Have you noticed the recent change in Google local search results? Google recently launch ‘Place Search’ which shows local businesses more predominantly if Google predicts you’re looking for local information. For example, searching for ‘cottage in ambleside’ will show holiday letting agencies and holiday cottages located in Ambleside that have registered with Google Places. There is a good overview here.

It’s now more important than ever to have a strong Google Places profile – but can holiday rental and vacation rental owners list their properties?

Here is what Google Places quality guidelines states…

Rental properties, such as vacation homes or vacant apartments, are not eligible for a listing on Google Places. Create a listin

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The idea that your keys alone could somehow invalidate your holiday home insurance may sound unreasonable – but it’s a fact.

For example, some insurers may insist upon very precise descriptions of the door (and window) locks in your property as part of the insurance terms.

Get those descriptions accidentally wrong (which may happen unless you know what exact locks you have) and you may find that your policy becomes invalid.

Some insurers may insist on very specific locks being used, typically those that conform to BS3621. Any

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The National Flood Insurance Program moved one step closer to an overhaul that one insurance industry official called a “meaningful long-term extension.”

With flood waters raging in the Mississippi River and the federal program, covering about 5.6 million properties set to expire Sept. 30, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee passed a bill calling for a five-year extension. The full House is expected to take up the bill in the near future.

The Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 will provide “much-needed improvements” to the program, which she called “an essential component” of protecting the homes and businesses of U.S. citizens th Full Post…

Even the most hardcore gamers will find something new and interesting on our journey back to 1976 to truly understand the system wars of today. Sure you know where Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony stand in 2010, but how did we get here?

Whether you are an overseas property owner who is a frequent flyer or are booking a diy holiday – finding the cheapest budget flights can keep holiday costs down. However, we all know that the initial price shown will be much higher once the airline has added extra card, boarding, seating, luggage and checking in charges (phew!).

In fact, Which? is making a super complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) as they claim consumers are being overcharged for placing purchases on their cards. T

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All insurance policies, irrespective of their nature, contain terms and conditions.  These are sometimes, perhaps unfairly, referred to as ‘the small print’ – with the implication being that the insurer is somehow trying to sneak something past you on your home insurance policy.

This is certainly a misperception.

In fact, these conditions exist to help clarify what cover the policy provides for your holiday home and therefore, they are intended to help you understand the nature of the insurance you are purchasing.

It is, therefore, imperative that you fully understand what these conditions mean – and any obligations you may have under the terms of your policy (such as keeping the property well maintained, notifying the insurer if you are undergoing any structural renovations or changing the usage). These co

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