Warning to H&O policy holders

Financial services watchdog the FSA is warning any drivers who have bought car insurance through a company called H&O Insure Limited that they may be committing a criminal offence of driving without cover - as the company's policies are invalid.

The FSA says that the company is not authorised to sell insurance and that invalid policies have already come to light in the Birmingham area, but that it doesn't know yet how many other policies have been sold.

The offices which H&O Insure Limited claims to work from, 4 Equity House, 42 Central Square, Wembley HA9 7AL, are deserted and due for demolition.

The watchdog is asking anyone who has bought cover through the company to get reinsured immediately as not only will they be uninsured but they will not have access to the financial services compensation and complaints scheme. It would also like anyone who has had contact with H&O Insure Limited to contact the FSA on 0845 606 1234.

Halifax goes into conveyancing

Halifax, the country's biggest mortgage lender, is moving into the legal world with the launch of a fixed-fee conveyancing service.

Homeowners or homebuyers using the service will be referred to one of a panel of selected legal practices throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The fee will be a fixed cost and vary from £299 for properties valued at less than £50,000, £489 for the average house priced at £160,000 and £799 for those valued between £401,000 and £500,000. According to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the average conveyancing cost per transaction in England and Wales is £560.

The service is available to all - whether Halifax customers or not - and can be found online at www.halifaxhomemover.co.uk or through Halifax branches. It includes a no-sale, no-fee guarantee, so no charge will be made for the legal work if an exchange is unsuccessful.