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Insurances
I visited my insurance guy today.
Some weeks ago I called him for a professional insurance: as an independent you better have some insurances in case something happens (like breaking a Chinese vase at your client or so :) )
Few years ago, I already checked a lot on insurances, travel insurances that is...
The conclusion was rather simple: double check, since any way or another you'll be paying several stuff double.
Hat tips on the matter:
-If you travel for not longer than 3 months, your social insurance is covering most of the necessities, except for when you go to countries in war. So no need for that extra travel insurance.
-If you go longer, or to a country in war, opt for a Europe Assistance.
-Travel and cancallation insurance for each trip: a waste of money, ask your bank for a MasterCard Gold, pay 30 euro a year, and you get a lot of extra stuff, cancel insurance, anti-loss and anti-theft included as well.
-For a good camera and or portable check Dexia or KBC for a decent theft insurance, but be aware it won't come cheap.
I discovered I was paying several stuff twice, and I can tell you, it wasn't because I am stupid ;)
But back to the 'normal' insurances: the motorcycle, the fire insurance, the BA and whatever.
After some calculations of my great insurance guy, it turned out I get the whole package (fire, property, theft, family insurance, professional insurance, and the motorcycle) for the same price I was paying the motorcycle insurance.
I can tell you I didn't hurt to sign those new contracts.
The best thing: he proposed to check this stuff before I mentioned it.
My advise: find yourself a good insurance guy, and have your insurances checked.
Try to locate them on one spot as you'll get good package deals. (I mean really good package deals.)
Frankly speaking, I really decided not to give it to my bank directly (though my insurances are actually with the same bank now, through the agent.)
The service of a good agent is really worth the extra pennies when you'll be in trouble (I can assure you it is really nice to call someone who runs for you.)
Calling your agent is one phone call, and you'll might be surprised about the money it saves you.
I'll be spending the 300 euro elsewhere ;)
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Posted on May 25, 2007
in randomness
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Comments (3)
Comments
I did the same a few months ago and I was also paying lots of stuff twice. Insurances are complicated and boring as hell and I truly hate to spend time on it.
Little detail: if you want to benefit the Visa/Mastercard travel insurance, you need to pay your trip with those credit cards!
Posted by Bart | May 25, 2007 2:18 PMIne,
I'd recommend *against* Europe Assistance actually. I have their "Prestige" package (the most expensive, so the most complete, at least I thought), but some basic stuff isn't covered. Things such as medical expenses, luguage insurance etc are not covered, while I still pay about 300 eur a year.
For that same amount, I now have a "Protections" insurance (sold by the Connections travel angies) and it does cover all that. It even covers my digital camera up to 1000 eur I think (so that's body + the 2 lenses I take with me).
Congrats on the new blog design btw. I like it a lot.
Posted by Frank | May 25, 2007 2:19 PMThanks for the tips! Could you pass on the name and address of your insurance guy? Might pay him a visit ;-)
Posted by Joke | May 26, 2007 4:51 PM