Author: Compare Insurance

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Car Insurance

How often should you shop around for your car insurance?

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Shopping for car insurance is something few people look forward to and even fewer enjoy, and as such most of us are guilty of finding a policy and just sticking with it. The truth is, however, there are always better options out there if you’re willing to regularly shop around.

Just a little effort can save you money on your car insurance quotes.

Don’t get complacent with your coverage

Car insurance companies often presume that their customers won’t be shopping around for deals, they figure if the policy works for them, they won’t want to change it. That means they can stop giving you ongoing incentives and benefits for your loyalty, and a much better deal might be available.pa

If you regularly compare car insurance quotes, you’ll see that you could save a lot of money. All insurance companies want to encourage new customers, so the benefits of signing up with a new coverage provider will likely be better than you’ll get being a loyal customer with your existing one.

How often should you switch?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but there’s no reason for you not to be shopping around every time your policy comes up for renewal – for most that will be on an annual basis.

When you see your policy is a month or so away from expiring, begin shopping around. It’s easy when you use a dedicated insurance comparison website like Compare Insurance. In just a few clicks you can put in your details and get back quotes from a range of top UAE car insurance providers.

The thing to remember is that you might not even need to switch to a new provider, you can always renew your current policy. If you let your current car insurance company know you are actively shopping around and you have found a better deal, they might offer you some enticing benefits to keep your business. If they don’t, switching is easy.

Keep actively looking and save money

The key to saving money on your car insurance is not to become complacent, make the providers work for your business by regularly using the Compare Insurance comparison tools.

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Car Insurance

What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault

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After you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do next in order to make a successful insurance claim. Once you’ve made sure that nobody has been seriously hurt, it’s important to take the following steps:

Gather necessary information

The driver who caused the accident is responsible for reporting it to their car insurance company, but many drivers are reluctant to do this. It is important that you get in touch with their insurer as well and collect the following information:

– The other driver’s address and name
– The other driver’s insurance policy and the name of their company
– Contact information and statements from witnesses
– Photographs of the scene of the accident (before the cars are moved)
– Any dashcam footage of the accident
– Any other evidence that may support your claim

Notify the right people

When you contact the other driver’s insurer to let them know that you have been involved in a crash with them, make sure that you give them full details of the incident without explicitly placing blame; simply give them the facts. Even if you don’t believe that you caused the incident, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your own insurance company anyway. This can be useful if the other driver denies any responsibility for the accident and you need to make a claim. Before you send your vehicle to a garage for repairs, make sure that you have written authorisation from your insurance company first.

Choose your battles

If the other driver’s insurance company claims that it has no evidence that its policyholder was at fault after your accident, you will need a lawyer, especially if you have been seriously hurt. A lawyer can help you navigate a large insurance claim, but they will take a portion of the settlement awarded to you. If your claim is small, you can take the driver at fault to small claims court.

To save money on third party insurance, get in touch with our team at Compare Insurance today.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

Top 4 factors that impact travel insurance

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If you are planning a vacation, you may be uncertain exactly how much travel insurance you need and why different travel insurance rates vary. Below we list the top 4 factors that influence the price of travel insurance.

1. Where you are travelling to

One of the main factors that influence the price of your travel insurance is where you are travelling to. If you are taking an international trip, your travel insurance will be much higher than a domestic trip. If you are travelling within the UAE, but would still like insurance cover to ensure you have protection against lost baggage etc, your travel insurance will be significantly lower.

2. How long your trip will be

It makes sense that logically, the longer your trip is, the greater chance you have of falling ill or experiencing a problem. For this reason, your insurance will be more expensive. It is essential, however, that even if you are only planning a short trip, e.g. a weekend away, you still seek the right insurance cover.

3. Pre-existing health conditions

A pre-existing health condition is a physical injury or illness a traveller is aware of before taking their trip. It is thought by insurance providers that individuals with pre-existing health conditions will be more likely to make an insurance claim whilst travelling, and for this reason, their travel insurance premiums are usually higher.

4. The age of the traveller

Travellers who are in their 60s or older are often considered greater risks for travel insurance providers. For this reason, travellers aged 60 or over are often given slightly higher insurance premiums, while travellers aged 75 and over will see a significant rise in their insurance premiums.

How can I get the best travel insurance possible?

The easiest and quickest way to ensure you are offered the best travel insurance premium as possible, regardless of the above factors, is to compare travel insurance rates online. At Compare Insurance, we compare the travel insurance rates from the best travel insurance companies in the UAE, to ensure you can find the best deal possible effortlessly.

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Health Insurance

Key factors that influence your health insurance costs

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Seeking out a health plan can be a lengthy and confusing process. You could pore over hundreds of different plans from dozens of providers and not really know what you’re looking for, and especially why some plans cost so much more. In this article, we expose a few things that can change your private health insurance costs, and discover why they’re so important.

What your health insurance covers

Of course, what your health insurance allows you to do is an incredibly important part of sorting a plan. One which only covers life-threatening situations, for example, is not going to be quite as useful as one that has you covered for routine check-ups and more general appointments. More comprehensive plans will always be expensive, so if you see a cheaper plan it’s always risky to assume that you’ll get a much better deal with that option.

Any previous health conditions

If you’ve got pre-existing conditions or any other health issues, you might find health plans more expensive to find. For example, someone with a history of smoking, or that has previously suffered from a heart attack, will find themselves with a much more expensive bill because they are more likely to return to the hospital in the future. Although this doesn’t explain the difference from provider to provider, understanding this will inform you on why you may have cheaper or more costly plans than a family member.

Dependents

Some plans will allow your family members or loved ones to visit a doctor or a hospital under your insurance plan, and these are known as dependents. Of course, a plan with dependents will be more expensive than one without, simply because it has to cover more people, but with a good amount of research you may find that this is cheaper than getting a different plan for each family member.

If you need a new health plan, you need to compare medical insurance quotes to make sure that you get the best deal. To do so, visit CompareInsurance.ae for a wide variety of options accessible to different budgets to find the perfect plan for you.

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Categories
Car Insurance

What factors can affect your car insurance premium?

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The cost of vehicle insurance is calculated using a range of factors relating to your demographics, policy details and driving history. Let’s take a closer look at some of the variables impacting your car insurance quotes below.

Age and gender

According to figures released by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in 2019, 45 per cent of all road accidents in the UAE are caused by young drivers. Statistically, male teens have more car accidents than their young female drivers, resulting in young men incurring higher insurance rates. However, discounted rates are usually available for certain age groups, with many companies dropping their premiums by as much as 20% when drivers turn 25.

Typically, those between the ages of 30 and 69 are considered less likely to crash, therefore representing a lower risk to insurers. However, elderly drivers pose a similar risk to teens, which is reflected in the insurance rates for individuals in their 70s. Older men are also more likely to incur higher premiums compared to elderly women.

Location

Insurers typically start by asking where you live. If you live in a highly-populated area, you are considered more likely to make an insurance claim due to the increased risk of getting into a car accident. Not all companies will use your location as a deciding factor, but if they do, they may take into account the number of vandalism cases in your area, the number of fraudulent claims made and the likelihood of damaging weather.

Driving record

The amount you’re required to pay will directly correlate with your driving history, including all claims, accidents, convictions and tickets. If you have previous claims on your record, you’re considered more likely to make another claim, although these will become less important over time if you avoid getting any further tickets and accumulate a few years on your no claims bonus.

Annual mileage

The less you drive, the less risk you have of being in an accident, so it’s important that you do your best to estimate how many miles you drive each year. If you’re expecting the number of miles you drive to go down, let your insurance company know – this could save you a lot of money.

To find out more about the factors impacting your insurance quotes, contact us at Compare Car Insurance today.

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Categories
Health Insurance

Can I get tested for Covid-19 in UAE?

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If you’re worried about a persistent cough, breathing problems, high temperature, or can’t shake off a cold, it’s possible you’ve been infected by the new coronavirus. Individuals that have recently returned from overseas, and people from vulnerable groups need to be particularly careful. Although coronavirus testing is available for walk-in patients, drive through coronavirus test centres have also been established.

About the UAE drive through test centres

Drive through test centres are now available in Dubai Festival City and Abu Dhabi. Current test station locations include Al Qusais, Discovery Gardens, and Silicon Oasis. Further test stations are planned at International City and Al Warqa.

It’s not currently possible to check out all UAE citizens at this moment. Of course, if you do have the virus, it is important you get tested as soon as possible, so you need to take the following steps:

How to get tested for Covid-19 at the new UAE drive through centres

1. You’ll firstly need to complete the online health assessment tool to confirm you’re eligible for testing. At the moment the priority is to test the most vulnerable citizens, and people displaying symptoms within 14 days of return from overseas. The online chatbot walks you through the assessment, and is designed to pick up all indications of added vulnerability, such as hypertension or pregnancy. Your recent contact history will also be examined, so it’s important to be open about any contact you’ve had with other people already diagnosed with coronavirus.

2. The chatbot also provides detailed advice about action you should take, including quarantine or self isolation.

3. Your self assessment test will indicate whether you need to chat further with one of the available doctors. If this is the case, you will be forwarded for a tele-consultation and may also be given an appointment to attend your local drive through Covid-19 testing station.

4. If you are eligible for Covid-19 testing, simply arrive at the designated test station at the time of your appointment. You will be given a nasal swab by the nurse at the second checkpoint, and there is absolutely no need to leave your vehicle at all.

5. You will be advised of the results of your test within two or three days, and should self isolate until your Covid-19 test results are received

Your drive through Covid-19 test will cost Dh425 and this could possibly be covered by your existing health cover. We’re proud to offer all UAE residents the best guide on comparing health insurance, find out more about insurance in the UAE at Compare Insurance today!

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Categories
Car Insurance

4 reasons you should compare auto insurance online

If you have recently purchased a new vehicle, or you need to renew existing car insurance, many people believe the easiest thing to do is renew the policy they currently have or choose to use the first insurance company they come across. While this may seem like the most convenient option, if you choose to compare car insurance online instead, you could save a significant amount financially. Below we explore 4 reasons to compare auto insurance online…

1. Car insurance companies frequently change their rates

You may feel confident that a company you have researched in the past have the best insurance rates. Whilst this might have been true at one point, car insurance providers frequently change their rates. For this reason, you should always compare insurance rates online to check and see which company is offering the best deal.

2. New insurance companies are established all the time

If you haven’t compared insurance policies in over six months, you may be surprised to find multiple new insurance companies offering enticing deals. New insurance companies want to build up their client base quickly and can often offer the best insurance policies for this reason.

3. Your credit report may have improved

If you have consistently been paying a mortgage or loan on time, or have been working on keeping a healthier bank balance, you may have successfully improved your credit report. If you were able to improve your credit report, you may be eligible for a better auto insurance policy. For this reason, it is always better to compare insurance rates than to simple renew an existing policy.

4. Your car may have decreased in value

The moment you leave a dealership with a vehicle it decreases in value. Equally, after a few years of owning and regularly driving a vehicle, it will lower in value. If your vehicle is no longer worth the same amount, you should not be paying the same insurance premium. Comparing deals online ensures you are paying the right insurance for your vehicle.

If you live in the UAE, never drive around uninsured and think you could benefit from comparing auto insurance online, visit Compare Insurance today!

Categories
Travel Insurance

Don’t let lockdown get you down: Plan your next holiday today!

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The existing coronavirus curfew and National Disinfection Programme may already be getting you down, but one thing’s for sure, this situation will pass. If you’re stuck at home in the UAE, planning a holiday for later in the year could be one way to inspire hope for the future. There are so many wonderful worldwide locations to discover, and carrying out research now means you’ll be more prepared when it’s time to book.

But remember: We don’t yet know when global travel restrictions will end. The current situation has only highlighted the importance of getting the best travel insurance there is when you book a trip to make sure you are covered in the event of cancelled flights, hotel closures or illness.

But enough about that, here are some great holiday ideas to help keep your spirits up.

A horseback riding holiday

There are loads of horse riding holidays to choose from, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or experienced rider. If you haven’t already visited the United States, a horseback ranch holiday is one way to learn more about its wide-open spaces. Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado are all popular horseback holiday destinations, giving you loads of opportunity to discover the joys of the cowboy lifestyle.

Horse riding holidays aren’t confined to the US, though. Tuscany in Italy is another popular destination, and you’ll discover an appetite for the Italian way of life when you sample some of the delicious local dishes and luxurious villa retreats!

African safari with a difference

If you fancy a safari with a difference, the mobile camps and horseback safaris in the Okavanga Delta, Botswana could be the most perfect way to view wildlife. You can discover more about these holidays online.

The beach and beyond

You might want to think about chartering a boat for a sailing holiday, exploring coral reefs on a diving trip or taking a short break at a stunning island resort. In need of some serious de-stress time? A palm-fringed yoga retreat or opting for a wellness holiday at one of the world’s most exotic destinations should do the trick.

Plan your next holiday during coronavirus lockdown in the UAE

Once your holiday plans are sorted, finding the best travel insurance policy is simple with Compare Insurance. We eliminate all the hassles of shopping for insurance, and our simple comparison website ensures you benefit from the best deals on travel insurance, health cover, vehicle insurance, and more. Browse our website today to find out more!

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Categories
Travel Insurance

4 tips for keeping your travel insurance premiums low

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Taking a trip without taking out a travel insurance policy first is extremely unwise, as it will leave you without protection should you fall victim to illness or injury while abroad. However, just because you need to buy travel insurance, it doesn’t mean you should pay a fortune for it. In this blog, we will look at a few ways of keeping the premium low.

Don’t buy from a travel agency

Some travel agencies and holiday tour companies offer travel insurance as part of your holiday package, and it can be tempting to go with that as the simplest option. Simplest rarely means best in this situation though, as many policies provided by these companies are more costly. It pays to take the extra time to compare them with policies offered by travel insurance specialists before making a decision.

Go online

It is possible to get travel insurance online these days and that is often where you will find the best deals. This is because a number of insurance providers offer customers who shop online discounts of up to 20% on their policies as online applications reduce the overheads for the providers. Looking for your travel insurance on the internet will also give you the broadest choice of policies as an increasing number of companies are online-only now.

Choose your cover carefully

A good way of making sure you do not pay more than you need to is to tailor your policy. For instance, if the trip you have planned will mainly involve lying on a beach you can skip parts of travel policies like extreme sports cover that will add to the cost of the premiums and are not necessary for you. Equally, if you already have a home insurance policy that protects you if your possessions are lost abroad, try to get that part of the travel insurance policy removed.

Annual or single

If you travel frequently each year for business then choosing an annual travel policy will probably work out cheaper than getting insured individually for each trip. On the other hand, if it is just a once a year holiday, a single trip policy will likely be more cost-effective.

Contact us now to discover the best travel insurance policies to suit your needs.

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Categories
Car Insurance

4 things you can do to lower your car insurance payments in 2020

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Car insurance online is one of these necessary evils that all of us have to adhere to if we want to keep our cars on the road.

None of us wants to pay over the odds for our premiums, which is usually a key factor when comparing car insurance quotes. The surprising thing though is that not many people realise they can actually lower their monthly costs. Here we’ll look at 4 ways you can get better rates from your car insurance company and save on your annual outgoings.

Become a better driver

This does seem a bit of an obvious one, but there are a number of things you can do that will signal to your car insurance company that you’re a careful driver and in turn, will lower your motor vehicle insurance.

Look into completing an advanced driving course as many auto insurance companies will offer a reduction on your fees if they perceive you to be lower risk.

Check to see if your car insurance company takes into consideration the analysis of telematics. This is a type of ‘black box’ technology that can assess and feedback to your car insurance company how careful your driving is. See our car insurance tips on ways how to drive safer.

Easier said than done, but try not to incur any extra points on your licence if you can as this will stand you in good stead for preferential rates over time.

No Claim Bonus

The no claims bonus is the merit that insurance companies gives you in return of one full claim free year. Adding a no claim bonus reduces the premium at the time of insurance renewal. Some insurance companies accept a self-declaration from the customer that they have had no claims in the past years whereas other insurance companies accept the formal no claim letter from previous insurer. Getting a No Claim Bonus can significantly reduce the premiums and in some cases with a 3 to 4 year NCB, the premiums can be reduced by over 50%.

 

Increase the excess / deductible

This is the amount the insured person pays while making a claim on the car. The higher the amount the lesser the insurance premium. This means in the event of an accident or repair or theft, this is the amount that is committed by the insured person to pay from the pocket and the insurance company shall cover the rest of the claim amount.

All of these tips will help to keep your costs down and if you’re in the process of looking for discount car insurance, they should help with that as well.

Contact us today on Whatsapp to find the best deals on all coverage of car insurance. You can even contact us on Facebook.

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