| Saigontourist, AIG tie up to provide travel insurance
(SGT-HCMC) Vietnam's leading tour operator Saigontourist Travel Service Co. inked a deal yesterday with AIG General Insurance (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. to provide global travel insurance for tourists. Under the deal signed in HCMC, AIG is the insurance partner to provide global travel insurance for Saigontourist's outbound tourists in one year from April 1. The insurance policy covers health care costs abroad, around-the-clock emergency support by International SOS, accidents, losses, delayed and damaged luggage. Especially, the policy also covers losses or damages caused by terrorism, natural calamities, and epidemic diseases. The two companies declined to announce the fee, but said that the payout can reach US$10,000. Vo Anh Tai, director of Saigontourist, said that the global travel insurance service not only applies to Vietnamese travel abroad but also for overseas Vietnamese and foreigners who buy outbound tourism services at the company.
Driving down cost of insurance products
SHOPPING around for cheaper car , travel and health insurance may not be as exciting as a little retail therapy, but you could end up saving enough money to fund your next buying extravaganza. It's simple to buy cover on the Internet as policies are easily compared and buying online can save hundreds of pounds. Moneyextra offers some top tips on ways to avoid paying over the odds for your insurance policies. Shop till you drop The price of any insurance cover can vary enormously so don't accept the first insurance quote that comes your way . By obtaining several quotes you can compare prices and ensure you are getting cover that meets your exact requirements. If you are changing your policy, always ensure you are buying like-for-like or you may discover you do not have the same level of cover when you come to claim.
Insurance Sector Becomes Keen
Competition in the insurance industry has become very keen with products and premiums being driven by competition and, sometimes, by undercutting.
Travel insurance policies have become a fairly new phenomenon in the industry, but it is one area in which competition has left an indelible mark.
Premiums here have been largely driven by keen competition, having changed about two times a year, industry players have confirmed.
A one-month policy, which costs an average of $70 at the start of the first policy, now goes for about $45 on the average.
Travel insurance used to be part of personal accident policies without health component for most insurance companies until about two years ago when Schengen States, mostly members of the European Union, decided to make it mandatory for travellers to possess travel insurance policies which cover particularly sickness.
Bredesen Formally Launches CoverKids Program
Gov. Phil Bredesen on Monday traveled to a suburban YMCA in Nashville, the Bellevue Family YMCA and J.L. Turner Lifelong Learning Center, to officially launch CoverKids, which provides comprehensive health coverage to uninsured children who do not qualify for TennCare. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will administer CoverKids.
"Over 100,000 Tennessee children go without any health insurance every year. Starting today they are covered," Bredesen said. "CoverKids provides access to complete health care coverage for these children so they have the opportunity for a healthy start in life."
He said CoverKids offers comprehensive health insurance coverage for children 18 years-old and younger, similar to the benefits offered to dependents of state employees. Emphasis is placed on preventive care and services most needed by children, including vaccinations, well-child visits, healthy babies program, and developmental screenings.
The Benefits of Travel Insurance
Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Group Medical Services (GMS) has been providing health and travel insurance to groups and individuals since 1949. We have further diversified by expanding our geographic boundaries from Saskatchewan to other areas of Canada through our subsidiary, GMS Insurance Inc. (established in 2003). Currently, we have branch offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Our goal is to offer Canadians a comprehensive choice of health and travel plans for individuals and groups along with a full range of employee benefits for businesses and associations. Mark Mendonca, Business Development Consultant, Group Medical Services - Brampton. (647) 244-9462. Customer Service 1-866-796-9467.Visit us at: http://www.gms.ca/
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Travel Insurance Q & A
Jon Ansell, president and chief executive officer of Henrico County's World Access Service Corp., one of the nation's biggest travel insurers, discussed travel insurance last week. Q: What does travel insurance cover? A: It usually protects against unforeseen events that may cause you to cancel or disrupt your trip. It also provides protections and assistance, whether it's for your health or personal belongings. That being said, travelers should read the specific policy so they can be sure of what is covered. Q: What are some typical kinds of coverage? A: It varies from simple coverage just for your airline ticket to more comprehensive policies that cover trip cancellations and interruptions, baggage protection, delays, medical and dental, and emergency medical evacuation as well as emergency assistance.
Businesses Not Happy With Proposal for Wage Increase
Waiters and waitresses may soon get a raise. Some state lawmakers want to double the wages for tipped workers, but the proposal doesn't sit well with those who would pay the tab. Paul Sirmeyer works at the Traveler's Club Restaurant in Okemos. Sirmeyer says he loves his job as a restaurant server, but it's hard surviving off his income. Paul Sirmeyer, restaurant server: "Day to day, you really getting paid less than the average American, you're not getting health insurance or benefits." That's why some state lawmakers are proposing a bill to increase minimum wage for tipped workers. Right now, tipped workers make about $2.65 an hour. If the bill were to pass, it would put another two dollars on their plate. William White, restaurant owner: "Bad idea." William White owns the Traveler's Club Restaurant.
Workers pay dearly for health insurance, or do without
A self-employed travel consultant with an information technology background, Drewey opted to do without health insurance, even though he has Type 1 diabetes. Drewey, 45, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., said his business isn't far enough along for him to afford a plan.
Apart from the diabetes, Drewey said, his health is good. He manages his condition well with insulin, which he pays for out of pocket, $75 for a two-week supply. Things went well until February, when a celebration he attended sent his blood sugar out of balance.
He spent four days at White Plains Hospital Center. The bill: $10,000. Drewey is trying to arrange a payment plan with the hospital that will spread the cost over several years.
He said he doesn't understand how, in a country like the United States with all its resources, a person can find it so difficult to get affordable health care.
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