GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration. –Charles Dickens

You’ve made the big decision to purchase a dream house: reality is finally sweeter than your dreams! Congratulations.

A house is a matter of pride and a big commitment for many many years. A house is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make: a dream you would like to protect.

While there is little we can do against natural disasters, we can reduce some of the hardships by having home insurance, which protects against any damage to the house and valuables in it.

Home insurance is poorly sold in India; People are either not aware of home insurance or are reluctant to buy it. They don’t see the risk to their property—be it fire or an act of terrorism; and of course, it always happens to other people!

A lost life cannot be regained, but a lost house can be rebuilt and it doesn’t cost much.

Here is what our Truth lens tells us:

A good policy covers for financial loss arising out of various incidents such as fire, earthquake or burglary. It covers, not only for structural damage but also for all other assets and possessions you may have, right from a rug to a refrigerator.

Here are a few things to consider:

One, the Cover

At the basic level, a standard fire and special perils policy covers your structure and possessions from fire and other dangers such as earthquakes and storms. The second level of coverage protects against burglary or breakdown of mechanical and electrical appliances. The last one protects against minimal risks such as loss of rent, loss of important documents such as title deeds and passport, and provision for alternate accommodation.

Two, the Sum Insured

While the value of your house is based on three factors - land, cost of construction for the building and prevailing real estate prices – the insurance only covers for the building’s cost of construction. Most insurers will offer a standard rate per square foot multiplied by the carpet area of your house. The rate offered also considers depreciation. Therefore, it is important to go for a reinstatement cover. This covers for rebuilding your home from scratch, assuming the worst.

Three, Compliance

If you are living in an urban high-rise, your flat alone cannot be rebuilt in case a big calamity hits the locality. It is the housing society’s responsibility to insure the entire premise. Talk to the society management and figure the kind of insurance availed of and what supplementation you need. The insurer will not cover for poor or unauthorized construction and you don’t want to be left high and dry in the event something goes wrong. Taking 2 insurance policies for the same asset will not result in double benefits! [This is based on the principle of indemnity, and the more technical oriented amongst us can click here to read more about it]

Time period: Home insurance can be bought for a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years. Do remember to renew.

Fine print: Home insurance policies are worded differently. For example, structure insurance may only be for building and not land, or only jewelry kept in the locker may be covered.

Tenants: If you are living in a rented house, you can insure only the contents and not the structure as you don’t own it.

You’re driving safe. You’ve got your eyes on the road, and your seat belt on. But even if you do everything right, accidents well, they simply happen. While we know you’re doing your best to avoid accidents, here’s a list of essential tips to keep in handy in case you’re in an emergency:

• If you or any of your passengers are injured, medical help is priority. Get first aid immediately.
• Observe the site of the accident and note down all the details you can – from the location, to important number plates and names.
• If there are eye-witnesses to the accident, make sure you note down their contact details, so you can follow up with them later.
• Take pictures of the place where the accident happened. In times like these, every detail helps!
• If the police have registered a case, remember to note down the case number.
• Keep track of all the expenses you’ve had to undergo due to the accident. That means, don’t throw a single bill or receipt away!
• Lastly, make sure you file your insurance claim as soon as you can! Because the sooner your Insurance Company knows about the incident, the sooner they can help you out.

In case of an unfortunate incident on the road, our no. 1 tip for you is the simplest: don’t panic! Stay calm, and keep a level head.
No matter where you are, always keep the accident no. on speed dial
Here’s to many safe, stress-free road-trips!

The New Age Insurance is evolving and we are seeing a lot of new age insurers entering the game alongside the traditional players

Pricing:

Traditional – Expensive as you pay for the operational costs
New age – Cost effective when the company is going paperless
Ease of Dealing

Buying

Traditional - As complicated as buying a house
New age – As easy as placing an order online

Communication

Traditional - As complicated as reading a report
New Age - As simple as reading an article

Claims

Traditional - Hurdles and bottlenecks throughout the process
New Age - Smooth sailing

Paperwork

Traditional - Maximum paperwork, more hassle
New Age - Minimum paperwork, maximum ease and convenience

Buying insurance is not uncommon, one wants to secure the money involved in an asset and thus he gets it insured. But here is the funny part: people have insured things which are weird if not downright hilarious! So, without further ado, let’s jump on to 5 Most Strangest Insurance Policies Ever.

• Body Parts
  Insuring body parts has become a trend among celebrities. It started quite a while back and once the trend began, there was no turning back, Heidi Klum’s legs were insured for a whopping $2.2 million.
• Absconding Spouse
  Getting cold feet right before the wedding is a common occurrence. So, what happens to all the hard-earned money spent by your parents for the fancy wedding you wanted? To your relief, you can buy an Insurance Policy to recover the money spent if your partner decides to take off!
• Cigar
  Skansen museum in Stockholm exhibits a record-breaking cigar which is fully insured, for all the right reasons!
• Death By Laughter
  In the 1900’s, people were overly confident of their sense of humor. So much so that an insurer, Lloyd’s of London, had issued a $1m policy for film-goers, just in case they lose their life by laughing so hard.
• Alien Abduction
  Apparently, a lot of people have a huge fear of getting abducted by aliens. If you are one of those people, you can get an insurance from Lloyd’s of London,More than 20,000 Alien Abduction Policies have been sold till date.

Last but definitely not the least, if you planned for one child and got a surprise of multiple, you can get an insurance to pay for the expenses.

Your car gets you safely everywhere you want to go, but it requires that you take good care of it in order for it to keep running. Some of these simple maintenance issues can actually result in an accident or injuries. Take the time to make sure these 10 things are checked regularly and maintained as needed and avoid a potential accident or claim.

Tip 1: Change the oil. Neglecting oil level checks and fresh oil changes will not do your car any favours.

Tip 2: Change the oil filter. Check the oil level once a month and replace the oil filter regularly.

Tip 3: Check your brake fluid. Check when transmission fluid and power steering fluid need to be replaced as well.

Tip 4: Check the tyre pressure each month. You should check your tyres regularly by ensuring that they are properly inflated and that the wheels are aligned. Not only will you get better mileage, but your tyres will last longer too.

Tip 5: Check the windscreen wipers. Make sure they are not damaged and are in a good working condition, as driving without proper visibility is dangerous.

Tip 6: Change the air filter. Keep your engine clean by regularly replacing the air filter.

Tip 7: Check the windscreen. Inspect the windscreen for small chips and scratches. These are reasonably cheap to repair, while replacing an entire windscreen is expensive.

Tip 8: Check your lights. This means indicator lights, hazard lights and headlights. Replace burnt out bulbs immediately.

Tip 9: Check the dashboard. Don't ignore the dashboard if there are flashing lights or the temperature gauge is suddenly extra hot. Stop as soon as it is safe and read the manual to make sure it is safe to drive further.

Tip 10: Protect the exterior of the car. A coat of good quality wax will ensure that your vehicle paint is protected. Apply the wax every six months.

Keep your car in good running condition and it will keep you safe and in control on the road. It takes a short amount of time to check these important functions, but can save money, fuel, and even lives in the long run. Make sure the functions of your car aren’t the only thing you’re checking. Get Car Insurance at the best price and protect your prized possession!

When truth and transparency are the core of a general insurance company, you know you are in trustworthy hands. This is the way of life at Magma HDI, and the fundamental reason it has been able to sell 1 million policies in FY19, as on February 21, 2019.

Having started operations only in 2012, Magma HDI has managed to build a strong reputation as a key player in the Indian insurance industry in a short span of time. It has steadily climbed growth charts with close to 1,000 employees, 135+ branches and 5,000-plus partners from about 180 employees, 46 branches and 500 partners back in the year of its commencement.

So, what have been the key differentiators responsible for this success?

The foremost reason is the company's utmost focus on honesty and transparency. When you choose Magma HDI, you get exactly what you have signed up for.

What's more, your struggle with endless, incomprehensible TnCs is over. Magma HDI believes in minimal TnCs that have important clauses highlighted. There are no hidden charges, and all costs are revealed to you upfront.

The company has a wide range of retail and commercial products on offer that suit requirements of all kinds of buyers. It has over 50 products across categories to choose from and has issued more than 24 lakh general insurance policies till date.

The foundation on which Magma HDI has been able to build its standing is its high claim- settlement ratio. Magma HDI has settled 94.1% of claims generated in FY 17-18 compared to the industry average of 87.2%. Owing to this, Magma HDI has successfully settled more than 1.25 lakh general insurance claims till date.

Additionally, the claim settlement process is absolutely hassle-free. Almost 87.17% claims made in FY 17-18 were settled in less than 30 days compared to the industry average of 62.1%.

A good insurance provider must not only assure you and your loved ones of a safety net in times of need, but also offer you the much-needed peace of mind that the promises made to you will be kept. To check both these parameters off your list, go ahead with a trusted partner such as Magma HDI.

We understand your fears and apprehensions and here’s what we have done to put an end to them, Magma HDI General Insurance’s range of policies for your health and assets:

1. Insurance is no longer tedious

It’s as easy as shopping online. Get a quick quote for general insurance policies CLICK HERE

2. Claims settlement is now transparent

We ensure a fair, transparent, and convenient claim settlement process.

In FY 18-19, Magma HDI has maintained a claim settlement ratio of 91.85% as compared to the industry average of 87.2%.

Our customer service wing works round the clock to have your queries addressed irrespective of the time of the day.

3. Perplexing T&Cs demystified

We believe in highlighting the important clauses of the Terms & Conditions,

You deserve simple hassle free claims!

At Magma HDI, ”Truth must be told” is the foundation of everything we do. Magma HDI has always attempted to change the game through significant efforts in making the claiming process simpler and less tedious. Securing the things most precious to you has never been this stress-free.

Thanks to the technology, computers or the smart phone in your hand filing a claim has never been easier.

For instance in case your vehicle meets with an accident and when you make a claim, Magma HDI trusts you and lets you take charge of the process . You don’t have to fill lengthy forms, attach documents of proof, or undergo a tedious process in getting your claim registered. All you need to do is attach a soft copy of your request and documentation and email us, or better yet! Fill your claim form online.

You can simply conduct a quick self-survey by clicking pictures of the damage vehicle with your smartphone, send it to Magma HDI’s online ‘Claim Updation’, and before you get home, the customer support ninjas at Magma HDI would have begun actioning your request.

The support staff operates 24x7, 365 days a year, ensuring your insurance claims are processed faster and these minor mishaps don’t create roadblocks in your life’s plans.

Apart from your faith and testimonial, we also have numbers backing us, higher percentages just don’t make for an excellent report card! They also account for credible insurance providers., Magma HDI has been able to outclass general insurance industry average in claim settlements. While the general insurance industry averages 87.2%, Magma HDI notched ahead at 91.8% in FY 18-19, with only 8.15% outstanding claims. The extremely convenient and efficient claim settlement procedure at Magma HDI has ensured less than 30-day claim settlement for almost 87.17% of the total claims made in the year.

We believe that you should be in control when it comes to making a claim or registering a service. Insurance is built on trust, if there is a one-stop general insurance partner who understands your needs and empowers you with total transparency, look no further than Magma HDI.