It was Saturday night.  Our domestic help informed us that she needed to remit a sum of money urgently back to her home by the weekend. Imagine our relief when we discovered that there ARE SingPost offices that are open on weekends! So right after church on Sunday, we drove her to the nearest SingPost branch at Clementi Mall and joined the queue.  While we were waiting, a staff from SingPost approached us to enquire if we would like to check whether our medical insurance coverage (purchased with CPF) was adequate. Normally, we would politely decline such requests but the staff was earnest and her questions legitimate.  So after the remittance was completed, David and I walked over to the staff who led us to a friendly AXA personnel seated at a private cubicle within the post office.  Turns out, he is a certified financial planner from AXA.  He patiently proceeded to assess our insurance coverage. After logging into the CPF website (using the SingPass) ourselves, he systematically guided us through a series of questions and found that both of us do have adequate medical coverage.  We logged off from the terminal, thanked the staff and went on our way.  All these in less than 10 minutes.

We were impressed.  There was no hard-sell and no pressure sales tactics.  After determining that we’re sufficiently covered, he did not attempt to sell us other financial products (which we do not need).  In fact, on the contrary, he gave us the assurance that if we had any urgent insurance queries or needs, instead of holding on the phone to a voice recorded message (that tells us that our call is important) for what seems like eternity, we would be able to find someone to assist us at one of the many SingPost branches around, even on a Sunday afternoon!

We all know how life can turn on a dime. One can never predict what will happen to us or our immediate family tomorrow. We are fortunate to live in a country with hardly any natural disasters but that does not mean we are immune to personal losses and financial risks.  An unexpected illness or injury may occur, resulting in hefty medical bills; accidents big and small (sometimes through no fault of ours) can cause damages to our homes, cars, possessions and even death of the breadwinner, plunging the family into despair. David’s Dad passed away due to cancer at the young age of 44 and my Mum-in-law, who had left her job as a school teacher to care for her husband, would not have been able to pay off the outstanding mortgage, business loans, household bills and final expenses, like funeral costs without the insurance payouts.  With my Mum-in-law’s prudence, she also used a large part of the insurance payouts to send her 3 children overseas for their tertiary education, debt-free. That’s why David and I are firm believers of insurance and one of the very first gifts we bestow upon our own children, is insurance.

Many people only purchase insurance when it’s required, like when they’re buying a new home or car. Paying for adequate insurance coverage now – when we are still alive and financially viable– can be the single most important safety net we can provide for our families.  It’s the least we can do to protect our loved ones financially, to ensure they get maximum financial support when the unexpected happens. 

Given this importance, we were surprised to learn that Singapore’s insurance penetration rates are much lower than those of other developed countries. Our GDP may be one of the highest in the world but we are only ranked 5th in Asia and 17th in the world in terms of the penetration rate of life insurance cover (in 2014).  Plugging the need of the under-insured here, AXA, a world market leader in insurance with presence in Singapore as early as 1969, has launched a brand new partnership which will make insurance more accessible to the public.

Called ‘AXA@POST‘, it is an exclusive post-assurance partnership between AXA (the #1 global insurance brand with a corporate mission of customer centricity) and SingPost (our trusted local icon) to bring transparent and innovative insurance solutions closer to people from all walks of life (be it a retired couple, a young professional, a University student, a homemaker, newly minted parents, an aspiring entrepreneur and more).  With AXA’s services now available at 34 SingPost outlets islandwide, ‘AXA@POST‘ gives everyone easy access to a holistic suite of customisable life and general insurance solutions right within our neighbourhood! We can walk into any of the 34 AXA@POST branches to make enquiries or purchase insurance for all types of coverage to suit our needs.  Besides the presence of up to five certified financial consultants at each AXA@POST branch, AXA is also introducing mobile device systems (like iPads) to offer customers seamless browsing of information and ease of applications at one touch. Customers will also be able to access insurance solutions round the clock via SingPost’s digital platforms (see FAQ below).

There are plans to expand AXA@POST to 10 more SingPost branches by the end of this year, bringing it to a total of 44 outlets across Singapore. Think about the convenience and accessibility we’ll enjoy!

AXA@POST IN A NUTSHELL

What is AXA@POST?

AXA@POST is a collaboration between AXA and SingPost to offer AXA insurance solutions at SingPost branches in Singapore.  The aim is to offer the most convenient, unique one-stop solution for all our protection needs, be it for our families or businesses.

Mr Jean-Louis Laurent Josi, Chief Executive Officer of AXA Asia and Dr Wolfgang Baier, SingPost’s Group Chief Executive Officer officiating the launch of AXA@POST with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo Credit: AXA.

Where are ‘AXA@POST’ branches located?

AXA@Post is currently available at these 34 SingPost branches (with 10 more by the end of 2015):

• Alexandra • Ang Mo Kio Central • Bedok Central • Bras Basah • Bukit Batok Central • Bukit Merah Central • Bukit Panjang • Chinatown • Choa Chu Kang Central • Clementi Central
• Ghim Moh • Harbourfront • Hougang Central • IMM • Jurong Point • Jurong West • Marine Parade • Orchard ION • Pasir Ris Central • Potong Pasir CC • Punggol• Robinson • Sembawang• SengKang Central • Serangoon Central • S’pore Post Centre • Suntec City • Tampines Central • Tanglin • Tanjong Pagar • Toa Payoh • Towner • Woodlands Central • Yishun Central

Refer to this SingPost website for the opening hours of all AXA@POST branches.  Photo Credit: The Straits Times

What are the types of insurance offered at AXA@POST?

A full suite of AXA life insurance plans (Life, Health, Personal Accidents) and general insurance products, such as Car, Travel, Home, Art, Savings & Investment insurance plans.  It will also offer insurance solutions for businesses by end of this year.

Where else can I access AXA@POST?

In addition to the extensive network, customers can access SingPost’s websites: www.singpost.com, www.mysam.sg and www.omigo.com.sg to purchase general insurance.  Customers eligble for AXA rewards can also select their gifts via www.omigo.com.sg and have their items delivered right to their doorstep by SingPost’s couriers.

How do I know what insurance to buy?

Speak to the friendly AXA@POST financial consultants at any of the AXA@POST branches and they’ll be happy to offer you the best customised solutions that match your needs, be it protection, savings or investment.

Are there any special discount with the launch of AXA@POST?

From now until 30 June 2015, customers will be able to enjoy a 20% discount off insurance plans for their travel, personal accident and home needs (SmartTraveller, SmartCover and SmartHome respectively). They can also enjoy a 15% off their premiums for car insurance, SmartDrive. 

What is the after-sales service provided by AXA@POST?

Customers who purchased insurance solutions from one AXA@POST branch will be able to approach AXA’s financial consultants at other branches for after-sales service. This is part of the convenient, hassle-free experience AXA hopes to bring to its customers.

Will there be privacy to discuss my insurance needs at AXA@POST branches?

 Yes, there is a dedicated cubicle at all AXA@POST branches for AXA financial consultants to chat with you. All information will also be held with strict confidentiality according to the Personal Data Protection Act.

Do I have to pay to use AXA Financial Consultant’s services at AXA@POST?

No, you will only pay for the insurance solutions you purchase to protect your lifestyle needs so feel free to chat with the AXA financial consultants the next time you visit your neighbourhood SingPost AXA@Post branch, just like we did!

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is brought to you by AXA@POST.  Please visit SingPost’s website for more information on AXA@POST.