Welcome into the year 2010 / 2553

Both my wife and I were born in the Year of the Tiger, although a few millenniums apart. I don't know what being born in the Year of the Tiger means, actually; but I am hoping that it means that this year is going to be a very good year for us and our business. And, if it is good for us, it will certainly be good for our clients

The year 2009 was fine, as our business kept growing. But it was also a bit crazy - keeping me quite busy responding by e-mail to questions put forth by potential buyers (and those just curious), assisting clients with claims problems, explaining to applicants with medical problems why those problems were excluded from their insurance coverage, and, (for those who were totally rejected by the insurer), finding another insurer who will insure them.

December in Thailand is always a busy month for us. (December was normally dead time for me when I was selling insurance in the States) This December has even been exceptionally busy for us, though. We were so busy this past month that I even had to work until midnight on Christmas Day, and forgo going out for a delicious traditional Christmas dinner.(Bummer!). Even on New Year's Eve, when the insurance companies were already closed for the holidays, we received a last minute application for insurance coverage. This caused us to have to contact the company rep at her home to find out if the company would still accept the application for 2009. We were concerned because in 2010 (the next day) the company's premiums were increasing.

She said, OK. So we rushed to make copies of the application for our files and then hurriedly e-mailed this final application for 2009 out to the insurance company. Another panic situation averted. We get involved in dealing with panic situations all of time, some of them quite serious. But, I love it. It keeps the adrenalin pumping.

What I don't like is working long hours. But, we have the software and hardware we need to operate much faster and more efficiently; I just need to learn how to use them more effectively.. My goal for 2010 is for us to work much smarter, and less harder.

Enough about me, let's talk about you and your insurance needs:
We represent every health insurance company in Thailand. So, which insurance is best for you? If you are a teacher, operating on a teacher's budget, the Ajarn.com Teacher's Group might be a good choice for you.

This is group insurance, not personal insurance. The difference between this group insurance and personal insurance is that Ajarn.com owns the insurance policy and everyone insured under this group policy, young or old, pays the exact same premium for the exact same coverage. Personal insurance is owned by the person being insured and the premium being charged is determined by that person's age. Everyone in the exact same age group is charged the exact same premium for the exact same plan. When the insured moves into a higher age group he or she pays a higher premium.

Normally, the premium for group insurance is lower than the premium for personal insurance, for the exact same amount of coverage. The premium doesn't change with age. That is why group insurers normally don't accept new applicants over age 60 and will refuse to continue coverage beyond age 65.

The Ajarn.com Group offers 2 different plans, Plan 1 and Plan 3. These 2 plans were chosen to be able to provide good coverage for low budget insurance buyers. There are lower cost plans available, but they also provide much lower coverage. There are also higher coverage plans available for much higher cost. Plan 1 provides up to 4,000 baht per day coverage for hospital room and board and nursing care. This should be adequate for at least 70% of the hospitals in Thailand and covers a semi-private room at Bumrungrad. Plan 3 provides 6,000 baht room and board and nursing care coverage and should be adequate for all of the hospitals in Thailand. Plan 2 is exactly the same as Plan 1, but with a high amount of outpatient (OPD) coverage. Outpatient coverage allows you to be treated by a doctor without having to be admitted to stay overnight in the hospital. It tends to be costly and restrictive because it can be used to see a doctor for any complaint, no matter how minor.

Since the Ajarn.com group renews on 15 October, those that join now pay a prorated premium. Those that start coverage on 15 December, therefore, pay for 305 days coverage. Those that choose to start on 15 January only pay for 274 days coverage. Keep in mind that when you join, you are covered for accidents immediately, but your coverage for illness starts 30 days later. For example, if you start coverage right now, effective 15 December, your coverage for accidents will start right now, but your coverage for illness will begin on 15 January. If you begin coverage effective 15 January, your coverage for illness will begin on 15 February..

The Ajarn.com Group plans provide very good value for the cost. If you don't have any health coverage now and, after reading the Ajarn.com Group Plans and Premiums, you feel that this coverage might be for you, resolve to get this coverage now.

Have a very happy new year.

Tony

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