Saturday, August 30, 2008

Breakdown Cover Is An Important Complement To The Car Insurance

Category: Finance, Insurance.

Breakdown cover is an important complement to the car insurance. Not that this is rare, but you need to be prepared for such a time, especially if time is precious for you and you do not wish to let such incidents to interfere in your set plans for the day.



This cover is devised with a view of the emergency situations where you might find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere on the road, faraway from your destination, because your vehicle may refuse to move further. The breakdown cover is specially devised to ensure that your car does not break its habit of running on the road smoothly because if it ever does, you have the backing of your insurance company to see to a quick assistance. And of course, without a penny out of your pockets. You can be sure that your car will be back in good running condition by courtesy of the special car repairing service provided to you by the company. If your car gives you any trouble during your journey, you can call and avail to the help of your insurance provider who will take special care of all your problems. Breakdown cover also visualises any other help that you might require such as driving the stranded passengers to their respective destinations.


Not only will they provide you with tow assistance, but also help, if required to get your car repaired at the nearest workshop subscribed with the company. This cover thus qualifies you for special treatment where you keep your dignity and also save your day with the invaluable free service provided when the time comes a- calling. Since you get easy information here, it becomes much easier for you to take a wise decision as per your needs. You can avail to breakdown cover quotes online as well these days.

Friday, August 29, 2008

You May Also Find That There Are Some Car Insurance Companies That Have A No- Fault Car Insurance Clause, While Others May Not

Category: Finance, Insurance.

Sometimes, it may happen that you have an auto insurance company that you are using, but you may have missed out on a premium payment. No- Fault Policies.



This may not be much reason to worry as most car insurance companies usually give their clients a grace period, though the exact period is dependent on the auto insurance company as well as the guidelines they are governed by. You may also find that there are some car insurance companies that have a no- fault Car Insurance clause, while others may not. If you are a driver that requires liability insurance, the auto insurance companies usually will give to you forms known as SR- 22 that are used to get driver s licenses that have been suspended or revoked to be reinstated. The reason why some companies have this kind of policy while others do not is because they need to abide by the laws of the state, and not every state has a no- fault insurance policy requirement. Such a requirement is accompanied with the car insurance company informing the state should you cancel or forget to pay or terminate your insurance policy. Otherwise you may not be able to get your auto insured. If your insurance company does not provide the SR- 22 forms you will be deemed to be a high- risk, which means you will need to go to a company with this facility.


Before you are able to find the best auto insurance companies you will need to investigate a number of different variables regarding how each company compares to the others in their offerings. You will also need to find the right car insurance company that provides proper coverage as well as liability and compare the rates across the gamut of such companies. You will only have touched half of the necessary factors if you only go by premium rates and overall rates. You will no doubt be aware of Esurance, which is a major American auto insurance company, and closely following this insurance company is Progressive Insurance that provides comparisons to the competing companies on its website, and also claims that it can give you a quote in just eight minutes flat. These are companies that have similar systems though the competition among them is stiff, which means you may have to haggle with them before getting a good deal. Other notable auto insurance companies include GEICO Direct, Comparison Market, 21st Century Insurance, as well as American Automobile Association, Mercury Insurance Group, Car Insurance Quotes as also National Motor Club and Hagerty Insurance.

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Individuals Have More Challenges To Get Coverage Than Ever - Finance and Insurance Articles:

Health Insurance policies cost and rating varies by state and by policy type.

Contractor License Bond Is Considered Has Important And Essential In Every State - Kathie Ashalintubbi's Finance and Insurance blog:

Contractor of any state is required to obtain contractor license bond from the state and federal government. When the person is involved in contract business, then such person is named Contractor for the contract.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

This Can Bring To You The Assurance Of Low- Premium Insurance

Category: Finance, Insurance.

If the high premium rates on car insurance has put you in a spot of worry, it is time to do a rethink on how you can help yourself to lower rates. And with the number of offers available these days, you have more than a good chance as compared to previous times.



You need not really hassle yourself because it is a possibility. In case you are seriously looking out for cheap car insurance, there are certain means to go about it. This is what determines, in a major way, the amount of discount you could be considered for in an insurance policy deal. It is true that the driving record you have is a crucial factor to be considered for suitably low premiums. At the same time, this does not mean that you give up hope if you do not have years of safe driving experience. And your good performance there can be rewarded in the form of insurance at low rates. You can always join a car driving school where you must also score good grades.


You may also try joining a safe car driving club. When you get them installed, you are obviously seen as more responsible. Car safety devices are another important measure that can ensure a cheap car insurance policy for you. This can bring to you the assurance of low- premium insurance. And the higher the deductibles lower the premiums. Another common and effective way is to consider deductibles.


Cheap Car Insurance, would also require, however you to take a little time out to research on it. It is best to compare the quotes and weigh your options. You ought to be aware of the different points where you can negotiate. Based on your analysis of your situation and the quotes offered, you can decide on the one that suits you best.

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But Availing An Insurance For Your Car Comes At A Cost Which Is Often High - Finance and Insurance:

The increased uncertainty in everybody s life has made insurance an important service to avail.

And Thus Availing A Life Insurance Is Not A Tough Task - Finance and Insurance Articles:

Since our birth to the time of death, risk prevails throughout our life.

It Is Important To Read Carefully The Clause That Defines The Total Damages, Since There Are Two Modalities - Mae Halsted about Finance and Insurance:

At the time of getting auto insurance, many people do not know the reasons for getting it.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Did You Know That Your Good Driving Record Could Actually Help You Get A Low Cost Car Insurance

Category: Finance, Insurance.

A question often asked is whether or not securing your car will help to reduce your UK car insurance premiums. If you have more than one car to insure on the same policy then you can definitely get cheaper car insurance by availing the multiple- car discount option that many companies offer.



Most insurance companies will allow consumers seeking to insure their classic car the opportunity to drive their vehicle around 5000 miles a year. New Jersey car owners are required to have bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as personal injury protection( which can cover medical, and funeral costs, rehabilitation, as well as any lost earnings due to the accident. Again, if you are carrying the same coverage s as listed above, 4 of the 6 people would be covered by your state minimum policy because everybody was under the$ 20, 000 per person limit, but you maxed out your per accident bodily injury at$ 40, 000, so you would need to take care of$ 20, 000 of bodily injury on your own California state car insurance minimums are$ 15, 000 for the death/ injury of one person in an accident and$ 30, 000 for the death/ injury of all the people involved in an accident plus an additional$ 5, 000 of insurance to compensate for property damage. Personal injury protection is mandatory in all no- fault states and uninsured motorist coverage. Did you know that in order to drive legally in most states, drivers are required to purchase a minimum of liability insurance, including property damage and bodily injury? A simple Internet search will lead you in the right direction if you re looking for companies that will give you online car insurance quotes. Car insurance is required in all states, to one extent or another, but drivers are still free to choose to what extent they cover their personal property and health.


Buying car insurance online saves time and money- you just fill in your details, do a comparison, get a quote between quotes from different providers, choose the most beneficial one, save it, fill the application, pay the premium and in some states even print out the insurance card yourself. This type of car insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle if it is hit or damaged by another vehicle or as the result of a single vehicle accident. Even if you think that it is unlikely you ll be reimbursed for the cost, if you have an accident and are going to make a claim with your car insurance company then it is vital that you keep a receipt of all the expenses incurred. While we may not be able to drive our teenagers every where they need to go for the rest of their lives, there are several ways we can get cheap car insurance for our teenagers. Cheap car insurance is offered by companies to drivers who have a squeaky clean record and have never made a claim in all their years of driving. Did you know that your good driving record could actually help you get a low cost car insurance? Young people who want to renew their car insurance policy might have to pay more if they have been recently involved in any accident or a serious traffic violation like drunk driving.

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A Good Renters Insurance Could Work Both Ways, Too - Ingrid Helton's Finance and Insurance blog:

Taking the leap and finally renting your own apartment also entails being ready for any emergency that may arise.

History Of Insurance - Finance and Insurance Articles:

finally, you re going to get all the information about all types of insurance. How long has it been since you ve looking for this information?

Renters Insurance Could Cover A Lot Of Things - Rosalie Catoe's Finance and Insurance blog:

Before you get any type of insurance, you should first of all be aware of its definition.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Critical Illness May Occur Due To Certain Risk Factors

Category: Finance, Insurance.

With critical illness cover there had been evolution concerning the medical endorsement. Because when assessing the different risks, the single cause of death and disability may stem from critical illness.



Experience with life and disability insurance may only be of minimum use. Health insurers cover specific diseases but if compared to critical illness insurers, their experience may differ. These risk factors may be related to the circulatory system, cardio and cerebrovascular systems. Critical illness may occur due to certain risk factors. In this context, smoking may be considered as a risk factor as it may damage these systems and may as a matter of fact cause different types of cancer. Also, the applicant s actual medical and hierarchical medical history can be questioned.


Therefore, before underwriting is made, insurers may look at these risk factors closely. If any hereditary critical illness, for example heart attack had existed in the family, the procedure of having the critical illness cover may become lengthy. Only selected types of risks may be considered for critical illness endorsement. Furthermore, the total mortality of a risk may be assumed by consulting the Life Underwriting Manual. Risks that carry a high rate of mortality and also a high declination concerning life cover may as well not be accepted for critical illness. Here are some risks factors. On the other hand, risks to be considered may be analysed according to its relative critical illness risk.


Major risk factors. - Diabetes mellitus. - Hypertension. - Hypercholesterolemia. - Smoking. - Metabolic syndrome. - Unfavourable features in family history. Every risk factor may be given further debit percentage depending on its severity. Minor risk factors. - Overweight. - Hypertriglyceridemia with low HDL. - Elevation of lipoprotein( a) - Hyperuricemia. - Hyperfibrinogenemia. - Alcohol abuse. - Lack of exercise. - Health- impairing occupation. The applicant may be refused critical illness cover if analysis shows that the maximum level of debit had been surpassed. People who suffer from these impairments may not be entitled to receive critical illness cover. Moreover, there may be other factors that may lead to critical illness.


These can be described as follows: - Coronary artery disease. - Diabetes mellitus type I. - Arteriosclerosis. - Peripheral vascular disease. They are as follows: - Chronic severe diseases of the hematological system. - Chronic severe diseases of the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. - Chronic severe diseases of the respiratory tract. - Chronic severe diseases of the kidneys and the urinary tract. - Chronic severe neurological and psychiatric diseases. - HIV infection. However there are some diseases that may lead to several critical illness conditions like heart attack, stroke or kidney, coronary artery failure. Some of these diseases may lead towards tumour or may even demand the necessity of an organ transplant afterwards. These may be important especially to determine whether you could have a critical illness cover or not. Indeed, including the various aspects of critical illness cover lies the risk factors. Cases of antiselection might have also been avoided to some extent now.


All this may show the image of an insurance product in the form of critical illness insurance, gradually but surely matured with time.

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Before You Choose A Home Owner Insurance Company, Check Out A Few Independent Research Companies First - Imogene Florio about Finance and Insurance:

Peace of mind, and protecting your, security most valuable asset and possessions are the three best reasons that any homeowner needs to have a good home owners insurance policy.

And Thus Availing A Life Insurance Is Not A Tough Task - Antoinette Vankleeck's Finance and Insurance blog:

Since our birth to the time of death, risk prevails throughout our life.

You Could Be Of The Opinion That Car Insurance Is A Headache - Finance and Insurance Articles:

Car breakdowns are always a headache. That is why increasing numbers of car owners have started to voluntarily take to car insurance.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Is It Ever Too Late To Get Business Insurance

Category: Finance, Insurance.

There are various things that come to mind when people start and grow their own business. What they often overlook or don t consider is the need for business insurance, especially small business insurance for many, when embarking on the challenges of a starting entrepreneur.



They think of financing, and even legal, location fees associated with their dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Incorporating your needs for insurance is a vital component of the start- up process. In fact, it probably wouldn t hurt to include it as part of your business plan. It s never too early to think about small business insurance when starting your business. Depending on the kind of business you re in, and the types of risks and insurance obligations associated with what you do, the cost of insurance can be a vital component of how your start- up is financed. If you haven t, then it s just another reason why incorporating small business insurance early into your business plans is vital.


General business liability insurance: Ever hear of it? General business liability insurance is one of the most available means of insuring a business from liability. In essence, since doing business involves some degree of contact with the public, you expose yourself to the possibility of causing injury or damage to a member of that public. Liability comes in all forms and a specific policy to cover you specific business is necessary. It s not like the kind of insurance you get for your home, where most of the people who come by are family or friends. However, the likelihood of getting sued because someone who had some contact with your business feels you re responsible for harm to them is much greater. The likelihood of getting sued because somebody slipped and fell on the driveway you forgot to shovel is low.


That s where general business liability insurance comes in and should form an integral part of your small business insurance plan. Every single business has its own unique needs when it comes to receiving adequate coverage, which is why planning for it early becomes wise. Given the extent to which having insurance is a vital aspect of doing business, it just follows that incorporating it into your business plans as early as possible is just doing good business. Small business insurance can cover anything from the risk of having a tornado hit your office to the chance that someone is going to sue you for the bad carburetor you installed in their minivan that caught on fire. It s a common mistake to assume that small business insurance is something you get after you ve taken care of everything else. Having a plan in place early on to cover you particular risks will allow you to adequately assess your risks and finance your business. Although this is a better attitude than believing that business insurance is unnecessary or too costly.


Is it ever too late to get business insurance? Purchasing business insurance late in the process can mean that you ll encounter costs you simply did not expect or, which you, maybe even worse ll have to settle for insurance that won t adequately meet your needs. Of course not. Most successful businesses do one thing very well. But the point to keep in mind is that it s never too early to get business insurance either. As much as humanly possible, they try to manage the future. Well, it can mean a lot of things.


What does that mean? Yet, it means that, generally speaking the smart business operator will always try to think two or three steps ahead instead of being complacent or looking back. That s where small business insurance and general business liability insurance come in. One of the most important aspects of looking forward for any business is the extent to which they manage risk. An entrepreneur who incorporates these into their assessment of risk as early on as possible is more likely to confront the future than one who doesn t. The more that an entrepreneur does this early, the more they re doing to confront the risks associated with all startups.


Since risk is extremely large when starting a business, it only makes sense that it be dealt with in all its forms almost from the beginning. The beauty of small business insurance and general business liability insurance is that it takes one part of your assessment of risk and essentially out- sources it to someone else- your insurance provider. It s why getting an insurance provider you can trust early on is so important. If only all risk could be dealt with in the same manner. An insurance provider who gets you covered with a plan just right for you, and does it early on, will help you deal with one of the many challenges facing a starting small business. Without it, you re exposing your business to risks that could ruin all your other hard work and planning. The need for small business insurance is vital for any new business.


It s why insurance should form an integral part of that planning and be incorporated in something as early as a business plan. That s why a good package early on is the only way of doing business smartly. Things like general business liability insurance are necessary for entrepreneurs who expose themselves to the risk of doing business with a public you might not even see or come into contact with.

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Also Examine The Range Of Coverage Your Health Plan Offers - June Honahni about Finance and Insurance:

Health care costs on the rise, but there are a number of ways to lower your medical expenses.

Moreover, 18 Percent Of Claims Could Have Been Rejected - Finance and Insurance:

Taking out an insurance policy is a wise idea. Premium payments tend to vary according to the type of insurance and policy you buy.

This Reflects On Your Auto Insurance Premium - Nola Carner about Finance and Insurance:

Your age can be a big problem in auto insurance. Whichever group you fall into, there s a way for you to make the most remarkable savings in your auto insurance premium.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

You Should Not Let High Insurance Costs Prove To Be An Obstacle To You

Category: Finance, Insurance.

The medical insurance costs can prove to be the major difference why some people have insurance and have their health and life secured while many others perish because they cannot afford it.



You never know when the emergency situation may arise, and when it does, it can be an ordeal to deal with. A reliable insurance policy can mean a world of difference, that between life, in fact and death. Prohibitive costs of treatment, especially as that of surgeries, may deny you the essential treatment as to recover from your illness or injury. Going ahead with a medical insurance is to put the right foot forward, so that if ever you stumble in the future, the path does not lead to doom. You have to get your foot in the right place to get over this uncertainty that life brings. You can fall back on the protective cover provided by an insurance policy.


You should not let high insurance costs prove to be an obstacle to you. So not only does insurance give you a cover against exorbitant costs, it also gives you a peace of mind. If pricey insurance premium is what scares you, as it does to most people, do not hold back to apply for medical insurance because of your fear arisen out of lack of knowledge. You just need to know the way to go about these policies that can serve you at the time you need it, and yet not dig a hole in your pocket. Instead, you need to visit the Internet to find out the low- premium insurance policies. You will require to do a little planning on this. In general, the more flexible the clauses offering you insurance in extended situations, the better.


You can start by comparing the medical insurance quotes from the different insurance companies and look for clauses that offer you flexibility and the particular conditions where you are eligible for an insurance claim.

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Moreover, 18 Percent Of Claims Could Have Been Rejected - Ellen Kirkley about Finance and Insurance:

Taking out an insurance policy is a wise idea. Premium payments tend to vary according to the type of insurance and policy you buy.

Most Of The Insurance Will Pay You Around 75% Of Treatment Cost - Finance and Insurance:

Having healthy teeth imply good health. This finally leads us to have minor or serious teeth disease costing us a lot of time and money.

The Same Goes For These Car Insurance Quotes Sites - Finance and Insurance:

I once visited one of these free insurance quotes sites and was shocked to discover that the difference in rates for a comparable policy between two insurance companies was as high as$ 200Please, that was not a typo.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Role Of Insurance In Modern Times Simply Cannot Be Ruled Out

Category: Finance, Insurance.

The role of insurance in modern times simply cannot be ruled out. And it is not difficult to understand why.



Its utility was there in all ages but never was it more relevant than in modern times. Life is becoming more and more expensive and its effect is felt by every section of the society, particularly the middle class. In this scenario, if one purchases something expensive it is imperative that the individual concerned should go for insurance. Rarely will one ever come across an article which can be purchased without any deliberation. Otherwise there are a whole lot of disadvantages that he stands to suffer from. Insurance becomes even more relevant in cases where the product is expensive. The biggest advantage of insurance is the fact that the entire expenses that one incurs in case of theft or accident of the product is borne by the insurance company, and the person concerned is exempted from spending a single penny for it.


For, such products are, invariably purchased on loans with heavy interest, as any damage to them means double burden for the individual if the good is not insured. He will have to pay not only for the loan that he has taken but also for the expenses incurred on the damage. And if the good happens to be a car then one can imagine what happens to the owner. This will not be the case if the car is insured. Needless to say then how helpful Cheap Car Insurance can prove to be for people who face such scenarios. Because in that case all the expenses would have been borne by the insurance company, and it would not have mattered that the cause of damage is theft or accident or anything else. However, what needs to be understood is the fact that to ensure that insurance proves to be fruitful, one has to take certain precautions.


One also should not furnish any wrong information to the insurance company, for it leads to unnecessary hassles. These precautions include reading the conditions properly, checking whether the policy starts from the very time it is signed, ensuring whether the goods are priced correctly etc. If these things are taken care of then there is no reason why car insurance would not provide one with the security cover that one hopes for.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

And This Is Where Renters Insurance Comes In

Category: Finance, Insurance.

Cautious people who are seriously thinking of signing up with specific insurance providers make it a point to research on those providers before making a commitment.



But this is not an easy task, as insurance statistics per se are hard to find. Naturally, they would want to look up renters insurance statistics- how many people have signed up for insurance with this provider, how useful it has been for other people, etc. If you ve ever looked through the Web for facts and figures, you must already know this: disclosure of renters insurance statistics is not a popular activity among insurance providers. Not many people pay renters insurance, thinking of it as a superfluous expense. But you don t really need to scour the web for statistics, if you are confident in the reputation of your provider, and if you have a good idea how renters insurance could work for you. But you may think of this sort of insurance as an extra layer of protection. Accidents may occur that are not covered by your landlord s basic insurance for the building you are renting, or renting a room in.


Renting a home is not quite as secure as owning one, after all: there are many unforeseen expenses that may arise, especially in times of emergency. The insurance paid by your landlord for the building you are renting only covers the infrastructure- it does not cover your possessions. These items are not protected by basic insurance procedures, especially in case of fire, earthquake or theft. Say you own some items that would be expensive and perhaps even emotionally difficult to lose- jewelry, electronic hardware, expensive artwork( such as computers, sound systems) , guns, and other valuables. And this is where renters insurance comes in. Say that due to an accident, you damaged some of the valuables owned by the other tenants of your building.


This kind of insurance could also help protect you from liability suits. Liability charges may require you to shell out quite a bit of money. Renters insurance statistics might be able to help you with figuring out the cost of the premium. A good insurance policy for renters might be able to help shoulder some of the costs. But if you go ahead and ask different providers for quotes, you should be able to accomplish this even without having statistics handy. You can request insurance quotes online by visiting the websites of your prospective providers, or you can request for one offline as well, by talking to certified agents.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

It Is A Popular Policy As It Is, In The UK

Category: Finance, Insurance.

If we count our possessions to assess our most important assets, our lives would always rank at the highest. It is a popular policy as it is, in the UK.



It thus makes perfect sense to give it the protection it deserves with a life insurance policy. It is a positive sign that more and more people are getting down to understand its benefits and apply with the many convenient means and resources available these days. In the event of your death, your family or your dependants or beneficiaries, as who you name in the policy, shall be eligible to receive a lump sum amount upon claim. There are two main types of life insurance policies: Level Term Life Insurance Being the cheapest form of insurance, it is also perhaps the most preferred one. With not much to spend thus on high premiums, you can have the peace of mind that an insurance policy brings to you. And this is where the policy derives its name from.


Although this policy is applicable only in case of death of the holder during the term of the policy, the payments remain the same without any worry of hikes for a a fixed term. The fixed payment for fixed term helps you to calculate your payments till the term applies. Whole Life Insurance: This may prove to be a better deal if you' re thinking from a long- term perspective, although the premium may be on the higher side. However, as soon as the term expires which is generally to the tune of fifteen years, the validity of the policy is over and no insurance claims can be entertained thereafter. This policy has no fixed period and is applicable for insurance claims anytime no matter when the insured person's life ends. Apart from availing to these two major kind of life insurance policies, you can also go for add- ons like critical illness cover.


So this policy, as the name suggests, works for your whole life and guarantees a payout when you die.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Renters Insurance Could Cover A Lot Of Things

Category: Finance, Insurance.

Before you get any type of insurance, you should first of all be aware of its definition.



Renters insurance could cover a lot of things. The definition of renters insurance, is a type, in a nutshell of insurance that covers your belongings as a person who is renting a residential area. It could cover everything from your car to your jewelry, and to health and safety plans. Why do you need this safety measure in the first place? Each insurace company you look up for help will give you a different definition of renters insurance, so you have to be careful when choosing your insurance provider. For one thing, as someone who is just renting a home, your basic payment to your landlord would normally cover only the area of the building or lot that you occupy.


An example of such an event is if you accidentally leave the water in the tub running and flood out not only your apartment, but also cause some damage to the living spaces adjacent to and directly below yours. You don' t have any insurance that could cover damage incurred by your property, or the damage incurred by the property of others through an event in which you will normally be held liable. Renters insurance could not only protect your property, but also protect you from liability lawsuits. Theft is another thing that renters insurance can protect you from. At the very least, you should be able to receive a good compensation in the case of accidents in your company where others are harmed. Make sure to ask, if the compensation, however for your stolen or damaged valuables is for" actual cash value" or" replacement cost. " Actual cash value( ACV) is the amount of money your item was worth at the time it was purchased. Replacement cost may be more practical if you plan to keep your renters insurance for an extended period of time.


Replacement cost approximates the current value of the item, sans the usual deductions. Depending on the value of the items that you own, renters insurance could go as low as$ 10 or$ 20 per month. To get cheaper premiums, people would normally opt for the most" standard" coverage. This way, even college students who work part- time and are renting a private dormitory room or boarding house can afford this sort of insurance. In order to get the best deal from your provider, ask the representative first for a good definition of renters insurance plans from their company.

Monday, August 11, 2008

This Fact Is Clearly Evidenced By The Many Complaints Received By The Short- Term Insurance Ombud

Consumers often rely on the travel insurance available as part of their credit card facility, medical aid cover or insurance policies, but this could leave travellers stranded in a foreign country without the funds to receive adequate assistance or medical treatment.



In the excitement of arranging a dream holiday, many of us are tempted to gloss over the administrative details. Relying on the free travel insurance available as part of your credit card facility, medical aid cover or insurance policies, could leave you stranded in a foreign country without sufficient cover for adequate assistance or medical treatment. Unfortunately, dream holidays can turn into nightmares without the right travel insurance to offer comprehensive protection when things go wrong. Consumers often rely on the travel insurance available as part of their credit card facility, medical aid cover or insurance policies. From tsunamis and malaria infection to broken bones, heart attacks and stolen or lost luggage- these unexpected events are some of the real risks you face during your otherwise meticulously planned holiday. Travellers usually only have a vague idea of what these covers entail, because the details are not carefully explained and the policies are seldom customised to meet specific individual needs.


Travel agents also offer travel insurance, but are unlikely to dampen the traveller's enthusiasm by getting into details of an insurance contract. In most cases, the traveller would need to request the full details of the cover packaged within credit card facilities or insurance policies from the financial institution or insurance company. So while it is easy to simply rely on the cover packaged into a credit card facility or insurance policy, the one- size- fits- all approach taken by these covers introduce the risk of travellers not receiving the cover they expected- an option that could be extremely expensive in the long run. Most of the complaints relate to the fact that the limits of the cover are only brought to the travellers' attention after an event that gives rise to a claim has taken place. This fact is clearly evidenced by the many complaints received by the short- term insurance Ombud. These limits define the amount of cover the travellers will have if they fall ill or are injured in a foreign country, where medical costs may be much higher than at home.


For example, any injuries or losses related to pre- existing medical conditions, hazardous activities, chronic illnesses, terrorist acts, civil disturbance or, acts of war riots are excluded by many policies. Also important are the exclusions and conditions of the policy. There is only one way you can protect yourself against claims being repudiated, and that is by getting a copy of the policy, reading it carefully and ensuring you completely understand the terms, exclusions, conditions, limits and your responsibilities in terms of the policy. Often, time is also of the essence, making it even less likely that consumers will take the time to study the insurance cover. This seldom happens, as in the, though excitement of buying plane tickets and booking luxury hotel rooms, very few consumers want to read the fine print on an insurance contract. The result is that thousands of travellers fly off to their destinations, not knowing what cover is in place and what procedures they should follow if something happens.


It will also ensure you can enjoy complete peace of mind that you will be fully covered to receive the best treatment and evacuation services in the event of a medical emergency or a disaster. Having the right travel insurance will ensure that minor inconveniences such as lost luggage, flight delays and the cancellation of events will not ruin your holiday.