“Insurance is like a soulmate! If you choose the wrong one, things can get messy.” It may sound a bit exaggerated, but believe me, this is not just a metaphor. Personal experience—although this is just a hypothetical story, just think of it as a friend’s story—proves how important it is to choose insurance carefully. Back then, when I was young and felt invincible, I thought insurance was a waste of money. “Ah, why get insurance? My body is healthy and well like this,” I thought at the time. But, well, that’s life, sometimes there are surprises that come that can’t be predicted.
Lulled by Youth, Forgetting the Future
At that time, I was busy building my career. Working hard, having meetings here and there, until I forgot to rest. My lifestyle was also chaotic: eating carelessly, not sleeping enough, exercising? Never mind exercising, I rarely even saw the sun! Until one day, my body gave me a protest signal. At first it was just a common cold, but over time it became more frequent.
Long story short, I had to be hospitalized. That’s when I realized how expensive healthcare costs are these days. Luckily, my parents had pretty good family insurance, so most of the costs were covered. But still, there were some costs that I had to cover myself. That’s when I started to think, “Wow, if I don’t have insurance, I’m going bankrupt!”
From there, I started to learn about the importance of insurance. But, since it was my first time, I immediately went crazy. I wanted to buy all types of insurance. Starting from health insurance, life insurance, vehicle insurance, to home insurance. Basically, everything that the insurance agent offered, I just said yes. Even though, I didn’t really know what I needed.
Wrong Choice, Makes You Suck!
Well, this is where my first mistake started. Because I was too eager to have all types of insurance, I didn’t focus on the most important needs. I bought health insurance with expensive premiums, but it turned out that the benefits were not as I expected. For example, there were several types of diseases that were not covered, or the cost of the hospital room was too low. In the end, I still had to pay a lot.
In addition, I also bought life insurance with a coverage value that was too large. In fact, at that time I was still single and had no dependents. So, actually, I didn’t really need life insurance with a coverage value that big. As a result, I had to pay expensive premiums every month, but the benefits were not maximized.
Not to mention, I was also not careful in reading the insurance policy. I just believed what the insurance agent said, without studying the applicable terms and conditions. As a result, when I wanted to claim insurance, I was confused and had difficulty. It turned out that there were many requirements that had to be met, and I didn’t know all of them.
From that experience, I learned a lot about choosing insurance. That insurance is not just a financial product, but also an investment for the future. That choosing insurance should not be careless, but must be thought through carefully. Just like choosing a life partner, we must first know ourselves, find out what we need, and not be tempted by sweet talk.
Valuable Lessons: Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance
1. Know Yourself and Your Needs
Before buying insurance, ask yourself: What is my purpose in buying insurance? What risks do I want to protect? What are my current and future needs? By answering these questions, it will be easier for you to determine the type of insurance that is most appropriate for you. For example, if you are young and healthy, you can focus on health insurance and life insurance with coverage values ​​that suit your needs. If you are married and have children, you can consider education insurance or critical illness insurance.
2. Research and Compare Insurance Products
Don’t just stick to one insurance product. Find out as much information as possible about the various insurance products on the market. Compare the benefits, premiums, terms and conditions, and reputations of insurance companies. You can search for information on the internet, read reviews from other customers, or ask for recommendations from friends and family. Don’t be lazy to compare, because small differences in benefits and premiums can have a big impact in the long run.
3. Choose a Competent and Trusted Insurance Agent
An insurance agent is your partner in choosing and managing insurance. Choose an agent who truly understands the insurance products offered, is honest, and can provide solutions that suit your needs. Don’t be tempted by agents who only chase commissions, but don’t care about your interests. Make sure the agent has an official license or other related institutions.
4. Read and Understand the Insurance Policy Carefully
An insurance policy is a document that contains all information about your rights and obligations as a customer, as well as the benefits and risks borne by the insurance company. Don’t be lazy to read the insurance policy carefully, from the first page to the last. If there are terms or clauses that you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask the insurance agent or insurance company. Make sure you understand all the contents of the policy before signing it.
5. Adjust to Financial Ability
Insurance is a long-term commitment. Don’t buy insurance with premiums that are too expensive, so that it burdens your finances. Calculate carefully how much budget you can allocate for insurance each month. Don’t let insurance premiums interfere with other more important financial items, such as daily needs, savings, or investments. Ideally, insurance premiums should not exceed 10-20% of your monthly income.
6. Consider the Insurance Company’s Reputation
Make sure the insurance company you choose has a good, credible, and trusted reputation. Find out how long the company has been operating, how its financial performance is, what its track record is in paying claims, and what reviews from other customers. Choose an insurance company that is registered and supervised by the Financial Services Authority. Don’t be tempted by insurance companies that offer the lure of big profits, but whose origins are unclear.
7. Don’t Rush into Making a Decision
Buying insurance is an important decision that will have a big impact on your future. Don’t rush into making a decision. Take time to think, discuss with your family, and consider all available options. Don’t let yourself regret it later because you chose the wrong insurance. Remember, insurance is like a soul mate, once you choose the wrong one, things can get messy!
Insurance: Investment for a More Peaceful Future
Indeed, choosing insurance is not easy. However, with thorough preparation and complete information, you can definitely find the right insurance for you and your family. Insurance is not just a financial product, but also an investment for a more peaceful and secure future. So, don’t take insurance lightly. Think carefully, consider wisely, and choose insurance that suits your needs and abilities.
Hopefully these experiences and tips are useful! Don’t forget, insurance is like a soulmate, don’t choose the wrong one!