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FWD Lets You Experience Insurance Like Never Before

In its fundamental form, insurance is a contract that enables individuals or entities to receive financial protection against losses. It ensures the stability of families and businesses after a crisis or other unfortunate events. Simply put, insurance grants policyholders a peace of mind. Isn’t that what everybody wants – to be able to sleep at night without having to worry about what the future holds?

These are the reasons why I am drawn to getting insurance policies. I have to be completely honest. One of the major drawbacks that I dislike about insurance is its complexity. I am apprehensive about the piles of questions and bulky documents. Do not get me started about the confusing technical terms!

To my delight, I was introduced to a revolutionary insurance company that dances gracefully with the modern tides. This was none other than FWD Insurance. FWD Insurance aims to transform the way that Singaporeans experience insurance by simplifying the purchase and claims process. It helps you to skip the agent by directly working with them online.

Say goodbye to nerve-wracking call backs and time-consuming interrogations by embracing their user-friendly website!

FWD Insurance understands how valuable a working Singaporean’s time and money is. This is why the company maximizes these two commodities through providing insurance quotations under 60 seconds for car insurance and 10 seconds for travel insurance. These impressive figures are due to the fact that FWD only asks questions that are absolutely necessary.

For instance, it took me 25 seconds to be quoted with the premium of about S$174 for a DIRECT-Term Life insurance that seeks to cover 5 years of my life. I used the rest of my day to focus on other productive matters. You can do the same thing too!

The people behind FWD best explained the company’s concept: “We believe that insurance doesn’t need to be complex, sold through middlemen, or take up vast amounts of your time.” It offers competitive prices and easy-to-understand insurance.

Attractive Insurance Products

It is usual for people to feel skeptical when they encounter an insurance company for the first time. Wash away this feeling by knowing that you are supported by a company with a strong financial record. FWD is the insurance business arm of the established investment group, Pacific Century Group (PCG).

Choose from the four secure insurance products such as DIRECT-Term Life Insurance. Car, Travel and Personal Accident.

A. DIRECT-TERM LIFE INSURANCE

The DIRECT-Term Life insurance ensures that your family’s financial future is secured despite unfortunate events such as becoming diagnosed with a critical illness, becoming permanently disabled, or passing away.

These are the primary reasons why I am drawn to this policy:

I can choose the period that works for my budget and lifestyle (e.g., 5 or 20 years).
I can purchase coverage through my smartphone – without going through a middleman.
Because FWD does not pay commission to agents, my coverage of up to S$400,000 may cost less than S$1/day.

B. CAR INSURANCE

Three comprehensive plans cover vehicle repairs, third-party damages, medical expenses, and roadside assistance. These plans were crafted to suit your personal needs and budgets.

No matter what plan you avail, your repairs will be completed by the FWD workshops. You can cruise along blissfully until your car turns ten. Furthermore, your 50% NCD is guaranteed for lifetime. NCD stands for no-claim discount. Drivers who have earned their 50% NCD get to keep it for life because they believe that one accident doesn’t make you a bad driver.

On top of that, you can add amazing features which gives you coverage when you are driving in West Malaysia and certain parts of Thailand.

C. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Take for instance; to reap the rewards of her hard work, Jena scheduled a weeklong vacation to Thailand. The beautiful country has so much to offer from pristine beaches to established sports clubs. She did not forget to pack her favorite S$200 golf putter. To enjoy a fuss-free tropical getaway, she purchased FWD’s travel insurance. It was one of the best decisions she ever made as the putter got lost in the airport and fortunately, sports equipment is covered by the policy.

Aside from sports equipment, the travel insurance also includes unlimited medical evacuation. You read that right! The last thing on your mind is how much your emergency evacuation will cost. This is why FWD has thought of this for you.

You can expect the claiming process to be a breeze too. Claim with a few clicks with the “Click to Claim” feature. This means, all you have to do is snap your boarding pass and claim for flight delays via WhatsApp. This feature is available for baggage delays too. Simply take a photo of your baggage slip and send it to FWD via WhatsApp. That is convenience at its finest!

D. PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Personal Accident (PA) insurance provides compensation in the event of disability, injuries or death. In fact, one feature unique to FWD is that the policy also covers the most number of infectious diseases including Zika and dengue fever. Under this policy is the Guardian Angel Benefit. If both parents pass away or become permanently disabled due to an accident, FWD will provide up to S$500,000 for the surviving children.

Lastly, natural circumstances now cannot stop you from having fun as ticketed event cancellations due to haze are covered. Apparently, they are the only insurer in Singapore to offer this.

Irresistible Features and Highlights

Before you make a commitment, it is important to know what this new insurer can do. Let me start by stating the fact that there are no middlemen or agents. Since you do not have to pay for commissions, you can save more money.

FWD allows you to complete your purchases online. It is so quick and easy to complete the online quotation that even your 9-year old niece can do it for you! As soon as you make your purchase, you will get an email with the policy. You will also receive an SMS that notifies you to check your email.

Lastly, the policies are delivered with no technical terms. You will know exactly what you will get explained in plain English.

From now till 31 January 2017, you can now enjoy a 10% discount on all FWD insurance products with this promo code – FWDHi10.

For the people behind FWD, customers are at the heart of the entire process. They let you experience exceptional insurance by minimizing your effort and making products readily accessible. May they change the way you feel about insurance!

(This article is brought to you by FWD Insurance.)

Is The Alarming Zika Virus Covered By The Insurance Companies?

It is highly likely that infections of Zika virus will continue to elevate in Asia, according to the recent statement given by the reputable World Health Organization. This statement encourages heightened awareness as 70 countries were already affected. Zika virus has been endemic in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. In our country alone, there have been over 400 reported cases this year.

For those of you who are not familiar with this illness, let me enlighten you! The first case of the Zika virus was reported in the 50s. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito (much like dengue). What is unique about it is that only 1 in 5 infections are symptomatic. That is alright because Zika is generally mild and self-limiting. However, it is dangerous for pregnant women due to the congenital Zika syndrome. Rare cases showed that some individuals developed serious neurological complications. This can potentially harm an unborn child. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or anti-viral drugs to treat this illness.

Due to this alarming outbreak, many Singaporeans were quick to purchase protective measures such as mosquito repellents and insecticides. Further protection led for some people to pursue insurance policies. To their favor, more and more insurance companies are now offering extensions for Zika virus. These extensions are under personal accident or travel policies.

Among the five insurance companies that offer Zika coverage, NTUC Income came first. NTUC Income’s Personal Accident Assurance policy included Zika virus in the optional infectious disease coverage back in April. Ms. Annie Chua, the VP for personal lines at NTUC Income, once said: “This could be extended to other products with infectious disease cover.”

Great Eastern allows its previous and new Personal Accident policyholders to claim up to S$300 for medical expenses and S$30,000 in the event of death due to the virus. A pregnant woman who has been diagnosed with the illness is entitled to twice the amount of medical reimbursement. Furthermore, Great Eastern will pay a total of S$3,000 if the baby is born with an abnormally small head or with a Zika-related microcephaly.

Other insurance companies that provide Zika coverage are Prudential Singapore, Sompo Insurance Singapore, and AIA Singapore.

Mosquitos that cause Zika and dengue breed around homes in small amounts of clean water. This is why it is important to dispose waste in flower pots, discarded tyres, and other vessels that may accumulate water. Watch this short video to learn more about the efficient preventive measures:

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

How To Grow Your Nest Against Future Healthcare Costs

Singapore’s public and private hospitals offer some of the world’s most exceptional healthcare services. The only drawback is the rising healthcare costs of about 8-9% each year. Other countries are embracing this upward trend due to the global inflation.

The question now is: “How will you save for future healthcare costs?”

CREATE A SEPARATE SAVINGS ACCOUNT

If you have a trusted financial advisor in your network, discuss about the feasibility of opening a separate savings account for your healthcare costs. You may choose to categorize this under your emergency fund for fuss-free budgeting. Otherwise, you will have to adjust your budget to accomplish this.

EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS

Whether we are purchasing a plane ticket or a small furniture, we are constantly on the hunt for the good deals. However, we can easily spend thousands of dollars on medical costs without comparing the hospital prices. Avoid sinking in a pile of debt by not jumping into the first offer.

For instance, you have a substantial amount of time to evaluate your options for an elective surgery. Maximize your time by shopping around.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

A surefire way to manage overwhelming healthcare expenses is to prevent them from happening. Your road to wellness starts today! Make healthier choices by eliminating your unhealthy vices including your indulgence on junk food. Afterwards, commit to eating a balanced diet and to cultivating an active lifestyle.

COMPARE THE INSURANCE POLICIES

Get the best health insurance that your money can afford! Frame your current situation and compare the insurance coverages that will suit your medical needs. For instance, some insurance policies cover long-term care. This only make sense if you plan to retain the policy throughout your retirement years.

Perform a quick cost-benefit analysis by check it out Singapore’s first health insurance comparison website: gobear.com.sg. It provides basic information such as the premium amount per month as well as the maximum payout per year.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF ABOUT MEDISHIELD LIFE

Central Provident Fund administers a health insurance plan called MediShield Life. It aids in paying out huge hospital bills and certain outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy. MediShield Life’s coverage is ideally for Class B2/C wards at public hospitals.

You may choose to stay in a Class A ward or a private hospital, but the payout will only make up a small proportion of your bill. You will have to fork out cash or pay from your Medisave.

No one is entirely certain about what the future holds. Preparing now can help you manage the financial pain of later years!

Download The App That Can Keep All Your Insurance Policies In 1 Place

Insurance is a safeguard against unfortunate and unforeseen events. It is a strategic way to manage various risks. Insurance companies offer individuals or policyholders protection from potential losses in exchange of payments called premiums.

To manage your policy letters better, insurance companies offered their own apps. It sounds like a great idea for people who possess a couple of policies from different insurance companies. However, it is quite a chore for people who hold several policy documents. That is when PolicyPal comes in.

PolicyPal, developed when a startup took part in the Startupbootcamp FinTech Singapore, is a versatile platform that gathers all the policy documents from a wide array of insurers. It provides you with a “digital overview and analysis of your existing policies to identify any protection gap in your insurance portfolio and help you to better understand your coverage.”

Image Credits: facebook.com/hipolicypal

HOW IT STARTED

Ms. Valenzia Yap is the brainchild behind PolicyPal. About two years ago, Valenzia’s mother was diagnosed with a serious illness. Her mother was diagnosed with one of the most notorious illnesses across the globe – CANCER. The unfortunate turn of events did not stop there. She was surprisingly rejected by the insurance company because of several lapses that they were not aware of.

The inconvenience that she went through while sorting out her mother’s policy letters gave her an idea to digitize the collation of the insurance policies and other documents. So, Valenzia collaborated with two programmers named Rick Wong and Jun Wei Ng to create the PolicyPal. Necessity was truly the mother of invention this time around.

ITS CURRENT SITUATION

This impressive app received over a thousand of users since its launch. Majority of these users are either on their late 20s or early 30s. Interestingly, their policies range from 1 to 12. These information simply shows how a significant number of Singaporeans are conscious about their health and safety choices.

THE EASY PROCESS

In simpler terms, PolicyPal follows these steps:

1. Capture an image of your policy’s first page.
2. Taking a snap of the second page is only necessary if you have riders.
3. Wait for the app to process your data. It will analyze the policy number, premiums, coverage, and expiration dates.
4. View your premiums and coverage in a graphical overview or a comprehensive chart.
5. Request for a review.
6. Get a free portfolio review to understand your coverage its gaps.
7. Purchase from the available policies if necessary.

Image Credits: facebook.com/hipolicypal

Eager to get your very own PolicyPal app, visit policypal.co to download it for FREE!

MORE FINTECH APPS

There are other incredible financial technology startups that originated from the Lion City aside from PolicyPal. These startups came up with smartphone apps that make financial services more efficient, convenient, and prompt. They challenge the traditional businesses that are less reliant on the potency of software.

Do yourself a favor and know more about the Call Levels (i.e., providing live updates for traders and investors), the TradeHero (i.e., gamifies trading), and the Dragon Wealth app (i.e., one-stop shop for financial advisors)!

Source: 1 & 2

Know The Typical Features Of Critical Illness Insurance

When you hear the term “Critical Illness Insurance”, what comes to your mind?

If you are envisioning a coverage which offers a payout when the policyholder is diagnosed with a critical illness (e.g., stroke or cancer) then, you are correct!

Critical Illness Insurance or Dread Disease Policy is a lump sum payout given in the event that the policyholder is diagnosed with one of the specific illnesses covered by the policy. It can either be sold as a stand-alone policy or a part of a main policy in life insurance or investment insurance. The guidelines and definitions of the 37 critical illnesses are predetermined by the Life Insurance Association of Singapore. This definitions are fixed across the board.

Unlike other forms of health insurance, the benefits of Critical Illness Insurance is paid out in lump sum so that the person can use it not only for medical expenses but also for other living expenses that can result from the ongoing treatment.

COMMON FEATURES

Here are some of the usual features of the Critical Illness Insurance:

1. Its premium is adjusted based on the policyholder’s age-band.

2. The policyholder is allowed to claim no more than one of the critical illnesses listed.

3. There are no restrictions on the utilization of the benefit payment.

4. The critical illness rider will be terminated once you give up the basic policy.

5. A type of health insurance (with a critical illness rider) has an expiration once the policyholder reaches a maximum age.

6. To reduce the risk of moral hazard, there is a limit on the total amount that you can purchase.

7. Upon purchasing the Critical Illness Insurance, there is a waiting period before you can make a claim.

POSSIBLE ISSUES

Given the fixed definitions of the critical illnesses as well as the common features of the Critical Illness Insurance, there are several issues that can possibly happen in different situations. For starters, the benefits can only be paid if the disease EXACTLY meets the standard definition stated by the policy.

For example: Coma is defined as…

“A coma that persists for at least 96 hours. This diagnosis must be supported by evidence of all of the following:

• No response to external stimuli for at least 96 hours;
• Life support measures are necessary to sustain life; and
• Brain damage resulting in permanent neurological deficit which must be assessed at least 30 days
after the onset of the coma.

Coma resulting directly from alcohol or drug abuse is excluded.”

In reference to the definition above, say your beloved spouse had been in a state of coma for the past 48 hours due to substance abuse and you cannot do anything about it because he is not qualified to claim the insurance payout. It will be difficult for you to fork some money at a relatively short notice.

Another issue that can happen is when two or more diseases transpire (co-morbid diseases) and you can only claim for one of it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Furthermore, claiming of the benefits usually has a waiting period. If a critical illness is carried out during the waiting period then, you cannot be paid for its benefits.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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