Month: August 2015

31Aug

Special Health Insurance for NET/LET Teachers in Hong Kong You are here

Village Insurance Ltd has partnered with ALC Health Ltd to provide a dedicated scheme for NET scheme members and a generous discount is available compared to the standard policy premium if you were to apply as an individual. In addition, there are special underwriting terms available provided that you (and your dependents, if applicable) join the scheme before the 1st of December 2015.

This group plan also applies Medical History Diregarded (MHD). This allows members to be enrolled without any exclusions relating to their previous medical history. Medical History Disregarded terms are extended to any subsequent joiners to the group. image1,1

The two options for teachers are the following:

  • Prima Classic Policy – The cash benefit is US$300 each night up to a maximum of 30 nights as an in-patient. The overall policy limit is US$1,875,000. This plan is designed to cover the essential costs of in-patient, day-patient and out-patient treatment with the option to add routine pregnancy and childbirth care, routine dental treatment and evacuation or repatriation services.
  • Prima Concept Plan – The cash benefit is US$150 each night up to a maximum of 30 nights for in-patient treatments. The overall policy limit is US$375,000. This is ALC Health’s lowest cost plan designed to cover private medical insurance at an affordable price by offering essential private medical treatment with the option to include evacuation or repatriation cover.

Claims made for this health insurance has a dedicated helpline as well as access to unlimited online resources for members. Members will be assisted through the step-by-step guide at making claims 24/7. In addition, any need for emergency blood transfusion will be covered because of the plan’s association with The Blood Care Foundation.

To get started on this special health insurance for teachers, get in touch with Village Insurance Direct through email: mark.bromhead@villageholdingsinsurance.com

23Aug

Worst Case Scenario (Funny but not really)

DISCLAIMER: These are purely hypothetical scenarios aimed at putting some humor on the need for proper insurance.Blog - image 1

You’re hiking with your friends on a beautiful Sunday morning when…

YOU CROSS PATHS WITH A BEAR HOLDING ITS PET SNAKE AND IT CHALLENGES YOU TO A DUEL TO THE DEATH.Blog - image 2
You’re spending the afternoon in your favorite museum when…

YOU TRIP ON ONE OF THE VELVET ROPES, BUMPING AND DESTROYING ONE OF THE SCULPTURES AND YOU CRACK YOUR HEAD ON THE FLOOR!Blog - image 4

It’s a quiet morning and you’re enjoying a cup of coffee when…

A RABID PIGEON FLIES IN THROUGH YOUR WINDOW, SCRATCHES YOUR EYES AND SWOOPS IN TO STEAL A BOX OF CEREALS!Blog - image 3

You finally have enough money to go on a holiday when…

THE AIRLINE WHERE YOU BOOKED YOUR TICKET TURNS OUT TO BE A BUNCH OF CHIMPS PRETENDING TO BE HUMAN AND THEY WON’T ISSUE ANY REFUNDS NOW THAT THEY’VE BEEN DISCOVERED!Blog - image 6

A co-worker tells you you’ll be getting pay raises tomorrow when…

YOU GET BITTEN BY A RADIOACTIVE RAT AND HUMAN RESOURCES ANNOUNCES THAT THERE’LL BE A RANDOM DRUG TEST. YOU FAIL THE TEST ON ACCOUNT OF THE RADIOACTIVITY, PLUS YOU GET FIRED ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR MUTANT RAT POWERS.Blog - image 5_0

6Aug

Expat’s Guide to Hong Kong Living

Hong Kong attracts thousands of expats from Europe and the US every year. It is one of Asia’s banking centers and is a gateway to mainland China for businesses looking to penetrate the market. In addition, the country has a big expat community, which makes the transition a little easier for new arrivals.

This is a guide to living for new and soon-to-be expats in Hong Kong.

The Expat Community

Expat communities in Hong Kong range from the outgoing, to the insular and close knit. British and Americans compose mainly form the bulk of the community and they often work in the financial sector. Foreigners from neighboring East Asia countries are also prominent in the country mostly from Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, India and Thailand.

What Language to Learn

Foreigners with good language skills in both Cantonese and Mandarin are going to have a significant advantage. 89.5% of the whole population speaks Cantonese. We recommend you try to at least learn some basic conversational Cantonese.

Where Expats Meet and Hang Outexpats lan kwai fongCentral is where you’ll find Lan Kwai Fong, the most popular expat hangout. The area is relatively small but it is host to a large variety of restaurants, trendy bars and nightclubs, all huddled into this popular expat haunt. Drinks are fairly pricey with even your basic beer costing HK$60 and up. The area has quite an upmarket feel to it but it’s laid back and the perfect place to cap off a workday. expats wan chai

Wan Chai is also popular among expats because it’s a bustling business district by day and a hub spot of discos and bars at night where the parties last until daybreak. There is also a red light district in the area where it becomes a melting pot of all nationalities. Again, expect a hefty bill when hanging out in this area.

Housing and Other Accommodations

Hong Kong is known for having one of the most expensive property prices in Asia and even the world. Expect compact condos and apartments with high rent although there are still areas with more affordable housing.

We gathered the average rent for 2 bedroom apartments popular to expat communities in one of or blogs: Finding a Place to Live in Hong Kong

Hospitals and Healthcare

Public and private medical facilities in Hong Kong are highly developed and of very high standards. As an expatriate, you’ll likely favour private facilities because of an English speaking staff and more personal attention. However, Hong Kong’s public hospitals are still very good and you can turn up without an appointment.

Hospital fees are very high. Adequate insurance is particularly important. There are a wide variety of expatriate insurance finders such as Village Insirance Direct. We specialise in finding policies for expats from personal, family to business insurance.

Popular expat hospitals include:

  • Adventist, 40 Stubbs Road, Mid Levels
  • Canossa, 1 Old Peak Road, Mid Levels
  • Matilda, 41 Mt. Kellett Road, The Peak

We can provide free quotes on Health Insurance and other types of insurance for for expats.