1. Personal effects
Check with your insurance company on the personal effects that can be covered under travel insurance as the coverage differs between insurance companies.

2. Beneficiary
You are advised to nominate a beneficiary and ensure that your beneficiary is aware of the travel insurance policy that you have purchased.

3. Multiple insurance
If you have purchased more than one travel insurance policies, in the event of your demise and disablement, you or your beneficiary, as the case may be, will be compensated for each policy. However, for certain losses such as medical expenses which are compensated on reimbursement basis, you will only be compensated once for the actual loss suffered.

4. Foreign affiliates
Ensure that your insurance company has a good network of foreign affiliates which can provide you with the necessary assistance when required.

5. Medical and emergency assistance
It is important to check whether your insurance company provides 24-hour emergency hotline service.

via InsuranceInfo Travel Insurance Booklet

Scope of Cover
The scope of cover and scale of benefits differ between insurance companies and you should shop around to ensure that you purchase a policy which best meets your requirements.

The coverage commonly provided under a travel insurance policy includes:
• Personal accident
• Medical and its related expenses
• Loss of baggage, personal effect and money
• Loss of passport
• Personal liability
• Delayed baggage
• Travel delay
• Hijacking
• Repatriation

You can take a travel policy for you and/or your family members. If you purchase a family policy, coverage for each family member is apportioned from the total sum assured. In the case of a claim, compensation payable will be in accordance to the portion allocated to each member and should not exceed the sum assured in total. Please note that if you are above a certain age limit, you may not be able to obtain a travel insurance policy.

Understanding the Policy Benefits
• Personal accident – you are normally covered for death and total permanent disablement for a period within 365 days after the occurrence of the accident. The compensation will be paid according to a scale of benefits and may differ from one insurance company to another.
• Medical and related expenses – coverage for hospitalization, hospital or surgical expenses, outpatient medical expenses, as well as daily allowances up to a maximum number of days, should you be hospitalized for more than 24 hours.
• Loss of travel deposit or curtailment of journey – you will be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to loss of travel or accommodation expenses paid due to cancellation or curtailment of the journey.
• Loss of baggage, personal effects and money – this covers accidental loss or damage to your baggage, clothing, personal effects, and even money, caused by the carrier.
• Loss of passport – you will be reimbursed for additional hotel charges, travel and other expenses incurred in the country you visited, while obtaining the replacement of a lost passport. Such loss must be reported to the police within 24 hours.
• Personal liability – should you cause accidental bodily injury to a third party or loss or damage to the property of a third party, the insurer will indemnify you for the legal liability.
• Delayed baggage – if your baggage is lost or misplaced for at least 12 hours from the time of arrival at your destination, you will be reimbursed for expenses incurred to purchase essential items of clothing or personal effects.
• Travel delay – you will be paid a sum of money, according to a schedule, if your flight or voyage is delayed for more than 12 hours due to reasons beyond your control.
• Hijacking – the insurer may make daily payments up to a specified maximum number of days, if your journey is interrupted for more than 12 hours due to an act of hijack.
• Repatriation – in the event of accidental death of the insured, the insurer will reimburse the insured’s legal representative for the cost of returning the remains home.

Policy Exclusions
Losses caused by certain events are excluded from the cover. Some common exclusions include:
• War risks
• Suicide and insanity
• AIDS
• Provoke murder or assault
• Childbirth or miscarriage
• Hazardous sports

In addition, there are exclusions involving events such as baggage delay and loss of baggage and personal effects due to seizure or destruction under quarantine or custom regulation. You are advised to always read carefully and understand your policy exclusions.

via InsuranceInfo Travel Insurance Booklet

Well, worry no more because you can now easily sign up for a domestic travel insurance plan here in Malaysia that allows you to enjoy medical insurance coverage and travel inconveniences benefits. Click here to view the rates and schedule of benefits of a domestic travel insurance within Malaysia destinations.

However, if you are going to be traveling between West Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), please choose the Region 1 Travel Insurance Plans.

If you are a foreign traveler (non-Malaysian) where you will be flying off from Malaysia to any destinations worldwide, you are eligible to buy the travel insurance by choosing any of the Regions as listed here. Please note that you must ensure that you will be returning back to Malaysia. Otherwise, your coverage will only be considered a one-way single trip coverage.

As for expatriates who are living in Malaysia, you can always purchase travel insurance long as your departing destination is Malaysia. You don’t necessarily need to return to Malaysia to be eligible for the coverage, for instance, if you are going on a one-way trip out of Malaysia, and would only want to cover for the travel inconveniences during your departure from Malaysia.

2. Q: Who can purchase InsuranceOnline.my’s Travel Plan?
Locals or foreigners are eligible. In respect of overseas travel, the departure must be from Malaysia.

3. Q: What is the age limit for me to purchase InsuranceOnline.my’s Travel Plan?
a) ages of nine (9) days and above for short term local and overseas travel ;
b) ages of eighteen (18) to seventy (70), with policy renewal up to the age of eighty (80) for the annual overseas travel.
All ages referred to in this policy shall be the age as at the last birthday.

4. Q: When is the coverage for InsuranceOnline.my’s Travel policy effective?
a) Coverage for overseas travel shall commence 12 hours prior to your departure from Malaysia
b) Coverage for local travel shall commence upon the departure from your place of residence or stay in Malaysia (if different from the place of residence); whichever is later
For travel cancellation, unless due to an Accident, the insurance commences 24 hours from the date of purchase of the policy and terminates upon the commencement of travel.

5. Q: What is the maximum coverage period for each trip?
Domestic Trip Plan : shall refer to a policy for local travel up to maximum of sixty (60) consecutive days upon your departure from your residence or stay in Malaysia.

Per Trip Plan : shall refer to a policy for overseas travel up to a maximum of two hundred and ten days (210) consecutive days from the time of departure from Malaysia.

Annual Plan : shall refer to a policy for overseas travel up to a maximum of one hundred consecutive (100) days from the time of departure from Malaysia.

6. Q: I am holding a one-way ticket. Can I purchase InsuranceOnline.my’s Travel Plan?
Yes. For one way travel, cover terminates five (5) days upon your arrival overseas.

7. Q: Can I buy more than one InsuranceOnline.my’s Travel Plan policy for the same trip?
You can only purchase one (1) insurance cover for each trip.

8. Q: Will I be covered for an illness that I am already suffering from or have suffered in the past?
No. We do not cover any pre-existing conditions i.e. any illnesses or injury for which
(a) you have received or are receiving treatment; or
(b) medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment has been recommended to you; or
(c) clear and distinct symptoms are or were evident; or
(d) the existence would have been apparent to a reasonable person in the circumstances.
occurring within ninety (90) days period prior to the policy effective date.

9. Q: Can I continue my medical treatment in Malaysia for injuries sustained overseas?
Yes. You will be reimbursed for the Medically Necessary Expenses incurred up to the number of days specified in the Schedule of Benefit provided that you seek treatment within 7 days from the date of return to Malaysia.

10. Q: If I was ill overseas but did not seek medical treatment, can I do so upon returning to Malaysia?
Yes. You will be reimbursed for the Medically Necessary Expenses incurred up to the number of days specified in the Schedule of Benefit provided that you seek treatment within 7 days from the date of return to Malaysia.

11. Q: I am pregnant, am I covered for any pregnancy-related matters?
This policy only covers miscarriage due to an Accidental Injury during the trip, which is not attributed to any natural causes and/or sickness relating to pregnancy or childbirth.

12. Q: Are dental expenses covered?
Dental expenses are covered as long as they are direct consequences of an Accident.

13. Q: I am not able to travel because my employer has cancelled my leave. Am I covered for travel cancellation?
No.
The trip cancellation benefit is only applicable for reasons indicated in the policy wording which includes, but are not limited to, unforeseen emergencies such as illness, injury or death involving you, your travel companion and/or an immediate family member.

14. Q: I need to cut-short my trip because my father is hospitalized in Malaysia. What am I covered for?
If you need to disrupt your trip and return to Malaysia due to covered reasons due to illness, injury or death involving you, your travel companion and/or an immediate family member;
We shall reimburse the :
• cost of travel and/or accommodation expenses incurred; and
• unused and non refundable part of the trip paid in advance.

15. Q: If my belongings are stolen as I left outside on a bench while I am in a queue to check in, can I claim?
No, because the property was left unattended.
The policy coverage requires you to take all reasonable care and precaution to safeguard your property.

16. Q: What if my trip is cancelled due to a strike/riot happening at my planned destination?
If the unexpected outbreak of Strike, Civil Unrest, Riot, Commotion occurring within fourteen (14) days prior to commencement of Trip, the company shall reimburse you the cost of travel and/or accommodation expenses. However, the policy needs to be purchased before the occurrence of such strike/riot.
Strike, Civil Unrest, Riot or Commotion in connection with a demand by any faction or group to have sovereign rights or control over an area of governance or people are not covered.

17. Q: What should I do if I lose money whilst aboard?
You must report to local police within 24 hours after the incident.

18. Q: Will I be covered if my belongings are pick-pocketed while traveling overseas?
Yes.

19. Q: Are activities such as winter sports & scuba diving covered?
All leisure sports are covered at no extra premium as long as it does not involve engaging, practicing or participating in any sport in a professional capacity or where income or remuneration can be earned from engaging in such a sport.

20. Q: How do I cancel my policy and get a refund of the premium?
No refund of premiums will be allowed once the policy is issued.

“With the opening of MHinsure to travellers in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, we are confident we will see more than 70 per cent growth in premium sales by end of next year,” said Muzzaffar Othman, MAS Senior General Manager in the Managing Director’s Office.

He said the national carrier’s plan is to expand MHinsure to other markets in the near future.

Since the launch of MHinsure in Malaysia last year, about 25 per cent of Malaysia Airlines’ passengers have bought the travel insurance online.

Now travellers, whether flying with Malaysia Airlines or other airlines, can buy MHinsure at www.malaysiaairlines.com, it said in a statement.

Passengers travelling with the national carrier will have an option to buy the insurance with the air ticket, while other customers can just proceed straight to the MHinsure section, it said.

“In Malaysia, the basic plan rate starts from RM15 for domestic travel, RM23 to Asean and RM40 for other international destinations for a five-day trip. Besides the normal coverage, our customers can get access to 24-hour Emergency Medical and Travel Assistance,” said Muzzaffar.

The airline said the growth of MHinsure will be expedited by the completion of various website initiatives such as speed and payment getaway enhancements.

The number of monthly website visitors has since increased to 40 per cent while internet sales have grown from some 30,000 to about 150,000 bookings compared to last year, it said.

MHinsure is designed to offer quality and extensive coverage at an affordable price with a comprehensive 24-hour worldwide assistance.

The insurance covers medical expenses, cancellations, baggage losses, delays and other travel disruptions.

MHinsure is available online at www.malaysiaairlines.com. In Malaysia, the insurance can also be purchased by calling the MHinsure Sales at 1-800-806-376, MAS Call Centre at 1-300-88-3000 or MAS ticketing offices at KLIA, KL Sentral and Subang Skypark.

Provisions indemnifying directors or officers.
140. (1) Any provision, whether contained in the articles or inany contract with a company or otherwise, for exempting anyofficer or auditor of the company from, or indemnifying him against,any liability which by law would otherwise attach to him in respectof any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, ofwhich he may be guilty in relation to the company, shall be void.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in this section a company may pursuant to its articles or otherwise indemnify any officer or audit or against any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings,whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application in relation thereto in which relief is under this Act granted to him by the Court.

Power to grant relief
354. (1) If in any proceeding for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against a person to whom this section applies it appears to the Court before which the proceedings are taken that he is or may be liable in respect thereof but that he has acted honestly and reasonably and that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case including those connected with his appointment, he ought fairly to be excused for the negligence,default or breach the court may relieve him either wholly or partly from his liability on such terms as the Court thinks fit.

(2) Where any person to whom this section applies has reason to apprehend that any claim will or might be made against him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust he may apply to the Court for relief, and the Court shall have the same power to relieve him as under this section it would have had if it had been a Court before which proceedings against him for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought.

(3) The persons to whom this section applies are—
(a) officers of a corporation;
(b) persons employed by a corporation as auditors, whetherthey are or are not officers of the corporation;
(c) experts within the meaning of this Act; and
(d) any persons who are receivers, receivers and managersor liquidators appointed or directed by the Court to carryout any duty under this Act in relation to a corporationand all other persons so appointed or so directed.

Here are some ‘risky facts’ to ponder about when you are accessing the risk faced everyday by business entities.

Shareholders
- Prospectus contains an untrue statement of material fact or misstated a material fact
- Prospectus fials to state a material fact required to be disclosed.
- Failure to maximize shareholder’s value
- Failure to act in the best interest of the company/shareholders
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Example: Following a restatement of past earnings, the share price of a local company listed on Bursa Malaysia fell and this was investigated by the Securities Commission. As a result several shareholders filed a derivative class-action lawsuit.

Employees
- Wrongful termination
- Sexual harassment
- Employment-related defamation

Example: After repeated warnings regarding absenteeism and poor performance, an employee takes a director and a department manager to court – alleging unfair treatment.

Regulatory Bodies
- Failure to comply with listing requirements and regulations, especially with regards to corporate governance initiatives
- Failure to operate facilities in a responsible manner – e.g. employees’ health and safety or pollution
- Allegations of not acting in the best interests of shareholders but for personal profit or advantage (i.e. insider trading)

Example: The Securities Commission launches an investigation into 2 bank directors after allegations of insider trading. In order to counter these allegation, a comprehensive defense case must be conducted, incurring considerable cost.

Customers
- Breach of contract
- Unfair trade practices

Example: A customer sues the director of marketing and sales after advertising materials approved by the director provide incorrect pricing details of the product range.

More examples…

Directors: Tom, a former chief financial officer is made redundant following the merger of two companies. Tom sues the current chief executive officer alleging bad faith and wrongful termination.

Suppliers: A supplier initiates litigation proceedings against a director who has allegedly made the company breach the contract by failing to procure the company’s payment for goods received or services provided within a specified period of time and this leads to the supplier incurring financial loss.

Mistake 1: Did not contact the Insurer during an emergency

Let’s face it, we all panic during an emergency. That’s why it’s called an emergency, a state for us to justify our panic-driven behavior. And it is during such a time that a calm and collected mind would provide the best solution to get us out of the emergency, with the most minimal damage or loss.

And so it is when you are traveling out there in a foreign land. Mistake number one is of course, not having any proper travel insurance coverage. I’m not saying you should pay through your nose for travel insurance, but unlike traveling domestically, getting stranded in an emergency while traveling overseas can really complicate things. So getting some basic coverage can at least minimize the psychological burden, while it buys you some time to analyze the situation.

However, one of the most common mistake for people who are covered with travel insurance is that they often did not notify their insurer immediately. They do not realize that the travel insurance also comes with advice on how to get the most effective treatment or solution for their emergency. Also, by contacting the Travel Insurer immediately, you can also get the necessary information on what paperwork you must obtain from the relevant authorities to ensure a speedy claim when you are back to your home country. Most people just assume that by filling up a claim form provided by the Travel Insurer, they will get their reimbursement. This is definitely not the case- all claims must be backed by authentic and relevant documents.

Yes, it’s also true that the travel insurance do not cover every emergencies, but one should utilize the facility provided by the Travel Insurer where you can ask for the best course of action.

Mistake 2: Did not submit original documents when making a claim

Most if not all Travel Insurer only accepts original receipts for claim submission. Yes, if you have lost your original receipts, you will have some problem verifying the authenticity of your claim. The alternative is to probably request for a copy of receipt from the relevant party and have them verified by either the party involved. Some Travel Insurer might also allow you to use your original credit card statement, verified by the card issuing bank.

However, by not providing the original bills or receipts for the payments you have made, you are just putting yourself in between a rock and a hard place. Don’t take it as an insult on your character when the Travel Insurer says that they will not reimburse you until you show up with the original documents. No one is saying your dishonest, it’s just that, to proceed with the claim, photocopy of your payment documents are not going to make it through the Claims Department, period.

There is a reason why Travel Insurers insist on original documents, in fact, it is the practice of all Insurer that all monetary claims that is to be reimbursed to the policyholder must be furnished with original and authentic payment receipts. This is to ensure that policyholders do not claim the bills from other Insurers and try to profit from the claim.

So, no matter what policy is being practiced by the country you have traveled to, you must insist on the original copy of all the payments you have made. Do not settle for photocopy or carbon-copy. You have the right to receive original receipts as proof of your payments.

Mistake 3: Did not submit the claim within the stipulated time period

Most people would think that as long as they have the proper documentations in place, they can submit their claim anytime. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to check the details of your travel insurance policy before making any assumptions on the time given for you to submit your claims. A ‘Notice of Claim‘ clause in a standard Travel Insurance policy might look like this:

NOTICE OF CLAIM: Notice of claim must be given to the Company within thirty (30) days after the Date of Loss/Accident. The Policyholder and/or Insured Person hereunder shall produce for the Company’s examination pertinent documents at such reasonable times and shall co-operate with the Company in all matters pertaining to any loss and/or claims. Failure to comply with this condition may prejudice the claim. Notice of claim given by or on behalf of the Policyholder and/or Insured Person to the Company, or to any authorized official of the Company providing information sufficient to identify the Policyholder and/or Insured Person shall be deemed notice to the Company.

In some cases, it might not be feasible to send in or fax a written notification to the Travel Insurer. Hence, it’s a good idea to always keep the Travel Insurer’s 24 hours emergency assistance hotline number and your travel insurance policy number when you are traveling. Check out this link for a list of Malaysia Travel Insurance Provider’s emergency hotline numbers.

For example, let’s say that you’ve lost your passport the moment you’ve arrived in your destination. Under most travel insurance, the loss of travel documents entitles you for a claim. And it would be another 2 months before you are heading back to Malaysia. Under this circumstance, it would be wise for you to call up the Travel Insurer and inform them about the loss and then have them advise you on the steps you need to take to ensure a speedy claim. If you wait till you come back to Malaysia, which is more than 30 days after your loss, you might need to furnish all the reasons of you not being able to notify the company and all the unnecessary ping-pongs with the Travel Insurer’s Claim Department.

So, to make your life easy, always contact your Travel Insurer whenever you have an emergency, regardless of whether you are entitled for a claim or not.

The Nakuru Cat Burglar is remarkable for its resemblance to the baboon. (Nakuru, Kenya)

Though I’ve had more tropical diseases than the average petri dish and once had to survive in Iceland for 24 hours without so much as a toothbrush and clean socks, I have been fortunate that I’ve only once had to make a claim on my travel insurance.

Travel insurance is one of those things that I faithfully buy but hope never to get my money’s worth from. Over the years I have probably spent enough money to pay for a pretty decent vacation, but so far apart from one visit to a doctor in London (see “How To Get A Head in Africa” 10 July 2008), I’ve never got back a penny – but I have scored a ton of peace-of-mind.

The silence at the end of the telephone line when I called the insurance company about my tick suggests it might well still be discussed around the water cooler. But I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has entertained or bemused travel insurance companies. Here are a few others that are likely pinned to a bulletin board beside Terry the Tick:

- A pensioner, whose false teeth fell out while he vomited over the side of a cruise ship, put in a claim to his travel insurers for new dentures under “lost baggage”.

- A young traveller, distracted by the appearance of a group of women in bikinis, broke his nose when he walked into a bus shelter in Athens.

- A traveller lost his wallet in a drain in Israel. Instead of filing a police report and making a claim through his insurance, he instead stuck his hand down the drain – only to be stung by a poisonous scorpion. He ended up claiming for both a lost wallet and a hospital visit.

- A man who claimed for holiday cancellation when refused boarding was turned down by his insurance company when it emerged his ticket was for a flight from Manchester, New Hampshire…not from Manchester in the North West of England.

- Returning from India, a traveller filed a claim with his insurance company for $1100 worth of “Bombay Mix” snack food that he had lost from his luggage enroute. The insurance company performed a few quick calculations and determined that at less than $2 per 250g bag, the man would have had to have misplaced more than 137 kilograms of munchies…and refused to pay.

- A couple on vacation in Malaysia returned to their lodge to find that monkeys had climbed in through an open window, stolen their clothes and scattered them throughout the neighbouring jungle.

- A family’s camping holiday was ruined when a parachutist from a nearby airbase missed his target and landed squarely on their tent, destroying their equipment. Their insurer rejected their claims as they weren’t insured against accidental damage.

And in the category of needing a vacation to recover from a vacation:

- A holidaymaker in Sri Lanka needed hospital treatment after a coconut fell on her head while she was reading in the shade below.

They claim that the move, which takes effect from today, would adversely affect consumers, agents and the insurance industry in general.

Perwakim president Liza Lau said a copy of the memorandum was also handed to the office of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Human Resources.

Lau led more than 50 agents in a peaceful picket in front of Bank Negara yesterday. The crowd dispersed after about two hours.

She said there are a total of 50,000 insurance agents nationwide of which 40 per cent are full-time agents.

Insurance agents earn a 10 per cent commission from the insurance companies.

When getting a standard travel insurance policy in Malaysia for your overseas trip, you might have come across the term “24 hours Worldwide Travel Assistance”. Most people wouldn’t have the slightest idea of what it meant, let alone utilizing the benefit.

Under a typical Travel Assistance programme, you can call up the number listed in your policy and seek their assistance in planning for your trip. Below are a few standard assistance that you can obtain from an Insurer. Do note that this is only a reference, and each Insurers would have different features.

A. Emergency Assistance Services
a) Medical reference to medical service providers;
b) Advance payment or guarantee for payment of Medical Expenses;
c) Emergency Medical Evacuation;
d) Repatriation of Mortal Remains.

B. Technical Services
a) Coordination with relevant parties to recover or locate lost/stolen baggage and personal effects.
b) Coordination with relevant parties to recover, locate and replacement of travel documents.
c) Provision of reference to legal advisors.

C. Pre-Trip General Services
a) Advise on procuring travel documentation.
b) Advise on immunizations, epidemics and available preventive measures.
c) Information on local government offices and political and environmental condition Overseas.
d) Information on currency exchange rate, location of major banks and public holidays.
e) Information on weather condition.

Some of the health and medical plans offered in Malaysia also provides such services and there’s usually a hotline number listed in your policy contract.

You should try out the Travel Assist Programme when preparing for your next oversea trip.