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If you feel you have been treated unfairly by your insurer, you should lodge a complaint directly with the insurer, and provide the insurer with your details (name, contact numbers, etc.), the specific nature of your complaint and supporting documents.
The insurer should acknowledge your complaint within 7 business days, and if necessary, request additional information from you within 7 business days of the date of your complaint.
Depending on the nature of your complaint, the insurer may need more time to attend to it. If so, the insurer should contact you and update you on the progress within 15 business days of your last communication, before proceeding to resolve the problem.
If you have taken these steps and still feel the response is not satisfactory, or if there is no response within the timeframes stated above, you should then appeal to the Chief Executive of the insurer in writing. You can expect a response to this within 15 business days.
Finally, if you are still unsatisfied after going through these channels, you can contact the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre Ltd (FIDReC). FIDReC is an independent institution which aims to provide consumers with a one-stop avenue for resolving disputes in the banking, insurance and capital market sectors.
Filing a complaint is simple and free of charge. You may lodge your complaint online at www.fidrec.com.sg. If you have any queries or difficulties in lodging the complaint, you may submit an enquiry at www.fidrec.com.sg or contact FIDReC at 6327 8878.
For more information, please visit www.fidrec.com.sg.
Click here for more information on dealing with insurance disputes.
Home insurance premium is low compared to your property cost. Depending on the coverage, premiums range from $50 to $350 per $100,000. Insurers often bundle a variety of benefits and term it free covers. The truth is, these are factored into the premiums. Examine your policy and risk exposure carefully when choosing an insurer.
If you have an outstanding mortgage loan with HDB or any financial institution, you are required to buy fire insurance. However, the cover is very basic as the insured value is limited to either the outstanding loan amount or the cost of reinstating the building structure. The former benefits financial institutions by protecting their loans to home owners. Therefore, a separate policy is needed for the building, as do your renovations and contents (e.g., furniture, household appliances and personal effects)
The purchase price of your property includes land costs and seller’s profit. Your policy only covers replacement cost, i.e. the cost to rebuild your home. You should engage a property valuator or quantity surveyor to determine the sum insured.
Being in a flood-prone area can affect the value of your property. Residents living in the highest storey can be put out by rainwater overflowing from an open rooftop, whereas water seepage can occur at any level if common corridors are deluged.
A No-Claim Discount (‘NCD’) is an entitlement given to you if no claim has been made under your motor insurance policy for a year or more with the current/existing insurer.