Ensure that you inspect all your possessions when they are unpacked for any damage that might have occurred during the move. Test all appliances and report any problems immediately to the unpackers before you sign the receipts. Photograph any damaged items.

Your personal liability insurance may only cover you in Malaysia, so check if it covers you world wide, you may need it while travelling. Check whether your policy covers items that you may take with you when you leave home or travel. Keep receipts for all purchases, you'll need them for customs as well as insurance purposes, and consider if your contents policy remains adequate.

Insurance is always recommended at least for damage to the property that you are living in and its contents (theft and fire, at least). Most of the insurance companies are connected to international companies so the processes are similar to what you have experienced elsewhere.

High-rise apartment living and the fact that most apartment complexes, low and high, have security guards and CCTV cameras, means that home burglaries are uncommon. Petty crimes and crimes against your person are quite rare for international residents in Malaysia.

Rainstorms or leaking plumbing from the upstairs apartment are more likely to cause damage to your property. This is what you need to have clarified in your insurance policy.

Most likely your ceiling and walls will start showing watermarks, or your curtains and carpets may get spoiled with moist. Is this your responsibility to pay for or the landlord's? As for health or medical insurance, it is not compulsory rather a prerogative of the expat. In some cases, you may negotiate with the company in Malaysia you will be working with to include insurance coverage as part of the deal. Many companies extend the coverage to wife and children as well, depending on the position you will be holding - the higher, the better the benefits.

As a guide, if you are of generally good health (non-smoker or suffer genetic ailments) between 35 to 40, a family insurance premium would be between RM1,000 to RM1,500 per annum. Most policies would cover husband, wife and 2 children for admission to hospital from accidents, surgeries etc. Whereas health insurance for the same candidate would be about RM650 per annum which covers personal accidents and surgeries at RM450 per day stay in hospitals.

Third party car insurance is mandatory and road tax certificates will not be issued by the JPJ (Road Transport Department) unless this is paid. Many drivers settle small accident damages at the scene of an accident rather than involve insurance claims, as this affects the NCB (non claim bonus) in the yearly renewal of insurance policies on hire-purchased cars.

If you have a domestic helper you must also insure her. If you use and agency, they only cover her insurance for two years. As the employer you are responsible for her health care costs whether she has the flu or a fall off the ladder. Expenses on visits to GPs are borne by the employer.

If you plan on extending the services of one particular maid for more than two years, you could take out comprehensive insurance that covers her medical care including any injuries she incurs during work.

Meanwhile, keep up the payments of all insurance policies kept back home. It's too easy to forget, as what is out of sight is often out of mind.

---------------------------------------------------

Protect your family finances

Before arriving in Malaysia as an independent expatriate or posted by your employer, you need to consider how to protect your family finances in the case of sickness and accident – or even how your family will be protected financially in the event of a death.

Malaysia offers expatriates a welcoming home away from home. Like any country however, its social services are geared to the needs of the local population and it is essential to make sure that you have the right insurance to provide you with the level of financial protection you need. This falls into three main areas, international private medical insurance to give you and your family fast access to medical treatment, income protection to replace your salary if you are unable to work due to long term illness or accident and life insurance to protect your family’s finances if you’re no longer there to provide for them. For expats moving to Malaysia on the Malaysia my Second Home (MM2H), long term visa programme, international private medical insurance is a compulsory requirement of obtaining a visa.

Malaysia 's medical services are among the best in the region, however if you need medical treatment you’ll need to visit one of the many private hospitals or clinics and pay for your treatment. Private medical insurance (PMI) is designed to cover these costs – but make sure that the policy you buy is an ‘international’ policy geared to expatriate needs as a traditional domestic policy from your home country or country of residence is unlikely to provide the level of cover you need in Malaysia and other countries you visit.

Check the policy provides full emergency medical evacuation cover in case you are taken ill in a remote area where medical facilities are scarcer and local 24/7 emergency assistance. Different international PMI policies are designed either to cover essential healthcare needs if you’re on a budget or higher levels of protection if you want to cover a wider range of conditions such as maternity care or cover for the treatment of chronic illnesses. If you are living with your partner and children buy a family policy which covers you together as these are generally available at a lower premium than buying individual policies.

Medical emergencies are not the only financial risk you will face.  If you suffer an illness or accident that leaves you unable to work, you’ll need an income wherever you recuperate as once an expatriate, you may not be entitled to full state-funded benefits – which are minimal in most countries to start with.  Income protection policies are designed to provide you with a replacement income while you are unable to work.  Again it is prudent to buy a plan designed specifically for expats as you are likely to find restrictions in domestic policies which will make it difficult to claim if you are working overseas.  Plans can replace up to 75 per cent of your salary with payments made continuously until you are either fit to return to work – or right up to retirement age if necessary.

Finally, don’t overlook life insurance. It’s an unpleasant thought, but your family will need protection to provide a reliable income to replace your earnings if you die before you reach retirement age. Fortunately life insurance is generally low cost and you can easily buy cover providing up to 20 times your annual salary for a low monthly premium. Again, remember that any domestic life insurance plans you have taken out at home may not pay out in Malaysia, so look for an international plan designed with the expat in mind.

Customer Sales Desk, William Russell (Asia Pacific), Telephone: + 6 03 2171 2071 , email: saleskl@william-russell.com
web: http://www.william-russell.com/individualsandfamilies/expats-asiapacific/malay/