WRLife medical insurance - experiences?

[jerrymahoney]

28 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

would be interesting to hear what due diligence you did? maybe it answers the questions on this thread

Yes it would be. But as you said, they should talk to AA.

 

However, WrLife has been an advertiser on AN/TV since October 2019. They are well-aware of the discussions on this site that doubt the credibility of their insurance products.

 

They can respond any time they choose, but at least so far, have chosen not to do so directly. Up to them.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1127060-ethical-participative-and-affordable-medical-insurance-for-expatriates/

 

 

[KannikaP]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

That they have so far paid Claims is no assurance they will be able to continue to so. Especially given what seems to be very low capital. And what to me is a financially unsustainable  business model. 

And now this revelation that they will cover all pre-existing condition for anyone over 65 who has had a policy for 6 months seems the road to disaster to me. Completely the opposite to more conventional and well established companies.

When I asked the CEO if it was true, he simply said YES, and then told me that he and his family live in Asia and that they are insured with WrLife! 

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

And now this revelation that they will cover all pre-existing condition for anyone over 65 who has had a policy for 6 months seems the road to disaster to me. Completely the opposite to more conventional and well established companies.

When I asked the CEO if it was true, he simply said YES, and then told me that he and his family live in Asia and that they are insured with WrLife! 

Maybe meet him on Buakhao for a beer

[KannikaP]

10 hours ago, bradiston said:

I'm interested to know how you deduce "very low capital". Is there a source for this? And their business model? Is this guesswork or data based? 

There are several links in this thread leading to the financial position of WrLife, LORENTZ etc.

[KannikaP]

7 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Just seen this on the WRLife website......believe it or not.

 

BREAKING NEWS!
Older than 65 - after 6 months - reimbursement for pre-existing conditions (inpatient) such as:
Hypertension and cardiovascular disease, all tumors, polyp or cyst, hernias, hemorrhoids, prostate disease, diabetes, cancer, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, urinary tract calculi.

 

As usual, if something appears to be too good to be true, it's possibly a scam.

[jerrymahoney]

Maybe it is a scam. Maybe they have decided it will be profitable for them if enough persons aged 65 or over sign up with severe pre-existing conditions, pay a full year premium, and then die before the 6 months waiting period is up.

[Sheryl]

13 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

From April Thailand's website, it looks like they use LMG's Thai operation to provide medical insurance locally.

 

I am aware that April may offer medical insurance directly from their office in France, but I don't know which insurers they use.

 

April Thailand is quite straightforward in stating their status as a broker and the insurer they use locally. I believe that their office in France would be equally transparent. Perhaps someone who has used April's French office could take a look at the policy that April sent them and advise which insurer issued the policy.

 

If either April Thailand or April France refers or places business with WRLife, it would be interesting to see what April has to say about WRLife's status.

April International (France) does their own underwriting.

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

April International (France) does their own underwriting.

 

Yes, April International appears to have managing general agency agreements with AXA and perhaps other insurers that would give them delegated underwriting and claims paying authority on behalf of those insurers.

 

From April International's UK website:  

1. If your insurance is contracted from outside of the EU/EEA the product is designed, administered and distributed by APRIL International UK and insured by either AXA XL Insurance Company UK Limited or AXA XL Underwriting Agencies Limited.

 

Their French website also indicates that they act as an MGA, but I was not able to find similar, detailed wording.

 

 

 

[bradiston]

As the OP, I just thought I'd update the thread. I signed up with Wrlife, for better or worse. I took $400,000 pa cover for 10471 THB pm. I did visit AA's offices, and talked at length with Benny, a very nice man. Wrlife have changed their requirements, and it seems to be on a rolling ongoing basis, so it looks like most people have a different experience. Not to everybody's taste I guess, but I feel ok about it. Thanks to everyone for their input. It all helps, you know! They put a 24 month moratorium on my Afib, but apart from that all is covered. Seems peculiar I know that they would cover cardiovascular problems in the light of my Afib, but it seems that this is, at present at least, how they work. As usual, YMMV!

[scubascuba3]

24 minutes ago, bradiston said:

As the OP, I just thought I'd update the thread. I signed up with Wrlife, for better or worse. I took $400,000 pa cover for 10471 THB pm. I did visit AA's offices, and talked at length with Benny, a very nice man. Wrlife have changed their requirements, and it seems to be on a rolling ongoing basis, so it looks like most people have a different experience. Not to everybody's taste I guess, but I feel ok about it. Thanks to everyone for their input. It all helps, you know! They put a 24 month moratorium on my Afib, but apart from that all is covered. Seems peculiar I know that they would cover cardiovascular problems in the light of my Afib, but it seems that this is, at present at least, how they work. As usual, YMMV!

So you've got the answers to the questions in this thread?

[bradiston]

8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

So you've got the answers to the questions in this thread?

Pretty much.

[scubascuba3]

8 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Pretty much.

ah good, what were the answers? might help others

[brewsterbudgen]

Like some others, I switched to WRLife last year, following the recommendation of my broker.  Looking to move my wife's and son's policies over to them in the next month or so, when their current insurance expires.   I have the Serenity plan ($400,000 cover, inpatient only, no deductible) and pay around $1,400 per annum.  I'm 62.

[scubascuba3]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Like some others, I switched to WRLife last year, following the recommendation of my broker.  Looking to move my wife's and son's policies over to them in the next month or so, when their current insurance expires.   I have the Serenity plan ($400,000 cover, inpatient only, no deductible) and pay around $1,400 per annum.  I'm 62.

should get @BigStar on the case he can investigate them and come back with a 4 page analysis

[KannikaP]

52 minutes ago, bradiston said:

As the OP, I just thought I'd update the thread. I signed up with Wrlife, for better or worse. I took $400,000 pa cover for 10471 THB pm. I did visit AA's offices, and talked at length with Benny, a very nice man. Wrlife have changed their requirements, and it seems to be on a rolling ongoing basis, so it looks like most people have a different experience. Not to everybody's taste I guess, but I feel ok about it. Thanks to everyone for their input. It all helps, you know! They put a 24 month moratorium on my Afib, but apart from that all is covered. Seems peculiar I know that they would cover cardiovascular problems in the light of my Afib, but it seems that this is, at present at least, how they work. As usual, YMMV!

Would your pre-existing condition not now be covered with the new Breaking News which says they will cover ANYTHING after 6 months policy?

 

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Would your pre-existing condition not now be covered with the new Breaking News which says they will cover ANYTHING after 6 months policy?

 

Since they put a 24-month exclusion on his Afib, obviously not.

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Would your pre-existing condition not now be covered with the new Breaking News which says they will cover ANYTHING after 6 months policy?

 

They brought that new deal in after I'd signed up. That's the sort of thing that might make you think twice about signing up. The weirdly moving goal posts prior to or post signing! Nobody I've talked to got the same deal. But everybody got covered for what they've had to have done. I think the 6 month rule is an attempt to normalise their Ts and Cs. I also think if I'd gone elsewhere, cardio cover would have been completely excluded. Who knows?

[jerrymahoney]

The six month rule is for age 65 and over. Not mentioned in ANYTHING post above.

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Like some others, I switched to WRLife last year, following the recommendation of my broker.  Looking to move my wife's and son's policies over to them in the next month or so, when their current insurance expires.   I have the Serenity plan ($400,000 cover, inpatient only, no deductible) and pay around $1,400 per annum.  I'm 62.

$1400 pa? That's half what I'm paying! I'm 10 years older, so maybe that's why. And maybe you've had your policy for a while? I'm still ok with what I've got though. $10k pm is what I spend on one or two luxury items in any case.

[bradiston]

2 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

The six month rule is for age 65 and over. Not mentioned in ANYTHING post above.

I only found out about it on Monday. You can do your own research too.

[jerrymahoney]

17 minutes ago, bradiston said:

I only found out about it on Monday. You can do your own research too.

I signed up almost a year ago at age 70 without any pre-exiting conditions. I had a prior 5-year history with CIGNA with no claims.

 

And my apologies it was Brewsterbudgen who said that he is 62.

[KannikaP]

36 minutes ago, bradiston said:

But everybody got covered for what they've had to have done.

Any examples please?

 

Look at the 'big' companies and see how many employees they have. Then look at Wr.................SIX.

Yeh, that's how they keep the premiums low!

[bradiston]

On 8/9/2022 at 4:43 PM, KannikaP said:

As usual, if something appears to be too good to be true, it's possibly a scam.

Do you have a link for the above as I can't find it? AA says it's nothing to do with Wrlife. <deleted> is going on?!

[bradiston]

On 8/9/2022 at 6:07 PM, jerrymahoney said:

Maybe it is a scam. Maybe they have decided it will be profitable for them if enough persons aged 65 or over sign up with severe pre-existing conditions, pay a full year premium, and then die before the 6 months waiting period is up.

But on Monday if I'm not mistaken, you said you made a successful claim 2 months after signing up.

[jerrymahoney]

1 minute ago, bradiston said:

But on Monday if I'm not mistaken, you said you made a successful claim 2 months after signing up.

Correct.

[bradiston]

47 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Any examples please?

 

Look at the 'big' companies and see how many employees they have. Then look at Wr.................SIX.

Yeh, that's how they keep the premiums low!

One member here (see Monday on page 2), and an acquaintance I have who says he's had 1.5m THB of treatment and has been with them for 3 years. Showed me his original cover note. He has had radiation treatment at Bangkok hospital Pattaya and elsewhere.

[bradiston]

1 minute ago, jerrymahoney said:

Correct.

Thanks. I didn't want to drag you in on this but somebody asked for examples of covered treatment. 

[bradiston]

37 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Do you have a link for the above as I can't find it? AA says it's nothing to do with Wrlife. <deleted> is going on?!

Anyway, bottom line is, I'm signed up paying on a monthly basis and can cancel any time. I know where I stand vis a vis the small print, I think. Anyone know of a 100% water tight no questions asked insurance policy open to a 72 yo with a heart condition? Not saying that's what Wrlife is, but such policies are not easily available.

[jerrymahoney]

9 hours ago, bradiston said:

One member here (see Monday on page 2), and an acquaintance I have who says he's had 1.5m THB of treatment and has been with them for 3 years. Showed me his original cover note. He has had radiation treatment at Bangkok hospital Pattaya and elsewhere.

Just to note on that page 2 comment on my WrLife claim, when I first posted that claim info on a topic a few month's back, one of the replies was: Well what if they had denied you're claim?

 

So it seems some who reply to this type topic are just in gotcha mode.

 

 

 

[KannikaP]

12 hours ago, bradiston said:

Do you have a link for the above as I can't find it? AA says it's nothing to do with Wrlife. <deleted> is going on?!

Benny at AA Pattaya actually suggested WrLife to me, which policy to take. Someone else said the same.