What are your office hours (opening times)
9am to 6pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays
Do I need to pay for a quote?
We do not charge for quotes, where possible we provide indicative pricing online, but even when our brokers call around for more complex cover there is no charge to the customer, and no obligation to buy
Do you sell additional products that are not listed on your website?
Speedinsure offers a full brokerage service in Hong Kong, even if those solutions are not expressly highlighted on our website.
How do SpeedInsure Get Paid?
We are paid a commission by the insurance companies when a customer purchases a policy. As a broker, we are obligated by law to represent our customers and not the insurance companies.
We aim to always provide the best advice possible, based on the information we are given, and do not compare commissions when making a quote.
Is SpeedInsure Regulated in Hong Kong?
We are a fully licensed insurance broker regulated in Hong Kong by the IA ( Insurance Authority ).
Asia Pacific Investment Advisors Limited owns the Speedinsure brand. We are an Insurance Authority Licensed Insurance Broker Company.
Our license number is FB1449.
All of our sales staff must be licensed and should provide you with their individual license number
Can Macau residents buy insurance from SpeedInsure?
We are often able to help Macau residents to find comprehensive solutions for a range of insurance products.
We are not licensed to sell Macau Specific policies but can provide international solutions underwritten offhsore, which may not be regulated by the government of Macau. Typical solutions might include:
Does SpeedInsure Offer Life Insurance
We offer a full range of insurance products and are happy to quote for Simple Term Life, or other more complex products depending upon our customers' needs
What type of premium increases can I expect to witness over time?
Apart from Car Insurance, which may reduce with a no claims discount (NCD) most types of insurance that will follow an upward trend in premium levels over time.
Year-on-year medical insurance premium growth can be significant due to a number of factors. The cost of medical treatment generally exceeds the rate of inflation. Some notable countries with high medical inflation include Malaysia, China, and Indonesia. Hong Kong is the 2nd most expensive territory in the world for private medical treatment at the time or writing (1st place goes to the USA)
Medical insurance premiums are calculated to ensure that the most sick do not pay the full cost of their misfortune, which drives increases for everyone. The shared liability concept, means individual policyholders will not be penalised with a bigger premium following a large claim.
Are there ways to reduce the cost?
We can advise you on strategies to bring down the total cost, for example by taking on an excess or deductible, or in some cases by paying for premiums monthly rather than annually which may make budgeting less of a burden
How much does Insurance cost?
There is no way to answer this question in a vacuum. Where possible we have provided comparisons of at least 2 companies for specific products online. Where products are a bit more complicated please fill out the form for a quotation and we will get back to you as soon as possible
I'm Pregnant or planning to get Pregnant, can I get maternity cover?
Maternity cover is expensive, and the claims cost the Insurance companies a lot of money. As a result they usually insist on a waiting period before getting pregnant. This may be 6 months or more, meaning that you would not be able to claim for pregnancy in the first year of cover.
In Hong Kong the public health system is excellent, so please do not panic if you are already pregnant. If you are planning on getting pregnant but have not yet conceived you may wish to take family planning advice, and begin a medical cover which includes maternity cover in the interim.
I'm young, do I really need insurance?
There is a generally accepted principle that as we age we are more likely to develop age related conditions which may be excluded from an insurance policy if we take one out after the condition has been diagnosed. As a result it is usually cheaper, and safer to start with a good policy and maintain it.
This principle is worth considering if you have insurance through your employer, as you may find it difficult to get private cover if and when you change employment. our advisors will be happy to talk to you about how to manage the cost of taking cover early to avoid this situation
Do you offer mountain climbing insurance , skiing insurance, hot air balloon insurance, desert race insurance, triathlon insurance, bicycle race insurance etc?
We can help with most adventure and extreme sports, whether this be in Hong Kong or overseas. Please contact us directly to explain your circumstances and we will do our best to put the appropriate cover in place.
Has SpeedInsure changed ownership?
Well spotted! Yes Asia Pacific Investment Advisors Limited a member of Professional Insurance Brokers Association (0260) acquired SpeedInsure last year. We have now contacted most of the customers and informed them of this change - which will not have any impact on service levels or on prices.
What is Insurance
The idea of insurance is that if a large number of people each pays some money into a pool, then sizable sums of money can be drawn from the pool to ease the hardship of those who might suffer losses. In short, insurance is the science of spreading risks.
In practice, insurers manage the money (called "premium") paid by policyholders. In good years when claims are few, insurers are able to build up substantial reserves of money to cater for bad years when claims are heavy. Insurers are responsible for managing their business carefully so that they remain financially sound to pay out claims at all times.
Insurance contracts are based on trust. The insurer trusts the policyholder to give precise and true details of the subject matter to be insured. This is called the principle of "Utmost Good Faith". Care should always be taken to tell the whole truth so that insurance companies can be fair in their assessment of risk. Equally, having effected an insurance policy the policyholder should read all the documentation very carefully to ensure that he understands the exact nature of the policy he has bought and the risks it does and does not cover.
There are many kinds of insurance. A personal insurance policy is one that is taken by an individual person for the benefit of himself or his dependents.
What is Insurable Interest?
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"Insurable Interest" is the right of the policyholder to effect insurance, arising out of certain relationships that may exist between the policyholder and the subject matter insured. Generally speaking, if the policyholder suffers direct losses arising from the subject matter's meeting with misfortune, then Insurable Interest exists. Without Insurable Interest, insurance protection would be speculative in nature, and not be enforceable under the law. The most common example of Insurable Interest is the ownership of property. There are many other examples, such as being an employer of workers, or a custodian of assets. Sometimes during the term of an insurance policy, the policyholder might end the relationship with the subject matter insured. If this happens, Insurable Interest ceases and the insurance cover also automatically ends. A common example might be the sale of a car or a flat. The policyholder should take care to notify the insurer of such changes promptly. |
What is Indemnity?
By the principle of "Indemnity", an insurance policy compensates the policyholder only to the extent of the value of the property which he has lost, hence a policyholder should not expect to make any profit from a claim.
Indemnity applies to all classes of insurance but is not always easily discernable in certain classes like "Personal Accident" or "Life Assurance". In theory, human life is invaluable but with Accident and Life coverage the insurers will review circumstances of the applicants to determine the amount of coverage that they can reasonably issue to cover any projected loss.
For the insurance of property, if the insured subject matter has depreciated in value at the time it is lost, the insurer pays the policyholder only the depreciated value. This is called "Indemnity Basis". There is an alternative arrangement called "Reinstatement Value Basis" which pays for the new replacement value at the time of loss without deducting depreciation.
What is "Contribution" in Insurance terminology?
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For policies to which "Indemnity" applies, the purchase of several policies to cover the same subject matter will not result in the obtaining of claims payments of several times the value of the subject matter. The insurers simply "contribute" to make up the amount payable as if only one policy had been issued. For policies to which "Indemnity" does not apply, the contribution factor does not apply either. |
What is Health Insurance?
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Health insurance offers protection in case of illness or disability. Health insurance is not the same as medical insurance. Dread Disease Income Replacement Plans Disablement Policies |
What is Medical Insurance?
Medical Insurance policies cover the cost of medical treatment for illnesses or accidents. Coverage is usually divided into two major categories:
Surgical and anaesthetists fees are normally reimbursed according to the complexity of treatment or alternatively, a fixed percentage for each type of treatment.
It is possible to purchase coverage for other types of medical expenses such as maternity or dental costs. Some insurers will also cover, on request, costs of visits to herbalists, bonesetters and acupuncturists
The following illustrate a good representation of the more common exclusions. The number and content of exclusions vary from insurer to insurer.
Non-eligible expenses such as travel costs, and non-recognized and experimental treatment
What is Personal Liability?
Many situations exist where a person might unintentionally cause damage to property or bodily injury to others and so become responsible for compensating the victim.
A "Personal Liability" insurance policy can provide indemnity to the policyholder if he is held legally liable for such accidents. It also covers the personal liabilities of those policyholder's family members who reside with him.
It does not cover personal professional liability, such as medical practitioners or lawyers who are personally liable for their own professional negligence.
Can I insure Personal Valuables?
For personal valuables like jewellery, watches, fur coats, antiques and works of arts, an "All Risks" insurance policy can be effected to cover the valuables on an "agreed value" basis, against any loss or damage. It does not usually cover losses brought about by the policyholder's personal vices, depreciation, wear and tear, or the action of mildew, insects and vermin.
Most insurers demand a valuation before insuring high-value items.
What is Personal Accident Insurance?
Accidents do happen all the time and may result in personal injury or even death.
A "Personal Accident" insurance policy provides several benefits should the policyholder suffer accidental death or bodily injury.
Some policies provide a scale of percentages of the lump sum payable, depending on the extent of the disability, whilst some policies provide benefit only for a specified injury or loss, e.g. an eye or a limb.
This insurance usually covers accidents, whether the policyholder is on business or at pleasure anywhere in the world.
It does not cover illnesses, and dangerous sports like parachuting or hang gliding.
What is Travel Insurance?
To cater for the many needs of the traveller, "Travel" insurance policies are usually very versatile, providing cover in one package for:
What is Household Contents Insurance?
The average household is not immune from common misfortune such as fire, theft, the bursting of water pipes, or gas heater explosions. Sometimes, typhoons can be extremely destructive and the heavy rainfall that accompanies them may cause floods and landslides.
Loss of or damage to household contents such as furniture, decorations, electrical appliances, kitchen utensils, clothing and personal valuables can be insured by a "Householder's Comprehensive" insurance policy which provides cover in one package for:
Some insurers even include cover for food that is kept in a freezer being spoiled as a result of mechanical breakdown or power stoppage due to insured misfortunes.
What is Houseowner's Buildings Insurance?
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Buildings face risks similar to those of household contents like fire or typhoon, and several "Houseowner's Comprehensive" insurance policies are available. The policyholder has the option to keep matters simpler and less expensive by effecting a "Fire" insurance policy only, especially if his household building is subject to a mortgage. A Fire policy can be extended to cover many other risks such as typhoons or earthquakes, referred to as "Extra Perils". When damage occurs to an insured building, the policy will pay the repair costs. If a total loss ensues, the policy will pay the rebuilding costs subject to these not exceeding the sum insured. |
What does household employee / domestic helper insurance cover?
Household employees in Hong Kong perform a myriad of duties, ranging from indoor work like cooking, cleaning and washing, to outdoor work like shopping, driving and delivering. Therefore they are exposed to similar injury risks as any other commercial employees.
Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, Chapter 282 of the Laws of Hong Kong, the employer must compensate his employees for any accident arising out of and in the course of the employees' employment, regardless of whether the employees' carelessness has caused the accident. Under the Ordinance, it is also compulsory for the employer to effect insurance with an authorized insurer.
An "Employees Compensation" insurance policy covers Ordinance benefits such as medical expenses, loss of wages, permanent disablement benefit, and death benefit. In addition, it usually covers common law liability with a policy limit of HK$100 million for any one event.
Policy for employees from other countries may also be extended to cover repatriation expenses following death, injury or illness.
What does Car Insurance cover?
Thefts and traffic accidents are a great concern to car owners since they can cause bodily injury or death, and can also incur huge expenses. Under the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance, Chapter 272 of the Laws of Hong Kong, the user of a motor vehicle on the road must insure his liability for death or bodily injury of third parties with an authorized insurer.
The common forms of "Motor" insurance policies include:
Motor insurance is one area where insurers enthusiastically encourage safe driving, by granting a "No Claim Discount" if a policy remains claims-free.
In general, motor policies do not cover a driver's own death or injury.
Can I insure my boat?
Under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, Chapter 281 of the Laws of Hong Kong, the owner of any pleasure vessel used in Hong Kong waters must insure his liability for the death or bodily injury of any third parties with an authorized insurer.
Similar to the conditions laid out for motor insurance, a "Marine Hull" policy can cover only third party risks, or the vessel's own damage risks.
Extensions are available for water sports risks, racing risks, and navigation outside Hong Kong waters.
Many insurers require the insured vessel to be moored in a typhoon shelter whenever a typhoon signal no. 3 or above is hoisted.
Should I be shopping around for Insurance?
Given the large number of insurers available in Hong Kong, any insurance buyer should consider obtaining several quotations for comparison before committing himself to an insurance policy. He should look for insurance companies that provide good security, a reputable claims service, reasonable prices and prompt documentation.
Purchasers of insurance can procure the assistance of insurance agents and brokers, both of whom will be pleased to help. Any buyer should also look for prompt, efficient and helpful service from these intermediaries.
Insurance agents are responsible to the companies that they represent. They can represent as many as four companies of which no more than two shall be life assurance companies, but in many cases, life agents represent only one company. Agents are trained by their companies and are fully familiar with all company procedures and policies.
Insurance brokers are not employed by insurance companies, and are therefore often able to offer a wider choice of policies.
If preferred, an insurance buyer can telephone an insurance company directly. This process should provide him with some idea of the insurers' standards of service. He can then visit the office of his choice and arrange his policy. Note that this does not usually mean a cost saving for the customer.
Do insurance proposal forms have to be so complex?
Insurance contracts are contracts of "Utmost Good Faith". Since the insurer bases any premium and policy terms on the information provided by the insurance buyer, the buyer is expected to be truthful.
A proposal form (sometimes called an application form) is usually provided, so that the buyer can fill in the required information. At the conclusion of the form where the buyer affixes his authorized signature, appears a "declaration clause" which states that the information provided by the buyer will be the basis of the contract, and that such information should be true to the best of his knowledge. A buyer must carefully read any proposal form before signing it and ensure that all the information disclosed is correct and complete. It is worth remembering that revealing extra information does not preclude anyone from obtaining insurance, it simply allows the insurance company to fairly share the risks it is being asked to take.
The duty of the applicant to provide updated information remains a continuing duty throughout the policy period. Any material changes in circumstances should be notified immediately by the policyholder to the insurer or intermediary.
If a policyholder has given false information or hidden material information, then his policy can be declared null and void.
This means that the policy will be deemed not valid, and no claims will be entertained.
(In the case of online insurance application, the action of clicking the submit or apply button is equivalent to signing a paper-based application form.)
How much insurance do I need?
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For most property insurance, the "Average Condition" parameter applies, therefore selecting an appropriate insurance sum is delicate matter. Under policies where the "Average Condition" applies, any under- insurance conditions will be penalized by deducting from the claim the percentage of the amount under-insured. As for over-insurance, no penalty is exacted and no extra gains procured, because such claims are limited to the actual amount lost. The policyholder must remember that it is the value of any item at the time of loss which is used to determine any under-insurance liability. At the time of proposal, the sum insured may be accurate but after a few months, the sum insured may become inadequate because more property has been purchased. Therefore, the policyholder should safeguard against any unintended under- insurance by regularly updating the sum insured under the policy to include new additions. As regards life assurance, choosing the appropriate sum can be more difficult because the value of a human life is considered inestimable. The chosen insured sum should always be compatible with the income and lifestyle of the assured. Grossly exaggerated sums of life assurance are not permitted. |
Why is the insurance policy so hard to read?
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When any policyholder receives a policy, he has a duty to read it carefully. He should raise promptly any queries with the insurer if he sees anything not in order, and request the necessary amendments. Many insurance policies are difficult to read, generally because many established principles and practices have to be condensed into as few words as possible on the policy. Many insurers are still using archaic policy wordings because these wordings are well established and have been interpreted many times in court. In certain respects, such wordings can actually work to the advantage of both the policyholder and insurer provided that they both understand the interpretation that certain words will be given in court. In order to improve the situation for the general public, insurers are moving towards a plain-English policy wording, whilst some insurers also provide a Chinese translation. The Glossary of Insurance Terms compiled and published by the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers aims to provide a standard Chinese translation of more than 1,000 commonly-used insurance terms. |
How can I make a claim?
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After any loss has occurred, the policyholder should call the insurer's claims department or the insurance intermediary as soon as possible to ask for instructions. The insurer will probably request the policyholder to complete a claims form and provide information.
If a policyholder keeps his records properly, any claim can usually be speeded up considerably. Claims are often delayed because the lost items cannot be substantiated by proper receipts. When the adjuster's final report is completed, the insurer is in a position to offer a claim payment to the policyholder. Upon the agreement of the policyholder, the insurer sends a "Claim Discharge" form for him to sign, after which a payment cheque follows.
In all cases, it is very important for the policyholder to pass to the insurer all relevant letters and documents from third parties. The policyholder should not admit liability or try to negotiate with any third parties unless the insurer consents to this action. Since it is the third party who is claiming against the policyholder, the insurer cannot control the third party by advising him how to claim. Sometimes, the third party may proceed slowly, and this is one reason why the settlement of liability claims can be extremely protracted. Once the third party has provided full information and evidence, the insurer is then in a position to offer payment to the third party.
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