Health Insurance Brokers is an independent company that provides up-to-date advice regarding all aspects of Australian Private Health Insurance.
We have over 30 years experience within the Insurance industry & our team of friendly professionals will assess your requirements and guarantee you the most appropriate Private Health Insurance for your needs & budget.
We provide personalized service & you can talk to us personally anytime, unlike some other companies who rely on computer based software.
customer support team provide
Health Insurance Evaluation/Recommendation (you may request one re-evaluation per calendar year)- Assistance in matters such as claims, membership maintenance and complaint resolution.
In order for us to provide our professional service to you, we require you to complete our step by step Health Insurance Evaluation Form. This will enable us to recommend the most suitable cost effective health cover.
We will assess your individual health insurance requirements and provide a written recommendation(s) based on the most suitable, cost-effective health insurance.
We will also assist you with understanding and managing your private health insurance.
Every completed evaluation form is assessed on an individual basis. The information you supply is kept totally confidential and will not be divulged to any external source.
You will receive by mail (Australia Post) our written recommendation(s) clearly explaining details of the levels of cover that is recommended. The applicable health fund brochures and application forms will also be enclosed for your completion and return. All application forms are to be returned to Health Insurance Brokers, as we will arrange priority processing of your health insurance membership.
If you feel unsure about entering your personal details on the Internet please print friendly version of Heath Insurance Brokers evaluation form in Microsoft Word format and fax it to us directly on Fax : 02 9211 7790.
Expatriate health insurance Nepal
Are you moving to Nepal?
When living and/or working in Nepal, people may not have the same level of access to the healthcare system as to the local population.
Consequently, it is crucial to have some professional advice on how to choose the right expatriate health insurance in Nepal.
Knowing that the chosen insurance provider will have the expertise to ensure the best treatment in the best facilities in Nepal is priceless.
Our partner is an independent insurance broker offering free quotes and advice to the expat community in Nepal.
When living and/or working in Nepal, people may not have the same level of access to the healthcare system as to the local population.
Consequently, it is crucial to have some professional advice on how to choose the right expatriate health insurance in Nepal.
Knowing that the chosen insurance provider will have the expertise to ensure the best treatment in the best facilities in Nepal is priceless.
Our partner is an independent insurance broker offering free quotes and advice to the expat community in Nepal.
Nepal Life Insurance Company (NLIC
Nepal Life Insurance Company (NLIC), established in April 2001, takes pride in being the first insurance company that came up to deal on life insurance business exclusively in the country. For the two companies that dealt on life insurance business prior to it were composite companies covering both life and general insurance businesses.
"The establishment of an exclusively life insurance company was the demand of the time," says Kamal Raj Gautam, Senior Branch Manager of NLIC. Reasons: A specific middle class group was growing fast and they were gradually becoming aware of social dimension of insurance products. The level of awareness, of course, could not be gauged as 'very encouraging', but it definitely had create a room for a life insurance company to come into play, adds Gautam.
Like many other companies, NLIC commenced its services in the capital city, opening an office in Kathmandu. It took not much time to secure its place in the market here. So, in order to expand the pie and also to tap opportunities present in other regions, it opened branches in Biratnagar and Birgunj in subsequent years. Currently, the company operates through 10 branches in different parts of the country. It is also in the process of converting two of its contact offices into full-fledged branches soon.
NLIC offers an array of life insurance plans like Surakshit Jeevan, Dhan Varsha, accident benefits, Surakshit Bhavishya, Jeevan Shanti, and Child Education and Marriage Endowment Plan, among others. "Of these, Surakshit Jeevan turned out to be the most preferred product," says Gautam.
The company even takes pride in bringing innovative products in the market, targeting different groups of clientele. Child education and marriage endowment is one of such products. While the majority of products available in the market looks to secure clients in financial terms in the post-retirement period, products like these aims to pledge financial support to the clients in the middle-age.
"Insurance coverage, in any case, is extremely helpful for providing periodical financial needs of family, for making provision for old age and for covering the tangible risks in financial terms," says Gautam. However, there is a limited group of people who understands such benefits. Still less are the people who really take benefits from it.
No wonder, the initial days were really tough for the company, states Gautam. "It was mainly the people who had substantial disposable income and could pay annual premium with relative ease availed our services in the beginning," he adds.
But that section of population always stands in a modest number in a given city. Unless insurance education is incorporated in regular system and people are genuinely informed of its cost and benefits, insurance companies would really find it hard to explore new avenues, opines Gautam. "Poor awareness level has not only limited the real business pie, but also prevented companies from being innovative and coming up with new products from different age and social groups," says he.
Nonetheless, the company has already build a strong client base of more than 60 thousand policy holders in the span of just the three years. Also it has created employment opportunities for about 1,000 insurance brokers. It periodically trains its human resource in different aspects regarding the insurance sector.
"All our branches are given independence to formulate and carry out their own area-specific strategies and policies," says Gautam. Of course, those should be in line with the main corporate strategies and policies that are decided at the center, he adds.
Such decentralization in strategy formulation and operation has enhanced productivity, efficiency and overall performance of NLIC, say the company officials, who further give credit of its fastest growing customer base to such a way of operation and the brokers working at the grassroot level.
In order to remain distinct in the insurance market, it has recently upgraded its human resource as well as technical resources. "We have installed a new computer software, updated accounting and fine-tuned our services to deliver speedy services," claims Gautam.
NLIC currently employs 58 staff. It has re-insurance arrangement with Hannover-Re, a reputed German re-insurance company. Moreover, the company is planning to offer new "planned products", which the officials prefer not to disclose.
Despite portraying optimistic picture, Gautam, meanwhile, laments that the sound investment avenues have shrank significantly in recent period, which has forced the life insurance companies that have mobilized huge capital in the form of premium from making according contribution in the economy.
"The investment opportunities are already low. Hence, concerned actors and regulators should make a joint effort to explore out or create new investment avenues," he said, adding that the money collected by the life insurance companies, afterall, must be returned back to the policyholders adding bonus and other returns to it.
"The establishment of an exclusively life insurance company was the demand of the time," says Kamal Raj Gautam, Senior Branch Manager of NLIC. Reasons: A specific middle class group was growing fast and they were gradually becoming aware of social dimension of insurance products. The level of awareness, of course, could not be gauged as 'very encouraging', but it definitely had create a room for a life insurance company to come into play, adds Gautam.
Like many other companies, NLIC commenced its services in the capital city, opening an office in Kathmandu. It took not much time to secure its place in the market here. So, in order to expand the pie and also to tap opportunities present in other regions, it opened branches in Biratnagar and Birgunj in subsequent years. Currently, the company operates through 10 branches in different parts of the country. It is also in the process of converting two of its contact offices into full-fledged branches soon.
NLIC offers an array of life insurance plans like Surakshit Jeevan, Dhan Varsha, accident benefits, Surakshit Bhavishya, Jeevan Shanti, and Child Education and Marriage Endowment Plan, among others. "Of these, Surakshit Jeevan turned out to be the most preferred product," says Gautam.
The company even takes pride in bringing innovative products in the market, targeting different groups of clientele. Child education and marriage endowment is one of such products. While the majority of products available in the market looks to secure clients in financial terms in the post-retirement period, products like these aims to pledge financial support to the clients in the middle-age.
"Insurance coverage, in any case, is extremely helpful for providing periodical financial needs of family, for making provision for old age and for covering the tangible risks in financial terms," says Gautam. However, there is a limited group of people who understands such benefits. Still less are the people who really take benefits from it.
No wonder, the initial days were really tough for the company, states Gautam. "It was mainly the people who had substantial disposable income and could pay annual premium with relative ease availed our services in the beginning," he adds.
But that section of population always stands in a modest number in a given city. Unless insurance education is incorporated in regular system and people are genuinely informed of its cost and benefits, insurance companies would really find it hard to explore new avenues, opines Gautam. "Poor awareness level has not only limited the real business pie, but also prevented companies from being innovative and coming up with new products from different age and social groups," says he.
Nonetheless, the company has already build a strong client base of more than 60 thousand policy holders in the span of just the three years. Also it has created employment opportunities for about 1,000 insurance brokers. It periodically trains its human resource in different aspects regarding the insurance sector.
"All our branches are given independence to formulate and carry out their own area-specific strategies and policies," says Gautam. Of course, those should be in line with the main corporate strategies and policies that are decided at the center, he adds.
Such decentralization in strategy formulation and operation has enhanced productivity, efficiency and overall performance of NLIC, say the company officials, who further give credit of its fastest growing customer base to such a way of operation and the brokers working at the grassroot level.
In order to remain distinct in the insurance market, it has recently upgraded its human resource as well as technical resources. "We have installed a new computer software, updated accounting and fine-tuned our services to deliver speedy services," claims Gautam.
NLIC currently employs 58 staff. It has re-insurance arrangement with Hannover-Re, a reputed German re-insurance company. Moreover, the company is planning to offer new "planned products", which the officials prefer not to disclose.
Despite portraying optimistic picture, Gautam, meanwhile, laments that the sound investment avenues have shrank significantly in recent period, which has forced the life insurance companies that have mobilized huge capital in the form of premium from making according contribution in the economy.
"The investment opportunities are already low. Hence, concerned actors and regulators should make a joint effort to explore out or create new investment avenues," he said, adding that the money collected by the life insurance companies, afterall, must be returned back to the policyholders adding bonus and other returns to it.
COMPANY HISTORY - GLOBALLY
ALICO, or Asia Life as we were then called, was started up in 1921 as the first company to offer life insurance to Chinese citizens। Since then we've come a long way, all the way round the world in fact, to reach 55 countries and 35 million customers।
And we've been through turbulent timeas as well as times of economic growth - as have our customers and their finances। Through periods like the 1929 Great Depression and the Great Inflation of the 1970's, our ALICO forefathers developed a staying power and prudence that set us in good stead, which is why the company that we are today is going to be around for a good few tommorrows as well - and policyholder's interests will be as well looked after as they've ever been।
COMPANY HISTORY - MEASA
ALICO has been present in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region since 1952 with its regional headquarters at DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)। We have over the years maintained a leading presence in 14 territories across the region starting from Bangladesh (1952), Lebanon (1953), Saudi Arabia (1954), Kuwait (1954), Jordan (1958), Bahrain (1960), United Arab Emirates (1962), Qatar (1962), Oman (1971), Turkey (1988), Pakistan (1995), Palestine (1996), Egypt (1997) and Nepal (2001)।
Over the last forty six years we've become very used to listening to the local community and developing our offering according to people's needs। And we know that our success depends on the success of the local community। We've always done our best to nurture talent, as well as work with the government and partners to bring a strong regulatory framework around the insurance sector - so our customers have the very best protection।
We believe in diversity and ethnicity and make sure to reach people from all walks of life। In this region alone, we employ over 1,500 skilled insurance professionals from diverse backgrounds। We also maintain a sales force of around 16,000 trained and experienced insurance agents and sales representatives to ensure that you always have someone to turn to if you want to talk about your insurance needs।
INFORMATION
It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have motor insurance if you want to drive your car in a public place and you must produce a current Certificate of Insurance to pay motor tax। Failure to have motor insurance when driving in Ireland is a very serious offence and drivers will incur fines, penalty points and may be disqualified from driving. (See 'Rules' below).
Motor insurance is about protecting other road users as opposed to the driver of the insured vehicle and it is not an optional extra. Insurance companies provide motor insurance and unlike road tax, there is no such thing as a "standard"
Young drivers represent a high risk for insurers and the cost of motor insurance in this age group is considerably higher than for others both in Ireland and throughout the European Union (EU)। Ireland currently ranks extremely high of the 25 EU member states on road accident frequency and it has the highest fatality rate in Europe. In 2004, 379 people lost their lives on Irish roads. (The figure was 341 in 2003).
There are a number of things young drivers can do to reduce the cost of motor insurance:
Join a parent's insurance as a named driver as early as possible. This will enable you to establish a safety record, which is crucial when you want to apply for insurance in your own name. Some companies offer discounts to young people seeking insurance in their own name if they have been a named driver
Get a full licence as soon as possible. Having a full licence will reduce the cost of your insurance premium considerably. Savings vary, but it is possible for a young driver to save a vast amount (up to 900 euro or more) on the cost of his or her insurance premium simply by having a full driving licence.
Choose a car with a relatively small engine, as less powerful cars are cheaper to insure.
Drive carefully. The best way to reduce the cost of your motor insurance is to build up your no claims bonus.
MOTOR INSURANCE AND THE EQUAL STATUS ACT
The Equal Status Act, 2000 (Section 5(2)(d)) allows differential treatment in relation to the calculation of insurance policies in Ireland. This means, that insurance companies are allowed to charge higher or lower rates for policies on the basis of your potential risk as a driver. Given that younger drivers in Ireland are statistically more likely to have accidents, this explains why there can be sizeable differences in insurance costs between younger and older drivers
TYPES OF MOTOR INSURANCE POLICY IN IRELANDThe most basic insurance is "third party" and this is the minimum required by law. However, third party is only one of three main categories
COMPREHENSIVE
This is the most expensive type of insurance on the market and covers you for almost every eventuality: any damage done to the vehicle regardless of how it was incurred; life/accident insurance; loss of personal belongings from the car; the cost of a hired car if the insured car is off the road as a result of an accident; windscreen breakage, etc. With more brand new cars on the road than ever before, there has been a notable rise in people taking out comprehensive insurance. A brand new car should be comprehensively insured.
THIRD PARTY, FIRE AND THEFT
This is the most popular form of motor insurance in Ireland. It covers you for loss of the vehicle through fire or theft and for any loss as a result of attempted fire or theft. Damage to property is also covered. There are also optional extras available such as windscreen breakage
THIRD PARTY
This is the minimum cover required by law, but it does have restrictions and limits, leaving you open to substantial loss in the event of an accident. If you are at fault, then only your passengers and the driver and passengers of the other vehicle will be compensated. This type of insurance provides no cover for damage sustained in an accident to your car or if your car is stolen or goes on fire.
An insurance company considers many things when calculating an insurance premium. Most premiums are based on basic third party cover with the cost of extras added on. The main thing that will determine the cost of your insurance is what you actually want to be covered for. The following are always taken into account
LICENCE
Whether you are driving on a full or provisional licence makes a huge difference to the cost of your motor insurance premium. You can expect to pay hundreds of euro extra, if you only have a provisional licence.
SIZE AND AGE OF CAR
The engine capacity and age of the car play a large part in determining the cost of your premium। The older the car, the more difficult it can be to insure. Many insurance companies believe that the older a car is, the more accident-prone it becomes. A new car is more expensive to replace than an old car and will cost more to insure. Likewise, the more powerful the car you drive, the more it will cost to insure.
AGE OF THE DRIVERThe young and the old represent high-risk categories and pay more for insurance.
VALUE OF THE CARThe value of a car is taken into account for third party, fire and theft and for comprehensive insurance. What you have the car insured for, however, is not always what the insurance company will pay out in the event of a claim. In the event of the car being a write-off, the insurance company will only pay out what it feels the car is worth, which, more often than not, is less than the car is actually insured for. There is very little to gain by over-insuring a car and, equally, you should not under-insure it either.
EXPERIENCEAll insurance companies will ask if you have ever had insurance in your own name before. If not, they will ask if you have ever driven under someone else's insurance without incident. This will be taken into account when calculating a premium. Insurance becomes less expensive with experience and a clean driving record.
PROFESSION AND USESome professions are considered to be more at risk than others and will have a loading put onto their premium. What the car will actually be used for is also taken into account. A standard policy covers the vehicle for social, domestic and pleasure purposes, but not for the carriage of goods. If the car is being used for business, then a loading will apply. If the car is being used commercially, then an even higher loading will be imposed.
WHERE THE CAR IS KEPTThose living in a major city, particularly Dublin, will normally have a loading imposed. Some companies will also impose a loading if the car is not kept in a garage at night.
EXCESS & EXTRASMost insurance policies contain some type of an excess clause. This means that the policyholder is liable for an agreed amount towards the cost (e.g., the first 250 euro). The premium will cost more if this clause is taken out. It pays to shop around, because what might be considered an extra in one company (windscreen breakage, car hire in the event of the car being off the road, loss of personal effects, etc.) could be standard in another.
NO CLAIMS BONUSESA no claims bonus is built up over the years and gives the policyholder a substantial reduction in the cost of his or her premiums. The ceiling for a no claims bonus is usually around 60%, leaving someone who has never had a claim with only 40% to pay. In the event of a minor accident, it is sometimes cheaper to pay for any damage out of your own pocket rather than claiming from your insurance and losing your no claims bonus. If you make a claim and subsequently lose your no claims bonus, you can build it up again in a few years. Some insurance companies will even allow you one claim without it affecting your no claims bonus.
RULESYou must have motor insurance to drive a car in your own name or as a named driver on someone else's policy.
Failure to have motor insurance or driving without insurance in Ireland is generally punishable by:
A fine of up to 2,500 euro,
Disqualification of one year or more for a first offence and two years or more for a second offence, and
At the discretion of the court, a term of imprisonment not Exceeding six months
In the case of a first offence of driving without insurance, the court may decide in special cases not to impose a period of disqualification or to impose a period of disqualification of less than a year.
Since 1st June 2003, where the courts in Ireland decide not to impose a disqualification, drivers convicted of a first offence of driving without insurance will incur 5 penalty points on their licence record in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court.
If you commit a second offence for driving without insurance, you will be automatically disqualified from driving. You should also note, that where a member of An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) believes that a mechanically propelled vehicle being used in a public place, that is registered in the State, is being driven without insurance, your vehicle may be impounded.
IF YOU ARE REFUSED MOTOR INSURANCEIndividual insurers have the right to refuse you cover, but they must provide you with a reason for the refusal should you ask for one. However, even though you have been refused cover, you are entitled to go to the Declined Cases Committee of the Irish Insurance Federation who will obtain an insurance quotation for you. In order for the Committee to consider your case you must first have sought and been refused quotations in writing from at least three insurers. (See 'Further information' below).
RATES With more companies than ever before competing for business, it is possible to make considerable savings by ringing around for the best quote.
HOW TO APPLYYou can apply for motor insurance over the phone, in person or through a motor insurance broker. Motor insurance companies and insurance brokers are listed in your public telephone directory. If you want to drive as a named driver on someone else's policy, then that person must contact their insurance company and arrange to have you insured under their policy.
FUTHER INFORMATION The Insurance Ombudsman deals with complaints and disputes between policyholders and their insurance companies when the company's complaints procedure fails to resolve the problem. The Insurance Ombudsman can oppose an insurance company's decision in relation to an individual policyholder. This decision is binding only on the company, which means you may proceed with court action if you are not satisfied with the ruling.Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland, 32 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 662 0899 Fax: (01) 662 0890
The Insurance Information Service (IIS) is an information and complaints telephone service operated by the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF), which many insurance companies in Ireland belong to. Its purpose is to answer policyholders' questions and help them resolve problems. It has no binding powers and complaints that cannot be resolved are generally referred to the Insurance Ombudsman. Insurance Information Service39 Molesworth StreetDublin 2. Tel: (01) 676 1914
If you have been refused a quotation for motor insurance, you are entitled to go to the Declined Cases Committee of the Irish Insurance Federation who will obtain a motor insurance quotation for you:
VALUE OF THE CARThe value of a car is taken into account for third party, fire and theft and for comprehensive insurance. What you have the car insured for, however, is not always what the insurance company will pay out in the event of a claim. In the event of the car being a write-off, the insurance company will only pay out what it feels the car is worth, which, more often than not, is less than the car is actually insured for. There is very little to gain by over-insuring a car and, equally, you should not under-insure it either.
EXPERIENCEAll insurance companies will ask if you have ever had insurance in your own name before. If not, they will ask if you have ever driven under someone else's insurance without incident. This will be taken into account when calculating a premium. Insurance becomes less expensive with experience and a clean driving record.
PROFESSION AND USESome professions are considered to be more at risk than others and will have a loading put onto their premium. What the car will actually be used for is also taken into account. A standard policy covers the vehicle for social, domestic and pleasure purposes, but not for the carriage of goods. If the car is being used for business, then a loading will apply. If the car is being used commercially, then an even higher loading will be imposed.
WHERE THE CAR IS KEPTThose living in a major city, particularly Dublin, will normally have a loading imposed. Some companies will also impose a loading if the car is not kept in a garage at night.
EXCESS & EXTRASMost insurance policies contain some type of an excess clause. This means that the policyholder is liable for an agreed amount towards the cost (e.g., the first 250 euro). The premium will cost more if this clause is taken out. It pays to shop around, because what might be considered an extra in one company (windscreen breakage, car hire in the event of the car being off the road, loss of personal effects, etc.) could be standard in another.
NO CLAIMS BONUSESA no claims bonus is built up over the years and gives the policyholder a substantial reduction in the cost of his or her premiums. The ceiling for a no claims bonus is usually around 60%, leaving someone who has never had a claim with only 40% to pay. In the event of a minor accident, it is sometimes cheaper to pay for any damage out of your own pocket rather than claiming from your insurance and losing your no claims bonus. If you make a claim and subsequently lose your no claims bonus, you can build it up again in a few years. Some insurance companies will even allow you one claim without it affecting your no claims bonus.
RULESYou must have motor insurance to drive a car in your own name or as a named driver on someone else's policy.
Failure to have motor insurance or driving without insurance in Ireland is generally punishable by:
A fine of up to 2,500 euro,
Disqualification of one year or more for a first offence and two years or more for a second offence, and
At the discretion of the court, a term of imprisonment not Exceeding six months
In the case of a first offence of driving without insurance, the court may decide in special cases not to impose a period of disqualification or to impose a period of disqualification of less than a year.
Since 1st June 2003, where the courts in Ireland decide not to impose a disqualification, drivers convicted of a first offence of driving without insurance will incur 5 penalty points on their licence record in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court.
If you commit a second offence for driving without insurance, you will be automatically disqualified from driving. You should also note, that where a member of An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) believes that a mechanically propelled vehicle being used in a public place, that is registered in the State, is being driven without insurance, your vehicle may be impounded.
IF YOU ARE REFUSED MOTOR INSURANCEIndividual insurers have the right to refuse you cover, but they must provide you with a reason for the refusal should you ask for one. However, even though you have been refused cover, you are entitled to go to the Declined Cases Committee of the Irish Insurance Federation who will obtain an insurance quotation for you. In order for the Committee to consider your case you must first have sought and been refused quotations in writing from at least three insurers. (See 'Further information' below).
RATES With more companies than ever before competing for business, it is possible to make considerable savings by ringing around for the best quote.
HOW TO APPLYYou can apply for motor insurance over the phone, in person or through a motor insurance broker. Motor insurance companies and insurance brokers are listed in your public telephone directory. If you want to drive as a named driver on someone else's policy, then that person must contact their insurance company and arrange to have you insured under their policy.
FUTHER INFORMATION The Insurance Ombudsman deals with complaints and disputes between policyholders and their insurance companies when the company's complaints procedure fails to resolve the problem. The Insurance Ombudsman can oppose an insurance company's decision in relation to an individual policyholder. This decision is binding only on the company, which means you may proceed with court action if you are not satisfied with the ruling.Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland, 32 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 662 0899 Fax: (01) 662 0890
The Insurance Information Service (IIS) is an information and complaints telephone service operated by the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF), which many insurance companies in Ireland belong to. Its purpose is to answer policyholders' questions and help them resolve problems. It has no binding powers and complaints that cannot be resolved are generally referred to the Insurance Ombudsman. Insurance Information Service39 Molesworth StreetDublin 2. Tel: (01) 676 1914
If you have been refused a quotation for motor insurance, you are entitled to go to the Declined Cases Committee of the Irish Insurance Federation who will obtain a motor insurance quotation for you:
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