Glitch leaves drivers uninsured

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Saturday 23 September 1204 BST, Sunday 24 September 2102 BST, On Radio 4 and online Programme transcript

Two thousand motorists could be driving illegally after a major insurer failed to renew their policies.

Customers of Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) who renew automatically by credit or debit card may find that their insurance has lapsed.

CIS has admitted it sent out letters and certificates to these customers but did not take the money to renew their motor insurance cover.

CIS says it will pay any valid claims that are made and is now writing to the customers warning them that their policies have lapsed and they must now make contact to renew their insurance.

On Money Box on Saturday, Money Box listener Keith told us what happened to his wife and we spoke to Duncan Bowker of CIS.

Further information:

Glitch leaves drivers uninsured

External links and helplines

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Pension returns 'plummet'

The worrying figures come despite the recent stock market revival

Personal pension returns have plummeted in the last 10 years according to new research by financial information group Moneyfacts.

An individual retiring today could be more than 50% worse off than someone who made the same contributions but retired a decade ago, the report said.

And the best annual annuity, or pension income, currently offers about 40% less than it did in 1996, it added.

We spoke to Richard Eagling, editor of Investment, Life and Pensions Moneyfacts; Chris Kenny, director of life and pensions at the Association of British Insurers, and Stuart Bayliss, director of Annuity Direct.

Further information:

Private pension payouts 'plummet'

Q&A: Annuities

External internet links and helplines

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Affordable housing

The new scheme aims to help priority first time buyers

The government's latest attempt to help key workers and other priority groups get onto the property ladder begins next month.

The Open Market HomeBuy scheme will cover 25% of the price of a property with the rest made up by a mortgage with one of four lenders.

So, is it a good deal and will it really tackle the problem of affordability for people on lower incomes?

Money Box's Bob Howard investigated.

Further information:

First time buyers get new way to buy

External internet links and helplines

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Offset mortgages

Mortgage broker James Cotton gave his view on offset mortgages

In the first deal of its kind, First Direct bank is offering a 10 year fixed rate offset mortgage.

With an offset mortgage, linked savings and any current account balance can be subtracted from the mortgage total each month before any interest is worked out.

We spoke to Jimmy Kelly from First Direct and Heather Scott of Intelligent Finance.

And James Cotton of mortgage brokers L&C gave his views on the new product and who offset mortgages might be suitable for.

Further information:

External internet links and helplines

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Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 23 September, at 1204 BST on BBC Radio 4 and online

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Jessica Laugharne
Reporter: Bob Howard