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"Where are the most surreal yet safe places to visit in the world?"
The world is such a vast and enormous place that it is impossible to pinpoint all of these places in one article. But for starters, Asia is a safe haven and wonderful place to begin with. Just take a look at the annual Safe Cities Index in 2017, where four of the top 10 cities are from Asia.* Looking for intriguing places? Check out Singapore, a city where alien-looking supertrees thrive. Or you can also visit the land of Korea, where real-life ‘mermaids’ dive into oceans deep. How about Bhutan, a peaceful country where a monastery can be found hanging on the cliffside? With an array of diverse cultures steeped in history and a plethora of UNESCO world heritage sites, Asia is full of spectacular places that will surely appeal to your sense of adventure.

"Will not switching my phone off result in a plane accident?"
This is one question that has mystified plane passengers for decades, especially those who had to begrudgingly quit a game halfway on their phone. The short answer is, yes. In fact, there have been at least 2 cases of plane crashes due to suspected mobile interference in history: the Crosshair Flight 498 incident in 2000, and a fatal crash in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2003. The potential of mobile phone interfering with flights not only exist while it is being used, but also when it lies dormant. That is why passengers are requested to switch their phone to flight mode or turn it completely off.

"Is travel insurance really essential?"
A hundred-percent yes. While you may associate the absence of travel insurance with cost savings, the risks you are taking are often not worth it. Travel insurance covers a wide range of the most frequently occurred incidents, from flight delays, to injuries sustained overseas to lost belongings. If you are a frequent traveller, there will be a higher risk of such incidents occurring. At the end of the day, when it comes to travelling, there really is no substitution for a peace of mind.

With the right insurer, the ins and outs of travel insurance can be easy to understand. If you have any queries regarding travel insurance, find out more here or feel free to reach out to us here.

*Source: http://safecities.economist.com/safe-cities-index-2017

An activity that has grown in popularity over the years, whitewater rafting is the perfect sport for thrill seekers and water sports enthusiasts. Whitewater refers to the extremely fast rapids of the river, and requires great skill and dexterity to navigate through it. If you’re looking for a place to try this, check out Mae Taeng River in Thailand where they have rapids of varying difficulty levels, from Class II to Class IV. However, if you’re up for a challenge, there is always Mayhka River in Myanmar. Dubbed the ‘Everest of Rivers’, there are gorges along the river where Class V to VI rapids await the daredevil in you.

We’ve all probably seen it at one point—the iconic picture of hot air balloons floating across limestone spires and caves in Cappadocia, Turkey. But do you know there’s a place in Asia that offers similar breathtaking sights? Take to the skies in Bagan, Myanmar, and be treated to an awe-inspiring view of ancient temples and the beautiful Inle Lake.

If you’re not intimidated by heights, Asia has some great places for bungee jumping. Check out the bungy tower at AJ Hackett Sentosa in Singapore, where you can also experience the beach life, or The Last Resort in Nepal where you can plunge towards a daunting tropical gorge. If that’s not extreme enough for you, take a step up by leaping off the Macau Tower in China—the world’s highest jumping site at 233 metres. Due to its tremendous height, special bungee chords, guide cables, and a recovery system had to be developed.

We’ve all seen it—from blockbuster action films to aspirational commercials. There’s just something about jumping off the plane and falling through the air that gets us. Visit Dubai, a country which is gaining a reputation as one of the best places to skydive in Asia. Leap off the plane and witness a stunning view of the skyline and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. If that’s not extreme enough for you, Thailand offers skydiving altitudes up to 14,000 feet (4,300 metres), one of the highest in Asia. With some of the most scenic seaside locations in the world, you’ll definitely be in for a treat.

As adventurous as you may be, don’t jump in without the safety net of travel insurance. Some travel insurance policies provide optional coverage for adventurous activities as an add-on, which would be extremely handy for the astronomical cost of emergency medical treatment should the need ever arise. Find out more about the risks below!

Not sure what type of coverage there is? Click here to find out more about our travel insurance.

In this case, Car B, C, and D all failed to keep a safe braking distance and were unable to stop in time.
They are all liable for the cars they rear-ended each. Only Car A is not at fault.

In this case, Car D would be liable for all damages caused in the chain collision due to his failure to keep a safe braking distance.

While this case closely resembles Scenario A, it has additional complications. In the majority of cases, the car(s) at the back are liable for the accident due to a failure in keeping a safe braking distance. Without camera evidence of Driver A’s reckless driving behaviour, he could be able to avoid liability even though he is at fault. That is why installing a front and rear car camera is so important. In cases where there is a lack of evidence, hiring a lawyer and/or having eyewitnesses would be Driver B, C, and D’s best chances of avoiding liability.

When it comes to multi-car crashes, it can be very difficult to establish who was at fault. While police investigators can strive to do their best to determine the liability fairly, it may not always be in your favour—especially if your car has no cameras installed and there is no evidence to support your case.

This is where insurance comes in handy. A good car insurance policy can help to reduce your liability and cover the damage done to other vehicles. It is valuable in Scenario B, where the driver has a number of claims stacked against him. It is especially helpful in Scenario C where the drivers are at fault only in the eyes of the unsuspecting law. However, subject to your policy terms, do note that you may still need to pay an excess before your insurer pays out your full liability.

Car accidents are never straightforward, not even if it only involves two vehicles. If you want to find out more about car insurance, click here or reach out to us here.

When it comes to car insurance, most cars follow a general rule of thumb: the older the vehicle, the higher the premiums. That is because older cars have a higher tendency of getting damaged due to wear and tear. On the other hand, newer cars usually have the latest technology and safety features that lower the chances of accidents.

Tip: If you have an older car, consider adding new safety technology such as blind spot sensors and a forward collision warning system.

For some insurers, the nature of your job matters. For example, a sales agent may have to drive to different locations on a daily basis, thus increasing the risk of accidents and his insurance premium. On the other hand, a HR executive may only drive during off-peak hours, which makes him less likely to get into accidents. As a result, he may have a lower insurance premium.

Tip: If you drive frequently for work purposes, having a company car insured under your company’s name would be your best option.

Some insurers develop their own vehicle safety rankings by using data from customers’ claims and analysing industry safety reports. Flashy and expensive cars are often deemed more susceptible to damage and theft, leading to higher insurance rates.

Tip: Before purchasing a car, do some background research to find out whether it has strong safety ratings by checking with your insurance agent.

If you have a history of getting into driving accidents, you will likely have to pay a higher rate of car insurance due to perceived bad driving habits. On the flip side, a clean driving record could be useful for getting a discount.

Tip: Develop safe driving habits such as braking, cornering, and accelerating with care. This would greatly reduce the likelihood of getting into accidents. In addition, it is always good to check in with your agent a year after purchasing your car insurance, especially if your record is unblemished. Chances are, you could be in line for a discount.

Get more out of your insurance by having a better understanding of the coverages and limitations. Read on here to find out more about our motor insurance plans.

Be it the backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower or the Seoul Forest in Korea, it is an emerging trend for budding photographers to travel overseas in search of the perfect picture. The need to bring along your camera equipment would mean that there is a risk of it being damaged or even lost in transit. To reduce any potential repair or replacement costs, look out for travel insurance plans that provide coverage for luggage loss or damage.

Being a foodie at heart, you’re always on the lookout for new and interesting kinds of food on your trip. But as much as you may enjoy trying the local street food in a foreign country, it would be wise to only do so when you have insurance protection at hand. That is because food poisoning cases are not uncommon overseas and can chalk up high medical costs. As such, do look out for travel insurance coverage that includes hospital benefits abroad.

When visiting a different country, there are few better ways to sightsee than going on a road trip—just think about driving down that incredibly scenic Great Ocean Road in Australia. Unless you have friends or relatives lending you the keys to their cars, most people would choose the rental option. If you know that you will be renting a car overseas, do some research on the excess (or deductible or similar condition) which makes you liable for the loss or damage to the vehicle from the rental agency. And after your research, make sure that your travel insurance is able to cover at least some part of that excess.

Children can be more susceptible to food poisoning in a different country, as well as knocks and injuries in hotels that may not be child-proof. With this in mind, it is wise to purchase family insurance packages that not only cover for your whole family (including kids and the elderly), but could also be offered at a cheaper rate when compared to individual travel policies.

Heading overseas for work instead of leisure? Unlike people on a vacation, it can be very stressful and hectic for you. If you’re headed to a new country, the food and weather can also take some getting used to.

As a result, your immune system may be weakened, making you more prone to falling ill overseas. If you travel for business frequently, an annual travel plan that covers overseas doctor visits could be just the thing for you.

Want to find out more about travel insurance? Click here to read on.

Not all home insurance policies provide coverage for flood damage, but it is fast becoming essential to homeowners. Rising global temperatures have led to extreme weather changes and rising sea levels, which in turn has led to more floods around the world. Some areas that have been recently affected include
Vietnam and Thailand, where countless homes were submerged or damaged as a result of torrential rain in 2017*. As such, it is wise to consider insurance plans that include flood coverage, such as MSIG’s Houseowner Insurance.

Real estate prices fluctuate in the market all the time. Some people reduce insurance on their home to get more savings when the value of their homes drop—but you should refrain from doing so. That is because the price of rebuilding your home remains the same, no matter your real estate value. In the case of an 
unfortunate disaster, you will likely have to fork out a fortune.

Most home insurance plans have limitations for claims regarding your personal possessions found in your home. For example, you may have expensive furniture and home appliances that total up to a large sum—but the coverage you have is limited to much less than that. Before purchasing any home insurance, always make a list of all your important home contents, especially those that cost above $1,000. That way, you can check whether your chosen home insurance plan contains or matches the value of both your home and the contents inside it.

While lower premiums can represent savings in the long term, they may not necessarily be the best option. Some insurance policies may have removed certain important aspects such as flood coverage so as to bring down the price of a policy and entice more buyers. Tip: Identify your insurance needs and priorities before
going to any insurer, such as whether you live in an area that is prone to floods. Doing so will help to keep your needs top-of-mind before the price.

The key to avoiding costly mistakes lies in understanding home insurance. Find out more about the different home insurance plans we have available here.

*https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/floods-landslides-in-vietnam-kill-37-people-thousands-evacuated

No. Contrary to what its name suggests, fire coverage usually cover a range of incidents—from explosions to floods to aircraft impact. The type of incidents they cover vary from plan to plan, so make sure you’re signing up for a package that is relevant to your needs. For example, if your area is prone to floods, make sure that it is included within the coverage.

Sometimes. Home insurance plans can provide 1) home contents coverage only, 2) structural coverage only, or 3) both home contents and structural coverage. Due to these variations, it is important to be clear on the policy terms and coverage, or speak to an expert to understand what you’re signing up for.

Not really. In most cases, fire coverage can cover expenses incurred by a fire that did not start in your home. If a fire breaks out in your neighbour’s house and spreads over to yours, you can depend on your insurer to cover any damages to home contents if you have a home insurance policy in place.

Absolutely not. For many families, emergency funds may not be readily available or enough to cover all the costs of an incident. These include repair costs of any damage to house structure, replacement costs of home contents, as well as expenses spent on alternative accommodation during the repair period. Investing in a home insurance plan with fire coverage can prevent any home-related incident from becoming a huge financial burden.

Find out more about fire coverage in our home insurance policies here.

To minimise the risks of accidents, pay your workshop a visit one week before your trip. Check the brake fluid and car tyres, and get your oil and oil filters changed if needed. Also ensure that you have all the emergency equipment you need, such as a spare tyre, a first aid kit, and a reflective warning triangle.

As anything can happen on the road, it would be wise to choose an insurance plan with an emergency hotline that can assist you for towing, lockout, or batter jumpstart services, such as MSIG’s Motor Vehicle Package Insurance. That way, you know that help is available when you need it.

Maps can easily be found in the app store or online these days. However, some places may not have Wi-Fi and you may also want to save on data usage. To get around this, download those maps, or better yet, plot your route in advance into your phone so that you can access it even when you’re offline.

Driving can be tiring and monotonous, especially on long straight roads. As such, stay away from carbohydrates and sugary treats such as white bread and pastries that can make you sleepy. Instead, consider trail mix and nuts to give you a sense of fullness and energy.

Dehydration can also lead to drowsiness, so make sure you are constantly hydrated and stay away from carbonated drinks. Most importantly, alcoholic beverages are a huge no-no. Motor insurance provides useful coverage for fortuitous accidents, but not for those under the influence of alcohol

Having a comprehensive motor insurance plan can set your heart at ease for an awesome road trip. Find out more about the various motor insurance plans we have available here.

Go for medical check-ups at least once a year. In many cases, people were unable to file for claims because existing body ailments were not known and declared. Tip: Before meeting your insurance agent, bring along your updated medical records so that they can point out any red flags.

Knowing your own state of health is the bare minimum, but it doesn’t stop there. If your family has a history of medical conditions such as high blood pressure or asthma, you may be more prone to them. No matter how fit or healthy you are, your gene pool is predetermined. Keep your family medical history in mind when looking out for health insurance policies to ensure they provide coverage for specific conditions.

If you find yourself on flights regularly, you probably would have experienced falling sick overseas due to the change in weather, food, or even stress. Seeking medical treatment in another country can often be expensive due to complications such as the absence of medical records and language barriers. In some severe but exceptional cases, you may even need to be transported back home. An insurance plan that includes transportation and/or local hospitalisation would be a wise choice.

Do you smoke or drink? When you are applying for health insurance, you are usually asked this question. Smoking and drinking usually lead to a higher premium but there are harsh penalties if you are found guilty of deception. Most importantly, you will lose your insurance benefits immediately and will face obstacles when applying for insurance in the future.

Even if you already have insurance, you should still review your coverage yearly. Make sure that you are kept up-to-date with any changes to your insurance plan. For example, every plan covers differing tiers of medication. A medication that you take regularly could be shifted to a higher tier that results in a higher premium, or even be removed entirely. Switching to another plan will make sense in this case.

Always make clarifications if you’re unsure about something. If you’ve got any questions about healthcare insurance, you can reach out to us here or find out more here.