Capital One has announced that its relatively new Low Rate credit card now comes with the additional bonus of some free cashback.

On July 7, in the blog titled NEW ‘Low Rate’ credit card from Capital One, we announced the launch of this new credit card from Capital One which was aimed at consumers wishing to pay low interest rates on their transactions for the life of their credit card balance.

The credit card’s name has now changed to the Capital One Low Rate with Cashback Credit Card and now offers the cardholder 0.5% cashback on all purchases made using the card.

The card comes with a low typical APR of 8.5% (variable) for the life of both balance transfers and purchases.

What’s more, unlike most other balance transfer credit cards, there is no admin fee to pay if you do transfer balances from other cards.

Additionally, you will benefit from free identity theft services and free identity alerts powered by Equifax.
Click the link to compare credit cards.

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The interest-free offer currently running on the Capital One Platinum Credit Card has been extended, AGAIN!

On 4th June, Capital One launched an offer that would give new applicants 0% on balance transfers and purchases until 1st September 2009; the equivalent of almost 15 months. On 4 July, this offer was extended to 1st October 2009.

Capital One has now announced that this offer has been extended (again) to 1st November 2009, meaning that new customers applying today would still benefit from a 15 months interest-free period on their purchases and balance transfers.

Meanwhile, they have increased the typical APR on the card from 12.9% to 14.9% (variable) but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue as you will have 0% until 1st November 2009 on balance transfers and purchases and are still set to make substantial savings on interest charges.

This credit card is available to anyone aged 21 and above, with a minimum income of £10,000 (subject to passing the Capital One credit checks).

If you move balances over from other credit cards, you will be charged a 3% admin fee.

Click the link for more information about the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.

This offer is current as of 29th JULY 2008. Terms and Conditions apply. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.

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Tesco has introduced a new structure for its Home Insurance products and is offering new customers a free voucher which can be spent on shopping or fuel.

There are now three types of Tesco Home Insurance policy; Finest, Standard or Value.

Additionally, if you apply for a quote before 20th August 2008, you will receive a shopping or fuel voucher worth up to £60 when you go on to buy the policy.

The value of the voucher you receive will depend on the type of cover you buy. You will receive a £60 voucher if you buy a Tesco Finest Home Insurance policy, £40 when buying the Standard policy and £10 for buying the Tesco Value policy.

To be eligible for the voucher, you need to enter the code homevoucher into the ‘Promotional Code’ box on the Tesco Home Insurance application form.

With both the Value and Standard policies you will receive up to £1 million home building insurance cover. The Finest policy comes with unlimited building cover.

Click the link for more information about Tesco Home Insurance

This offer is current as of 29th JULY 2008. Terms and Conditions apply. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.

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This section of Part 1 of our Breakdown Cover Special will talk you through how to minimise the chance of the top-ten causes of car breakdowns happening to your vehicle.

According to the AA many of the most common problems dealt with at the roadside can “be avoided with the correct preventative care”.

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
2. Lost keys
3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels
4. Faults with alternators
5. Problems with starter motor
6. Distributor cap faults
7. Problems with fuel
8. Broken clutch cables
9. Faulty spark plugs
10. Broken HT leads

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
   
   How to prevent

   a. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure that the battery terminals have been cleaned and been coated in a layer of petroleum jelly or grease to prevent corrosion. Check that clamps and connections are secure.

   b. If you only use your vehicle for short trips, you can prevent a breakdown caused by loss of voltage by charging your battery overnight every couple of weeks. If you have a modern battery, they will probably be ‘maintenance free’ and therefore shouldn’t need regular recharging.

    

2. Lost keys

   How to prevent

   a. Make sure you always carry a spare set of keys

   b. See a.

    

3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels

   How to prevent
   
   a. Try to leave plenty of space away from the kerb when you go around corners. Brush up on your parallel parking if you regularly hit the kerb during this manouvre.

   b. Check your spare tyre. If it is worn or flat, it will be useless to you when you really need it. Plus, the terms and conditions of most breakdown cover policies state that if your spare tyre isn’t in a fit enough state to be used and your breakdown recovery agent can’t perform a simple tyre change at the side of the road, you will be charged the recovery fee to the nearest garage.

   c. Make sure you carry the locking wheel nut removal key with you at all times.

   d. If your wheels are misaligned, this will likely cause uneven tyre wear so when checking your tyres’ tread depths check for this uneven wear and get your wheels realigned if necessary.

   e. Make sure you always carry a jack and wheel removal tools, and that they are in a good state of repair.

    

4. Faults with alternators

   How to prevent
   
   a. If you start to notice that you are having regular problems with your battery, or that your headlights are dim when your vehicle is idling, get your alternator checked

   b. Make sure that your alternator belt is checked regularly so that if it is worn to the point where it may soon give way, it can be replaced.

    

5. Problems with starter motor
   
   How to prevent

   a. Getting your starter motor checked regularly should identify any potential faults before it stops working altogether.

    

6. Distributor cap faults

   How to prevent
   
   a. If the weather protection that covers the cap gets a split in it, make sure you get this replaced as soon as possible. You can prevent problems by replacing the distributor cap at the recommended intervals as set by the vehicle manufacturer.

    

7. Problems with fuel
   
   How to prevent

   a. Make sure you fill up with fuel before you set off on your journey. Don’t leave it too late to fill up your tank.

   b. Pop a label on your fuel cap, or on the fuel cap flap, stating which fuel your vehicle takes. If you have a company vehicle, this should be stated on the key ring you are given with the vehicle key.

    

8. Broken clutch cables
   
   How to prevent
   
   a. The best solution is to replace the clutch cable at the first signs of wear and tear. Additionally, it can help if you try not to ‘ride the clutch’ (by keeping the car at its biting point on hills and in traffic but instead putting the handbrake on) as this will wear the clutch out more quickly.

    

9. Faulty spark plugs
   
   How to prevent

   a. Be sure to replace the spark plugs at the recommended service intervals as set out by the manufacturer

    

10. Broken HT leads
    
    How to prevent

    a. Damp repellent sprays can provide a temporary fix. The best option is to get a garage to check them regularly and replace as and when necessary.

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Breaking down is not only inconvenient; it can also be very dangerous.

This section of the first part of our Breakdown Cover special will guide you through the ten most common causes of breakdowns

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
2. Lost keys
3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels
4. Faults with alternators
5. Problems with starter motor
6. Distributor cap faults
7. Problems with fuel
8. Broken clutch cables
9. Faulty spark plugs
10. Broken HT leads 

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems

   Possible problems
   
   a. Faults that occur because of terminals and clamp connections

   b. Loss of voltage in the battery as a result of constant short journeys but no regular recharging

    

2. Lost keys

   Possible problems

   a. A lot of modern vehicles come with transponder keys (keys with coded chips in them) which help to prevent theft. If this key is lost, the only way you can get the vehicle running again is to have it recovered to an authorised dealer who will issue a new key and programme your car’s engine to recognise the new code (it can take several days for your dealer to obtain the new key).

   b. Any loss of keys will prevent you from starting your vehicle

    

3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels

   Possible problems

   a. If you ‘kerb’ your car, you can damage the sidewalls and even the wheel rims.

   b. A punctured tyre but your spare tyre is worn/flat/missing

   c. A punctured tyre but no removal tool for locking wheel nuts (theft prevention device on alloy wheels

   d. Punctured tyre as a result of uneven tyre wear

   e. Punctured tyre but no wheel removal tools in vehicle

    

4. Faults with alternators

   Possible problems

   a. If the alternator is broken or faulty, it will not charge the battery when you are driving. As a result, your battery will go flat and you won’t be able to start your vehicle. A faulty alternator can cause persistent battery faults and dim headlights when the engine is left idling.

   b. If the belt that drives the alternator breaks, and is also responsible for operating the radiator fan and water pump, a red ignition warning light will appear and you will notice an very rapid increase on the engine temperature gauge. STOP IMMEDIATELY.

    

5. Problems with starter motor

   Possible problems
   
   a. Starter motors are normally very robust (it is not unheard of for them to last for well over a decade in older cars);
   INSERT INTO `module_blog_posts` VALUES however, they can break after time or if they are faulty to begin with. If your starter motor fails, your vehicle will just click when you turn the key and won’t start.

    

6. Distributor cap faults

   Possible problems

   a. A crack or split in the distributor cap will cause high ignition voltage to leak away which will result in insufficient voltage to cause an ignition spark. This means your vehicle will not start. The majority of problems associated with distributor caps are caused by moisture and dirt.

    

7. Problems with fuel
   
   Possible problems

   a. The vehicle runs out of fuel during a journey.

   b. The wrong type of fuel is put into the vehicle, diesel into petrol engines or vice versa. According to the AA more than 100,000 motorists put the wrong type of fuel into their vehicles each year. If you put the wrong fuel into your vehicle, DO NOT START THE ENGINE as it will pump the fuel round the engine and cause more damage. In the event of misfuelling, the vehicle is recovered to a garage so that the contaminated fuel can be drained and disposed of (a very expensive procedure).

    

8. Broken clutch cables

   Possible problems

   a. Whenever the clutch is used, the clutch cable will be under high stress. Long-term use will result in abrasion which will in turn weaken the wire strands until they break. This will mean that you won’t be able to use the clutch to change gear. If you call for roadside assistance, a temporary repair can often be carried out.

    

9. Faulty spark plugs

   Possible problems
   
   a. If the spark plugs are faulty or dirty, it will be hard/impossible to start the vehicle. Only petrol engines have spark plugs. According to the AA, “the spark-plug is a much-neglected part of the ignition system”.

    

10. Broken HT leads

    Possible problems
    
    a. If High-tension (HT) leads and their connections deteriorate, as they often do with age, it can allow water and dirt to enter the cracks in the insulation. This reduces the ignition voltage and can make it harder to start the vehicle.

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Any vehicle can break down, regardless of how old or new it is. You could buy a brand new car and be driving it home from the garage on the motorway and accidently puncture a tyre, or you could be driving your 14-year-old 1.4 litre Peugeot down the road when the exhaust decides it’s time to fall off, suddenly making your small car sound like a tank.

In this five-part special, which will be released over the course of eight weeks, we are going to talk you through different aspects of car breakdowns. Part 1 ‘What are the ten most common causes of breakdowns and what can I do to prevent them?’ will be released tomorrow and will provide handy hints and tips which will hopefully reduce your chances of breaking down in the first place.

Later parts will guide you through such things as what you should do if you break down on motorways and standard roads, how to use jump leads and the importance of a good breakdown cover policy.

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Alliance and Leicester is currently offering £100 to new customers who switch from their existing current account to the Alliance and Leicester Premier Current Account using its Premier Switching Service.

The current account pays 1% AER on balances up to £2,500 and then 0.10% on anything over this.

You will also have access to an overdraft with a typical EAR of 0% for the first 12 months after the account is opened. The maximum overdraft limit is £2,500.

After the 12 month period you will be charged 50p for every day that the overdraft is used, up to a maximum of £5 per month.

What’s more, you will get an exclusive linked PlusSaver savings account which pays 5.25% gross p.a. (variable) on balances up to £50,000.

To qualify for these excellent benefits, you need to be 21 or over and must pay in at least £500 into your account each month.

Plus, there is the option to manage your account either online, by phone or in branch.

If your application for the bank account is successful, through the Premier Switching service, £100 will be credited your new Premier Current Account within 15 weeks of it being opened.

Click the link for more information about the Alliance and Leicester Premier Current Account

THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED

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This offer has now ended

Barclays is offering £50 cashback when you buy a combined buildings and contents home insurance policy.

It is also offering a 10% online discount which will be applied on each occasion you go on to renew your policy.

Barclays can provide buildings insurance up to £500,000 and contents insurance up to £50,000.

Your TVs, satellite boxes, aerials, games consoles, glass and mirrors will be covered in the event of accidental damage when you take out Barclays Contents Home Insurance.

What’s more, under the buildings insurance Barclays will provide you with up to £10,000 for you, your family and even your pets to live in temporary accommodation if you home becomes inhabitable as a result of fire or a flood.

Click the link for more information about Barclays Home Insurance

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More Than is offering a new and improved no claims discount offer to its car insurance customers as of today.

When you buy a More Than Car Insurance policy you will get a 10% discount. You will then get a 20% no-claims discount in the 2nd year, and every year after that, providing you stay claim free.

Also, if you have accumulated 4 years or more no claims discount More Than will protect it for the life of your motor insurance policy.

What’s more, you will also receive a 50% discount off More Than Breakdown Cover.

Plus, you will be given a free courtesy car to use while your car is being repaired by a More Than recommended repairer following an accident (if you have Comprehensive cover).

Click the link for additional information about More Than Car Insurance
 

This offer is current as of 21st JULY 2008. Terms and Conditions apply. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.

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The Sony Credit Card is back offering 0% for 12 months on balance transfers (subject to a 3% fee) and Pulsebeat points every time the card is used, with triple points on offer when it is used to pay for Sony products.

Sony Pulsebeats can be exchanged for Sony entertainment products including music, movies, games and electronics.

Plus, when the card is used for a purchase within the first 90 days of opening the account, the cardholder will receive 3000 Pulsebeats; enough to claim up to two free DVDs or a Playstation 2 game.

The Sony Credit Card also comes with 0% on purchases for 3 months from the date the account is opened and a low typical variable APR of 15.9% p.a.

Sony Credit Card customers can also choose to have a MasterCard or a Visa card and won’t have to pay an annual fee.

To apply for this card, customers must be at least 18 years of age and have a good credit history.

Click the link for more information on the Sony Credit Card

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