It is a contract between the Insurer & the Insured wherein the former agrees to pay to the latter hospitalization expenses to the extent of an agreed sum assured in the event of any medical treatment out of an illness or an injury. In the nutshell the Health Insurance is a policy which covers you & your family against medical expenses due to sickness, accident etc. The Insured in return has to pay a regular premium to the insurer.

Why you need Health Insurance?

It is indubitable that Health Insurance has become an important element in one’s life owing to increasing medical costs these days & uncertain environment; it comes to your rescue acting as precautionary measure in today’s tough time while acting as a life saver boat in case of any medical contingency. If you don’t have Health Insurance, you end up paying hefty medical bills in the event of hospitalization out of illness or injury, therefore insuring your family against Health Insurance is a must thing & should surely be a part of your regular financial planning. All we have is our health which needs to be protected & taken care of by acquiring the best health insurance policy suited for us.

Health Insurance Plans are segregated into three categories, firstly the Mediclaim Plans by Non-Life or General Insurance Companies, secondly the Hospitalization Cash Policy by both Life & Non-Life Insurers and thirdly the Critical Care Plans offered by both Life & Non-Life Insurers.

Mediclaim Policy is basically a reimbursement plan offered by General Insurers wherein the insured gets reimbursed of the total bill amount of the medical expenses to the extent of an agreed sum assured. It includes the room charges, ICU charges, surgery & doctor charges etc. It includes a lot of exclusions which the policy holder must read before buying the Mediclaim. The Mediclaim includes the following two further categories:

1) Family Floater Plan: It is a very common plan these days which covers your entire family under one premium payment giving coverage to the family members together. This plan is being offered by almost all the General Insurance Companies with a specific criterion of covering individuals in the age group between 90days and 55years.

2) Group Mediclaim Insurance: It is the second variant of Mediclaim which covers a group of individuals simultaneously. This form of insurance includes the category of Employer’s Health Insurance Cover wherein the sum assured normally varies between Rs. 15,000 and Rs.5, 00,000.

Hospitalization Cash Policy is a plan offered by both Life & Non-Life Insurers wherein the Insured gets pre-determined cash benefit on a daily basis irrespective of the hospitalization expenses being incurred. It is not a fully comprehensive health insurance plan because it doesn’t cover the cost of medical treatment but pays lump sum amount to the policy holder on per day basis during the treatment/hospitalization. It acts a complimentary plan to the Mediclaim plans. TATA-AIG General Insurance & Royal Sundaram offer Hospital cash benefit plan among Non-Life Insurers.

Critical-Care Plan: It is offered by both Life & General Insurers covering an individual for certain specified critical illnesses like cancer, stroke etc. This is also offered as a rider by Life Insurance companies for quite some time now attached to their Life Insurance Plans. You must take a cover either as a rider or as a standalone plan in your portfolio.

Health Insurance products are eligible for tax benefits under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Premium paid under health insurance holds a tax deduction upto Rs 15,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children.

Further more you can also claim another Rs. 15, 000 for tax deduction for your parents, in case of senior citizens (65 years or more) the above deductions are increased to Rs. 20,000

For instance a person wants a health insurance for himself, his spouse & their children, the Family Floater plan offers insurance coverage to the entire family under one premium payment. Let’s take an example wherein the person insures himself, his spouse & the dependent children with the individual insurance plans with a sum assured of Rs. 1 lakh each, he ends up paying premium ranging between Rs. 1000 - Rs. 2000 for each family member. On the other hand if the person would have opted for the family floater plan with the sum assured of Rs. 3 lakhs, the total premium would surely be less than the separate premium payments in individual health insurance plans. Moreover the separate health plan holds the cover of only Rs. 1 lakh as against Rs. 3 lakh in case of the Floater plan thus helping the family in case the medical treatment costs go beyond that.

Cashless settlement implies that an individual doesn’t have to settle a hospital bill out of his pocket; rather the bill gets settled directly by the insurance company. When you buy a Health Plan you are issued a Health Card along with the policy documents which would entitle you to get cashless claim at any of the company’s network hospitals.

What do you do in case of a claim?

You should walk into a network hospital & get the treatment done & the bills paid through the Health Card. In case of hospitalization you need to give the card number to the network hospital, you must pre-authorize from the TPA (Intermediary between the Insurance Company & the hospital) & will process the cashless settlement after the verification of your policy details. You should know the formalities required for cashless settlement as some insurance companies are required to be notified 48 hours before hospitalization.

If you don’t opt for cashless settlement, you need to settle bills at the hospital and get them reimbursed later.

• Room & Boarding expenses: There are further limits to this feature varying from company to company.

• Ambulance Charges: They are normally covered upto Rs. 1000.

• ICU charges, doctor, consulting, anesthetist and surgeon fees, operation and other diagnostic and surgical material costs are covered.

• Day-Care expenses such as Chemotherapy, Dialysis & Radiotherapy etc.

• Pre & Post Hospitalization Expenses which normally are 30 days prior and 60 days after hospitalization.

• Cashless Hospitalization is offered by almost all Non-Life Insurers.

• You must read the policy exclusions & the limitations in various covers properly before buying a Health Insurance plan because you should know what all covers your policy include & exclude.

• You should note the number of network hospitals covered in the Insurer’s list of network hospitals as this will help you to get cashless & hassle-free claim.

• You must read the names of critical diseases being covered before buying a Critical-Care plan.

• You must know that the medical expenses incurred within the first 30 days of buying the health insurance plan are not covered unless the injury has occurred out of an accident.

• You must disclose all the Pre-Existing diseases to the insurer before buying the health plan as the insurer doesn’t cover them, now a day’s General Insurers have started covering these diseases normally after 3-4 years varying from company to company.

Source: http://www.bimadeals.com

As a rule, most association plans have similar advantages and disadvantages as an employer group insurance plan. The rates are usually very low; however, the benefit is more restrictive than an individual plan; not guaranteed; and may be cancelled if you are no longer a member of the association. Fortunately, there are some associations programs that are exceptions to this rule. These associations have successfully blended the best features of group and individual insurance programs into one offering.

One such exception is the insurance program offered through the Canadian Bar Insurance Association (CBIA). This program combines the extreme low cost of a group insurance plan with the superior benefits of an individual contract. Unlike the membership requirements of other association plans, lawyers are not required to be members of the Canadian Bar Association to qualify for this coverage and will not lose their coverage if they change their occupation.

Source: http://www.barinsurance.com

Get a Restaurant / Pub Insurance quote in minutes on this website, and in the relevant sections you’ll find more detail on what our business insurance policies cover.

Related information:

Employers’ liability insurance - pub or restaurant workers are vulnerable to accidents - make sure you’re covered in case they need to make a claim.

Public Liability Insurance - imagine someone slips on a spilt drink and are injured. It’s for accidents like this that you need to have public liability insurance.

Guest House Insurance - we also offer cover for hotel premises.

Related articles:

Source: http://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk

This was a term coined by Allstate car insurance and several major insurance companies have now followed suit. Insurance companies usually hike your premium after an accident. According to this offer, Allstate will not raise your car insurance premium even after multiple accidents. This is at a cost though. You will have to pay an additional amount. The rate varies, based on several factors. This could be a good deal if you feel you could end up in an accident of some sort. However, it’s important to read the fine print before you do so. Check for all the “conditions apply” terms before you go ahead.

Although Allstate has got good ratings from official agencies, customer satisfaction seems to be at low. Online portals are full of complaints about Allstate’s customer service. According to www.freeAdvice.com , 51% of customers were very unsatisfied. The ratings were as follows:

Another website www.autoinsurancereviewer.com gave the following ratings (out of 10):

Source: http://www.autos.com

TravelSurance Plus provides greater protection, vital assistance and most importantly, complete peace of mind when you are away.

Receive a lump sum of up to S$250,000 in the event of an accident that results in permanent disability or death. This sum doubles if the accident occurs while travelling on public transportation # .

# Only for the Superior plan, as detailed in the Benefits table.

Receive reimbursements for any medical, surgical and hospital expenses incurred overseas due to injury or illness. Most importantly, TravelSurance Plus offers unlimited worldwide medical emergency evacuation and repatriation.

In the event of overseas hospitalisation for a long period, TravelSurance Plus will pay for accommodation costs and transport expenses incurred by a relative for compassionate visits, or to escort the children back to Singapore.

Receive compensation for travel inconveniences such as trip cancellations and postponement, flight delays, missed connections, loss of or damage to personal belongings. The plan also covers you for insurance excess of your rental vehicle when you are on a driving holiday.

TravelSurance Plus gives you greater peace of mind with the option to cover your home contents, golf equipment and pets when you are travelling.

Source: http://www.hsbc.com.sg

Yes. If you own a vehicle with at least four wheels and are registering it, you must have Florida insurance.

What type of insurance is required to purchase and maintain a Florida license plate and registration?

Florida’s minimum coverage is $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) as long as you have a valid Florida license plate.

What is “Personal Injury Protection” (PIP) insurance?

Also called Florida No Fault Insurance, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance covers you - regardless of fault (i.e. whether or not you cause the crash) - up to the limits of your policy. Your PIP will also cover your child, members of your household, certain passengers who lack PIP Insurance as long as they do not own a vehicle. People riding in your vehicle who carry PIP will receive coverage under their own PIP for their injuries, and certain licensed drivers who drive your vehicle with your permission. PIP also covers your child if he or she suffers an injury while riding on a school bus. PIP coverage protects you while in someone else’s vehicle, as a pedestrian, or bicyclist if you suffer an injury in a crash involving a motor vehicle. The Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, requires all owner/registrants of a motor vehicle with four wheels or more to carry a minimum of $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) if you own a motor vehicle in Florida. Florida law requires you to maintain PIP/PDL insurance continuously throughout the licensing and registration period.

What is ” Bodily Injury Liability” (BIL) insurance?

Bodily Injury Liability coverage pays for serious and permanent injury or death to others when you cause a crash involving your automobile. Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy and provide legal representation for you if you get sued. In particular, your company pays for injuries caused by you or members of your family who live with you, even if they were driving someone else’s vehicle. It may also cover others who drive your automobile with your permission. This coverage also provides you with legal defense in the event you are sued by the injured party.

What is “Property Damage Liability” (PDL) insurance?

This coverage pays for damages you or members of your family cause (and are liable for) to other people’s property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

What is meant by “Florida Coverage”?

Florida coverage is an insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in Florida by an insurance company licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Can I maintain my current policy issued in my previous state of residence?

No. The minimum required insurance must be issued through a Florida agent with an insurance company licensed to sell in Florida. Most insurers have Florida agents and are licensed to issue policies in Florida. Just ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to Florida when you register a vehicle in Florida.

What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle that I have registered in Florida?

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to suspend your driving privilege, including your vehicle license plate and registration, for up to three years or until proof of Florida insurance is provided, whichever is first.

If my driving privilege is suspended because I am not properly insured, is there a penalty to reinstate my license?

Yes. A reinstatement fee of $150 up to $500, for subsequent violations, must be paid and you must provide proof of current Florida insurance.

I live outside Florida for six months a year. When not in Florida, my vehicle is in storage and not used. Must I maintain automobile insurance?

Yes. Any vehicle holding a valid Florida license plate and registration must be covered by a Florida insurance policy throughout the entire registration period. When you leave Florida, you may surrender your license plate and registration at the nearest driver license or Tax Collector office to avoid maintaining your policy. You can always register your vehicle upon your return to Florida, at which time you can provide proof of Florida insurance.

I am not a resident of Florida but I have business that keeps me in Florida sometimes for several months at a time. Must I comply with Florida’s insurance laws?

Yes. Any person who has a vehicle in Florida for more than 90 days during a 365-day period must purchase personal injury protection and property damage liability insurance coverage. The 90 days do not have to be consecutive.

I own multiple vehicles. Some are not used for different reasons, but the county I live in requires that the vehicles remain registered. Must I maintain insurance coverage on these vehicles?

Yes. Insurance coverage must be maintained throughout the entire vehicle registration period, whether the vehicle is used or not.

What can I do to avoid a driving privilege suspension when I choose not to insure a vehicle?

To avoid a driving privilege suspension, surrender the vehicle’s license plate and registration at any Florida driver license or Tax Collector office, prior to canceling your insurance policy.

If my driving privilege is suspended for no insurance, will I be granted a temporary driver license for Business or Employment purposes?

No. There is no provision in Florida’s motor vehicle insurance laws for the issuance of any sort of temporary or restricted driver license for financial responsibility suspensions.

I am self-employed as a taxi driver and the only vehicle I own is registered as a taxicab. Must I carry automobile insurance?

Yes. You must carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for property damage liability (PDL) coverage.

I am moving out of state and will not be registered in Florida any more. Can I cancel my insurance?

Do not cancel your insurance until you have registered in the other state. Florida insurance is required as long as you are registered in Florida, regardless of whether you drive in Florida. Once you are registered in the other state, you can cancel Florida insurance and comply with the insurance requirements of the state you have moved to. If you are retaining the same carrier, they can switch you simultaneously with registration change.

Source: http://www.flhsmv.gov

Source: http://www.dmv.ca.gov

At Erie Insurance, we live by the same purpose our Founder, H.O. Hirt, did:

To provide our Policyholders with as near perfect protection, as near perfect service as is humanly possible, and to do so at the lowest possible cost.

We’re committed to keeping auto insurance rates as low as possible through disciplined underwriting. Erie Insurance further reduces your auto insurance premium by offering numerous discounts :

Source: http://auto.erieinsurance.com

Shop Insurance and business insurance has no restriction on size. If you are not the Freeholder of the property you will most likely be obliged to pay the building insurance cover on demand. However it would be in your interest to check that the rate is competitive, whether shop insurance or small business insurance. No one should condone paying the wrong rate for any service whether it is for insurance or a paint job. We at Trident Insurance would be very happy to offer a competitive business insurance quote or shop insurance quote for your premises cover.

Contents insurance … You should also appreciate that irrespective of the building insurance you will need to show good security and certainly need contents insurance We at Trident insurance will be happy to get you a great cover and value policy.

Protect your data … Finally with computers being so predominant in our lives it is all important to protect your data, lets face it if the computer goes down it can handicap your business. We at Trident Insurance can arrange excellent cover to protect your business in the event it is handicapped through loss of data please dont hesitate to call to find out more.

Home business insurance … More and more business are starting from a home or being run from home. make sure you have adequate cover on your home business insurance. It works exactly the same as normal business insurance or shop insurance. Please dont hesitate to call to find out more.

Instalment payments available*. Professional Shop Insurance technicians who really understands your individual needs. Free online insurance quote shop insurance business insurance small business insurance home business insurance CALL US ON FREEPHONE 0800 038 9000 or if you prefer CLICK HERE and we will call you.

LOOKING FOR Cheap Shop Insurance?

Source: http://www.trident-insurance.co.uk

The Motor Insurance Database (MID) was set up by the insurance industry to help combat this crime, reducing the number of uninsured motorists on the road, therefore reducing the cost to the industry of compensating victims of accidents involving uninsured motorists.

The MID also helps the UK comply with the 4th EU Motor Insurance Directive (now incorporated into the Codified Directive 2009/103/EC), which requires that insurance details of all vehicles in each member state can be easily identified by a national information centre.  In the UK, this role is carried out by the MIB via its UK Information Centre.

The police actively use the database, making millions of enquiries each month in an effort to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road.  The DVLA make over one million enquiries each month in support of Electronic Vehicle Licensing - enabling customers to tax their vehicles online. 

The MID (Motor Insurance Database) contains the insurance policy details of all insured UK vehicles. It is accessed by different people, in different ways, for different purposes.

Information for the Industry: Insurers, Brokers, Fleet & Motor Trade Policyholders from MID Services (the MIB department which communicates with the Insurance Industry in order to maintain a fit-for-purpose MID). For data submission - go to www.midupdate.com

CIE is similar to continuous vehicle registration, which can be enforced “from the record”. Vehicles do not need to be seen on the road before action can be taken. It is a legal requirement for registered vehicle keepers to insure their vehicles at all times.

Source: http://www.mib.org.uk