Taylor Wimpey (LSE: TW) shares are hard to ignore given the hefty dividends on offer. Unfortunately, what investors have received in income, they’ve sacrificed in growth.
Hard times drive yields higher
The Taylor Wimpey share price is down around 23% in the past year, and now trades at roughly half the level it did a decade ago. This dismal run has knocked it out of the FTSE 100 and into the FTSE 250. Yet, I don’t really blame the management. The house building sector has performed poorly across the board.
Builders have struggled ever since the Brexit vote in 2016. The cost-of-living crisis, higher interest rates, the end of the Help to Buy scheme in 2023, worsening property affordability for younger buyers, and post-pandemic supply-chain headaches have created a perfect storm.
Today (12 November), Taylor Wimpey reported that weekly average private sales per site fell 11% to 0.63 in the key autumn period, down from 0.71 a year earlier. Its order book stood at 7,253 homes (excluding joint ventures), down from 7,771 last year. The board expects underlying house prices to stay “broadly flat”.
Can that income be trusted?
It’s all a bit underwhelming but Taylor Wimpey does offer one mighty compensation, in the shape of its trailing yield of 9.26%. That’s a blistering rate of income, one of the best on the entire FTSE. Let’s say an income-focused investor put their entire £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA allowance into this one company. They could look forward to £1,852 of annual dividend income, which is pretty nifty.
This is only something an experienced investor should consider, though. Those with smaller portfolios should spread the money around for the sake of diversification. And even our experienced investor should tread carefully, because once yields hit dizzying levels, they can be at risk.
Taylor Wimpey actually cut its total shareholder payout in 2024, although only by 1.25%. The forecast yield is lower at 8.7%, with cover thin at just 0.7. So there’s a chance it could be cut again.
The Budget on 26 November is causing concern, amid rumours that the government will introduce a new property tax on higher priced homes, which could hit sales and prices.
FTSE 250 dividend superstar
The housing market has gone quiet as we all wait. However, once the Budget is done and dusted, the outlook could brighten. Markets think there’s a fair chance the Bank of England will cut interest rates to 3.75% at its next meeting on 18 December, with a couple more cuts likely in early 2026, driving down mortgage rates.
If that happens, it should lift both demand for property and prices, boosting margins. Lower interest rates would also shrink the yields on rival risk-free asset classes like cash and bonds, making high-yield stocks look even juicier. Falling inflation may also ease the pressure from rising wage and material costs.
I’ve bought Taylor Wimpey on five occasions in the last couple of years, and while my shares are down I’m just about ahead with dividends reinvested.
Today’s results were mildly disappointing but hardly a game-changer. Taylor Wimpey shares look good value at a price-to-earnings ratio of just 12.6. I think they’re worth considering today for investors with time and patience on their side.
Lili Reinhart is about to change her actress career and life to a new phase full of inner peace, creativity, and personal happiness. The actress who portrayed Betty Cooper on ‘Riverdale’ is now the cover girl for Marie Claire’s Next Gen Issue, where she discusses reinvention in the industry, mental health advocacy, and her wish for a peaceful home life. The article reveals an intentionally and harmoniously-with-herself star who derives her energy from both filming and off-screen life.
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Marie Claire made a cover story with great photographer Eiffel Tyler at Lili Reinhart’s place in California. She tells how she defends her peace of mind amid the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry and makes a confession about wanting to live in a quieter place. The actress has always thought of the time in Riverdale as an “experience runway” during which she practiced her art, and so she is thankful for every moment spent as Betty Cooper.
Reinhart is now echoing her words saying: “I say, call it crazy if you will-I had my ups and downs with Riverdale for seven long years., but it was a good thing and I’m thankful for that. I’m not in the dark about it that my house is because of ‘Riverdale.’ I’m not ashamed of it either.” This daring and honest confession is a clear indication of her realistic viewpoint towards the character that brought her fame.
The CW show has been off-air for two years now, and already Reinhart is proving her acting skills which were sharpened during Riverdale. Just this year alone, she has wrapped up three films that include three trending genres – a comic thriller ‘The Very Best People,’ a love story ‘The Love Hypothesis’ based on the best-selling romance novel, and finally the horror movie ‘Forbidden Fruits.’ The spread of the work done is perfect proof of the versatility she gained during her teen drama period.
In addition, she speaks openly about what she considers “the most special thing” in her life—the indie children’s family dramedy ‘Hal & Harper.’ The recently launched show on MUBI, co-stars world-renowned movie icons Mark Ruffalo and Betty Gilpin, and is the fruit of Cooper Raiff’s writing and directing talents. For Lili, this project seems to be nothing less than a dream coming true, a step towards the type of major and artistically rewarding work she is now ready to go after.
Besides acting, Reinhart is busy managing her small victories production company or having zoom calls for her skincare brand, Personal Day. She is a mental health champion through her professional activities and ensures that her wellness is a priority while inspiring her creative colleagues to do the same.
Lili Reinhart’s feature in Marie Claire has brought about very positive reactions, with people not only appreciating her beauty but also praising the great photography. One viewer even termed her “one of the most beautiful women in the whole world,” while another simply called her “an absolute goddess.” The way she is depicted has apparently made a strong impression.
Madchen Amick who is a TV star shared her opinion, “I’m getting the best 80’s flashbacks,” suggesting that the visuals were similar to a lovely period and thus, they had a nostalgic and glamorous aura that attracted the audience. Aci Gold, on the other hand, has been very creative in forming things for Reinhart, “Gold looks amazingggg on you.”
The devotion and love of the public for her were clearly demonstrated in the numerous comments. One person wrote, “Guys I have a crush on her lowkey,” and another one thanked the artist for her honesty saying, “I always appreciate how candid you are in your interviews.” This genuine audience connection with her has been a major thread in her career history.
One that was rather obvious “Lili Reinhart’s face card only increases her salary” a comment that has both her beauty and her fairly fast rising star power in the industry already recognized. The crossing of her teen drama queen persona and the major actress plus entrepreneur is gradually happening; and this mix of skills and marketability will, in the long run, help her to slide through to success.
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Reinhart’s life path resembles an intentional shift towards meaningful projects and a change in lifestyle that would guarantee her satisfaction. In this process, she has not only been able to accept her Riverdale link but also to rise above it to the extent of starting value-based enterprises. All this is certainly combining into the career and life that she has dreamt of. Mentions of her mental health and home aspirations imply a maturity that exceeds her age; thus, it can be concluded that this is just the beginning of her maturation process regarding both artist and person. She recently attended a Women in Film event that garnered significant attention. Her work also includes the new thriller ‘American Sweatshop’, which she teased in a cryptic trailer. Fans globally celebrated the release of her new film ‘American Sweatshop’. Furthermore, she stunned in a horizontal diamond photoshoot for Only Natural Diamonds.
The Los Angeles City Council will consider an ordinance that would prevent the LAPD from using crowd control weapons against peaceful protesters and journalists.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents District 13, is pushing for regulations that would prohibit the Los Angeles Police Department from using “kinetic energy projectiles” or “chemical agents” unless officers are threatened with physical violence.
The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved the proposal and forwarded a vote with all council members on Wednesday. The items would be considered by the council in November or December, said Nick Barnes-Batista, a communications director for District 13.
The ordinance would also require officers to give clear, audible warnings about safe exit routes during “kettling,” when crowds are pushed into designated areas by police.
After the first iteration of the “No Kings” protest over the summer that saw multiple journalists shot by nonlethal rounds, tear-gassed and detained, news organizations sued the city and Police Department, arguing officers had engaged in “continuing abuse” of members of the media.
U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera granted a temporary restraining order that restricted LAPD officers from using rubber projectiles, chemical irritants and flash bangs against journalists.
Under the court order, officers are allowed to use those weapons “only when the officer reasonably believes that a suspect is violently resisting arrest or poses an immediate threat of violence or physical harm.”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell called the definition of journalist “ambiguous” in a news release Monday, raising concerns that the preliminary injunction could prevent the LAPD from addressing “people intent on unlawful and violent behavior.”
“The risk of harm to everyone involved increases substantially,” McDonnell wrote. “LAPD must declare an unlawful assembly, and issue dispersal orders, to ensure the safety of the public and restore order.”
The L.A. Press Club, plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to the injunction, has alleged journalists were detained and assaulted by officers during an immigration protest in August. The Press Club is also involved in a similar lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This case is about LAPD, but if necessary, we are ready to take similar action to address misconduct toward journalists by other agencies,” the organization wrote in a news release from June.
Vera ruled in September that “any duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network” would be classified as a journalist and therefore protected under the court’s orders. Journalists who are impeding or physically interfering with law enforcement are not subject to the protections.
Any ordinance passed by the City Council would apply to the LAPD but not other agencies that could be responding to protests that turn chaotic, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or California Highway Patrol, thereby complicating operational procedure.
Barnes-Batista, the District 13 spokesman, said the City Council would need to discuss how to craft the rules.
“There are definitely unanswered questions about [how] the city wouldn’t want the city to be liable for other agencies not following policy,” he said. “So that will have to be worked out.”
Last month, the City Council, led by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, voted unanimously to deny a request by the city attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, to push for Vera’s injunction to be lifted.
“Journalism is under attack in this country — from the Trump Administration’s revocation of press access to the Pentagon to corporate consolidation of local newsrooms,” Hernandez said. “The answer cannot be for Los Angeles to join that assault by undermining court-ordered protections for journalists.”
An army of analysts and experts have been warning of a massive stock market crash for weeks. So what happens? The FTSE 100 hits an all-time high.
That tells me pretty much everything I need to know about second-guessing stock market movements. It can’t be done reliably.
The doom-mongers might still be right, of course. Global markets could crash. Artificial intelligence may have blown the biggest bubble since the dot-com boom of 1999. The $4.5trn US shadow banking system looks spooky. China’s economy is struggling. Voters are restless. These are strange times.
The FTSE 100 could fall
But calling the exact moment and place of a crash is impossible. Anyone who spends too much time worrying about it would never invest at all, and be poorer for it. Shares have delivered more long-term wealth than any other asset class, but the journey is never smooth.
The key is to be ready for turbulence. The best way to handle it is to invest for the long term and stick with it through thick and thin.
At The Motley Fool, we tend to view any sell-off as a chance to buy quality companies at lower prices. It’s often when sentiment is darkest that the best opportunities arise. I’ve already got a shopping list ready for when that moment comes.
FTSE 100 distribution and services group Bunzl (LSE: BNZL) is right at the top. Never heard of it? Bunzl quietly supplies businesses with everything from cleaning materials to disposable cups. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes businesses that rarely makes headlines, but it’s been a consistent performer for decades, boosted by its steady expansion through acquisitions.
The company has lifted its dividend for more than 30 consecutive years, which shows how resilient its model is. For ages I couldn’t find a decent entry point, but with the share price fallling 35% over the past year, I’ve finally started building a position. I didn’t have to wait for a stock market crash to do that.
Bunzl’s been hit by US tariffs, the loss of a key customer, and a tougher trading environment. I’ve bought twice and I’m currently down about 10%. I can live with that. In fact, I’m hoping the shares fall a bit further so I can add more.
Cut-price entry point
Bunzl looks attractively valued, with a price-to-earnings ratio of just 11.6 and a trailing dividend yield of 3.33%. If we do get a wider market correction, I’d be keen to buy more. If we don’t, I’ll still add before the end of the year.
Analysts seem to share my optimism over Bunzl. The consensus one-year price forecast sits at 2,578p, implying potential growth of about 16% from current levels. Of course, forecasts are never guaranteed, and risks remain. A full-on US recession could slow sales, tariffs could rise again, and every new acquisition brings its own challenges.
Patience pays
I prefer to buy shares that are out of favour, when valuations already reflect a lot of bad news. It limits the potential damage if things worsen, while giving me a better chance of profiting when the recovery comes.
Not every struggler will bounce back, but I’m optimistic that Bunzl will. And I’ve got other FTSE 100 bargains lined up in case the stock market does crash. Or even if it doesn’t.
It’s important to keep our brain healthy as we get older.
Dr Amir Khan admitted he gets “asked all the time,” how to keep your mind “sharp and focused,” especially when you’re ageing.
“Let’s talk about something we all worry about as we get older,” keeping our brains sharp and focused,” he said.
“Whether you’re juggling work, family, or just feeling the midlife brain fog, there are science-backed things to keep your mind in tip-top shape.”
Check out the doctor’s tips below…
1. Move your body
Dr Amir shared: “Remember, exercise isn’t just for your heart, it fuels your brain. When you move, blood flow to the brain increases, bringing oxygen and beautiful nutrients that help brain cells to grow.
“Even a brisk ten-minute walk can boost focus and memory for hours afterwards”.
2. Feed your brain
Dr Amir explained brains are “60% fat” so they love it when we eat “healthy fats”. He said: “Think oily fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil. All rich in Omega 3s which protect brain cells.
“Add colourful fruit and veg for antioxidants and that helps fight inflammation and slow cognitive decline”.
3. Prioritise sleep
We all know by now that we need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, according to NHS guidelines, but that can be easier said than done for many people.
Dr Amir said: “Sleep is when your brain literally clears out waste and locks memories into place. So if you’re cutting corners on sleep, it’s like not backing up your computer; things just stop running properly”.
He reiterated the NHS guidelines, admitting he knew people wouldn’t be happy about aiming for so much sleep.
He also suggested that you “keep a regular bedtime”.
4. Stay connected, and stay curious
He explained: “Social interaction is like a workout for your brain. You’re reading expressions, recalling stories, solving little problems in conversation. And, you can learn something new.
“A language, an instrument, even a new recipe builds new neural connections that keep the brain flexible”.
5. Manage stress
He said if you’re under “chronic stress,” over time, this “floods the brain with cortisol” which over time “can damage memory areas”.
Dr Amir recommended doing five minutes of “deep breathing or mindfulness” or even better in his opinion, “getting outside in nature and daylight”.
This “helps reset that stress response” and “improves focus”.
His final comments were: “So move more, eat smart, sleep well, stay connected, and calm your mind. Remember, your brain is like a muscle. The more you use it, nourish it, and rest it properly, the stronger and sharper it stays”.
Dr Amir then joked that he needs to ‘take his own advice’.
It’s finale time on “The Golden Bachelor,” which typically means we’re getting a marriage proposal at the final rose ceremony. Yeah, about that…
Mel is down to his final two women, Peg and Cindy, but so far, he’s steered clear of giving them any kind of reassurance beyond “I like you a lot.” The two-hour finale begins with host Jesse Palmer catching up with happy Bachelor Nation couples in the live studio audience… which feels like an attempt to put a happy spin on what might be a less than happy ending.
We pick up in Antigua, where Mel is sharing a romantic dinner date with Cindy, but she’s a little put out because all he’ll tell her is their relationship “would have to develop over time,” and as far as the future goes: “Who knows?” Cindy still thinks they’re well-suited for each other, “but time is a-tickin’.” After she presses him more to spell out his feelings, he flat-out admits he’s not ready to propose to her, and he’d rather wait two years (!) to let things play out. Cindy is dumbstruck: “That’s a different outcome than I considered.”
Cindy Takes a Stand
Courtesy of ABC
Cindy likes Mel, but “I kind of want my guy to feel like he got struck by lightning and can’t live without me.” She comes to a realization: “I’m not interested in being put on hold. He is just not my person.” She tells Mel: “I’m sorry… It’s not what I want.” She says goodbye to him and walks off, shedding a few tears on the way out: “It hurts really bad. From day one, I told everyone that’s my guy.” Mel is left sitting there miserable as — in an ironic touch — fireworks go off all around him.
Jesse joins him to offer his condolences, and Mel says he’s “shocked” that “she quit.” He’s adamant, though: “I don’t make my decisions on leaps of faith.” Jesse asks him if he was falling in love with Cindy, and all he can offer is “Maybe.” (Yeesh.) Mel insists that she quit on him: “She wasn’t in it for the long run.” On the live show, Cindy tells Jesse she’s at peace with how things ended: “Mel was not in it for a relationship in the way that I was.” More than anything, she says, she’s learned from this experience that she shouldn’t need to convince a man to love her. Damn right!
Cindy then has to suffer through an awkward live reunion with Mel, where he continues to blame her for leaving early: “You wanted the commitment before the process.” The strong applause from the audience when Cindy speaks, though, tells us everything we need to know: She’s better off.
So Will He Propose to Peg?
Courtesy of ABC
That leaves Mel with just Peg left to receive his final rose. But is he even ready to commit to her? (And how thrilled must she be to be Mel’s choice by default?) Mel comes knocking on her door to tell her that Cindy left, but he assures her: “I still want me and you.” Peg is a little nervous, though, that Mel couldn’t give Cindy a straight answer about a commitment. And rightfully so!
But Peg’s first meeting with Mel’s sons goes great, and when the big day arrives, Mel decides to turn off his analytical brain for once: “I’m ready to listen to my heart… and that’s because of Peg.” At the final rose ceremony, Mel presents her with a ring… but he doesn’t ask her to marry her, instead asking her to “give us time to figure out together what our future holds.” Peg happily accepts the ring — and the final rose. So congratulations to the not-engaged couple!
Mel and Peg join Jesse on the live show, and though they seem happy, when Peg says of Mel, “He doesn’t have integrity, he is integrity,” the audience can only muster up tepid applause. Jesse prods them about their level of commitment, and Peg deflects any talk of an engagement: “That’s a love story that we get to write.” But they do say they’re in love with each other, so that’s a step up from “I like you a lot,” we guess. Jesse quickly closes the book on these two so we can move on to interview a shiny new object: our new Bachelorette, Taylor Frankie Paul, straight from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” But if you look closely, after Gerry’s ugly split in Season 1 and now this less-than-storybook ending, “The Golden Bachelor” might be getting a little tarnished.
It’s your turn, Bachelor Nation: Vote in our poll for who Mel should’ve ended up with, and hit the comments to share your post-finale thoughts.
Credit cards offer more than just a way to spend money and earn points. One major benefit of many cards is insurance on travel bookings and high-ticket purchases.
Don’t be surprised if you find insurance to be a very dry and dense topic – after all, the devil is in the details, and comparing different policies isn’t always that simple. This guide should help you understand the nature of what you’re covered for as a cardholder, and what to look for as you research your options.
You’ll see careful language throughout. Policies differ by issuer and card, so always read the actual certificate of insurance (COI) attached to your card.
Credit Card Insurance Overview
Why Do Credit Cards Offer Travel Insurance?
You’ll notice that many cards’ insurance policies place an emphasis on travel. That’s because premium credit cards tend to target travellers, and travel insurance is a valuable perk to help justify high annual fees.
Travel has so many moving parts: ticketing, transportation, baggage, accommodation, unique civil conditions, not to mention things that can happen at home like accidents or medical emergencies. It’s no surprise that things can and often do go awry, and it’s good to be insured for peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
You only “use” travel insurance when travelling, which makes it easy to forget until you really need it. Without embedded coverage, you’d be buying a standalone policy for each trip (or an annual plan).
Don’t expect to find home, automobile, or life insurance on credit cards. You’re on your own for those. If you have a home, car, or (obviously) a life, you do need these to be protected daily. You wouldn’t want those types of coverage to be tied to a credit card account, which is temporary in the grand scheme of things.
How to Use Credit Card Insurance
It’s good to designate a long-term keeper card for any bookings or purchases for which you’re counting on the insurance policy. Your coverage will lapse when you cancel the credit card or if your account is no longer in good standing.
Many policies require you to charge part—or sometimes all—of the eligible expense to the card. The wording varies:
Some require the “full cost” to be charged to the card (bad news for award travel).
A few specify a minimum percentage of the trip cost (e.g., 75%) must be paid with the card.
Others cover award tickets as long as you charge the taxes/fees to the card (better).
If you fly on award bookings, the cost of the ticket will have a points component, and a (hopefully small) cash component which you’d pay with a credit card. It’s important to know which credit cards extend insurance on award tickets.
Any card that requires the full cost of the trip to be paid on it wouldn’t be valid for insurance, because the points component is paid separately – it comes out of your frequent flyer account, not your credit card.
If you have any doubts at all, always review the insurance certificate yourself. It’s important not to rely on an insurance policy under the assumption that you’re covered, only to later find out that you’ve misinterpreted the fine print.
Insurers are not your friend and will fight tooth and nail not to have to pay out – and you can’t sweet-talk your way through a misunderstanding like you can with a credit card annual fee waiver.
When it comes to getting a claim started, the sooner the better – perhaps even while you’re still travelling. Before your trip, prepare a list of the phone numbers to call for each type of incident. The list may become quite unwieldy if you’re using different credit cards for different types of coverage, so it’s best to be organized in advance.
And of course, you’ll need to provide proof of any losses you’re claiming. Keep your receipts, and take photos of any damage as soon as you can.
Who Is Covered?
Obviously, the primary cardholder is covered.
Some policies extend coverage to the primary cardholder’s spouse or dependent children. Spouse is pretty straightforward. Dependent children basically refers to minors, undergraduate students, or adults with a permanent disability.
Some credit cards also provide insurance for secondary cardholders. Some of those cards may provide it for the secondary cardholder’s spouse and children, on some types of coverage.
Often, coverage for the spouse and children is only valid if they’re travelling with the cardholder, but with some credit cards they may be insured if they’re travelling separately.
Each policy has maximum payable benefits. There tends to be a separate limit for each insured person, as well as a total limit for the entire incident.
Types of Credit Card Insurance Coverage
Emergency Medical Assistance
As Canadians, we’re all too familiar with our worldwide reputation for affordable health care. On the other hand, we often hear horror stories of medical bills abroad.
Emergency medical assistance is designed to fill that gap, so that you’re more or less supported just as you would be if the injury happened at home.
These policies cover charges like hospital services, emergency dental expenses, early return (if obliged by a physician), or the return of your remains in the worst-case scenario. Some policies also offer a per diem if your return is delayed by your injury. You may also be covered for some medical care when you return home.
Emergency medical assistance is for accidental and unforeseen events. Pre-existing conditions, routine care, injury resulting from illegal activity, high-risk adrenaline sports, and elective procedures are not covered.
On the bright side, this is the only insurance policy that kicks in just by being a cardholder. You don’t have to pay for any portion of your trip with the card, since most policies cover you as soon as you leave your home province, and until your return.
Coverage is only valid for a certain number of days of travel, after which you’d need to buy additional days of insurance. If a card covers trips up to 15 days and you take a longer trip, you might be covered for the first 15 days, or you might need to buy insurance for the rest of your trip in order for the first 15 days of coverage to be valid at all – it varies by credit card.
Seniors over 65 years of age typically aren’t covered by these policies, although some credit cards offer coverage for older people on shorter trips.
Common Carrier Accident
Common carriers are public vessels that transport ticketed passengers. Common carrier accident policies protect you in case you suffer a permanent physical injury in an accident while on a plane, train, bus, or boat.
This is a bit different than emergency medical assistance, which is for your medical expenses. Common carrier accident insurance pays a lump sum as compensation depending on the specific nature of the injury. Each insurance certificate has a detailed breakdown of the benefits for each type of loss.
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption
Now we’re getting into some situations that you’re more likely to face.
Trip cancellation is when you’re unable to begin your trip as planned. Trip interruption refers to situations when you are delayed in getting to your next destination (take note if you book multi-stop tickets), or when you have to come home early.
Under these policies, you’ll be eligible to recoup the costs of any non-refundable prepaid bookings that you’ll be unable to enjoy. Travel that can be rebooked on another date or refunded as a voucher won’t be covered.
You may also be reimbursed for transportation costs if you need to make alternate arrangements to return home or continue your trip. For example, if you had a three-stop trip, and a civil war broke out at your second destination while you were at your first, the insurer would pay any surcharges to route you directly to your third stop and bypass the second (although not necessarily in business class or on your preferred airline).
Additionally, some policies may provide a per diem for meals, local transportation, accommodation, and communication (essential phone calls) while you scramble to salvage your interrupted trip.
Travel insurance doesn’t cover discretionary decisions – you can’t just change your plans and get a refund. There are specific reasons that have to cause your cancellation or interruption, but they are pretty broad.
These may include illness (yourself or a family member), jury duty, a government travel advisory, if your airline or accommodation goes bankrupt, damage to your home, involuntary loss of employment, a surprise pregnancy… you get the idea.
In any event, you’ll still have to know how to make alternate travel arrangements yourself. Insurance just gives you the freedom to ensure a smooth trip without worrying about the cost.
Flight & Baggage Delays
Flight delay insurance is a bit different than trip interruption. It specifically refers to a missed connection due to a late incoming flight, whereas trip interruption has a wider range of causes not directly related to the flight itself.
In this case, you’d be covered for the costs of accommodation, local transportation, and essentials like clothing, toiletries, and other sundry items that you need as a result.
Nothing quite ruins a vacation like showing up without your luggage. Delayed baggageinsurance covers the costs of any essentials, like clothing and toiletries, that you need to replace. These could be things you need to enjoy your trip or upon your return home, depending on when your baggage is delayed. However, accommodation and local transportation costs are not covered.
These coverages don’t kick in until your onward travel or baggage has been delayed for a minimum amount of time, usually four to six hours. Typically they’ll only apply for overnight delays, where sorting out alternate plans for the night is a real inconvenience. But depending on the timing of your delay, you might at least score a free meal!
There’s also separate coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. If the incident occurs while the baggage is in transit on a common carrier, you may be insured for the value of its contents, up to a specified maximum.
Car Rentals
There are a few different types of insurance on rental cars:
Collision insurance is the most common. This insures the value of the car in the event of physical damage sustained in an accident. These policies are all extremely similar, and are valid on rentals up to a certain number of days and cars up to a certain value.
Theft insurance is usually covered under collision insurance. This refers to the theft or loss of the entire vehicle or any of its parts, rather than damage to it.
Accident insurance is less common. It’s similar to common carrier accident insurance, which doesn’t cover private car rentals.
Collision and theft policies are almost always the same on all credit cards that offer them. You get coverage for rentals up to 48 days, and you can buy extra days for longer trips. Cars are insured for a retail price up to $65,000, or $85,000 with some premium credit cards.
For the credit card’s collision insurance policy to kick in, you’ll need to decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver when you pick up the car to begin the rental.
Also, these policies typically don’t include third party liability insurance, which would cover personal injury to the other driver or damage to the other car in the event of an accident. You may be covered by your car insurance policy at home, but if you don’t own a car, you’d have to buy this separately.
Finally, these policies have a number of exclusions. They don’t cover luxury cars, antiques, off-roading, motorcycles, trucks, RVs, or other non-standard passenger motor vehicles. You also won’t be covered if unlawful speed or intoxication are factors in a crash, or if an uninsured driver is at the wheel.
Personal Effects & Burglary
Some credit cards protect the value of your personal belongings in case they are stolen or damaged by a bad actor. There may be separate policies for rental car burglary,hotel room burglary,lost luggage (as described above), or an all-around policy, depending on the nature and location of the loss.
Rental car burglary in particular is interesting. Even if a rental car is insured against damage or theft, your possessions in the car won’t be protected unless you also have this type of insurance.
Certain high-value items may be excluded or limited, like jewelry or furs.
Extended Warranty & Purchase Protection
Getting away from travel now, many credit cards offer protection for items you’ve purchased using the card. These policies also appear on mid- and top-tier cards that don’t necessarily target the travel market, such as cash back Visa Infinite or World Elite cards.
Many items come with a manufacturer’s warranty for defects and premature wear and tear, good for a certain amount of time after your purchase. If your credit card has this coverage, it’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty, on the same terms.
Usually, these policies double the length of the manufacturer’s coverage, up to one additional year (some premium cards may triple the length, up to two years). There are a few quirks, like if the original warranty is longer than five years, you may need to register the extended warranty with the insurance provider.
For other issues like loss, theft, or accidental damage not covered by the warranty, credit cards offer purchase protection for a shorter period of time, usually 90 days.
There are generally limits on the number of claims you can make, or total lifetime benefits, per account.
Mobile Device Protection
Think of this as an enhanced version of purchase protection, but specifically for mobile phones and tablets.
Most policies cover your device for up to $1,000, for two years after purchase. This is usually based on the depreciated value of the device, not the cost of repairs or replacements.
More and more credit cards are offering mobile device protection. We use our phones on a daily basis, and for whatever reason they’re more likely to break. It’s nice to see an improved policy for the very things that many people would actually benefit from having insured.
If you buy your phone outright, you need to make the purchase with the credit card. If you’re on a contract instead, you need to pay your monthly instalments with the credit card, as well as any upfront fee.
Price Protection
If you buy an item with your credit card, and find it at a lower price shortly thereafter, you’re eligible to claim the difference if you can provide evidence. Some stores themselves offer a price-matching policy, but this can be handy for everything else.
Perhaps because it’s so generous and relatively easy to claim, price protection is not a very common policy to see offered by credit cards.
What About Balance Protection Insurance?
When you activate a new credit card, many banks give you the option to accept or decline balance protection insurance. This is completely different than the travel and purchase insurance automatically granted to all cardholders.
Balance protection insurance is a small charge you pay each month, in exchange for limiting your liabilities in case you’re ever unable to pay your credit card balance. It’s charged as a percentage of the daily balance of your credit account, so paying down your statement early won’t reduce the fee.
But it just amounts to an unnecessary cost. You shouldn’t be using a credit card if you don’t plan on paying your balance in full every month. And you can’t default on your debts if you never carry a balance, so there’s nothing for you to insure.
I always decline balance protection insurance, and you should too! It’s simply not something you’ll ever need or benefit from.
Conclusion
When you’re excited for a big trip, it’s never fun thinking about what could go wrong in case the worst happens. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s important to be aware of how you can use credit card insurance to navigate issues both big and small.
If you have an active credit card strategy, it’s useful to be aware of how you can build travel insurance into your award travel system. Be sure to review our recommended credit cards for travel insurance on award tickets.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s radical policy proposals have prompted high-profile restaurateur Stratis Morfogen to cancel plans to open new businesses.
He told Side Dish he’s pulling the plug on three new establishments, including one in Midtown West.
“I waited for the election before signing and now I’m not signing,” he said.
Stratis Morfogen told Side Dish he’s pulling the plug on three new establishments, including one in Midtown West. Matthew McDermott
Just last week, Morfogen opened his first restaurant in Miami. The eatery, called Brooklyn Chop House Miami, boasts 400 seats and has a rooftop bar overlooking the skyline in the Moxy Hotel in Wynwood.
“I’m not signing any more leases in New York,” Morfogen vowed. “I’ll keep what I have. We’re not expanding in New York but we are pursuing further opportunities in Miami and other cities.
“We just don’t feel that this mayor is suitable to supporting small businesses.”
Romero has put a halt on new openings except for a new East Village outpost of Sushi By Bou, for which construction began months before the election.
“We want to wait and see what [Mamdani] does. His radical changes scare the s–t out of small business owners,” Morfogen said. Getty Images
“The hatred of Jews, socialism, the economics – it’s too much,” he said of Mamdani. “I had to be vocal. I get attacked, but it is what it is.”
Romero, who hosted fundraising events for Cuomo, said he is launching a coalition “to fight socialism” that is still in the works.
Instead of betting on New York, the lifelong New Yorker is opening 12 to 15 concepts outside the city in secondary markets — from Atlanta and Dallas to West Palm, Fla.
Just last week, Morfogen opened his first restaurant in Miami, above. Brooklyn Chop HouseThe eatery, called Brooklyn Chop House Miami, boasts 400 seats. Brooklyn Chop House
Morfogen said he opted not to sign a lease for an all-but-completed deal for a new restaurant at West 32nd Street and 10th Avenue. He also put the brakes on signing leases for new diners on the Upper East Side, at East 62nd Street and First Avenue, and on the edge of the Upper West Side.
“I am not signing any leases now,” Morfogen declared. “We want to wait and see what [Mamdani] does. His radical changes scare the s–t out of small business owners.”
The mayor-elect’s proposal to raise the city’s minimum wage to $30 by 2030 will “put fast-casual out of business,” Morfogen predicted.
Restaurateur Richie Romero has put a halt on new openings except for a new East Village outpost of Sushi By Bou, for which construction began months before the election. Stephen Yang
“There won’t be any more diners for $25 a person if a $12 burger goes up to $22,” he said. “We will still have to pay our rent and our profit margin — at 10% — is too thin to survive.”
It’s personal for Morfogen, who said illegal immigrants have assaulted members of his family in recent years, leading one of the victims to be hospitalized.
“I have had enough. I love New York City and even after all the destruction with Cuomo during COVID, I was forced to vote for him because anything is better than a socialist communist with insane, anti-small business policies,” Morfogen said.
Romero’s Sushi By Bou in Chelsea, above. Romero said he is launching a coalition “to fight socialism.” Hassan Mokaddam
“I can’t believe that New York City, a city I love and where I grew up, voted him in. I’m not sure I recognize this city anymore,” said the restaurateur, whose dad was a Dem.
“This is not the Democratic city that my father loved. [Former Gov.] Mario Cuomo is turning in his grave seeing what the Democratic Party has become.”
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He said the streets don’t feel safe near his 24-hour Gramercy Park diner, called Diner24.
“Thank God we have a police station a block away. Can you imagine if [Mamdani] defunds the police? It’s insanity, and the message that is even being considered gives criminals a lot of confidence that they can get away with things,” Morfogen said.
Romero said he is opening 12 to 15 concepts outside the city in secondary markets — from Atlanta and Dallas to West Palm, Fla. Adrien Mueller
Mamdani’s anti-business proposals like taxing the rich and opening publicly-run grocery stores angered Romero, too.
“You see 30 to 40% of vacant storefronts now,” he said. “How do you suggest that someone who is not pro business will make it get better?”
Not everyone agrees. Restaurateur Mark Bucher, who co-owns Medium Rare restaurants in nine cities including the Big Apple, said he’s “always bullish on New York City” and plans to open a new outpost in Manhattan next year.
But Romero said his main interest in the city is for promotional purposes, not making money.
“New York is a showcase — like Fifth Avenue,” he said. “It’s better to open in West Palm, Dallas and Nashville, where they are more business friendly. It’s impossible to make money here.”
Wildly cavorting unHRH Prince Harry stiffed his kingdom to do it to me-me-me-Meghan. What makes you prouder than to see this unemployed ex HRH shimmying in a party while too broke to pay for his kids’ security in his own birth country.
Centuries ago I flew to Bagdogra from Calcutta and on to Sikkim. Its then queen was America’s Hope Cooke. From Seal Harbor, Maine, by way of Sarah Lawrence.
The schlep to this kingdom on a one-engine kite then took eight hours later on a dirt highway. My driver in a cardboard suit in a doorless jeep — WITH a gold flagstaff — pulled into Sikkim’s capital Gangtok — 5,500 feet straight up the Himalayas. Its citizens? Sheep, goats, elephants. An ox had the right of way. Giant boulders got cleared away en route. Periodically our dirty chariot had to be pulled from some muddy pit and, it being doorless, I fell out twice.
She was called “Gyalmo,” meaning queen. Barefoot servants produced noodles for lunch on hand-carved tables. “I renounced my American citizenship,” she told me. Yeah, OK.
Military guards. Palace salmon-colored. Women with nose rings carrying burdens atop their heads. Servants approached on knees. Several Mercedes could be seen parked on dry ground. Private chapel on the grounds. Visitors book featured Angie Dickinson’s scribble. “Our lives are different from the everyday lives. We grow flowers, visit friends, play music, have our own sense of peace.” Yeah, OK.
She never mentioned it was a helluva long walk to the Bergdorf sale. She did however say: “In student days, life for me differed from everyone else’s. I was more detached, which is what Buddha teaches. Here I have gotten more deeply into Buddhism.” Me, I made a note to mention that to His Eminence the Cardinal when next I saw him.
But that was then. She is no longer queening in downtown Sikkim. Why, I don’t know. Another trip to downtown Sikkim is — forget it. My zeal in those days was to find out what makes US females scratch around to find a prince. Even a part-time one.
Julia Roberts: “Watching one of my early films is very embarrassing. Most hideous thing that can happen to a person. It was because of my unplucked eyebrows. They were three times the size they are now” . . . Mira Sorvino: “A magazine story said I use an electric eyelash curler. Obscure rumor. Hard to imagine how such a gadget would work. But, if they ever build one I’ll be happy to try it” . . . Anyone know that on air — live — James Brown once proposed to talk show host Rolonda Watts? She replied gently: “Let’s continue this discussion on the phone later, James.”
Woody Allen’s neuroses are a thing of legend. Once took a 100-mile detour rather than cross through a tunnel . . . When charmer John Malkovich called his teacher a bad name, he said, “My father, a paratrooper, then beat my ass for six hours” . . . Clint Eastwood, in preparing for a role, once took so much carotene that his hands turned orange . . . Back a few creations ago, Albert Einstein was so annoyed by his celebrity that he listed his occupation as “artist’s model.”
I NEED to say that in all honesty — as an all honest journalist — I cannot actually promise this is an exclusive statement, fresh from an open gaping mouth, but it is my information that in the future all manhole covers will officially need to be welded shut. The reason? Sliwa’s going to run for pope.
Ukraine’s justice and energy ministers have resigned amid a major embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving the state nuclear power company.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the removal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk on Wednesday, with the pair later submitting their resignations.
The damaging scandal – fast becoming one of the most significant government crises since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion – has put top officials under scrutiny.
It could not come at a worse time for Ukraine, as Russia’s renewed attacks on energy infrastructure cause rolling blackouts and Kyiv’s outnumbered forces retreat under relentless assaults.
Image: Svitlana Grynchuk file image. Pic: Reuters
Image: Site of a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 12 November, 2025. Pic: Reuters
At the centre of the scandal, Mr Halushchenko and other well-known ministers and officials are alleged to have gained payments from constructing fortifications against Moscow’s assaults on energy infrastructure. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov is also alleged to have been involved.
Mr Halushchenko said he would defend himself legally, while Mr Grynchuk posted on social media: “Within the scope of my professional activities there were no violations of the law.”
The findings of a 15-month investigation, including 1,000 hours of wiretaps, were revealed by the same anti-corruption watchdogs Mr Zelenskyy sought to weaken earlier this year.
Image: Herman Halushchenko – file image. Pic: Reuters
Image: Blackout in Ukraine. Pic: Reuters
These resulted in the detention of five people, and another seven linked to about $100m (£76m) in alleged kickbacks in the energy sector.
Ukrainian officials are scrambling for European funds to manage mounting energy shortages as Moscow targets critical infrastructure and natural gas production in an attempt to damage public morale.
The nation has been plagued by corruption since gaining independence, and Mr Zelenskyy was elected on a mandate to eliminate graft.
Military procurement scandals also led to the ousting of Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov in 2023.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy’s party, said the scandal looks “really bad in the eyes of our European and American partners”.
He said: “Internally this scandal will be used to undermine unity and stability within the country. Externally, our enemies will use it as an argument to stop aid to Ukraine.
Image: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Galushchenko and former Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin. Pic: Reuters
“While Russians destroy our power grid and people have to endure blackouts, someone at the top was stealing money during the war.”
But questions remain over how high the alleged corruption goes.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau, known as NABU, refrained from identifying the suspects.
But it said they included a businessman, a former adviser to the energy minister, an executive who oversaw physical protection at state energy company Energoatem, and others responsible for money laundering. It dubbed the scheme “Midas”.
The agency also accused eight people of abuse of office, bribery, and possession of disproportionate assets.
The investigation, which NABU said conducted over 70 raids, was welcomed by the Ukrainian president, who urged officials to cooperate with it. Energoatom said the inquiry didn’t disrupt its operations.
Image: Situation on the battlefield
NABU released excerpts of tapes in which the network, using code names and secretive language, discussed blackmail and pressuring Energoatom contractors to extract 10% to 15% in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for them to do business without facing internal blocks.
The network took advantage of a regulation enforced during martial law prohibiting contractors from claiming debts in court from companies providing essential services, such as Energoatom, which has annual revenues of around $4.7 billion (£3.6 billion). Four others worked to launder the money at a Kyiv office.
The tapes, which have not been independently verified, say about $1.2 million was handed to a former deputy prime minister, whom the plotters called “Che Guevara,” after the Argentinian revolutionary leader.
Ms Svyrydenko also said the cabinet submitted proposals to apply sanctions against Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelenskyy, and businessman Alexander Tsukerman.
