The One where Joey loses his Insurance

http://youtu.be/ZVPhKoYXZ1w
for some reason, YouTube has disabled embedding of this video, but i just wanted to share this short video on what happens when one doesn't have insurance.

Joey's health insurance expires because he wasn't working enough, so he asks his agent to find him work. While weight lifting, Joey gets a hernia which causes him crippling pain, but refuses to go to the hospital because he isn't covered by insurance anymore.

Phoebe: Hey! Maybe you'll die
Joey: Chandler I'm scared!
Phoebe: No we can go together!

He eventually is cast in the part of "dying man," a role he plays very convincingly, given his injured state. However, the boy in the scene will not cry as he is meant to, even after many takes. Joey shows him his hernia, and the boy begins bawling.

i just hope that noone ever finds themselves in a situation where they realize they can't afford medical treatment. Please make sure that you are comprehensively covered. There is nothing better than THAT peace of mind.

Be Protected Everyone!
Jessica

(as a parting note...)

Phoebe: Have you really done this before?
Joey: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! You just take a big, big swing. Now, don’t hold back.
(He dons his protective helmet (Why, I have no clue.) and Phoebe picks up a wooden baseball bat and starts to swing as Chandler and Monica enter.)
Phoebe: Hey!
Joey: Hey-hey-hey!
Chandler: What are you doing?
Phoebe: We’re just celebrating that Joey got his health insurance back.
Chandler: Oh, all right.
(Decided that they are less than human as well, Chandler picks up a golf club and Monica a frying pan, to join in on the fun of beating their good friend to within an inch of his life!)
(The camera shoots to an outside view of the apartment as we hear Joey getting hit.)
Joey: See, now let's try one without the helmet.

Financial Advisers to go from Commisions-based to Fee-based Structures



Following the recent bout of news about unscrupulous agents who are profit driven, looks like the industry is set for big shake-up.

i was just commenting to a friend that honestly this doesn't affect me at all. I don't care HOW i am paid, as LONG as i'm paid. and honestly, product recommendations are supposed to be needs-based and not profit-driven.

unfortunately there ARE agents out there like that and as a warning to everyone, PLEASE do NOT buy into a product which you do not whole-heartedly believe will benefit you.

that being said, there is also a very fine line between an agent being pushy, and an agent who is trying to explain a concept.

i had an argument with my brother the other day, trying to explain the concepts of unit-trust and endowment plans as i felt he needed (and still needs) to start saving money. he got awfully defencive and i felt very hurt that my efforts in explaining were construed as me trying to leverage our relationship to get him to BUY something from me.

when you are with your agent, give him or her a moment to explain the product, and try to keep all questions to the end. i'm sure your agent would be happy to have your feedback whichever way it might go. At the end of the day, being able to recommend something that suits what you want is a satisfaction unlike none other.

both sides must be patient. it will take time to find a product that is a perfect fit. and if you can find an agent who is willing to help you go through all those possibilities, then as much as he/she (obviously) wants to get paid, at least he/she is helping you get something that you yourself wouldn't hesitate to commit to at the same time.

i really hope that the industry does not get too affected by this recent spate of articles. at the end of the day, insurance in any form is good at no matter what method it is being handled at the back end. the whole purpose of insurance is mainly to ensure that there is a protection and cover in place and for that purpose, it shouldn't matter so much as long as you are hapy with the service and product which you've bought.

be protected everyone.
Jessica

Persons with disabilities "as productive" as able—bodied counterparts

http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/storyviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=6026002
SINGAPORE: Persons with disabilities are as productive as their able—bodied counterparts, and companies should look to hire them as a way of of getting around the tight labour market.

This, according to one such employer, fast food chain KFC, which was honoured on Friday night for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities.

Among the 120 employees at the KFC and Pizza Hut Customer Service Centre in Toa Payoh, more than 20 are persons with disabilities.

Michael Gian, CEO of Kentucky Fried Chicken Management and Pizza Hut Singapore, said: "Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are very hardworking, very dedicated. In no way are they less productive than their able—bodied colleagues. Once they go through the proper training, they’ll gain the confidence.

Would you want to have to worry about something like this? Although better for the disabled, if you are protected upon disability, don't worry about having to fight for a position in the industry.

Be Protected!
Jessica

S'poreans more satisfied but ...

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120315-0000052/Sporeans-more-satisfied-but-,,,
 Even as the national customer satisfaction index rose last year to its highest recorded, satisfaction levels for the healthcare sector in particular slipped to the lowest ever since the index was launched in 2007. Medical tourists reported higher satisfaction levels than locals at private hospitals and subsidised patients were more satisfied than unsubsidised ones at public hospitals.

Local patients are not satisfied with the hospitals here. but tourists seem to think that our hospitals are ok.

If our standards of living are increasing more, doesn't that mean that the medical costs are increasing too? If we want better service in the hospitals, then we need to be willing to pay for it. Unfortunately in Singaporean contexts, that means that not many people can afford the BEST, even when it comes to something so important as health.

Have you thought about how much you have for your medical needs? will you be able to afford the best?

Be Protected!
Jessica

Back from a District Trip!

My Agency just recently went on a trip to HK together! :) that's why i haven't posted.

We were there only from Monday to Wednesday, but I thought I'd hold out then treat you to some (not THAT) pretty pictures! :)

No, we didn't transfer to the AIA HK branch and it definitely wasn't a work trip, but all the same, i'm definitely hoping to go back!~

For one, it's all about FOOD!

Then Culture. 

And Fashion Fashion Fashion.

Ok, maybe not the last one ;)

Most importantly, what I wanted to say is, with all the worrying and flurrying about and getting all one's work done, it's always good to take a time out and have a break :)

today, coming back to my home Singapore, it IS back to the grind. After a rejuvenation trip, am i ever ready to rev my engines :)

back to work!~

Jessica

Again I'm delaying

I haven't posted in a while because I've been stricken by a slew of paperwork!! omg! i didn't know how much work goes on behind the scenes to get policies done the way that clients want them to be.

example: i've had to do some absolute assignments, meaning transferring ownership of a policy, from one person to another

i've had to find out how to go from a monthly to annual mode payment

i've also had to advise how to view statements for investment linked policies and so on and so forth.

now i KNOW it doesn't sound like a lot right now, but trust me, it does take quite a bit of effort to find out things, especially when you've not a lot of time to find out.

i just wanted to talk a little about time limits and patience.

i believe that i'm in insurance for a reason. God-fearing christian that I am, i also believe God has a plan for me - I've never been a patient girl. I'm always seeking answers immediately so that i can take my time to decide.

now i'm on the other side of the coin, having to provide answers immediately, and constantly waiting by tenterhooks for replies from my clients. and i am absolutely stressing my head off.

their replies mean the difference between a sign up and a wasted effort, or sometimes even worse, more effort before an answer can (if at all) make it's appearance.

i guess that's something that i need to learn and it's a good thing that i've made my choice to stay in the business. i'm gonna make good on myself to get to that level of cool-headed-ness!

Calming myself down,
Jessica