Tips and guides

Thinking about downsizing, relocating or living somewhere new? It’s important to do your homework before you make the move. You need to think about your finances, as you don’t want to overstretch your budget, or use up your savings because you forgot to factor in some of the fees you’ll have to pay along the way.

Whether a deadline is involved, such as catching a flight or arriving at a wedding on time, or you’ve just taken the car on a drive for the pure pleasure of it, breaking down is never a welcome experience. Still, like with many things in life, it can be made more bearable with a little bit of advance preparation.

On 1st April 2017, the DVLA is introducing sweeping changes to how vehicles are taxed. This will apply to all vehicles registered with them on or after this date. So what’s the purpose of these changes, and what do they mean for you?

Number plate scams are on the increase. From cloned cars to history checks, here are some top tips from Rias to help you stay clear of number plate fraudsters.

Although personal contract hire (PCH) has become a more mainstream route for getting behind the wheel of a new car in the UK in recent years, many private motorists still take the traditional approach, trading their ‘old’ car against the price of a ‘new’ one in an arrangement called part exchange.

Winter is a burglar’s favourite time of year. One in ten burglary claims by Rias home insurance customers in 2015 happened in November*. Dark evenings make it easier for burglars to break in without being noticed, and when lights are off empty homes are easier to spot. Christmas shopping means many houses are stuffed with attractive goods that are easy to sell quickly - jewellery, cash and electronics are the most stolen items. Burglary can be incredibly distressing to go through, and leave you feeling very vulnerable in your own home. Richard Taylor, reformed thief and star of Channel 5’s ‘It Takes a Thief To Catch a Thief’, agrees.