Tips Archives - Page 25 of 26 - Insurance Agency Singapore | Commercial Insurance and Personal Insurance

10 things to look out for on your travel insurance

16 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Image via Flickr user Moyan Brenn

Packing to go on holiday can be a bit of a slog, but the only items you essentially need are your passport (if you’re going overseas), money, travel documents – and your travel insurance.

1. Limits on trip duration

When selecting which travel insurance policy to go for, it’s important to check how many consecutive days abroad you’ll be covered for.

2. Destinations that might be excluded

Also check that your policy covers you for the destination you’re going to before you apply. It sounds obvious, but policies vary and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, they can be confusing.

3. Pre-existing conditions

It’s important that you are honest when it comes to any pre-existing medical conditions you have.

4. Action-packed holidays

Planning to take part in activities such as scuba diving, horse riding or bungee jumping on your holiday? Then you need to check that your travel insurance will cover you in the event you had an accident.

5. Limits on claims

Checking exactly how much you’ll be able to claim back in the event that you lost your wallet or had to cancel your holiday is also important.

6. How your belongings should be treated

Your insurer will expect you to take reasonable care of your belongings. If you’re found to be negligent, it could refuse to pay out.

7. How you should report a theft

Should you fall victim to theft, you’ll need to report it to the police as soon as possible.

8. If you miss a flight

We’ve all been there – stuck in traffic or caught up on a delayed train on the way to the airport, frantic with worry that we won’t catch the flight in time.

9. Alcohol and drugs policies

It’s easy to let your hair down when you’re on holiday, but most insurers won’t cover you if you’re involved in an accident when you’re under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

10. Cancellations

Although you can buy your travel insurance policy on the day you are jetting off, it can pay to buy it at the same time as booking your holiday.

by Rachel Wait

See Full Story on moneysupermarket.com

Not Covered: Seven Caveats on Travel Insurance

13 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Singaporeans are among the most avid travellers in Asia and travel insurance are commonly available. However, travellers would do well to know about some common sticky situations in which insurance claims may be refused.

1) Valuables and loss due to personal negligence

Travel insurance policies often explicitly state that the loss of personal valuables due to negligence is not covered.

Furthermore, some basic schemes also exclude the loss of jewelry in overseas trips, whether or not it is the result of negligence.

2) “Known Events”

Some insurers, such as NTUC Income, have a specific exclusion with regard to “Known Events”.

Claims arising out of such “known events” may thus not be admissible under the policy coverage.

3) Mode of transport

If you are going on packaged tours, you should be aware that occasionally, deaths and disabilities resulting only from travelling via public transportation (a.k.a. “public conveyance or common carrier”) are covered under the most basic of travel insurance packages.

4) Disease outbreaks

Although medical claims for illnesses contracted overseas are covered, insurers may stop short on compensating for losses from travel delay or air travel reschedule as a result of disease outbreaks.

5) Trip cancellations

In certain insurance policies, trip cancellations are valid for a small list of events which occur 30 to 60 days prior to departure. Such events may for example be limited to deaths or serious injuries to immediate family members or civil unrest at the destination countries.

6) Reporting of loss

As in the terms and conditions of most other forms of insurance, for travel insurance claims to be admitted, insurers generally require reports to be filed either with the police (or with parties such as airlines in the case of loss luggage) within 24 hours of the occurrence of the incident or accident.

7) Length of trips

For frequent travelers, insurers often offer a multi-trip “one-year plan” in which a travel insurance policy is in effect over a year and activation is not required for each trip. Despite the nature of such plans, such policies do provide not long term coverage.

See Full Story on singwealth.com

10 Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance For Your Trip

11 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Travel insurance is a must-buy before any trip we take – because when you are stuck, there is nothing worse than not having the means to sort everything out. Insurance can make life much easier if something does occur while you are away especially in some of the scenarios highlighted below:

1. A culinary adventure in Pakistan brings you gastric problems, and you don’t want to spend hours and hours trying to convince somebody to attend you at the hospital, having a holiday insurance saves you money and time.

2. A terrorist act occurs at the airport. The airport is closed, all flights are cancelled. Who will assist you until the airport operates again?

3. Food poisoning during your mountain bike tour.

4. In dangerous neighborhoods you are assaulted.

5. A shark bite puts you in hospital.

6. Passports are worth a lot on the black market, so you can easily get pick pocketed.

7. You are involved in a bus accident when site-seeing in London.

8. You are on a business trip in New York, the taxi driver gets into trouble crashing with another car, and you get a broken tooth.

9. When visiting the Eiffel Tower, a nice couple asks to take a picture of them; jostling follows, and the camera accidentally ends up in pieces on the floor.

10. Hiking in a remote area, you suffer a fall and need to be medically evacuated to the nearest hospital for urgent surgery.

by Zhiqiang and Tingyi

See Full Story on passportchop.com

Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

9 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Image via Flickr user tec_estromberg

Why have you been so successful in reaching some of your goals, but not others? Decades of research on achievement suggests that successful people reach their goals not simply because of who they are, but more often because of what they do.

1. Get specific. When you set yourself a goal, try to be as specific as possible.

2. Seize the moment to act on your goals. Given how busy most of us are, and how many goals we are juggling at once, it’s not surprising that we routinely miss opportunities to act on a goal because we simply fail to notice them.

3. Know exactly how far you have left to go. Achieving any goal also requires honest and regular monitoring of your progress — if not by others, then by you yourself.

4. Be a realistic optimist. When you are setting a goal, by all means engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve it.

5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good. Believing you have the ability to reach your goals is important, but so is believing you can get the ability.

6. Have grit. Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals, and to persist in the face of difficulty.

7. Build your willpower muscle. Your self-control “muscle” is just like the other muscles in your body — when it doesn’t get much exercise, it becomes weaker over time.

8. Don’t tempt fate. No matter how strong your willpower muscle becomes, it’s important to always respect the fact that it is limited, and if you overtax it you will temporarily run out of steam.

9. Focus on what you will do, not what you won’t do. Do you want to successfully lose weight, quit smoking, or put a lid on your bad temper?

by Heidi Grant Halvorson

See Full Story on hbr.org

10 Tips to Avoid Pickpockets while Traveling

2 February 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

For many, vacation time is right around the corner and the thought of the perfect getaway does not include being a victim of crime. While most vacations will go as planned, some will fall victim to petty theft: mainly purse snatching and pickpockets. Thieves target tourists because they are the ones with the money.

1) Wear a money belt – This is the most important thing you can do to lower the chances of being pick-pocketed. A money belt is worn under your clothing; this is where you keep your passport, extra credit cards and cash.

2) Do not put anything in your back pocket – The outline of a wallet in the back pocket is advertising to pickpockets to rob you, especially in crowded areas like metro platforms and escalators.

3) Valuables need to stay in your hotel room – Laptops, tablets and such are much safer in your hotel room than in the bottom of a bag on the streets.

4) Walk with purpose and confidence – Pickpockets look for the confused tourists–the ones constantly looking at a map, taking hesitant steps, having a “deer in the headlights” look on their face.

5) Secure your belongings – When sitting or eating, never put your purse/bag on the chair behind you or on the ground.

6) Carry a purse or bag with the flap against your body – You want to cut down the number of entry points into your bag so thieves’ fingers have fewer places to wander.

7) Get to know your new money before heading out – If you’re traveling out of the country you will be confronted with foreign money.

8) Stay clear of commotions and avoid crowds – A fight breaking out, someone dropping items, even people falling down are most likely a smokescreen for bad guys wanting to separate tourists from their money.

9) Know how they work – Get to know the local scams thieves use to rob travelers. Most guidebooks will have a section just on this.

10) Be unpredictable – If you get the feeling someone is following you, change directions. Go into the nearest shop/hotel/restaurant and wait a few minutes.

by Adrian Kalvinskas

See Full Story on pasadenanow.com

Top tips for safe travel

30 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

The world isn’t dangerous or unsafe. Quite the opposite. There are some desperate places and people, even in your home town, but these are a minority. In fact, you’re more likely to get into trouble at home than travelling if you follow these common sense tips on your trips.

1. Back (packer) glance

Get in the habit of looking back when you get up to leave somewhere. Travel is very distracting, and you’re probably carrying more stuff than when you’re at home, so you’re more likely to leave a jacket or journal at that Parisian cafe table where you were people watching.

2. Separate your sources of money

You know how you keep all your bank cards in your wallet/purse when you’re at home? Well, don’t do this while you’re travelling. Keep at least one in a different place, preferably not on your person. If you lose all your cards on the road it is very difficult to get replacements, and being without money in Timbuktu can be kind of unfun.

3. Don’t keep your wallet/purse in your jeans’ back pocket

To avoid being pickpocketed, keep your wallet in your front pocket, especially a pocket that can be buttoned up. Best of all, use the inside pocket of your jacket. There are also a load of different ‘money belts’ (see examples here) that either hang inside your shirt or wrap around your waist (under your shirt), etc. Make sure it’s waterproof because travelling can often be sweaty/perspiring work. I’d advise against the bum bag/fanny pack varieties. There is no better way to advertise the fact that you have a load of valuables on you…and, of course, they were never ever cool.

by Mark Broadhead

See Full Story on lonelyplanet.com

Top 10 safety tips when you’re travelling abroad

28 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Moving abroad, for any amount of given time, can be quite scary, especially for first-timers. You’ll have lots to think about, from where to stay to how to commute, with plenty of ups and downs in between. Travel, for the most part, will be done on weekends and/or during the holiday season. Regardless of how far you get to go, here are a few pointers so as to keep your belongings safe (as well as your person), avoid accidents abroad and most important of all, try not to get ripped off…Although most countries are safe, it’s still advisable to keep these tips in mind, just in case. After all, better safe than sorry (Ok, enough with the idioms…).

1) Keep an eye on your belongings

2) Keep an eye on your wallets and purses especially

3) Put your camera or camcorder away when not in use

4) Choose your travel buddy carefully as it might mean putting your belongings (or life) at risk

5) Get insurance for yourself in case something goes wrong at work or at least make sure you have got medical expenses covered

6) If someone has warned you not to go to a particular neighborhood or watch your belongings more closely in some areas, please take note

7) Scan your important documents and also email to yourself in case of misplacement

8) Get a health check-up and get the necessary vaccinations

9) Keep your cash and cards separate

10) Do your due diligence before typing in your personal details online

See Full Story on thirdyearabroad.com

10 tips for work safety

26 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Staying healthy and safe at work is important. No matter what your job, it is important to reduce your risks of injury and illness at work.

Here are some tips to help make your workplace safe.

Understand the risks. Once you know the particular hazards of your job or workplace, you can take steps to reduce your risk of work-related injury or illness.
Reduce workplace stress. Common causes include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with coworkers or bosses. Stress can lead to depression, sleeping difficulties and problems with concentration.
Take regular breaks. Staying fresh and alert will help you avoid injury or burnout. Schedule the most difficult tasks of each day for times when your concentration is best, such as first thing in the morning.
Avoid stooping or twisting. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment, and rearrange your work area so that everything you need is within easy reach.
Use mechanical aids whenever possible. Instead of trying to lift or carry a heavy object, use a wheelbarrow, conveyor belt, crane or forklift.

See Full Story on betterhealth.vic.gov.au

How to Prevent Home Burglary – 8 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Someone Breaking Into Your House

23 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

Here are 8 tips to help prevent a break-in from ever happening in your home, all of which can help provide you not only with emotional security, but also decrease the likelihood that you will have to replace items that could burn a major hole in your wallet:

1. Get an Indoor Dog

I drove down to Louisiana as soon as my dad told me about the robbery. And I brought him a great alarm system – an 85 pound Bordeaux Mastiff I’d rescued from the animal shelter just a few months before. He’ll be staying with my dad from now on.

2. Lock Your Doors and Windows

Make sure your doors and windows are always locked. And I mean all windows. Experts say 23% of break-ins occur through first-floor windows. So securing these should be a top priority. GE makes a wireless alarm kit you can purchase for $25 that will sound if a door or window is opened. This is a very inexpensive way to protect vulnerable areas in your home.

Don’t forget to secure side doors and garage doors as well.

3. Use Strategic Landscaping

Thorny rose bushes under windows will make thieves think twice before going in that way.

Also, keep your bushes and hedges trimmed to a minimum; don’t give thieves a place to hide while they scope out your place.

Gravel and loose stones can also alert you (or a dog) that someone is approaching your house.

And make sure your yard is well-lit during the night!

4. Hide Valuables

Make sure your valuables are hidden from passer-bys. Use privacy curtains (sheer curtains that let in light but block the view) so people can’t see in while you’re away at work. With the holidays coming up, this especially includes gifts! Don’t leave gifts, even wrapped ones, in front of any window.

5. Install Double Key Deadbolts

Double key deadbolts are the kind that require a key not only to enter, but also to exit. With a double key deadbolt lock, if thieves do break in, getting your stuff out is going to be really difficult unless they break the door down.

The downside to double key deadbolts is they can be dangerous in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Consider this carefully before installing one. If you do put one in, keep the key very close to the door in a hiding place that’s easy to remember.

6. Secure Patio Doors

Security experts say most thieves don’t want to smash sliding glass doors because they’re so noisy. They’d much rather slide it open. To prevent this, secure your sliding door by placing a sawed-off broom handle in the track to prevent it from opening.

7. Don’t Advertise

If you’re going away for a week, don’t tell people on your answering machine that you’re out of town. Police say that, surprisingly, many thieves will find your number and call to see if you’re at home.

8. Be Prepared

Make sure you religiously back up your computers and laptops in the event those items are stolen. My dad didn’t do this. As a result, many years worth of family pictures are gone.

Also, make sure your portable hard drive is kept hidden in an innocuous place where it won’t get hurt (like the kitchen pantry or laundry room).

by Heather Levin

See Full Story on moneycrashers.com

Strategies for Preventing House Fires

21 January 2015 By Digital Curator Leave a Comment

More than 4,000 people die every year in fires, and more than six times that many people are injured. Keep your family safe by knowing everything you can about fire safety and prevention.

Of the thousands of people who perish each year in fires, the overwhelming majority – 84 percent – succumb in their own homes. House fires can flare for many reasons, including electrical problems, outdoor fires, and unattended candles. The most common cause of death from house fires, however, is from cigarettes that have been left carelessly lit.

Keeping Your Home Safe From Fire

Many house fires start because of carelessness and can be prevented by taking simple fire safety measures to protect your home. Follow these fire safety tips to reduce the risk of house fires:

Be careful in the kitchen. Fire safety and prevention is especially important in the kitchen, so keep kitchen appliances unplugged when you’re not using them (of course, that goes for appliances elsewhere in the house, too). Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop, and keep flammable items away from the stovetop.
Use heaters wisely. Have your furnace or heating system inspected annually, and avoid potentially dangerous causes of fire like kerosene heaters. Always use a screen in front of an indoor fireplace to keep flames away from furniture and drapes, and be cautious when using space heaters — follow all directions to the letter.
Be vigilant about cigarettes. If you or a guest in your home is a smoker, watch those butts. Always use a deep, sturdy ashtray. For fire safety, never smoke cigarettes in bed. And before bed or heading out the door, do a quick scan around and under the furniture and linens to make sure there are no still-lit cigarette butts.

by Diana Rodriguez

See Full Story on everydayhealth.com

Insurance Agency Singapore | Commercial Insurance and Personal Insurance