A good job for insurance

BARGAIN BASEMENT

Norwich and Peterborough Building Society's insurance broking arm is launching a new Coverguard accident, sickness and insurance policy for homebuyers, in which policyholders will be charged on the basis of their job status and other factors. For instance, a teacher aged 39 would pay pounds 3.63 a month for each pounds 100 of monthly cover taken out. Call 01223 352421.

Glasgow Investment Managers is extending the no-initial-charge offer for its three pepable investment trusts - Shires Income, Shires Smaller Companies and Glasgow Income Trust - until December 31. Call 0800 435797.

Hill Samuel Asset Management is launching an investment trust PEP focusing on smaller companies in the UK and Germany. Initial costs are 0.75 per cent, with a 1 per cent annual management fee. Minimum lump sum investments are pounds 1,000, or pounds 50 for monthly premiums. Details from your nearest independent financial adviser or 0117 971 1177.

The Association of Investment Trust Companies has published a free fact- sheet explaining how to use investment trusts to provide income. Call 0171 431 5222.

Woolwich is offering a 1 per cent reduction on its standard loan repayment rates for loans between pounds 500 and pounds 5,000. Charges on the Select Personal Loan now range from 16.5 per cent APR on loans up to pounds 2,900 to 11.9 per cent APR on loans from pounds 10,000.

FirstMortgage, the telephone lender, is launching a two-year discount of 3.55 per cent on its existing 8 per cent variable home loan rate. The company also offers a four-year fixed mortgage, charging 6.15 per cent. Call 0800 080088.

Nordstern Insurance is launching a policy to cover owners of antiques and other artefacts if legal title to their purchases is in dispute. Call 0171 6265001.

Carlyle Life has launched a scheme allowing home income plan borrowers, who take out a loan on their properties to live off their income, to benefit from double the normal Miras tax benefits typically available on the first pounds 30,000 of their loans. Call 01222 371725.

Prospero Direct, the home and motor insurer, is offering a free guide to help homeowners reduce the effect of winter weather, with details on who to contact if disaster strikes. Call 0500 500575.

Birmingham Midshires Guernsey, the building society's offshore arm, is launching a 90-day notice account paying 7.75 per cent gross on balances above pounds 50,000. On deposits of pounds 10,000, the account pays 7.55 per cent gross. Call 01481 700680.