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

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.

29 June 2026

18 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

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

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...

8 April 2026

7 April 2026

If you cycle, you don't always need bike insurance – but lack of cover could put a nasty spoke in your wheel if the worst happened. This guide is designed to help you decide if you should get insured, or ride without a financial safety helmet.

30 March 2026

There are an increasing number of savings providers out there – with established banks and building societies often being outflanked by newer, smaller platforms. Most savings accounts offer interest rates – paying you to hold your money with them – so what do banks get in return?

25 March 2026

Typically, the quicker you pay off a personal loan, the cheaper the overall cost of borrowing, as you'll pay less interest. Though you must follow the correct process to repay early and most lenders charge early repayment fees. This guide has full info.

25 March 2026

White piggybank on a white surface next to a white mobile phone. There is a blue background.

24 March 2026

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.

7 January 2026