Finances and Insurance

Since our last update about credit cards in November 2024, we've been contacted by many Islanders who are still concerned about the lack of options to obtain a credit card in Jersey for shopping or travelling purposes.

The 5 April deadline for those who have previously lived and worked in the UK to buy-back up to 19 missing years of National Insurance contributions is rapidly approaching so we have produced this step-by-step guide on how to make your claim.

We've had numerous emails and phone calls asking for an update on the credit cards issue.

Many Islanders have been in touch this year – and especially this past month – about the eye-watering costs of their insurance renewals.

The UK's competition regulator has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster after the site used so-called 'dynamic pricing' to sell tickets for the much-anticipated Oasis reunion tour.

We've published the Findings Report of our three-month investigation into higher mortgage rates in Jersey.

Funeral costs are often the last thing we’d like to think about, but when the death of a loved one comes along having some idea about what’s on offer and the costs to be occurred makes it easier at such a sad time.

It’s really important that we all know how to protect ourselves and those around us from financial scams.

We've asked Jersey’s main mortgage providers to explain why the mortgage rates on offer in the Island are significantly higher than those in their UK high street branches.

We’ve been contacted by lots of you recently about spiralling insurance premiums – both for motor and household – and how they’re affecting you.

With online retailers now charging GST on purchases, we’ve been contacted by many consumers who are worried they’re unfairly being charged both GST and VAT.

We’re getting lots of questions about insurance claims after Storm Ciarán. So, here are some tips you may find useful, both for now and for future considerations about what kind of insurance cover you might need, as well as advice if your insurer isn’t paying out.

You may have heard that certain insurance providers are pulling out of the Channel Islands due to a change of the law in Gibraltar. This law change has indeed reduced the number of motor insurers who will provide cover in Jersey. We've done some research and have compiled a list of those insurers still offering business to the Channel Islands.

It’s been a long, three-year battle, but there is finally good news for consumers regarding credit cards, as States Members have unanimously supported a proposal to allow credit reference agencies the access to the personal data that they need.

The Government has made the following announcement today, proposing to change the way data is accessed by credit reference agencies to help Islanders obtain loans, credit cards, and other sources of credit.

Government officers have met with banks and credit reference agencies, after we gave them our feedback and findings, earlier this year, from Islanders who were unable to obtain or renew credit cards.

Barclays Bank has apologised to customers in the Island after incorrectly telling them that their accounts would be closed.

The Jersey Consumer Council is calling for a centralised electoral register as part of a response needed to prevent further credit card companies from pulling out of Jersey and other Crown dependencies.

Did you know that you can apply for help from the Community Cost Bonus to cover the cost of GST on food?

During the weekend of 11 September 2022, the Revolut card system was hacked, putting over 50,000 account holders' data at risk.

Jersey’s Chief Minister has rejected a call from the Jersey Consumer Council to help Islanders through the current cost of living emergency. 

The loss of a loved one is extremely hard, both emotionally and practically, so the more that can be planned beforehand, the easier on those we leave behind.

Less than half of the young Islanders who replied to a local spending survey spend their pocket money locally, the Jersey Consumer Council can reveal.

Since the GST de minimis dropped in October 2020, the requirement for Islanders to access the GST declaration site has increased.

The Treasury Department recently announced that it intends to add GST to all goods imported by Islanders, just four months after the de minimis was reduced from £240 to £135, and at a time when many consumers still face financial challenges due to Covid.

We have arranged to meet with the Treasury office to discuss this review and want to hear your thoughts. We represent you, the consumer, and the more we know about what you’re thinking, the stronger the argument we can approach the Government with.  

Have you used your PayPal account in the last 12 months?

We recently became aware that HSBC CI and IOM are halting home and travel insurance to Islanders, so we asked them to explain the reason and if they might be able to offer the service in the future.

The Pension Plus scheme is a Government-funded scheme to help lower income pensioners with the costs of dental, optical and chiropody services.

The Long-Term Care Scheme was created by the Government of Jersey to help Islanders with the costs of long-term care.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax on goods and services in the UK.

When it comes to renting property, both tenants and landlords have certain obligations.

Since 2015, any deposits placed to rent a home must be protected by mydeposits Jersey.