Helen Phipps
Commercial Director at Comparethemarket
Car and home insurance expert
Having worked in both sides of the industry, Helen’s a real insurance expert. She’s worked directly with several insurance providers and now Comparethemarket. She’s always searching for the cheapest prices for customers and is passionate about saving people money.
Being married with two kids, Helen knows all about the cost of living and the benefits of having the right products and insurance for the whole family.
Helen’s background in the industry
“I’ve worked in this industry for over 15 years, with previous roles with insurance providers including Aviva, RAC and Hastings Direct. I’ve been with Comparethemarket for over nine years, as a car and home insurance expert and Commercial Director.”
Helen’s experience
Helen at Comparethemarket
Starting as Head of Home Insurance, Helen was responsible for delivering the right products at great prices for customers, ensuring they could save money on their renewal. As Head of Partner Relationships she went on to work with hundreds of partner brands across car, home, van, pet and bike insurance products.
Most recently, as Commercial Director, Helen leads the commercial proposition across all products, trying to find the cheapest prices possible for our customers. She also acts as a spokesperson for Comparethemarket on insurance products.
Helen at Hastings Direct
As Head of Commercial Trading, Helen was responsible for both van and car insurance across multiple sales channels, delivering both volume and value for these products.
Helen at RAC (as part of Aviva PLC)
During her four years as Senior Sales & Marketing Manager, Helen was focused on delivering great products to the right customers, ensuring her team hit commercial targets for the business.
Helen’s goal as Commercial Director at Comparethemarket
“My goal is to help you save money by continuously trying to get the cheapest prices possible. I’d love to save customers up to £1,000 each.”
Helen Phipps commenting on...
Single-item limit insurance
"Households should be careful not to underestimate the value of any expensive single items, such as jewellery or a big-screen smart TV. Most contents policies will have a maximum amount paid out for any one item. It’s often around £1,500, but could be lower or higher depending on the insurer.
High inflation means some possessions may now be worth more than the single item limit, so the policy will only partially cover the cost of a replacement. It’s worth checking with your provider if you have any questions about what your policy covers."
Damp in the home
“Condensation might be the most common cause of damp, but it’s also the most treatable. Reducing the amount of moisture in your home is the best way to combat condensation before it becomes a problem. Simple things like opening windows or using fans while cooking, keeping lids on pans or making sure tumble dryers aren’t clogged with dust, could help to eliminate damp and mould.”
Making home improvements vs moving house
“If improvement work is done on the home, you must inform your insurance provider of the changes made. Properties that are undergoing building work can constitute more of a risk to providers and, if you’re planning to undertake major works, it’s always worth notifying them.”
Helen Phipps in the press...
How to keep your home safe from flood damage as UK endures massive rainfall... and why your home insurance policy might not pay out
'Comparethemarket director Helen Phipps said: 'Flood cover is generally included as standard in most buildings and contents insurance policies.
However, it is important to check the level of cover in your policy wording or call your provider if you are concerned about exclusions.
Most policies do not cover damage to fences, gates and hedges. If you are unable to stay in your home while it's being repaired, it's important to check whether you are covered for temporary accommodation.'
Do YOU know how much a flooded home costs to repair - and is it covered on your insurance? With heavy rain forecast, here's what you need to know
‘CompareTheMarket director Helen Phipps said: 'The Met Office predicts heavy snow and rain in parts of the UK this month. As this may cause some areas to be at risk of flooding, it is worrying to see over a quarter of homeowners do not have a good understanding of what their buildings and contents insurance cover includes.
With a fifth of homeowners also not knowing if they are in a high flood risk area, there is a danger that some households are not sufficiently aware of the risks they are facing.'
Everything you need to know about home swapping holidays
“Don’t assume your home insurance will cover property letting or exchanges," says Helen Phipps, insurance expert at Comparethemarket. "It’s important to contact your provider to tell them about your intentions. Whilst some providers may allow you to extend your policy whilst you’re letting or exchanging your property, others may have different terms."
Articles by Helen Phipps
View all
- What to do if you’ve been burgled
- What is a Connected Home - The Future of Smart Homes
- Home Insurance Glossary And Terms
- Life Insurance with Cancer
- How to Keep your Home Safe When you're on Holiday
- Self Employed Insurance - Public Liability
- How To Get a Cheap Boiler Service
- What Should I Do About Asbestos In My House?
- Compare insurance for home appliances
- Replacement Of Matching Sets Cover
- What Dogs Shed The Least?
- Dog Neutering and Spaying Guide
- A guide to solar panels and how they’ll affect your insurance
- Do I need landlord insurance if renting to family?
- Condensation, Damp or Mould?
- Single Item Limit Insurance
- New for Old Contents Insurance – Your Guide
- Laptop Insurance
- Drone Insurance
- Camera Insurance Guide
- iPhone insurance
- Flood risk areas and home insurance premiums
- Being a Landlord: The Pros and Cons
- Does Home Insurance Cover Wear And Tear?
- Home Insurance Renewal
- Insurance for Subsidence
- Student Contents Insurance for Halls of Residence
- When Was My House Built?
- Compare garden insurance quotes
- Declaring Expensive Valuables To Your Insurance Provider
- Can joining a Neighbourhood Watch group lower the cost of my insurance?
- Best Tips For Selling Your Home
- Home Insurance Policies For Collectors
- Insurance cover at festivals
- Joint Home Insurance Policy
- Home insurance refused, cancelled or voided
- Underpinning: What Impact Might It Have On Your Home Insurance?
- What To Do If Your Parcel Is Stolen?
- Temporary Home Insurance – Your Complete Guide
- Fences and Gates Home Insurance Cover
- Exchanging contracts and buildings insurance
- Wedding Insurance – Your Complete Guide
- Unoccupied House Insurance
- How To Avoid Invalidating Your Home Insurance
- What is family legal protection?
- Insure Your Wedding Dress With Contents Cover
- A Guide To Specialist Home Insurance Cover
- Home insurance high risk items & valuables
- What is the Cost of Insurance for an Old House?
- Burst Pipe, Leaks & Water Damage Insurance
- Things Home Insurance Will Cover – And Things It Won’t
- Home Insurance for People with Convictions
- External Walls & Buildings Insurance
- The Claims and Underwriting Exchange and home insurance claims
- Thatched Roof Property Insurance
- What to do if your home insurance claim is rejected
- Plumbing and Drainage Cover
- Do I Need Home Insurance With Legal Cover?
- What Does a Loss Adjuster Do?
- What Insurance Should Your Builder Have?
- Is home insurance a legal requirement?
- How Do Smoking & Vaping Affect Life Insurance?
- Family income benefit
- Life Insurance During Your Pregnancy
- What is a Waiver of Premium?
- The executor of a will
- Life Insurance and Mental Health
- Debt After Death – Your Complete Guide
- How And When To Make A Will
- Personal Wearables - Life Insurance
- Lifestyle and life insurance
- Life insurance and access to medical records: a guide
- Is Critical Illness Cover Worth It?
- Life Insurance for Mums and Dads
- Financial Guide for Cohabiting Couples
- Buildings insurance for flats - do I need it?
- Flat Roof Home Insurance
- Home Improvements Vs Moving House – Which Is Right For You?
- What Are Penny Policies And How Can You Track One Down?
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