Personal Finance: Loose Change

MARCUS HEARN, a firm of insurance brokers, is launching a "modular" travel insurance policy allowing holidaymakers to tailor their own cover. For example, annual cover is available for pounds 81, with up to 60 days continuous travel. Various options can be bought to add to this. Call 0171-739 3444.

CHELSEA BUILDING Society is launching a three-year fixed rate bond paying 6.3 per cent gross. Minimum investment is pounds 5,000. Monthly income options are available. Call 01242 283666 for details.

WEST BROMWICH Building Society is launching a two-year discounted mortgage that cuts the current variable rate down to 2.99 per cent. This is available on a loan-to-value of 85 per cent. Five per cent of the total loan is repayable on redemptions within the first five years. Compulsory building insurance is required. A pounds 295 application fee is charged. Call 0121 5806404.

MARKET HARBOROUGH Building Society is launching a no-strings rate-tracker mortgage, which levies a rate fixed at a certain percentage above Bank of England base rates. On a loan to value (LTV) of between 75 and 85 per cent, the rate is pegged at 1.25 per cent above base. For LTVs of 60 per cent or below, the peg is 0.75 per cent above base. Call 01858 463244 for details of a local branch or talk to a mortgage broker.