In one of the first moves away from low-cost insurance offers, Direct Line, Britains' second largest insurer, has introduced a new SELECT line of policies.

These are intended to cover motor, travel and home insurance and to provide wider and better coverage. They also lift Direct Line out of downward spiral of "we are cheaper than you" offers that put customers are risk from gaps in their insurance coverage.

Over at our sister publication, flights.co.uk, Eugene Gold has been a regular campaigner for sensible travel insurance that actually covers the risks involved and is not simply sold on price.

Eugene receives far too many horror-story emails from passengers discovering that their travel insurance is inadequate and does not actually cover the things that they took for granted.

The vehicle insurance market went in the same direction, too many promises and too many problems when it comes to making a claim.

We have not yet seen the Direct Line policy terms for their new range but even the suggestion of higher-grade coverage, albeit at a higher price, is encouraging.

We will be reviewing the pros and cons of the new policies over the next few weeks.