Tag: health insurance

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Found a better insurance quote? What should you do next?

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Whether it’s home, health, medical, travel, or car insurance, it’s important to regularly check the marketplace for quotes. Many people make the mistake of getting locked into insurance premiums because they think getting new quotes is a long and difficult process. It isn’t with a specialist insurance comparison website like Compare Insurance, as you can get a range of quotes in seconds.

But when you’ve got them, what should you do about it?

Let your insurance company know

When you find a better quote, you should tell your insurance company. It’s essential that no matter what kind of insurance policy you’re searching for that you find like for like quotes. If you can find a lower quote from another company to provide the same level of cover you’re currently getting, let your insurance company know about it. They will either try and match that offer, or they will try and offer some other incentives to keep you as a customer of theirs. In the worst-case scenario, they may do nothing, but that means you still have the option of swapping to the cheaper provider or a better health plan. This means it’s a win/win scenario for you, whichever way you look at it.

When should you look for new quotes?

It makes the most sense to start trying to find new insurance quotes towards the end of your insurance coverage period. If you signed a contract for a certain amount of time and at a certain price, there’s not much that can be done about it. When your time for renewal gets closer, however, you should start thinking about finding quotes from other insurance providers. This means you have more leverage when it comes to negotiating a fresh deal with your current provider, and it also makes it easier to transfer to a new insurance provider.

How do you find new insurance quotes?

Finding the best holiday insurance insurance quotes couldn’t be easier. All you need is a specialist comparison tool like you’ll find at Compare Insurance. Just put in your details and the kind of cover you’re looking for, and in seconds you’ll have a range of insurance quotes from many different providers. Get in touch with our team today to learn more.

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Health Insurance

What do the different types of health insurance mean?

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In some parts of the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it is a legal requirement for residents to have health insurance. For the majority of people, health insurance is acquired through an employer, however, that is not always the case. So, here is a guide to the different levels and types of health insurance providers available:

What levels of health insurance are there?

There are three levels of health insurance to consider when comparing policies: basic, medium and comprehensive. There are usually price differences between the different levels, but this is because they offer different amounts of cover for healthcare-related costs. In general, the more you pay, the more cover you have.

A basic health insurance policy will cover you for treatment and related costs if you’re an inpatient in a hospital. A medium-level policy includes everything covered at a basic level, as well as outpatient care on top of that. A comprehensive insurance policy offers the highest level of cover. These types of policies include everything covered at a basic or medium level, plus cover for mental health and physiotherapy. Weighing up the amount of cover you need and how much you can afford to pay is a key way of choosing the right health insurance policy for you.

What types of health insurance policy are there?

As well as a range of levels, there are a variety of health insurance policies intended to cover different people. This means you can choose between an individual, joint, family or child policy, depending on your situation and needs. For example, taking out a joint policy to cover a couple will likely be better value for money compared to taking out two individual policies. Similarly, if you’re planning on expanding your family with a child, you may want to consider a family or child health insurance policy to prepare for their arrival.

If you’d like to know more about the different types of health cover available in the UAE, contact us today. A member of our team will be happy to help you compare policies and find the best medical insurance for parents.

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Health Insurance

Understanding health insurance in UAE: what you need to know

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The UAE has its own health system which is government-funded. However, it is also mandatory for UAE residents to take out health insurance, which is typically done via an employer. While this minimum-limit coverage, as defined by the government, provides useful protection in the event of illness or injury, it’s also a good idea to consider taking out a private policy in addition to mandatory insurance. Here’s why:

1) Faster treatments

With mandatory health insurance and medical coverage, you may be placed on a waiting list for treatment. During this time, your condition could get worse. With private health insurance, you can expect to be fast-tracked as soon as you make an appointment, as both diagnosis and treatment times are much quicker when attending a private hospital or clinic.

2) Private rooms

If you require a short stay in the hospital, you may feel like you want privacy during your convalescence. This is not guaranteed under mandatory health insurance. When you choose a private health insurance policy that stipulates that a private room will be guaranteed in the event of requiring a hospital stay, you can have the peace of mind that you’ll be able to recover in a more discreet and comfortable environment.

3) Value for money

In comparison to other countries, the cost of private health insurance is significantly less in the UAE. This is because things like surgical operations and treatments are cheaper. With a health insurance policy, you can expect to get the best possible treatment when you need it, without having to worry too much about the overall cost.

4) Access to more treatments and prescriptions

Some drugs and operations are not available with mandatory health insurance. To ensure access to the treatment you need, it is important to have a private health insurance policy with adequate cover.

5) Lots of options

When choosing private health insurance in UAE, you can select from policies that cover you within your city of residence, or plans that cover you for the whole UAE. If your occupation doesn’t involve much travelling, a city-wide plan could help you to save money. If you require nationwide coverage, you’ll be able to find a health insurance plan that suits your lifestyle.

If you’d like to know more about health cover in UAE, please feel free to contact us today. A member of our team will be happy to help you find the most suitable deal.

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Health Insurance

3 reasons young adults should invest in health insurance

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When you think about the best individual health insurance, it might seem like something only older generations have to worry about. After all, if you are young, fit and healthy, chances are good that you won’t ever need one of these policies. However, there are several reasons why you should consider taking out health insurance, no matter your age.

1. Tragedy can strike at any time

Although you may be in good shape now, the truth is you can never predict what is going to happen. Young people are not immune, and an unexpected illness could befall you at any time. Unfortunately, there are so many cases where perfectly healthy people are suddenly faced with an unforeseen affliction, or they may be involved in an accident that could simply never have been predicted. Getting health insurance can protect you from these unexpected costs and cover any out of the blue expenses.

2. You’ll enjoy other benefits

Most health insurance policies come with a wide range of benefits for the holder to enjoy. You could qualify for free annual health checks, store discounts, cinema tickets, rewards programmes, specialist treatments and more. When you factor in all of these savings, the policy pays for itself. Even if you think you will never need to claim, it is worth having the safety net and benefits that come with it.

3. The costs will be lower

The younger you are, the cheaper your insurance premiums will be. That means if you are young, fit and healthy, you’ll likely be offered a range of competitive quotes that may be more affordable than you first expected. Companies also usually offer different plans according to your needs, with lower-tier plans offering less expensive monthly fees. If you know you don’t need your policy to cover much, you can opt for a cheaper plan to suit you to get health insurance.

Health insurance may not be a priority for young people, but the benefits of holding a policy far outweigh the costs involved. Compare Insurance can help you find the best health insurance deals today; browse our website or contact us for more information.

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Health Insurance

Can you get health insurance with pre-existing conditions?

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If you have pre-existing conditions, the thought of trying to find private medical insurance can be daunting. Whether you have a heart condition, diabetes or something else, it can be a worry whether an insurer will insure you. Even if you find the right company, you may be concerned that your conditions will push up the price of your premiums. So, what is the situation for people with pre-existing conditions that need to find the right health insurance?

Is health insurance available for people with pre-existing conditions?

The short answer is yes, you can get long term health insurance if you suffer from one or more pre-existing conditions. Many insurers will still cover you for new conditions, however, you may find that your insurance company places several restrictions on what they will and will not pay out for if you require treatment.

What are pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions include any medical-related problem that you have sought treatment for in the past. It incorporates any treatments that were provided by NHS services or by private clinics and can refer to medication, medical consultations and surgeries. The majority of insurers refer to pre-existing conditions as any medical issue for which you have had treatment within the past five years, although this time period can vary from one company to another.

Therefore, if you have suffered from an illness more than five years ago and have not sought treatment within the past five years, many insurance companies may not classify it as a pre-existing condition. Common pre-existing conditions include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes and arthritis. If you have one of these or another pre-existing condition, an insurance company could still give you a policy but will probably not pay for treatment concerned with a chronic condition.

Does it cost more to get insurance with a pre-existing condition?

As many insurance companies exclude pre-existing and chronic conditions from the cover provided by their policy, it is unlikely that your conditions will increase the price of your policy. However, there are some policies that will include your pre-existing conditions in their cover when you pay higher premiums. If the cost of treatment for your pre-existing conditions is high, then paying a little extra for your premiums may be worth it.

Find the right insurer for your needs at Compare Insurance and find health insurance agents near me today.

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Health Insurance

What are star ratings and what do they mean for your medical insurance?

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Many insurance products are independently rated, but what really is the difference between a four-star and a five-star policy?

For private medical and personal health insurance, ratings range from one to five. They aim to make it easier for customers to choose a product based on the features offered and not just the price.

What are insurance star ratings?

The star rating is not a reflection of customer satisfaction or necessarily a perception of the insurance product’s quality.

The star rating is based on the key features and benefits of the product. Star ratings also take into account any optional add-ons and extras offered with each policy.

A one-star rated product will be more basic than that with five stars.

Who provides star ratings of insurance products?

There are several independent insurance rating companies around the world. One of the most common is Defaqto.

Defaqto is an independent research company focussing on financial products.

They have worked with The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries to determine each health and medical insurance category.

What does each star rating mean for medical insurance?

A lower star rating does not necessarily mean that an insurance product is inferior to one with a higher star rating.

Each person will have different requirements from a medical insurance policy. It may be that a lower star rating suits your needs just fine. With insurance, you need to ensure you have just the right cover level for your own circumstances. More features than you need, and you will simply pay too much. Few features than you need, and you be at risk if something goes wrong determines health insurance cost.

However, you should remember that medical insurance is a complex product. You will benefit from seeking expert advice before choosing a healthcare insurance policy.

Defaqto assesses some 30 to 100 factors to determine a star rating, depending on the particular product.

There are several core criteria that a health insurance product must feature to receive a five-star rating. The core criteria include cancer care, inpatient and outpatient services.

Star ratings make it easy to compare products at a glance. However, if you need advice or are unsure of the features of any medical insurance policy, contact our friendly experts today

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Health Insurance

Top 3 factors which affect the cost of health insurance

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There are various types of insurance you can take out in the UAE to stay safe from what life throws at you. One of the most important is health insurance. This type of short term medical insurance covers you against illness and helps pay for any treatment you might need. There are lots of companies around the UAE that offer health insurance and most will quote a different price for your monthly premium. This is because there are various critical factors that affect how much your cover will cost.

But what are the top 3 to know about?

Level of cover

For any type of health or medical insurance, the level of cover you require is vital. This is because the more cover you wish to be insured for, the greater the costs any insurance company could face if you fall ill. More comprehensive cover for example might see the insurance company pay for hospital treatment plus outpatient care or physiotherapy. It is only common sense therefore that this sort of policy costs more to take out than more basic packages.

Age

Although this might not sound fair, to begin with, you will usually pay more for your health insurance as you grow older. This does make perfect sense when you consider it more though. The simple truth is people tend to need more medical care as they age. This means that the insurance company will normally incur more costs from an older person, compared to a younger one. These increased costs are then reflected in the amount older people have to pay for cover.

Location and smoker status

As well as age, a few other personal details usually come into play. Your smoker status is certainly one and will have an impact on how much any policy costs. This is purely down to the health risks smoking brings and the chances of smokers needing more medical care than non-smokers.

Although you might not think it, where you live is also key. If you live somewhere with clinics/hospitals close by for treatment, the financial cost of getting you there is lower. This naturally sees your premium come down compared to someone who lives far away from the closest hospital.

Get the best UAE health insurance quotes with Compare Insurance

Of course, the other major factor which influences health insurance costs in the UAE is who you take it out with. All medical health insurance companies will have different deals and this makes finding the best value one crucial. Rather than spending hours trawling the internet to do this, let Compare Insurance help instead. We bring together the best UAE health insurance quotes in one handy place. Browse our website or contact us today for more details.

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Health Insurance Travel Insurance

What does Brexit mean for travel insurance and healthcare in Europe?

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The last 12 months have been dominated by COVID-19, and due to the global pandemic stopping people from being able to travel abroad, the ramifications associated with Brexit are yet to be experienced – or indeed acknowledged – by many people.

With the vaccine rollout going well, and with COVID-19 cases going down by the day, it seems likely that holidays will be on the agenda shortly, so what do you need to know? What impact has Brexit had and will it impact your ability to obtain health cover?

The GHIC

At the beginning of January 2021, the Government declared that all UK citizens would be able to apply for a scheme known as the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which was created and subsequently launched as part of the post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU.

Previously, UK citizens were able to access a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though this is now being phased out entirely. However, while the cards are somewhat similar, there are certain limitations that you should be aware of. While the EHIC made a point of not only covering the EU but also other European nations such as Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, the GHIC will not cover these non-EU countries (other than the UK).

To apply for a free GHIC card, simply follow this link to the NHS’s dedicated application page.

What the GHIC covers

The GHIC, just like the EHIC, has been designed to ensure those who are travelling abroad have access to care for one-off emergency medical issues, routine care for pregnant women, as well as treatment for any ongoing chronic illnesses.

Venturing further afield

The UK Government is currently in the process of finalising agreements with a host of other European countries that are not covered by the GHIC (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). These will likely be finalised in the coming weeks, but for the time being, Norway has confirmed that UK passport holders will be able to get emergency health insurance simply by showing their passport. The other countries have not signed off on any such deal.

When it comes to heading outside of Europe, the UK already has agreements in place in principal with a host of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia. With regard to the remainder of the countries in the world, talks are currently ongoing, and it is expected that some kind of deal will be in place by the summer of 2021.

Take a look at our insurance comparison website today to find a business travel insurance policy that suits your needs.

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Health Insurance

How to prepare your health insurance for starting a family

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Starting a family is a busy time with lots of things to prepare and your health insurance should be one of them. Here are some key things to consider before you start your next chapter:

Are you on the best type of insurance?

Health insurance for parents is a legal requirement in Dubai, whether you are a full-time resident or only working in the city temporarily. As a result, you must either be covered through your employer or your own plan. If you and your partner are both offered healthcare insurance by your employer, then you may want to stick with your existing work policies. However, if one or both of you aren’t covered through work and you organise your own health insurance, you may want to consider taking out a joint or family policy. This could save you money compared to multiple individual policies and gives you the convenience of having everything in one place.

Health insurance for your children

Protecting your children against illness or accidents is essential for keeping them safe, so check if your children are covered by your work health insurance policy. If not, and you and your partner are content with your existing cover, then you may want to start looking into separate children’s health insurance so you are prepared. Alternatively, you could choose to take out a new family health insurance policy, which would cover every member of the family in one.

Does your current policy offer maternity benefits?

If you are planning on trying to conceive in the near future, it is a good idea to check whether your current health insurance covers issues relating to pregnancy. Not every insurer will cover the same thing and some conditions related to pregnancy could be very costly for you if they aren’t covered. If you aren’t satisfied with what your current insurer offers, investigate alternative options before you become pregnant, if possible. Some insurance companies will be reluctant to accept new policies from women who are already pregnant.

If you want to check that you’ve got the best health insurance broker for you and your growing family, why not do some research and compare the available policies on our website?

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Car Insurance Health Insurance Travel Insurance

Do I need insurance for domestic travel?

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Are you going on holiday in the UAE? If you’re not leaving the country, you may be tempted to skip travel insurance. However, you should still make sure that you are covered for other eventualities. Here’s why you need domestic travel insurance.

Your health insurance will cover health issues

If you fall ill abroad, you need travel insurance to access healthcare. This isn’t the case if you’re staying within the UAE as long as you have adequate UAE medical insurance policy (if you don’t, be sure to check out our health insurance comparison tool and purchase insurance – it’s essential that you have it!).

You may need insurance for stolen luggage

There are virtually zero domestic flights in the UAE (and the few that do exist are very expensive!), so if you are travelling by bus, it may be prudent to take out insurance that covers your possessions. You may also want to cover your possessions for theft from your hotel room. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a travel insurance policy – you could take out separate contents insurance for your luggage.

Don’t forget car insurance

Most people travel around the UAE by car. Whether you are using your own car or a hired vehicle, make sure that you have comprehensive car insurance to cover any breakdowns or accidents.

Travel insurance may cover delays or cancellations

Travel insurance may be useful if you experience any bus delays or cancellations, or any issues with your hotel. However, bus journeys are generally too cheap to warrant taking out insurance for, and hotels normally have their own kind of insurance policies in place. While travel insurance when venturing abroad is always a good idea, in the UAE you may be able to get away with separate insurance policies.

You will likely already have health insurance and car insurance (if you are driving your own vehicle), so you could pay separately to have your luggage insured and make sure that everything is secure at your hotel. This will probably help you save money rather than taking out a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

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