GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Given the rising healthcare cost, a sudden medical emergency can put a significantly hole in your pocket. A health insurance policy, therefore, is an absolute must to get timely and expert medical help for yourself and your family. Plus, the added tax benefits help you save money.

Despite its popularity, there are certain common mistakes that people still make while taking health insurance. We list a few of those.

Depending solely on employer’s cover

Health insurance is a valuable form of compensation for companies, which is why a lot of organizations offer it to their employees. While it is convenient, it may not be enough to cover your entire family’s needs. Plus, the risk of losing insurance in case of quitting or termination is another reason why should also consider an independent medical cover.

Lowering premium by underinsuring yourself

While it’s prudent to look for practical ways to lower premium, it shouldn’t come at the cost of impacting the coverage. Decide on the right amount as insufficient coverage may force you to shell out more money in case of a medical procedure that’s not covered under your insurance policy.

Getting influenced by other’s policy choices

Different insurance providers offer different coverage, benefits, and premium amounts. While a certain plan may work well for your friends and relatives, your lifestyle, as well as your requirements, could differ from theirs. It’s, therefore, best to compare the various plans available and choose one suiting your needs.

Ignoring sub-limits

Most people don’t give sub-limits enough thought, but overlooking this could blow up your medical cost later despite having insurance. For instance, you may not be aware of the room tariff sub-limit under inpatient hospitalization coverage and may be presented with a much higher-than-anticipated bill.

Not considering the riders you can take on your plan

Opting for different riders hikes up the security coverage of your existing health insurance plan. Plus, it comes at a comparatively lower cost. Be mindful of all the riders that you can add on to the plan before signing the dotted line.

It may be tedious and boring to scan the entire insurance policy document carefully, but it's strongly recommended to read through all the details. Right from the exclusions to the terms and conditions, you should be aware of all the relevant aspects of your policy.

Not revealing correct information (Tell the Truth, always!)

Your policy premium amount heavily depends upon certain factors, such as your medical history and lifestyle choices. Smoking, for instance, can drastically affect the premium amount. Some people shy away from disclosing such information to lower the premium. Not only is it unethical, but it can also severely jeopardize your chances of claim approval. Always be honest and upfront about all the information requested for in the policy document.

Insurance is a subject matter of smart choice hence choose wisely!

When buying a car, you would take your time when it comes to choosing the right model, the right colour, the best safety features, the latest entertainment system, etc. This means that you should take the time to buy car insurance online since you would need to take proper care of your car. But what exactly is car insurance? It is a policy that covers the costs of any damages or injuries caused (to the owner or others) in the event of a car accident.

Here are some reasons why car insurance is so popular and why you need to get it: -

• It Covers the Cost of Repairing: When driving, there is a possibility that you might get into an accident or your car might break down. In such cases, you would most probably need to go to the garage to get the car fixed, and this costs a lot of money, mainly depending upon the kind of car you own. Having car insurance means that most of the costs of repairing the damages are covered by the policy; the insurance company would pay for any costs incurred, so you don’t have to spend a lot out of your own pocket.
• Could Pay for Others’ Damages: Again, when driving, you could collide with another car and not only damage yours, but also that car. If it happens to be your fault, not only would you have to pay for your own damages, you would also be required to pay for their repairs, which would cost a lot. Depending on the kind of insurance policy you have, it might also cover the costs of repairing the other person’s car as well, so you don’t have to pay for it yourself.
• Takes Care of Medical Expenses: Since car accidents occur quite frequently, car insurance policies also cover any medical expenses incurred due to any bodily damage. When you get into an accident, having to worry about paying your medical bills as well as fixing your car can be quite worrisome, which is why car insurance is necessary. Not only would you have the means to get your vehicle repaired, but a specific proportion of your medical expenses shall also be covered under the policy, as well as that of the other person involved.
• Compensation: Unfortunately, many car accidents end in death. When it is someone who was the sole earning member of the family or someone that had financial engagements, the death could have a negative impact on their family. By having car insurance, you can ensure that your family would be provided compensation if something of this sort were to happen.
• Supplements Health Insurance: Depending upon the kind of car insurance policy you have in place, you might have the means to cover medical expenses that your health insurance won’t cover. If you get into a major accident, there are chances that your health insurance might not cover all the costs, but your car insurance might help pay for those; you just need to choose the right one.

When you buy car insurance online, make sure to take the time to assess its positives and negatives. Compare it to others as well, so that you can be assured of the fact that you and your family would be financially protected in case of a car accident.

Liability insurance provides the insured party protection against claims resulting from damage or harm to people or property. Intentional damage and contractual liabilities are not covered, but legal costs and payouts are generally attended to and paid. This type of insurance is also called third party insurance.

If an insured party damages someone else's property or harms someone else by mistake, liability insurance comes to place. These policies can be taken by anyone who drives a car, owns a business, practices law or medicine or just anyone who can be sued for damages or injuries. Following is a brief guide on the public liability insurance policy and all that it covers.

Due to various kinds of liability insurance available, almost anybody can get liability insurance for products, employees etc. below are the main types of liability insurance-

• Employer’s liability and workers’ compensation- This is a mandatory coverage in case employees are harmed or injured in the process of work, and this protects business accordingly.
• Product liability insurance- This insurance is for businesses that manufacture products that are sold in the market. In this case, business is protected against any lawsuit arising from an injury or death resulting from their products.
• Indemnity insurance- This insurance protects the company from negligence claims due to financial harm resulting from failure to perform.
• Umbrella Liability Policies - These usually come handy when liability limits of other insurances are reached. These liabilities are designed to protect against catastrophic events.
• Commercial General Liability- Also known as commercial liability insurance, it provides an insurance cover against various kinds of lawsuits including those that may arise from an unforeseen event with an employee, any public property damage or injuries caused by the negligence of an employee.
• Comprehensive General Liability- These kinds of Liability insurances are tailor-made for small and large businesses, typically include bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury, medical payments, and operations liability. In this, compensatory and general damages on losses are paid, but punitive damages are not paid usually. However, it covers the charges of investigation or defending a lawsuit.
• The premium amount for these public liability insurance policies is based on the needs of your company and your company's priorities. For example, a real estate company or a makeup company may have more risks than an organic grain company. This is also because the bigger the size of the company, the greater is the risk. A good public liability insurance policy will take into consideration these factors.

Here are a few rights and duties of the insurer:

• The insurer investigates an event that has resulted in a liability claim.
• The injured can defend the insured in any lawsuit related to a covered type of injury.
• The insurer may settle a lawsuit at his discretion.
• Cost of providing defense is handled by the insurer.

The following are advantages of a public liability insurance policy:

• Protected against unexpected circumstances- Even after taking precautions and managing operations, there are unexpected circumstances that may cause more harm than imagined. Having public liability insurance ensures that you've selected a liability to cover for such unexpected inconveniences.
• You could get more deals - It is easier for large businesses and firms to trust your company and find it reliable if they are aware of the liability insurances in place. This gives you an edge over other competitors and could also be your saving grace.
• You may be covered against a data breach - With which data like important information about employees, products, deals, social security data, etc. data security becomes increasingly important. It is a must for every company to have a liability to cover hacking and other data breaches.

Having considered the above factors, your public liability insurance policy will not be complete if you do not personally understand the needs of your company and find public liability insurance according to that.

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.

Health insurance is a medical insurance policy which ensures that you and your family remain protected in the case of sudden hospitalization due to any illness by providing financial coverage for all the medical expenses under such conditions. Health insurance policies are generally claimed in two different ways, by way of cashless treatment or through reimbursement of the cost of treatment at the hospital. All health insurance policies cover hospitalization costs if the hospitalization is more than a specific period but there are many different policies offered by different insurance providers wherein you may also obtain the benefit of coverage of hospitalization costs, pre-hospitalization costs, post-hospitalization costs, accidental covers as well as daycare procedures.

You can buy health insurance by visiting the respective insurance providers’ office but there is an even simpler method where you can buy health insurance online in India with ease with no extra effort. You just need to choose the type of plan that best suits the requirements of you and your family and then start the premium payment process. But, there are many things you need to consider before you finalize on a particular insurance provider and after that on a particular insurance policy provided by that insurance company. One of the most important things to consider when choosing an insurance provider and any policy is to check if most of the major hospitals of the country are included in its network list. Once you see that the network coverage of hospitals is good enough and will be suitable for you, you also need to decide on what should be your policy amount. The decision of the policy amount will also depend on your financial stability because a higher policy amount is directly correlated to the premium amount.

These health insurance providers many different types of health insurance plans, such as:

• Individual Health Insurance Plan
• Family Health Insurance Plan
• Senior Citizen Health Insurance
• Critical Illness Health Insurance
• Maternity Health Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance Cover

All these insurance providers have lots of different policies ranging from 1 lac to 2 crores, and you can choose the policy that suits you the best. It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure and health insurance policies are the best prevention against any future health problems you may face. You can buy health insurance online in India very easily by directly visiting the website of the insurance provider whose policy you want to buy. You get the complete list of all the policies that insurance provider has available and you can check the complete benefits of all the policies and compare them to find the one that best suits your family. Once you finalize on one particular plan, enter the details of the family members you want to buy the plan for and you will be shown the calculated premium for the policy. This premium amount depends on the number of people you are insuring, their ages, the type of plan you are choosing as well as the policy amount. You will be asked to pay the first premium immediately and this premium has to be paid yearly to keep the insurance plan running. The process of buying an online health insurance plan was as simple as discussed in the last few lines. Most of the time is spent in deciding the plan, and once the plan is final, you can get set with your health insurance plan within minutes.

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.