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'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.

31 July 2025

A brand new car is never MoneySaving, but if your heart is set on one and you're comfortable renting it for a set period (without the chance to own it), then car leasing – also known as Personal Contract Hire or PCH – is worth considering. Here we've broken down the basics so you can work out whether car leasing is right for you.

16 July 2025

If your property is classed as a non-standard construction, or has characteristics that mean it isn't seen as 'standard', you might need specialist insurance – and your choice of insurers could be limited. This short guide explains what counts as 'non-standard' and how to find the right home insurance policy.

9 July 2025

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.

23 June 2025

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.

28 May 2025

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.

28 May 2025

If you're struggling with multiple debts such as loans, credit cards and overdrafts, it may seem logical to consolidate them into one place – taking out a new loan to pay it all off, so you make one monthly payment instead. However it's often not that simple and can lead to even more debt. This short guide takes you through what to watch out for, alternatives and how to decide if it's right for you.

22 May 2025

Navy blue Chase debit card next to £1 coin

If you've got a Chase account, check if you can boost your easy-access savings to 4.8% – made up of a 1.8% AER fixed six-month bonus plus its standard 3% variable rate. Chase says over 2 million customers can get the boost, which would top our normal savings tables if it were open to all, though it's beaten by the top easy-access cash ISAs.

2 May 2025

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.

16 April 2025

Can my age reduce my car insurance costs?

Age is one of a number of factors that insurers look at when calculating your premium – which is usually bad news for younger drivers who can be hit with much higher prices. Though as age is often a proxy for experience, premiums generally do come down the longer you've been driving (and driving well). Read on for more about how this works...

16 April 2025

When you get a home buildings insurance quote, you'll be asked for your home's rebuild value, which is how much it would cost to repair your home if it were completely destroyed, not how much it's worth. It will often provide an estimate for you, but it's always worth checking this (and regularly throughout the policy) to ensure you have the right amount of cover – this short guide shows you how.

16 April 2025

Opening a joint bank account with someone lets you both manage it, which can be useful for household bills or pooling your cash. However, any money you pay in will then belong to you both, so only do it with someone you trust. This short guide runs through it all, including how sharing an account can let you double up on free cash and other perks.

27 February 2025

Best banks if you have Power of Attorney.

If you have Power of Attorney and manage somebody else's finances, choosing the best bank for day-to-day use and any savings can be a challenge. We've full bank-by-bank help on how to register for access to existing accounts, plus the easiest banks to deal with if you're looking to open a new account.

24 February 2025

Payday loans are a financial nightmare, and you should avoid them entirely if possible. This guide explains alternative (and much cheaper) ways to borrow, and – if a payday loan is the only answer – what to watch out for.

5 February 2025

Don't just stick with your student bank account after uni – loyalty can cost! Some banks let you switch even if you've not had their student account and you can get 0% overdrafts for up to three years. If you've graduated recently, see if you can ditch and switch your account to save £100s in interest.

15 January 2025

Bank of England from the outside with some flowers at the front

The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.75%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.

23 December 2024