GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Almost everyone gets health insurance to make sure that their medical expenses are taken care of when needed; so that that they don’t have to pay a huge amount from their own pockets. Before you renew health insurance online or buy a new policy, you need to go over the terms and conditions and understand its provisions properly. However, there are many that either doesn’t opt for health insurance or choose one which does not provide optimum coverage, thinking that it will not come in handy when needed. Here are five common misconceptions people have when it comes to health insurance: -

• It Isn’t Necessary When You Are Healthy: This is as far from the truth as can be since health insurance covers not just illnesses or medical conditions but also injuries. With there being so many changes in the environment and lifestyle, it is not easy to predict any illness, and moreover, you cannot predict an accident. So, it is absolutely necessary to have a health insurance policy and to not avoid getting one simply because you think you are healthy.
• Does Not Cover Pregnancy: A widespread misconception is that your health insurance will not include a maternity program, but that is not true. Of course, some policies don’t, but most of them do. You need to do proper research since many insurance policies include pregnancy, as well as most maternity healthcare requirements.
• Cashless coverage is the Best: Many people believe that a cashless coverage insurance policy is the best way to go, but in such cases, you can only go to a hospital that comes under the network of the insurance company. If you want your medical bills to be paid entirely and directly by the company to the hospital, you cannot go to just about any hospital; you must go to one which is within the company’s network, or it will not work.
• Would-Be Paid Only If Hospitalised: It is a very common misconception that you would be paid only if you get hospitalised, and not otherwise. However, that is not true since your insurance policy also covers dental or optical services that do not require you to be hospitalised. When you buy a health insurance policy, you need to understand what is covered and what is not, and what the terms of payment are, so you do not end up getting into a financial problem when seeking medical assistance.
• The policy Cannot be Updated: The fact that your health insurance cannot be updated is not true at all. In fact, since these policies span over a while, there are small changes made to the terms and conditions. Moreover, if you want to make any kind of change to an aspect of the policy, consult with an insurance agent, and you would most probably be allowed to do so since situations and requirements change quite frequently.

No matter what you hear, if you wish to buy or renew health insurance online, go ahead with it. You must have such a policy for yourself and your family, so you are protected when the time comes; it is merely a matter of properly going over the terms and conditions of the policy to understand what it does and does not provide. Also, if you have any queries, you can seek help from an insurance agent.

Health insurance is an absolute necessity, and everyone must have a policy in place to be financially covered if there are health issues or injuries. To ensure proper treatment and to be able to pay the medical bills, you would most definitely choose the best health insurance in India for parents, yourself, and other family members. However, it is vital to keep in mind that you need health insurance when you travel as well since there is always the possibility of something going wrong. Here are seven reasons why tourists love health insurance: -

• Cover the Costs of Medical Bills: When you are in a foreign country, you would need to get a separate health insurance policy since your previous one will only protect you in your home country. By getting travel health insurance, you would rest assured that you have the means to pay for any medical expenses if there is any injury or illness since it can cost a lot.
• Covers Your Family Members Too: If you are travelling with your family, you need to get an insurance policy that includes not just your medical bills, but also your family’s. If required, as many people requiring medical care in a foreign country can be costly.
• Any ailments or severe health issues: If you suffer from a critical health condition, you might have to pay higher medical bills given the nature of complications. In such situations, it is best to opt for a higher sum insured so that you are protected from higher expenses.
• Connect to Healthcare Providers: Often, when you are in another country, you might not speak the local language, and it may become difficult to communicate with a doctor. Your health insurance policy will help you connect to a doctor and would ensure that it someone that understands you well to eliminate confusion.
• Post Hospitalisation Costs are Taken Care Of: If you have an accident or fall ill, you might need medical attention once discharged from the hospital. In such cases, your insurance will also pay for the costs incurred post-hospitalisation, so you don’t have to worry about paying a huge amount.
• Cover the Costs of Essentials: If it so happens that the airline you were travelling with loses your baggage permanently, the medical insurance may help you pay for any essentials you need. It happens quite often that your luggage gets lost somewhere, and you are left without essential items, especially if you have a medical condition, and so the policy will help you pay for such things.
• Sudden Change of Plans: In case if required for you to leave immediately and cut your visit short. Due to an emergency at home such as a fire, water damage, someone falls ill, etc., depending upon the kind of insurance policy you have, you might be able to book last minute tickets and get out without any additional expenses.
• Compensation in Case of Death: Unfortunately, if you were to pass away while travelling, due to an accident or an illness, your medical insurance provides the facility to transport your mortal remains to your family members or any contacts mentioned. Also, your medical insurance may financially provide for your family for a certain amount of time, especially if you are the sole earning member.

Medical insurance is, without a doubt, one of the most important policies you must-have, whether you are in your home country or travelling abroad since you might face medical problems at any given point of time. Make sure to only choose the best health insurance in India for parents, yourself, and other members of your family.

Buying a health insurance policy is a significant responsibility since it will determine how financially capable you are of dealing with any illness or accident. A health insurance policy will pay for a particular portion or all of your medical bills and will also provide access to proper healthcare, and thus, you must put in a lot of thought into the kind of policy you choose. Whether it is health insurance in India for parents, individuals, or other family members, you must not be influenced by what others say, and you must conduct thorough research before buying one. Here are five preparations you should do before purchasing a health insurance policy:

• Understand the Terms of the Premium and the Sum Insured: When you buy health insurance, you need to pay a certain amount of money regularly to the insurance company for maintaining the policy; this is the premium. On the other hand, the amount you receive is the Sum insured, and it depends on the premium. Thus, before you buy a policy, you must read all the terms and conditions and understand how much you need to pay and how much you will receive when needed.
• When to Buy Insurance: One key factor to consider is your age. You must make sure to buy health insurance at a younger age since you would most probably have enough time to pay for it and receive a good amount. If you decide to buy it later in life, you might already begin to have health issues and might not be able to benefit from the insurance policy. The younger you are, the more claims you can make.
• Employment Situation: Many companies and employers provide their employees with health insurance policies and also pay for part of the premium. While it is great to have health benefit provided by your employer, it is crucial to understand the downside to it too. In case you switch to another job or are unemployed for a while, you might not be able to avail of the benefits of that policy and might not be able to afford one soon enough. It is essential to evaluate the pros and cons of such a policy and to have your own health insurance.
• Whether They Provide Family Benefits: One crucial thing to consider before buying health insurance is whether it offers benefits to your family members as well. You need to find out whether it includes healthcare and financial benefits for them, too, and also whether they would be financially compensated if you pass away.
• Post Hospitalisation Care: When you get into an accident or have to go through a medical procedure, you might also require medical or financial assistance even after being discharged from the hospital. Before you buy insurance, check whether the policy also includes post-hospitalisation care, since that is important and could prove to be costly.

It goes without saying that having health insurance is extremely important, and the decision to get one should not be made lightly; you need to understand what the provisions are and what your role is before you buy one. With so many great options in the market, finding health insurance in India for parents, family members or yourself has become much easier today.

Nothing beats the feeling of cool winds engulfing you as you glide past the scenery on your bike. The bike is one of the most convenient modes of transportation that you can own. It is compact and can easily tackle the traffic. It is the easiest way to reach your office on time without suffering a backlash from traffic. Bikes have better mileage when compared to cars, and their maintenance is cheaper too. The bike is the most budget-friendly mode of transportation. You must always remember to drive with a helmet. It is for your safety and is mandated by the government. Not wearing a helmet while riding a bike will attract fines from local authorities.

There is a government policy that makes it mandatory to have your bike insured at all times. This takes care of the situation if you run into an accident, and there are third party damages that you will be unable to pay from your pocket. Having bike insurance protects you from the financial burden of the damages you will face in case of an accident. Bike insurances are more convenient than ever before. Now you can even renew bike insurance online. Here are some top stories about bike insurance: -

• Having bike insurance will protect you from third-party liabilities. Often in case of bike accidents, there can be substantial damage to other vehicles and surroundings. If you do not have bike insurance, you will be liable to pay them from your pocket. Failing to do so will involve a visit to the court. Bike insurance will take care of this financial burden, and you can ride stress-free.
• You will also have coverage for your bike. While there may be damages to the surroundings, your bike will also be heavily damaged. Getting your motorcycle repaired involves spending a large sum that you may not be able to afford at the time. This can leave you in a situation where you can no longer use your bike while you are saving money to get it repaired. Right bike insurance will cover all the damages, and your bike will be in running condition in no time.
• You will not face any penalties that come with not having bike insurance. The government has mandated that all bikes must be insured. You must also produce a hard copy of the insurance whenever asked by the authorities. If you do not have the hard copy of your insurance, you can be fined for Rs. 1000 and may even have to face a 3-month prison sentence.
• Peace of mind is necessary when driving a bike. Constant worrying will only distract you from the road and may increase the chances of an accident. Bike insurance takes all the stress away from riding a bike. You will not be fined by any official, nor will you be liable for any damages that you incur due to an accident.

Bike insurance serves many purposes. Though it does not mean that you can ride over the speed limit or without a helmet. Both of these measures are for your safety and safety of people around you. If your bike insurance is near its expiry now, you can renew bike insurance online. Bike insurance has never been more convenient ever before.

A lot of people around the world work hard and save their income to one day purchase a car. A car provides you with much more freedom and mobility than local transport. Having your vehicle allows you to do things according to your schedule. You will not have to schedule your entire day according to local transport timings, nor will you be stuck in long lines and crowded transportation services. You can be wherever you want, whenever you want to be. It is beneficial for family trips and casual outgoings. Having your car will also provide you with much more feasibility during an emergency.

Getting your car insured is very important after purchasing it. The Government has made it mandatory for vehicles to be insured. If you are caught by an official and are not able to produce a hard copy of your car insurance, then you will be fined and may even have to serve a prison sentence. If your car is not yet insured, you can get it insured online. You can obtain car insurance quotes online from different insurance providers and choose whatever works best for you. Before finalizing the deal here are five things you must know that nobody might have told you about car insurance quotes:-

• You will get different car insurance quotes from different companies. All companies have their algorithm to reach the amount they are going to charge you. These algorithms use various factors and are developed by top actuaries.
• You can get discounts on your quotation. Before signing the contract, you must make sure you are getting all possible discounts for your car insurance. There are various discounts offered by insurance providers, and they differ from one institution to another.
• You must make sure that the current quotation will cover all third party liabilities as well as damages to your car. Some insurance companies may try to lure you by sending you low quotes while not providing complete coverage. Before signing the contract, you must always make sure that you are getting comprehensive coverage from the insurance.
• You must enquire whether the quotation amount will decrease if you pay the amount in a lump sum. Most of the companies give attractive discounts if you pay an annual or semi-annual lump sum amount. This discount adds up over a long time and will save you a considerable amount of money over time
• You will get higher quotes from branded insurance providers. You can find right insurance providers that are not branded that provide sufficient coverage and have cheaper quotes. This does not stand to mean that branded insurance providers are bad. They sometimes have needless coverage amounts to justify their quotations. Often when involved in an accident, you will not require that much coverage. Non-branded insurance providers will work well for you. Before signing a contract, make sure everything is in order and that your coverage is enough to cover for most damages.

Knowing these five facts will help you get the best insurance policy for your car. Having insurance is not a license to drive recklessly. Some people put themselves and their surroundings in danger as they know they will get coverage if they get into an accident. It is your responsibility as a good citizen to drive safely and within proper guidelines.

A personal vehicle is a huge blessing. It provides you with much more freedom and mobility that you will have otherwise. Having your vehicle means that you can go around the area without any restrictions on time. It’s also beneficial to have your vehicle in case of emergencies. If you are in an emergency that requires you to visit someplace else, you can straightaway set out for the destination. Otherwise, you would have to book and wait for the cab service, which will take precious time. A personal vehicle also enhances your freedom as you will not have to depend upon local transport for going from one place to another.

Purchasing a motor vehicle is an expensive decision. A personal vehicle can cost you many times your monthly salary. It is essential to take excellent care of it. Even though you are taking good care of your motor vehicle, accidents do happen. An accident can leave you in a precarious situation as you would have to spend a considerable amount to get your vehicle repaired. This can be a substantial financial burden. The possibility of running into such a scenario makes motor insurance extremely important. If you have motor insurance, you will not have to worry at every turn for a minuscule possibility of an accident. Before signing up for motor insurance, you should obtain motor insurance online quotes from different insurance providers to see which policy best suits you. Here are five doubts that you should clarify about motor insurance quotes: -

• You should ask your insurance provider about the coverage under the present quotation. Some insurance providers may try to lure you with cheap quotations that do not provide complete coverage for your vehicle. This insurance policy will leave you helpless in case you have an accident.
• You should clarify how often you will have to pay the premium. A cheap quote loses its meaning if the insurance provider makes you pay it more often.
• You should ask your insurance provider if he has provided you with all the discounts and savings available. There are many different discounts in an agency depending upon age, gender, insurance score, etc. Many factors are calculated while arriving at the premium amount. You must make sure your insurance provider gives you the best rate possible.
• You must ask if your premium amount will remain the same or if it will decrease over time. Many factors are used to arrive at the quotation change as time passes. Also, there is a no-claim bonus that will give you a discount on premium if you do not claim insurance in the period. You must have full disclosure on present and future premiums.
• You must enquire if paying your premiums in a lump sum may reduce the quotation. Often companies give discounts if you pay the premiums annually or semi-annually. This can save you a lot of money over time.

Obtaining motor insurance online quotes will save you a lot of time. This will give you a rough estimate of what you can expect from the insurance provider. It does not beat sitting down and clarifying everything with an insurance agent. Still, it provides you with some information so that you are not going in blindly.

Buildings and houses are constructed very carefully; they are correctly planned and are built in a way that they can withstand any calamities or damages to the maximum extent possible. One common form of protecting houses from excessive heating or the weather is external cladding, which is the method of covering one material with another under high pressure and temperature. There are different kinds of materials that can be used for cladding, such as vinyl, aluminium, wood, etc. Still, these materials run the risk of catching fire and causing harm to people as well as the environment. Just like you would need to go with the best car insurance company in India for your car, you would need to choose the best fire insurance to protect your house.

Here are ways to control fire loss due to external cladding: -

• To Avoid Flammable Material: While almost any cladding material runs the risk of causing a fire, there are some which are more flammable than the others, such as APCs or Aluminium Composite Panels since they have a plastic-based core. When getting the house constructed, always make sure to use a material that is less likely to cause a fire or is less likely to help the fire spread; some materials are certified as being safe, and those are the ones to use.
• Check the Material Used: If you are not getting a house constructed but are buying an already built one, make sure to check the Material used for external cladding. Ask for the blueprints to the house, fire engineering reports, and also other details about the external materials, so you know how likely the cladding is to cause a fire. While it is expensive to change it, if you ever get your house renovated, do not forget to use a non-flammable material.
• An Effective Sprinkler System: Every house or building comes with a sprinkler system that automatically goes off when there is fire. You must ensure that the system works effectively and can detect fire or smoke since many sprinklers stop working after a while. Also, ensure that sprinklers are located everywhere in the house so that one outlet does not have to bear the burden of putting out the fire.
• Assess Other Connections: When constructing a house, numerous connections are going all around the house, whether they are water pipes, electrical wires, or other panels or boards. If there is a fire due to external cladding, these connections might be affected and can aid the spread of fire. You must be well aware of where all the connections are so that when needed, you would be able to determine the most dangerous spots and can try and control the fire.
• Handle Hot Objects with Care: Many residents have access to a terrace or balcony space, which they use for barbeques or even merely to smoke. If these objects are not handled carefully, then that can be disastrous. For example, a barbeque left on or is too close to the structure, chances of catching fire are very high.

There are numerous measures which are taken when there is a fire, but it is even more important to do everything you can to avoid getting such a situation in the first place. Since the whole purpose behind external cladding is to protect the house, make sure to use the right material and to assess the structure to avoid any risks.

With almost everyone, a driving car these days, the chances of accidents have increased, and there is always the possibility of the vehicle needing repairs. Both of these cases require a lot of funds, which is why you need to get car insurance online in India immediately. Having car insurance means that you would be compensated if your car faces any damages if you get into accident or needs repairs. However, what determines how well you would be compensated is the sum insured, which is the maximum amount that the insurance company would pay you in such situations. It depends on the premium you pay.

Here are some determinants of choosing the right sum insured for car insurance: -

• Your age: Your age has a lot to do with the sum insured that you want for your car insurance policy. If you are younger, you can insure a low amount and then increase it gradually over the years. If you are older, it is best to have a higher sum insured just in case you need to take care of growing medical bills. Being in an accident may require you to either pay for the damages or hospital bills, and the amount for the latter could be higher if you are older and relatively weaker.
• The condition of your health: It may seem odd, thinking about your health when deciding the sum insured for your car insurance. But the status of your health largely determines the kind of treatment you would need if you are involved in an accident, and also the expenses. If you are healthy and free of ailments, you should choose a lower sum as opposed to you being older and less active and agile, which might complicate the treatment procedure and lead to higher expenses.
• Any ailments or severe health issues: If you suffer from a critical health condition, you might have to pay higher medical bills given the nature of complications. In such situations, it is best to opt for a higher sum insured so that you are protected from higher expenses.
• Your income: A very vital factor to consider is your level of income. Whether you want a higher sum insured or not, your income determines how much you can pay towards the insurance. If you just began earning or do not earn a lot, it makes sense to have a lower sum insured, since you would have other expenses to take care of. On the other hand, if you earn a decent living, opt for a higher sum insured for full coverage.
• Lifestyle and daily activities: The kind of area you live or work in, how you commute, at what hours, how much you drive the car, etc. determine the type of plan you would need, and thus would also determine the sum insured. If your lifestyle is such that there are more significant risks of getting into an accident or requiring frequent repairs, it is best to go with a higher sum insured so that you would be financially covered when the need arises.

It is not enough to buy car insurance online in India; you need to understand its terms and conditions and choose the sum insured that suits your needs and situations best.