Tuesday 23 November 2010

The Facts Concerning Low Cost Insurance Coverage

Each and every insurance company on the market, in some form or another, promotes affordable insurance. Whether or not you are searching for house or auto insurance, life coverage, health care or any other type of coverage for that matter, you will discover that there's a huge number of providers which attempt to entice you in by promising incredible discounts and offers. However, you need to know that there's much more to low priced coverage that meets the eye.
Inexpensive coverage can be viewed as a marketing tactic simply because all of the incredible advertisements and offers are made to simply bring in the new customers. A few of the offers only apply for certain problems, for those who have a no claims reward for instance. Nevertheless, the circumstances of a provider might not be instantly obvious because they're frequently contained in the fine print. As a result, it is necessary to investigate the conditions and terms associated with any cheap coverage before signing up for these packages.
That isn't to say that all cheap insurance coverage is not good, but simply rare. Since the living costs have significantly increased within the last few years, more insurance providers tend to realize that people won't buy insurance packages if they are too expensive. Financial and insurance items should be cost-effective if the average person would be to accept them. Inexpensive services are offered, even if it is just to fill the marketplace demand. To find good packages for cheap, on the other hand, is going to take some work.
In reality, inexpensive coverage can be a blessing for all those people who can't afford a more expensive service. Expensive insurance can result in very little disposable income for most people. Several inexpensive insurance products only offer basic packages as opposed to the extensive protection plans that their more costly counterparts provide. Many of them provide a great degree of insurance at an arguably low cost, although to ensure the above point shouldn't put you off. The bottom line is to check the insurance policies point by point to ensure that they're providing value for money in addition to providing for all of your requirements. The omissions and fine print may uncover all you need to learn about any kind of insurance policy, including the inexpensive choices on the market!
Even though inexpensive insurance comes with its advantages and disadvantages, there are more and more providers available that are trying to look after individuals attempting to keep costs down and seeking affordable coverage. All of those providers can be found on a web site which will search for the very best offers to meet your requirements and compare them to provide you with a solid idea of what's good for you. It's most definitely worth considering and spending time to think about, whether you do at some point select inexpensive insurance or not. There's certainly quality available in the market, you just need to find it!

Saturday 20 November 2010

Exploring Self Employed Liability Insurance

Self employed liability insurance is an important investment used to protect your business when you work as an independent contractor. The puzzling maze of insurance plans and policies can at times be a little difficult to navigate. It is essential to those who own their own business, or work as independent contractors to understand their need for coverage. It is the responsibility of the self employed person to find the insurance they will need to protect their customers, but themselves as well. They must also asses and acquire the levels of coverage needed. It is doubly important that appropriate policies are obtained.
Many are taken aback at how expensive the policies may appear. However, understand that having to cover your business should a lawsuit occur is much more expensive than paying premiums. Most businesses have some form of insurance to protect them in the event of a lawsuit. For example, Malpractice insurance is a form of liability insurance doctors use. Self employed liability insurance is coverage for anything that a company or independent contractor may be held responsible for- or liable, in a court of law. Depending on your business, the needs you have for insurance will differ.
The first step in deciding how much coverage you will need and what type is discerning what risks may be associated with operating your own business. Retail businesses, even those small mom and pop style stores need to be covered in the event that an accident occurs. Everything from employee illness to slip and fall lawsuits can arise in a small retail environment and this makes self employed liability insurance particularly necessary. Those self employed who work from their homes are not immune to the need for insurance, and may also wish to look into more general liability policies for basic protection.
The most simple way to find the insurance you may need is by doing some research online. Finding companies that carry policies, you then have a better idea of where to ask questions. Balancing your business' needs with the levels of coverage agents from several companies suggest is an intelligent way to search for coverage. Compiling a list of questions to ask each insurer as you do so can help to keep your needs in mind. It is important that you take your time, finding adequate self employed liability insurance is a strong step towards protecting yourself and your assets.

Saturday 13 November 2010

Self Employed Liability Insurance - Extra Protection For Your Business

In today's ever changing economy, lawsuits are filed by dissatisfied customers and disgruntled contractors on a regular basis. Civil lawsuits are often filed against unprotected, ill-prepared, small business owners. In many situations, these business owners are just self employed individuals operating a company of one. While these lawsuits are often frivolous, not every self employed business owners can afford to hire lawyers or defend against legal charges. For those who constantly fear expensive legal battles, self employed liability insurance provides independent contractors with a way to protect themselves and their assets.
Business liability insurance policies may be purchased by any individual who seeks additional legal protection. These policies are offered by most major insurance providers, but many self employed individuals are unaware of the option for additional protection. In spite of insurance companies often marketing liability insurance to large companies, any individual operating their own business has the option of purchasing liability coverage. Once purchased, a business liability insurance policy can be used to protect the holder from a variety of legal situations. Self employed liability insurance can protect an independent contractor, or small business owner, from lawsuits and legal actions involving a business's work-site, product, service, or the actions of an employee.
Business liability is a broad subject which covers any action a company or its representatives may be considered legally responsible. Self employed individuals who work as contractors with small businesses, or other individuals, should always remember that they might be held legally libel for business practices. Though self employed individuals often believe no one would find suing them worthwhile, it is impossible to tell when a well-paying customer might choose to escalate a simple contract disagreement. Having a self employed liability insurance policy is one preventative measure that all small business owners can take.
When choosing a self employed liability insurance policy, it is important that the policy chosen provides the legal protection that best suits the policy holder's professional field. Just because a business liability policy offers coverage in case of accident to an employer, does not mean all small business owners need such coverage. For example, self employed individuals who work from home writing gossip columns may need protection against lawsuits brought against them for libel or slander. Choosing the best liability policy might seem daunting, but taking the time to research the best way to insure a business can save self employed worker's future stress and heartache.

Friday 12 November 2010

Government and disaster insurance

Indonesia is preparing a disaster insurance scheme to cover financial losses and provide for emergency needs as the country constantly faces strings of natural disasters causing heavy social burdens.
Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said Thursday the insurance was important as natural disasters have caused increasing financial losses and emergency needs to handle the aftermath of such disasters.
The most recent natural disasters of an earthquake-triggered tsunami in Mentawai, West Sumatra, and the eruption Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, have rallied people to show stronger support for the establishment of disaster insurance.
“I have asked the Indonesia Capital Market and Financial Institution Supervisory Agency chairman to conduct a study on the establishment of disaster insurance,” Agus told reporters at the Finance Ministry.
He added disaster insurance was a very common initiative for developed countries but not developing countries, including Indonesia. Agus said the government would soon reveal the study results in a meeting with stakeholders at the ministry.  “In principle, we have reached an agreement on the need to establish disaster insurance,” he said. “The insurance may be similar to other forms of life insurance,” he added without elaborating.  He only said the premium would be taken from the state budget although he was not sure whether it would be included in the 2011 State Budget.  Agus said the initiative needed careful arrangement including the insurance form, risk calculation and disbursement process.



“We will carefully study an appropriate insurance design to prevent any difficulties in its claiming process,” he said. “The proposed disaster insurance will be reinsured with world-class reinsurance companies. I haven’t seen any Indonesian companies that are ready to carry out the reinsurance program.”  Agus also said the government had proposed an additional disaster fund of Rp 150 billion (US$16.8 million) to the budget body of the House of Representatives. Previously, the government allocated a disaster fund of Rp 50 billion. Agus said the fund was separated from the budgetary allocation for the rehabilitation program. “The disaster fund will be managed by the National Disaster Management Agency [BNPB],” he said. The post-disaster rehabilitation program would have a separate budgetary allocation of more than Rp 3.5 trillion. The government allocates a total of about Rp 4 trillion for disaster management activities, higher than the Rp 3.79 trillion in the Revised 2010 State Budget. Ahsanul Qosasih, a member of the House Commission XI overseeing finance and banking, deplored the government for being unresponsive to strong public demand on the establishment of disaster insurance to minimize disaster risks. 


“It’s time for the government to establish disaster insurance,” he was quoted as saying by detik.com on Wednesday. “Disaster insurance is very urgent to support the disaster fund allocated within the state budget.” 

He said that his Commission had asked the Finance Ministry and the BNPB to officially propose and design a long-term disaster insurance scheme. “We have a very limited budgetary allocation for disaster management,” he said, adding that the insurance would be needed to cover any losses caused by natural disasters.

Friday 5 November 2010

Disaster and Insurance

While many of us don't like the idea of paying our insurance premiums each year, we're always glad we did when we need to file a claim.  But how many of us even think about buying insurance against disasters?  We might even be lulled into complacency because we're thinking that our existing homeowners policy insures us against natural disasters.  But as we'll soon explain, that's not necessarily the case.
In this article we're going to explain what coverage you can expect from a "standard" homeowners insurance policy.  We're also going to talk about events that might not be covered under an existing policy that can lead to devastating losses.  With those two pieces of information, you can then make an educated decision as to whether or not you need to purchase disaster insurance.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage

The specific protection you're buying in a homeowners insurance policy that we're going to discuss in this publication has to do with property coverage.  We're going to talk about the protections available for damage to the home, or dwelling.  A homeowners insurance policy offers other protections too, such as liability insurance, but that particular topic is covered elsewhere on this website.
An insurance policy that offers the homeowner adequate protection will pay the costs required to rebuild the entire structure, as well as the replacement of much of the home's content.  But while your insurance company pledges to pay these costs, there is a limit to their generosity.  This limit is often stated in terms of the "perils insured against."
And while the exact coverage will vary from policy-to-policy, the following list should give you a good idea of the types of natural "disasters" that a standard policy covers:
  • Fire / Lightning
  • Windstorms / Hail
  • Freezing of Plumbing / Pipes
  • Damage from Weight of Ice
  • Volcanic Eruptions (with exceptions)
On the other hand, your policy will also spell-out the disasters you're not insured against.  The most common exclusions to a policy include water damage, as well as damage caused by earth movement.

Disasters Not Typically Covered

If we examine the typical natural disasters that can strike home, our list is relatively short and includes:
  • Earthquakes - while certainly more common in states like California, earthquakes can happen (albeit with low probabilities) nearly everywhere on earth.
  • Floods - typically the result of abnormal rainfall, flooding can be the result of localized storms or hurricanes.  As is the case with earthquakes, floods resulting from hurricanes are more common in the Gulf Coast states and North Carolina.
  • Windstorms - again, a windstorm can range from a localized burst of wind to more organized storms such as tornados.  Windstorms and tornados occur with a greater frequency in a stretch of the United States known as Tornado Alley which stretches through the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.
  • Volcanic Eruptions - the least common of disasters, volcanic eruptions encompasses lahar (wet rock flow),  lava flows, and pyroclastic flows (a high-speed flow of hot, dry, gas and rocks).
  • Landslides - typically the result of rainfall, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, earthquakes or other events triggering large land movements.
  • Fire - in the context of naturally occurring disasters, the typical even might be a forest fire / wildfire resulting from lightning strikes.

Insurance Exclusions

In the same way that insurance companies are up-front about identifying the perils insured against, policies are also very clear on what's not covered - the exclusions.  Again, depending on your geography, as well as you insurance carrier, the two most common exclusions are:
  • Earth Movement
  • Flooding
So the good news is that you're very likely insured against many natural disasters already just by owning a homeowners insurance policy.  The bad news is that if you're in a flood prone area or live in an area of the country where earthquakes are relatively common, then you're going to have to purchase insurance against these disasters.

Disaster Insurance Policies

Before making any purchase decision, we suggest you take the time to open up your homeowners insurance policy and read through your existing coverage.  The exact coverage should be clearly spelled-out in your policy's buyer's guide or in the policy itself.  Only then will you have a clear picture of the types of disasters that are already covered by your policy.
As promised, we're going to finish up this article by explaining some of the options you have when it comes to purchasing disaster insurance.

Flood Insurance

Flooding can occur in nearly all 50 states.  In fact according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) around 30% of all flood claims originate from areas that are categorized as moderate-to-low flood risk.
Fortunately, flood insurance is universally available to homeowners via FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  A home located in a moderate-to-low risk area can purchase $250,000 in coverage for just over $300 annually.  This same level of coverage in a high-risk area will cost in the neighborhood of $2,500.

Earthquake Insurance

In most states, earthquake insurance can be purchased directly from your homeowners insurance policy company.  The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a state-run insurance pool that is responsible for most of the policies sold in California.
The cost of earthquake insurance will vary by geography, the value of the home, the dwelling type (year built), as well as the number of stories (multilevel versus single story).  The factor having the biggest influence on cost, however, is the location of the home.  For example, a $1 million policy for new, single-story home will cost around $450 in the San Diego area, while that same policy for an identical home located in Oakland will cost closer to $2,300.

Life insurance, an investment

LISTEN TO AN INSURANCE SALESPERSON FOR EVEN A few minutes and you'll come away convinced of one thing: Life insurance is so insanely complicated you couldn't possibly understand it, so you better just buy some quick. Self-employed people, in particular, are targeted by an industry that would have us believe that its policies are the tax-favored ticket to comfortable retirement, college funds, and the orderly transition of family businesses. They'd like to sell you a policy without even mentioning the words death benefit.

But don't invest in life insurance unless you need that death benefit. Life insurance carries commissions, fees, and charges (including the so-called mortality charges that pay for the death benefit) that most mainstream investments do not.
Still, death benefits are what life insurance is all about for any worker, self-employed or not. If you have a family that depends on you for money, you need life insurance. That's not so complicated, is it? If you already know you need life insurance and want to add a few investment wrinkles, there are products that do that. Here's your orientation to the world of life insurance.

Thursday 4 November 2010

Automobile Insurance

The following research is meant to look at the case of auto insurances, and furthermore will furnish the readers more than a few effective tips in order to put into practice a part of its things. 
Answer yourself right here in the study that appears before you the reason why the concept of auto insurances is an extremely attractive option for anybody that is concerned with the field of auto insurances .
When you have your personal automobile, there`s every chance that you have some familiarity with vehicle insure. You might`ve read or heard the terms: `deductible` or `premium`. Despite this basic knowledge, do you actually follow the different parts of an online motor vehicle insure agreement and are you confident that you have the knowledge to figure out what you can do to ensure that you pick the most suitable coverage? In this country, 47 states make it a legal requirement for you to have a certain minimum of some kind of cars coverage online, which means that you`d be wise to know the scope of coverage the law requires you to have as well as what type of additional or non-obligatory coverage will provide sufficient cover should you have a smash-up or other accident. 

Before obtaining your auto ins, you ought to consider a number of aspects, which involve what kind of automobile (e.g., a sports job., a family sedan., a pick-up, etc.) you have, your driving record, and also what you`re prepared to pay. Being familiar with the simple basics of cars ins online will give you the confidence that the motor vehicle coverage online agreement you select will handle your insurance needs if you ever have a collision or other accident. 


Everyone who drives needs automobile insure. In fact, most 50 states make it legally compulsory. When you buy motor vehicle insurence online, you are paying for the purchase of what`s known as a `policy`. Your insurance contract (or policy) and its terms and rates take into account a variety of details, which entail the kind of vehicle you have, in addition to the class of cover you need. online auto insure policies are, in fact, really a package of several types of insurance coverage. The primary move toward figuring out an on line cars coverage policy is to study the several different forms of coverage insurance companies extend. Some of this insurance cover may be compulsory under your state`s law and certain types of coverage could be optional. 




Liability - This insurance cover pays for unwillful bodily harm or injury and pays for damages to somebody else`s property. Damages for injuries entail medical fees, pain and suffering (physical pain and mental anguish), and loss of wages. Damage to property entails damaged property and cars. This insurance additionally pays for fees and costs for your legal defense. The laws of each US state regulate the quantity of liability cover you must buy, although you always have the option to get more cover than your state requires. 




Collision Coverage - This insurance cover (also called `crash coverage`) reimburses damages to your vehicle arising from a smash-up with another car or non-human object. 




Comprehensive Coverage - This insurance cover takes care of loss or damages to the insured vehicle that doesn`t occur in a car crash. The different kinds of damages that come under a comp. policy entail loss or damage caused by fire, high winds, hailstones, flood-damage, vandalism, or theft. 




Medical Coverage - Pays health care fees, irrespective of whether you are the at-fault party, when the physical-injury costs arise from a car road mishap. 




Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - This form of coverage is obligatory in a number of states. This coverage takes care of medical costs for the insured motorist, regardless of fault, and for medical therapy resulting from a car crash. 




Uninsured Motorist - Reimburses the damages to your car in the event that an auto crash is due to a motorist who doesn`t have any liability insurance. 




UIM (Underinsured Motorist) Insurance - Takes care of your car`s damages in the event that an auto crash is the result of negligence or recklessness by a driver who has inadequate liability insurance. 




Rental Reimbursement - This kind of insurance cover will reimburse the cost of a rented vehicle in the event that your car is damaged on account of a car road mishap. Generally, rental reimbursement coverage comes with a per diem payment for a rented vehicle. 




Quite a few insurance contracts hybridize a number of these categories of coverage. Your initial move in deciding on the online cars insurance you find most suitable is to be acquainted with what is mandatory according to your state`s legislation. This knowledge will enable you to figure out the least amount of coverage you must carry for your vehicle. It`d be smart to bear in mind that although a high level of coverage may not be demanded by your state laws, getting extra insurance may deliver good value for the additional cost. In the final analysis, no motorist needs to be stuck with 1,000s of dollars worth of bills on account of a vehicular collision or other accident.

Buying Life Insuranc

Finding the middle ground between being "insurance poor" and unprotected requires assessing real needs and choosing products that are affordable. This article introduces different types of insurance products and the role that they can play in a personal financial plan.


Buying Life Insurance

Conventional wisdom says that life insurance is sold, not purchased. In other words, some people are reluctant to discuss the importance of owning life insurance, and others are simply unaware of the need to have life insurance. Although many large companies provide life insurance as part of their benefits package, this coverage may be insufficient.

Who needs life insurance? If there are individuals who depend on you for financial support, or if you work at home providing your family with such services as child care, cooking, and cleaning, you need life insurance. Older couples also may need life insurance to protect a surviving spouse against the possibility of the couple's retirement savings being depleted by unexpected medical expenses. And individuals with substantial assets may need life insurance to help reduce the effects of estate taxes or to transfer wealth to future generations. 
Types of Insurance

Term insurance is the most basic, and generally least expensive, form of life insurance for people under age 50. A term policy is written for a specific period of time, typically 1 to 10 years, and may be renewable at the end of each term. Also, the premiums increase at the end of each term and can become prohibitively expensive for older individuals. A level term policy locks in the annual premium for periods of up to 30 years.
Declining Balance Term insurance, a variation on this theme, is often used as mortgage insurance since it can be written to match the amortization of your mortgage principal. While the premium stays constant over the term, the face value steadily declines. Once the mortgage is paid off, the insurance is no longer needed and the policy expires. Unlike many other policies, term insurance has no cash value. In this sense, it is "pure" insurance without any investment options. Benefits are paid only if you die during the policy's term. After the term ends, your coverage expires unless you choose to renew the policy. When buying term insurance, you might look for a policy that is renewable up to age 70 and convertible to permanent insurance without a medical exam.
Whole Life combines permanent protection with a savings component. As long as you continue to pay the premiums, you are able to lock in coverage at a level premium rate. Part of that premium accrues as cash value. As the policy gains value, you may be able to borrow up to 90% of your policy's cash value tax-free.
Universal Life is similar to whole life with the added benefit of potentially higher earnings on the savings component. Universal life policies are also highly flexible in regard to premiums and face value. Premiums can be increased, decreased or deferred, and cash values can be withdrawn. You may also have the option to change face values. Universal life policies typically offer a guaranteed return on cash value, usually at least 4%. You'll receive an annual statement that details cash value, total protection, earnings, and fees.
Drawbacks to this type of insurance include higher fees and interest rate sensitivity. Universal policies include up-front fees as well as ongoing administrative fees totaling as high as 5% to 7% of your premiums. You may also find your premiums increasing when interest rates decline.
Variable Life generally offers fixed premiums and control over your policy's cash value. Your cash value is invested in your choice of stock, bond, or money market funding options. Cash values and death benefits can rise and fall based on the performance of your investment choices. Although death benefits usually have a floor, there is no guarantee on cash values. Fees for these policies may be higher than for universal life, and investment options can be volatile. On the plus side, capital gains and other investment earnings accrue tax deferred as long as the funds remain invested in the insurance contract.
Universal Variable Life insurance is the most aggressive type of policy. Like variable life, you control your investment in mutual funds. However, there are no guarantees on universal variable policies beyond the original face value death benefit. These policies are probably best suited to affluent buyers who can afford the risks involved.

How Much Insurance Do I Need?

A popular approach to buying insurance is based on income replacement. In this approach, a formula of between five and ten times your annual salary is often used to calculate how much coverage you need. Another approach is to purchase insurance based on your individual needs and preferences. The first step is to determine your unique income replacement needs.
Currently, a large portion of your income goes to taxes (insurance benefits are generally income tax free) and to support your own lifestyle. Start off by determining your net earnings after taxes. Then add up all your personal expenses such as food, clothing, magazine subscriptions, club memberships, transportation expenses, etc. The remainder represents annual income that your insurance will need to replace. You'll want a death benefit amount which, when invested, will provide income annually to cover this amount. Then, you should add to that the amounts needed to fund one-time expenses such as college tuition for your children or paying down mortgage or debt.
Income replacement for nonworking spouses is an important and often overlooked insurance need. Coverage should provide for your costs for day care, housekeeping, or nursing care. Add to this any net earnings from part-time employment.
Finally, estimate your own "final expenses" such as estate taxes, uninsured medical costs, and funeral costs. 
Other Types of Life Insurance

Survivorship life insurance (also referred to as last-to-die or second-to-die) is a unique type of contract that insures the lives of two people. It pays a death benefit upon the death of the second insured. Therefore, it is typically less expensive than two individual policies. Survivorship life is often used for estate planning, where it may be possible to potentially leverage today's dollars -- via insurance premiums -- into a potentially significant death benefit that can be used to fund estate taxes, create wealth for future generations, or benefit a charity. These policies may be available if one insured is medically "uninsurable."
First-to-die life insurance insures the life of at least two people and pays a benefit upon the death of the first insured. This policy is useful for covering a mortgage or other large debt obligation where there is more than one debtor. In addition, it can be an ideal tool for funding a buy-sell agreement within a closely held business. 
Conclusion
Life insurance is an important component of a sound financial plan. Buying insurance involves asking a variety of personal lifestyle and financial questions. If you are not already working with an insurance professional, you may want to consider the advice of a fee-for-service financial planner who can offer you an objective review of your insurance options. When you decide on what you want, there are many solid insurance companies to choose from. Consult your library or an independent insurance professional for companies with the highest ratings from the four ratings agencies: AM Best, Duff Phelps, Standard & Poor's, and Moody's.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Why Insurance

Insurance exists because risk exists. There is a possibility that anyone could become a victim of fire, theft, auto accidents, other injury accidents, illness, severe weather, lawsuits and more. We are subject to risk at home, at work, in our cars, traveling, in the hospital or anywhere at any time.
Insurance cannot remove the risk or the likelihood that one might become a victim of any of these events, but what it does is transfer all or some of the financial impact of any of these events. Insurance exists to help individuals recover from the financial consequences of these events by pooling the resources of a large group to pay for the losses of a small group.

Insurance has been around in some form since traders first began to travel over water to trade their goods. There is documented evidence that Chinese and Babylonian traders began to protect themselves against risk as far back as the 3rd century BC. Traders realized that if they spread their goods among multiple vessels, rather than putting all of their cargo on one vessel, they had a better chance of avoiding complete loss.
In later years, shippers in Great Britain reasoned that if 100 ship owners each chipped in money, if some of those ships were damaged or lost, the money collected from all 100 ships could be used to repair or replace the few. Extreme losses following the Great Fire of London in 1666 led to the creation of the world's first actual insurance company, The Insurance Office, or The Fire Office. And in the United States, the first insurance company was started in Charleston, South Carolina in 1732. Benjamin Franklin is recognized as helping to make insurance popular and to standardize the practice of insurance.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Choosing Health Insurance


Willing umbrella before it rains. That phrase is appropriate to have careful planning in anticipation of the worst possibilities, including in terms of health financing. In an age which is totally complex, have health insurance seems more important considering the cost of care and treatment of disease is getting more expensive and unpredictable.


However, choosing the right insurance also is equally important so that you are not harmed in the future. Well, here is a brief exposures within the rubric of Dr. Samsuridjal Djauzi health consultation that was published Kompas, Sunday (22 / 6).Dr. Samsuridjal revealed his views about what to consider before selecting a health insurance:

 Question:

My in-laws 61-year-old traffic accident and need to undergo brain surgery. Thankfully the operation went well and he is healthy again. Only, he was forced to deplete savings he collected for years because of hospital expenses reached USD 20 million. I can not imagine if he had no savings, how the difficulties to be faced. I just got married a year ago. Although our new family, we are planning a health insurance clients. We feel that today's health care costs increasingly expensive and those costs can not be predicted. We have insured cars, because it rightly, we also entered the health insurance. Is not health is a precious blessing of God that need to be maintained at all times?

It's long enough that we plan and health insurance we have contacted several companies. However, we still have difficulties in choosing health insurance. We're being cautious because we're afraid the wrong choice. In terms of our funds have clearances. My wife and I worked so has the spaciousness of funds to pay insurance premiums.

We are especially careful after hearing many complaints an insurance participants were disappointed with health insurance services in Indonesia. Some acquaintances we even chose to go on the consideration of foreign health insurance is more reliable and more extensive coverage of its services. Apparently health insurance services in Indonesia dubious. What was promised was not in accordance with the services provided.

He said, at the time described the officers insurance policy offers all easy. If enough customers get sick just thinking about his illness and the insurance company that will clean up all the costs. In practice, many exceptions that must be considered.

As a doctor who often serve patients who have health insurance, whether the doctor can recommend a good health insurance company? What should be considered before choosing a health insurance? Doctor's advice we needed because my field is finance, while the architect's wife. So, we do not understand the health insurance.Thanks for the explanation of the doctor.

Answer:

Your intentions and wives have very good health insurance. One of the problems in our health services are health care financing. Approximately 70 percent of Indonesian people to fund their own doctor or hospital costs, while health costs continue to rise.Increasingly sophisticated medical technology increasingly expensive health care costs.

Increased health costs not only happen in Indonesia, but throughout the world. Factors that increase the cost is the price of medicines, medical equipment, as well as physician fees, physician fees although the actual element is just a small part of overall health costs.

Although we have been maintaining good health with caution, the disease can occur without warning. Traffic accidents such as experienced in law, for example, an occurrence that is common to families in Indonesia, even approximately 30,000 people die each year because of traffic accidents. So, it is very wise to familiarize yourself Indonesian families protect themselves with health insurance.

By regularly pay a premium, if fallen ill with the assistance of health insurance so that no incriminating family expenditure. We often see families who have to pay fees owed to the hospital.

Actually, in my experience, today's health insurance in Indonesia has been quite good. Support health insurance will depend on agreements between customers and insurance companies. The greater the premium paid more complete support for insurance.

Therefore, you need to look at the support of health insurance coverage before choosing health insurance. Does coverage include outpatient services and hospitalization? Is there a particular disease that is not secured by insurance companies?

Also worth noting where the service. Are you able to choose doctors or hospitals you want or are limited to a designated hospital? All must be considered, including when the effective guarantee applies. For example, there are certain health insurance just beginning guarantee after 30 days after signing the agreement.

Health insurance services are now very diverse. In addition to offering financing guarantees when ill, there is a combine with certain services, such as the premium paid in part will be treated as savings or investment.

Obviously this offer attractive, but usually offered insurance premiums will also be larger. In addition, they are actually participating in the younger age insurance program would get some ease, for example, unnecessary medical examinations and also to remember insurance premiums will increase with increasing age of the customer. So, get health insurance at a young age.

Although you and your family will already be a customer of health insurance, healthy lifestyles should still be carried out. It's certainly a better fit than the costs borne illness despite medical insurance. So, do not leave a healthy lifestyle has become a customer even though health insurance.

I understand the challenges facing Indonesia today's young families. I feel happy to place the health of your family as important elements that need attention. Well, I hope you and your family will be healthy and happy always. (Dr. Samsuridjal Djauzi)

Source : http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2008/06/22/14430512/memilih.asuransi.kesehatan

Thursday 2 September 2010

CEO Baru Allianz Life Indonesia


Joachim Wessling, New CEO for Allianz Life Indonesia with Craig Ellis, Regional General Manager (Right) and Jens Reisch, CEO Allianz Malaysia (Left)

Allianz has appointed Joachim Wessling as new CEO of Allianz Life Indonesia. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval. Joachim Wessling has collected comprehensive experience in senior positions for Allianz over the last 28 years. Most recently, he served as the CEO for Allianz’ business in Ukraine.  Joachim will succeed Jens Reisch, who is heading Allianz’s business in Malaysia.

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Accident Insurance

Accident insurance provides a cash cover to a policyholder when s/he suffers injuries as a result of an accident. While insurance helps a policyholder pay off hospital and medical bills in case of accident injuries, it provides cash benefits to family members if the policyholder dies in the accident. This insurance, applicable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is also commonly referred to as personal accident insurance

Under personal accident insurance, the policyholder, if injured, receives cash benefits every month, just like income, for as long as s/he is unable to work due to the accidental injuries. This income is non-taxable and does not exceed the policyholder’s after-tax earnings minus the state benefits s/he can claim. In case of death of the policyholder due to an accident, the family receives a specific lump-sum amount.
There are eight common types of personal accident insurance policies: 

Individual: This policy can be taken by any individual. The benefits usually enclose partners and children. Since several activities are excluded from this policy, it is not as useful for people who love adventurous sports, like mountaineering and rock climbing.
Children: The purpose of this policy is to provide financial help to parents if they are unable to work or if they incur expenses as a result of an accident.
Group: This policy is used by companies to cover employes for expenses related to accidents.
Self-employed: Since self employed individuals are not eligible for employee benefits, they are worse off when injured in an accident.
Team: Through a team accident insurance policies, organizers can seek cover for all the members of a sports team.
Professional: This policy is specifically for self employed professionals, such as a sportsperson, actor, lawyer or doctor, who have special requirements.
Over 50: This policy targets people over 50 years of age, as accidents can cause more grievous injuries to them.
Travel accidents: This policy offers benefits in case the policyholder meets with an accident while traveling.
    There are varied accident insurance policies to suit different needs. One should understand and choose the policy with utmost care.