GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

How can you make your car insurance foolproof? The intricacies of car insurance can be puzzling, but it is undoubtedly worth the effort. After purchasing a car, an intelligent person’s first thing is buying insurance, as one shouldn’t delay good deeds. Car insurance is just as valuable and necessary as health insurance. It is crucial to be secure financially once you get behind the wheel.

We bring you tips for making the right decision so that you select the best possible car insurance policy and enjoy stress-free driving:

1. Always review the policy cover yourself to make sure it fits your requirements. Do not go for the first deal suggested by your dealer or insurer.

2. Cut down the costs of any non-required benefits provided in the policy to get reduced premiums.

3. Search for additional discounts such as membership benefits or one-time payment discounts, etc.

4. Make a sensible move and go for higher deductibles. A higher deductible will make your annual premium cost lower than expected, leading to a profit.

5. Do not settle for the first policy that comes your way. Explore your options carefully, compare every selected choice and then opt for the best suited one.

6. Usually, if you get insurance for a single car, it ends up costing more. Getting insurance for two or more vehicles at a time will save you thousands. This is known as the multi-car discount or bulk rate in insurance.

7. Insurance companies may consider the credit ratings of a driver while evaluating the premium cost. Therefore, keeping your credit rating high is only going to be beneficial.

8. A Pay-as-You-Go policy is the best choice for people who drive efficiently. This policy tracks driving to calculate your annual discounts based on how well the car is driven. So this way, driving safely can now save you additional bucks.

9. Do not forget to claim your yearly bonuses such as NCB while renewing your car insurance policy.

10. To avoid inspections of your car from the insurance company, be punctual when it comes to renewing the insurance. Companies may conduct tests on the vehicle to ensure its performance if the policy is not renewed on time.

11. Installing a certified anti-theft device in your car will get your premium cost reduced by the company.

12. Your geographical area makes a difference in the premium of your policy. Two people using the same car model, the one living in an urban zone, will have to pay more than the other living in a rural area.

13. A company providing you with a Cashless option is of advantage since you will never have to worry about arranging cash every time you make a claim.

14. Avoid waiting for your policy to get issued. Instead, take advantage of the updated technology, go for insurance that is given in a short time and does not take months to issue the policy to the buyer.

15. Switch to online policy purchase mode as you get an additional discount for online insurance.

Were you able to draw productive outcomes from the above tips that we have stated? Although car insurance is a basic necessity in today’s life, it can sometimes be cumbersome to your pocket. If not chosen wisely, one may end up paying more than required. So be smart and stay safe by considering these tips when buying car insurance.

For more information on car insurance, click HERE...

Does your physical appearance matter to you more than your health? If you consider so, you need to take a minute to understand why this thought needs to be corrected. Forty is the best time to take a deep breath, do a little introspection and say to yourself, "there are a few things I need to do to ensure that I stay healthy". Just because you feel you are in great shape does not mean your health should be left unsupervised.

People in their 40s need to upgrade their game by great leaps by evaluating their well-being and planning for the long run.

Wellness and health experts suggest these few general medical tests as a preventive measure for people over 40.

1. Blood pressure – keep stress away: High blood pressure or hypertension is also known as the silent killer since the patient does not experience its symptoms until very late. It increases the risks of a stroke and other heart as well as kidney-related diseases. Hence, you must check your blood pressure every six months to ensure that you do not suffer from hypertension.

2. Diabetes – an alarm for sugar lovers: Does sugar tempt you, and your taste buds crave to taste sweet regularly? The majority of people will relate to this, and it is pretty natural. But, excessive sugar intake leads to the risk of Diabetes. To eliminate conditions like Diabetes, keeping your blood sugar level in check is essential. A simple blood test can keep you away from numerous risks like heart attack, stroke and kidney problems. So, keep a record of your blood sugar level regularly.

3. Eye and Dental exam – have a clear vision: Regular eye and dental check-ups are just as important as any other medical check-ups. Spectacles do look cool, but why make our eyes suffer? An eye check-up to ensure the best vision is essential to bless our eyes with a long life. Similarly, dental visits to keep your teeth from decaying are equally necessary to keep your teeth in good shape. Indeed your smile complements your personality and leaves an impactful first impression.

4. Mammogram – a wise thing to do: A mammogram or breast cancer screening should be practised every year or two for women in their 40s. Mammograms immensely reduce the risk of breast cancer, saving many women's lives by making a substantial difference. There is a strong message for women: spare time for your health and take care of your body. Your body demands your attention, and never overlook even a minute hint that your body gives you.

5. Health insurance tests: Recently, many health insurance companies ask you to go through several tests before issuing a policy to clients over 40 years old. This requirement has proven to be an intelligent choice for both the client and the company. Buying an appropriate health insurance cover post 40 will be the best gift you can ever give to yourself.

In your 40s, you discover considerable life changes as you feel more in charge of your life. So instead of allowing your 40-phobia to get in, turn it into an elegant transition. This is the time when you need to be careful and alert.

What do all the above signify about planning your health routine after turning 40? Regular medical check-ups and signing up for health insurance should be a top priority to lead a healthy life. Simply getting medical tests done is not enough. If tests can help you prevent serious health ailments, health insurance will safeguard all your health expenses.

To know more about buying health insurance, click HERE...

After your home, automobiles are probably the second most valuable assets you possess. Automobiles are machines, and they'll undergo wear and tear with time, demanding a proper service at regular intervals.

It's only natural that you'd want to locate a mechanic who would adequately care for your car while keeping your best interests in mind. Here as we are talking about maintenance and safety features of your vehicle, so doubly ensure by dealing with only experienced mechanic or repair workshops.

There are hundreds of mechanics available in your vicinity, and making the right choice isn't always straightforward. So, let's have a look at some questions to ask when selecting a mechanic to ensure you receive the most satisfactory job for your vehicle.

Is the mechanic certified? Car manufacturers or other reputed training institutes certify some technicians to work on specific types of vehicles. If a technician gets a proper certification, it implies they've completed necessary exams and are knowledgeable about the various brands of cars. Therefore, it's always best to go for certified mechanics as you won't agree to hand over your priceless possession to an amateur person.

What is mechanic's reputation in the market? Make sure to look over the mechanic's reputation. Find out how good their service is by checking their website or any other trusted online forum for reviews. Also, ask around your petrolhead friends for inputs. A reputable mechanic will always give you better service than the competition.

What are their charges? Nobody wishes to pay an arm and a leg to get their automobile serviced. It might be challenging to locate a skilled mechanic who isn't overly expensive, but it is doable. Look for certified and self-employed mechanics who run their businesses since they are generally the most economical. If you have good car insurance coverage, it will be easier for you to pay the fees of a mechanic as most of the excellent insurance coverages offer an add-on for car servicing and repairs.

What guarantee do they offer on the repaired parts? Although many technicians provide a guarantee or warranty on their services, some do not. If possible, choose a mechanic that gives a warranty; otherwise, you will face difficulty if the problem reappears.

How convenient is to reach the garage from your place? Having a mechanic close to your workplace or home is both handy and cost-effective. It helps you save money by removing the need to travel long distances and makes it easier to monitor the progress of the repairs. You may also swiftly return to the workshop for any extra service, if necessary.

Are they good at communicating? Speak with potential mechanics and observe their approach when dealing with you. If they have time to sit down with you and explain things or go over what's wrong with your automobile, there's a good likelihood they'll take the necessary time while servicing it. If they don't have time to talk with you, on the other hand, there's a strong possibility they'll speed through the work and overlook minor things that can have significant consequences later.

Final thought: A skilled mechanic will play an essential part in keeping your automobile in good working condition and serving you for an extended period. As you look for the perfect mechanic for your car, don't forget to pair it with reliable car insurance to help you cover your repairing cost at the garage.

Click HERE to know about the best car insurance coverages…

Life is full of turns and twists, making it thrilling and happening, but every turn comes with a different experience that can sometimes set you back. No one can predict what the future holds, but we can secure it.

Under the umbrella of the General Insurance sector in India, several insurance plans protect our assets from all aspects of unexpected risks. These plans provide us with a financial cover for valuable assets like a car, motorbike, house, etc., against an economic loss caused by unforeseen events like accidents, theft, burglary, natural calamities, etc.

We will see the preliminaries one should know about General Insurance and why one should choose it.

Why do you need General Insurance? Your priority is your safety, followed by the avoidance of any mess. But at times, you may experience unexpected losses that you are entirely unaware of. In such cases, insurance is your best friend. A good coverage plan from a reputed general insurance company can act as your assistant in covering economic losses which otherwise would be heavy on your pockets.

Advantages of having general insurance:

• In the event of an emergency, insurance will be your financial protection. It will repay you for the losses and expenses you had and keep the load off your wallet.

• Some insurance policies are mandatory by law. E.g., in India, a motor insurance policy is mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. When you purchase such policies, you fulfil a legal responsibility by avoiding violations.

• Tax advantages are available with health insurance policies, which are a form of general insurance plan. Premium paid for such schemes are deductible under Section 80D. Such a type of deduction reduces taxable income, lessens your burden, and allows you to reserve some money.

Types of General Insurance in India:

1. Health Insurance: Health insurance plans provide you with a double bonanza by securing your health and wealth at the same time. It covers all the medical expenditures incurred during accidents, illness, or injury, including hospitalisation fees, doctor consultation fees, or medicines costs. One can pay it monthly or annually, depending on their convenience.

2. Motor Insurance: Motor insurance coverage financially secures your vehicles from any potential risks. The policyholder's two-wheeler or car is subjected to compensation against damages caused by accidents or any other dangers.

3. Property Insurance: Property insurance can protect your property against any risks or damages to it, such as theft, burglary/housebreaking, fire or damages due to natural calamities.

4. Travel Insurance: Travel insurance provides you with compensation for financial losses due to flight cancellation, trip interruption, delays, baggage loss, or any mishap during your trip.

Required document while buying General Insurance:

- Proposal form of the policy

- Identity card, Age proof, and Address proof

- Passport size photographs

- Documents of the assets that are to be covered

- Other supportive documents that the company may ask

When should I buy insurance? The answer, in most cases, will be a resounding "now". It protects your life, family or assets for a specified period, as long you pay timely premiums. So whether you are an unshakable optimist, a thorough planner, or someone who prefers to go with the flow, obtaining an insurance policy from a trusted general insurance company provides you risk cover and precious peace of mind.

So if you don't have the best insurance plans already, HERE is what you need to know…

The insurance industry in our country is experiencing an IT revolution. It is gaining a competitive edge in innovation and advancements in technology. The insurance companies have also adapted their business models to become more relevant and approachable online to cater to their growing online customer base.

The new work-from-home culture and series of lockdowns are further fuelling the online process to a greater extent. Result of which, the economic advantages of digital transformation in India have been highly encouraging. More people are inclining towards getting insurance online for their vehicles insurance policies. As per the Finance Ministry and IRDAI, the Insurance sector is expected to grow by 40-50% in the next half a decade.

So how exactly is the digitization of the insurance sector helping you with your bike insurance online? Let us answer it here.

1. Quick and Easy buying process: The digitization of insurance purchases has made it easier and faster. Earlier, a lot of documentation was required to obtain two-wheeler insurance offline, including visits to the insurance company's branch offices. It is now possible to buy insurance entirely online, with no physical paperwork. The shift is unquestionably a beneficial one.

2. Reduced total policy premium: Several insurance companies offer bike insurance online, allowing clients to browse all their policies features. Because of this, fewer intermediaries, agents and other personnel influence get involved. The company also has to spend less on stationery and other office resources by skipping all expenses mentioned above. Therefore, the total operating costs for the insurance are reducible. That is why online bike insurances are generally offered at reasonable rates in comparison to offline purchases.

3. The option of comparing different policies instantaneously: Today, all insurance firms display the features, premium amount, and T and C (terms and conditions) online. Therefore, the buyer can access these parameters of different companies all at once and compare multiple policies in one location, verify their requirements and make an intelligent choice. Thus, the role of mediators reduces, and the customers make a more informed decision.

4. Claim settlements made easier: Due to digitization, not only the process of acquiring bike insurance online got smoother, but also the process of settling a claim. It is now possible to register a claim immediately on the website. Fill in the incident's details and gather the relevant papers. One of the insurance inspectors will visit the accident scene and check the damage caused to the vehicle, and will prepare a claim estimate. The consumer can then track their claim status online by entering the claim number in the tracking window.

What impact will digitization have in the years to come? Digital technology is already influencing the purchasing habits of people. Insurance companies and agents will work seamlessly together in the future to provide better online customer support. In addition, insurtech solutions will be tested in a more controlled environment thanks to the new rules by the IRDAI. In the next five years, digitization will also help insurance reach India's semi-urban and rural segments.

Click HERE to get the best bike insurance online now.

Accidents can sometimes cause severe damages, disability and, in the worst-case scenario, even death. Situations like these can have an unfortunate effect on a person's financial stability. Unfortunately, no one can predict accidents but can protect or cover for such incidents.

Therefore, a sensible choice is to get personal accident insurance online at your convenience.

As the name suggests, personal accident insurance gives you cover from any mishaps that come your way unannounced. A personal accident policy is, however, much more beneficial than only covering for your losses.

Let us look further at the benefits you didn't know about personal accident policy.

1. Provides 100% sum insured:

No matter the cause, the nominee gets a 100% claim on the cover in case of accidents. If, unfortunately, the insured person dies in an accident, the kin of the policy can claim the entire coverage amount. Minor injuries like fractures, burns, stitches are also covered under the policy, depending on the inclusions.

2. No change in the premium:

Another benefit of this policy is that the cost of premium stays the same throughout time. It will neither increase nor decrease. Also, the policy provides renewable lifetime coverage.

3. The whole family can be covered in one policy:

A complete personal accident family insurance plan can cover an entire family from unfortunate circumstances under just one policy. All you ought to do is choose a policy that provides coverage for each family member of the policyholder's.

4. You don't require preliminary medical tests:

As accidents happen irrespective of a person's medical history or state, unlike any standard health insurance, personal accident insurance does not seek any previous medical tests for the policyholders.

5. It is even more affordable when purchased online:

As we all know, buying insurance online is a lot easier than offline. Major insurers recommend that these policies be purchased online and offer a lower premium that adds to the savings in some circumstances.

6. Daily cash allowance:

An excellent feature of a personal accident policy is setting up a daily allowance amount for the insured. If the victim needs to spend on hospital bills, regular check-ups or hospitalisation, they will not be out of cash.

One can never be too careful when it comes to inevitable situations. Likewise, the safety of yourself and your family can never be thorough. Even the most cautious person can be caught up in an accident and get hurt. Policies like personal accident insurance can save you a lot of inconvenience during trouble times.

While almost all insurance companies offer personal accident insurance coverage, it's less unlikely that your agent will share the importance of this policy with you. These are not very popular policies because of the low commission to the agents. So take some time out of your schedule and get personal accident insurance online.

To know more about online health insurance, click HERE...

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

The Covid-19 pandemic shook the world's medical infrastructure from the ground. As a result, the cost of medical services and its subsequent operations is now more than ever. With the huge inflation in the expenses of medical bills, investing in health insurance coverage is no longer an option but a necessity.

To live carefree in these uncertain times without worrying about medical expenses, a trustworthy health insurance cover for every family is a must. And, if you're someone who is already holding a health insurance policy, you should be familiar with the claim settlement process as well.

In this space, we help you to understand steps to claim your health insurance policy so that in the future, if need be, you're prepared beforehand.

There are mainly two types of claim settlements.

1. Cashless settlement:

The cashless claim facility relieves you of concern during a medical emergency when receiving treatment at any of the networked hospitals. According to the policy features, the health insurance company will pay the hospital bills directly. Therefore, it frees you of the burden of making direct financial payments to the hospital.

Steps to claim a cashless facility:

• Select a hospital from the list of network hospitals provided by the insurance company

• Then, notify the third-party administrator (TPA) and provide them with your membership number

• At the hospital, fill out a cashless request form. However, remember that a valid certification by a doctor with proper stamps and signatures is a must

• Next, mail the form along with the medical records physically or digitally to TPA

• TPA will then inspect all the documents submitted by you, and if the settlement is approved, the charges will be paid by the insurance company directly to the hospital

If in case of disapproval, you should apply for reimbursement. We cover this in the following category of claim settling.

2. Reimbursement settlement:

If you choose a non-network hospital for treatment, you must first pay the medical expenditures out of pocket. Then, following the submission of relevant papers, the health insurance company will reimburse the charges according to the terms and conditions of the policy.

Steps to claim the reimbursement facility:

• Contact your health insurance provider using the toll-free number and give them your membership number

• Settle all your medical bills with the hospital

• Then, download and complete the reimbursement form that is available on the health insurance company's website

• When requesting reimbursement, attach the downloaded form, include the invoices, medical bills along with reports, discharge summary, and any other relevant papers

• Then, submit everything to the claim office in your vicinity. You can even digitally mail the documents to the insurance company

• After the approval of your claim, a cheque will be sent to your registered bank account by the insurance company. The whole procedure takes 20-30 working days from the day all papers are presented

Additional tips to speed up your claim settlements:

• Fill the reimbursement form correctly. Make sure all of the medical records and subsequent documents have stamps and signatures of the concerned authority

• Register for a claim as soon as possible after admission to the hospital

• Take regular updates from the insurance company after the submission of all the documents

• Always go for cashless claims whenever possible

TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY IN THE MARKET, CLICK HERE…

Not many people are familiar with the term cooling-off period in health insurance. So let us take a quick look at what it means and how it affects you during Covid time.

The cooling-off period, also known as the waiting period in health insurance, is the time during which you are not eligible for claiming particular benefits of any insurance policy. This period lasts from about a few weeks to even months.

Recently, many insurance companies are initiating coverage for covid-19 related treatment, however, there is a “cooling-off” period for patients recovering from covid-19 and buying health insurance. Since some people may be asymptomatic and can later be diagnosed with the coronavirus, there is a waiting time of over three months before signing up for health insurance.

Why are companies choosing to opt for the cooling-off period?

- First, there is still not a completely accurate test for detection of the virus, and there have been cases where a contacted person tested negative and vice versa

- The after-effects are still unclear and give rise to complications to create a specific policy for the recovered/suffering patients

- The cooling-off period gives an adequate amount of time to assess a customer’s proper health, hence leaving time for an appropriate judgment for the insurance company

- It buys the company enough time to make preparations for all kinds of emergency services. But, of course, this impacts the policy’s claim in case of difficult situations

Can we avoid the cooling-off period?

You can try and avoid the cooling-off period with the help of the following instructions:

- You can purchase health insurance before the coronavirus infects you. This will help you enjoy the exclusive benefits of your health cover without any hindrance due to the cooling-off period

- Be sure to check all the terms and conditions while purchasing health insurance cover for Covid

- Do not keep any information that can later cause trouble in claiming the benefits

- Keep your health insurance policy up-to-date and renew it from time to time

To sum it up, getting a health insurance coverage policy and drawing the benefits of the cooling-off period before the coronavirus affects you is of great importance. To stay off from any troubles when claiming the benefits of your insurance cover, we suggest purchasing health insurance right at the time when you are healthy and show no signs of Covid.

Insurance companies presently offer various promising online health insurance plans. Looking at the current scenario, purchasing online health insurance might be the best option. People try to avoid visiting places and contact others, and being online just saves you from doing so.

Look for a suitable policy right away and secure your own and your family’s health to avoid a cooling-off period. Always disclose all the essential health information when buying the policy so that you can prevent any rejection of the claim later on.

TO KNOW THE ADVANTAGES AND FEATURES OF A SUITABLE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR YOU, CLICK HERE…