The Mortgage Centre Direct

The Mortgage Centre Direct Mortgage and Protection Specialists offering bespoke personal service and tailored solutions for self-employed business owners & IT Contractors.

Trusted, impartial, whole of market advice. Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/mortgage-lend/tara If you are looking for a truly personal service with honest, impartial advice and no upfront fees, talk to us today. We advise on solutions to fully protect your home and family, so there’s no need to go anywhere else for your mortgage, protection or insurance requirements – we can do it all. A frie

ndly and professional team, we work closely with you to find the very best mortgage and protection products suited to your individual circumstances. We will personally handle everything for you from start to finish, dealing with all parties involved in the transaction, troubleshooting any problems that may arise to ensure you have the smoothest and most efficient mortgage journey – we are here to help. If you are a High Net Worth individual or IT consultant, we have access to innovative mortgage schemes for your more specialist needs. We handle large loans and complex mortgages for professionals and investors, and have the knowledge and contacts to source exclusive products not available to the general public and some other brokers. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. The Mortgage Centre Direct is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Property claims reach new highsInsurers paid out a record amount in property claims last year, but the average cost of h...
31/05/2026

Property claims reach new highs
Insurers paid out a record amount in property claims last year, but the average cost of home insurance declined in Q4.

According to the ABI, claims payouts reached new highs last year, costing home insurers a total of £6.1bn. This is mainly due to a rise in storm and flood damage, with weather-related claims accounting for £1.2bn of payouts in 2025 (14% more than the previous year). Within this, storm payouts totalled £244m, up 32% annually, with the average payout reaching £2,450.

Despite this, the average price of home insurance declined by just over 1% in the final quarter of 2025. While this will be a relief for policyholders, premiums are still an average of £29 higher than in Q4 2023.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source:
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/whats-happening-to-home-insurance-premiums-a3EjJ5O6GVvP

Avoid these home insurance mistakesDon’t accidentally invalidate your home insurance - here are the biggest mistakes tha...
29/05/2026

Avoid these home insurance mistakes
Don’t accidentally invalidate your home insurance - here are the biggest mistakes that homeowners make and how to avoid them…

Outdated valuations
When taking out buildings insurance, you will need to calculate how much it would cost to rebuild your home if something happened. If you’ve recently undergone renovations, building work or other alterations, the rebuild cost may have changed. If you haven’t notified your insurer about this, you risk leaving your home underinsured.

Missed disclosures
When applying for home insurance, you will need to declare any previous claims so the insurer can ascertain any risks. It’s easy to forget about a claim you made four years ago, but any missed disclosures could invalidate your policy. It’s therefore essential that you go back through your records to ensure you have disclosed all the necessary information.

Auto-renew traps
It might be convenient to let your policy auto-renew, but this can mean that you don’t review your policy. If your circumstances have changed, you might need a different level of cover. For example, if you have a new pet or have bought an expensive gadget, you will need to update your policy accordingly.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

Sources:
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/property-insurance/report-majority-of-uk-properties-were-underinsured-in-2025-560941.aspx
https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2024/05/10-ways-people-could-accidentally-invalidate-home cover/ #:~:text=Not%20declaring%20building%20work%2C%20alterations,renovate%20or%20alter%20a%20property

Home insurance - what you need to knowThere are many misconceptions about home insurance, so it's time to get informed. ...
27/05/2026

Home insurance - what you need to know
There are many misconceptions about home insurance, so it's time to get informed. Here are some key statistics to help you stay updated:

Insurers pay out more

According to data from USwitch, in Q2 of 2025, UK insurers paid out £1.6bn in property-related claims. This is 7% higher than the value of payouts in Q1, indicating that an increasing number of households are falling back on their home insurance policy.

Extreme weather takes its toll

In 2024, weather-related damage accounted for a record £585m of home insurance claims. This highlights the impact of global warming, with conditions such as storms and subsidence becoming an increasing issue for households.

Premiums fall

Many people believe that home insurance is not affordable for them; however, data has found that the cost of premiums fell across the UK over the last year. The largest annual decrease was seen in the North East (-10.5%), while the South West saw the smallest fall (-2.0%).

Many homes underinsured

Despite the falling cost of home insurance premiums, 76% of households could be underinsured. They risk being insufficiently covered if they need to make a home insurance claim due to unforeseen damage or losses.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.uswitch.com/home-insurance/studies/home-insurance-statistics-uk/ -insurance-claims-statistics-uk

Beware of auto-renewingResearch suggests that many UK households could be missing out on better home insurance deals as ...
25/05/2026

Beware of auto-renewing
Research suggests that many UK households could be missing out on better home insurance deals as they have allowed their policy to auto-renew.

A quarter of Brits let their home insurance renew automatically and 17% of this group haven’t checked if better deals are available. A further 8% admit that they left it too late to shop around, by which point their policy had already rolled over. The trend is particularly noticeable among men, who are more likely to let their policies auto-renew.

While it can feel convenient, auto-renewal is not always the most cost-effective option. Insurance premiums and personal circumstances can change year to year, so you could end up paying more than necessary.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

Source: https://press.gocompare.com/news/a-quarter-of-brits-admit-to-letting-their-home-insurance-renew-automatically

Putting life insurance in trustRecent tax changes have prompted some to reevaluate their reliance on pensions for wealth...
24/05/2026

Putting life insurance in trust

Recent tax changes have prompted some to reevaluate their reliance on pensions for wealth planning. Amidst this uncertainty, life insurance could provide some peace of mind for those looking to protect their family’s future.

Salary sacrifice changes

In the Autumn Budget 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to salary sacrifice for pensions from April 2029. Currently, an employee can agree with their employer to give up part of their salary and, in return, their employer will pay the same amount into their pension. At the moment, this employer pension contribution is exempt from National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for both the employer and the employee. Salary sacrifice has therefore often been seen as a reliable way to reduce tax liabilities while boosting retirement savings. However, from 6 April 2029, NICs will apply on contributions above £2,000 per year.

Unused pension funds

As part of the Autumn Budget 2024, it was announced that most unused pension funds will fall within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. This measure was introduced because the government identified that many savers were using their pension pot to transfer wealth instead of funding their retirement. The changes will come into effect on 6 April 2027, so those who had incorporated their unused pension funds into their tax planning are likely to be reconsidering their options.

Benefits of life insurance

The above tax measures have highlighted the precarity of using pensions for intergenerational planning. Some families may therefore be turning to life insurance to offer some certainty.

Life insurance provides financial support to your loved ones when you die. You can choose the level of cover you need based on a range of factors including your dependents, salary, mortgage and other bills.

Writing your life insurance policy in trust ensures that the payout is not considered as part of your estate, so it is not subject to IHT. Claims can be paid before probate is granted, enabling your beneficiaries to access the money swiftly. It is therefore a crucial way of safeguarding your family’s future.

Time to revisit your protection requirements?

We can help you source a life insurance policy that is tailored to your specific needs and family circumstances. There are a range of trusts to choose from, and we can advise on the most appropriate option, ensuring your cover remains effective, tax-efficient and aligned with your wider financial plan.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Sources:
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/a724d36a-6636-4b53-bcd2-5d354ef62fac

Rethinking protection for longer lifespansThe average age of the population is getting older, which will likely change t...
21/05/2026

Rethinking protection for longer lifespans

The average age of the population is getting older, which will likely change the type of protection people need in future.

A report found that by 2050, 27% of people living in advanced economies will be over 65. As longevity increases, the demands placed on insurers - and on individuals - will evolve.

Traditionally, protection products have focused on providing financial safety nets in the event of illness or death, often through income replacement. Longer lifespans mean cover may need to last longer and respond to more complex circumstances. People are working later, building assets over extended careers and supporting family members across multiple generations.

There is also a growing need to consider later-life health risks and the potential cost of care. Protection is no longer just about replacing income for a limited period - it’s about safeguarding financial stability over decades.

Regularly reviewing policies helps ensure cover remains appropriate as responsibilities, health and lifestyles change. As we live longer, protection must adapt - providing resilience, certainty and peace of mind for a longer, more unpredictable journey.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

Sources:
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/8284146a-0a97-4de6-8e8e-52eb26fe51df

Boost your financial confidenceNew research shows that a quarter of consumers are not confident in their family’s financ...
18/05/2026

Boost your financial confidence

New research shows that a quarter of consumers are not confident in their family’s financial resilience.

A survey by The Exeter has found that nearly a quarter (23%) of UK adults are unsure if their family would manage financially if they unexpectedly died. Just over a third (35%) think that their family could cope temporarily, while only 22% are certain that their loved ones would be fully protected if the worst happened.

Age and gender differences

The research highlighted a gap in confidence between the genders, with men significantly more confident (67%) about their family’s financial resilience than women (49%). There is a clear generational difference too - those aged 45-54 are the least assured, with a third of this age group unsure about their family’s financial security. This could reflect the increasing pressure felt by the ‘sandwich generation’ – middle-aged adults caring for both their children and their ageing parents.

Boost your confidence

How confident do you feel about your family’s financial resilience? With the right cover in place, you can feel certain that your loved ones would have the support they need if you were no longer there to support them.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.the-exeter.com/news/just-one-in-five-uk-adults-very-confident-their-family-would-be-financially-secure-if-the-unexpected-happened/

Too many parents overlook protectionNew data has found that many parents are overlooking protection when purchasing home...
17/05/2026

Too many parents overlook protection

New data has found that many parents are overlooking protection when purchasing homes.

Only 19% of parents actively planned for protection cover when buying their home. Despite this, the average parent thought that, if they suddenly lost their income, they would only be able to keep up with mortgage repayments for four and a half months.

Also, 43% of those with children said they would like some form of insurance to help them maintain their standard of living if they were unable to work.

That’s where protection comes in – the right cover can provide peace of mind that you and your family would be financially supported during difficult times.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/vitality-urge-parents-to-think-beyond-mortgage-and-safeguard-stability/
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/8d7135ee-7e94-4c64-97cd-ff78a0be41e7

Homes rising in valueRecent research has found that half of UK homes increased in value last year. According to Zoopla, ...
14/05/2026

Homes rising in value

Recent research has found that half of UK homes increased in value last year.

According to Zoopla, 15.2 million properties gained value by an average of £9,900 in 2025. Within this group, 3.1 million homes saw particularly strong growth, rising by more than £20,000. In contrast, 9.1 million households saw a decrease in value by an average of £10,800.

In England, the North West recorded the highest proportion of homes rising in value (72%), followed by the North East (67%). The South West reported the largest share of homes losing value (46%), closely followed by the South East (44%).

Despite some areas dropping in value, the longer-term picture is more positive for households across the UK; between 2020-2025, the average seller saw their house increase in value by an average of 20%.

Source:
https://business.zoopla.co.uk/half-of-all-uk-homes-gained-value-in-2025

What’s happening to the mortgage market?The mortgage market is facing uncertainty due to ongoing developments in the Mid...
12/05/2026

What’s happening to the mortgage market?

The mortgage market is facing uncertainty due to ongoing developments in the Middle East.

Affordability challenges had been easing slightly in recent months - mortgage rates were slowly coming down due to cuts to Bank Rate. In January 2026, the average monthly mortgage payment was 7% lower than the previous year.

However, the recent outbreak of war in Iran has made the short-term outlook much more uncertain. At the start of March, 472 residential mortgage products were taken off the market within a 48-hour period, in response to rising swap rates. This trend continued throughout the month, with a fifth of overall mortgage deals removed from the market by 21 March. First-time buyers have been hit particularly badly – they may notice that rates are higher on low-deposit deals.

Adam French at Moneyfacts commented, “It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as the prospect of falling mortgage rates has quickly given way to rate rises. How far they could go is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve as conflict in the Middle East unfolds.”

We can help you understand how the economic situation affects you and your mortgage – get in touch for support.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/23/uk-mortgage-interest-rates-markets-bank-of-england-iran-war

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7gnkez3lo

https://moneyfactscompare.co.uk/news/mortgages/impact-of-iran-war-on-mortgages/

https://moneyage.co.uk/472-mortgage-products-withdrawn-in-48-hours.php

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/average-monthly-mortgage-payment-down-january

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