Insurance Expert
Alicia Hempsted
Alicia is MoneySuperMarket's editorial content manager and deputy spokesperson. She specialises in insurance and personal finance, with a background in copywriting, digital marketing, and insurance advice.
Since joining MoneySuperMarket in 2022, Alicia has made remarkable contributions, producing comprehensive guides, articles and informative product pages to help empower our audience with the knowledge they need to navigate the intricacies of insurance policies and getting good value out of their insurance.
Alicia's Experience
Alicia has been a member of the MoneySuperMarket team since 2022. Alicia contributes valuable insights into the world of insurance with a special focus on home, life and travel insurance.
With previous content management and production experience at Virgin Media and Drewberry Ltd, Alicia has seamlessly combined her content expertise with her in-depth knowledge of all things money into helping our customers find the best policies and products at an affordable price.
Expertise
Travel insurance
Home insurance
Life insurance
Alicia's recent coverage
Kent Live | Expert says these everyday items become fire risks if left in your car
The Daily Express | Crucial thing you must not do if you put wrong fuel in your car
Manchester Evening News | Home Insurance issues that could cost thousands
Bodyshop Magazine | 7.5 million UK drivers admit using mobile phones while driving
The Daily Mail | UK's new travel system expected to catch visitors off guard
More from Alicia Hempsted
London e-bike and e-scooter related fires reach record-breaking levels in 2025
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, found in e-bikes and e-scooters, doubled between 2023 and 2024, and now e-bikes and e-scooters have been linked to a record-breaking number of fires in London 2025.
What to do if you get food poisoning on holiday
Hospital admissions for salmonella infections between April 2022 and March 2023 in England reached an all-time high, with many cases linked to international travel. If it happens to you, here's what to do to improve your chances of getting compensation.
Sky bundles four big streaming platforms into one Ultimate TV package
From March 2026, Sky launched a new Ultimate TV package that bundles four of the top streaming platforms. New customers can get Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hayu, and Sky TV all with one subscription.
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News & Guides
- New By Now, Pay Later regulations come into effect this week The FCA have finalised new rules for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) providers to improve protections for users and help them better manage their finances. Find out here what to expect.
- Drivers warned cluttered dashboards could increase fire risk in hot weather Cluttered van dashboards could pose serious safety risks for drivers, particularly in hot weather.
- One in four people turn to AI for money advice With shame preventing people from speaking up about financial stress, many people are turning to digital solutions to find answers. But without human support and protections, these means don't go far enough to tackle the UK's money worries.
- Eight tricks to repay debt more quickly Worried about debts mounting up? Here are some hacks to help you slash what you owe.
- Improve your festival phone connection It’s not uncommon for phone signals to be patchy at festivals when thousands of people overload mobile phone networks. But there are some solutions to help you keep in touch.
- Occupation categories: How does my job title affect my car insurance?
- Mortgage Guarantee Scheme expands options for borrowers The permanent Mortgage Guarantee scheme, alongside looser lending rules, is opening up higher loan‑to‑value and higher income‑multiple mortgages. We explain what that means for buyers with smaller deposits and the key pros and cons.
- It’s hot! Here’s how to keep your pets cool in hot weather With temperatures around the UK slowly rising and with word of a heatwave on the way, pet owners need to be on the lookout for signs of heatstroke or dehydration in their pet.
- Understanding your pet's destructive behaviour Chewing, scratching, howling, and urinating are all destructive behaviours that can be difficult to tackle and put strain on pet-owner relationships, but these aren't always simple misbehaviour. Sometimes, destruction can be your pet's way of trying to tell you something.
- Luggage theft from British trains remains high after 2024 spike Luggage thefts on UK trains and in stations decreased slightly in 2025 but remains high. Discover the stations and train lines with the highest risk and read expert tips to keep your luggage safe.
- The UK’s most accident-prone postcodes
- New ISA rules from April 2027: Cash caps and investment changes The UK Government has confirmed that from April 2027 the Cash ISA limit for under-65s will be reduced. Find out how these changes affect you.
- How the clock change can accidentally add to your energy bill Check that your smart meter isn't stuck in the past when the clocks are changed, or else you might accidentally add to your energy bill.
- England's breakdown hotspots revealed As the weather starts to warm, many families will be hopping in the car for holidays and day trips, but don't make the same mistake as these motorists. We’ve identified the top 10 motorway breakdown locations in England and explain why breakdowns are increasing year-on-year.
- UK fraud reports in 2025 reach record-breaking high UK fraud reports hit record highs as identity fraud, SIM‑swap attacks, and AI‑powered impersonation tactics surge, driving a sharp rise in sophisticated, fast‑moving criminal activity.
- Pet disappearances sharply increase during fireworks season: What to do if your pet runs away According to the Kennel Club, dog disappearances increase by more than 80% during fireworks season. But what should you do if your pet goes missing?
- Financial support for pet owners Pets are part of the family, and the worst decision an owner might have to make is to rehome their pet if they can’t afford to take care of them. But there is help out there.
- The Pet Abduction Act 2024: Do you know the new law? In 2024 the Pet Abduction Bill passed the final hurdle to become law, changing the law in England and Northern Ireland to impose harsher penalties on pet thieves. Learn the essentials and more in our article.
- Could your garden renovations invalidate your home insurance? If you're planning to spruce up your garden this spring, make sure you talk to your home insurance provider. Some garden projects could invalidate your home insurance cover if you're not careful.
- Planned private rental sector changes put millions of rental properties at risk The UK government are set to execute a number of changes to the private rental sector over the next 5 years across England and Wales, including an overhaul of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
- Warning! Don't leave these 5 items in a hot car Whether you’re leaving your car at the airport for your holiday or simply parking it for a day out, leaving these items in a hot car could cause some serious damage.
- UK households bin enough electric cables to reach the moon and back: How to recycle electronics Many people don't recycle their electronics because they don't know how to recycle them. This has led to many UK households hoarding old electronics or just chucking them in the bin.
- London Porsche drivers experiencing wave of headlight thefts Recently uploaded videos on social media show a trend in Porsche headlights being stolen from vehicles across London. This could mean higher costs for Porsche drivers across the UK.
- How do I make a claim on my car insurance from pothole damage?
- Can I get travel insurance with cystic fibrosis?
- Reports of locksmith scams increase 66% since 2021 Rogue locksmiths and locksmith scammers are on the rise, conning victims out of hundreds of pounds with 'bait and switch' tactics. Find out how to spot the signs of a potential locksmith scam.
- What is goods in transit insurance?
- How does the Renters’ Rights Act affect you? The Renters' Rights Act, which received Royal Assent October 2025, makes some significant changes to the UK private rental sector. Find out how these changes affect you.
- Over 50s at risk of personal loan debt eating their savings 2024 findings from MoneySuperMarket show that many people over 55 are taking out personal loans, which may put them at risk of being unable to pay off the debt before they retire or pass away.
- Millions of Brits underestimating the cost of household labour A 2024 MoneySuperMarket survey uncovered that as many as 46 million people in the UK underestimate the cost of household labour and are at risk of leaving their family without enough money to cover important help and support they might need if a partner or parent passes away.
- The UK's Growing Rat Problem If you live in the UK, you may be aware that the rodent population is rising, especially in places like London. Rats can cause a lot more destruction than you think, so are you prepared for the risks?
- Electricity costs for businesses set to double in 2026 Electricity standing charges for British businesses are planned to increase by almost double in April 2026 due to changes in additional charges, with hospitality expecting a hard hit.
- Animal collisions – all you need to know Accidentally hitting an animal with your car can be a traumatic experience, but it helps to keep calm and know what to do. Here's our advice.
- Most stolen cars in the UK Car theft is on the rise in the UK as criminals adopt increasingly sophisticated techniques. But which makes and models are being targeted by thieves and how can you prevent your car from being stolen?
- Data reveals the favourite colour of UK car thieves With data from the DVLA, we've found out the most popular vehicle colours and makes among UK car thieves. Find out if your car is a target.
- How the UK 2024 budget will affect you Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled Labour’s inaugural budget on 30th October. With the economy in a delicate balance, many of us are keen to understand how these fiscal decisions will impact our wallets. Here’s a breakdown of how the budget will affect you and your money.
- Don't get scammed by fake reviews Last year, the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act 2024 was passed into law, with new protections around hidden prices and fake reviews coming into effect this year. Find out more and discover our tips on how to spot fake reviews.
- Extra costs to budget for if you're heading overseas this summer Making plans for a holiday abroad? Don't forget to factor in these additional expenses into your holiday budget.
- UK Government announces abolishment of Ofwat: water bills expected to rise On 21 July, the UK government announced that Ofwat, the regulation authority for water services across England and Wales, will be replaced by a new watchdog. Find out how these changes may affect you.
- MoneySuperMarket’s 2025 New Driver Report Want to know what it really costs new drivers to hit the road in 2025? Our New Driver Report separates dream from reality.
- Is 5G draining your phone battery? Have you noticed your new phone running out of battery faster than your old one? Are you stuck with your phone permanently tethered to an electrical socket? Maybe it's more common than you think.
- London Underground mobile phone and accessory theft soars by 400% in three years Thefts on London Underground have risen by more than 380% since 2021 according to exclusive research by MoneySuperMarket Home Insurance.
- Unlocking the Facts: A Deep Dive into Car Key Habits, Hygiene and Replacement Costs
- GHIC applications drop by a fifth. Thousands missing out on free healthcare abroad The number of UK applications for Global Health Insurance Cards dropped by a fifth in 2024 (18%), meaning holidaymakers could be travelling without valuable medical protection.
- Motorists warned of insurance scammers using AI Insurance fraud has been on the rise in the UK, with motor insurance fraud and 'cash-for-crash' scams in particular becoming a significant issue now that fraudsters have AI tools at their disposal.
- iPhone users warned of serious security threat from this Apple feature A security risk has been found in the Apple AirPlay feature that puts millions of devices at risk of being hacked. Find out how you can protect your iPhone.
- Cost effective tips to keep cool The new energy price cap will see UK energy bills drop by £129 from July but you can save even more with our cost-effective tips to stay cool when the weather heats up.
- What is the Online Safety Act? The Online Safety Act 2023, which gives extra protections for children and vulnerable people online, introduces new rules for that will make some big changes for UK internet users. These are already coming into effect, so find out what to expect.
- Average driving speeds around the world
- Is your garden tree causing your home to sink? There are a number of possible causes of subsidence, one of which can be trees. Trees planted in the wrong place or the wrong kinds of trees can cause considerable damage to a property and come with all kinds of costs.
- Estimated £1.5bn of energy is stolen in Great Britain every year Since the start of the energy crisis in 2021, the UK has seen a considerable rise in energy theft. It’s not just organised criminals stealing gas and electricity but ordinary people too. And guess who is footing the bill? British households.
- Five garden mistakes that could land you in legal trouble Do know these UK garden laws? Beware of these small mistakes that could land you on the wrong side of the law.
- Do you know these pet garden dangers? As Spring and warm weather sets in, pets and owners get ready to spend more time out in the garden, but do you know all the pet hazards to be aware of? Read on to test your knowledge.
- 6 pet hazards to look out for this Easter Many pet owners will be wanting to include our pets in upcoming Easter celebrations, but there are some potential pet hazards to be aware of.
- What Are The Names of Drivers With The Longest No Claim Streaks?
- Parents beware of illegal car insurance loophole UK drivers could find themselves in hot water with this one "loophole" parents are using to cut the cost of their teen's insurance. Make sure you don't make the same mistake.
- Grown-up gap years are on the rise, but this one mistake could invalidate your insurance UK sabbaticals and 'grownup gap years' are on the rise, but four in ten Brits don't know about this one mistake that could leave millions of people without insurance.
- Weather-related leaks cost UK homeowners thousands in repairs The UK is predicted to be hit with more bad weather, with high winds, heavy rain, and an arctic blast on the way. UK households are being advised to take precautions against weather-related damage to pipes, which can lead to costly repairs.
- A third of UK households blame cost for skipping annual boiler servicing UK households forgoing regular boiler servicing in a bid to save money are at risk of expensive repair costs and energy bills down the line.
- What to do if your home is flooded Learn all of the essential steps to protect your home from a flood and what to do if the worst should happen
- Five ways to protect your home before your holiday Got plans to go away this summer? Here are some tips to secure your home while you're away.
- Waiver of premium If you are unable to work due to a serious illness or injury, this special rider you can add to your life insurance will waive your life insurance premiums until you're recovered. Learn how it all works in this guide.
- What is pet insurance excess?
- Pet Insurance with Direct Vet Payments Sometimes you can use your pet insurance to pay your vet directly so you don't have to pay the bill up front, which can save you time and money when getting your pet treated. Find out the details of setting up this payment method in this guide
- Get the right student insurance sorted before term starts Are you worried about taking your valuables to university? Thinking about bringing your car to college? We can help you on your way with some basic information on student insurance and some helpful tips.
