GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Humans have the most precious gift from God in the name of health, and we ought to do our utmost to sustain the benefits of that gift for a healthy and happy life. Eating healthy, choosing your living habits are all counted measures, which you take on a personal level daily. However, there is one more step taken for the long-term benefit of your healthy life, and it is getting health insurance.

Take a step back and think about it, you plan to have a house, baby, manage school fees, bank accounts, and even design your dream wedding before finding the right match. Similarly, covering your health via a good insurance company should be a well-thought priority. Many insurance companies in India have tailored essential health plans, which meet your needs adequately with reasonable premiums and added benefits.

Finding the best healthcare insurance company for you, your parents and kids in India is not easy. It takes good hours of discussions, debates, and comparisons to come up with the best possible choice. Here are a few relevant pointers for you to consider while choosing your health insurance firm;

• Listing the available reputed Insurer – Selecting the right Insurance Company is as important as the policy itself. Out of those available options, you have to shortlist and select the ones with good brand value or reputation along with plentitudes of customer satisfaction.
• Comparison Among the top Contenders Is Must – A significant step before you buy your houses or smartphones is comparing the prices, quality, long term returns, etc. Similarly, before investing your hard-earned money in a health insurance policy from an insurance company, you must compare certain aspects like premium rates, coverage values, and optional benefits.
• Coverage, Premium Benefits are Best Bidders - The dominating factors of deciding any insurance plan is that of coverage and premiums. So, it is highly suggestive for you to go through the insurance documents carefully and make a decision, which gives you maximum benefits and coverage as an insured party.
• Claim Settlement Ratio - This goes without saying that if a health insurance company has an excellent claim settlement ratio, then you have a bright chance of getting your medical claims on time. Your job is to understand in-depth how the company conducts and manages the claim settlements to avoid any delays or refusals, when in need.
• Having a Well Maintained Hospital Network - Many healthcare companies maintain a pool of top private and public hospitals for cashless medical treatments, so that their customers would not worry about spending their own money and focus on getting their health back on track.
• 24x7 Customer Support System – It is imperative to know if the insurer provides excellent 24x7 customer support. Many health companies claim to provide seamless and trouble-free hospitalization and claim settlement, however, check their social media pages, Internet reviews, independent insurance websites, or ask for references before finalizing.

Take these pointers by heart and start searching for the best health insurance company for your family as no matter the levels of success you achieve in life, health has and should always come first.

Whether due to work-related tasks or personal matters, relocating has become a way of life. It is no secret that relocation to a new city is full of various hassles and can turn out to be a stressful experience. While there are multiple aspects that you need to contemplate while moving to a new city, one crucial aspect you should pay attention to is ensuring the safe relocation of your two-wheeler. In the hustle and bustle of relocation, it is very easy for you to overlook an important aspect related to the relocation of your two-wheeler and that is to keep it insured with the  best two-wheeler insurance in india during, as well as after the relocation process is complete.

Of course, you love your two-wheeler and would want the best two-wheeler insurance in India, but when it comes to relocating it to a new city, you can be caught unprepared. If you are unaware of the various important factors related to your two-wheeler insurance policy that must be taken care of during relocation, then here is all the information you need: 

• 1. Update your address: First and foremost, you must inform your insurance company regarding the impending move and apply for an update of your address. Your mailing address serves as an important channel of communication between you and your insurer. By updating your address in the company records, you can avoid many issues later on when you need to submit a claim.
• 2. Re-register your two-wheeler: If you are relocating for more than one year or permanently, it is advisable to re-register your vehicle to get a local registration number. For this, you need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your previous road transport office. Subsequently, notify your insurance company regarding this change through official channels, and you will have no issues later on while making a claim.
• 3. Obtain NOC from Police: You must also obtain an NOC from your local police station as well as traffic police. This is to ensure that no challans or accident cases are pending against the vehicle. Obtaining these NOCs will guarantee that you do not face any problems in the new location. 
• 4. Check Network of Cashless Garages: You can contact your insurance company regarding the availability of cashless garages in your new city. This will allow you to get any repair done on a cashless basis; otherwise, you will have to pay for the expenses from your pocket and later on, file a reimbursement claim.
• 5. Upgrade your policy: Different cities can have different traffic situations, and this might prompt you to add or remove any cover from your insurance. If you feel the need to do so, get in touch with your insurance company and seek guidance on how to complete this process. Moreover, based on the zonal risk involved, the insurance company may increase or reduce your premium as well.
• 6. No Claim Bonus: Do not worry about the No Claim Bonus (NCB) that you have accumulated against your  two-wheeler insurance in India. It will follow you wherever you go. NCB is offered to a driver, not to the vehicle, so even if you were to purchase a new two-wheeler or transfer to a new insurer, your NCB would stay intact. 

So, keep these points in mind while relocating and enjoy continued insurance coverage against your two-wheeler without any hassles.

Life is an enigma; it has countless possibilities with many struggles. The uncertainty of one's life is what makes it worthwhile and horrifying at the same time. Some investments made at the correct time could bear fruitful results for future; like opting a well-rounded health insurance policy for you and your family. Health insurance in today's time is not a luxury but a vital necessity given the rising healthcare costs and out of the world lifestyle choices by today's millennial.

Experienced financial advisors highly recommend buying a health plan in the early stages of life as premiums on health insurance increase with one's age. The premium criterion is based on the health history, age, lifestyle etc. of the insured candidate.

Here are the reasons to testify why do you have to take it now at the peak of your health?

Early age investment means full benefits – Opting for a health plan at a young age as early you start working will provide maximum coverage for your health scares. It also makes for a smart financial decision because of lowest possible premimum paid by you.

Poor Lifestyle Choices is on the Rise – You don't need to be 60 to require medical coverage. The laid back lifestyle has prompted entry to life-threatening illnesses like cancer, tumours and threats to the heart, brain, lungs. Hence, it is crucial to safeguard your health continually. Besides this, medical policies offer yearly checks ups to encourage health awareness.

Waiting period for the cover – There are specific listed ailments such as hernia, Cataract, ENT disorder for which there is a waiting period of one to two years before you get them covered. So starting early is always a more comprehensive option. 

Hectic work-related travel – The corporate worklife demands your time and extensive travel. A healthcare plan that covers both domestic and International medical emergencies along with well suited International medical benefits is yet again a very sensible choice.

The policy covering pre and post Hospital charges – Mainstream medical expenses, the cost of OPD (out-patient department), diagnostic tests have likewise ascended as of late which has made it considerably imperative for one to invest in healthcare policy. Your healthcare plan covers not just surgical or any other hospitalization costs but also the expenses brought forward via OPD and miscellaneous tests before and after a fixed time as set in the policy.

Rebate on Income Tax – Another merit of investing in a good healthcare plan is that the insured is eligible for tax exemption under section 80D of the income tax act on the premium paid for the health insurance policy.

So don’t let this crucial decision of your health take a back seat and invest in health insurance at a young age. In adition to it, when you buy a health insurance policy at an early age, you receive the benefit of lifetime renewability. You can renew health insurance online and enjoy the extended coverage for a long time.

There has been an exponential increase in the number of people opting for health insurances across India in recent years. The top reason is definitely not aggressive advertising by the Insurance Firms, but the health and medical costs that have dramatically risen lately. With much needed financial backup during the critical medical emergencies, health insurances do play an important role in helping you and your family not getting burdened by medical expenses.

Illnesses bring bad times, and an additional financial burden along with it. The rising medical treatment cost, every year, is one of the top reasons why health insurances become somewhat like a necessity for every average earning person.  

Kusum, a single earning mother of two sons, was leading a happy life and was awarded twice as the employee of the year. However, medical emergencies come unannounced. Life took a big turn when her father was admitted to the hospital for chest pain. Her father needed to undergo heart surgery, which not only for him but for the whole family were some of the stressful days of their lives. The surgery went well but left behind a huge dent on her father’s retirement savings and a lot of her savings too. Luckily her family had these savings and did not compromise on the medical treatment plan, but the incident did make Kusum learn a valuable lesson. It was time for her now, to understand Health insurances better and ensure that her whole family is fully insured in order to prevent herself from stressful financial aftermath. 

 As per the WHO statistics, about 70% of the hospitalization in urban India put the consumers in crippling medical distress as they blow up their entire income on healthcare.

Health insurances serve a better way to tackle such health emergencies with a range of insurance plans covering illnesses, accidents and surgical ailments, safeguarding the life of insured a bit easy after the medial process.

How are we helpful?

MAGMA HDI’s OneHealth insurance policies help you to access a whole range of insurance plans which you choose as per your personal needs or family size. With the benefits of cashless hospitalization over 4,100 hospitals, it helps in providing insured covers over accidents and critical ailments. Providing 24x7 claim assistance, hospitalization costs, cashless options, and keeps the insured and the family into financial ease. 

Though Kusum is dealing with a financial crunch and has to give away the dream of a world tour, but she is happy to have adequate family health insurance,putting financial distress at bay.

She might have learned in a harder way, but you can learn from her life incident and choose the best health insurance in india for the parents and yourself.

Health insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. Be a prudent individual by planning the best-fit health insurance and lead a much secure and happy life. 

There is a famous saying "health is wealth," and it is indeed true in today's context. With people getting busy with their hectic life, there is a growing trend of unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. In the pursuit of money, health has been left far behind. Now, one cannot give up on his/her career, but they certainly can opt for a health insurance policy that offers protection against unexpected medical emergencies. Health insurance is ignored by people for many reasons, and this has led to India's problem of "under-insurance." Herein, people opt for an inadequate amount or rather do not opt for any health insurance thinking that no ailment can affect them. Another reason given by people is that the premium for health insurance is very high, and they cannot afford it. 

Affordable Health Insurance – is it a reality?

The excuse that health insurance is expensive is not true. Affordable health insurance is a reality and has benefitted many families for the past few years. With the rapid integration of technology in the insurance sector, many insurance companies are now offering their services online. You can easily purchase or renew health insurance online  in a few clicks. As most companies have taken their operations online, the cost of availing and renewing health insurance has gone down substantially.

If you are still unsure about the affordability of health insurance plans, here are some tips to help you select an affordable health insurance policy for yourself as well as your family:

Understand your requirements:  First of all, you need to understand yours and your family's health insurance requirements. Consider factors like the number of members, their age, existing conditions, family health history etc. This will help you understand the extent of coverage that you require. 

• Start early: Health insurance premium against a new policy for a young person of 25 years will be much lower than for a mature person of around 50 years of age. This is due to the risk involved for the insurer. So, you must subscribe to a. personal accident insurance online as soon as you start work, to enjoy the lowest premiums. Then gradually, keep on enhancing the coverage of your policy as your income rises. 
• Do some research: Several online insurance marketplaces have come-up, which allows you to compare policies from different insurers easily. As these marketplaces eliminate the agent from the transaction, the cost of the policy goes down substantially. By comparing the coverage of different policies, you can reduce your premium payments significantly. 
• Opt for a floater policy:  You can opt for a floater policy wherein one policy covers your entire family, including dependants. Instead of paying separate premiums, you only need to pay a single premium and will get insurance coverage for the whole family.
• Tax Benefits: You can claim an income tax deduction of up to Rs. 25,000 for the health insurance premiums paid in a financial year for yourself and your family. If you pay a health insurance premium of your parents, you can claim an additional tax deduction. Thereby, you can save substantially on your income tax liabilities. 
• Online renewal: When you renew health insurance online, through the insurance company's website or any online marketplace, you can enjoy lower premiums. As the companies do not need to pay any commissions, you can save a significant amount of money by opting to renew health insurance online.

The benefits offered by a health insurance plan are too good to be ignored just because you think health insurance is unaffordable. Do some research, and you will see that health insurance is indeed affordable and is rather a necessity for your family.

There is a false sense of security in most individuals, where one feels like they can never meet with an accident, but like as the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. No one wants to experience an unfortunate incident, but whether due to your mistake or someone else’s mistake, you can meet with an accident anywhere and anytime. Although no one can control such situations, you can certainly prepare for it.

With the number of vehicles steadily rising, across the country, the possibility of a car-related tragedy also increases. In situations as such, you could be staring at high costing expenses on hospital bills, as well as a loss of income due to being bed-ridden. Having an individual accident policy will take care of all these emergency expenses.

What is a personal accident policy?

Personal accident policy offers insurance cover to policyholders in case of an accident or injury caused due to any given reason. The insurance company will reimburse the policyholder in cases of serious injuries, permanent disability, or death, accidentally caused, according to the terms and conditions of the policy. 

You can buy your personal accident insurance online as well as offline, as per your preference. 

Why should you have a personal accident policy?

There are various benefits offered by a personal accident policy, which make it necessary for you to have one, such as: 

• Reimbursement in case of disability: If you face an accident and suffer a temporary or permanent disability, you can claim compensation from the insurance company. The company will assess the nature of the injury or disability and give you compensation as per the guidelines of the policy. This will support you and your family financially during such tough times.
• Hospitalisation and other expenses are taken care of: All hospital bills and cost of treatment are covered under the policy. In case of death, the insurance company will pay for the repatriation, funeral, and ambulance charges. 
• Reimbursement for modifications: If the accident has left you wheelchair-bound, then you need to modify your home or vehicle to suit your needs. Any expenses incurred for such adjustments necessitated by the mishap can be reimbursed from the insurance company. 
• Payment of death benefit: If the mishap results in unfortunate death, then the insurance company will pay the death benefit amount, as per the policy terms and conditions, to your family members, offering them financial support.
• Transportation of family: If you are admitted to a hospital after an accident and the hospital is more than 150 km away from your home, the insurance company will pay for the transportation costs incurred by your family.

To avail such benefits in the time of emergency having personal accident insurance online or offline is imperative for the financial well-being of your family.

In modern times, various lifestyle-related ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, obesity, etc. have started affecting people from a young age. Due to 24*7 use of smartphones, unhealthy eating habits, and a lack of physical exercise, more and more people are getting affected by these lifestyle diseases. While you may have thebest health insurance policy in india , you need to engage in regular physical exercise to stay fit and healthy. There are various forms of exercises that you can indulge in, but the benefits of daily cycling are too good to be ignored. 

Cycling is regarded as one of the best ways to stay away from lifestyle conditions and reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, it is one of the cheapest, enjoyable, and useful physical workouts. If you are still unsure about the benefits of daily cycling, here are the health benefits of regular cycling:

• Fewer chances of injury: Cycling hardly causes any strain and can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. There are minimum chances of injuries while cycling, as compared to other forms of exercise.
• Time-efficient: Cycling is one of the most time-efficient exercises you can engage in. Not only does it offer you several health benefits, but it can also be used as a means of transport. It will help you get rid of your inactive lifestyle and save your travelling expenses as well.
• Easy to learn: Even if you do not know how to cycle, it will only take you a few hours to get the hang of it. There is no need for strong physical skills, and it does not need a lot of practice to learn it; it is one of the easiest exercises to learn. You can start from low-intensity mode and increase as you get used to it.
• Boosts your stamina: Cycling engages several muscles in your body and thereby helps boost your stamina over time. It also improves your lower body strength as well as aerobic fitness. 
• Reduces stress levels: Going for cycling in the morning helps you come closer to nature. The fresh morning air acts as stress-buster and enables you to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. 
• Freedom from obesity: Cycling is one of the most useful workouts to help you get rid of excess fat from your body. It boosts the metabolism rate and helps build muscles. Within a few weeks of cycling, you would start witnessing a reduction in your weight; and would feel active and fit.
• Reduces the risk of specific cancers: Research has proven that regular cycling reduces the risk of various types of cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and bowel cancer.

With various health benefits on offer, cycling is undoubtedly one of the most useful forms of physical exercises available. To enjoy good health and freedom from health-related stress, it is essential that you eat a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, and subscribe to the best health insurance policy in India.

Financial security is a priority for any family and having health insurance is one of the first steps towards keeping your family secure during health emergencies. But, what about other emergencies which are beyond the coverage of any health insurance policy?

Zeenat, a single parent of a 6-year-old daughter, takes as many precautions for her daughter's well being as she can. She has saved enough for daughter’s future in forms of fixed deposits and mutual funds. She has also taken health insurance for both to secure against any health emergencies. The planning seems perfect for a family of two people except for a loophole, not having an accident cover that could put all in vain if something goes wrong.

According to a report by the TOI, In India alone, about 1.49 lakh people lost their lives by road accidents in 2018. Personal accident insurance is an answer to such life-threatening situations, as a family gets shattered just by the news of an accident, let alone the future consequences that might bring substantial financial burden. However, before you go for a personal accident insurance plan, here are some things that you must know:

1. What is personal accident insurance?

A personal accident insurance policy gives you a cover against accidents. It could be a road accident, a sudden fall, or any situation that leads to a disability or even death. Having personal accident insurance will save your expenses during such an emergency, and the insured amount would also take care of the loss of income that occurred during this period.

2. What does a personal accident insurance plan offer you?

Personal accident insurance generally envelops accidental death, permanent total disablement, permanent partial disablement and temporary total disablement.

But one thing that worries a person is what if the medical expense goes beyond what his policy can cover? With Magma HDI's Individual Accident Policy cover, a person can opt for Medical Expense Extension and Hospital Confinement Allowance.

3. What does the personal accident policy not cover?

It does not cover natural death due to drug addiction or alcoholism, adventurous sport, a breach of law with criminal intent, suicide-attempt, pregnancy, war, civil war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, revolution, insurrection or mutiny, pregnancy, participation in any naval, military or air force operations, curative treatments or interventions.

4. What is the need for personal accident insurance?

The need arises from the gap that health insurance and a life insurance policy will not cover. While, health insurance mainly covers the severe ailments and any other health emergencies, a life insurance policy pays compensation only in case of death. A personal accident insurance policy, on the other, is equally important for your insurance portfolio, which covers the policyholder in case of hospitalization or even in case of death due to an accident.

5. What is the ideal personal accident insurance?

The ideal personal accident insurance depends on individual exposure to situations and risks. For example, if your profession requires extensive travel, opt a plan that covers your international travel.

Go for the best personal accident insurance plan that ensures the maximum coverage and financial stability in the event of any accident.

Medical facilities in India have now achieved the status of being “world-class,” allowing the people of country with access to best treatment within the country. This improvement in facilities has come along with a substantial increase in medical expenses. As a result, purchasing health insurance in India has become a necessity because covering medical expenses from your own pocket has become virtually impossible. In fact, if your parents are in their older years, you must opt for health insurance in india for parents  to allow them access to best-in-class treatment for their ailments, without jeopardising their financial future. Due to the efforts of the Government and leading insurance companies, awareness regarding health insurance has improved significantly in India.

With multiple insurance companies operating in India and offering various health insurance plans, it is certainly possible that you are confused regarding the best option. If you are unsure regarding the best policy for you, then read on to know about the easy ways to choose affordable health insurance:

• Understand your requirement: Firstly, understand the extent of coverage you require. This will depend on numerous factors like your age, family size, premium affordability, and future health requirements. Moreover, if your parents do not have a health cover, then you must get health insurance in India for parents. Also, there are various additional covers available, which can come handy in case of certain conditions.
• Coverage for ailments: Nowadays, there are several health insurance policies that offer coverage for specific critical illnesses. You need to ascertain the type of diseases you wish to cover under your health insurance policy before opting for an option.
• Coverage for pre-existing ailments: Different health insurance policies offer different waiting period for pre-existing illnesses. You need to identify a plan that has a minimum waiting period. This will save you from unexpected hospitalisation expenses in case you need treatment for the ailment before the completion of the waiting period.
• Claim-settlement ratio: This ratio signifies the percentage of claims that the insurer settles out of every 100 claims received. You need to opt for an insurer with the highest claim settlement ratio so that your claim would not be rejected for any frivolous reason.
• Cashless hospitalisation: Different insurance companies have agreements with different TPAs (Third Party Administrators). These different TPAs have different hospitals on their panel. You should opt for an insurer who offers maximum hospitals for cashless treatment. Moreover, the hospitals near your home should be covered under the panel of the TPA, as it would convenient for you in the need of emergency.
• Compare the premiums: Last but not the least, make it a point to compare the premiums of different insurance companies. For the same extent of coverage, different insurance companies charge different premiums. Nevertheless, there are various plans that offer cheaper premium but also have reduced coverage. There are various online platforms where you can easily compare various health insurance plans, their coverage, and other essential parameters.

The importance of choosing the right health insurance plan cannot be neglected as it is directly associated with your health. So, never rush but always make an informed decision after carefully comparing various crucial factors affecting your health plan.

Getting motor insurance regardless of the fact that whether it is new or old, is always confusing. Technical jargons, guarantee amount, clauses, picking motor insurance company, etc. are some things which everybody does not understand, and it leads them to make wrong decisions. They all look lucrative from afar, but which is the right one.

Hence, here we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions that will help you in getting the right motor insurance for you.

Question: What does a motor insurance cover?

Motor insurance covers you against any financial burden due to damage of your insured vehicle.

Question: Does the motor insurance offer different coverage types?

Yes, different types of insurance coverage types are available such as bodily liability, comprehensive, property damage liability and uninsured and underinsured and collision. You can choose the insurance coverage type as per your needs and requirements.

Question: Is buying motor insurance mandatory?

Yes, it is mandatory to buy motor insurance though the laws of carrying insurance vary from state to state. It is recommended you visit the online website of the government transportation of your state to make sure that you got the right motor insurance.

Question: Is a motor insurance expensive?

Yes, motor insurance is relatively expensive. Though you should also consider the credit report and driving the history of your vehicle while buying insurance.

Question: What happens if I forget to pay the premium fee for my insurance policy?

You will get a warning notice from the motor insurance company. But if you forget paying a premium fee over and over again, they can either issue late charges or will cancel your policy. So, it is recommended to pay your premium fee on time.

Question: Can I change the motor insurance coverage if I want to change it?

Yes, if you want to change the motor insurance coverage then you can, but you might need to pay a cancellation fee. But if you wait till the policy maturity then you can change the coverage without extra fee.

Question: How can I get a discount on motor insurance?

Discounts are quite common when it comes to motor insurance. Different motor insurance companies offer different deals and discounts on motor insurance so you can choose the right one as per your needs and requirements.

Question: Can my gender affect the amount of the premium fee?

Yes, gender affects the premium rates of motor insurance. According to the statistics, male drivers are generally involved in more accidents. Therefore, companies offer motor insurance at a higher premium fee to males as compared to females.

Question: Can I get motor insurance even if my vehicle is more than 20 years old?

It depends upon the shape and condition of the vehicle you have. If your vehicle is not in a condition to get coverage, then it is not recommended you to get higher coverage and it does not make sense to spend a higher amount onto it.

Question: What is No Claim Bonus?

It is a discount after a claim-free year or an incentive for driving safe and avoiding accidents.

Question: What are the documents that are required to be submitted for a Motor Insurance claim?

Required documents differ from company to company but some of the most important document that would be required are: Claim form, registration copy of the vehicle, an estimate of the loss, original repair invoice and payment receipt.

Buying a car is no more a family dream as people are investing in a car in their early careers. With the increase in pollution and traffic in most of the metro cities, ditching your two-wheeler for a car would seem a better idea for a comfortable ride to the office.

We get all excited while planning to buy a new car and would end up visiting various car showrooms to extract the best bid in our budget. However, when it comes to purchasing insurance for the Car, we would hardly care to see what it actually covers and prefer policies with minimum premium.

Purchasing the correct vehicle insurance is although little tricky, we present a primary point-agenda to buy the best vehicle protection with the best car insurance price in india to make your life simpler.

What should a comprehensive car insurance plan cover? 

1. Any damage to the Car due to Natural disasters: 

Since natural calamities are not in our control, anything such as earthquake, storm, cyclone, landslide, Tsunami, etc. must be covered in your plan.

2. Any damage Due to Man-Made disasters:

Any damage caused due to a terrorist attack, a riot, strike and during the transportation of your Car should also be compensated by your insurance plan.

3. Personal Accident Cover: 

It's imperative that your Car insurance also provides for you and your family in case of an unfortunate accident resulting in partial or full disability and even death. Under a comprehensive policy you 

4. Third-Party Legal Liability:

If a third party suffers any damages during the accidents or a surrounding property gets damaged, this cover protects you against the legal liability.

What is not covered under a Motor Insurance NOT cover?

• Driving the car under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Intentional loss and damage to the vehicle.
• If someone else is driving your car and it is damaged while being driven by that person.
• Driving without a license.
• Damage caused due to war, mutiny, invasion by the enemy, nuclear risk.
• Any mechanical or electrical breakdown of the Car due to Driver's mistake or because of the condition of the vehicle.

Always pick a top-rated agency 

If it's cheap, it's compromised, hence don't get attracted by any plan that assures a full coverage under a low premium fee. In case of an emergency, the priority is getting your claim as early as possible. Go for a reputed company in the market that provides fast claim settlements along with great customer service.

Key factors to consider before purchasing Car insurance:

• Allowance for the commute - If your Car is under repair, make sure your plan includes an allowance for the daily commute by your insurer.
• Cover for lost car keys - If you lost your car keys or someone has broken into the lock system, you will get cover for replacing the lock.
• Cover for hotel stay - Suppose your Car has become immobile after involving in an accident and you need to stay nearby while it is being repaired, your plan must bear the expenses of your stay in a hotel.
• No Claim Bonus - If you haven't filed a claim during the period of your policy, you can apply for a no-claim bonus. Also, if you make only one claim, you still get to keep your NCB.
• Repair of glass, rubber, plastic and fibre parts - If such parts of the car are damaged, you can get them repaired, and this does not affect your No Claim Bonus.
• Lost Personal Belongings and Baggage Cover - If your Car doesn't have an anti-theft device that is approved by the Automobile Research Association of India, the insurance company gives you cover for the lost personal belongings. 

Bottom line!

While you spend so much time researching the latest model, the jazziest colours, the snazziest of safety features, also choose the best car insurance policy in India that offers you higher protection against.

Thanks to higher disposal incomes and many attractive car loans available in the market, owning a car in India is no more a luxury. You spend a good amount of money to select a model, accessories, and safety measures like gear lock and central locking for your proud possession. But, have you ever given a thought about why your car requires a valid car insurance policy? As driving in India has its own perils, the Motor Act, 1988 made it mandatory for all car owners to possess a valid car insurance policy. 

The car insurance policy not only indemnifies you in the event of an accident, damage, theft, or loss affecting your car but also offers protection in case of third-party liability. Instead of treating your car insurance policy as an expense, you must consider it as a protection.

Here are some of the most noteworthy key points that will help you to understand the benefits of having car insurance.

• Monetary benefits of a comprehensive car insurance 

  One of the key benefits of a car insurance policy is the reimbursement in the form of financial benefits if the car meets with an accident or gets stolen.

• Cashless repair facility

  The benefit of cashless repair facility can be availed when an accident-related repair is completed in a network garage. Protection against losses caused due to natural calamities like earthquakes and fire.

• Protection against third-party liability and legal cases.

  A good car insurance policy provides you protection caused to a third-party, like injuries, damage to another vehicle, or death while using your vehicle.

How to select a recognized car insurance firm?

It is essential for you to know if the insurance company is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). Before you plan to buy car insurance online from an insurer, validate that the company is featured in the IRDA list of authorized insurance companies.

How to check your car insurance status online?

Once you have purchased a car insurance policy, it is advisable to keep your Car Insurance details handy at all times which might be required at the time of filing an insurance claim.

If you are unsure about the status of your car insurance policy, then you can check it on the official website of the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB), which has been created by the IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority). 

When you are performing the car insurance policy status, check on the IIB website, you must take care of the following points:

• In case the car insurance policy has been issued recently, the details will not be available online.
• While entering the car number, do not use spaces or any special characters.
• Please note that data is available only for those policies, which have been issued after March 2010.
• This option can be utilized for a maximum of 3 times by using your mobile number or email id. 

With the car insurance status checks been made simple, it is easier for you to keep track of your car insurance policy. Make sure that you renew your car insurance policy before the expiry date of the present policy to enjoy continued protection against damages. 

These essential Car Insurance tips will help you file a claim with your insurer and get it approved without any hassles. You can also buy or renew your Car Insurance online instantly as per your preference.

Having a car insured takes many brainstorming sessions in which you have to consider several factors. The premiums paid towards a car insurance policy can be a wrecking ball to your hard-earned money. The requirement for purchasing a suitable policy is something that can't be overlooked. An ideal approach to manage this undesirable circumstance is to know about significant components that influence the vehicle insurance premium. The adequate knowledge of these determinants will enable you to have decent policy terms from the best car insurance company in india with the same advantages and deductibles. Here are some of the factors that directly affect the premium rates,

• Type of Car – Undoubtedly, the subject of your insurance that is your car determines your premium rates and is one of the significant factors considered under the premium bar as some of the vehicles are either stolen; lack specific safety measures or incur more repair costs.
• Driving Habits of the Driver – If you have a record of bad driving, accidents or too many traffic fines under your belt then the insurance companies may refuse to give insurance or charge the high cost of the policy as they strictly adjudge that another accident is prone to happen soon. However, if you make sincere efforts to drive safely, your record may lose value over time, and your insurance premiums can be more manageable for you.
• Demographic Factors – Things like your age, profession, geographical location have quite a weight on your insurance premium allocation. For instance, if you live in densely populated regions, then you are more prone to collisions, thefts or injuries hence higher the premium. Whereas, if you live nearly in a hamlet, then your premium may descend accordingly. Similarly, take age or gender; for example, if you are young and reckless, you may have to shell higher premium amounts. In some cases, women tend to pay lesser premium than man. No reason, just giving an edge to gender parity and all.
• Customized Car Insurance Policy- Another primary reason for increment and decrement of insurance premiums. A well-customized car plan that completes the necessities of your desired car may cost you high premium rates. Many insurance firms offer well-tailored policy plans that would prove beneficial to the insured on a personal basis.
• Car coverage and choice of deductibles - Insurance premiums may vary depending upon the type of coverage the insured chooses for their car. Types of coverage depend upon the state of the car; they could be collision, liability, comprehensive, personal injury protection coverage, etc. A deductible is an amount you pay before your policy period to pay for an uncovered loss, setting high deductibles indicates less money to pay in policy.

In the end, one must ensure that paying for car insurance is an essential part of owning a car. Hence, try to come with a pivotal decision that would lower your premium at any cost.

Health problems can occur suddenly and without preamble, and it can often mess up your financial planning with unexpected expenses. It has made health insurance important for every family to help decrease any unplanned financial burden. Though most of the companies provide their employees with health insurance coverage, it is not sufficient and can also exclude many ailments. Emergencies do not see our feasibility; hence, a reckless attitude towards health could put you in financial risk. Also, if we are paying for a thing, we tend to be very careful about the benefits we would be receiving.

However, it is not just about taking a health insurance plan; instead, it is about choosing the right health plan for your family to get the maximum benefits at the time of emergency. It is essential that you understand various factors that will help you choose the right health insurance policy .  Here are a few essential things you should know while deciding to buy a health insurance plan.

What kind of health plan suits you?

Health insurance plans can be indemnity plans and defined benefit plans. The defined benefit plan pays a lump sum amount for treatment without going into the detailed breakup of hospital expenses. On the other hand, an indemnity plan reimburses the hospital expenses. It is recommended that your health insurance portfolio should have indemnity plans and additional critical illness plans which are defined benefit plans. 

Which indemnity cover suits you: Individual health insurance or family floater?

If you want extensive coverage, individual health insurance is the option. In this type, you will buy separate plans for each member of the family, and premium for each policy will be based on the age, and respective sum assured. However, if you are a family person, it is recommended that you buy a family floater (FF) plan to cover your whole family. Then you will not need to buy separate policies for each family member. The premium for family floater plans is also less than individual plans, and there is a higher sum assured. The most important factor is that anyone can use the amount for medical treatment. Also, it is possible to cover parents if they are senior citizens with a slightly higher premium.

Other important considerations while choosing health insurance for your family:

• Select the sum insured based on your age and marital status, because the risk is less when you are younger, and it climbs as you grow older.
• Select a plan that has a minimum waiting period for pre-existing health conditions.
• Select a plan that allows you to renew at 75 or 80 years of age.
• Consider the range of hospitals that the insurer is affiliated with.
• Compare premiums and plans from more than one insurer and remember to read the customer reviews.
• Read between the lines to understand the exclusions.

Insurance does not guarantee good health, but it will help you in taking care of your loved ones the best way possible during health emergencies. 

Though the home is a synonym of safety, home burglaries are common and have gone up rapidly in recent times. Festival theft is another concern, and a study shows that the highest home burglary rate in India is during festive seasons. Read on to know about five preventive steps to ensure your home is a safer haven during the festival season and after.

Hiring a security guard or a watchman

Most of the housing societies execute due diligence on the security features, including hiring trained security guards. If you are not living in one of the high-rise buildings rather a private land-based home, then a security guard is a must for you. A trustworthy watchman is a resource who works as a deterrent to burglars and ensures the complete safety of your home. Opt for a guard from professionally licensed security companies and always take a security guard that has previous security experience and is adequately verified.

Under surveillance — installing CCTVs

Technology is more of a boon than a bane for all. According to a Delhi Police report, crime reports have decreased to half after installing CCTVs in Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk Market. The same statement holds true for most of the residential colonies. Installing CCTVs at your home allows you to keep an eye on suspicious elements and prevents any potential theft. During the festive season, it is more imperative to have a security scanner that alerts you about any suspicious activity around your premises.

Lock it all when you leave

During the festival season, there is a spurt in burglary, even in locked houses. When you need to leave your home, make sure that all your windows and doors are closed and properly secured. One of the biggest mistakes people make is hiding the keys in the most obvious places, under the rug or behind the nameplate. Also, don't let burglars assume that no one is in the house. Ask neighbours or depute someone to pick the newspaper from the doorways and switch on the door lights in the night.

Bank lockers are better than home safes

There is no argument that a bank locker is always a safer place for your valuables. Banks have a robust security system to safeguard your valuables. The presence of a security guard and a high level of surveillance to monitor entry and exit in the bank's locker room add another layer of security protection to your valuables. However, if you are still keeping jewelry and valuables for the festive season at home, use electronic safes ranging from mechanical safe to the wall-mounted high-end safes.

And, consider taking a home insurance cover.

Security tools and technology will help make your home secure to a certain extent, but considering the increase in home burglaries nowadays, nothing can be said with surety. A good head start would be opting for the best home insurance policy in india that safeguards your home from any loss and damage.

Disasters have many faces and can strike anytime, anywhere; they can be seen in the form of quakes, floods, gas leaks, explosions, etc. and one of the most commonly known faces of disaster is fire. Damage felt after a partial or full-blown fire mishap is quite painful and nearly unrecoverable. However, if you have your house insured with ironclad insurance from a well-reputed fire insurance company, then your hassles can be reduced to a minimum.

A fire insurance policy plays an essential role in dealing with the losses and damages incurred due to fire. It is highly recommended to purchase fire insurance to safeguard your homes from any future calamity that a sudden fire or smoke can cause.

Here are some of the tips you can follow if you face damage from fire or smoke in your homes.

• Ask for an advance against your claim: -  Right after the house has been gutted to fire, you might be forced to evacuate the house, considering the dangerous situation because of the smoke. In this case, you are eligible to get an advance from your insurance company so that you can buy your daily essentials. Inform your insurance company and ask it to issue a cheque and bring it to wherever you are staying. It will help you in this dire need and will be enough for your survival until your claim gets accepted.
• Checking for the extent of losses: - Once the fire tragedy is controlled, the first act of the homeowner is to calculate or check for the damage extent of personal belongings and property loss in the fire. Once the total loss is measured and counted, it will be easier for you to negotiate with officials handling the claim process.
• Having your receipts documented: - After facing a disastrous house fire, you may be forced to live in a temporary dwelling like a hotel or guesthouse close to your vicinity. It would be ideal to secure all the receipts, document all the costs and expenses carefully. Once you receive the claim for the house fire, you may also get a compensated amount you incurred on your living expenses.
• Check bank statements if you don’t have a receipt: - People tend to be careless when it comes to saving receipts for every new thing that they buy. While we might save receipts of the electronic items for warranty or claiming a refund, it’s not easy to keep those long bills every time you go for grocery shopping. However, your every online transaction would bring a huge relief; hence look for credit card statements and bank statements to prove the value of items.
• Back up your vocal claims with evidence: - After the fire tragedy, some items are destroyed or damaged to such an extent that for the insurer, it could be challenging to identify for assigning the claim. So, as a responsible party, you ought to click as many pictures and shoot videos as possible of the damaged, smoked rooms to show the physical evidence of the actual damage before it gets wiped by a restoration company.

With the continuous rise in international trade, the volume of marine cargo is also increasing. Marine cargo has always been and will be an important component of international trade. With more and more businesses opting to transport their goods through marine cargo, the market is on the rise for shipping companies. This increase in business also increases the importance of having a comprehensive marine cargo insurance policy.

Irrespective of the fact how simple you might think a marine cargo insurance policy is, several claims get rejected every year due to one reason or another. You must, therefore, immediately take the necessary steps to ensure that your insurance claim does not meet the same fate.

Here is a list of the events when your marine cargo insurance claim can get rejected and how you can avoid them.

• 1. Insurance policy is not proper: - Not all marine cargo insurance policies cover for all types of damages. This is why you must have a comprehensive marine cargo insurance policy. If your policy does not cover the damage for which you have filed a claim, your claim will get rejected. Moreover, any changes in the constitution of your assignment or cargo might also lead to this rejection. You must, therefore, review for policy periodically and get it updated as and when required.
• 2. Mistakes in filing the claim: - Whether you have failed to file your claim within the requisite period or have filled the claim form incorrectly or have filed a claim under a wrong policy, the marine insurance companies will not hesitate in rejecting your application. Even, if they do not dismiss the claim outright, they might delay it for many days. Therefore, you must give this responsibility to an expert who has successfully filed such claims in the past. 
• 3. Mishandling of goods: - If you have not packed the goods correctly or your personnel has been mishandling them, then the insurance claims filed thereon will be rejected by the insurer. You must, therefore, ensure proper packaging and careful handling of the goods on your vessel. 
• 4. Perishable Goods: - Even if your insurance policy specifies that losses suffered due to delays will be compensated, it does not cover damages caused to goods of perishable nature. You must, therefore, check with your insurance company if such goods are covered under the policy or not, before accepting them. 
• 5. Negligent Maintenance: - If you have not been paying attention to the maintenance of your vessel, marine insurance companies will certainly reject your claim. As your vessel will be plying in rough waters as well, so the chances of it suffering from damages are very high. These damages must be repaired as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the personnel as well as the cargo. You must, therefore, ensure that your vessel undergoes regular maintenance and follows safety and standard operating procedures. You should also keep a log of the repair and maintenance work carried out on the vessel, as it will help with your claim later on.

You must therefore carefully assess your needs, discuss them with your marine insurance company and only then subscribe to a comprehensive marine cargo insurance policy that caters to all your requirements.

Ocean shipping is one of the most cost-effective means to ship out your goods to international borders. If a business acquires large bulks of orders from foreign customers wherein there are no quick delivery protocols, then shipping goods by the sea is the most viable option. However, there are some demerits attached to this practical advantage. Shipping goods via sea or ocean floor depends highly on factors like; weather, human-error, technical issues, and etc.

The hazards of not comprehending such factors might lead to disasters or accidents in the ocean, which further adds monumental loss to both business owners and the environment. This can be easily averted if you plan and get hold of proper marine insurance to combat the risks of shipping. Some of the better-known dangers related to sea shipping and how insurance can help tackle them includes;

• The occurrence of natural calamities - Perils never comes knocking on doors; they strike on decks without a single warning. Thunderous sea-storms, cyclones or tsunamis can destroy well set stocks and lives of those sailing on carrier ships. We cannot challenge the force of nature but what we can do is opt for marine insurance online to cover the losses, injuries, or damage caused during such natural disasters.
• Human Errors - There are certain dangers caused by man that could lead to a disastrous situation. Having untrained ship sailors or workers who load and unload goods with negligence and carelessness might create rooms for few accidents to occur in transit.
  A reliable shield in the form of marine insurance to handle the mismanagement of shipping goods by workers would be a great help in such situations.
• Geographical Hazards - Apart from natural distress signs, there are other forms of dangers present at sea in the name of geography. Try remembering Titanic, an unsinkable ship that sank nevertheless by hitting a massive iceberg. Big cargo ships going through narrow canals, icebergs, rocky shores or shallow coral reefs can get caught on sides or bottom, hence creating unimagined losses.
  Mitigating such losses by having a rational marine insurance plan is one way, and another way is to have the ship properly tested for such hazards and assign a well trained, professional staff for commandeering the vessel.
• Technological Issues - Such issues are more or less related to the ship's structure, engineering equipment, navigational tools, or motor engines. If the boat starts leaking oil in the ocean or one of the propellers is jammed due to long years of service, it could sustain significant damage to the goods on board.
  To avoid such substantial financial losses; having a well-planned marine policy that can cover the ship's outer and inner structure after a thorough inspection is the right way to go.

Businesses work for profit and if your business requires delivering goods via sea or ocean, then why not keep yourself financially protected with a Marine Insurance cover and keep the profits intact.

Buying your first car can be a little overwhelming. You work persistently and save your hard-earned money aside to buy the vehicle of your choice. However, keeping your vehicle safe and secure is a necessary next step after your purchase. Accidents occur anytime and anywhere. Having a comprehensive car insurance policy to back up those damages is a wise decision to make.

These days, you may buy a car insurance policy online or by contacting a service agent at your convenience and get your vehicle insured. With a sound knowledge of car insurance policies, you can optimize your purchase and savour great benefits. Read along to have a better grasp of your first-time insurance purchase.

Purpose of Car Insurance

'Use it or lose it' is a common motto on which car insurance policy runs; to benefit from it, you need to pay a yearly premium. On the off chance that you are lucky enough not to have gone through a severe road mishap, you lose the premium sum paid for insurance. Then again, you get a No Claim Bonus, which is a quite significant sum beginning from 20% of the premium in the first year to 50% in the sixth, which is the reason why you shouldn't go for minor harms claim.

Different Covers under Policy Terms

A well-framed car insurance policy covers the damages due to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, storms, typhoons, etc. Secondly, it includes the loss incurred due to manual disturbances like riots, theft, terrorist attacks, fires, etc. Thirdly, you as the insured can access the personal accident cover for your family if you die or suffer disability post-collision or mishap. Some company even offers benefits to co-passengers at the time of the accident. Your insurance policy covers the third-party liabilities like if you accidentally damage a third person's car or he dies of injuries due to collision, your insurer will protect you from legal repercussions.

Additional Benefits and Covers

One of the pluses of having a comprehensive car insurance policy is that you get various additional perks. It may raise the premium amounts a bit, but the level of your car's safety is maximized. Some of the add-ons can be;

• Windshield or car glass cover 
• Accident cover for a paid driver or unknown passenger
• Depreciation waiver
• Personal belongings damage/theft cover

Hiring an Insurance Advisor

During the brainstorming sessions of buying your first auto insurance, it is natural to get perplexed with different coverage benefits. A simple way to tackle that confusion is to get in touch with an insurance agent who is well versed with different company's policy premiums and covers. He can advise you along the way to look over your shortlisted insurers by comparing their proposed rates. He may also identify premium discounts for your first-time policy purchase.

Going for a comprehensive car insurance policy is prudent. It gives a well-rounded cover for your car. So, it's highly advisable to get in touch with your financial experts and buy a car insurance plan today.

The term insurance is often used very loosely. Most people think that General Insurance Plans only include car, health etc. There are even misconceptions regarding the policy coverage of these plans. Read on to see what exactly general insurance stands for and the different kinds of plans which come under it.

What are the types of general insurance and their benefits?

General insurance is a contract between the insured and the insurance company for financial protection against loss, damage, theft or other liabilities that may arise. Broadly speaking, it includes all kinds of insurance except life insurance. This financial protection may be in the form of cashless services or reimbursement. Given below are some of the most popular general insurance plans available to you today.

1. Health insurance:

A health insurance policy essentially covers the costs of treatment of a medical condition or accidents. Generally, it includes medical tests, treatment for critical diseases, pre and post hospitalisation expenses etc. as mentioned in your policy wordings. You can also opt for add-on features such as maternity covers and personal accident covers to customise your plan for you and your family.

The benefits of a health insurance plan also include tax benefits under section 80D of the income tax act.

2. Motor insurance:

Whether you have a two-wheeler, a car or a truck, a motor insurance plan will offer you financial protection against loss resulting from damage, accident, theft etc. Broadly, a motor insurance policy includes-

a. Third-party insurance: This is the compensation provided by the insurer for damages caused by the insured to another person or another vehicle. Any individual getting motor insurance must have a third-party liability cover as it is mandatory by law. It can easily be purchased with the purchase of your vehicle itself.

b. Comprehensive insurance: This policy will cover damages occurring to your vehicle due to accidents, theft, natural calamities, fire etc. This will be in addition to third-party liability and will also reimburse you for theft, repairs etc.

3. Travel insurance:

Travel insurance pays for financial losses that arise during one’s travel within India or abroad. The policy might be a single trip plan which covers one trip taken within180 days of purchasing the insurance or a multi-trip plan covering multiple trips during a year. Generally, the scope of a travel plan includes reimbursement for baggage loss/delay, missed flight, medical expenditure, loss of passport etc. You can further pick a plan for individuals/families or even pick between domestic and international travel insurance based on your needs.

4. Home insurance:

Since getting your own home is a big-ticket investment, it is important to insure it. Home insurance plans financially compensate you for any damage to your home and valuables within the property due to natural and man-made disasters, fire, burglaries etc. You also have the option to get additional coverage with add-ons.

Irrespective of the kind of general insurance, the following factors need to be kept in mind before buying a policy:

Assess your needs: It is essential to evaluate your specific requirements instead of going only by someone else's recommendation or even a popular plan. For example, a health plan could either be an individual or a family floater policy.