I would like to share with you on the fund investment. So far as what you mentioned for 5% initial charge for muture fund subscription, you can discuss with your agent to give you rebate.
My agent will give me 3.75% rebate for most of the fund with 5% initial charges and the net initial charge is only 1.25%.
I think the charge for muture fund is much better than insurance.
For example,
(1) The management fee for a muture fund is 1.5% p.a.
(2) The charge for an insurance is 1.9% p.a.
If you subscript a muture fund, the net pay out is 1.5%. However, via an insurance to subscribe a fund, you will need to pay additional 1.9%, i.e. the muture fund charge you 1.5% and the insurance company charge you 1.9% on top of the 1.5%, i.e. 3.4% in total. That's the reason what insurance company can allow you to switch with no fee, as the insurance company charge you the annual fee instead.
if you want to hold a fund for long, no doubt that it will be better via an fund agent and bargin for 3.75% rebate.
If I will stick to the fund I choosed and hold it for long, then I think mutual fund will be more suitable for me than a insurance-linked fund package.
Thanks for all's sharing. It really enrich my knowledge about fund & insurance.