Benjamin Taylor

Money Analyst – Banking and Insurance

Benjamin's experience

Benjamin joined MSE in June 2022 as an Editorial Assistant. In his pre-MSE days, he studied English at the University of Sheffield and worked an array of odd jobs.

A little more about Benjamin

He lives in London and enjoys going to Morrisons, seeing friends and family, and just generally walking about. He supports Norwich City Football Club.

Benjamin says...

"As a member of MSE's Money team, I cover everything from credit cards, ISAs, loans and car finance, to pet, cycle and home insurance. I joined MSE to try to help people claw back pounds from big business and love to read about MSE users' innovative successes each week on the MSE Forum."

Latest from Benjamin Taylor

If you've given your long debit or credit card number when paying for a subscription or other repeat service, it's likely you've set up a continuous payment authority (CPA). This allows the company to take money from your account when it thinks it's owed – we run you through all the key need-to-knows.

16 June 2026

Personal loans are one of the cheapest ways to buy a car – and that's even considering that their rates have doubled in the past two years.

11 June 2026

While the lowest loan rates have doubled over the past few years, that doesn't mean that you can't cut the cost of existing loans, especially if your credit rating meant you had to take out a high-rate loan in the past. If you're paying more than 6%, it's worth checking if you can save by getting a new loan to pay it off. This guide shows you how to find the best new deal, and has a unique loan-switching calculator so you can see if you'll save.

11 June 2026

There are regulations governing how APRs must be displayed. Below are loan providers' official examples of the cost of taking out a loan.

11 June 2026

With mortgage, rent, energy and food costs soaring, it's easy to cut or forgo a spend such as pet insurance. But this can lead to difficult choices for many if treatment is needed, as there's no NHS for pets, and treatment costs can be £100s or £1,000s. This guide explains what pet insurance covers, what to watch out for and how to find a cheap policy.

9 June 2026

If you're new to credit cards, the idea can be daunting. Yet used correctly, they can provide valuable free protection, a chance to (re)build your credit rating and special 0% deals offer the cheapest way to borrow. This guide explains the different types of cards available and what to watch out for, so you don't get burnt.

4 June 2026

If you're only after insurance for a few days or months, then temporary car insurance may be a good option. Whether you want to borrow a friend or family member's car, or just need short-term cover for a car that you're buying or selling, this guide has full info on what you need to think about, as well as temporary car insurance providers to try.

2 June 2026

The personal savings allowance (PSA) lets most people earn up to £1,000 in interest without paying tax on it. At current savings rates, basic-rate taxpayers need around £20,000 in the top easy-access savings account to exceed the allowance. This guide has full details on the PSA and how it works...

2 June 2026

The Help to Save scheme gives low-income earners a savings boost – and it's become more accessible. Now open to more Universal Credit claimants, the scheme offers a 50% bonus on the amount saved, paying up to £1,200 over four years. If you’re claiming Universal Credit here’s how the account works and how you could benefit.

2 June 2026

If you've a poor credit history, using a credit card to show you can repay on time each month can help rebuild your creditworthiness. Our guide has full info on how to best manage a credit card, plus our Credit Card Eligibility Calculator will show your chances of acceptance before applying, reducing the risk of a failed application.

29 May 2026

You've passed your test, you've got the keys and you are ready to get out on the road. BUT you'll need insurance first, and new driver insurance can be eye-wateringly expensive. Use the tips in this guide to make sure you get the best deal possible on your first policy.

14 May 2026

If you have an older car that's considered classic or vintage, you'll likely need a specialist insurance policy to provide the cover you need. Here, we run through the basics of classic car insurance, including what it covers and the things you should consider when buying a policy.

14 May 2026

If you don't claim on your car insurance, your insurer will give you a no-claims bonus each year – which is a future discount on your next policy. But if you need to claim, you could lose any discount you've built up, unless you pay to protect it. This short guide looks at how it works, how claims affect it, and whether it's worth paying to protect it.

12 May 2026

Cover for damage and loss when your home is broken into is one of the key benefits of home insurance, so the financial cost of resecuring your home and replacing stolen things is one less thing to think about. This guide looks at what you should expect from your insurance in the event of a break in, and how to make a claim.

12 May 2026

24 April 2026

A car insurance quote can often feel like a figure plucked from nowhere, but there are a number of factors that come into play when insurers give you a price. In this short guide we run through the key metrics that could affect what you pay.

8 April 2026