Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day

 

 

 

Adamjee Insurance Company: Intro and Review

Adamjee Insurance Company Limited, the largest General Insurance Company of Pakistan, was founded in 1960 by Mr. A. W. Adamjee. Adamjee received its certificate of commencement on 30th November 1960.

MCB Bank, another subsidiary of Nishat Group acquired the management rights of the company in 2004. The Board of Directors of the company includes highly qualified professionals who are extremely competent in their respective fields. The strategic decision making is now under the vigilance of a young and dynamic team of professionals.

Our core aim is to provide highly differentiated & innovative set of services to our customers, duly mounting up profits for our stakeholders.  The current annual results of 2010 are evidence of our dedication & harmony towards work.

We are offering Corporate & Retail Insurance Solutions which are comprehensive, economical and customized for our valued clients. On the retail side of the business Adamjee has launched its travel product, Faaslay Asaan as well as launched Crop Loan Insurance & Livestock Insurance. Adamjee Life was launched in 2009 in collaboration with Hollard International.

The company continually endeavors to provide its clientele with sophisticated analysis; quality advice, innovative solutions, and the capacity to transfer risks to internationally renowned ‘A’ rated Re-insurers. The above services are optimally being provided by technically equipped professionals through team work, integrity, sharing of knowledge, and above all putting the client’s interests first. Our competitive advantage will continue to be built around quality professionalism and expertise and not necessarily size.

Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd.- (JCR) and Vital Information Services Pakistan (VIS) had assigned AIC “AA” for the year 2010. AIC is the only insurance company which was given the rating ‘A’ (Excellent) by A.M. Best for two consecutive years.

The Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) has awarded Adamjee the Corporate Excellence Award twice in the years 1997 and 1998. This award is in the financial sector and includes banks, insurance, leasing, modaraba companies and other financial institutions.

AIC holds a distinctive record of holding ‘Best Company Award’ from Karachi Stock Exchange among all sectors for 17 consecutive years. It has also secured Best Export Performance Trophy from FPCCI 19 times.

Adamjee is the first general insurance company in Pakistan to achieve ISO 9002 certification from the world’s oldest and most reputed certifying company – Lloyd’s Register of quality assurance.

Adamjee has also the singular distinction of being declared ‘The 2nd Best Insurance Company in Asia’, by Euro-money in the year 2001.  

Munich Re, the world’s largest re-insurer has recognized Adamjee as the “Best managed insurance company between Vienna and Taipei”.

The company insures all industrial and commercial risks including telecommunication sector, foreign and local banks, and textile mills. Majority of foreign concerns insure their construction, erection and infrastructure development work with this company because Adamjee’s security has passed the stringent standards of IFC, World Bank and other leading agencies in the world.

Insurance Claims Procedure

some important points, which would help you in the claims procedure:

• The loss or damage should be reported to the insurer immediately.
• On receipt of claim intimation, the insurer will forward a claim form.
• Submit the completed claim form along with an estimate of the loss to the insurer. It is preferable to submit an itemized estimate with separate values.
• The insurer will arrange for inspection of the damaged items to assess the loss. In case of major losses, a specialist-licensed surveyor is deputed.
• The insured has to provide the required documents to substantiate the extent of loss.
• In case the cause of loss is not established, it is for the insured to prove that the loss or damage has occurred due to an insured peril.
• On agreement of claim amount between the insured and the insurer, the claim is settled.

Claims under Fire

• Firstly the insured should take all possible steps to minimize the loss.
• The fire brigade may be intimated immediately.
• Lodge a police complaint in case of a fire arising out of - rioting mob, striking workers, malicious damage by third parties or terrorist damage.
• Inform insurer as early as possible , in no case later than 24 hours
• To co-operate with the surveyor appointed by the insurer by relevant information.
• If the policy is on 'reinstatement basis', the claim is settled only after completion of repairs/replacement of the damaged items and submission of bills for claim payment.

Burglary Claims / Money Insurance

• Immediately report to the police and obtain a non-traceable certificate that the items are not found.
• Notify insurer as early as possible.
• The insurers will insist upon a letter of undertaking on a stamp paper of appropriate value - letter of Subrogation, for refunding the claim amount when the stolen property is recovered.
• Obtain a final report from Police
• Insured has to provide the surveyor complete book of accounts and bills substantiating the loss on the day of incidence.

Machinery Breakdown

• Immediate notification to the insurer
• Notice of claim and estimated cost of repairs should be filed with the insurers to arrange for inspection.
• In case of partial losses, no depreciation is charged but when the items are not insured for its present day replacement value, the items are treated as underinsured and the claim amount is proportionately reduced. Depreciation is only applied for Total Loss claims.
• If an appliance is partially damaged, it should be repaired (on approval from insurance company) before it is put to use, as otherwise further loss is not covered.

Electronic Equipments

• Immediate notification to the insurer.
• Notice of claim and estimated cost of repairs should be filed with the insurers to arrange for inspection. 
  
  
  In case of partial losses, no depreciation is charged but when the items are not insured for its present day replacement value, the items are treated as underinsured and the claim amount is proportionately reduced. Depreciation is only applied for Total Loss claims.
• If an appliance is partially damaged, it should be repaired (on approval from insurance company) before it is put to use, as otherwise further loss is not covered.

Travel Sure:

• The claim procedure varies from country to country and therefore the insured should get in touch with the overseas claim settling agents of the insurers immediately.
• The Insured should carry the policy document with him, which may be produced as evidence if necessary. The policy document also contains the full information as to how to get in touch with the claim settling agents for assistance.

Motor vehicle claims

• Notice of an accident involving third parties should be reported to the insurers.
• The insured may be interested to pay compensation without going into whether he is liable to pay or not. It is therefore an express condition of the policy that no claim should be admitted or a compromise arrived at, without the approval of the insurers.

Claims under Comprehensive policies

Steps to be taken in case of an accident:

• Notice of accident should be filed with the insurers.
• If damage is a major one, the accident may be reported before the vehicle is removed from the spot so that the insurers can arrange for spot inspection of damage.
• The vehicle may then be moved to a workshop, preferably to authorized workshop, for estimation of repair charges.
• On receipt of completed claim form and estimate of repairs the insurers will arrange detailed inspection of damage and cost of repairs will be ascertained.
• The insurers will ensure that a person duly licensed drove the vehicle at the time of accident and that the vehicle is the one insured in their books. To that end, they will verify the Registration Certificate and the Driving license of the driver who drove at the time of the accident.
• Upon completion of the above procedure, the repairers will be authorized to carry out repairs. The insurer may undertake to settle the repair bills directly with the garage or reimburse the insured.
• Insurers would like to collect the damaged parts for which replacements have been allowed, as salvage. To ensure that replacements with new parts, have in fact, been effected.
• In case of theft of the car or its accessories, it has to be reported to the police and final report should be submitted.

Understanding Your Marine Cargo Insurance Plan

Have you ever wondered what happens if your goods in transit through cargo holds of large ships which carry containers, get damaged while handling? Well, you do not pay a cent for recovering the cost of the damaged goods because your marine cargo insurance does it for you.

Marine cargo insurance is an important concept to understand especially if you frequently transit your goods through carrier vessels. Such insurance is usually provided by all those companies that transport large quantities of cargo. Since there are always chances that the goods being carried could get damaged because of the weather conditions or poor handling by the people involved in the transit, it is always better to opt for insurance.

Due to the increased volumes of the goods that are always kept in transit throughout the world, marine cargo insurance has become a highly specialized as well as a regulated industry. You may not get a government approved insurance plan for your boat, but be certain that you will get the most excellent options for your marine cargo insurance.

There are basically three kinds of marine cargo insurance plans. The first and the most common of all insurance is the open cover insurance. This insurance is drawn to cover a number of consignments that are being shipped. This kind of policy can be for a specified amount and lapses when the amount of insurance covered is claimed, or can provide an open cover for a specific period of time. People who have large volumes of goods in transit usually prefer this kind of insurance plan.

The second type of marine cargo insurance is the specific voyage policy. This is not a usual norm in this insurance sector. However, this policy is usually used when you want to make a one time or a specific insurance policy for a particular consignment.

The third kind of insurance is the contingency insurance which is taken on consignments only as a contingency plan in an event that the buyer has not already taken an insurance policy on the consignment and may later refuse to claim any damaged goods. In such a case, the exporter may turn to the court of law or use the contingent insurance to cover any losses.

There are many freight forwarders and specialized marine cargo insurance companies that offer such insurance plans. Some banks may also offer such insurances to those who want to protect their consignments.

Primerica Life Insurance

Primerica Life Insurance Company is one of the largest providers of term life insurance in the United States, but to get the truth about Primerica, look no further than one of its customers.

Primerica Life Insurance Company: Financial Strength


There are two ways to discover the financial stability of your life insurance company: (1) die; (2) research the company's financial strength. I prefer the latter (if you prefer the former, you may not want to mention it when applying for coverage).

A.M. Best, a full service credit-rating organization, has given Primerica a superior (A+) financial rating. According to Reuters, A.M. Best bases its rating on Primerica's "leading position in the U.S. term life insurance marketplace, strong risk-adjusted capitalization and favorable liquidity profile,"* which in English means if you die, they have the money to pay.

Primerica Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Citigroup. Because of Primerica's profitability and Citi's need to raise capital, there is a likelihood Primerica could be sold in the near future; this, however, is no reason for policy holders--present and future--to be concerned.

Primerica Life Insurance Company Products

Life insurance policies don't exactly qualify as fun reading. Most people when they buy life insurance have no idea what they're getting. There's a reason for this. Most life insurance companies don't want you to know what you're getting. Primerica, on the other hand, keeps it simple.

Primerica sells only term life insurance. If you're looking for cash value insurance, go elsewhere (but read this first). Policies range from 10-year term to 35-year term. All Primerica policies are level premium/level term, which means the monthly premium stays the same throughout the term of the policy. Primerica policies automatically come with a terminal illness clause, which allows the policy holder to receive a portion of the death benefit in case of a terminal illness. Most policies can be renewed without a medical examination when the term expires (premiums will increase based on age at renewal).

Here's the truth about Primerica: because it only sells one type of insurance, consumers need not fear the unethical practices of insurance companies of the past. These unethical practices include the implosion of cash value life insurance policies and the bait and switch approach--the agent sells you a crappy term policy, increasing term, for example, and after you complain he persuades you to buy cash value life insurance.

An important part of any purchase, be it life insurance or toe nail clippers, is cost. A criticism of the company in the past has been its high premiums. Within the past several years, Primerica premiums have been reduced considerably and are now extremely competitive.

The Truth about Primerica: The Agents

One of the more interesting (for those who find life insurance interesting) aspects of Primerica Life Insurance Company is its agents. The company aggressively recruits, not Wall Street techno-wizards or Insurance gurus, but part-time, average, middle-class Americans. Primerica's hiring practices have been criticized by some (its competitors) because of its high agent turnover. Hiring part-timers and average Joes (and Janes), however, is in line with the company's philosophy of keeping things simple for the consumer.

If you wish to purchase life insuance through Primerica, it must be done through an agent, contact information can be found at the company's website. In addition to answering questions about life insurance, your agent can provide you with a free financial needs analysis to help you get out of debt, pay off your mortgage faster, and save for retirement--many agents are licensed to sell mutual funds and can help you start a Roth IRA, a 403 (b), a 529 College Savings Plan or a self-employed retirement plan.

InterContinental Paris - Le Grand Hotel

Description

A remarkable landmark in Paris, the stunning InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand is brilliantly situated overlooking the famed Opera Square and neighbouring Opera Garnier. The St Lazare subway station and the train station are also very conveniently only minutes away from InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand.

Stylish and comfortable accommodation belongs to the hotel guests when they stay at InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand. The recently renovated InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand offers elegant guest rooms and suites featuring an array of rich amenities bound to satisfy even the most discerning traveller. Le Café de la Paix at InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand offers a traditional brasserie-style cuisine as well as more contemporary style dishes. La Verrière restaurant, also at InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand, offers a more casual atmosphere and serves a variety of tasty treats.

The I-Spa by Algotherm at InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand offers a variety of leisure facilities from a relaxing oriental massage to an impressive sauna and fitness room. InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand offers 21 remarkable meeting rooms well appointed to accommodate any special event. In addition to this, InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand also offers a professional Business Centre together with several business services for hotel guests.

Business or pleasure, InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand is the perfect hideaway for travellers to beautiful Paris. 

Hotel Accommodation

InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand features over 450 elegant guest rooms and suites offering a variety of rich amenities which are inclusive of:

• Cable / satellite TV
• Work desk
• Dual-line telephone with voicemail
• In-room safety-deposit box
• Bathrobe
• HairdryerHotel Restaurants and Bars

The following restaurants and bar are located in the hotel premises:

• Le Café de la Paix
• La Verrière
• Le Bar du Grand HotelConference and Banquet Facilities

InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand's ideal location makes for a desirable venue to hold meetings and other social gatherings. The facilities at this Paris hotel include:

• Executive floors and suites
• 21 meeting rooms
• Business Centre
• Secretarial service
• Audio-visual equipment
• Fax and copy services
• Private limousineHotel Services and Facilities

The InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand offers the following services and facilities for the convenience of guests:

• Concierge services
• Room Service
• Safety-deposit box
• Dry-cleaning pick up / laundry facilities
• Gift shop
• ShoeshineHotel Leisure Facilities

The hotel offers the following leisure facilities for the convenience of guests: 

• Sauna
• Massage

Baglioni Hotel, London, United Kingdom

Overview

By TI Reviewer Rosalie Craft:

An oasis of Italian opulence brazens it out in the heart of London's Kensington. The Baglioni certainly stands out from the crowd with its haute-designer feel and unrepentantly lavish decor. Upon entering, you are immersed in a dark and decadent world of bronze and gold, smooth hardwood flooring and gorgeous Murano chandeliers.

Service at the Baglioni is impeccable. Within seconds of arriving, a member of staff, chicly dressed in black, swiftly approaches. Personal butlers are on hand during check-in, ready to whisk you away to the sanctuary of your room. The Rejuvenation Spa is thoughtfully pointed out along the way, home to traditional Ayurvedic treatments and anti-ageing therapies.

The Brunello Restaurant is included in the mini-tour, too. Mouth watering smells of contemporary Italian cuisine wafts out into the communal areas, and by evening sounds of lively banter filter through; the eatery is well-loved by guests and locals alike and has a great selection of fine wines.

Breakfast is also served in Brunello and is the perfect spot to enjoy the decadent espressos, a true Italian staple. There's also a downstairs cocktail bar and club, as lively as the restaurant by night - a place where the Prosecco flows freely.

The butler comes in very handy to get your head round the sheer amount of services that the place offers. From a complementary limo service, to a personal shopper and even dog sitting; the Baglioni has all bases covered.

With sensual mood lighting and calming Italian music, the 52 suites and 16 rooms are perfectly crafted. Covered in rich chocolates and golds and with furniture that's heavy and antiquated, everything here feels expensive and well-proportioned. Italian artwork lines the walls, lit up by the flickering fireplace and the bed it utterly soft, decked out in sumptuous fabrics.

The rooms certainly do not skimp on technology. Flatscreen televisions, complimentary internet and free movies make staying in an easy option after a hard day's shopping. A discreet service button reminds you that the butler is on call 24 hours a day. It makes it very tempting to set up camp here.

Facilities

In room amenities: Air-conditioning, Flatscreen tv, Internet access, Minibar, Pay-per-view, Room service, Safe, Wifi

Hotel Facilities: Baby-sitting, Bar, Business centre, Concierge, Dry cleaning, Gym/Fitness centre, Hot tubs/Jacuzzi, Meeting rooms, Pets allowed, Restaurant, Spa & treatments, Steam room, Wheelchair accessible

Hotel Policies

Check in time is 2pm - check in Check out time is 12 noon - check out

The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

Hotel Into and Review 

Central Park, Fifth Avenue, spectacular art, thriving culture, endless shopping, unbelievable dining and lively nightlife – this is New York City. Amid the whirl of excitement you will find The Plaza, a timeless landmarked New York hotel defining the next generation of style.  A cultural oasis amid a bustling metropolis, The Plaza continues the tradition of defining luxury through unmatched five star service, with a modern spirit.  

Striking the balance between its storied past and limitless future, The Plaza Hotel in New York City – the ultimate luxury lifestyle destination – has emerged from a recent $450 million transformation to reflect a new and contemporary spirit.  While traditions remain, such as the opulent grandeur of the Beaux Arts décor and the superb ambience of the legendary Oak Room and Oak Bar, exciting new offerings at The Plaza Hotel New York include the elegant Champagne Bar and stylish Rose Club, as well as an interior Tranquility Garden with reflecting pools, elaborate lighting and exotic foliage.  We invite you to visit us and rediscover The Palm Court, New York City's premier destination for afternoon tea.  The authentic Palm Court has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur following a $6.5 million dollar renovation.  The spectacular re-creation of the Palm Court’s luminous 1,800 square foot stained-glass lay light, like The Plaza itself, continues to contribute to the life, vitality and culture of New York City.  The Palm Court is currently accepting reservations via Open Table. 

 The Plaza Hotel offers 282 distinctive guestrooms, including 102 luxurious suites, which boast the largest square footage of any luxury hotel in New York City.  From the sumptuous décor to the impeccable white glove service, The Plaza is an extraordinary hotel that offers every indulgence.  For our suite guests, The Plaza is pleased to offer Butler Service 24 hours a day.

Old world luxury and elegance are complemented by discreet placement of the latest technology thoughtfully integrated throughout each room bringing guests high-definition television, wireless high-speed internet access, and a touch panel screen to customize the room environment.

Amenities at The Plaza hotel include the world-class Shops at The Plaza, featuring exclusive boutiques and purveyors of fine food, as well as health and wellness facilities including a Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa and Warren-Tricomi Salon.

Carved from within the great castle-like landmark, it’s The Plaza’s magnificent public spaces that set it apart as the quintessential grand palace of urban  democracy.  The opulent Grand Ballroom and Terrace Room have been meticulously restored to their original grandeur.  Lavish social and business events continue to be held in these historic landmarks, which are at the heart of The Plaza Hotel's legacy.

Timeless. Captivating. Unforgettable.  A seamless fusion of traditional and modern luxury, and a passion for uncompromising service combine to create an experience that is indulgent, exquisite, and truly unforgettable.

Hotel History

The Plaza Hotel in New York City is jointly owned by Elad Properties and Kingdom Holdings, a Saudia Arabia based corporation. It has been managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts since 1999.

It was once said, "Nothing unimportant ever happens at The Plaza." One of America's most celebrated hotels, The Plaza opened its doors on October 1, 1907, amid a flurry of impressive reports describing it as the greatest hotel in the world. Located at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, this luxury hotel was constructed in the most fashionable residential section of New York City.

The Plaza was the dream of financier Bernhard Beinecke, hotelier Fred Sterry, and Harry S. Black, President of the Fuller Construction Company. They purchased a 15-year-old hotel of the same name on the site. The three men set out to replace it with what is surely one of the most elegant hotels in the world.  Construction of the 19-story building (a skyscraper back then) took two years at a cost of $12 million - an unprecedented sum in those days. Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who also designed the Dakota apartments, the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. and The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, set about his task to provide all the pomp, glory, and opulence of a French chateau. No cost was spared. The largest single order in history for gold-encrusted china was placed with L. Straus & Sons, and no less than 1,650 crystal chandeliers were purchased.

Originally, The Plaza served as a residence for wealthy New Yorkers. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt were the first to sign the register.  For guests who chose to rent on a nightly basis at the time, this New York City luxury hotel's single rooms started at $2.50 per night.

Kings, presidents, ambassadors, stars of stage, screen and sports, as well as business executives and travellers from all parts of the world have gathered and stayed at The Plaza.  The Plaza was so well known that Ernest Hemingway once advised F. Scott Fitzgerald to give his liver to Princeton and his heart to The Plaza.

Although The Plaza appeared fleetingly in earlier films, this Manhattan luxury hotel's true movie debut was in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 classic North by Northwest - the first time a crew, director and cast assembled on site to make a picture. Before then, movies were shot almost entirely on Hollywood soundstages and rarely on location. The Plaza has provided the location for other motion pictures such as Plaza Suite, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Barefoot in the Park, Funny Girl, Cotton Club, Crocodile Dundee I and II and Home Alone II: Lost In New-York.  

Designated a New York City Landmark in 1969, The Plaza is listed on the Register of Historic Places and the only New York City hotel to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.