Q. Cheryl
I would like to take my mother on a carnival cruise to Mexico and then Las Vegas for 16 days with a doctors certificate. Can she get insurance and how much would it cost for medical, cancellation and luggage cover?

A. Provided by Worldcare
You will need to provide more information to receive a comprehensive quote. Pre-existing conditions for Worldcare are split into three groups. Depending on the conditions effecting your mother, she may be covered automatically or she may not be covered at all.  She may also be able to get cover with an additional premium payable. Full details of specific conditions that are in these groups are provided in the Product Disclosure Statement (pages 11-14).

To determine eligibility for pre-existing condition coverage, you should follow the pre-existing conditions process on the Worldcare website. When purchasing online, customers are guided through a questionnaire once they select ‘Yes’ for the Cover for pre-existing medical conditions question. At the conclusion of this questionnaire any required premium loadings will be applied automatically.

Hopefully this answers your question however, if you require additional information, you can contact Worldcare Contact Centre directly on 1800 008 614.

Understanding what can be insured, exactly what is covered and most importantly, what isn’t, are all vital for your peace of mind. You can then enjoy life knowing all which is precious to you is taken care of. Understanding Insurance – All you need to know, is a special report jointly prepared by Apia and YOURLifeChoices magazine. The report will guide you through the minefield of available insurance products and help you judge if you are paying too much or need extra cover. It is available as a downloadable PDF, which can also be sent to a friend. 

Over the next few years, the Federal Government plans to switch off analogue television signals. Webmasters, Drew and Corey, will explain how much it will cost, when you need to change and why in a three part series.

Australia is going digital, with some rural areas no longer able to access the analogue television signal. You’ve happily watched television on your current set for the last 15 years and it works fine, so why do things need to change?

Technology is changing and the development of digital television will provide a improved television watching experience. Digital television provides a clearer picture, improved sound, widescreen format, the ability to record and rewind live television and more interactivity – just what we all need? With the rapid growth of digital mediums, the analogue signal is becoming obsolete and many of our favourite overseas programs are now being recorded in digital format only.  This means the cost of conversion to transmit programs to an analogue television is quite inefficient, and the money wasted on this conversion could be used for other services.

Not only is the broadcast quality better in digital television, but there are hardly ever broadcast service interruptions, even in remote areas. As well as this, with digital television comes more channels, including ABC2, 7TWO, GO! And OneHD. This gives the viewer much more choice.

So when does this colossal transition take place? Some areas have already made the switch but the changeover will be complete by 2013. Want to know when your area will be switched over? The table below hill give you an idea but if you want to know more, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.  However, keep in mind that the government has issued a warning that there are remote communities in Australia that are called ‘black spots’.  These areas will not have adequate digital TV reception. This issue is being handled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, watch this space for more news.


So how much with this new technology cost you?  This depends on your budget.  If money is no option then there are numerous televisions on the market, the problem being which one to choose.  However, more realistically, the purchase of a set top box will enable you to enjoy digital technology for as little as $30 - but more on that next week!

Booking a trip can be expensive, even before the additional cost of travel insurance. YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Pauline would love to take a trip and thinks she would be better off not buying for travel insurance.

Q. Pauline
I have found a great deal on flights and accommodation to visit family and friends in the States but quotes I’m getting for travel insurance are almost the same as the holiday would cost.  I know I’m no spring chicken and have a few ailments but surely if I travel without insurance someone will make sure I’m OK if anything happens?

A. Pauline, the cost of travel insurance does increase as you get older or have any existing medical conditions, as does the likelihood of something going wrong when you travel, increasing any travel insurance company’s liability.  We would strongly advise against travelling without insurance. If you opt to travel without insurance, you will solely be responsible for any medical bills, legal expenses, travel expenses and third party costs which would be associated with an incident happening while overseas.  These can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars if you’re unlucky enough to have an accident and can result in you being refused treatment or stranded overseas.

Even smaller incidents such as lost luggage or missed travel connections can have a disastrous affect on your holiday plans and budget. When choosing travel insurance, make sure it suits your needs so you’re not paying for something you don’t need, or need something you’re not paying for!  YOURLifeChoices travel insurance checklist should help you get the right cover.

Make sure you get the right cover – travel insurance should at least cover the following:
· any medical expenses which arise from injury or illness
· personal liability expenses
· theft or loss of goods or luggage
· disrupted travel plans such as missed or cancelled flights

Don’t stretch the truth – be totally honest when you buy a policy, make a claim or should your circumstances change.  Insurance companies will investigate what you tell them and even the simplest untruth can render your policy nil and void.

Choose the right policy. If you rarely travel then choose a policy that covers you for the period you are travelling.  For those who travel more frequently, an annual policy may be a cheaper option.  Before you purchase a policy find out the following:
· How much it will cost?
· Is there an excess and can this be reduced? Some policies will offer lower premiums for a higher excess.
· Exactly what is included and more importantly, what isn’t. Some high-value items may need to be separately insured, or better still, left at home.
· Individual item thresholds.  You may only be insured for a fraction of the cost of each item you take with you.
· Contact numbers for your insurer while travelling.
· What paperwork you need to carry with you.
· How do you make a claim and what do you need to support it?

Make sure you know what your policy offers.  If you’re unsure of a clause or policy wording, seek clarification in writing.  Clauses can be confusing and while you may think you know what constitutes an act of God or a natural disaster, your insurance company’s definition may differ.

Once you’ve worked out what you need, you can purchase your travel insurance safe in the knowledge that you’re getting the right cover for you.  Want to purchase travel insurance?  In association with Mondial, YOURLifeChoices is pleased to offer its subscribers the opportunity to purchase the Canstar Cannex award winning Worldcare travel insurance.

As one of Australia’s leading drovers, Bill Willoughby has shared his knowledge of training wild horses with movie makers looking to recreate the Australian Outback on the big screen. Now you have the chance to win a date with Bill.

YOURLifeChoices is delighted to be able to offer the chance of a lifetime for a subscriber and friend to spend a day with Bill in South Australia’s stunning outback. The winners will experience first-hand how Australia’s best horse handler spends his day and learn just what makes his job so special. Included in this exclusive prize:

· Two return airfares from any Australian capital city to Adelaide
· Four days four-wheel drive car hire
· Four nights’ accommodation
· Lunch with Bill Willoughby and time on horse back if you wish

As you can understand, Bill is a busy man so the availability of the prize will be dependant on when Bill can accommodate his two extra hands for the day. Prize winners must also have the necessary fitness to spend a couple of hours on horse back if winners choose to do so.

Still unsure if a date with a drover is for you? Read what Kaye had to say about her inspirational meeting with the man himself. So how do you win a date with a drover? Simply tell us in 25 words or fewer why spending a day with Bill in the South Australian Outback would be a dream come true.

Terms and conditions
1. All entries must be received by midnight Sunday 30 June 2010
2. Winner will be notified within seven days of the competition ending
3. All entrants must recommend a friend to receive the YOURLifeChoices enewsletter
4. Winners must be available to take the prize when it can be arranged within Bill Willoughby’s schedule, between 1 October 2010 and 1 January 2011.
5. Any additional costs such as, but not limited to, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals and hotel extras are solely the responsibility of the winner
6. Once the winner has been chosen, no further correspondence will be entered into
7. Winners must consent to any associated publicity

A recent Government Report Card survey conducted by the YOURLifeChoices website reveals a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the federal government. More than 300 respondents answered 13 questions online about the Rudd Government’s performance. The answers were not good news for a government which is hoping to be re - elected later this year.

Demographic Information of Respondents

Gender
Male: 65.42%
Female: 34.58%

Age
Under 45: 1.87%
45-54: 3.12%
55-64: 31.46%
65-70: 33.64%
70+: 29.91%

Results

Q1. Despite the financial crisis, has the Rudd Government managed to keep the economy on track?
Yes: 45.66%
No: 54.34%

Q2. Should the Henry report on taxation be released or is it reasonable to hold it until after the May budget or an election is called?
It should be released before the May budget: 83.33%
It is reasonable to hold off until after the May budget: 12.50%
It is reasonable to hold off until after an election is called: 4.17%

Q3. Do the health reforms go far enough to reduce waiting lists?
Yes: 16.61%
No: 83.39%

Q4. Is the extra money promised by Prime Minister Rudd just a sweetener to get the health reforms through?
Yes: 83.17%
No: 16.83%

Q5. Dental health – has anything been done?
Yes: 9.77%
No: 90.23%

Q6. Do we need an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)?
Yes: 30.72%
No: 69.28%

Q7. Have the recent government grants gone far enough to help households cut greenhouse emissions?
Yes: 26.73%
No: 73.27%

Q8. Has the National Rental Affordability Scheme really helped with rent affordability for most Australians?
Yes: 18.73%
No: 81.27%

Q9. Has the Rudd Government delivered on its promises?
Yes: 19.67%
No: 80.33%

Q10. Is this enough?
Yes: 11.48%
No: 88.52%

Q11. Who will you vote for?
Labor: 21.26 %
Liberal-National Party Coalition: 49.50 %
Greens: 2.66 %
Independent: 4.65 %
Other: 1.66 %
Undecided: 20.27 %

Q12. Who is your preferred Prime Minister?
Kevin Rudd: 34.97%
Tony Abbott: 65.03%

Q13. Who is your preferred treasurer?
Wayne Swan: 36.84%
Joe Hockey: 63.16%

You don’t know if you are dancing with the most beautiful girl or boy in the room unless you have taken the time to look around the dance floor. Similarly, there is no sense in considering the many different aspects of this budget unless we first consider the wider context of Australia’s economic health compared with other advanced economies.

So first the good news. Our overall economic outlook, when compared to other developed nations, is excellent. Whether you choose to believe it is the result of prudent fiscal management by the Rudd Government, or a strong legacy from the Howard Government, or just plain luck, is beside the point.

The facts are undeniable.
· Australia remains the only developed nation which escaped the worst of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-9. Our budget deficit for 2010-11 is forecast to be 2.9% of GDP, compared with 6-12% of GDP in comparable economies. Other advanced economies contracted by 4% per annum while Australia’s economy grew by 1.3%per annum
· Our unemployment rate is the second lowest when compared to other major advanced economies and set to decrease to 4.75% by mid-2012.
These statistics are remarkable.

We currently are, indeed, a very lucky country. But this will only last if we manage our wealth well – and remain conscious of those who have not had the time, or opportunity, to build sufficient wealth to fund their own later years. Unless our greed is out of control, there really is enough to go around.

The tax benefit, created by the discount on interest income, and the new standard deduction for work-related expenses are heavily skewed to those whose income is less than $70,000 per annum and even more beneficial to those on $40,000 or less per annum.  We believe this is entirely fair, giving a helping hand to those who need it the most.

So that’s the good news.

The bad news in this budget is really in what didn’t happen.
It is not just the responsibility of employers and the resources sector to compensate for our inability as a nation to save money for our later years. It would have been prudent to build-in incentives not only for those who like using non-super investments, but also individuals who are prepared to match their increased employer Superannuation Guarantee Contributions (SGC) as these are paid from July 2013 onwards. It’s fine for the government to highlight the lowered tax burden for many Australian workers, but if this extra income just goes on consumption, no one will be better off in their retirement. A strong incentive for a portion of this increased income to be saved makes a lot of sense. Pity Treasurer Wayne Swan, like Peter Costello before him, missed another golden opportunity.

In September last year the Pension Bonus Scheme was closed to new entrants and a new program, the Work Bonus, was introduced. What is it and how will it affect your retirement plans?

Centrelink assesses eligibility for an Age Pension on your income and assets.
The income test and the assets test are applied and can reduce the maximum pension rate if you are above a set threshold.
The Work Bonus provides a dispensation for employment income for all workers who earn money after turning Age Pension age (currently 65 for men and 63.5 for women).

This means about half of an individual’s employment earnings up to $500 per fortnight will not count as income under the income test.

This doubles for couples – both parties may have up to half of $500 of their own income not counted. An individual’s assessable income may be reduced by up to $250 a fortnight, while couples may have up to $500 excluded.
This could mean an extra $125 of income a fortnight (approximately $3,250 a year) for single pensioners and double this amount for a couple.

Read all the detail in the downloadable PDF on the Centrelink website.

Have a little fun updating your vocab with our Word of the Week, kindly provided by Macquarie Dictonary. Find out what the most recent “buzz words” really mean and pass them on to your family and friends.

Nepenthes

noun 1. a drug or draught (or the plant yielding it) mentioned by ancient writers as capable of bringing forgetfulness of sorrow or trouble: *There is nothing but what will do you good; / and the drugs are simples; ‘tis hellebore, / nepenthe, upas, and dragon’s blood, / absinthe, and mandrake, and mandragore. –adam lindsay gordon, 1867.
2. anything inducing easeful forgetfulness. Also, nepenthes // (say nuh’pentheez). [Latin nēpenthes, from Greek (neuter): banishing sorrow]
–nepenthean, adjective