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General matters concerning all types of insurance
What is "insurable interest"?
The insured persons or policyholders might sometimes fail to disclose all their personal information to the insurance company. Will such a non-disclosure lead to the rejection of claims? What important facts must be disclosed?
Further to the question above, if a piece of non-disclosed information is not related to a particular claim (e.g. I submit a claim due to an injury from playing football, but I had not previously mentioned my smoking habit), can the insurance company still reject such claim?
What are the usual "exclusion clauses" (insurance coverage or claims to be excluded) in an insurance policy?
I paid the premium one week late (or one month late). Is my policy still valid? Will the insurance company deny my claim if an accident happened immediately before my premium payment?
The insurance company has delayed processing my claim. Can I claim interest due to such a delay?
I have taken out several insurance policies covering the same risk (e.g. hospital confinement or household damage). Can I claim for the sum insured under ALL policies or just the actual expenses/losses only? Is the claim for the death benefit under life insurance subject to different rules?
There are two types of insurance intermediary, namely "insurance agent" and "insurance broker". What are the differences in their roles/functions and qualifications? Are they required to be registered before performing their work?
I am not satisfied with the compensation and the conduct of my agent/insurance company. Shall I settle the dispute in court, or approach other organizations? Do the courts or other organizations impose a limit on the amount of any claim in each case?
My agent made some false statements which induced me to buy insurance from him. Can I terminate the policy and ask for a refund of the premiums?
My agent asks me to pay him cash so that he can pay my premiums promptly on behalf of me. Is he allowed to handle premium payments in this way?
Life and medical/health insurance
What is meant by a "cooling-off period"? If I have just purchased a life insurance policy but have second thoughts a few days later, can I cancel this policy?
My insurance agent asked me to transfer my existing life policy to another insurance company. Are there any potential losses arising from such a transfer?
What is meant by a "contestable period" in relation to life insurance?
What is the effect of a "suicide clause" in a life insurance policy? Other than on life insurance, what is the impact of this clause on medical/health insurance if the policyholder has tried to commit suicide, but only injured himself?
The insurance company appointed a doctor for my medical check-up before approving my insurance application. That doctor failed to discover a health problem that I did not disclose. Can the insurance company use this non-disclosure to deny any claims I may subsequently make under the insurance policy?
What are the differences between a "revocable beneficiary" and an "irrevocable beneficiary"? Under what circumstances can I change an irrevocable beneficiary in my life insurance policy?
My son is now 15 years old. Can I name him as the beneficiary in my life insurance policy? Would he be entitled to receive all the proceeds if I die before he reaches the age of majority (i.e. the age of 18)?
The insured person has disappeared for several years. Can the beneficiary submit a claim for the death benefit under the relevant life insurance policy?
Will medical reports issued by traditional Chinese medical practitioners be accepted by an insurance company when processing claims?
I took out an insurance policy in Hong Kong but I was injured in a foreign country. Will this affect my claim?
Can a person under 18 years of age purchase a life insurance policy?
If my insurance policy has lapsed and I try to "reinstate" my policy by paying the premiums again, can I submit any claims to the insurance company at this stage?
I have taken out several insurance policies covering the same risk (e.g. hospital confinement or household damage). Can I claim for the sum insured under ALL policies or just the actual expenses/losses only? Is the claim for the death benefit under life insurance subject to different rules?
Accident or personal injury insurance
What is the general meaning of "accidental injury"? If I was injured but did not have a visible bruise or wound, can I still submit a claim for such an injury?
What are the general meanings of "permanent disability" and "temporary disability"? I received a lump sum from an insurance company due to a permanent disability but surprisingly recovered two years later. Can the insurance company ask me to refund part of its previous payment?
I seldom participate in risky or dangerous sports/activities (e.g. water skiing), but I was injured on one occasion while playing such a sport. Is such an injury considered as an "accident" or "self-inflicted" or a "negligent" event? Will it affect my claim for medical or accident insurance?
If I have received compensation from personal injury litigation against the wrongdoer, will it be used to set off part of my claim from my insurance policy?
Insurance against damage or loss of property (relating to flats and motor vehicles)
If my home and the furniture inside are damaged, will the insurance company compensate me for the full value of my property? Will the insurance company make a professional valuation or estimation before effecting payment?
I am an owner of a flat inside a building that has coverage for third party liability. Can I escape from all liability if visitors or occupiers were injured in an accident inside the building?
When an accident happens, what should a driver do or not to do? In case the driver is being sued by the victims, should the driver appoint a lawyer for defence before informing the insurance company?
Should the driver arrange to repair the car immediately after a traffic accident? Is the driver required to obtain prior approval from the insurance company for the costs of any repair?
I am the registered owner but not the "real owner" of a car ("real owner" is the person who actually paid for the car). Can I obtain insurance coverage in respect of the car? Will it make a difference if I am the "real owner" but not the registered owner?
I am a car owner. Am I bound to purchase third party liability insurance for my car under the law? What are the consequences if I fail to do so?
Employees' compensation and mandatory provident fund (MPF)
Does Hong Kong Law require all employers to take out insurance for their employees? Is there a statutory minimum amount for the sum insured?
Who are required to joint the MPF schemes (or other recognized occupational retirement schemes) under the law? Are self-employed persons or casual workers (who are not employed under contracts of employment) also required to join these schemes?
What are the statutory amounts or percentages of income for mandatory contributions under MPF schemes?
Personal liability or professional liability insurance
Related Websites
Related Websites
The Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority
The Hong Kong Confederation of Insurance Brokers
Professional Insurance Brokers Association
Bilingual Laws Information System
Hong Kong Legal Information Institute
