Where to Find the Best Long Term Care Resources

Nowadays, people have to know where to turn to for long term care resources because the cost of care is continuously soaring. Choosing not to know anything about this subject will eventually take its toll on you afterward when it's your turn to need long term care (LTC).

In spite of the prediction of the Department of Health and Human Services that 78 million of the elderly population over the age of 65 will need personal care and medical assistance at some point in their lives, only 10 million of them have actually taken the necessary steps to secure their future health care with a well planned long term care insurance (LTCI) policy.

In relation to the growing number of the elderly population that will require care anytime soon, LTC experts have also foreboded 10 million of the 78 million will succumb to Alzheimer's over the next 10 years.

Alzheimer's remains cureless and the cost of caring for a loved one who has acquired such illness is way too high that you'll eventually run out of funds in no time. Only an LTCI policy with a good coverage designed for Alzheimer's can spare your family from going impoverished.

Getting people to come up with a concrete LTC plan is basically the reason which triggered leading LTCI providers to come together at the 3 in 4 Need More LTC Campaign kickoff. According to LTC experts, the complacent attitude of many people towards LTC can be attributed to the fact that they are many years away from requiring care.

Looking Into Helpful Long Term Care Resources

We are abounded with many resources for LTC, the cost, facilities and people who are most likely to need it.

The government serves as a good source of information. As a matter of fact it has been constantly egging the public on buying an LTCI policy to minimize the cost of federal health programs such as Medicaid, which covered 49% of the overall long term care expenses of the nation in 2010.

People can't rely solely on Medicaid especially if their health condition requires intensive care and medical attention, as the health program's funds are gradually dwindling down. As a matter of fact, if you qualify for Medicaid assistance you should stop hoping for top of the line nursing homes or home health aide services.

Aside from the government, your insurance agent who is affiliated with top LTCI providers is also a good source for complete LTC information. They can even provide you with LTCI quotes and help you identify which one will work for you.

Insurance agents would normally advise their clients to identify their future health care needs, cost of care in their state of residence, budget for the annual premium, and total amount of assets which they intend to protect before purchasing an LTCI policy.

Then there's the media. It would be best to monitor the LTC write ups of a journalist or columnist who is assigned to the business beat. There's no doubt that they constantly keep abreast of the new happenings in the industry. Opinions and comments of radio commentators only tend to swerve people's minds away from the facts that are presented by legitimate long term care resources.

Resorting to Long Term Care Class Act

Seen as a better alternative to a private insurance policy for long term care CLASS Act is starting to garner its own followers among Americans who wish to secure their future health care, but could not afford the annual premiums of private long term care insurance (LTCI).

Most of these individuals who dread the high insurance premiums either applied for LTCI policies after they've turned 65 years old, or whose health had manifested signs of a possible illness that will trigger them to seek care anytime in the next 10 years or even earlier.

With the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act), anybody from 18 or older can qualify for full long term care (LTC) coverage should they require it in the future. All they need to do is satisfy the five-year premium which will be announced by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in October of 2012.

Reports have it that the annual premiums of the CLASS Act will be much higher than that of a private LTCI. That, however, remains to be seen so those looking for an affordable way to plan their future health care are definitely considering the Act which was authored by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Paying for Long Term Care CLASS Act Style
Private insurance companies offer LTCI policyholders various premium payment modes. Those who are financially equipped can opt for the single-premium payment so they will have nothing to worry about anymore after retirement.

Through the one time premium payment, retirees can enjoy their life immediately after retirement doing activities which they did not have the freedom to do before.

Other LTCI policyholders, on the other hand, have gone for the limited payment wherein one is required to pay annual premiums for a certain period only. Most insurance companies oblige the 10-year limited payment. Oftentimes than not, within this period you are guaranteed to be protected from possible premium hikes.

The majority of LTCI policy buyers, however, still prefer the continuous-premium payment as this happens to be more affordable. After all, only a few citizens of the country can afford to set aside a fund exclusively intended for the premiums of their LTCI policies.

Meanwhile, an eligible member of the CLASS Act has to only satisfy the five-year premium to qualify for the cash benefits of this federally supported health program. Cash benefits have a minimum amount of $50 but this can go higher depending on the gravity of one's disability or cognitive impairment.

Before the Secretary of Health and Human Services can determine how much should be allotted to a member of the Act who claims cash benefits, a health care professional should have observed the individual first.

To determine if one is qualified to claim cash benefits for long term care CLASS Act will ascertain he is incapable of performing two or more of the six activities of daily living which are eating, bathing, dressing, continence, toileting, and transferring from one point of the house to another.

More Women Spending On Long Term Care

Women can't help but take care of the ones they love - their parents, siblings, husbands, children, friends, and even their pets. Although this special trait is worthy of praise, it's also the very reason more women tend to require long term care (LTC) than men.

In a recent study conducted by the Society of Actuaries, it turns out that more women have purchased long term care insurance policies that amount to $124,000. Men, on the other hand, spend an average of $44,000 on this type of insurance product.

Perhaps, it's true that men in general are more dependent on women who are stronger emotionally wise. Men need to have that feeling of security and unconditional love, which only their better halves and mothers are capable of providing them.

As soon as an event or say sickness triggers a man's disability, he can choose to stay home and receive care here because he knows too well that his wife will shoulder all the responsibilities of a caregiver so she can ensure his welfare instead of hiring a home health aide.

In reference to the records of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, there are about 980,000 women over the age of 65 who are currently providing care to family members at home while only 337,000 men of the same age are performing the same task.

Unfortunately, as soon as a woman's husband or parents pass away there will be nobody to take care of her. This explains why a big percentage of women over the age of 65 have secured LTC insurance policies.

Although there are women who opt to stay home, and many of them have in fact already arranged reciprocity of care giving among friends and trusted neighbors, a bigger percentage of them opt to be placed in a nursing home.

Studies show that 52% of the population of women over the age of 65 will spend some time in a nursing home. According to a nursing home staff, the average stay of a resident is two and a half years but since women are living longer nowadays, many of them prolong their stay till five years.

Although women are caring by nature, they also happen to be thinkers. This is why in spite of being wrapped up in their responsibilities towards their families many of them have not forgotten their responsibilities to themselves. This explains why long term care insurance for women is important.

According to top insurance firms the sales of their life insurance policies integrated with long term care benefits increased up to 79% last year and their data shows that 60% of the new buyers are women. Majority of them range from 65 years old to 74, while a thin slice of the population of new buyers were comprised of 55 to 64-year-olds.

Although the older buyers will no doubt be spending more on premiums in the coming years, they are very fortunate to have secured a long term care insurance policy than not having one at all. Other members of the elderly population who remain skeptical about the importance of this insurance product can just hope that cost of LTC services will drop by the time they would need it.

Why Everybody Should Have Long Term Care Plans

Leading insurance companies offering long term care plans are urging the growing elderly population to secure insurance policies that will cover their future health care and medical needs.

Although it won't be till 2026 before costs of long term care (LTC) double as predicted by long term care experts, financial advisers say that's only like a year from now considering the unpredictable increase in rates of LTC facilities.

LTC facilities are exerting so much effort and spending a chunk of their funds to keep pace with the growing number of elderly folks who are expected to require care 15 to 20 years down the road. A big number of nursing homes need to bring in more beds and nursing staff so that they can accommodate new residents.

Many ugly things have been written about various nursing homes around the country and thus explaining why the management of every existing nursing facility would like to change the negative image that was painted of the industry.

According to health care data, nursing homes are spending approximately three to 20 million for new beds and skilled nursing staff to provide personal care.

With the massive expenditures for nursing homes equipment, it's natural for a rate hike to take place but here's the question at hand: Is the growing population of elderly individuals aged 65 and beyond capable of affording the new LTC rates out-of-pocket?

Experts on the field of LTC say the truth may hurt but the answer is no. Not even if they have assets that amount to a million because nowadays the gauge of one's wealth is based on billions.

Those with a significant amount of assets are advised to secure long term care plans that will not only guarantee full or partial coverage of their health care needs, as these will also ensure the protection of your assets from estate recovery.

Making a move today to secure your future is very important because in 2030 your millions will no longer matter. Rates of LTC facilities are expected to increase fourfold as foreboded by the experts. If you're planning to set aside half a million for LTC, that will only be enough for a year.

Nursing homes by then will cost $319,740 annually as these currently cost between $77,745 and $79,735 depending on your state of residence. If you're thinking about hiring a home health aide, expect to pay $76 an hour 20 years down the road.

Just thinking about the future cost of care is torturous already so what more if you get to the point of actually having to pay for it. Nobody stays young forever no matter how conscious and cautious you are with your diet and figure.

There will come a time when your bones will no longer be as strong as they are right now, your vision not as clear, and your mind not as sharp as it used to be.

If you've been taking good care of yourself for the past 50 years, you will consider coming up with effective long term care plans to preserve your self-worth.

Pet Insurance and the Meaning of Policy Terms

Pet insurance policies can be difficult to understand if you are unfamiliar with the meaning of the terms they contain. Many policies are written with jargon that is difficult to understand which can prevent you from knowing exactly what you are getting for your money.

Deductibles, co-pay, exclusions, pre-existing; the list of terms goes on. Understanding what these terms mean before you start looking for a pet health insurance policy will help you to avoid any frustration or confusion.

Here then are the meanings of the more common terms in pet insurance policies. The next time you read through the features of a pet health insurance policy, you'll have a better understanding of what everything means.

By knowing the meaning of each term, you'll be able to ask intelligent questions, make informed decisions and ultimately buy the right policy for you and your cat.

Let's get started.

Descriptions of Pet Insurance Policy Terms

Deductible
The term 'Deductible' is fairly straight forward. You've probably heard of the term deductible from car insurance. If you don't have a car or are new to insurance, here is what it means.

A deductible is essentially the money that is deducted from a Vet bill or a charge for medication. It's the part of a claim that you are responsible for paying.

There are two types of deductibles in pet insurance; the annual deductible and the per-incident deductible.

The best way to explain what they mean is by example. Let's say your Cat, Simone, is going to the Vet to be treated for an infection. After everything is done including the blood work, treatments, medications and visits to the Vet the total costs are $1800.

Luckily you have pet health insurance and won't have to take a second job to pay for the costs. The deductibles on your insurance policy determine how much money you will have to pay. The remaining amount will be paid by the insurance company.

First there is your annual deductible. Let's say its $500. Next is the per incident deductible which is usually around $100. Your total deductibles come to $600. The remaining balance of $1200 dollars is paid through your insurance policy.

The next time Simone has to go to the Vet during the same year all you need to pay is the per-incident deductible and your policy covers the rest.

Once you've fully paid your annual deductible, you're good for the rest of the year. With your annual deductible fully paid, you'll only need to pay a per-incident deductible on any new claims made during the remainder of the year.

Per-Incident Deductible
A per incident deductible is the amount that you pay on a claim for a specific incident. Depending on your insurance policy you may need to pay a per-incident deductible.

Let's say your Cat has been diagnosed with kidney disease. The first time he goes in for treatment you will pay a per-incident deductible. If the treatment continues you will not need to pay another per-incident deductible since it is part of the same incident.

Benefit
If your pet dies during the term of your pet insurance policy, you will receive a benefit from the insurance company. This is a lump sum paid out to you that covers any related expenses such as the burial or cremation of your beloved pet.

Claim
A claim is a request made to a pet insurance company for any Vet expenses, treatments and or medications for your pet. Your pet insurance policy will have a list of the items you are able to claim for. Check your pet insurance policy to see the expenses you are able to claim.

Most claim forms are available on the insurance company's web site. Once you have downloaded and printed the form, simply fill it out and mail it in.

The amount of time it takes your insurance company to process a claim and send out a payment varies from company to company. Check with your insurance company to see when you can expect to receive a payment.

Co-Pay
A co-pay is a small fee that is paid each time you visit your Vet. Any additional expenses will be paid through your pet insurance policy. A Co-Pay is usually around $20. and must be paid before any other pet health insurance payments can be made.

Exclusions
Exclusions are items that your policy will not cover. Exclusions can be anything from specific diseases and ailments to the Vet you would like to use.

Depending on your pet insurance policy, only certain Vets or types of pet care will be covered. If you are unwilling to switch Vets, make sure the Vet you plan to use is covered before buying a policy.

Does your cat have any pre-existing conditions? Check to see if their condition is covered. Be sure to review all the exclusions of a policy and ask any questions in order to fully understand all the exclusions.

Most pet health insurance plans contain a number of common exclusions. If the pet insurance plan you are looking at has an exclusion that you need coverage for then ask what the additional cost would be to have the coverage added. If nothing can be done, consider looking for another pet insurance plan.

AM Best Underwriter Rating
The AM best underwriter rating is a top rating company that develops independent reviews on insurance companies. They determine how well an insurance company can make payments based on their financial state.

To get an idea of the stability and quality of the pet insurance company you are planning to use, be sure to take a look at the AM best rating. This rating is a good indicator as to the ability of a particular insurance company to pay on a claim.

We hope this list of terms and their meaning will come in handy during your search for a pet insurance policy. Although this list is not exhaustive, it will help you to better understand pet insurance policies.

There are many pet insurance companies with different plans available. By knowing the meaning of these common terms you'll see that pet insurance isn't as complicated as you may have originally thought.

If there is a term you come across while reviewing a pet insurance policy that is not covered here, share it with us in the comments. Also, be sure to ask as many questions as you need to fully understand the meaning of any terms not covered here.

Never assume or take someone elses word for anything that appears in a policy. It's your money and your Cat's welfare you're protecting. Make sure you understand everything completely.

Reviewing Long Term Care Costs By State

It is understandable why 89% of Americans over the age of 55 prefer to stay home should the time come that they would need long time care. Members of close-knit families find it hard to imagine being separated from their loved ones and admitted to a nursing home. Besides, with the continuous uproar on long term care costs by state, they think staying home and having their relatives to look after them is the best resort.

This would be the ideal setup had the cost of care been more affordable. Unfortunately, this remains a far fetched dream that is probably never going to be realized in this lifetime.

Although anybody can choose to receive care at home, the idea of relying solely on family members to assist you in the activities of daily living and household chores for say a good three-year or five-year period is nothing but selfishness.

It is normal for families to care for each other but not to the extent of requiring anybody to quit his or her job, or perhaps, to surrender their future plans just so they can be at your beck and call 24 hours a day.

What's more, nobody stays healthy and strong forever. So when your time is over, have you ever wondered how the person who took care of you for a lengthy period would go on with his life considering the fact that he has stopped planning it since he started providing you care?

Everybody has to plan his future health care needs. Even those professional nurses, caregivers and home health aides that we rely on for personal care will one day need somebody to take care of them. So, what more the wife, mother, husband, son, or sister who is currently feeding, bathing and dressing up a disabled elderly loved one at home?

There is no denying that people are currently comparing long term care costs by state, either for their own benefit or for their parents. Not all baby boomers over the age of 65 years old are conscious about the soaring cost of care in their place that is why it is often the children who are taking the initiative to plan their parents' future health care.

Since majority of today's elderly population prefer to receive home care than be placed in a community-based long term care (LTC) facility, their children are scouting for the most affordable home health aide.

Reports have it that Alaska, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Minnesota offer the most expensive home health care services. If you're living in any of these states, you should plan your retirement while you are in your 40s.

Do the math before deciding which type of LTC service to settle for. For instance, an elderly woman residing in Juneau, Alaska currently spends $60,632 a year for a home health aide, which is significantly bigger than $48,048 which a senior citizen in Los Angeles, CA is forking out annually for the same service.

If you're determined to stay at home even though you feel that you will require nursing care at some point in your life, you might end up spending more than what you planned. After all, when you were told to review long term care costs by state it does not follow that you should discount your personal health care needs.

Allianz Indonesia

Allianz Group

Allianz is one of the largest global providers of insurance and asset management.

Founded in 1890 in Germany, Allianz is a company with a long history and a strong tradition. Allianz now operates in more than 70 countries all over the world and serves more than 76 million clients around the world. In addition, Allianz provides insurance coverage and its services to almost half of the Fortune 500 companies.

In fiscal 2010 the Allianz Group achieved total revenues of over 106.5 billion euros. By the end of 2010, Allianz was recorded as the world’s largest asset managers, with third-party assets of 1.164 billion euros under management.

In September 2006, an agreement to merge the company was signed between Allianz AG and RAS Holding S.p.A. Allianz AG from then on, changed its legal form to a Societas Europaea (SE), a European company. Following the registration procedures in Italy and Germany, on October 16, 2006 Allianz SE became the first company registered in the DJ EURO STOXX 50 Index.


Allianz in Asia Pasific

Asia Pacific is one of Allianz’s three major growth regions. It is characterized by its rich diversity of cultures, languages and customs. Allianz has been presented in the region since 1917, providing fire and marine insurance in the coastal cities of China.

In Asia Pacific, Allianz presents in 15 markets offering its core businesses of property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and asset management. With more than 14,500 staff Allianz serve the needs of over 21.5 million customers in the region. Allianz's ability to adapt quickly to local needs has been the key to its success.


Allianz Indonesia

Allianz started its operations in Indonesia with a representative office in 1981. In 1989, Allianz established PT Asuransi Allianz Utama Indonesia, a general insurance company. Furthermore, Allianz entered the Indonesian life insurance market by opening PT Asuransi Allianz Life Indonesia in 1996. In 2006, Allianz Utama and Allianz Life Indonesia started sharia insurance business.

In 2007, Allianz Indonesia introduces Allianz Center as One Stop Solutions concept, where customer and agent of Allianz get insurance services in one premise. Allianz Center has operated in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Denpasar.

Now, Allianz Indonesia presents in 44 cities with 80 service centers, supported by more than 14,000 agents with more than 1,000 employees and solid banking partners to serve our customer. Allianz Indonesia gives you insurance solution from A to Z.

In 2010, both Allianz in Indonesia; Allianz Utama and Allianz Life Indonesia reached total premium income Gross Written Premium (GWP) at IDR 5.6 trillion.

Today, Allianz in Indonesia is one of the leading insurance groups in the market who has been trusted to serve more than 1.8 million policyholders consisting of individual and corporate customers.

More Than Anyone Else, Who Needs The CLASS Act?

I'll be the first to raise my hand in response to this question. Prior to considering the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act), the first of many health reforms which the government is working on and which was signed into law just last year by the President, I thought about purchasing a private long term care insurance policy.

At 69 and showing symptoms of hypertension and obesity, I was unfortunately told that I'll be paying a much higher annual premium. Why? Well, it appears I'll be requiring long term care (LTC) anytime soon.

Good thing I have not thought about retiring yet and I have only one reason for still working like a dog - I'm still without a long term care plan.

I've been reading a lot about the cost of long term care as of late and mind you, the value of LTC facilities here in my area is definitely much more than the much coveted Yamashita treasure which was buried in the Philippines.

There is a big percentage of us elders who wish to stay home even after an event subjects us to long term care. If I become disabled one day, I would personally prefer a home health aide to come into my home every day and assist me in my usual activities of daily living and, perhaps, I can also hire somebody to cook, clean the house, do my laundry and perform other household chores.

I learned that the CLASS Act covers both home care and community-based LTC plus it will also shoulder home modifications if deemed necessary for an individual's functional problems.

Thinking about my future and planning it seems so easy and doable until I stumbled upon the data of current long term care costs which was provided by leading LTC insurance providers. Looking at the huge figures made me wish that these are at stake in the lottery instead of being the current value of LTC services.

I can't believe that those who are currently receiving home care are spending approximately $155 a day for a home health aide's few hours of services. Those who require homemaker services are forking out $139 a day! These numbers do not include their daily expenses on food and other basic necessities yet.

I wonder how much I'll need when it's my turn to receive care 20 years from now, as LTC experts predicted cost of care will be four times more than what the public is enduring at present. I'll be 89 by then and I can only pray that I'll be able to manage my future health care expenses.

Hopefully, by the time I'm 76 I would be done paying the five-year annual premium of the Act as it won't be until 2013 before the public can apply for membership and start paying the premium. Even if I retire from my present job which I've been dedicated to for the past 30 years, I can secure a home-based job to avoid being disqualified from this health program. It is, after all, stipulated in the Act's guidelines that anybody aged 18 and older who is employed or self-employed is eligible to apply for membership.

Winter Sports Travel Insurance: Essential Planning For Any Winter Vacation

Winter sports travel insurance is considered to be a great way to safely prepare for a winter vacation. Regardless of the place you intend to spend your vacation, you can still expect the insurance to work suitably for your needs. Here are other tips that are capable of helping you enjoy your winter:

1. Dream List: Create a list of the different places that you intend to visit during winter. When making the list, make sure that you consider factors like your budget, logistics and the amount of time that you want to spend in there.

2. Amenities: Include in your list places that are capable of providing you the kind of amenities that you desire. If you are travelling with your kids or an elderly relative, then you also have to make sure that you look for a place that can offer activities that are suitable enough for everyone in your family. In addition, think about other comforts such as an old-fashioned fireplace or easy access to ski hills.

3. Research: Gather as much information as you can get about each of your choices. You can obtain a lot of accurate details from the tourism website in your state, travel agent, travel guide, close friends and relatives. Once have some research notes prepared, it will be easier for you to make decide what kind of winter vacation you want.

4. Activities:Make sure that you research the restaurants, hotels, nightlife, facilities, and family activities of each of your choices. It is also important for you to check out the pros and cons of your planned destinations to ensure that you are able to pick the best choice.

5. Access: Choose the most suitable place for you and start making early reservations for your flight and hotel accommodations.

6. Insurance: Look for an insurance company which is capable of providing you a good winter sports travel insurance coverage. You have to find a legitimate one to ensure that you are prepared emergencies and mishaps during your trip. If you are planning on undertaking high risk sports like snowboarding or mountain climbing, you might need extra coverage.

7. Packing List: Create a list of the items that you need to bring on your vacation. Check your list several times to ensure that you are able to bring with you everything that you and your family need.

8. Weather Forecast: During that time when your flight is already near and you are already doing some packing, you have to make sure that you constantly check out the weather forecast on the place that you are planning to visit. This will allow you and your family to have a safe travel.

9. Winter Clothing: Make sure that you pack clothing items that are not too light so as to keep you freezing during the winter season and not too much so as to give you a hard time maneuvering your things. When it comes to this, you are advised to make a plan as to the most functional clothing items for your winter vacation. In order to pack the right clothing, refer back to step 4 - what activities are you planning on during your vacation?

10. Winter Accessories: Although many winter resorts will sell winter gear, it is best to bring your own equipment from home. Suggested accessories for winter travel scarves, ear muffs, gloves, sunglasses and warm caps and hats. If you're freezing, you will not be able to enjoy yourself very much. If it has been a long time since you put on your winter coat and other accessories, try everything on before you go to make sure everything still fits and is in good condition. If it does not fit, then it is time to go shopping.

All of these tips are useful in making sure that you have a wonderful winter vacation whether you go to Aspen, Switzerland or Banff. But of all the tips, one thing that you should never forget tip number 6: get yourself and your family winter sports travel insurance. This will save you from facing all of the financial consequences that may become apparent whenever emergencies strike you.

Canadian Travel Insurance: Where Can I Get Travel Insurance Deals?

When it comes to traveling, it is always best to be on the safe side, because you will never know what to expect. Whether you are traveling as a tourist, a backpacker, as part of business or school, it is important for you to have a safety net, which is a Canadian travel insurance plan.

Now, finding the money for travel insurance can be a challenge. Most of us work very hard for our money, and there is nothing wrong about trying to stretch every dollar you have. Travel insurance might seem expensive to you, especially if you have already spent a great deal on hotels and plane tickets. But what about safety and peace of mind? You really can't put a price tag on that.

If you are about to travel on a limited budget, that does not mean you cannot get travel insurance. There are Canadian travel insurance deals which you can find, as long as you know where to look.

You can get travel coverage plans deals from many insurance companies and banks. But before you try to contact your insurance company, you must first determine what you want out of your travel insurance policy, so that you can get the best deals for your needs.

You need to settle on what you want the insurance to cover, particularly coverage for international travel, since most government health insurance plans do not cover out of local area expenses. If you are going to a place where they have below average medical facilities, you should make sure that your plan includes repatriation costs.

Check your personal health insurance if it is suitable enough, so that you won't have to have it covered by travel insurance. You should also determine if you want your expensive personal items insured, such as jewelry, cameras, and so on.

After determining your needs, determine who will be covered by the insurance. Are you going to be traveling as a family, with a companion, or by yourself? There are deals available at insurance companies and banks depending on specific details, such as group deals or student discounts.

Review at least 5 Canadian companies and banks so that you can compare their deals which may possibly even include airline and hotel accommodations. Get started by looking at Canada's largest banks such as Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank, and the Bank of Montreal. Students should consult with travel agencies like Travel CUTS and student unions to see if they have specialized student discounts. You can also compare their fees to your local credit union as well. You can compare their offers and check their price listings and discount rates through their available websites.

To find out quotes on travel insurance deals, there are available sites on the internet with tools that can calculate how much they will cost. For example, World Nomads has a tool wherein you can specify your location, the policy start and end dates, and your particular type of policy (whether you will be traveling alone or with family) in order to get a quote price.

Before choosing your desired travel insurance deal, make sure to read all the details, especially the fine print, and all of the travel insurance plan's coverage. Determine the Canadian dollar amount (not the USD or Euro amount) for that particular plan. If it has a minimum amount, check its coverage to see if that would be enough for your needs. Also, make sure that the company has a nonstop emergency telephone hotline. If you get injured on the weekend in a foreign country, the last thing you want to hear is that the company is closed.

Vital Information About Pet Insurance

Proper health care is one of the most important aspects of having a pet. You have to ensure that your pet is properly taken care of by giving it access to good veterinary care. You can do this effectively by buying affordable pet insurance. Veterinary pet insurance is available no matter the kind of pet that you have. There are policies for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, parrots and other kinds of domestic animals. This article will give you valuable and reliable pet insurance information.

It is not difficult to find out the cost of insurance for pets. You just have to spend a few minutes on the internet to find several insurers that are ready to give you the best pet insurance. The pet insurance quote tat you will be given will depend on the animal's health history, species or pedigree, age, location and other risk factors. You will be presented with a range of coverage options to choose from. You may decide to buy coverage for certain conditions or choose a basic or premium package.

It is good to shop around to find the cheapest pet insurance but you have to ensure that the coverage that you choose can sufficiently meet the needs of your pet. You should find a reasonable balance between cheap pet insurance and the quality of service that is provided by the insurer. It is important to choose a good pet insurance company that has a reputation of offering excellent service.

Insurance for puppy/dog is designed to provide the best possible health care. You can save a lot of money every year on your pet's visits to the veterinary. The coverage usually includes prescriptions, hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostic tests and so on. With ban-field pet insurance, you will know exactly what is included in the coverage and the benefits that are available to the pet. All pre-existing and recurring conditions are usually treated at no charge.

There a re a few things that you can do reduce the premiums that you have to pay on medical insurance for pets. Taking advantage of exclusions will help to keep your rates low. A list of possible exclusions will be given to you by the provider. You can decide what you want to include or remove. If your pet is healthy and relatively young, you can go for the minimum coverage that is available. Exclusions usually include hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, grooming, behavioral problems, elective procedures and so on.

The cost of dog or cat pet insurance varies from one provider to another. You can expect to pay up to a dollar per day on a good policy. This will of course depend on your location, pet species, breed size and age. Most providers are reluctant to provide insurance for dogs or cats that are above certain age limits. If you have more than one pet, you can take advantage of multiple pet discounts which will help you to reduce the premiums that you have to pay.

Your application for pet insurance will have to be reviewed by the insurance company. It may be necessary to provide the pet's medical records. In cases where medical records are not available, a medical examination will be used to establish the state of health of the pet. This is usually common with adopted or rescued animals.

It is important that you buy pet insurance for your dog as early as possible. A lot of providers will not accept dogs that are above a certain age. However, they will continue to provide insurance for pets that have existing policies before attaining the age limit. Ensure that you choose a reliable insurer that has a good reputation and a system that makes easy for customers to file claims.

You should take your time to read through the policy agreement before singing up with the company. Ask the representative to explain any aspect of the policy that you do not understand. It is important that you know exactly what you are getting for your money. You should also be satisfied with the quality of veterinary clinics that are available under the policy. Choose a policy that you can cancel easily if you are not satisfied with the service that is provided.

Pet policy will help you to save a lot of money on vet bills. It will ensure that your pet gets proper medical attention when required. Pets face day-to-day hazards even when they are limited to the home. They could get injured or eat inappropriate food. They can also come up with emergency health problems. A good pet insurance policy will help you to handle any of these unexpected circumstances.

Travel Insurance - Should It Be a Priority?

What do you think of first when planning a holiday or trip overseas? Judging by many published statistics it is safe to bet that for many people travel insurance is the last thing on their mind. It is not unheard of for people to phone and purchase insurance when on the way to the airport! That is not the smartest way to plan a trip, but better to purchase it late than not bother at all.

When your kids go off travelling or backpacking to other countries do you check whether they have insurance in place, or do you take care of it for them? Young people are less likely to bother with travel insurance - but parents are usually the first ones they call for help if something goes wrong - especially if they need money. Parents could save themselves a lot of potential worry and headaches by sending their young travellers off with the gift of travel insurance.

A Backpacker travel insurance policy is very affordable (literally pennies per day) with options to purchase additional cover if required. It may include any or all of the following: emergency medical care, hospital costs, repatriation, legal liability, legal costs, cancellation and curtailment, failed exams (re-sits), holiday abandonment, delayed departure, personal accident, personal liability, and more.. The sooner you purchase travel insurance after booking your holiday the better. You would be very glad to have it if a problem should arise causing the trip to be cancelled.

Following are some suggestions for priorities to consider before booking a trip:

• Check for any government advisories regarding travel to your destination country
• Check expiration dates of passports
• Check Visa requirements
• Check Expiration dates of European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or apply
• Book a health check with your GP, and required or recommended vaccinations for your destination
• Once your travel plans are confirmed take out travel insurance immediately (to cover cancellation)

It is amazing that many people place priority on less important matters, such as purchasing holiday clothes or a good holiday read, or choosing gifts for friends and relatives overseas.

With millions of people travelling to other countries every year, it is shocking that so many still neglect to take out travel insurance. Those who plan to stay with friends or relatives are reported to be even less likely to bother with insurance - presumably believing that everything will be taken care of for them. If you are lucky enough to have unlimited funds then this may be the case. However, would you really want to burden your hosts, or feel comfortable asking them for a loan to pay your medical bills? Surely it is common sense and basic consideration for others to be responsible and have insurance in case unexpected problems arise?

It is always a good idea to check for government advisories for your destination country or countries before you book. If an advisory 'against all but essential travel' is in force and you go ahead and book anyway, this could invalidate any related claims on your travel insurance. Most insurers take the view that if a problem arises after you book then obviously it could not have been anticipated.

It is also very important (and wise) to research your destination country so that you are familiar with local laws and customs, to avoid innocently breaking the rules and perhaps incurring a hefty fine - or worse.

If your destination is a country such as the United States, for example, you are likely to face truly devastating medical bills if you should become ill or injured. Contrary to the belief of many travellers, your consulate or embassy does not pay these costs for you. They can offer general assistance in other ways, but you are on your own when it comes to paying the bills - unless you have travel insurance and a valid claim.

If you should become ill or injured to the extent that you have to be repatriated, perhaps by air ambulance with accompanying medical staff, the bill could be truly staggering. Without travel insurance and cover for repatriation the financial responsibility lies with you - or your family.

If you have never taken out travel insurance before, why not take the plunge next time and at least obtain a quote? It could be an eye opener to how affordable insurance can be, and how crazy it is to forgo it and take risks.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions it is crucial that you are honest and declare them and that the insurer agrees to accept the risk. This may (but not always) mean a slight increase in the premium, or the insurance may exclude claims relating to a specific medical condition.

There are many types of travel insurance policies so, before you opt for the cheapest one that you find online, go a little further and check to see what is included (and excluded) for your money. The main points to watch for - and minimum requirements - should be a good level of medical cover, which also includes repatriation and air ambulance costs. Most good comprehensive policies include this as standard. Also important is cover for personal liability and legal expenses. You can usually elect to have as much or as little cover as you think you will need.

You may have travelled many times without insurance and without any problems - and with any luck that will continue to be the case. However, wouldn't it be better to be a little more responsible and get your priorities right?

Pet Care Insurance Can Be Affordable

Pet care insurance coverage at an affordable price can involve some serious time and effort researching on the part of the pet owner, however the time is well spent at the end of the day. Some owners may find that it's frustrating attempting to compare pet insurance expenses, policy info and understanding all the policy small print basically due to the wide selection of pet care insurance available nowadays. Not knowing the jargon utilized in the insurance marketplace can also be somewhat of the problem as well.

Quite often pet insurance quotes will vary based upon the age of the pet, their breed and also the region or country where you live. Nevertheless, in spite of each one of these possible hassles connected with finding pet care insurance that is within your budget range, it is still worth your time and energy once you understand what you are getting.

Insurance for your pet is best utilized to help cover unexpected expenditures from accidents, injuries and the sudden onset of disease. It also pays to ensure that there are reasonable reimbursement limits provided. Even a simple accident or injury might cost a pet owner thousands of dollars in vet costs. Regrettably, in many instances the pet owner isn't prepared for these expenditures with the outcome being the need for making a choice between money and the life of the pet. Your pet generally loses because the cost of the treatment is simply too much for the pet owner to pay. Possessing sufficient pet care insurance would avoid this unpleasant situation from ever occurring.

Pet owners should know additional policy coverage that relates to possessing what might be regarded as being dangerous kinds of pets. These kinds of policies may be a consideration based upon the kind of pet you own, however remember that now you are referring to pet liability and not health insurance. So avoid these liability packages if you are only concerned with basic health coverage.

Pet care insurance companies often base their policy pricing around any pre-existing conditions and hereditary or congenial diseases. This fact alone makes it important to obtain a pet health care plan while your pet is young rather than waiting until they become older and more prone to injury or illness related to their age. In some cases you may not even be able to obtain insurance for your pet. Some companies may even claim that having a pet seriously ill at any point in the year previous to your application for coverage may be deemed as having a pre-existing condition, whereas other companies will choose to ignore this and still provide you with insurance coverage.

Pet care insurance policies are not all the same so it is essential that you carefully read and discuss each type of insurance policy and have a good understanding what is going on to prevent buying a pet care insurance policy that may turn out to be worthless later on when you need it.

Pet care insurance may be found that is affordable and yet provide superior coverage for your pet, but this may require some time and effort on your part as not all plans are created equal. The good news is that at the end of the day you will have the satisfaction and piece of mind that comes from knowing your pet is going to be well taken care of should they ever become seriously ill or injured.

Zurich Insurance Indonesia (ZII)

We are a JV-company founded in 1991 with Zurich Insurance Company Switzerland as our majority shareholder. We are headquartered in Jakarta (Sudirman Plaza) and employ currently 95 employees


Our core strengths are :

Our leadership and expertise in the corporate customer segment
Our focused and disciplined involvement in chosen markets
Our risk engineering and claims services


Our winning formula is the worldwide expertise combined with our local commitment and expertise, which makes us the preferred choice for customers who appreciate insurance protections from a first class security.


What do we want to achieve

We aspire to be a distinctive customer-focused provider of financial protections in chosen markets.


How do we achieve our goals

We want to be strong in selected target markets
We expand our relationship to distribution channels in a sustainable manner
We want to retain our customers
We offer our customers solutions for their tailor made solutions consisting of several products
We constantly upgrade our capabilities in order to best serve our chosen markets.


Life Insurance Business

Zurich Financial Services Group is proud to announce that it established its presence in the Indonesian life insurance market on 1 November 2010 by completing the acquisition of an 80% stake in PT Mayapada Life. Zurich is committed to developing the market in Indonesia by building multiple distribution channels to meet the rapidly expanding protection and saving needs of Indonesians.

On 28 December 2010, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has approved the change of name from PT Mayapada Life to PT Zurich Topas Life. This name change reflects the fact that the majority stakeholder of PT Mayapada Life is now Zurich Insurance Company, part of Zurich Financial Services Group. The company will be re-branded "Zurich" to be in line with other Zurich operations around the world.

Zurich Financial Services Group is the world's largest Swiss insurance-based financial services provider1 and a Fortune Global 100 company2. We have a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries. We achieved business operating profit of about USD5.6 billion in 20093. Our financial strength is built on a prudent and focused business strategy. We are rated "AA-" by Standard & Poor's4 Zurich Financial Services is listed on the SWX Stock Exchange in Switzerland.

1 Measured by a composite ranking for sales, profits, assets and market value; source: The Forbes Global 2000, April 2010
2 In terms of revenue; source: Fortune Global 500, July 2010
3 Zurich Annual Report 2009
4 As of 29 April 2010

Do You Really Need Winter Sports Travel Insurance?

Winter sports travel insurance wasn't always the necessity it is today. Over time, insurance companies have begun to exclude certain high-risk activities, locations, and people from general insurance policies. Now people who enjoy unique activities must seek specialized coverage that takes into account those with slightly elevated risks. Fortunately, winter sports insurance is almost always fairly priced and covers all of those "what ifs" that are difficult to plan or account for. Traveler's insurance lessens the impact of foul weather days and foul luck days alike.

There are limited situations where special sports insurance may not be necessary for even the most frequent winter travelers. If you don't plan on leaving the country, carrying valuables, participating in dangerous activities, or otherwise violating your current travel or health insurance policy then you can spare the investment of sports travel insurance. But if you are going to be driving on dangerously icy roads or anything else out of the norm for recreation your current policies are not likely to cover any bodily, vehicular, or personal item damages. Even if you think you're already covered by your preexisting insurance make sure you contact your agent and inform them of your activities. There may be some restrictions that weren't properly expressed when you signed the agreement.

It's more than just extreme winter sports fanatics that are subject to risks during winter travel. Flights may be delayed or cancelled, equipment or luggage may get stolen or become damaged, and any number of health risks could be presented during the entirety of the trip. These types of occurrences are headaches when you're far away from home and without the necessary paperwork, but that's why winter sports travel insurance is available. It's nice to know that you can be anywhere: on a daring snowboarding adventure or cool winter retreat and still be able to get assistance if and when complications arise.

Some of us may need more than just your average winter sports travel insurance. There are specialized packages that suit snow bunnies to daredevils, so make sure that the policy you buy covers everything you will need. If you're concerned about expensive camera equipment used to capture glowing family moments purchase coverage that reflects the value of your possessions. However, if more danger is presented by an inevitable "crunch" on the slopes then you may want to insure your health more than your skis. You can help to cut out unnecessary costs by trimming out the details that aren't needed by planning your activities out beforehand.

Unwelcome interruptions to a winter excursion are not something many of us want to think while planning an adventurous snowy vacation. It's extremely important to make some considerations about winter sports travel insurance early, so that you can make sure every bit of paperwork and medical checks are completed by the date of departure. Any changes should be immediately reported to your insurer. The only thing worse than being uninsured is paying for insurance that doesn't cover your emergency.

Green Packing and Online Travel Insurance

The wise eco-traveller knows that there is only one tourist destination and preserving it for future generations is pertinent. As a world trekker, it is our responsibility to prevent or minimise the negative effects we make on the wherever place we visit here on Earth. Going around places takes more than just taking chances of budget airline sales and economical online travel insurance.

Below are some tips on how to make your trip more earth-friendly and meaningful. Your travel insurance Australia agent will definitely approve these guidelines and will be proud of you.

Be prepared to accept the different cultures along your routes. Study their customs and you'll probably understand that they're more sensible than you think. One way to do this is to make your trip a cultural immersion rather than a simple photo-op affair.

Try to read about the places you're going to visit. There are many guidebook and travel tips that can be found in many bookshops and on the internet. Browsing through these materials also helps you plan a much more specific itinerary and lessens unexpected costs.

In researching about the places to visit, be aware of the local history. A friend once told me that this is important to keep you from committing political faux pas and save your embassy from a lot of unnecessary work. Learn to say common words such as simple greetings, please and thank you.

Choose a travel agency known to conduct ecologically sound travel practices. More countries and local communities are already adopting greener practices and finding an eco-friendly partner should be easy. Such groups often hand out a short list of pro-environment tips. Often, they would ask for a small donation to augment their often short-funded programs. Don't splurge on that online travel insurance, save some for a good cause.

Be aware of the recycling programs of these destinations.

Don't carry too much personal stuff; some studies suggest that air, land, or sea vehicles expend less fuel when travelling light. Forget the eco-unfriendly materials such as plastics and PVC. Leave the inner packages if you have them. There are chic baggage and luggage that are made of organic materials such as hemp and leather.

Bring a reusable bottle you can fill up in restaurants, airports, and in your hotel room. Remember that the production, shipment, and disposal of even recyclable PET bottles take a long time and are costly. Besides, there is really no assurance you're getting clean water when you purchase a locally bottled one.

Stay in ecologically sound boutique hotels. There are many such inexpensive inns that can offer more pampering than those five- to three-star rated pricey ones. These places often offer hybrid and bike rental options so you can go on more personal short adventures.

Some journeys are best enjoyed when travelling via the local public transports. These may sometimes be demanding on some itinerants, but the important thing to do when pursuing such methods is not travel in a hurry. Meaning, slow down and don't rush from one site to another. Enjoy the peculiarity of experiences in connecting with the people and places you're visiting.

Rather thinking about safety and calling your travel insurance Australia agent first, try becoming an eco-friendly trekker and know the ways of doing your part preserving Earth for future generations.

Buy Visitors Health Insurance And Enjoy A Safe And Hassle-Free Travel

Visitor health insurance is a must have when you are travelling overseas because this payment plan will take care of all your medical costs in case you fall ill or meet with any accident. One cannot predict when misfortune will befall them. In case this happens when you are vacationing in the United States and if you are not insured by a visitors health insurance policy, you may have to face acute financial difficulties since health care is very expensive in this country.

There are many global medical insurance providers who offer different plans and can advise you on how to pick out a plan for US visitor insurance suiting your needs and budgetary requirements. You can browse through the many insurance provider sites to get the best plan after having thoroughly compared the different rates and services. You should ideally evaluate all the merits and drawbacks of each such plan and the corresponding charges. A fixed plan assures you less benefits but the premium is less as well unlike a comprehensive one.

The visitors medical insurance programs certified by major U.S. insurer companies are made available for foreigners travelling under tourist, business or student visas. Atlas America Insurance is one such notable insurance provider that helps to cover all medical costs for the insured in emergencies. Their plan benefits individual needs of different age groups of travelers. Immigrant insurance plans can be bought by immigrants travelling to the U.S. Immigrant health insurance will pay all medical costs incurred during the coverage period. For tourists inbound USA like those visiting their families or parents visiting their children, a tourist medical insurance is a must. There are visitors health insurance plans for green card holders, those staying under H1B or H4 visa permits, J1 and J2 scholars F1 student visa holders, missionaries and global tourists and foreign citizens. To buy travel insurance USA coverage, you do not need paperwork or any medical tests. Patriot America Insurance caters to the international traveler and offers coverage for non-US citizens who are going out of their country for 10 days to a year.

Buying travel insurance India has its pros and cons. While this is good for frequent travelers and ensures car rental or luggage protection, trip protection plans cover both delay and cancellation costs and medical coverage deals with costs relating to unforeseen events like death or accident. Buying India travel insurance may turn out to be costly and may be thought of as a waste of funds by those who are careless or simply prepared to take the risk. Tata AIG travel insurance is a well known insurance provider with a number of policies at affordable premiums to cover hospitalization charges, personal accidents, lost baggage, lost passports or baggage delays. Reliance travel insurance packages are very attractive and come in standard, silver, gold or platinum types. The greatest benefit with this policy is the 24 hour cashless emergency provision for emergencies. The Liaison International Insurance plans are ideal for parents visiting the US and other tourists travelling outside their home country. Many of its benefits can be renewed when you enroll for three months and you can enjoy as much as $1,000,000 in medical expenses. So, invest in visitors health insurance and be safe while you travel.

India Travel Insurance - For A Trouble-Free Travel Abroad

Who needs travel insurance? The answer is we all do; all of us who have planned a trip abroad either for business, leisure, or otherwise need to buy a proper travel insurance before we begin our journey.

Many things can go awry on a trip abroad that can put at risk your money, your health, and your composure. So, buying a good insurance cover like India Travel Insurance will provide protection to you from any unexpected events that can jeopardize all your well-laid plans.

Here Are Some Of The Things That Can Go Wrong:

* Flight delays or cancellation.
* Your wallet containing passport and money is stolen and you need emergency cash to get a replacement passport.
* You need to cancel your trip for personal reasons like an illness or a death in the family.
* There is a medical emergency in your landed destination.
* You are involved in an accident and you need appropriate medical attention or evacuation to another location or back home.
* You want to cancel your trip because of a terrorist threat at the city of your destination.

The list of unforeseen events is endless. There is nothing as horrid as being stuck up in a foreign land with an unfortunate event leaving you completely helpless. Therefore, it is important that you should be in control of how you can protect yourself to the extent possible. How do you go about it? A good indemnity or an assurance is the only answer. By buying a cover like India Travel Insurance, you can make your journey abroad hassle free.

Choosing The Right Cover

There are many companies with various insurance products advertised and sold in the market. How do you buy the right cover best suited for your trip?

Here Are Tips To Choose The Best Travel Insurance Cover When Traveling Abroad.

* Make A List Of The Coverage You Need: These can include loss of baggage, an illness, missing a flight, and being involved in an accident.

* Compute The Total Cost Of Your Trip: The amount of risk a cancellation will entail is the total amount of pre-paid and non-refundable amount. Insure that the trip cancellation coverage considers this amount.

* Make A Comparison Chart: Most companies offer similar products, so getting the best deal will involve an in-depth analysis and understanding of the fine print. Therefore, the best way to make a judgment of different products is by making a comparison chart. To help with it, some websites have comparison engines where you can enter certain basic info and get instant quotes of all major insurance companies.

* Read The Fine Print: Specifically make a note of "benefits and exclusions." Benefits are probably something you know, but the exclusion section will tell you where the benefits will not apply.

Finally, zero-in on a policy that meets your specific needs. A well-known company like India Travel Insurance may provide comprehensive protection with competitive prices, but it would do well to assess other products too. If your focus is on health cover, a company like Overseas Medical Insurance India has excellent products. Having a good travel insurance protection makes all the difference between weeks of worry and reassurance with peace of mind.