Rate Detective Guides

Home Loan Comparison Rates - Explained & Judged

In order to help us choose between lenders & loans by law a home loan comparison rate must be offered or displayed to you. Without a comparison rate one bank could advertise a loan @ super low interest rates but have heaps of hidden fees and we might make our decisions based on false information.

Funeral Insurance & Funeral Cover In Australia

What is Funeral Insurance?

Funeral Insurance (or Funeral Cover) is an insurance policy which is used to cover all the costs associated with ensuring that you have the funeral and associated items paid for, without burdening your family members.

No Medical Exam Life Insurance

When you applying for life insurance usually you required to take a simple medical exam. If you don't wish to go through the inconvenience of medical tests or you want to get life insurance fast you can opt for a life insurance with no medical exam.

Diabetes and Life Insurance

With Type 2 Diabetes on the rise, we're receiving an increasing number of diabetic clients requesting life insurance. As with all insurance premiums, the health of a client ultimately dictates the eligibility and final cost of a premium.

Mortgage Protection Insurance

Mortgage Protection Insurance is a simplified life insurance product which is designed to pay off a fixed amount of money owing on a mortgage in the unfortunate event of a serious illness or death of the borrower.

The Role of an Advisor

Most people feel that an insurance advisor will persuade them into buying something that they don’t really understand or want, and maybe paying more for their life insurance than they need to.

Who can own an insurance policy?

The policy owner - The person whose name the policy is in and to whom the benefits will be paid. In the event of your passing the people designated in your policy will receive the payout or otherwise it will go to your estate.

How Life Insurance Is Assessed?

Life insurance works by determining the health, lifestyle and the risk of the insured in order to determine the premium to pay for the insurance policy. Life insurance is paid every month in small amounts or as a lump sum.

Tips To Help You Get A Mortgage

If you are going to apply for a mortgage, it is imperative that you do all you can to make yourself attractive to lenders. Here are some tips that could help you.

How To Become A Commercial Property Investor

You don't need to be rich to own a slice of a commercial property, but like all investments you need to do the ground work before making a decision.

Unlike residential properties there are more issues to consider namely - do you acquire shares in a property trust, or do you join a property syndicate?

The RD Guide To The 2009 Australian Federal Budget

Treasurer Wayne Swan is scheduled to deliver the 2009 Federal Budget tonight, Tuesday 12th May, at 7.30PM. This will be one of the most significant budgets in recent history.

Mobile phone contracts fact sheet

You can choose from many types of mobile phone services, depending on your needs.

In some cases, for example pre-paid services, you do not need to sign a service contract. For others you need to sign a contract that may run for up to two years or longer.

The RD Guide to the 2009 Australian Government Stimulus Package Handouts

By now, you've probably heard that the Australian Government is introducing a stimulus package to try to buoy the Australian economy.

Credit Card interest rates explained

What is credit card interest?

Interest is a charge for providing credit. All credit card accounts have an annual percentage rate (credit card interest rate). The applicable terms and conditions describe how interest is applied on a credit card account.

Mortgage Insurance

When it comes to "mortgage insurance" there are usually 2 interpretations:

How do you switch your Electricity or Gas?

Switching Electricity and Gas has never been easier. In the past if you wanted to compare electricity companies or gas prices it was time-consuming and confusing.

Electricity and Gas FAQs

Rate Detective receives pricing data from http://www.shoparound.com.au (“Shop Around”) who have several commercial agreements in place with energy retailers in Australia who pay a small once off commission to ShopAround for each customer that switches to their service. Rate Detective receives a proportion of this commission. The service is free to consumers.

The Energy Market

The energy market comprises of three levels.

1. Generators

This is the collective name given to the companies that are responsible for the production of the basic product of electricity.

Top ten individual finance tips

  1. It is not about how much you earn, but more about how much of it you keep, even a substantial income is not going to have you achieve your goals if you spend it all.
  2. Know yourself financially; understand your own personal finance habits.  
  3. Create a budget for you and your family, make sure you whole family sticks to it.

Trauma Cover Insurance

Definition of Trauma Cover Insurance

Trauma Cover Insurance pays a lump sum in the event of a diagnosis of incurable condition, e.g. cancer, stroke, heart attack, major head injuries.