Singapore Expats

We are moving over in Jan for 2 years what is the best bet for GOOD full medical insurance for ex pats.

Chippie - the question has been asked here many times, including by myself! Have a look using the search function here for medical insurance and familiarise yourself with the differences between back in Oz and here.

Secondly, remember that if you have EXPAT insurance, that will NOT cover you if you are on a return trip to OZ.

Thridly, I am assuming you have some form of private health cover in OZ. You should ask your current provider about suspending it. This way, you don't pay the premiums while you are away, and ALSO you are not penalised if you return and try to take up health insurance again (this is a double whammy - the FedGov hits you if you simply terminate, as it figures you have ceased cover, and therefore you then get the age uplift if you rejoin a health fund back in Oz, and secondly the premiums will be higher with your health fund of choice as they will have deemed you to have ceased cover - so you will be treated as a new customer with all the usual waiting periods etc.)

And finally - are you paying for expat insurance yourself, or will your company pay it? If the company is paying for it then make sure they also include TRAVEL insurance, which is different. If you are paying for it, consider local insurance and travel insurance back to Oz, but keep your existing insurance there.

Sound complicated? Yes, it is. I have done a heap of research on it for all the new employees that one business we're involved in here in SIN. But as usual, research takes time and that's my best suggestion - it's a good use of your time for peace of mind.

HTH, Mr. P

I own one complete medical insurance, which i can recommend to u. Do you still need it? Let me try to dig out the policy wording for you. Please PM me :O)

kiringal wrote:I own one complete medical insurance, which i can recommend to u. Do you still need it? Let me try to dig out the policy wording for you. Please PM me :O)

Tic - Tic - Tic

chippie wrote:We are moving over in Jan for 2 years what is the best bet for GOOD full medical insurance for ex pats.

We also are looking for a comprehensive medical insurance for when we arrive in June. The posts don't give names

Dadelaw - My 2 children and I are on separate coverage from my husband due to the limited coverage his company provides. We've signed up with InterGlobal and really pleased. I went through a recommended broker (based in HK - but we did everything over the phone/email - seamless). There was no hidden costs and he dealt directly with the insurance company. He also handled our switch over from another insurance provider who I wasn't pleased with. He also gave me the different costs for 10 different providers/plans for the same coverage so I could see the differences.

Barney Beaumont
[email protected]
PACIFIC PRIME INSURANCE BROKERS LTD
Hong Kong
Tel: (+852) 3588 2927

Yeh I used a guy from Kwiksure in HKG also - very professional company, so I vouch for them also.

Mr. P

sierra2469alpha wrote:Yeh I used a guy from Kwiksure in HKG also - very professional company, so I vouch for them also.

Mr. P

Funny - my contact from Kwiksure was in Singapore. I was also impressed by their level of service and knowledge of the industry.

I used this mob:

http://www.westcourts.com.au/expat.html

But remember, we all have specific requirements .. so check to see if yours are met.