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This article from Choice magazine features a Q&A format where readers ask questions and experts provide answers. The first question addresses a significant increase in car insurance premiums, and the expert explains that rising costs of car repairs and a "loyalty penalty" are contributing factors. The second question asks about the caffeine levels in decaf teas and coffees, as well as dark and milk chocolate. The nutrition expert provides general information on caffeine content in these products. The third question concerns the safety and effectiveness of using the self-cleaning feature on ovens. The household expert confirms that pyrolytic cleaning is safe and effective but advises keeping the kitchen well-ventilated during the process. The article also includes a section called "CHOICE Help," where a member's issue with a travel insurance claim is addressed by an insurance expert, who advises the member to challenge the insurer's decision and seek assistance from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). [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]

The article suggests best value policies and what to avoid in hospital cover. Topics include gold is the highest level of private hospital cover and if one wants health insurance that gives peace of mind for a hospital visit, a Gold policy is right, and considering Bronze if one is healthy and not planning a family but want back-up cover for broken bones and Basic hospital insurance policies stated to offer the lowest tier of cover at the lowest price point.

The article discusses insurance for pets such as cats and dogs and insurance policies related to emergency treatments. Topics discussed include policies that cover hospitalization, medicines, and vaccinations, accident cover for injuries such as broken bones, and Trupanion, an American pet insurer, that has been launched in Australia.

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.

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]

The article examines several options for hospital insurance policies. It references a guide from "CHOICE's" Best Buy hospital insurance policies which explain the different levels of coverage including full cover, restricted, and cover with exclusions. Best Buy insurance policies were found to guarantee an average savings of 591 dollars for full cover without an excess, 575 dollars for full cover with 500 dollars annual excess, and 617 dollars for restricted-cover policies with 1,000 dollars annual excess.

In the event of a total loss, you are entitled to the amount it would cost the insurer to replace your home and contents, up to your sum insured. A Health insurance expert Uta Mihm: You are absolutely right, Medicare covers part of your medical costs if you are a private patient. To be exact, Medicare covers 75% of the fee outlined on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (or MBS, the list of Medicare services subsidised by the Australian government). [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]

The author explains how Australians can maximise their benefits from extras insurance. A poll conducted in 2013 about how extra insurance offer value for money is also discussed. A diagram that shows average claim and payout for health extras is provided. The three levels of extras and their differences are also outlined.

The article looks at several extras and combined health insurance policies in Australia that offer cost-savings. The different types of extras cover are the top cover, medium cover and health singles cover. Companies that offer the best combined hospital and extras insurance are Mutual Community, PeopleCare and HCF. PeopleCare, AHM and Health Partners are best for providing extras insurance.

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 outlines several junk insurance that would help protect assets. It states that credit protection insurance covers the credit card, mortgage repayments, and personal loan if an individual get sick or lose job. It stresses that insurance against identity theft helps with the costs of dealing with identity fraud. It explains that mortgage insurance protects the lenders if the default on the loan and the home is sold for less than what an individual owe.