International Health Insurance VUMI

[HampiK]

Hello,

I would like to know if anybody know about this Insurance company *VUMI*.

I have Cigna International (Silver plan) right now and was looking for other Insurances like April for example. Then I came to the VUMI, which has according to their website similar benefits as Cigna or April.. but a yearly limit of 3 million US$ (VuMI Global Flex Basic).

They state their are under UK Law, which seems good. But as I not that knowledable in health things (never used a hospital in the last 30 years, but who knows about the future), I wanted to see if maybe someone has any knowledge about them.

[KannikaP]

Try Mr Google

 

Reviews and Quotations come up.

 

https://www.vumiglobal.com/

 

Looks like they don't include Thailand

 

Asia area of cover restriction
For insureds residing in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Cambodia, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, the Asia area of cover restriction will include Singapore but exclude Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

Edited December 8, 2022 by KannikaP

[scubascuba3]

I've never seen a post about VUMI and never heard of them, best to stick with long established well known companies

[KannikaP]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've never seen a post about VUMI and never heard of them, best to stick with long established well known companies

See my post above.

 

[HampiK]

31 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Try Mr Google

 

Reviews and Quotations come up.

 

https://www.vumiglobal.com/

 

Looks like they don't include Thailand

 

Asia area of cover restriction
For insureds residing in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Cambodia, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, the Asia area of cover restriction will include Singapore but exclude Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

Thailand is included...

[KannikaP]

1 minute ago, HampiK said:

Thailand is included...

Well one of us must have read their website incorrectly.

[KannikaP]

49 minutes ago, HampiK said:

They state their are under UK Law, which seems good

Are THEY not an American company?

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

From what I've been able to find on the internet, VUMI's distribution arm for Asia is located in the Dubai Outsource Free Zone in the UAE.  Free zones in the UAE do not come under the jurisdiction of the UAE Insurance Authority, so I'm not sure what oversight body would be of assistance if you had an issue with VUMI's Dubai entity.

 

The parent company appears to be located in Dallas, Texas, but I don't think that entity is actually the risk-bearing insurance company that would be responsible for paying claims.

 

I think that the insurance company that VUMI possibly uses, VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group, Ltd, is actually based in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If so, it would therefore probably come under the oversight of the Turks and Caicos insurance regulator.  Sometimes smaller insurance companies will incorporate in offshore jurisdictions due to low capital requirements and light regulatory oversight, but I do not know about Turks and Caicos or VUMI specifically. I have not been able to find a Standard and Poor or A.M. Best rating for this company, so I can't comment on its financial strength.

 

If you do pursue a quote from VUMI, you might wish to ask them for the name and address of the insurance company that actually bears the financial risk of paying claims along with information on their financial status including any ratings from Standard and Poor, AM Best or other rating agency.

 

My preference would be to go with a large, well-established insurer that is subject to regulation in a major financial center in places like the UK, the EU or even Singapore. 

[malathione]

12 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Well one of us must have read their website incorrectly.

Yes, you.

[richard_smith237]

14 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Looks like they don't include Thailand

They do.

 

14 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've never seen a post about VUMI and never heard of them, best to stick with long established well known companies

They’re known and as established as any of the other companies such as April. 

 

My Wife and Son have been covered with VUMI for the last two years. 

We were all covered with April before that until they *reneged on preauthorisation for treatment I received (I ended up paying out of pocket). 

 

VUMI have been decent, Wife has received treatment with no issues with the claims (direct settlement at the hospital). 

 

 

 

 

 

*I’d been pre-authorised for treatment to remove a kidney stone.

I’d had a kidney stone ‘pass’ 5 year before that, which was in my medical notes. 

April considered a second kidney stone a pre-existing condition and refused to pay for the treatment.

 

 

 

 

[HampiK]

33 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

They do.

 

They’re known and as established as any of the other companies such as April. 

 

My Wife and Son have been covered with VUMI for the last two years. 

We were all covered with April before that until they *reneged on preauthorisation for treatment I received (I ended up paying out of pocket). 

 

VUMI have been decent, Wife has received treatment with no issues with the claims (direct settlement at the hospital). 

 

 

*I’d been pre-authorised for treatment to remove a kidney stone.

I’d had a kidney stone ‘pass’ 5 year before that, which was in my medical notes. 

April considered a second kidney stone a pre-existing condition and refused to pay for the treatment.

Thanks for the positive Information. I am still considering. 

- Higher yearly limit, cheaper annual costs (compared to April, Cigna)

- Starting Insurance at age of 75 (maybe interesting for some older guys with no preconditions)
 

 

@richard_smith237 the direct billing, are there many hospitals in the list in Thailand (Bangkok)?

[scubascuba3]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

They do.

 

They’re known and as established as any of the other companies such as April. 

 

My Wife and Son have been covered with VUMI for the last two years. 

We were all covered with April before that until they *reneged on preauthorisation for treatment I received (I ended up paying out of pocket). 

 

VUMI have been decent, Wife has received treatment with no issues with the claims (direct settlement at the hospital). 

 

 

 

 

 

*I’d been pre-authorised for treatment to remove a kidney stone.

I’d had a kidney stone ‘pass’ 5 year before that, which was in my medical notes. 

April considered a second kidney stone a pre-existing condition and refused to pay for the treatment.

 

 

 

 

Which April did you have?

[jerrymahoney]

15 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which April did you have?

Come renewal, I removed my family and from any cover with April  (April International BTW). 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1279120-april-international/

 

[scubascuba3]

21 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Come renewal, I removed my family and from any cover with April  (April International BTW). 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1279120-april-international/

 

Isn't April International the Thai company? rather than April Global (France)

[Jen65]

I see adds about "Generali "    global health insurance here in Thailand . Anybody use them or experience of them??

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which April did you have?

It was April International... (Underwritten by LMG Insurance).

 

(not sure if thats the Thai one or Global)

 

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by richard_smith237

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, HampiK said:

 

@richard_smith237 the direct billing, are there many hospitals in the list in Thailand (Bangkok)?

Pretty much all of the Hospitals in Thailand... 

 

VUMI has direct billing with Samitivej, Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital... 

[KannikaP]

3 hours ago, HampiK said:

Starting Insurance at age of 75 (maybe interesting for some older guys with no preconditions)

I wonder how long they would want you to go back with the precons.

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

I wonder how long they would want you to go back with the precons.

i reckon at 75 everything is preexisting 

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Isn't April International the Thai company? rather than April Global (France)

April Int'l UK is underwritten by AXA-XL.

 

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.

 

https://uk.april-international.com/en/living-abroad/long-term-international-health-plan

 

April Int'l Thailand:

 

MyHEALTH is underwritten by LMG Insurance Public Company Limited and arranged and administered by APRIL Assistance (Thailand) Co Ltd. Sales are conducted by APRIL Brokerage (Thailand) Co Ltd.

 

https://asia.april-international.com/en/international-health-insurance/myhealth-thailand

 

 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

14 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

April Int'l UK is underwritten by AXA-XL.

 

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.

 

https://uk.april-international.com/en/living-abroad/long-term-international-health-plan

 

April Int'l Thailand:

 

MyHEALTH is underwritten by LMG Insurance Public Company Limited and arranged and administered by APRIL Assistance (Thailand) Co Ltd. Sales are conducted by APRIL Brokerage (Thailand) Co Ltd.

 

https://asia.april-international.com/en/international-health-insurance/myhealth-thailand

 

 

 

That's right. April is an insurance broker, not an insurance company.  One needs to drill down to see who is the insurer in order to determine claims-paying attitude and also insurer security.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

April Int'l UK is underwritten by AXA-XL.

 

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.

 

https://uk.april-international.com/en/living-abroad/long-term-international-health-plan

 

April Int'l Thailand:

 

MyHEALTH is underwritten by LMG Insurance Public Company Limited and arranged and administered by APRIL Assistance (Thailand) Co Ltd. Sales are conducted by APRIL Brokerage (Thailand) Co Ltd.

 

https://asia.april-international.com/en/international-health-insurance/myhealth-thailand

 

 

 

Many people here seem to have the April Global (France) which you've not mentioned?

[jerrymahoney]

39 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Many people here seem to have the April Global (France) which you've not mentioned?

Because, at least on their website, as best I can tell, it does not say who is their underwriter.

[jerrymahoney]

About APRIL  International
APRIL International is the brand which carries the APRIL group’s mobility offerings (international health insurance and travel insurance). APRIL International Care France, an insurance intermediary registered with ORIAS under number 07 008 000, designs, distributes and manages insurance solutions and assistance services for individuals, travellers, expatriates and businesses. 

 

https://fr.april-international.com/en/about-us

 

Article 16. LANGUAGE

 

These statutes are in French. If they are translated into other languages, only the French version is
binding. 

 

https://fr.april-international.com/sites/france/files/2022-12/MyHealth International_General Conditions_2023.pdf

Edited December 9, 2022 by jerrymahoney

[jerrymahoney]

On 12/9/2022 at 1:05 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

That's right. April is an insurance broker, not an insurance company.  One needs to drill down to see who is the insurer in order to determine claims-paying attitude and also insurer security.

On the bottom of the WrLife COVERS page it says: 

FRANCE : WRLIFE, L’assurance Participative SAS, 143 avenue de Kéradennec 29334 Quimper Cedex. Insurance broker ORIAS number 16000457

 

https://www.wrlife.net/pdf_files/SUMMARY OF INSURANCE COVERS ENGLISH.pdf

So who is ORIAS 16000457? 

_____________________ (start verbatim from website)

 

Licensed broker 16000457 · www.orias.fr 

AG SERVICES INSURANCE AGENCY

https://www.ag-service.org/

Contact us today for a quote 

[email protected]

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR EXPATRIATES

We provide a large range of medical insurance for expatriates (individuals and corporates). 

 

We are specialized in niche market and specific insurance covers : cargo, expatriates, special liabilities, terrorism, kidnapping.

 

We also provide traditional covers

ABOUT US

 

https://www.ag-service.org/about-us

 

 

Meet or call your advisor: Patrick LORENTZ

 

Specialist in medical insurance for expatriates since June 2000. Was expatriated 19 years in Thailand, created 9 brokerages in South East Asia with 5,000 customers, has a 17,000 people database in Asia, lives between Brittany in France, Cambodia and Thailand.

 

Already created 1 product with a major master broker.

Helped a master broker and a major insurance group to review one cover and the rates.

 

Also collaborates with the Lloyd’s of London for big covers.

__________________________ (end verbatim)

Edited December 18, 2022 by jerrymahoney

[nigelforbes]

3 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

On the bottom of the WrLife COVERS page it says: 

FRANCE : WRLIFE, L’assurance Participative SAS, 143 avenue de Kéradennec 29334 Quimper Cedex. Insurance broker ORIAS number 16000457

 

https://www.wrlife.net/pdf_files/SUMMARY OF INSURANCE COVERS ENGLISH.pdf

So who is ORIAS 16000457? 

_____________________ (start verbatim from website)

 

Licensed broker 16000457 · www.orias.fr 

AG SERVICES INSURANCE AGENCY

https://www.ag-service.org/

Contact us today for a quote 

[email protected]

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR EXPATRIATES

We provide a large range of medical insurance for expatriates (individuals and corporates). 

 

We are specialized in niche market and specific insurance covers : cargo, expatriates, special liabilities, terrorism, kidnapping.

 

We also provide traditional covers

 

https://www.ag-service.org/about-us

 

 

Meet or call your advisor: Patrick LORENTZ

 

Specialist in medical insurance for expatriates since June 2000. Was expatriated 19 years in Thailand, created 9 brokerages in South East Asia with 5,000 customers, has a 17,000 people database in Asia, lives between Brittany in France, Cambodia and Thailand.

 

Already created 1 product with a major master broker.

Helped a master broker and a major insurance group to review one cover and the rates.

 

Also collaborates with the Lloyd’s of London for big covers.

__________________________ (end verbatim)

The following is not very reassuring:

 

https://www.wrlife.net/pdf_files/PARTICIPATIVE POLICY ENGLISH.pdf

 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

22 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

 

So who is ORIAS 16000457? 

_____________________ (start verbatim from website)

 

 

 

 

This is the registration number given by the ORIAS, the French registrar of insurance brokers, banks and other financial intermediaries. To me, this indicates that WR Life is registered in France with ORIAS as an insurance broker. 

 

https://www.orias.fr

[KannikaP]

I went on VUMI website and filed in my details for a quote. A WEEK LATER, I got a call from Pacific Prime Brokers in Bangkok who subsequently emailed me premiums for VUMI and other policies. VUMI was far too expensive, for me anyway.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

4 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

I went on VUMI website and filed in my details for a quote. A WEEK LATER, I got a call from Pacific Prime Brokers in Bangkok who subsequently emailed me premiums for VUMI and other policies. VUMI was far too expensive, for me anyway.

That would lead me to believe that VUMI has some sort of agreement with Pacific Prime to act on their behalf for clients in Thailand. Nothing particularly unusual about that, but did you agree that VUMI could release your personal information to Pacific Prime when you filled in your info on VUMI's website? Perhaps there is wording when you submit your info that you agree that VUMI can release it to their business partners.

[KannikaP]

2 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

That would lead me to believe that VUMI has some sort of agreement with Pacific Prime to act on their behalf for clients in Thailand. Nothing particularly unusual about that, but did you agree that VUMI could release your personal information to Pacific Prime when you filled in your info on VUMI's website? Perhaps there is wording when you submit your info that you agree that VUMI can release it to their business partners.

I never saw anything saying that about releasing my info. Pacific Prime had got my details from previous 'encounters' anyway. I asked them to remove ALL my details, but am sure they will be back sometime soon.