A sad but true fact is that mobile phone theft is on the increase and it could happen to you regardless of where you live.

In the UK, more than 1 million websites were stolen during last year. In the same time period, more than 1 millions were also lost. When it comes to damage of mobiles 200,000 were sent through the washer, 400,000 were sent plummeting into a drink, and a whopping 600,000 mobiles were flushed down the toilet.

If you then add to that fact that more than 15,000 were left on buses or tube trains, these are not healthy numbers. Of course, the most you can do about damage is replace your mobile and hope that you have some sort of insurance protection. However, when you lose your phone, someone may just find it and be nice enough to keep it for themselves which could lead to high bills and money out of your pocket.

Two simple steps if your mobile goes missing?

Step 1 - Report it to the Police as soon as possible and ask for a crime reference number. This will help you if you need to make an insurance claim at a later date.

Step 2 - Notify your phone provider and let them know what has happened as they can block your phone from making any further calls almost immediately. Ask them to to block both your SIM and handset. At the same time, if your mobile phone is equipped with a GPS system, they may be able to help the police locate the mobile. To find the right number for your network, call the Immobilize information line on 08701 123 123.

Protecting your mobile

There are several steps you can take to make your mobile phone more secure, including keeping your phone out of sight when not in use and using the phone's security features such as your phone lock and PIN number access. These features may stop people making unauthorized calls using your phone or SIM.

It is easy for your phone to "go walkabout" if you have a habit of putting it down on a pub table, or shop counter - so take extra care when you are out and about.

Keeping quiet - there are times when it is better to have your mobile on silent or switched to vibrate as popular ring tones easily alert a thief to the latest phone model you might be carrying in your pocket. Busy places such as tube stations, markets or sporting venues provide ideal places for thieves to disappear into a crowd so you should also consider silencing your phones in these areas. Thieves tend to be opportunistic so don't make yourself an easy target.

The UK government runs a service called the National Mobile Phone Register which allows anyone to register their mobile phone (and other items of property) through their Immobilise.com website. Immobilise is a free service that allows you to record the details of as many of your possessions as you wish on a secure, offsite inventory. If you wish you can upgrade your free account and add photographs and certificates of ownership. The register is used by the Police and other authorities to trace stolen and lost property so it should be high on your list when your purchase a new phone. You will need your IMEI number or serial number which can be retrieved from any type of handset by keying in *#06# or alternatively remove the back cover and you will find your IMEI under the battery.

Simple security tips to keep your phone safe

- Never leave your phone unattended in your car

- Never put it down in a public place or leave it unattended - keep your mobile on you

- Keep your phone out of sight

- Be aware of your surroundings when using your phone, who's watching you?

- Avoid using your phone in busy places such as railway stations and other public transport locations.

- Switch your phone to silent in circumstances where a ring tone might attract the attention of a thief

- Make use of your mobile's security features

- Register your phone for free at www.immobilise.com

- Notify Police immediately, and ask you service provider to block both you SIM and handset in the event of loss or theft

- Never give your mobile phone to strangers who ask to use, look at or borrow it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Lakins

Not everyone needs high net worth insurance but if you fall into the category of a person that needs, it is a very wise decision to have it. If your property or the contents of your property exceeds the limits placed by your traditional property insurer then you may be a candidate for high net worth insurance.

These policies differ from traditional property insurance policies because they are meant for people who have specific items or collections that are worth a great deal of money such as expensive coin or stamp collections, a valuable car collection or estate jewelry. In these policies the items that are covered are spelled out specifically and then the value is placed on them when the policy is written.

Because these policies are written for people with great wealth other issues may arise that make this policy necessary. You may want to include in your policy a section that can protect you against disputes with employees.

I must say to the person who is seeking high net worth property insurance that buyer beware. Many companies tend to throw in unnecessary extras such as travel insurance only to pad the premiums. You may think that they are free but indivisually you are paying for it.

When you have made the decision to purchase high net property insurance it is best not to be scammed by a company. It is better to interview many local agents or companies who write this type of policy. These policies are not boilerplate and it takes an experienced agent that can write a policy that can suit your needs.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Burbank

There are a large number of yacht insurance providers to choose from; this is good news for boat owners but you have to know what it is your require from the coverage. Because competition can be fierce, insurance providers like to include aspects other companies do not have; individual providers may have a more or less comprehensive plans. Detailed below are some pointers which you should consider.

The company must be well established and financially secure; yacht insurance arranged with a company with a poor financial record will render it useless. Try searching for the top marine insurance companies on the internet; those with large customer bases are often rated highly by the industry watchdogs and probably the best to start with.

You may at some point need to contact the company regarding a claim; a slow response from customer services can be indicative of other problems and a lack of interest in their clients. To help ensure this is not the case, search for a marine insurer that has many outlets; some of the larger companies may have exclusive arrangements with service centers.

We all like to deal with firms that have a good reputation; this knowledge will create a feeling of confidence so look for companies that have pride in their reputation. Most types of policy come in various forms with a range of available options; look for an insurance provider that can supply the options you require as this will save you having to make separate arrangements.

Try to obtain the best yacht insurance cover you can; those providers that promise a low premium but superior service should probably be avoided. Be aware that marine policies can be complex; finding the right policy will not be as straightforward as regular home cover, for example. The advice on purchasing yacht insurance might not be comprehensive in this article but the information should help.

The first thing to do is list the most important aspects of cover you require; it is considerably simpler to check individual policy benefits once this has been carried out. Doing this will help you save money, time and effort; it will also provide security and peace of mind to know how much effort has been placed carefully choosing your marine insurance.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Segura