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The given document is a table comparing different home and contents insurance policies offered by various companies. It provides information such as the name of the insurance policy, ratings for different aspects of the policy, coverage limits, excess amounts, and additional features. The purpose of the table is to provide library patrons with a quick overview of different insurance options available to them. It is important for individuals to carefully review the policy's fine print and consider their specific needs before making a decision. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the rising cost of private health insurance in Australia, with an average industry-wide price increase of 3.03%. However, some policyholders are paying significantly more than the average increase, especially for Gold policies. The article offers recommendations for the best value hospital and extras policies for different categories of individuals, such as healthy singles and couples, families, and seniors. It also provides advice on how to avoid overpaying for health insurance and includes tables comparing different policies and their premiums, as well as information on annual limits and waiting periods. This information can be helpful for library patrons researching private health insurance options, including seniors who are looking for the best hospital cover and extras. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of having Basic-level private health insurance in Australia. It explains that having private health insurance can help individuals avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge, an additional tax for those who don't have private hospital cover. However, Basic-level policies provide very little coverage and are not recommended for health cover. The article also provides information on different levels of health cover, claiming the rebate at tax time, and the Lifetime Health Cover loading for individuals over the age of 31. It concludes by listing the cheapest Basic policies in each state and their premiums. [Extracted from the article]

We gave the pet insurance industry a Shonky award in 2019, but since then most insurers have engaged with CHOICE and made positive changes to their policies. "I changed pet insurers in the last 12 months due to my original insurer having significant premium increases", one pet owner told us. Pre-existing conditions Previously, if your pet had a particular illness before you took out a pet insurance policy, that illness might have been excluded from their cover - especially if they experience the same symptoms again. PEACE OF MIND Having pet insurance means that if an unexpected accident occurs or if your pet needs treatment, some or most of the financial burden will be lifted and you can focus on getting the best care for your pet. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Choice magazine features a Q&A format where readers ask questions on various topics and experts provide answers. The first question is about finding health insurance policies that allow individuals to choose specific services they want coverage for. The expert recommends using a health insurance tool on the Choice website to find suitable policies. The second question is about soundbars for improving TV audio quality, specifically regarding the lip sync feature. The expert explains that lip sync depends on the TV's settings and suggests checking if the TV allows manual adjustment before considering a soundbar with lip sync. The third question is about cost-effective ways to warm a large open space for long periods of time. The expert suggests warming up the body with an electric heated throw or hot water bottle, making space adjustments, and using a reverse-cycle air conditioner as the most efficient option. [Extracted from the article]

Gift cards are a popular and convenient present option, with Australians predicted to spend over $10 billion on them in 2023. However, there have been numerous complaints about gift cards, particularly regarding premature expiry. In 2019, new laws were introduced to address this issue, requiring gift cards to have a minimum 3-year expiry period and no fees charged after purchase. There are exceptions to these rules, and it is important to choose a card with a long expiry date, check the balance, be mindful of specialty purchases, and treat the card like cash to avoid any issues. If a business goes bankrupt, consumers may have limited options for recovering the value of their gift card. [Extracted from the article]

BUYING A STANDALONE POLICY If Ava has lower health cover needs, she could take out a standalone Medibank Bronze Everyday ($750 excess) and Essential Extras policy instead of joining the family policy. Given that a single policy usually costs about 50% of a family policy, it's smart to keep your kids on your family policy while there's no additional cost. Cost of family policy: $7979* Cost of extended family policy (including Ava): $10,010* Additional cost to include Ava: $2031 per year (without the health insurance rebate). [Extracted from the article]

The biggest health funds have some bad value policies, though we do rate highly some of their other policies in our online health insurance comparison. And it's no wonder, considering about 8 in 10 health insurance policies belong to the five biggest health funds - Bupa, HBF, HCF, Medibank and NIB. All three funds let you keep the discount if you switch cover or if you currently hold a discount with another fund and switch to them. [Extracted from the article]

Financial counsellors will help people struggling with BNPL debts and can even advocate on their behalf Getting help with BNPL debt If you find yourself struggling to keep up repayments to a BNPL service, there are concrete steps you can make to take control. 76% of BNPL users had struggled to make repayments THE SUMMER ISSUE Tackling BNPL debt When it comes to facing your finances, the first port of call is to address any debts. NEED TO KNOW £ As the cost of living rises, more and more people are succumbing to buy now, pay later (BNPL) debt. Start 2023 in control of your finances by dedicating some time to getting on top of any BNPL (buy now, pay later) debt, making sure your savings account is the best one for you, and giving your superannuation a health check. [Extracted from the article]

Portable contents insurance is a type of insurance that covers valuable items outside of the home, such as electronics, jewelry, musical instruments, and sporting equipment. There are two options for coverage: unspecified or unlisted, where items are treated as part of general contents, and specified or listed, where specific items are covered for a set amount. It is important to read the fine print, as there may be an excess fee for claims. Different insurers have different excess fees, so it is important to choose a policy that aligns with the value of your items. [Extracted from the article]

Health insurance premiums have increased by an average of 3.03% as of April 1st, with some individuals experiencing even higher increases. This is particularly true for those who recently upgraded to a top-cover Gold policy. Over the past three years, the price of Gold policies from major insurance providers has significantly risen. It is recommended to shop around for the best deal, as there are substantial differences in cost between policies offering the same coverage. Loyalty discounts are not offered by insurers, so staying with the same provider may result in higher costs. If your premiums have increased more than the average, you are encouraged to contact healthinsurance@choice.com.au and share your experience. [Extracted from the article]

Although these policies are usually a little cheaper than the Gold policy from the same fund, they're sometimes more expensive than Gold policies from other insurers that give you more cover and cost less. There are four levels of hospital insurance: GOLD Gold is the best insurance if you want peace of mind. Lukes Gold Hospital750206ACT GOLD RESTRICTED MEMBERSHIPCBHS Comprehensive (Gold)750195Doctors' Prime Choice Gold750215Teachers Top Hospital (Gold)500207NSW GOLDMildura Five Star Gold - F4750202St. [Extracted from the article]

So if you suspect your pet could have a preexisting condition and want to take out pet insurance for the first time or switch insurers, ask lots of questions and get the answers in writing. The biggest problem with pet insurance was that you were locked into your current policy if your pet developed a health condition. But insurers will now cover new customers for their pets' pre-existing conditions if those conditions are fully cured. [Extracted from the article]

A CHOICE home heating and cooling expert Chris Barnes: As far as I am aware, there's no evidence that Wi-Fi devices have any effect on pacemakers. Q I have heard that it is illegal for health funds to charge me for health insurance when I am travelling overseas (because I can't use my cover). A CHOICE insurance expert Uta Mihm: Health insurers usually allow you to suspend your cover while travelling, but as you have noted, they normally have a minimum period such as four or eight weeks. [Extracted from the article]

SUPERANNUATION FUNDS Some superannuation funds offer members health insurance discounts, including Care Super (GMHBA, HCF and NIB) and Telstra Super (HCF). Three ways to get a discount There are three easy ways to get a discount on your health insurance: Corporate discounts: Provided by employers, super funds, associations, clubs and mutual banks. Private health insurance legislation allows health funds to give a discount of up to 12% off the cost of your premium. [Extracted from the article]

A gap is simply the difference between what Medicare and your private health fund will pay towards your treatment, and what your doctor or hospital charges. Best health funds for gap cover We rate health funds on the percentage of services for which the member had no or a known (up to $500) gap cover. In looking to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, you should take two basic steps: STEP 1: FIND A SURGEON WHO CHARGES REASONABLE FEES Call your health fund and ask for a list of their no-gap doctors and agreement hospitals. [Extracted from the article]

Shopping around for home insurance can lead to significant savings, as nine out of 10 policyholders have experienced an increase in premiums. It is recommended to obtain quotes from at least three insurers, including an online quote from the current insurer. By analyzing quotes, it was found that there are large differences in prices between the cheapest and most expensive policies in each state, with potential savings of up to $4665 in NSW. A sample of 2000 online quotes collected in July 2023 was used for this analysis. For more information and price ratings on over 50 home insurance policies, visit choice.com.au/homeinsurance. [Extracted from the article]

Mental health conditions are disproportionately impacting young people (15-24 years old), according to a recent report from the private health insurance industry's peak representative body. The Private Healthcare Australia report shows that in 2022, one in three people under the age of 30 who had a private health insurance claim over $10,000 were hospitalised for mental health. [Extracted from the article]

We explained to Amanda that under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), warranties are separate from consumer guarantees. These consumer guarantees are separate from the manufacturer's warranty, which means that even if the dishwasher is already out of warranty, you may still be protected. Under the consumer guarantees of the Australian Consumer Law, goods purchased come with automatic guarantees that they are of "acceptable quality", meaning they should be safe, durable and free from defects for a reasonable period of time. [Extracted from the article]

Travel money card tips Make sure the card allows the currencies you'll need, and also consider stopovers. TRAVEL MONEY OZ CURRENCY PASS (MASTERCARD) The Travel Money Group is owned by Flight Centre and is a foreign exchange retailer. Watch out for: fees to load the card - either a percentage of the total or a flat fee ATM withdrawal fees a cross currency fee or margin when you use the card in a currency you haven't preloaded further fees if you close the account or haven't used the card for a period of time. [Extracted from the article]

A CHOICE mattress expert Peter Zaluzny: We haven't tested bases, just mattresses, so we can't point to a particular brand or definitively say if slats or an ensemble base are better. A CHOICE air conditioner expert Chris Barnes: I can't recommend the best brand of air conditioner with regard to mould. It is excellent, but the paddle gets so deeply embedded in the bread I destroy the first two inches of the bread cutting it out, and the bread falls apart when slicing it. [Extracted from the article]

Of the big insurers, two have already increased their premiums - HBF by an average of 4.49% on 1 April and Medibank/AHM by an average of 2.96% on 1 June, but the other three are delaying their increase until later this year: NIB will delay its 2.72% premium increase until 1 September 2023 (this includes Qantas Health). Due to COVID-19 and the fact that many people haven't been able to make full use of their health insurance policies, most private health funds are delaying their price increases until later in the year. [Extracted from the article]

Make sure your health fund has a contract with the day hospital, or talk to your specialist or their receptionist and ask if they can charge you under your fund's gap scheme. Day hospitals are increasingly popular for a range of medical procedures, but there are some things to know if you want to maximise your benefit from private health insurance if you need to visit one. Alternatively, you can switch to a fund that has a contract with your day hospital up to the day before the surgery. [Extracted from the article]

We found several low-fee debit cards that don't charge a foreign exchange fee or fees for purchases or ATM withdrawals, and also don't charge a monthly account fee. If you have a low-fee debit card that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee, the exchange rate you get is set by Visa or Mastercard and is usually better than the high exchange rate margins set by travel money cards. Low-fee debit cards are also a good option for ATM withdrawals in comparison with low-fee credit cards, as they don't charge a cash advance fee. [Extracted from the article]

Credit card processing fees are usually higher, costing businesses about 1 to 1.5% of the transaction value for Visa and MasterCard, and 1.5 to 2% for an American Express card. Q I bought tickets for an activity using my Visa credit card and was charged a 5% credit card surcharge. We'll be looking at how well it compares to a 1.2V rechargeable battery and to the current batch of NiMH rechargeable batteries, when used in devices that require more than a few AA batteries to operate. [Extracted from the article]

Q For an upcoming trip to Europe my local independent travel agent quoted $4291 for Cover-More travel insurance. A CHOICE travel expert Jodi Bird: It's not unusual for insurers to charge different prices for essentially the same product that is sold under different brands. A Health insurance expert Uta Mihm: Unfortunately it isn't possible to get tailored hospital insurance; you'll always be covered for some therapies that you won't need. [Extracted from the article]

Travel credit cards with no overseas online purchase or foreign exchange fees and a $0 annual fee (even for additional cardholders) can be a good alternative. THE TOP 3: Bankwest Zero Platinum Basic travel insurance; 14.99% purchase interest rate (21.99% cash advance interest rate); Higher of $4 or 2% cash advance fee; $6000 minimum credit limit. 28 Degrees Global Platinum No travel insurance, but some benefits in case of flight delay; 22.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances; Higher of $4 or 3% cash advance fee; $6000 minimum credit limit. [Extracted from the article]

Basic hospital insurance policies offer the lowest tier of health cover at the lowest price point. If you earn over $90,000 (or $180,000 for couples and families) and decide you don't need health cover but want to avoid paying extra tax, a Basic policy may be an option for you. [Extracted from the article]

When he asked again for a refund request to be made, the RAA Travel agent stated it would be Andrew's responsibility to put the refund request in writing to GSR. Q I have a Panasonic clock radio with AM/FM and battery backup which is getting past its use-by date. A CHOICE digital home products expert Denis Gallagher: I must admit I was surprised at how little choice there is for a simple clock radio with AM, but you can still find a couple of suitable models at JB HiFi and The Good Guys. [Extracted from the article]

A CHOICE health expert Uta Mihm: To get cover for wisdom teeth or dental implant surgery in a hospital you need both hospital and extras insurance. Some funds offer insurance that's harder to claim on (but still costs the same) for members who are working casually, part-time, as carers or those who are out of the workforce. The specifics of moving your super vary slightly from fund to fund but start by contacting the fund you've chosen. [Extracted from the article]

A pandemic-related travel cruise ban was lifted in late April, and many cruise lines have returned to Australia. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases, such as gastroenteritis, spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters." Even if your cruise doesn't leave Australian waters, you'll still need insurance, as doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers. [Extracted from the article]

Opinions about private health insurance were also sought: Positive points were good hospital and extras cover (such as dental check-ups), and some respondents said their policy was good in comparison to other policies. Private health insurance costs, emergency department wait times and access to mental healthcare were the biggest concerns of participants in a survey published in the Australian Healthcare Index. [Extracted from the article]

The consumer guarantees are separate from the manufacturer's warranty and may still apply even if the warranty attached to the product has already expired. We told Jon that unfortunately there are no legal standards on how long a product should last, but under Australian Consumer Law goods purchased come with automatic guarantees that they are of "acceptable quality", meaning they should be safe, durable and free from defects for a reasonable period of time. We suggested Jon write a formal complaint to the retailer, mentioning that he believes the dishwasher does not meet the consumer guarantee of "acceptable quality". [Extracted from the article]

While you will pay extra when you add a young driver to your policy, there are several things you can do to save on car insurance: Shop around - premiums for listed young drivers and young drivers driving their own car vary widely. Some insurers, like AAMI, will give you a discount if your young driver does their skilled driver training course. [Extracted from the article]

The usual time of health insurance price hikes - 1 April - has come and gone, but it's not too late to compare your health insurance and save. This year most health funds have delayed their premium increase. An excellent way to save money on your health insurance is to prepay your full annual premium before the increase comes into effect (so you can lock in the cheaper price). [Extracted from the article]

Some insurers also choose to cover the cost of insulin pumps in cases where hospitalisation isn't required - this is listed in the "Gold" group of cover options. If you have diabetes, you may need an insulin pump as part of your treatment. The cheapest ones are: • AAMI (NIB) Hospital Bronze Plus • Medibank Bronze Plus Progress • Suncorp (NIB) Hospital Bronze Plus. [Extracted from the article]

It's the second consecutive year of what is the lowest average yearly rise since 2001, but some funds will have bigger price hikes than others: the lowest increase will be Health Care Insurance at 1.09%, whereas CBHS Corporate will have the largest average increase for the second year in a row with a 5.33% price hike on average across its policies. Most health insurance premiums will increase on 1 April 2022 by an average of 2.7%. [Extracted from the article]

Before setting off, closely check the requirements of airlines, transit and destination countries (see smartraveller.com.au), as well as return arrangements to Australia. Travel insurance is essential, especially since some destinations require compulsory insurance cover. Since 1 November 2021, fully vaccinated Australians can depart Australia without seeking an exemption. [Extracted from the article]

Pet ownership experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported financial difficulties, concerns about COVID-19 transmission through pets or their pet passing away. Only 4% of pet owners felt negative about owning a pet during the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

As well as causing respiratory and other physical health problems, COVID-19 can also affect mental health. Through the plan, you can also access Medicare-subsidised visits to a mental health professional. If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health issues, it's a good idea to visit your GP who can assess and diagnose conditions, and make a mental health treatment plan with you. [Extracted from the article]

With lockdowns becoming a part of life in large swathes of the country, it's a good idea to consider if your extras insurance is giving you value for money. So if your extras insurance doesn't pay out more than your extras premium, switching to a better policy or dropping it altogether could be better value. Although health funds usually promote combined hospital and extras insurance policies, you may only need hospital health insurance, or extras cover - or even no health insurance at all. [Extracted from the article]