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The article examines the changes in health insurance products in Australia with reference to the reforms to be introduced by April 2019. Topics discussed include the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Basic product tiers; impacts of the reforms on insurance beneficiaries; overview of the insurance coverage according to each policy; and discount offerings for young people.

The article discusses strata insurance for residential buildings in Australia as of August 2017. It offers information on strata insurance which covers basic infrastructure in shared areas, lifts, gardens, fences, wiring, and liability for personal injury. Topics include the increase in the number of denied insurance claims, the factors contributing to denied claims, and the importance of disclosing defects when applying for insurance.

The article provides information on bicycle insurance in New South Wales, focusing on its coverage, ways to ensure a bicycle, and selecting the right insurance policy. Information is provided on various forms of bicycle insurance that may provide cover for bicycle and accessories, personal injury and loss of income, and third party injuries, as well as coverage for theft and damage, and tips to protect a bicycle from thieves.

The article examines the options for purchasing an insurance plan for private hospital services in Australia. Topics discussed include consideration of the type of coverage, benefits of a full protection plan that will not be used for several years and savings in the payment of premiums from the excess expense during admission to a hospital. Also mentioned are the hospital and medical gap payments, suspension of membership and coverage for family members.

The article looks at pet health insurance policies in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) claims that many insurers are vague on details about product disclosure statements for pet insurance policies including exclusions of pre-existing and ongoing conditions, co-payments, and premium payments even after the death of the pet. It cites consumer advice from the Financial Ombudsman Office (FOS) and presents a comparative evaluation of insurance brands and plans.

The article discusses the need for Australians to check how much they are paying for life insurance and what they will get in return. The 40 percent increase in insurance premiums for major industry super funds in 2013 is a development that could take bite-sized chunks out of Australians' retirement savings. Australians are advised to have cover through super to have life insurance.

The article focuses on the increase in premiums of home and contents insurance in Australia. According to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), the premium hikes are aimed at boosting profit margins and covering the inclusion of flood cover in policies. The government's insurance reform package includes a provision in which insurance policies that offer riverine flood cover must use the same definition by July 2014.

The article examines the various types of insurance policies that are being offered in the pet sector in Australia. It cites the report by the Australian Companion Animal Council, which showed that over six billion dollars were spent on pet maintenance in the country annually. Among the insurance coverage offers are the accident and illness cover, routine care and premiums.

Focuses on hospital insurance in Australia. Types of cover; Information on self-insurance; Tips for choosing the policy that suits an individual. INSETS: Switching to another policy;How we scored;Company contact and membership details.

Provides information on the nature of home building and contents insurance in Australia. Significance of home building and contents insurance; Factors to consider when buying the insurance; Reasons for dissatisfaction with some insurance policies.

Presents consumer advice about home and contents insurance available in Australia. Collapse of HIH Insurance; Recommendation that homeowners purchase insurance; Types of policies to buy; Cost considerations.

The article examines the car-sharing trend in Australia. Topics covered include how car-share spots are spread around cities and are becoming popular in new apartment blocks, how car sharing becomes a cost-effective option at around the 5000-kilometres (kms)-per-year mark, and insurance for car sharing schemes.

The article explains the traps in buying life insurance coverage. It examines how the life insurance calculators of insurance companies Allianz, Suncorp., and Real Insurance work using a scenario of a family of four with two children aged eight and 10. Figures considered in the calculation of the family's insurance coverage are current mortgage balance, current total loans and current superannuation balance. It cautions against transacting with financial advisers who deal in insurance products.

The article verifies data about the alleged underinsurance of Australians as claimed by the life insurance industry. Topics covered are the results of a 2008 survey on the life insurance coverage of Australians, the findings from research studies and reports on annual premium payments, insurance needs for parents aged 30 and 50, insurance claims by age group, and life insurance gap. Recommendations for the superannuation industry and the government are outlined.

Presents a guide for choosing a home and contents insurance policy in Australia. How much to insure for; Types of policies; What is covered; Policy features; How to buy insurance; Charts of the best buys in different regions of Australia; Details of individual companies. INSETS: Know Your Policy Document, and Be Persistent;Get Adequate Cover;No Worries;Bringing home the bacon--how to make a claim

Discusses information that can help Australians make decisions on taking out insurance policies for their homes. Costs across Australia; Buildings policies; Contents policies; Buildings cover; Contents cover; Policies with accidental damage cover; Company contact details and discounts; Policy contents; Amount of insurance to take out; Making a claim; Companies' handling of the claims. INSETS: Wider cover?.;Extra valuables and personal property cover.;Discount the cost..

The article examines several ways for Australians to avoid health insurance premium increase as of March 2016, highlighting the journal's study on the top insurance policies which outperform their competitors' cover and price. Health insurance premiums have reportedly been increasing, however the price for 2015 can be locked by renewing the policy for a year and paying an annual premium. Graphical representations of related key data are also presented.

The article calls for submissions of complaints regarding private health insurance in Australia as of August 2017 and for signing up on the Choice campaign web site located at choice.com.au/privatehealth to help improve private health insurance.

The article discusses involvement of consumer organization in consumer organization Choice. It mentions a law passed by the Australian government requiring that companies print the measurement mark in front of pack and adds CHOICE believes products should display their measurements upfront. It adds review of the value and affordability of private health insurance by Federal Parliament.

Several letters to the editor are presented concerning insurance in Australia including an issue about insurance against scammers, an article in the December 2013-January 2014 issue on the Australian Consumer Law, and an article in the February 2014 issue on people with mental illness getting a raw deal when it comes to accessing or claiming insurance.

The article discusses several important issues to consider when it comes to restricted health membership funds in Australia. It is mentioned that 245,000 people were covered by Defence Health from 2011 to 2012. It is noted that potential savings depend on the type of policy preferred. The solid track record of satisfied members is said to be a reason to check out restricted membership funds.

The article offers guidelines on financial independence for women in Australia. It cites a 2011 poll which revealed that a key barrier to women seeking financial advice is the emphasis placed on their partner's finances. It stresses that women who wait until they are older to seek financial help are vulnerable to financial risks. It advises taking advantage of the Spouse Contribution scheme, reading up on family assistance benefits and talking life and income protection insurance among others.

The article discusses the report from the Financial Rights Legal Centre in Australia which revealed that the culture of rejecting insurance claims in the insurance sector is widespread as of May 2016.

Analyzes the health system in Australia. Decline in the value for money from private health insurance; Stance of the government on private health insurance; Responsibility of the government to use limited sources in ways that deliver the best health outcomes.

Discusses the importance of repair costs when determining premiums for automobile insurance. Tests conducted by insurers; Low-speed crash results for various cars in the market; Repair costs for automobiles.

The article presents facts and fiction about the way insurance commissions work in Australia that include matters about payment by life insurance provider, insurers' claw back of commissions, and the commissions of advisers.

The article reports on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's response to the Financial System Inquiry's interim report as of October 2014 that highlights the insurance industry's dim view of insurance comparison web sites and cites the help they offer to consumers.

The article discusses a Rice Wartner Actuaries study that highlights the importance of life insurance coverage as enough for the basic needs of most Australians as super funds automatically provide them with the insurance.

The article reports that the Australian federal government has taken another step towards ensuring consumers who purchase insurance get equal protection as with other financial products with the release of a draft regulation impact statement addressing a legal technicality.

The article discusses the coverage and price for compulsory third party (CTP) insurance in various states in Australia in which it is noted that all drivers are covered under Victorian, Tasmanian and Northern Territory (NT) schemes while prices differ across the states.

The article offers news briefs in Australia. The research of World Action on Salt and Health reveals that salt content of Filet-O-Fish burger of McDonald's Corp. varies in different countries where in Australia has 1.4 grams (g) and U.S. has 0.08g. Coles Group Ltd. piloted its insurance market in Tasmania and if it is successful, it will be the first Australian supermarket on insurance sector. Microscopic dots are used to reduce bicycle theft, a known type of robbery in Australia.

The article reports on consumer credit insurance or repayment protection in Australia. The consumer credit insurance is offered if individuals apply for a credit card, personal loan or a home loan. It claims to cover repayments should the consumer become ill, unemployed, have an accident or die. The premium for the insurance is included in the amount consumers borrowed or may be deducted monthly from their credit card.

The article focuses on home insurance in Australia. It says that there are 3 insurance companies in the country that cover the full cost of rebuilding houses in spite of how much these houses are insured, while 2 firms pay 25 to 35% more than the sum of the insurance. The author remarks that the spirit of insurance should be about sharing risk or pooling the money of the many to cover others's mishaps.

This article talks about the proposal of the Australian government to launch a compensation scheme for investors who lose money as a result of the negligent or fraudulent actions of advisers. The proposed scheme requires that financial advisers hold professional indemnity (PI) insurance. The periodical wants a compensation fund set up to protect investors in situations where PI cover is not sufficient to meet a valid claim.

Reports on a complaint regarding the inclusion of children in the coverage of a family membership health insurance in Australia. Requirements for children under the coverage; Inability of health insurance companies to notify their members regarding the termination of coverage for children of insurance holders; Waiver offered by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman on waiting periods for the coverage.

Discusses how the health insurance rebate works for older people in Australia. Rate of increase in rebates given to aged Australians; Way to claim the rebate.

Reports the Private Health Insurance Administration Council's (PHIAC) appointment of an administrator for IOR Australia. Reasons for appointment; Repercussions of appointment.

Mentions the case of insurance company customers who were misled into completing policy premium forms instead of what they believed was a sweepstakes. Comments from the Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman; Advice on how to deal with deceptive correspondence.

Comments on home and contents insurance in Australia. View that there are big differences in terms of price and protection; Why it pays to be careful; Research which shows that premiums are on the rise; Inadequacy of some policies; Comparisons of tax rates worldwide.

Offers an update to Australians on travel insurance, previously reported in the magazine's November 2000 issue. Insurers' reluctance to sell travel insurance to people who stay in youth hostels.