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Health Insurance

What to know about claiming on health insurance

If you’ve had an accident or illness abroad, you will want to claim on your health insurance. But when is the right time to do so? Some companies only refund, whereas others will pay upfront. And, if you have only had to pay a minimal amount, your insurance company may not pay at all! Here are some tips on how to know when to claim on your insurance.

Read your policy carefully

It’s important to know exactly what your policy includes when you buy it. If you read it carefully, it will tell you a lot of important things. These include:

Your excess – this is the amount that you must contribute up to. If you pay less than your excess, then your insurance will not cover it. You can generally reduce or even eliminate the excess by paying for a more comprehensive insurance package.

Whether the insurance pays upfront – for some things, you might be able to just give your insurance details. In other cases, you may have to pay and then the insurance will compensate you. Don’t worry – for very expensive things, you can normally just give your insurance details.

Speak to the admin staff when you arrive at hospital

If you are able to, contact the payment staff when you first get to the hospital. This is when you should make them aware that you have insurance and work out whether you will be paying upfront or if the insurance will pay them directly. Use this as an opportunity to find out roughly how much the total bill will be too – medical care can be very expensive in some countries and this will avoid any nasty surprises!

Make sure that you don’t leave without paying or signing

In some hospitals, it can be easy to walk out without paying. Make sure that you do make a payment or sign a form stating that your insurance will pay, otherwise you could be given a hefty fine.

If you know exactly what your mediclaim insurance policy entails, you should have a good idea of how much and when they will pay.

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Car Insurance

A key way to lower your car insurance quote during the Covid pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has hit every part of the world and cases continue to grow. 2021 is no doubt going to present similar challenges as 2020, which means for many people, their driving habits have considerably changed. For a large portion of workers, their commute now involves moving to a different room in their home, rather than to their office.

How can this save you money on your car insurance?

Thinking about your mileage

A key component of your car insurance quote is the mileage that you do. It stands to reason that the more miles you travel, the greater your risk of being involved in an accident, which in turn makes your quote higher.

But what if you’re not doing all those miles? For many people during periods of lockdown, the mileage they have covered has fallen dramatically, but they still continue to pay their insurance premiums. The fact is, however, that you can change your mileage estimate any time, and your insurance provider should be able to recalculate this for you.

The effect should take place from the beginning of the next month if you pay your insurance premiums in monthly instalments, or you may be entitled to a partial refund if you have paid your premium upfront.

Saving money with a new policy

If your car insurance policy is due to run out soon, you could also save additional money by choosing a different car insurance provider altogether. You stand to save considerably, as car insurance providers are keen to win new clients in these challenging times by offering attractive introductory offers. So if your car insurance is coming to an end in the next few months, don’t automatically renew it – instead, see if you could stand to make savings on a brand new policy.

Driving without insurance is dangerous and finding that new policy is easy. all you need is a specialist comparison website, like Compare Insurance. You simply add your details and in seconds you can get a number of quotes from a range of insurance providers. Remember to take into account your lower annual mileage – you can always raise it later if you start driving regularly again.

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Car Insurance

Factoring car insurance costs into your new car budget

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, it’s always an exciting time. Everyone has a budget when they’re looking for a new vehicle, but it’s important that you budget properly to ensure you get a car you can comfortably afford. Comprehensive car insurance is a non-negotiable expense when it comes to owning a car, so you need to factor this in before you buy.

Understanding car insurance costs

Many different factors can figure into the car insurance costs you’ll incur. For example, if you’re choosing a rare and powerful car, it will cost much more to insure than a mass-produced hatchback with a small engine. Similarly, if you’re buying a car that has a reputation for being popular among car thieves, or you drive a high number of miles a year, the costs grow. Similarly, if you’re planning on buying a car that is already modified, or you plan to modify it yourself, that too will affect your insurance costs.

How do you accurately budget insurance costs?

It’s important that you consider how much of your budget you can afford to spend on car insurance. It’s worth investigating what insurance bracket your car is in – every car is put into an insurance category, so a higher category means higher insurance costs.

As a ballpark figure, for cars costing in excess of 300,000 AED, the insurance is roughly 2.75% of the car’s value, rising to 3% for cars between 100,000 and 300,000 AED, and 3.25% for cars under 100,000 AED. These figures are only averages, however. For many, car insurance is the second-highest ongoing cost associated with running a car, second only to the cost of fuel.

Getting car insurance quotes the easy way

When you need to insure your new vehicle, consider using a specialist insurance comparison website like Compare Insurance. All you need to do is put in your details, the details of the car you want to buy, and some information about your driving habits, and you’ll get a broad range of quotes in seconds. This will help you find the most affordable quote for your budget.

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Car Insurance

Should you insure your car before you buy it?

Car insurance is, of course, essential before you can drive your vehicle. But if you’re thinking about buying a new car, when is the best time actually sort out your car insurance? In certain circumstances, it actually makes the most sense to get a car insurance policy in place before you have even bought the car. This can help save you time, and get you on the road faster.

When should you insure before you buy?

Obviously, if you’re not sure what car you’re going to buy or you’re just going to look at a car, it’s worth making sure it’s what you want and expect before arranging motor vehicle insurance. But, there are instances where you know a vehicle is the one you want before you have even left to see it. In these instances, you can actually arrange insurance on that vehicle before you have bought it.

Why would you do that? The main reason is to make the process of getting the vehicle home faster. Once you have bought the car, it means you can just get in it and drive straight home, rather than having to spend time arranging insurance. Some dealers might offer you driveaway insurance, but these can be expensive options for the comparatively minimal coverage they offer. And of course, you will still have to insure yourself when you get home anyway because most driveaway insurance policies only last for 24 hours.

How can you find the best quote?

To get the best quote, you should consider using an online comparison tool. You can put the details of your proposed vehicle and the nature of the policy you require into a specialist tool, such as Compare Insurance, and in a matter of moments be presented with a variety of different quotes. These quotes all come from major and specialist insurance companies, suiting a range of budgets.

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, and you know the exact car you want to buy, make sure you’re able to drive it straight home after purchasing it. Visit Compare Insurance today to see what kind of car insurance deals you can find.

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Car Insurance

Getting car insurance in the UAE

Although car insurance can seem like an unnecessary expense, it is hugely important for protecting yourself and your vehicle against all the unforeseen events that may come your way, such as theft, accidents and third-party liability.

With the best car insurance companies, it is possible to protect yourself and your car against a whole string of potential costly occurrences, including expenses from a traffic accident, physical damage to your vehicle, bodily injuries caused to yourself or another driver, and legal liabilities.

What are the benefits of having car insurance in the UAE?

When driving your vehicle in the UAE, there are many benefits of insuring it. This includes:

– Ensuring you are not breaking the law
– Protecting your car from loss or damage
– Ensuring you have unlimited liabilities in the event of a third-party death or injury claim
– Aiding in medical costs for any bodily injuries caused to yourself or another person
– Indemnity against any property damage – either by yourself or a third-party
– Protecting you against any financial liabilities
– Ensuring you can replace your vehicle in the event of a theft or accident

What types of car insurance are there in the UAE?

There are two types of car insurance policies readily available within the UAE. Through understanding this, it will make it easy to compare car insurance quotes online.

Third-party liability car insurance

It is the law that every car owner who drives their vehicle in the UAE must have third-party liability insurance. This is the most basic form of car insurance available but still enables you to be protected against any third-party liabilities, such as bodily injuries or property damage that is caused to another person/property by the vehicle that has been insured.

This is not the most thorough car insurance policy though and any damage that is caused by, or affects, the policyholder is not covered. For example, it does not cover fire and theft or accidental collision. This means if there are any repair costs, they would need to be covered by the vehicle owner rather than the insurance company.

Comprehensive car insurance

For the best car insurance available in the UAE, you should look for comprehensive car insurance. This will help to protect your vehicle against all kinds of damages, whether caused by yourself or a third party, including theft or fire. It will also payout to a third party should there be an accident that leads to damage, injury or death.

For more information about car insurance policies in the UAE, contact us at Compare Insurance today.

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Travel Insurance

5 things you need to know about travel insurance

When you go on a trip, it is crucial to have travel insurance. It doesn’t matter how long you’re going on holiday for, you must have it.

You may be wondering why multi trip travel insurance is so important and how it can assist you on your travels, keep reading to find out more.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects you financially when you’re travelling on a holiday. It supports you with a variety of things depending on the kind of policy you choose.

If you choose a comprehensive policy, you are likely to be protected from lost items, health requirements and unforeseen circumstances such as a flight change.

If you decide against travel insurance, be prepared to have a lot of spare cash to spend if anything goes wrong.

The cost of travel insurance

The price of your travel insurance policy can vary depending on how long the trip is, the policy holder’s age and the type of coverage you are looking for.

You may look at some travel insurance plans and think that it is a lot of money, however, it could be worth it. If an issue arises while you’re travelling, whether it be a lost item or specific health requirements, it can cost you a lot of money without insurance.

It is worth paying the price of a travel insurance plan than ruining your trip due to huge unexpected bills.

Make sure to read the fine print

As COVID-19 has caused unexpected lockdowns and brought travel to a halt, you must check with your insurance provider to see whether they will protect you during the pandemic.

As many borders have been closed and flights have been cancelled, it is critical to read the small print of policies and, if in doubt, ask the provider.

Alongside guidance on the pandemic, make sure you read the general fine print of any policy. You may find that the specifics of the policy are not suited to your requirements and it is better to find that out before you sign up.

The best time to get travel insurance

You can technically book travel insurance on the day you intend to leave, however, it is recommended to choose a travel insurance policy at the time you are booking your holiday.

By booking both your holiday and insurance at the same time, you have the chance of getting your money back if you need to cancel your holiday due to unforeseen circumstances.

Again, remember to check the policy and what you are covered for before becoming completely dependent on it.

Declare any existing conditions

Finally, it is extremely important when booking travel insurance that you declare any medical conditions to the insurer. Even if your condition hasn’t affected you in years, you must declare it.

If you don’t declare your pre-existing health conditions, you are at risk of your policy being completely invalid.

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Car Insurance

What should you think about before going on a driving holiday?

Driving holidays are increasingly popular, as they offer you a more direct way to take control of your vacation. All you do is pack your car up and go off on an adventure. Before you set off though, what key things do you need to ask yourself?

Is your car going to be reliable?

It’s essential before setting off that you give your vehicle a thorough once-over to ensure it’s going to be reliable. Make sure it has reasonably clean oil and topped up fluids. You might want to carry spare oil/water/washer fluid with you just in case. For complete peace of mind, you might want to take it to a mechanic, explain you’re going on a long journey and have them give your vehicle an inspection. It also makes sense to check the condition of your tyres and replace them if necessary.

Do you have a clear idea of your route?

An itinerary is important on any vacation, but particularly a driving one. Be sure you know exactly where you’re going, and in what time you need to be there. Plot your routes ahead of time, and be sure to have backup maps just in case you fall out of GPS range. Think about what kind of terrain you might be encountering, and ensure your vehicle is capable of driving it safely.

Have you got appropriate car insurance cover?

You need to make sure your full coverage car insurance covers you for driving internationally, if that’s where you intend to take your vehicle. Many policies don’t have a standard contingency for international breakdown and recovery, but it’s worth taking out before your trip to give you complete peace of mind. Even if you intend to travel only domestically, it’s worth making sure that your car insurance policy is up to date and that you’re fully aware of what allowances it provides you. As your vehicle is going to be your primary method of travel through your vacation, it’s essential you have the proper coverage to rely on if something happens to go wrong.

With a little key preparation ahead of time, you can enjoy a fantastic driving vacation either domestically or internationally.

Categories
Health Insurance

Do you need health insurance when moving to Dubai?

For anyone moving to a new country, it is essential to know what the healthcare arrangements are before you arrive. In the case of the UAE, the situation is complicated by regulations that differ between emirates.

Do you need private health insurance in the UAE?

The short answer to this question is yes. Emirati nationals do not need to purchase private health insurance, but anyone moving to the UAE from abroad will need private health insurance. Under Emirati law, employers are required to provide basic health insurance to their workers. However, this cover will not extend to your family members and dependents.

What about Dubai?

All residents of Dubai are required to have some kind of private medical cover. If you are moving with your family, you will need to purchase insurance for them, unless your employer offers more generous insurance than they are legally required to.

What kind of healthcare system does Dubai have?

Healthcare in the UAE is a hybrid public-private system. The ratio of one to the other varies between the emirates. In the case of Dubai, the split is roughly 20% public and 80% private. Public healthcare is primarily for Emirati nationals, whose treatment is either free or low-cost. Public healthcare in Dubai does not extend to dental, eye, or ear care.

Expats can make use of Dubai’s public healthcare, but it is usually in their interests to use private care instead; especially as they are obliged to take out private health insurance. Private medical facilities in Dubai are also generally of a much higher standard than public facilities.

Is health insurance mandatory in Dubai?

Yes, major medical insurance is mandatory for all residents of Dubai, irrespective of whether they are currently employed or not. Any expat hoping to earn their residency visa will need to have private medical cover to qualify. There are also hefty fines levied against any resident without private medical coverage for every month they are uninsured. The monthly insurance premiums are considerably cheaper than these fines, so it is in every residents’ interests to acquire medical insurance.

If you are planning on moving to Dubai, you should be prepared to take out private medical insurance. While your employer must provide you with basic cover, this won’t extend to your dependents and will only cover the most basic treatments. Compare the best rates on insurance today.

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Car Insurance Health Insurance Travel Insurance

New Year checklist for your insurance

Ringing in the New Year is always a time of celebration. It’s synonymous with renewal and the chance to start afresh – something that everybody is keen to do following the year that 2020 has been.

However, there are some things you should make a priority. Making sure all of your insurances are up to date is an essential task that ensures you can live your life with the confidence you’re covered should something, unfortunately, go wrong.

Below is a brief list of the points to remember with various popular insurances that you likely have. Read on to find out more.

Health insurance

When it comes to private health insurance companies, you want to make sure a few different aspects are still correct. For one, be sure to update your provider of any newly diagnosed health conditions within the past year. Also, ensure you have all of the correct paperwork to hand so that you are prepared should any injury or health concern arise.

Medical insurance

Leading on from this, make sure your medical insurance is all in order. Less an issue in the UK thanks to the NHS (with the exception of private medical insurance), up-to-date medical insurance in other countries such as the UAE is essential, should citizens require urgent attention.

Car insurance

No matter how careful a driver you are, ensure your car insurance is current and that the policy you are paying for reflects your requirements. Just a few factors you may want to revise are the liability policy, the deductibles policy, and collision coverage. This last one is especially important as it helps to protect you in the instance of an accident.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance has never been more important as a UK citizen. With the UK’s official transition period ending on the 1st January, UK nationals will no longer be protected under the EU’s travel laws, which means it’s an incredibly wise idea to invest in travel insurance if you plan on going abroad next year – especially to places like the UAE, where visitors won’t be able to access free medical treatment especially visitors that want travel insurance for schengen visa.

Trust Compare Insurance today

If you require independent insurance comparison filtered to your unique needs, look no further than Compare Insurance.

Categories
Health Insurance

6 facts about healthcare in the UAE

Image from Flickr

If you’re living in Abu Dhabi or holidaying in Dubai, you might be wondering about healthcare in the UAE. What is it like, and how do you get treatment if necessary? In this post, we’ll answer all of your questions!

The UAE has excellent healthcare facilities

The UAE is known for its world-class healthcare facilities. There are a huge amount of trained doctors in the country – around 181 for every 100,000 residents! It is also known for its excellent hygiene standards at its medical facilities and pleasant hospitals.

Only Emarati citizens get free healthcare

You do, however, get what you pay for. Emarati citizens get to enjoy the UAE’s excellent healthcare for free, but non-citizens have to pay. Health insurance is crucial, as it will cover nearly all health ailments, so you don’t have to worry!

Dubai is a medical tourism destination

The entire UAE is famous for medical tourism, although especially Dubai. Dubai gets hundreds of thousands of medical tourists every year. This is due to the high standard of healthcare and the marginally lower costs than other destinations (particularly the USA).

Dubai is famous for being a provider of dental, cosmetic, dermatological, orthopaedic, and fertility treatments.

There are more private clinics than public clinics

Yes, that’s right – because of the huge migrant population of the UAE, far more people use private clinics than public ones. This means that there are many more private clinics than public options throughout the country (especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)

Health insurance must be paid for by the employer in some cases

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, employers must cover healthcare costs. In Abu Dhabi, employers must also pay for healthcare for their employees’ spouses and up to three children aged under 18. In the other Emirates, employers don’t have to pay for health insurance – although many still do.

It is the law to have health insurance

All residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi must have health insurance, or risk a monthly fine of 500 AED. If you are employed, your employer will cover it – but anyone unemployed (including spouses and children in Abu Dhabi), must sort out their own health insurance.

To find out more about medical insurance quotes in the UAE, contact Compare Insurance today.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay