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.

Chartis Vice President, Mr Wong Fu-tat, said at a press conference that as the incident was a special case, “the level of compensation for victims has been doubled from HK$500,000 to HK$1 million, under insurance covering accidents caused by public transport”. The insurer will also help with the cost of bringing the remains of the dead to Hong Kong.

Mr Wong adds that the injured stand to receive up to HK$1 million in medical insurance benefits. Chartis will also provide them with cover of up to HK$100,000 for six months of follow-up medical treatment in Hong Kong.

Separately, the Manila Bulletin newspaper reports that the victims of the hostage-taking crisis will receive insurance benefits from the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance (PAMI) Agency as the bus that carried the tourists is insured by the agency.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary, Dante Lantin, said: “The families of the dead victims of the hostage are entitled to at least PHP60,000 (US$1,318) insurance claims each. As for the injured passengers, PAMI has committed to shoulder part of their hospital expenses,” he said. Apart from the eight Hong Kong tourists killed, the hostage-taker himself, former police officer Rolando Mendoza, was shot dead. At least seven others were injured in the incident.

With the rise in popularity of experience-based holidays showing no signs of abating, the insurer is reminding holidaymakers that it is essential to have the right level of cover in place before undertaking adrenaline-rush activities.

For the uninitiated, Zorbing involves rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball; the activity can be upgraded to Hydrozorbing by adding a couple of buckets of water.

Octopush is a form of underwater hockey, while Wind Tunnel Flying is a form of indoor sky-diving.

Tree canopy walking is self explanatory once the concept of the suspension bridge is understood and participants in Ringos are likely to be found sliding down slopes in giant rubber rings.

AXA’s lifestyle claims manager, John Dacey, comments: “Swimming with dolphins is so last year.”

DO you buy travel insurance before you travel? According to Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Ngiam Foon, not many Malaysians buy additional insurance protection when they travel.

Many mistakenly assume that their existing long-term insurance policies will protect them when they are overseas.

He said there have been many cases of Malaysian travellers, not covered by insurance, facing difficulties when they were injured or involved in accidents overseas. Ngiam Foon urged Malaysians to invest in suitable travel insurance products when going on vacations. Such travel insurance is vital in ensuring that Malaysians get proper coverage in case of travel emergencies.

He said that many Malaysians also mistakenly assume that credit card purchases of airline tickets will automatically provide complete insurance protection for them. Many insurance companies offer inexpensive add-ons, which provide a wide range of services that can protect travellers in case of medical emergencies, robberies and accidents.

“In some countries, it is vital that we have the option of getting access to evacuation services, for instance, in the event of a medical emergency. There are many products in the market for such protection. It is just that many Malaysians are unaware of such services which are available at a low cost.” With just a minimal payment, travellers have access to 24-hour emergency services in many parts of the world.

Ngiam Foon said medical services are expensive, especially in developed countries, and there have been many cases of Malaysian travellers facing great trauma, distress and financial difficulties due to high costs as a result of not having adequate insurance protection when overseas.

Ngiam advised travellers to check with their licensed travel and tour agents for more information on travel insurance products. “It is also important that prospective buyers ensure that they are dealing with licensed travel and tour agencies which have access to pertinent information to help customers make informed choices,” Ngiam Foon said.

Matta has some 2,100 members in the country and is the country’s largest travel and tour association. While industry statistics on the purchase of travel insurance by Malaysians over the last several years are unavailable, Ngiam Foon said, from Matta’s perspective and experience, the adoption rate of travel insurance products among Malaysians was still very low and needed to be boosted.

Ngiam Foon said Matta had been in discussions with several insurance companies to provide “cashless” insurance coverage to travellers. Under such coverage, when there is a need for medical services, a person needs only show evidence of the insurance coverage without footing the bill upfront. These cashless insurance products are expected to be available to travellers soon.

We provide the following types of travel insurance coverage:

a) Individual Travel Plan
b) Individual Annual Travel Plan
b) Family Travel Plan
c) Married Couple Travel Plan

Select your destination here and get protected on your trip!

Promotion: Free Luggage Lock with every policy purchased while stock last!
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Travel Insurance Buying Guide

• Part 1: Need for Travel Insurance
• Part 2: Claims You Can Make
• Part 3: Not Covered
• Part 4: The Eligibility
• Part 5: Compensation and Satisfaction

You need to protect you and your family in case of unexpected emergencies during your travel. However, you may not be satisfied with the offer made by your insurance company. How do you deal with this?

First, you have to submit the claim form with supporting documents such as medical reports and police reports together with the details or a copy of your original policy. Check the time frame stipulated in your policy for filing claims.

Claims for losses or damage should be paid as soon as you provide proof of the damage and the insurer has had the opportunity to investigate and verify that the claims are in order.

Claims for lost baggage are usually compensated after a lapse of 30 days from the day of loss in case the airlines are able to recover the lost baggage within that time-frame.

Where can you go to lodge a complaint against the insurance provider?
If you are not satisfied with the offer of settlement or rejection of a claim, first try to resolve the matter with the Complaints Unit of the insurance company.

If the matter remains unresolved, you may consider lodging a complaint with the Complaints Action Bureau of Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) or choose to file a complaint to the Financial Mediation Bureau for mediation of your complaint.

PIAM is the national trade association of all licensed direct and reinsurance companies for general insurance in Malaysia. Currently, PIAM has 41 members.

For queries or complaints on general insurance matters, please send your questions to PIAM’s Complaints Action Bureau at 3rd Floor, Wisma PIAM, 150, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03 – 2274 7395/9; Fax: 03 – 2274 5910.

via NST Online Travel

Travel Insurance Buying Guide

• Part 1: Need for Travel Insurance
• Part 2: Claims You Can Make
• Part 3: Not Covered
• Part 4: The Eligibility
• Part 5: Compensation and Satisfaction

What criteria do you need to fulfil to be eligible for travel insurance?

Travel insurance policies are generally assessed by age, destination, length of stay and any pre-existing condition. Age may affect the eligibility of the elderly but it also depends on the other factors mentioned above.

Where you are going affects the amount of premium you have to pay. You will be required to pay more if you’re going to a country with a relatively higher cost of living (especially medically-related costs) or are known as high risks areas.

In comparison, countries that are not known for political strife or security risks usually attract lower premiums.

Travel insurance is also charged based on the duration of your stay. The longer your visit, the more premium you pay.

What should you do in the event of an emergency?
When you purchase a travel insurance policy, check and see if the insurance company provides an emergency hotline service.

In an emergency, you can contact the medical and emergency assistance hotline for access to medical advice, referrals, medical evacuations and assistance in other matters such as loss of passport or baggage.

It is important that you notify the authorities such as the local police, hotel, airline or transportation terminal authorities of lost or damaged items. Remember also to inform your insurer and then submit the necessary evidence or documents as soon as you can.

* For queries or complaints on general insurance matters, please send your questions to PIAM’s Complaints Action Bureau at 3rd Floor, Wisma PIAM, 150, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2274 7395/9 Fax : 03-2274 5910

via NST Travel Online