challenge them.

However, if you were unemployed at the time you took the insurance, it might be impossible for you to make a legitimate insurance claim. Also, if you had a medical problem at the time you took the insurance, it might be very difficult to file a claim; you would need to prove that you were not warned before taking the insurance policy. The most valid cases of mis-selling are those where the customers who were sold the insurance had no chance of claiming it.

The amount of time taken to realise the compensation depends upon the complexity of the claim and the lender’s attitude towards the claim. But in most cases, it gets resolved quickly, and you may receive your claim within a couple of weeks! There are many firms that can help you to realise your claim in an efficient and timely manner. An increase in successful PPI claims has even led the leading banks in the UK to increase their provisions for PPI.

This post has been written in association with ABC Incorporation, one of the leading Claims Management companies in the UK. Their vast experience in this domain ensures that the claim process becomes easy and the clients receive the maximum compensation possible. They work on the principle of “no win, no fee” and even offer a free no obligation consultation.

Successful marketing design agencies reveal 5 stages to creating an effective e-commerce website

Established design and marketing consultancies regularly create a wide range of websites, including microsites, corporate and e-commerce sites. Specialist experienced website designers create positive and engaging brands through effective websites which present stunning literature and deliver creative media experiences.

Some of the UKs leading marketing and website design agencies have revealed some of their useful techniques when building their clients websites.

 1. Create a Sitemap A sitemap is simply a flow diagram which shows the key pages and navigational structure of an entire website. This will provide you with a structural map to guide you through the creation of your website.

2.  Wireframing Once a sitemap has been created, the next task should be to wireframe your site. A website wireframe is a line drawing which shows the placement of elements on a web page. During this stage, you should consider the amount of content and images as well as which pages will link together.

3. Copywriting When writing content for a website, consider how you can capture the attention of your target audience. Consider whether content is informative or interactive. Interactive content will be read and then acted upon, which might involve going to the contact us page. Informative content simply provides useful background information about a company, product or service. Website literature should always be clear and concise, as the majority of internet users will scan websites for the information they are looking for.

4. Design - Before designing your website, look at what your competitors are doing and choose unique styles and colours to ensure you stand out from the crowd. When selecting your background colour, make sure your visitors can easily read the content and view your links, i.e. no dark blue text on a black background or yellow text on a white background.

5. Build - By the time you get to the build stage, you should know exactly what content and images are to be included on each page, ensuring the build of the website is done as efficiently as possible. During this stage, remember to undertake cross browser testing to ensure that your website views correctly on browsers such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox etc.

What more tips and advice on how to create an effective website? Contact a well established marketing design agency today. They will help you create an innovative and unique website, engaging your target audience and building a successful brand.

Liven Creative are a Surrey based design and marketing consultancy. If you are looking to create a new website or revamp an existing site visits their website today.
Branded design agency

Media solutions for broadcasting, including 3D broadcast monitoring & HD and SD time delay severs

For high quality broadcasting you need to ensure you have the latest video and audio equipment from a well established, reliable supplier.

Successful suppliers of specialist broadcast media equipment stock the latest digital technology from top manufactures such as Marshal Electronics, Doremi Labs, 360 Systems and Radiant Grid.

The latest media solutions on the market include:

3D Converters & 3D Broadcast Monitors

For a complete 3D media solution and to support the growth and expansion of 3D technology, you need to ensure you have a good quality set of 3D broadcast monitors and 3D convertors. Doremi test pattern generators feature pre-loaded internal 3D test patterns as well as user generated patterns which can be loaded via an SD card. This product will accommodate all 3D formats and comes complete with an infra ref remote control and a USB connection for remote operation.

For a high quality 3D monitor, the 3D-241-HDSDI from Marshall Electronics has a total of four HDSDI inputs which enables the monitor to provide two 3D HDSDI signals. With circular polarized glasses users are able to view multiple 3D monitors in production and multimedia environments.

Digital Cinema Equipment

Doremi are leading developers and manufacturers of videodisk recorders and video servers for all broadcast and digital cinema markets. High quality cinema software, including mastering stations and cinema servers, will enable you to broadcast your media effectively.

The DCP-2000 supports JPEG2000 and MPEG2 files, this dual projector features 3D and 4K resolution playback, CineLister software for providing effortless scheduling and playlist administration.

The Cineasset from Doremi is a great piece of software for converting video files into unencrypted DCI MXF files that can be played on digital cinema servers. The cinema mastering solution allows broadcasters to transfer and convert 2D and 3D clips with easy to use databases. The audio dubbing feature enables users to also add audio to their image sequences.

HD and SD Time Delay Severs

360 Systems, the UKs leading developer of HD and SD time delay servers have developed a range of servers that provide adjustable time delays for television broadcast. With a HD or SD time delay server you can provide top quality images using technology you can rely on.

Well established suppliers of broadcast media equipment stock HD and SD servers that are easy to use and provide delays of just a few seconds, right up to 8 hours with a HD server and 24 hours with an SD server.
For high quality media solutions, choose a supplier you can rely on.

Cache Media have many years experience in supplying audio and video products to worldwide leading broadcasters. Visit their website today to view their extensive range of broadcast equipment.
3D broadcast monitoring

Give unique staff incentives with corporate cooking classes in London

Staff incentives are proven to enhance the quality of working life for staff, either by rewarding their efforts or by adding value to a contract of employment. As an employer, you may understand that you can use corporate incentives to retain existing staff, persuade staff to join your business, boost productivity by focusing employees on achieving targets, improve teamwork and boost morale, loyalty and motivation.

The problem for many employers is not whether or not to offer staff incentives, but how to find original corporate gifts which will actually appeal to a diverse collection of staff. An increasing number of businesses are moving away from dull corporate gifts and offering unique experiences which staff actually want to work for; experiences which can be personalised by each employee for a useful, enjoyable and original gift. If you want your corporate gift to show you and your business as fun, original and on-trend, look no further than s gift card for a cooking class.

Whether you are looking to plan a lunchtime or evening event to reward a group of staff, or whether you want to give individual gifts, cooking classes offer a unique reward which will appeal to every single employee. Corporate cooking classes provide a group activity which is not only going to reward staff, but benefit your place of work by boosting communication and teamwork skills in a way like no other corporate events in London. While cooking class gift cards give employees the flexibility to choose their own cooking class menu on a date and time that suits them.

Corporate cooking classes taught by expert chefs are exciting and informative, offering you an improved team for the workplace, and new recipes and cookery skills for employees to take home. Choose a top cooking school with state-of-the-art kitchens and stylish dining areas to really impress, and ensure your corporate cooking classes are arranged by a venue which is experienced at dealing with corporate groups and planning events. Your London cooking school may even host challenges and competitions to motivate each group member to work as a team, or enable you to create inter-departmental cooking competitions.

If you are looking for individual gifts for staff, gift vouchers for cooking classes can be purchased from top London cooking schools. Topped up with any financial value you like, your gift voucher will allow the recipient to choose a class or classes which appeal to them, whether they want to share the voucher and enjoy a relaxed afternoon cooking with a family member, a quick 30 minute class to add interest to their lunchtime or attend a masterclass to perfect their existing culinary skills. With a wide range of themes and globally influenced menus available, there really is something for everyone. Gift vouchers for cooking classes allow you to reward staff with a fun and exciting experience which will offer an incentive to work hard time and time again.

Latelier des Chefs offer 250 fun and relaxed cooking classes every month with a range of themes and lengths so there is something for everyone. Whether your staff are expert cooks or complete novices , they will all enjoy this original experience. Cooking classes from Latelier provide an effective staff incentive which will appeal to every member of staff.
Corporate cooking classes

Ensure your event has good quality temporary wireless internet & contact a WiFi service provider

These days people expect to have wireless internet access just about anywhere. With smart phones, tablets and MP3 players all having internet connection features, people can browse, check their email and use social media websites without having to load up a computer.

If you are organising an event, its important to ensure you provide a reliable, fast wireless broadband connection for your audience. Whether youre arranging an indoor or outdoor event for a national or local audience, providing a good quality internet connection will keep potential clients happy.

Technology & Temporary Internet

A wireless broadband connection could also improve the technology at your event. Whether youre organising a festival or a sporting occasion, site wide wireless networks will enable you to install ticket device technology to help your event run smoothly.

A hardwired or WiFi network will help journalists report on your event efficiently, enabling your company to gain a positive review in the media. Reliable broadband will improve the running of temporary production offices, whether they are Porta cabins or offices at a conference or business event.
Many IT event specialists can also supply you with IT equipment, including laptops, PCs, Macs, printers, telephones and servers.

Event Service Providers

National and local WiFi service providers can set up reliable temporary internet connections for your event. A well established WiFi company will be able to provide you with fast broadband for indoor and outdoor events in the UK and abroad.
Organising an event is no easy task, particularly when you have the added pressure of worrying about your internet connection. Expert IT technicians provide event services that you can depend on. Whether your event is in the middle of a field or in a conference hall, WiFi event service providers can set up a wired or wireless connection, whatever your location.
A poorly set up WiFi network will frustrate potential customers and can spoil your event. Leave it to the experts and allow qualified engineers provide you with a connection you can rely on.

Emergency Internet

Many temporary internet providers also offer emergency internet services, an ideal solution if you are moving offices, hosting a conference or just want a fast running internet connection for visiting clients. A successful temporary broadband company will be able to set up a 7mbps connection in as little as 2 hours or 20mbps in 2 days.
Contact a specialist IT event company for temporary internet you can depend on.

Noba is a UK based specialist IT company providing high quality temporary internet connections for worldwide events and exhibitions. Visit their website and contact them today to ensure your event is up to speed.
Event service provider

Choose Natural Sun Cream For Healthy and Safe Skin

Its easy to forget that every single product we put on our skin for beauty and skin care purposes contains a large number of chemicals. Despite many high street natural beauty products giving the impression that they promote healthy skin, a quick look at the ingredients reveals a long list of unfamiliar chemicals, many of which are actually detrimental to the condition of skin and can cause allergic reactions.

Never is the skin more vulnerable to serious damage than when exposed to sunlight. Yet harmful chemical ingredients in sun creams are causing allergic reactions and having potentially harmful side effects. You may have heard the phrase PABA sunscreens referring to sun cream containing p-Aminobenzoic acid. These were banned from sale in the UK in 2009 (as well as many other countries) due to concerns over their ability to cause DNA defects. Unfortunately, sun cream is still not completely safe.

Parabens are still commonly used in the cosmetic industry and in sun creams, despite being the source of many allergic reactions and being found in breast cancer tumours; a worrying link. Commonly used as preservatives, parabens such as methylparaben are found to actually react with the suns UVB rays, causing increased skin aging and DNA damage. Another worrying ingredient found in sun cream for children and adults is phthalates, which are gradually being phased out of many products in Europe due to health concerns. Young infants are extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of phthalates, yet they continue to be an ingredient in many brands of sun cream for children.

The best way to protect adult and childrens skin from UVA and UVB rays is to buy a natural sun cream which is also organic. Many natural ingredients are effective at protecting the skin, and by opting for the most natural beauty products possible you are actively avoiding the harmful chemicals which feature so prominently in everyday life. Brands dedicated to organic skincare are making it easier than ever to choose effective and natural beauty products which are safe for anyone, even young children, or those with allergy-prone or sensitive skin.

Sun cream for children and adults should support the skins immune system and protect against cell damage, with vitamins A, C and E, found naturally in green tea, olive, avocado and rosemary, helping keep skin healthy. Look for an organic skincare range featuring natural sun cream without pore-clogging ingredients (a cause of prickly heat), PABA, parabens, phalates or artificial fragrances, which can cause allergic reaction.

Natural minerals such as titanium dioxide are an effective UVA and UVB screen, as are Cinnamic acid and Edelweiss extract. Just because you are choosing a natural sun cream it should still offer water-resistant properties for optimum durability, and this is often done through ingredients such as fruit waxes.
By choosing a natural sun cream you can protect your own, and your childs, skin, not only from the sun, but from dangerous chemicals too. Purchase your sun cream from an organic skincare retailer for healthy and safe skin.

Green People offer some of the healthiest natural and organic skincare products available, with adult sun cream and childrens sun cream amongst their wide range of beauty products and cosmetics. Browse their sun cream collection for healthy products which contain natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals.
Natural beauty products

Types of Curtain Rails and Curtain Poles

Often too little thought is put into curtain tracks or poles. We spend hours finding the perfect pair of curtains, but hang them on the existing pole (which may not be suitable) or purchase a new curtain track or pole based purely on it being the right length. In fact, there are many different types of curtain tracks and poles, ranging from these basic poles, to corded curtain tracks and corded curtain poles, and even electronic opening and closing systems for ease of use and security. Each type of curtain track or pole affects the way which your curtains hang; so it is important to choose your pole just as carefully as you would the curtains.

Uncorded and Corded Curtain Poles

Curtain poles were traditionally wooden or metal poles with rings to hang the curtains from, fixed to the wall with a horizontal or vertical bracket. Nowadays they are much more effective and interesting; they can be accessorised with finials, misdials and holdbacks in a range of designs, and alternative C shape rings to allow curtains to move past the bracket with an ease (a function impossible with O rings).

Uncorded and Corded Curtain Tracks

Curtain tracks (sometimes called curtain rails) differ from traditional curtain poles as they feature a track system with gliders. These work to reduce the amount of friction when opening or closing the curtains, allowing them to be opened and closed more easily and adding the option of choosing corded curtain rails. Both uncorded and corded curtain rails are available in a range of colours and can be made-to-measure to fit bay windows.
Corded curtain tracks (or corded curtain rails) are opened and closed with a string pulley at the side of the track. This makes corded curtain tracks an easy way to protect fragile or lightly coloured curtains from contact, and makes opening and closing curtains easier, ideal for heavy or tall curtains or frail or disabled residents.
If you choose to purchase corded curtain tracks to benefit from their neat, minimalist look and their ease of use, shop for brands such as Silent Gliss. The Silent Gliss 3000 and Silent Gliss 3900, in particular, are popular corded curtain rails due to their high quality design. They allow for extremely smooth running of curtains and the cords do not fall out. The Silent Gliss 3900 is suitable for medium to heavy weight curtains, and the Silent Gliss 3000 is suitable for lined curtains or short interlined curtains.
Another alternative is electronically-operated uncorded or corded curtain rails. Electronically-operated tracks add extra ease of use and security due to their light or time sensors.

Tracks Direct are curtain rail, pole and track specialists who offer a range of customisable options, including bending their rails to fit curved or bay windows. Browse their range of high quality products, with brands such as Silent Gliss, and order online or request a free quotation.
Poles with gliders