Author: Compare Insurance

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Car Insurance

Tips and tricks towards cheaper car insurance

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Cars can be expensive to buy and maintain, with insurance in some cases almost costing as much as the car itself! At Compare Insurance, we have compiled our expertise to create this small blog post to share our tips towards cheap car insurance for young drivers.

Consider the type of car you are buying:

It is easy when buying a car to become too invested in its appearance. But we urge you to put your practical head on and consider the type of car you are thinking about buying. Rather than something flashy, it may be worth considering smaller models, such as a Mitsubishi Pajero, if this car is still compatible with your daily needs.

Ensure that your driving record is as clean as possible:

Throughout your driving life, accidents will happen. Yet, it is worth bearing in mind that the safer you drive, the lower the potential is for insurance costs to tot up due to a busy driving record. Issues such as speeding or several parking fines can contribute to your record, and ultimately drive up insurance premiums. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your driving record is as clean as possible.

Use comparison websites:

Sometimes, to find the best deal you have to shop around. By using insurance comparison websites, it becomes much easier to find the best deal and discounts available to you. This is so you can tailor the experience to your exact needs for an accurate quote.

Install safety technology:

This can be anything from a black box to record your speed, or a dashcam camera to film accidents. By installing pieces of safety technology, you can reduce your insurance costs. It allows the insurance company to have more faith in how your drive, driving down your premiums. These gadgets are handy to have on the car if you do come into some trouble which was not your fault. They can act as evidence to the insurance company that the accident was not your fault, leading to faster cash payouts.

For more information surrounding cheaper car insurance, contact our friendly and professional team at Compare Insurance today.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

5 circumstances that may prevent travel insurance from covering you

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Travel insurance is crucial whether you are travelling for work or leisure, but there are some cases when your insurance policy will not cover you. Although what is included and excluded from your cover ultimately depends on your specific emirates travel insurance, some circumstances can prevent you from making a claim.

If your expenses stem from a pre-existing condition

Pre-existing medical conditions are some of the common reasons for the denial of travel insurance claims. Insurance companies define a pre-existing condition as an illness, injury, disorder, or medical condition that prompted the insured person to seek treatment or take medication 60 to 180 days before buying a travel insurance policy. To find out whether your travel policy covers pre-existing conditions, read through the Description of Coverage to determine what is and is not covered by your insurance provider.

Participating in high-risk sports and activities

If you have an adventurous spirit and plan on participating in sports like parasailing, bungee jumping, white water rafting, etc., then you may not be allowed to claim in case of injuries, equipment loss, or personal financial losses. To protect yourself, ensure that your travel insurance policy covers all the activities you’ll be engaging in.

Travelling against government advice

The government releases travel alerts every so often, warning its citizens against travelling to areas with civil unrest, inclement weather, security matters, and disease. Therefore, if you decide to travel to a specific country despite a warning from the government, your travel insurance provider will not cover you at that destination. Pay attention to government warnings via their travel advisory website to ensure that you are not travelling to high-risk destinations.

Participating in self-harm incidents

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol will render your travel insurance null and void. If you must indulge in alcohol consumption, ensure that you get a designated driver to avoid harming yourself and others.

Cancelling your trip before departure

While most travel insurance policies cover travel delay and travel interruption, they do not cover trip cancellation. Your insurance provider may fail to approve your claim if you change your mind about travelling.

To find the best travel insurance policy for you, visit our website and get travel insurance today.

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Categories
Health Insurance

What not to do when buying health insurance

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As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us, there are always risks to our health just through being alive. That is why it is so important to give yourself and any dependents you have some protection by taking out an online health insurance policy. Deciding on the right policy is not to be rushed through and there are things you should try to avoid doing.

Ending up with inadequate cover

This is a very common error and usually happens if you focus too heavily on getting the cheapest premium. Ultimately, the point of a health insurance policy is to provide you with the best possible protection, based on factors such as your age, state of health and family status. Choosing the policy with the lowest premium will be a false economy if it turns out not to cover your medical costs when needed.

Not reading the small print

Every insurance policy comes with a range of terms and conditions in small print. You may feel that it is a chore to read through all of these when you just want to sign and get on with your life, but failing to do so can be disastrous. This small print generally contains the exclusions that will tell you the circumstances in which the insurance company will refuse to pay. You want to find these out before you sign up, rather than when it is too late.

Covering up past medical history

People do this because they are worried that previous illnesses will prevent them from getting health insurance. It is a waste of time though, because if you are not truthful when signing your policy this will emerge when you have to make a claim and no insurer will pay out in that situation. Be honest and look for a company and policy that is prepared to offer you insurance based on the facts.

Not shopping around

Even when you have health insurance, you should keep checking online comparison sites to see if there are other providers offering the same coverage at a better price. It is worth the inconvenience of changing insurance companies if it stands to save you money.

Search Compare Insurance today to find the top health insurance in UAE at the right price for you.

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Categories
Health Insurance Travel Insurance

Countries that require you to have travel medical insurance

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The world is slowly returning to a state of normalcy, with more and more countries opening up their borders to tourists. However, before you pack your bags, you’ll need to get travel health insurance. Here is a list of countries that require travel health insurance.

Schengen Area

To explore Europe, you may need to obtain a Schengen Visa. This is a visa that citizens from certain countries need to carry in order to enter the 26 European states of the Schengen area. To apply for this visa, you must provide proof of travel medical insurance covering hospitalisation, medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death. The policy must remain valid for your entire stay and have a minimum coverage of at least thirty thousand Euros.

Brazil

If you are going to be visiting Brazil by air for up to 90 days, you will be required to purchase a travel medical insurance policy that is valid in Brazil. All travellers must present proof of insurance before boarding, failure of which can result in denial into the country by Brazilian authorities. This requirement came about mid last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and may only be temporary.

Thailand

Before planning your trip to Thailand, you must confirm your eligibility with your local Thai embassy. If eligible, the next step will be to obtain a certificate of entry. One of the requirements for this certificate is to provide proof of a travel health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 and emergency medical insurance. This is because any medical costs incurred in Thailand are charged to your medical insurance.

United Arab Emirates

Travellers age 12 and older wishing to visit Dubai and any other cities in the UAE need to provide valid travel insurance covering international healthcare during the entire duration of their stay. You will also be required to provide Covid-19 test results taken no more than 96 hours before your arrival. This requirement applies to all visitors regardless of whether you need a UAE visa or not.

To find the prices on travel insurance, use our website to compare prices and sports travel insurance.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

4 must-have travel insurance plans

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Travel insurance is a must-have when planning for a trip. It protects you financially in case of medical emergencies, cancelled flights, and any other unexpected situations. It comes with several plans for you to choose from, depending on your needs, and in today’s blog post, we will be looking at different plans to help you make a well-informed decision.

Travel medical insurance

Your regular cheap medical travel insurance cover does not protect you when travelling abroad, so the only way to protect yourself from any health risks while on your trip is to take out a travel medical insurance policy. It covers any medical, dental, and evacuation costs incurred during your travels. You can purchase travel medical insurance for a single trip or multiple trips over a certain period.

Travel accident insurance

Sometimes your travel plans can take a turn for the worse, causing you to lose your eyesight, mobility, or even your life. If you are a frequent world traveller who visits risky regions, this insurance plan will cover any unexpected losses that occur during your trips. It will pay you or your beneficiary if you are seriously injured or lose your life while travelling. When shopping for travel accident insurance, ensure that you and your beneficiary read and understand the policy’s conditions and exclusions.

Baggage and personal items loss

This insurance plan provides reimbursement for damaged, lost, or stolen baggage, as well as other personal items. It covers your entire trip and not just flight-related activities. The baggage and personal items insurance policy is a must-have if you carry high-value items such as fine jewellery or expensive equipment.

Trip cancellation or interruption insurance

Flight delays are not uncommon when travelling. They can be caused by an airline labour strike, health emergencies, or bad weather. Whatever the reason for the delay is, you must be well prepared for these circumstances. Travel delay insurance covers both accommodation and meal costs while you wait for your flight.

To find the price for travel accident insurance, use Compare Insurance today.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

Common travel insurance mistakes people make

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When it comes to taking out long stay travel insurance, many of us simply don’t get it right! Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when they need this type of insurance.

Not taking it out in the first place

Taking a risk and skipping getting travel insurance is a big no-no that should simply never happen. Even if you’re only going overseas for a weekend, to somewhere you’ve been before, or visiting friends and family, if something goes amiss on your trip, it could end up costing a small fortune without insurance in place.

Not declaring a medical condition

Failure to declare a pre-existing medical condition on your insurance form might save you a few pounds on your insurance premium, but it’s not worth taking the risk if you need medical treatment for this condition while you’re away. You won’t be covered and you’ll end up footing the bill yourself.

Buying single-trip policies if you’re a frequent traveller

If you travel a lot, buying a single-trip insurance policy each time you go away could prove to be a false economy. Get yourself organised and look into buying a multi-trip annual policy, which could save you money in the long term.

Not checking destination cover

There’s no point taking out travel insurance if it doesn’t cover you for the destination(s) you’re heading to, so make sure the policy extends to all the places you intend to go to on your travels. Some policies are for a single country only, while others cover a region or continent. It’s especially important you take out the correct policy if you’re embarking on a round-the-world trip.

Opting for the cheapest policy

No matter what type of insurance you take out, whether it be car insurance, medical insurance or travel insurance, comparing prices is always a good idea to make sure you’re getting the best deal. But, don’t think that the cheapest price is always the most favourable option to go for. In some cases, the cheapest policy could see you paying extra excess if you make a claim, or it may not even cover you for all the aspects you need. With this in mind, always read the small print when weighing up your options.

Our travel insurance comparison website will help you find the right baggage insurance for you, ensuring no mistakes need to be made.

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Categories
Car Insurance

Car insurance extras: Which do you need?

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When comparing third party car insurance online, the cheapest policies tend to be the ones without additional features. Unfortunately, these may not provide the right level of cover and protection. That’s why it’s vital to check what’s automatically included in your policy and what you might need to pay extra for.

To help you get the right cover, here’s all you need to know about car insurance extras.

What are car insurance extras?

These are cover benefits that insurers can add to your policy at an extra cost. They include:

• Breakdown cover
• Legal cover
• Courtesy car cover
• Cover for driving abroad
• Personal accident cover

Some policies offer more benefits as standard than others. So, it’s worth comparing different policies to find what suits you.

Which do you need?

Generally, the add-ons you choose depend on your budget and needs. For example, adding personal accident cover to your policy can raise your premiums from £10, 000 to £100, 000, so you have to afford the extra cost.

Alternatively, if you want to save money and need extra protection against uninsured losses, you may need legal cover. This protects you against the legal expenses you incur after an accident that wasn’t your fault.

If your car is unreliable and breaks down often, you might want to consider adding a breakdown cover to provide you with roadside assistance and recovery services. You can add it as an extra or purchase it as a standalone policy.

If you rely on your car every day, consider buying a courtesy car cover, which provides you with an alternative vehicle if your current one is unavailable following an accident. But, to get a courtesy car, there are some conditions you have to follow, including using an approved garage for repairs. So, speak to your insurer first to know the terms and conditions required.

Ultimately, assess your needs before adding any extras to your policy. They may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but their benefits far outweigh their costs.

Don’t know where to start with your car insurance extras? Compare Insurance is happy to help. Browse our website today to compare auto insurance quotes online and quotes from different providers.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

5 signs you need travel insurance

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Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, purchasing international travel health insurance can give you peace of mind throughout your stay. Unfortunately, many travellers forgo insurance, resulting in significant losses. If you’re on the fence about buying travel insurance, here are five signs you need it.

1) You’re travelling internationally

Travel doesn’t always go as planned. You might lose your wallet, fall ill, or get mugged, making insurance a necessity to cover you against any additional costs or losses if something goes wrong.

2) You’re worried you might get sick

Getting the flu or a cold while travelling can be many people’s worst nightmare. These conditions can not only make the trip uncomfortable, but they can also result in significant financial losses if medical treatments are required. Fortunately, most travel insurance policies cover emergency medical treatments, ensuring you can get free medical care.

3) You’re travelling with valuable luggage

Travelling to a new destination with luggage has many risks, including theft, burglary, and vandalism. If you’re carrying important documents, expensive gadgets, designer clothes, or cash with you, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover your possessions.

You’ll feel safer knowing you can be reimbursed if your items get lost or stolen.

4) You plan to partake in adventurous activities

Mountain climbing, sky diving, white-water rafting, zip-lining, and kayaking are part of holiday travel. While these outdoor activities are fun, they are dangerous and can lead to severe and life-threatening injuries that require medical attention, making insurance crucial.

However, you’ll need to pay extra for your cover as most insurers exclude certain activities in basic insurance policies.

5) You booked non-refundable flights and hotels

Life happens, and you may need to cancel an upcoming flight to tend to other vital matters. If you purchased a non-refundable hotel stay or flight, you could stay at home, but you won’t get your money back. Luckily, insurance covers non-refundable trip deposits, cushioning you from such losses.

Travelling locally or abroad can be stressful, but with the best international travel insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re covered if things don’t go as planned. We can help you find insurance cover that suits you today. All you have to do is use our handy comparison tools.

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Categories
Health Insurance

Understanding health insurance terminology

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One of the challenges most people face when buying individual insurance plans is understanding the sea of terminologies and acronyms. Having a bit of knowledge of the industry’s terminology is crucial, especially if you’ll be shopping without the help of a mortgage broker, so here are some of the most commonly used terms.

Premium

Premium refers to the amount of money you pay to your health insurance provider every month to maintain your coverage. This is one of the most important things you should consider when buying health insurance because it directly affects your affordability.

Copayment

Copayment or co-pay is a flat fee that you pay for medical expenses every time you visit the hospital. It is one of the ways that you share your medical costs, so if you have frequent doctor’s visits, ensure that you pick cover with affordable co-pay.

Deductible

This is the amount of money you must pay every year for covered services before your insurance policy starts paying. For example, if your deductible is AED 1000, you will have to pay the first AED 1000 of covered services yourself. Health insurance plans with lower deductibles offer more comprehensive coverage, but they will have higher premium costs.

Coinsurance

Coinsurance is the percentage of covered services that you will be required to pay after you’ve paid your deductible. For instance, if your insurer pays 80% of all incurred costs, then you will be required to pay the remaining 20%. Like the deductible, health insurance covers with lower coinsurance have higher premium costs.

Out-of-pocket maximum

This is the most money you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. After you spend this amount on copayments, coinsurance and deductibles, your health insurance company will now cover 100% of the costs of covered benefits. That said, it is important to note that the out-of-pocket limit doesn’t include monthly premiums or any services that your plan doesn’t cover.

When shopping for group medical insurance, pay close attention to these terminologies as they greatly impact your insurance costs. Compare different plans from different companies using our website to find the perfect one for you.

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Categories
Health Insurance

Why you should take out medical cover in your 20s

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Life is full of uncertainties, and no one can predict tomorrow. As such, you must take measures to protect yourself from any risks. Health insurance protects you financially from health risks by reimbursing you for expenses incurred as a result of illness or injury. Taking out health insurance cover as early as your 20s is always advisable, and here are five reasons why.

Lower premiums

Health insurance companies calculate premiums based on the risks related to the buyer. The more health risks you have, the higher the premiums you will pay. Your body is in tip-top condition in your twenties, and therefore, you are less likely to develop any serious illnesses, especially for international student health insurance. Because you pose a lower risk to the health insurance company, you will be charged considerably lower premium amounts while still enjoying high health insurance coverage.

Tax benefits

Buying a health insurance policy can actually save you money. Money paid towards your health insurance premiums is eligible for tax deductions under the law, and the sooner you acquire a health insurance policy, the more money you will save.

Comprehensive coverage

Applying for health coverage in your twenties gives you a wider range of options to choose from. Since you are young, have no pre-existing conditions, and are likely to keep the policy for a longer time, health insurance companies will give you a more comprehensive deal. In addition, you’ll have the flexibility of changing the level of cover based on the changes occurring in your life.

Lower rates of rejection

Don’t wait too long to take out medical cover. If you develop a chronic disease in your 40s or 50s, you will be forced to pay high amounts of co-pay or you may not get health insurance cover at all. However, if you take a cover in your twenties, your health insurance application is almost guaranteed to be accepted.

No concerns about waiting periods

Most health insurance plans usually come with a 30-day waiting period, during which the insurer cannot make claims. In cases involving certain diseases, the waiting period might be as long as two to four years. Purchasing medical cover early on will benefit you because you serve the waiting period without needing the health coverage.

When buying medical indemnity insurance, you must compare different insurance packages. With a few personal details, we could help you find the perfect insurance package for you, so take advantage of our services today.

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