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Car Insurance

Top tips for young drivers in the UAE

If you are a young driver in the UAE and have recently passed your test, you may find the process of choosing your car insurance overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Below we outline some top tips for young drivers to help you get the insurance quotes online you need at the best price possible.

1. Choose the right cover

While it may be tempting to opt for less insurance coverage, if you would be unable to replace your car if it was involved in an accident, then it is advisable to select a fully comprehensive insurance policy. This will ensure, no matter what scenario you may be involved in, e.g. a traffic collision or an act of vandalism, you will have the cover you need.

2. Prove you are a low-risk driver

As a new driver, the best way to prove to insurance companies that you are not a risk is by driving as safely as possible. In your second year as a newly-approved driver, you will be able to significantly lower your insurance quote if you have not made any claims or been involved in any accidents.

3. Carefully select your vehicle

Vehicles with expensive customisations, such as alloy wheels or powerful engines, are more expensive to insure. This is due to the fact it is more expensive for insurance companies to repair or replace them. While it may be tempting to choose an expensive model as your first car, it is better value to choose a car that meets your needs and does not have unnecessary customisations.

4. Compare car insurance online

The best and most effective way to ensure you select the right insurance policy at the best price possible as a young driver is to compare car insurance online. This will ensure you are receiving the best value for the cover you need and will prevent you from having to contact multiple insurance providers individually for a car insurance quote which can be time-consuming.

If you are a young driver looking for car insurance in the UAE, visit Compare Insurance today. We can help you find the cover you need effortlessly.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

Why adding activity cover to your travel insurance policy makes sense

When it comes to annual travel insurance, it can be tailored to cover many additional things such as extra cover for skiing trips or for going on a cruise for example. However, what about those activities that are more extreme, can they be covered too? Extreme sports and other riskier activities are becoming more popular than ever before, such as parasailing or bungee jumping, and for these types of activities you will need to get an activity pack added to your policy. These types of add-ons are ideal if you need to cover dangerous or hazardous activities that you may want to take part in whilst on vacation.

What type of activities can be covered?

Almost all dangerous or potentially hazardous activities can be covered by the addition of extra insurance cover. Activities such as abseiling, adventure racing, hot-air ballooning, climbing, hiking, dog sledding, hang gliding, caving, sailing, mountain biking and parachuting are just some that can be covered but there are hundreds more.

Make sure you get the right coverage

Although these activity packs are a useful addition to your travel insurance policy, not every insurance policy has them, so you should check the wording on your chosen policy before you sign up for it. In addition to which, some travel insurance policies have different packs for different activities, so you will need to double check everything is in order before you sign.

Make sure you’re honest with regards to medical conditions

Due to some medical conditions preventing you from being able to take part in certain high-risk activities, you may also find they will preclude you from adding the extra insurance cover to your policy. So, if you were to go ahead and take part in a dangerous activity in spite of your medical condition, and something went wrong, then you may not have enough insurance to cover your medical bills.

The bottom line

Dangerous sports and other hazardous activities can make for a great vacation, but it is doubly important you have the right level of travel insurance before you leave home, otherwise you could find that your holiday of a lifetime becomes the stuff of nightmares.

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Car Insurance

5 car insurance mistakes to avoid if you want to save money

As a smart and conscientious driver, you will already know the benefits of having a decent car insurance policy for when things go wrong. Shopping around for the most suitable car insurance deal is something that all drivers should do, but many people often make mistakes with their car insurance policy. Here are some of the car insurance pitfalls to avoid.

1. Inadequate coverage

One mistake to avoid is to automatically sign up for the policy that offers the cheapest quote. That low quote often comes at the expense of offering you a policy that doesn’t provide enough protection e.g. 3rd party insurance, something you may not notice until you make a claim.

2. Not being truthful about prior insurance claims

Prior to furnishing you with a quote, all insurance companies will ask you to disclose information regarding any prior car insurance claims you may have made. You need to make sure that the information you provide is up to date as any undisclosed claims discovered further down the line could see an increase in the cost of your policy.

3. Not adding all drivers

You need to be completely honest with regards to how many people will be driving the vehicle on your policy. Failure to disclose one or more drivers could result in either an increase in your premium or your policy being cancelled altogether should this information be discovered by your provider.

4. Not adding accident forgiveness to your policy

Make sure you ask the insurance company you are requesting a quote from if they have such a thing as an accident forgiveness feature on their policy. Under this plan, the first collision you have will not see an increase in your policy’s premium.

5. Not getting all the discounts you are entitled to

One of the most common mistakes people make when taking out car insurance policies is not making sure they are getting all the discounts they qualify for. Most insurance companies offer discounts for those who have not made any previous claims (often called a no-claims bonus), or for having additional security measures fitted to the car. Even adding a dash camera can often lower your monthly premiums as the footage it offers will make deciding who was at fault should a collision occur much easier.

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Travel Insurance

4 common travel insurance mistakes to avoid

You’ve purchased your tickets, checked that your visa and passport documentation is valid, purchased your holiday money and you’re all set to go. Well not quite, in the rush to get everything done prior to your trip it is easy to forget about travel insurance. In this article, we will take a look at some of the common errors travellers make when it comes to travel health insurance.

1. Forgoing vaccinations

If you are travelling to a country where diseases such as typhoid, yellow fever or malaria are commonplace, you will need to make sure you are vaccinated. Failure to do so will not only have the potential to make you seriously ill, but you’ll end up footing the bill for all the medical treatment you receive.

2. Failing to declare pre-existing medical conditions

Your travel insurance will not pay out should you fall ill due to a pre-existing medical condition if you have not declared it when taking out your policy. Not only will you then be liable for costs of medical treatment whilst abroad, but you will also have to foot the bill for any flights or changes to your travel plans that come as a result of your enforced rest.

3. Buying travel insurance just before you travel

Because travel insurance covers more than just falling ill when you are away, you need to sign up to a travel insurance policy as soon as you know you will be leaving the country. Airline strike disruption, flights cancelled due to adverse weather or cancelling your travel plans due to personal reasons can all be covered by a good travel insurance policy.

4. Don’t rely on free insurance policies

Many credit card companies and banks offer travel insurance perks, but you’ll need to read the small print carefully, as these policies typically cover emergencies only, and you will need a more comprehensive policy for peace of mind.

Summary

A travel insurance policy should give you peace of mind in the event of something unexpected happening, be it a medical emergency or flight cancellation, baggage loss etc, but always double-check your any travel insurance policy offers the best coverage before you buy.

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Categories
Car Insurance Health Insurance Travel Insurance

Is it difficult to compare insurance quotes online?

No matter what kind of insurance you’re looking for, whether it’s travel, health, home, or car insurance, you have the best chance of finding the right deal for you when you compare online. Comparing different insurance quotes online is the sure way to ensure you get the best possible quote – but is it difficult to do?

The simple answer is no, anyone can do it!

How do you compare quotes online?

There are two main ways you can compare travel insurance from different insurance companies online. The first is to make a list of insurance companies and make your application to each of them. When you get your quote back, you can compile those quotes in a list and see which is the best one for you. The trouble with this is that it’s time-consuming and laborious.

The second way is by using a dedicated insurance comparison site. There you make one simple application, no matter what kind of cover you’re looking for, be it home insurance, car, travel, health, etc, and the comparison tool does the hard work. It passes your application on to multiple insurance partners, who will then provide you with a quote. The quotes are automatically compiled in a list for you, and in many cases, you can have multiple quotes to choose from in as little as a few minutes.

How do comparison websites work?

Comparison websites partner with multiple insurance providers. When a customer makes an application through the comparison site, it passes it straight to those insurance providers. Generally, a comparison website will make its own money either through advertising or through fees for its service, either directly to customers or to the insurance providers. Either way, it offers a much faster and more convenient way to find a variety of insurance quotes in as little as a few minutes.

If you want to find your next insurance quote online, be sure to use a comparison site that you can trust in order to get the very best quotes possible. Whether it’s home insurance, car, travel, or health cover you need, you can rely on Compare Insurance for the quote.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

5 ways to get cheaper travel insurance

After spending your hard-earned wages on a lovely holiday, it is understandable that you want to get the best deal on the best travel insurance.

Just by making sure that you are insured for your trip may save you money. Unforeseen cancellations, costly medical bills and losing your luggage – each of these things could cost you dearly if you are uninsured.

Here are 5 other quick tips on saving money.

Compare the market

Don’t just go with the travel insurance offered by your chosen travel agent. Make sure that you have thoroughly researched the market for the best deal. The easiest way to do this is with an online insurance comparison site, such as Compare Insurance.

Only pay for what you need

Insurance policy documents are often lengthy and can be tricky to read. However, take the time to go through the document carefully and make sure that you are not paying for something that you don’t need. Removing extras like winter sports add-ons, for example, can help reduce your premium.

Increase the excess

This option has pros and cons. Paying an ‘excess’ refers to the amount of money you will have to pay towards any claim that you make on your travel insurance. The amount varies, and the more money that you are prepared to pay towards your claim, usually the lower your overall travel insurance premium.

Think carefully though before you go for this option. If you do need to claim on your travel insurance, have you got the money readily available?

Is this your only trip?

Although an annual travel insurance package works out more expensive than a single trip premium, it could work out cheaper if you are planning any other trips in the coming 12 months. Paying for several single cover travel insurance premiums will work out more expensive in the long run.

Avoid countries with expensive healthcare

The United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean all have expensive healthcare. This will be reflected in the high cost of your premium. If you really want to keep the cost of your travel insurance low, avoid these destinations.

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Categories
Health Insurance

3 health insurance pitfalls to avoid

With the current pandemic situation across the world, there has never been a better time to have health insurance. However, a lot of people often sign up for a health insurance policy without giving the policy the correct scrutiny, which can lead to health care coverage that is insufficient or will see your claim rejected. In this article, we will take a look at the three main health insurance pitfalls to avoid to find the best health insurance companies.

1. Relying on an employer insurance policy

Most companies offer health insurance for their employees, but one mistake to avoid is to just totally rely on this policy to cover you for every eventuality. For a start, this policy is unlikely to cover your family, and will end as soon as you leave the company for any reason, be it another job or retirement etc.

This means, that you should look to take out a personal health insurance policy as quickly as possible in order to cover you and your family that you can rely on no matter where you are working or who for.

2. Coverage that is insufficient for your needs

A lot of people sign up for a health insurance policy without really understanding what illnesses and injuries are covered by the policy. This can be a costly mistake, especially during an emergency when you realise that your insurance coverage does not cover the costs of treatment for your particular situation.

3. Not fully disclosing your medical history

In order to provide you with cover that is relevant to your situation, an insurance company will need to have accurate data relating to your medical history. Some people downplay their medical history in order to lower the cost of the premiums they must pay for their policy. However, insurance companies often carry out due diligence on all new policy applications, and if they uncover a discrepancy then they may well reject any claim you make, as well as marking you out as a fraud risk to other insurance companies.

In summary

These are the three most important pitfalls to avoid when it comes to health insurance, and by following this advice you will be able to secure a comprehensive health insurance policy that will not let you down when you need it.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

What are the 3 tiers of travel insurance?

There are generally 3 tiers of travel insurance available, which is loosely related to the cost of healthcare in your chosen destination.

Europe

Generally, a regular holiday to Europe offers cheap travel insurance although most European countries are included in a typical travel insurance package, it is worth discussing with your broker (or checking online information) which European holiday destinations are included.

Some insurers do not include a handful of European countries in their regular cover, countries such as Cyprus, Greece, and Switzerland. Although this is not always the case, it’s worth checking in case you need to upgrade your insurance.

Worldwide, excluding certain countries

The next best value in terms of travel insurance premiums is the worldwide cover, excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico. Healthcare in these exempt countries is typically much more expensive compared to other countries. Excluding these countries allows for a decrease in the premium.

Worldwide

This is the most expensive travel insurance and covers the whole globe (usually excluding certain countries experiencing war and other instabilities). If you are travelling to the United States, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico for example, this is the cover you will need to pay for, even if you don’t intend on travelling to any other country.

Excluded countries

Despite its name, the ‘worldwide’ cover does not in fact always cover you for the whole world. There are certain countries that you cannot obtain mainstream travel insurance for, largely because they are deemed too unstable, dangerous, or are currently in a state of war or political upheaval.

However, different travel insurers may have different policies, so it is always worth shopping around for the best deal to suit you.

The countries that are excluded from worldwide cover are generally countries that have been listed by your government’s foreign office as advising against all travel (or against all but essential travel). Again, there may be insurers out there who will give you travel insurance cover, but with exemptions on what you can claim for.

For the best deals on travel insurance, it is always worth comparing all the different companies.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

3 holidays that make travel insurance more expensive

When looking to go on holiday, travel insurance is a must. Being insured for the unforeseen is essential for a stress-free trip. There are many levels of insurance that are available, depending on what kind of trip you have planned. If you are going on a standard beach holiday, for example, most holiday insurance will cover you for the basics. However, there are some types of activity holidays that can increase your insurance premium. This is largely due to the increased risk of you needing to claim on your insurance. These are known as ‘optional’ or ‘add-on’ costs and they allow for more comprehensive and specific cover.

Here are the top 3 holidays that will increase your insurance costs.

Winter sports

Comprehensive medical insurance is essential for a ski or snowboard holiday. Broken legs or fractured bones can ruin a trip, but you don’t want to be burdened with spiralling hospital costs as well. Alongside medical cover, an extra travel insurance add-on will ensure you’re covered for such eventualities as piste closures, lost lift passes, and associated ski equipment hire, amongst other things.

Golfing holiday

Alongside winter sports, a golf holiday needs a special mention on your travel insurance. If your equipment and clubs are stolen, lost or damaged, or if you don’t make it onto the course, you will be compensated for the costs you incur. Replacement golf equipment hire and the reimbursement of green fees comes as standard too.

Going on a cruise

This additional cost to your insurance premium is a must if you are going on a cruise. Loss of valuables and baggage will often only be covered with this add-on premium. This insurance is very specific and can even cover you if you are unexpectedly confined to your cabin.

One way to off-set these add-on costs could be to increase your excess, which is a term used to describe the money you pay before your insurance pays the remainder of the cost. Be sure to compare all the different travel insurances out there to get the best possible price.

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Categories
Car Insurance Travel Insurance

How to plan a self-driving holiday

If you have always dreamed of driving around different countries on a self-driving holiday, whether independently or with family and friends, it is important you carefully plan for your trip. In this blog post, we outline the top things you must consider and arrange before hitting the road.

1. Buy a reliable vehicle

Instead of renting a car or van, which you are unfamiliar with, you should choose to complete your self-driving holiday in a vehicle you own and are familiar with. This will ensure you do not experience any unexpected breakdowns and you are familiar with the driving limits of your car.

2. Find the right car insurance

If you choose to drive your car around the UAE or in a new country, it is essential you have comprehensive car insurance. Compare different car insurance policies and select a policy that offers you cover when in a different country. Insurance quotes online will ensure that should you get into an accident or breakdown, your holiday won’t be ruined by an extortionate fee.

3. Plan your route

While it may be tempting to hit the open road and see where it takes you, it is advisable to plan your route beforehand. This will ensure you can research any local rules and regulations and make sure you have the proper documentation to cross certain borders.

4. Revise your travel insurance

Ensure your travel insurance is updated before you hit the road. Even if you do not plan to leave the UAE, you may still require travel insurance. Selecting a comprehensive travel insurance policy before you begin your holiday will also ensure that should you decide to expand your holiday, or travel further afield than planned, you will be covered.

5. Create a budget

To ensure you do not blow all of your holiday budget in one destination, allocate a small budget for each place you plan to visit and try to stick to it. Remember, your biggest expense will most likely be fuel so this should be prioritised over other expenses.

Visit Compare Insurance

To ensure you get the best travel insurance and car insurance for your self-driving holiday, visit Compare Insurance today.

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