Insurance Guide

The issue of ‘Betterment’ How would you feel if you owned a car, was in an accident that was not your fault, and had an insurance provider offer to pay 70% of the value of the parts arguing that they actually ‘made the vehicle more valuable’? Chances are high that you probably will not be happy being stuck with a parts bill and ultimately a car with a decreased value because of the accident. While this may seem unfair, it’s a common practice of Hong Kong insurers to do exactly this. Before we explain about this practice, it would be a good idea to first establish how insurance compensation should work in the city.

'Deductible', also known as 'excess', is a pre-set amount in an insurance policy that the policyholder is required to pay to the insurer when a claim is made. For example, if the total amount of a claim is HKD $15,000, and the policy has an excess of HKD $5,000, the policyholder will then have to pay the deductible of HKD $5,000, and the remaining HKD $10,000 of the claim will be paid by the insurer. The amount of the deductible may vary with individual insurers. Deductibles vary by insurer and also by policy. Some policies have very high deductibles, while others may have no deductible at all. Generally speaking, the higher the excess, the lower the premium, and vice versa. Therefore, when comparing different car insurance plans, the excess is also an important consideration in addition to the premium. Hong Kong law does not set a minimum requirement for the sum insured for property damage, but most local insurers will provide third-party property coverage of HKD $2 million. Car insurance policies typically come with several deductibles, which may take effect depending on the situation or personal attributes of the insured when a claim is made.

Life insurance: you could say it’s a misnomer. In reality, life insurance only comes into effect upon your death, and because death is just a tad unpleasant to consider, many of us don’t think about life insurance – until it’s too late. Buy life insurance when you’re healthy and sound of mind, and you’ll be protecting yourself, your assets and your family for generations to come. Luckily, life insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all product: you can cover yourself for the short term or the long term, you can pay a little or a lot, and most importantly, you can find a policy that both fits your budget and provides your family and yourself with everything you need. Still not convinced? Read on for the top five reasons you should consider getting life insurance.

EV’s, or electric vehicles and cars, are still an enigma to many drivers. Although a lot has been written and spoken about them in recent times, they remain something of an unknown. Because of this, not many people have made the switch from petrol or diesel cars. Yet, looking ahead, one thing is absolutely certain -- we will all be driving electric cars in the not-too-distant future. Here, we dispel some of the myths and highlight the advantages of owning an electric car.

Summer is finally here, and for most people that means just one thing: it’s finally time for some much needed rest and relaxation. Ideally, when leaving home for more than just a few days, you want to put your home in the hands of a trustworthy house sitter. It’s one of the safest ways to make sure nothing bad happens while you are away. But if finding a friend to house sit isn’t an option, here are a few important tips you should review before skipping town, to make sure your summer getaway is as stress-free as possible.

Regarded as one of the more leisurely and relaxing games that people of all ages can play and enjoy, golf is the sporting choice for many men and women around the world seeking a non-contact sport. There are numerous health and fitness benefits to playing golf, such as spending several hours walking around a course and being to the elements, however good or bad they may be. But like all sports, golf does come with a risk. Accidents and injuries can affect even the most healthiest and fittest of golfers, regardless of age and ability. With this in mind, we look at the type of accidents that occur most frequently on the golf course.

Lots of things in Hong Kong are old, but very few can be called vintage – and even fewer are in perfectly restored or preserved condition. But this autumn, the public is invited to come and feast its eyes (and stomachs and eardrums) on some of Hong Kong’s best classic cars, motorcycles, and auto-mobilia.

How to stop your car from overheating (and what to do if it does) Driving in warm weather can be wonderful; with the windows down and the radio on, a pleasant drive to the sea can be a great way to relax. What’s not relaxing, however, is hanging around by the side of the road waiting for your car to be towed because the engine has overheated. Whizzing along in the car whilst temperatures soar outside, then, is an infinitely more attractive prospect than having temperature’s soar under the hood, which can swiftly turn a casual day out into a full-blown nightmare. Check out our guide below to learn how to detect the vital signs, and thereby prevent, identify and remedy your car overheating.

Any parents who’ve purchased a car or minivan in the last decade have likely had a conversation about whether or not to get a TV in the backseat. Although having a TV in the car is not a new concept; auto televisions made their debut in 1997, but certain questions still arise today: Is it worth the price? Are they safe? Here are some of the pros and cons of having a TV in your automobile.

As of September 2012, there were over 645,000 cars registered to travel across the 2,090 kilometers of roads; giving Hong Kong one of the most heavily used road networks in the world. Road safety has been established as a 2013 priority by the Hong Kong Police Commissioner - in particular, the Commissioner wants to see a reduction in fatal and serious accidents through a series of initiatives to deter drink driving, drug driving and illegal racing. Despite a growing population and an increase in vehicle registrations, the number of accident fatalities in Hong Kong has remained at a relatively low level for the city’s population. In 2012, there were 119 traffic accident fatalities, and the fact that this is the second lowest figure on record since 1955 shows a concerted effort to minimize accidents. Road safety is also aided by the fact that all vehicles in Hong Kong must be registered and licensed; likewise, commercial and goods motor vehicles in must undergo annual examinations to ensure they meet Road Traffic Regulations before they can have their license renewed. Safety technology in cars has experienced a quantum leap in the past few years, with advances spurred on by governments in order to lessen the loss of life and injuries, as well as give automotive manufacturers a competitive edge. “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general. We explore a range of some of the safest cars available in Hong Kong to keep you and your family secure on the roads: Volvo XC60 Long renowned for their focus on safety features, Volvo has further built upon their reputation with the XC60. This car includes a range of traditional Volvo safety features such as a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system, dynamic stability and traction control, inflatable curtain airbags, and roll stability control. A particularly relevant feature of the XC60 within Hong Kong’s congested streets is the City Safety mode which helps to avoid collision by constantly monitoring the traffic ahead and activating the brakes if a car ahead stops suddenly. Mercedes Benz B Class For those that have safety as a priority, the Mercedes Benz B Class has been rated extremely highly, coming close to achieving a perfect score of 36.78 (out of 37) by independent crash testing group ANCAP. Mercedes has a three phase safety system designed to prevent, avoid and minimize damage from an accident. With dual front airbags, front airbags and head protecting side curtains, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control. One of the more innovative features of the Mercedes B Class is the optional PRE-SAFE system which activates preventative safety systems to reduce the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For example, the system uses electric belt tensioners to secure the driver and passengers to their seats in the early stages of an accident. BMW 3 Series With an emphasis on providing a safer driving experience through technological innovation, the BMW 3 Series includes a range of high tech safety features: a heads up display that allows drivers to keep their focus on the road; and a range of radars and cameras to monitor conditions and warn the driver of lane changes and vehicles coming too close. Further improvements include a front camera on the interior mirror that keeps track of traffic signs; recognizing speed restrictions and overtaking bans. The camera can monitor signs that are both posted at the side of the road and mounted above the carriageway. Volkswagen Passat German engineering has once again delivered a car that utilizes cutting edge technology to improve comfort and safety. Front, side and even overhead airbags ensure that the driver and passengers are protected in the event of an accident. Anti-lock braking and stability control are in place, and seatbelt pretensioners automatically tighten seatbelts to place the occupant in the optimal seating position during a collision. Furthermore, a fatigue detection system is standard on all Volkswagen models ensuring that drivers don’t fall asleep at the wheel, a major factor in vehicular accidents. Toyota RAV4 The ever reliable RAV4 has been redesigned with a new sports style and a range of safety upgrades. Eight airbags are standard, including a new drivers knee airbag, dual front airbags and a stability control unit. Two new safety systems, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, are optional extras that make the 2013 RAV4 a worthy candidate for consideration. Nissan Murano Nissan has taken some considerable steps forward in creating a vehicle that aids the driver by judging road conditions, and making proactive safety adjustments - the Murano is designed to prevent a crash rather than simply deploy airbags after one has already occurred. Revolutionary features like “lane departure prevention” use a monitoring device to recognize if a driver is sleepy, and swivels the car back into its lane if it swerves off course. The Nissan Murano hosts a suite of safety features such as brake assist, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and Vehicle Dynamic Control. Suzuki Swift 1.4 While it is a smaller car than many of the other vehicles on this list, the Suzuki Swift has received a number of accolades including being awarded 63 Car of the Year awards across 19 countries. Its safety credentials belie its size and price tag, with a range of standard features that are often added extras in other models. Featuring dual front, side and curtain airbags, antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC), the Suzuki Swift is an affordable option for those that have a focus on safety. Honda CRZ Responding to a perceived need in the market for a sporty hybrid, Honda responded with the latest iteration of the CRZ. Like the Swift, the Honda CRZ proves that you don’t need to have a large budget to get the benefits of a safe vehicle. With a five star ANCAP rating, traction control system to maintain grip on slippery surfaces, ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution technology and of course six airbags, the Honda CRZ is a worthwhile addition to this list.

Enjoy hammering the throttle down the freeway and feeling the wind rush through your hair? Here are a selection of five of the best convertible cars that will help save the earth and save you money in the long run. There are few better ways to take on the highway than in a convertible. Cruising along the open road with the wind rushing through your hair and the sun in your face is an exhilarating experience unmatched by more traditional means of transportation. With increasing concern about the environmental impact of motorised transport, and the increasing costs of fuel, there has been a push towards more fuel efficient vehicles. We explore some of the best options for an eco-friendly thrill ride.

So it turns out the internet isn’t just for looking at pictures of cats (who knew?), you can also use it to diagnose your medical maladies. WebMD is one of numerous online diagnosis sites that have popped up in the last few years. If and when you’re sick, these sites allow you to list your symptoms and see what the probable causes are. This is done either by searching the symptoms directly, or clicking through diagrams of the anatomy and selecting suggestions for what your symptoms may be. Once you’ve submitted these symptoms, a list pops up of the potential ailments that the all-knowing doctor of the interweb believes may explain your symptoms. In this hi-tech, fast paced, instant gratification era that we’re all living in, sites such as WebMD are becoming increasingly popular. Let’s face it, anyone with a laptop or smartphone and a propensity for being too lazy to arrange a Dr’s appointment has used one. We’ve all woken up with a rash, or a sore throat, maybe a body part looks a bit swollen, and we can’t face the hassle of making an appointment with the doc, taking the day off work and sitting in a doctor’s office full of sickly, sneezing, potentially contagious types, only to be told we simply have a common cold or have a mild allergy to our new detergent. Instead, we whip out our smartphone and tap away explaining to WebMD what’s sore or swollen or leaking, and the internet tells us “all is ok, no appointment is necessary, go about your day as normal” or, what seems more likely on these sites “Warning! You absolutely have x,y,z and every other letter of the alphabet, death is im­minent!”. Clearly, there are reasons why self-diagnosis is not such a grand idea. Namely, we haven’t seen WebMD’s medical qualifications - where did this great wise interweb doctor do his 7 years of medical school? More importantly, if you’re self diagnosing with your laptop, there goes your chance of getting a lollipop from the nurse for being a good patient. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of using online diagnostic sites to see whether this is the way forward for healthcare or a misguided fad.