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Car Insurance

Do car insurance premiums increase after an accident in UAE?

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Accidents happen. Despite our best efforts, things don’t run smoothly all the time and we can’t control everything around us. Driving is one area where an accident can cause lasting problems, and one of the concerns is that car insurance premiums will go up. There are many drivers from different cultures in UAE, which increases the risk of accidents occurring. So just how much is your insurance premium likely to increase if you are unlucky enough to have an accident?

What will insurance companies consider?

Insurance premiums won’t always go up – there are several factors insurance companies will consider. The UAE insurance industry is quite accommodating and less likely to seize an opportunity to make more money than in many other countries. There is no mandatory premium loading in UAE, so a single accident won’t necessarily cause your premium to rise.

Loading insurance premiums is common amongst many insurers in other countries. It defines the amount that will be added to a car insurance premium to accommodate the perceived increase in risk with a driver who has recently had an accident. With some providers, an accident could lead to your premium increasing by 20-25%. But if you explore some other providers after having an accident you could find yourself a better rate. Bear in mind, however, that you will not get a protected no-claims discount.

What if the accident wasn’t my fault?

This is why you should get a police report immediately after an accident. If you have evidence that the accident wasn’t your fault, it could help with your car insurance premium. The insurance company of the person at fault usually covers the costs, but you may have to claim against your own insurance if the person at fault isn’t found (like in a hit-and-run).

So what factors affect insurance premiums after an accident?

The main factors that will have an impact are:

  • The severity of the accident
  • Who was at fault
  • Your overall driving history
  • Responsible driving

So if you have a minor accident that wasn’t your fault, and you have a clean driving history with no speeding offences, your insurance premium may not increase substantially. Nevertheless, it’s important to use a comparison website like Compare Insurance to look for the best car insurance. This will enable you to find the right deal for your lifestyle, your vehicle and your wallet.

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Health Insurance

What are the key factors which affect your health insurance premium?

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One of the most common things for people around the UAE to take out is international health insurance. Having a comprehensive health plan in place not only gives you peace of mind that you are covered in the case of any emergencies but also that your family is too. Of course, the key thing is to shop around for the best health insurance package which gives the cover you need. The cost which any cover incurs will usually be decided on by insurance companies after finding out a few important details about you.

But what are the most important factors which could affect the price of cover?

Pre-existing conditions

Health conditions prior to opting for an insurance policy have a major impact on the health insurance premium. Some insurers provide 100% cover for the pre-existing conditions based on the severity of the health declaration and at a higher premium than standard policy whereas there are other insurers who cover pre-existing conditions only after a certain duration of waiting period, which is in most cases 6 months.

Hospital Network

Insurance companies operate a network of healthcare providers in the country of their operation. Network of hospitals and clinics have a major impact on the health insurance pricing as most insurers have a tiered network list. The different tiers of hospitals are separated by level of service, reputation & pricing. In order to avail direct billing services, the chosen hospital / clinic should be in the network list of the insurer against that health plan. For any treatment which is not in the network list of hospitals, the treatments are done on a cash reimbursement basis. It is therefore, highly advisable to choose an insurance company that covers major hospitals in their network to avail direct billing services.

Deductibles / Co-insurance

This is the amount that the insured person pays each time they avail the medical insurance benefits. The higher the contribution of the insured person, the lesser is the health insurance premium. It is usually either Nil, 10%, 20%, 20% max. AED 50 or AED 100.

Age & Gender

The health insurance premiums are rated on an age basis with elder people being quoted a higher premium amount. Older people also require more health care than younger people and so could cost insurance companies more.

Females usually having a slightly higher premium band owing to potential maternity claims.

Smoking

One thing that can really bump up health cover for UAE residents is whether you smoke or not. Those who do smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products will normally pay more for their cover. This is not only applicable if you currently smoke in many cases but if you have done so within the last 12 months. The reason for this is the greater chance people who smoke have of getting serious conditions like cancer which could then incur costly treatment.

How many people are covered

Many people with families will often take out a plan which covers everyone. This makes sense as you will often pay less than taking one out for each person individually. Putting more people on your health insurance though will bump up the monthly cost. This is because there are more people being protected on the plan which insurance companies may have to pay out against.

Compare health insurance in the UAE

Now you know what type of factors can influence how much you could pay for UAE health insurance, you need to find the best deals around. Rather than manually trawling the internet for hours though, why not let Compare Insurance help? We bring together all the most attractive health insurance plans around the UAE in one place for you to consider.

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Car Insurance

How to get cheap car insurance online

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Anyone who uses a car will need car insurance. This is a regular payment which can be a major expense for many people, as well as being time-consuming for owners to set up. There are many different policies out there, often with wide-ranging costs, so how do you ensure you get the best deal for your money? Our experts at CompareInsurance.ae know all the tips and tricks and want to share them with you!

1. Choose a cheap car to insure

If you are looking to buy a new car but are worried about the insurance costs, then take a look at the average insurance costs of cars before you buy. Cars that may be at the same sale price point may have hugely different insurance costs, so always check with an insurance broker before buying.

2. Pay in one go

You will often get a choice of whether to pay your insurance in one lump sum or in monthly instalments. Paying the whole cost in a single go will often reduce the total amount you need to pay, as your insurance company won’t charge any interest on monthly instalments. If you have the funds, then paying upfront is always best.

3. Reduce annual mileage

If you limit the amount that you are on the road, it stands to reason that your insurance premiums will be reduced. Insurance companies analyse your time on the road through annual mileage, so a lower annual mileage will lead to a lower insurance cost. Make sure you are realistic with your mileage claims, though, as if your provider finds out that you weren’t accurate then there could be problems further down the line.

4. Check the extras you get

Different insurance premiums will have different benefits, including windscreen cover, breakdown cover and the use of a courtesy car. All of these will increase the costs of your insurance premium, so it’s well worth thinking about whether you really need to be paying for these benefits.

To compare car insurance, speak to our motor insurance specialists via our online chat or Whatsapp. Our staff are always ready to help you save money, so take a look today!

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Categories
Travel Insurance

What you need to know about Covid-19

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COVID-19 is a very hot topic right now. For a great many of you that are planning to travel and have purchased travel insurance, you will want to know what you can do and where you stand.

What is it?

COVID-19 is thought to have started with animals, which is similar to viruses that have appeared before.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

In most cases, it has mild symptoms and closely resembles the common cold and in more significant cases, the flu.
The symptoms include:

– Shortness of breath
– Fever
– A constant cough
– Runny nose

It is possible that it can spread before symptoms appear making it difficult to contain.

How can I limit my exposure?

The best approach is to practice good hygiene by doing the following:

– Limiting contact with those that exhibit the conditions.
– Wash your hands frequently.
– Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
– Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and mouth with your hands.
– Not sharing bedding and utensils with anyone that is unwell.

Is it safe to travel?

If you travel to parts of the world where the virus is prevalent, then this could result in a quarantine period. However, there is no direct danger if you travel elsewhere.

How can I prepare for a trip?

Your travel plans may not be affected, but you can prepare:

– Check Government websites for travel advice for your destination.
– Talk to your doctor if you are travelling with a child, are pregnant or have weak immunity.
– Consult with your transport provider for advice on possible disruptions.
– Stay healthy by eating foods that boost immunity.

What should I do if I have returned and feel unwell?

If you have a cough, difficulty breathing and fever, then you need to seek medical care. These symptoms can have different causes, including COVID-19.

You need to tell your health care provider if you have been to China or other high-risk countries where COVID-19 has been reported.

It is important to note to phone your local hospital or doctor before you arrive as this will allow the medical teams to make preparations before your arrival.

Finally…

Whatever you decide, you need to ensure that you have comprehensive trip insurance. For the latest prices and up-to-date information on the best travel insurance click here.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

Top 4 travel insurance mistakes you need to avoid

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Arranging travel insurance should be an essential part of any trip’s preparation. However, you need to watch out for these common mistakes that many people make when it comes to this travel essential.

Leaving it too late

Unfortunately, many people simply don’t book their travel insurance until the day or so before they leave. It’s almost an afterthought for many travellers!

Remember, if you book your insurance at the same time you book your holiday, you’ll often be covered if your holiday is cancelled, or if you’re taken ill and you’re unable to actually make the journey.

This could save you a lot of money, so it’s worth getting the admin done early.

Not checking what your travel insurance actually covers

It’s surprising how many people think that ‘travel insurance’ covers any and all eventualities!

As with any kind of insurance, you need to take the time to ensure that you’ll be covered for everything you require.

For instance, some insurance won’t cover work trips, only leisure holidays. Others might not cover you for certain locations, or for longer periods.

Make sure you do your homework here; you don’t want to wind up with the wrong cover.

Avoiding talking about pre-existing conditions

It’s understandable that people don’t always want to declare pre-existing health conditions, as they can add a decent amount of money to your premium.

However, it’s a false economy. You’re simply much more likely to get refused a payout if anything happens to you and your insurer discovers you didn’t disclose any issues.

And you might be surprised how mild some ‘pre-existing’ conditions are considered to be. Even ongoing conditions such as hypothyroidism, depression and anxiety can all be classed as issues you need to disclose.

Remember, it might make your insurance premium a little more expensive, but the alternative is much worse.

Ignoring the details and the small print

Alright, no-one enjoys reading small print. But when it comes to travel insurance, it’s simply something you can’t afford to miss doing.

You need to understand specifically what you’re covered for and if there are any loopholes in place you need to be aware of. It’s no good finding these things out when it’s too late.

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Categories
Car Insurance

Why does your profession affect your car insurance?

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You’ll need to submit information about yourself when hunting to buy car insurance online. This includes detailed such as if you’re married and whether you own your own home. You will also be asked about your profession. You might well ask: why does it matter what you do for a living or what industry you work in? However, the answers you give can actually be vital for determining how much you can expect to pay for your cover. Let’s have a look at exactly why your profession affects basic car insurance.

Use

Your job tells providers quite a lot about what you’ll be using your car for. Just some of the assumptions they’ll make include where it will be parked and what hours you’ll be working. This is very important for them to know, especially because they can marry it up against pre-existing data on when and where car accidents are most likely to happen. If it’s determined that you work in a profession where you’re more likely to have an accident – and therefore make a claim against your insurance – then you can expect to receive a higher quote.

Reliability

Rightly or wrongly, car insurance providers make assumptions about your reliability based on your profession. It’s not necessarily fair, but it’s just one of the factors that will be taken into account when determining your quote. Different providers will rank different professions in their own unique way, so it’s hard to say which jobs will make a quote go up and which ones will make it go down. A general rule is that you can expect to pay a higher amount if you’re unemployed. If you aren’t truthful when declaring your profession then it might invalidate your insurance in the event of an accident.

Be sure to shop around

If you are concerned that your profession will push up the price of your car insurance then you need to shop around to get the best deal. You can do this easily by using Compare Insurance, a service which will bring up multiple quotes from different providers for you to choose from.

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Health Insurance

Does my UAE health insurance cover me against Covid-19?

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Global panic in stock markets around the world, as well as the World Health Organisation’s concerns about the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus), are causing many UAE residents to query whether their current health insurance cover provides essential protection. If your existing health insurance is provided by your employer, you’ll need to speak with your manager or occupational health team about this; however, the CompareInsurance team has issued this update for anyone in the UAE with private health care insurance.

Worried about UAE health care insurance cover against Covid-19?

You will already have seen and read lots of news stories about Covid-19, and Gulf News is running a story about ways to protect yourself against catching the virus while at work or travelling. One of the most common queries about the virus relates to health insurances, and whether cover will be available. This will all depend on the type of medical health insurance you have. The quickest way to discover if you’re covered is to get in touch with your insurer direct – this is especially vital if you’ve recently returned from countries like China, Iran or Italy.

It’s likely that your health care insurance will cover you for treatment if you do develop Covid-19, as it is a viral infection. Some individuals do have medical exclusions noted on their Certificates of Insurance. For example, if your Certificate has an exclusion for any respiratory conditions or any pre-existing condition that could be impacted by Covid-19, then you may not be covered for diagnosis or treatment if you develop the infection.

Income protection insurance can help if you need to self-isolate

Many Dubai and UAE employers are stressing the importance of self-isolation if you have worries about visits to areas that have already been severely affected by Covid-19. One way to protect your income throughout any long term self-isolation is via an income protection plan. Just so long as your existing health insurances don’t include medical exclusions, an income protection policy could be the perfect insurance protection needed. You can browse our website to discover more, or chat with one of our experts online to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

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Categories
Travel Insurance

Should you get travel insurance for a business trip?

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It’s quite common for companies to send their best and brightest members of staff on business trips – sometimes overseas. The bulk of the cost will be covered by the employers, with travel, accommodation and necessities such as food being expenses that you can claim back. Your company, however, might not offer to pay your travel insurance. This leaves you with a decision to make: do you go without or fork out the money from your own pocket? The answer is that it’s always better to have travel insurance – especially when it’s so easy to get for cheap. Let’s have a look at three reasons why you need to be covered when going on a business trip.

Expenses

You obviously don’t want to be out of pocket for a trip that’s for work. Unfortunately, you risk this happening when you don’t get travel insurance. Take, for instance, if you were to injure yourself. A trip to the hospital could mean you’re left facing huge bills – and it might be unlikely that your company will go to the effort of picking up the tab.

Privacy

Even if you do expect your company to pick up the bill, you might be put off by the prospect of sharing certain details about your health. For example, if you were to slip in the bathtub. The prospect of sharing such a private matter with others might not be something you’ll want to consider, so you’d be better off mending your injuries yourself and simply claiming the costs back on your travel insurance.

Productivity

Productivity is at the heart of every business trip. However, if you’re not covered for accidents and injuries then you might not be able to reach your full potential – which in the process could disappoint your employer. Consider this: if you’re putting off medical treatment because you’re worried about the possible costs, it could mean that you get worse as a result and therefore further hinder your ability to do a great job.

What can you do?

Luckily it’s so easy to sort out your own cheap travel insurance quotes before going on a business trip. You simply have to visit Compare Insurance and then check out the rates offered by the different providers.

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Health Insurance

Health insurance: which plan is right for you?

Have you been looking at health insurance plans but don’t quite understand what they entail? Don’t panic, instead allow us to go through everything you need to know, which will hopefully help you with making your choice.

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Health insurance plans tend to come in four different categories. Generally speaking, these are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Depending on which plan you choose, the rate you pay will change accordingly.

How they work

Each plan has a different amount that you are required to pay. There is normally a fixed monthly amount that you pay for your health insurance – known as the premium – as well as an additional amount to pay when you need to make a claim. Below are some estimates for how the costs will be split when you make a health insurance claim:

Bronze: insurance company pays 60%, you pay 40%
Silver: insurance company pays 70%, you pay 30%
Gold: insurance company pays 80%, you pay 20%
Platinum: insurance company pays 90%, you pay 10%

Which plan is for you?

If you take out a Bronze plan then you will be paying the highest amount of all the plan levels each time you see a doctor, or you are given a prescription. The latter is known as and sometimes referred to as an ‘out-of-pocket cost’. The Bronze plan also means you pay the lowest monthly premium.

At the other end of the scale, the Platinum plan involves you paying the lowest to see your doctor or for your prescriptions, but this comes with the highest monthly premium in return. The Silver and Gold plans fall in between these two extremes.

Summary

In simple terms, the more care you require should dictate which health insurance plan you go for. If you are someone who requires a lot of medical help or large insurance cover, such as a sportsman, a student, or a family with lots of children then the Platinum or Gold plans are for you, whereas if you do not require much medical help or assistance then you should probably consider the Silver or Bronze plans.

To get health insurance quotes, or to compare plans from different providers, why not go to this link to find the best deal for you.

Categories
Travel Insurance

Worried about losing your luggage? Get travel insurance

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The average person gets travel insurance to cover themselves against any possible injuries or illnesses when on holiday. This is, of course, a very sensible thing to do. However, a lot of people forget that insurance actually protects them against more than just humongous medical expenses. Instead, the cover can be used if you lose your luggage – either on the journey to or from your vacation destination. Let’s have a look at why it’s always so important to have this protection when going on holiday.

Before

There are a lot of people who are unsure about packing their favourite items of clothing when they go away. This isn’t right, especially since you should look and feel your best when on holiday. Thankfully, you won’t feel deterred from packing your most expensive pair of trainers or your priciest jeans if you know that you’ll receive money to replace them should your luggage become lost.

During

It will always leave a sour taste in your mouth if you lose your luggage. However, it’s true to say that you’ll shield most of the blow if you’ve got travel insurance. You won’t have to worry about how you’ll be able to afford to replace everything, meaning you can instead maintain a more positive frame of mind during your trip. This should ensure that you enjoy yourself even in the event that your luggage gets lost.

After

There won’t be anything to stop you from bouncing back when you return from your holiday. Your travel insurance provider will let you know how much money you’re entitled to after losing your luggage, so you’ll be able to start replacing items sooner rather than later. This ultimately means that you shouldn’t have to pinch those pennies just to re-fill your wardrobe with clothes that shouldn’t have gone missing in the first place.

Let us help

Losing your luggage is never pleasant, but you’ll cushion the blow to you and your holiday if you are fully covered. Therefore, don’t wait to get your hands on cheap travel insurance by sizing up different providers through Compare insurance.

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