Broken promises: Are you eligible for an insurance refund?
Did you know that you could be in line for an insurance refund of up to $290? The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has discovered that over 5.6 million consumers have been overcharged by insurers, amounting to a total of $815 million.
Pet insurance: What does ASIC’s crackdown mean for you?
Have you received a large veterinary bill for your pet even though you had what you thought was the right insurance? You’re far from alone.
Paying a premium: What are the real benefits of private health insurance?
Private health insurance is a popular choice in Australia, with more than 13 million people, or 55.2 percent of the population, holding a policy. More than $22 billion is paid out in benefits each year, which sounds like a huge amount being returned to customers. But is it?
Taking the stress out of complaints
Romantha Barron is in tears as she shares how much Handle My Complaint’s help meant to her.
The Perth disability carer was facing the prospect of forking out thousands to fix a collapsing ceiling in her home and garage. This is after RAC insurance rejected her claim for storm damage.
Baby boom: Is private health insurance necessary if you’re planning for pregnancy?
Planning to have a baby? Pregnancy is an exciting time but also a nerve-wracking one. There is so much to think about, not the least of which is where to have your baby.
Australians are fortunate to have access to good health care. And most women will give birth in a public hospital, where the charges will be limited. But many opt for private hospitals because they believe it will be a better pregnancy experience, including the promise of a private room after the birth.
It’s one of the reasons women who are thinking about getting pregnant take a closer look at private health insurance. This might mean updating their existing policy to cover pregnancy and birth. Or taking it out for the first time specifically for that reason.
Dying to know: Is life insurance worth the premiums?
Did you know that if you have superannuation, it most likely includes life insurance?
In 2018, a federal parliamentary report found almost 64 percent of active life insurance policies were held through superannuation.
But when the Federal Government changed who is entitled to the default insurance, that number took a hit — KMPG estimates it dropped to 51 percent.
Are you one of the people no longer automatically insured through your superannuation? If so, you might be wondering whether or not to take out separate life insurance, especially given the events of the past few years.
Unlucky break: Will travel insurance protect you when you need it?
Australians are big travellers — at least we were before Covid hit. Now that we’re getting back out on the road and into the air again, should we protect our hard-earned money with travel insurance?
Some people might say that travel insurance is a waste of money. After all, what are the chances that something will actually happen to you while you’re on holiday? But the truth is, anything can happen when you’re away from home. And if something does go wrong, travel insurance can be a life saver. But is it really worth the extra expense? And how has Covid changed things?
Dead loss: Is funeral insurance worth the money?
Dying isn’t something any of us like to think about it, let alone discuss. But there’s little doubt shelling out $15,000 for a funeral while grieving the loss of a loved one just compounds the pain.
The fact is funerals can really be that expensive. According to Canstar, it can cost anything from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the ceremony.
Future proof: Staying on top of insurance innovation
Ever thought about taking out alien abduction insurance? Curious about ‘you are not the father’ insurance? Is your golf club ever likely to need hole-in-one insurance?
Weird as these policies may sound, they are an indication of how much the industry has evolved - although not always for the better.
Safety net: Getting the most out of your insurance
We've all been told we need insurance for our car, home and health — and a few other things — to protect ourselves from a big financial hit if something goes wrong. But how much do you really know about it? And is it really the safeguard we all hope for?