A painful learning experience

Hi Mr. Tan,
Recently, I bought a whole life policy from a particular insurance company. I paid them a year of premiums in advance already. However, 4 months into the policy, after reading your blog and doing some self reading, I decided to end this high cost product early. My agent informed me that I will not be able to get back the future 8 months of premiums that I have paid earlier. What should I do now? Can I complain to FiDREC?

REPLY
I think that you have paid an annual premium under the policy. There is usually no surrender value, if you cancel the policy during the first two or three years. It will be difficult for you to argue that you are entitled to a refund of 8/12 of the annual premium on termination after four months. If you like, you can try FiDREC and see if they agree with you. (Most likely, they will not take up your case).

Hi Mr. Tan,
Thanks a lot for your kind attention and input you have given me. I greatly appreciate it. Please continue with your great work in educating the public about the pitfalls and truth with regards to insurance products. I was also "awakened" to all these after reading your blog and website! Guess i have treat this experience as a painful learning lseeson.

Joke: Let the boss have the first say

A insurance agent, an administration clerk and their manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a genie comes out in a puff of smoke. The Genie says, "I usually only grant three wishes, so I´ll give each of you just one."


"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! She´s gone.


In astonishment, "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He´s gone."


OK, you´re up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."


Moral of story: always let your boss have the first say.

Honesty and business ethics

Is your insurance agent honest? Is your insurance company trustworthy? Do they observe ethics? Read about my comments on business ethics in:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/08/business-ethics-%e2%80%93-honesty-while-making-profits/#comment-17387

Effect of Deduction

Dear Sir,

I have an enquiry to make regarding the Effect of Deduction after reading your blog. I took out my policy and I am pretty stunned to see the amount that is written under the effects of deduction.

My annual premium is $3,000 and assuming that I live till 65, it will be a full 44 years. I was 21 when I signed the plan.

Looking at it, Total premium paid is $132,000, total distribution cost is $5468, Non-Guaranteed Cash Value at 5% is 205,600 and at 9% 691,800. Effects of deduction is $882,776. I was not told about the effects of deduction when I signed up the plan and looking at it, I am pretty much being shortchanged for the amount of money that I put in.

Kindly advise on what should I do.

REPLY

You can write a letter of complaint to the deputy managing director in charge of market conduct in MAS, as shown below.
http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/listing_expand.asp?agency_subtype=dept&agency_id=0000008384-

The agent has a duty to disclose and explain this important point to the policyholder. It is shocking that the Effect of Deduction is higher than the Cash Value (assuming an investment yield of 9%).

Pro Trader (Trading of Financial Products)

This website allows you to practice your trading skills:
http://tankinlian.com/trader/

You are given simulated prices for 4 financial products which change in response to economic news. You can buy or sell up to 10 contracts of these products. You will see your gain or loss each second, as the prices change.

You have to register an account and select the single player mode. There are instructions for how to trade. You can play the multi-player game and compete with other players.

All the best.