GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Maintaining your fitness might be a controllable factor, but predicting medical help indeed isn't. And we already know that the enormous hospital bills can suck up all of your savings, making you wish you had a health insurance plan.

There is no doubt that the benefits of an insurance policy are precious and useful at crucial times. However, with a sea full of policies out there, it can get tough to make a decision. To ease this, we've listed some critical aspects to consider before you buy Health Insurance Online in India:

● Determine Age-Related RequirementsOne of the most significant and primary aspects while buying health insurance is your age. Determine your and your family members' age before you proceed towards your purchase. Generally, the premium payable to individual plans depends on the age of the oldest member of your family. Another element is that many plans come with certain limitations in terms of the age for entry. While some allow age limits up to 60 years, others only cover up to 50 or 55 years. Likewise, the age for entry also depends on the type of policy you choose, while some permit newborns with 90-95 days and others start from age like 20 or 25 years. There might also be some policies that don't limit their coverage based on age-related factors. A piece of advice would be to check and verify the age limit when it comes to buying your health insurance.

● Determining Premium & Coverage Related Factors Many consider lower premium plans to be more favorable as there are fewer expenses involved. On the contrary, the lower premium plans have lower coverage period. The next time you see a policy with a low premium, try to verify the reasons. Look out for any different payment sources dated for future dates, restrictions; this will help ensure that you won't pay a great deal of money when you claim your policy. As far as there are no such additional costs or limitations on the coverage, you're good to go.

● Agreements On The Waiting Duration A waiting duration is where the insured person must wait for a particular duration due to prevailing health conditions like blood pressure, arthritis, thyroid, and more. Being well acquainted with the duration given by your policy can help you make the appropriate decision. Generally, the waiting duration ranges from 1 to 2 years or more, depending on each policy provider.

● Advantages Correlating To Hospital Bills The best part about buying a health insurance policy is that you don't have to pay any hospital bills as the insurance company directly sends out your coverage amount to the hospital. However, one thing to determine is that this coverage is only listed under individual hospitals; not all hospitals are part of their system.
However, can you imagine the number of form fillings and other tedious formalities that you can skip once you buy health insurance online in India?

● Coverage Benefits Before And After Your Hospitalization While you're looking at a specific type of insurance plan that primarily covers your hospital bills, make sure you check the coverage benefits. What you're missing out on are policies that cover hospital bills and the expenses associated before and after your treatment like physical check-ups, physiotherapist sessions, and more. When you pay for a policy, isn't it essential that you get all the benefits you'd admire? Save your medical expenses fully!

● Coverage Benefits Before And After Your Hospitalization While you're looking at a specific type of insurance plan that primarily covers your hospital bills, make sure you check the coverage benefits. What you're missing out on are policies that cover hospital bills and the expenses associated before and after your treatment like physical check-ups, physiotherapist sessions, and more. When you pay for a policy, isn't it essential that you get all the benefits you'd admire? Save your medical expenses fully!

● Coverage Benefits For Pregnancy One of the aspects that everyone misses out on is checking whether your policy covers medical bills related to your pregnancy. And you'd certainly be surprised to know that a lot of them don't. Also, many policies that cover this type of expense hold a waiting duration ranging from anywhere between 2 to 4 years. You can also plan your pregnancy accordingly.

Final words

Plan your policy ahead of time and consider what aspects are fundamental to you. This can certainly save you a lot on medical bills.

Quick tips:

● Navigate & Compare: These are the two primary things to consider before buying a health insurance policy.

● Check all the necessary related benefits.

● Ensure that the list of network hospitals are close to your vicinity.

The sea has always opened up numerous opportunities for humankind. And now, with cruises becoming popular in the travel culture, people want to avail this luxurious and unforgettable adventure. Sailing from one horizon to another, experiencing the waters, foreign sunsets, and the regal amenities of the ship, make a complete package and a perfect bullet on your bucket list.

Planning a cruise trip can be intimidating and overwhelming. Ships are now as high as six to ten storeys and can contain upto three thousand passengers! You'll come across people from various cultures and backgrounds when visiting different port cities and countries. With expansive breathtaking views of the ocean, enjoy the vibes of a unique vacation far away from the city crowd and hassle. Cruise companies make every effort to make the guests feel welcome and curate experiences that cater to all travellers' expectations.

In this article, we will discuss some essential things to know before you set out on a cruise trip.

1. Windowless cabins:
For first-time cruisers, this can come as a shock. Some rooms may look like a coach in a train (size), but they might not have a window. These cabins are small spaces and can be congested for some. If you are uncomfortable in tiny spaces, make sure you check the amenities before booking a room. You can always travel with a partner to split the cost of the room if the price is too high.

2. Dress codes:
Some cruises have strict dress codes for mealtimes. You can be turned away if you don't adhere to the code and show up in ripped jeans or anything that comes off as casual. Make sure you prepare yourself in advance, enquire about these rules and regulations, and pack your outfits accordingly.

3. Book a higher cabin:
If you get seasick, booking a higher cabin will help you have a fun trip without the stress of feeling nausea or seasickness. Consider your health as a priority while sailing. Carry all necessary medications along with you and take good rest. The more you look after your body, the better you will enjoy your trip.

4. Last-minute upgrades:
Amenities like bigger beds, rooms, complimentary spa services, rooms with balconies, etc., become available at reasonable prices and deals if they are not sold out by the time the ship sets sail. Check the last-minute offers, upgrade, and avail of the luxuries if you like a discount.

5. Pricey internet:
Phone companies slap you with high roaming charges if you keep using your data without checking the roaming prices or switching to roaming data packs. Most ships have Wi-Fi options for basic tasks like emailing, online meetings, etc. Check with your travel group while looking for Wi-Fi hotspots.

Now that we have discussed some essential things you should know before setting out on a cruise trip, it would be wise to insure your travel as well. Cruises are expensive and can be risky if you don't get your trip insured in case of some unprecedented situations. These can be very stressful monetarily. To avoid this, explore general insurance plans in the market and choose the travel plan which suits your needs.

Click HERE to learn more about general insurance plans

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.

'Travel' is often associated with beautiful views, fantastic food, and comfortable hotel stays. Yet, one of the lesser talked about things is the exhaustion one faces during the commute from home to the destination. Delayed flights, crowded lounges, and expensive food are just some of the many things we go through once checked in for the flight. However, airports need not be so stressful. Today we will look at some of the ways to survive exhausting flights and enjoy your flight.

1. Reach on time:
This is a no-brainer. If you are travelling domestically, reach at least two hours before. Many airlines these days have made web check-in available for passengers. So you can skip the long check-in lines and book your seat preference while opting for web check-in.

2. Breezing through security:
Security checks are one of the most dreaded procedures at the airport. A helpful tip can be to keep your laptop, mobile, and wallet handy to save you time in the queue. Another trick is to carry a clear bag to put them all in and then put that bag inside the tray. This way, your things are safe, and you can easily collect them back.

3. Carry an empty water bottle:
Staying hydrated is key to navigating through hectic airports and transit schedules. Water is generally not allowed during security checks, and buying from the airport can be expensive. Instead, carry a water bottle, and once you are through security, fill your bottle through the free water coolers available inside the airports.

4. Light cabin luggage:
Many of us have the habit of stuffing our cabin luggage. But remember that you have to carry your things for the next hour or so, and it can be worse if you are hopping flights. Sometimes there also might be a last-minute gate change, and running across the airport with heavy luggage would be a hassle. Therefore, it is best to pack light. Carry only essentials like water, snacks, and hand sanitisers in your handheld luggage.

5. Wear warm and comfortable clothes:
Wearing comfortable clothes while travelling is essential. The flight cabin can become extremely cold, and freezing for hours does not sound like a good idea. Besides, if you're taking a long flight, you might want to sleep.
So being in comfortable clothes can help you sleep better. Don't forget to carry an eye mask and a travel pillow to make the best out of the in-flight sleep.

6. Carry entertainment:
Waiting for flights can be a long and boring process. Make use of the free Wi-Fi at the airport and download shows, your favourite playlist of songs, and books you enjoy on your device. You can use them during your flight or while waiting to board.

These are a few tips and tricks that you can follow to make your trips less exhausting. Remember that any hiccups you face during travelling are part and parcel of nomadic life. What you can do is to be as prepared as possible. But to err is human, which is why you should invest in general insurance India so that the next time you travel, you are safeguarded against any extra expense and mishaps like damage or loss of luggage, etc.

Click HERE to know about general insurance India.

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.

We’re always talking about how densely populated India is but have you ever stopped to think what it means for us? Well, the metros are over-crowded for one, but there is more. 

It also means more people have to share the same amount of resources. Something as basic as healthcare becomes more expensive for most.

Our country’s total expenditure on health as per WHO statistics was 4.7% of our GDP (2014). This cost is only rising due to our sedentary lifestyle and the external factors like climate that we expose ourselves to on a daily basis. As much as we love our junk food and comfortable chairs, they really aren’t helping our health.

So, at a time like this, what can one do?

This is where health insurance comes in handy, even if we faced the same health problems as the generations before us, the prices we would have to pay would be a lot more due to inflation. But a good health insurance can work as a safety net that protects you from these expenses. There are things such as family medical history, environment and even our lifestyles that aren’t completely in our control, but how prepared are we for unforeseen events are.

But besides countering the effects of our changing lifestyles and rising medical costs, health insurance also gives you some additional benefits such as tax deductions. We know, a lot of people don’t invest in health insurance because they think it’s expensive but if anything, it’s helping you save money on two fronts – medical bills and taxes. All payments made as premium for your insurance are eligible for tax deduction under section 80D of the Indian Income Tax Act. In simpler terms, the amount you pay as premium is deducted from your total taxable income.

Now you might be thinking that you are healthy, and you wouldn’t really need hospitalisation and thus, health insurance. But here’s where you are mistaken. Health insurance doesn’t just help you during hospitalisation but throughout – from getting free health check-ups to day-care treatments and even dental procedures. Now, who doesn’t need a dentist every now and then, right? Moreover, you might be healthy now, but what about 10 or 20 years down the line? You can never be sure of your health then, but you can be sure that health insurance will be there to protect your finances.

Planning for the future is a must in this day and age. The ease of technology leaves you with no excuse but to click a few buttons to secure yourself. Health insurance is cited as one of the best investments that one can make. Not only does it lead to better financial planning, but it also removes a lot of questions you may have when an unfortunate situation does arise.

Choose a plan tailored to your needs and stay assured that if you ever need healthcare, you have something to fall back on.

Though there are many Online Health Insurance Companies in India, Magma HDI is a one stop shop for all your needs from a Health Insurance Policy Renewal or getting a new policy.

There’s an ongoing debate between the importance of health insurance and critical illness insurance. Most people either confuse health insurance with critical illness cover or consider it to be an option. While both insurance plans act as a financial cushion for health-related contingencies, let’s learn the truth about both:

So, now that you know the primary differences between health insurance and critical illness insurance, the question arises of choice. Which of the two should you choose to buy? The answer is that both health and critical illness insurance plans are important for you. Both the plans are recommended for anyone who wants to secure themselves against the financial implications of health issues.

However, if you have a history of critical illness in the family or have certain lifestyle habits that are known to result in certain critical illnesses, it is strongly advised to opt for critical illness insurance too. You can either take this as a cover or standalone insurance. You should have insurance against critical illnesses, such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, coronary artery bypass, paralysis, etc. Additionally, the chances of falling prey to critical illnesses increase with age and could also be triggered by certain other pre-existing diseases, such as diabetes can lead to heart attack and strokes by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the heart. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of all such factors that could lead to critical illness, and it’s prudent to take critical illness insurance along with your health insurance plan.

To Sum Up

The best way to secure your health is to opt for both, a health insurance plan and critical illness insurance plan too.  Magma HDI's OneHealth Insurance Policy is one such policy that can come handy for you. 

If you own a vehicle, most likely it’s a bike. A two-wheeler is most people’s first choice due to the low price and easier upkeep. The latter, however, is something that is not always true. Even a small accident, due to your or someone else’s error, can lead to a hefty bill. So, does that mean two-wheelers aren’t as economical as we thought?

It can be if you have the right two-wheeler 2 Wheeler Insurance In India.

Not only is a two-wheeler insurance mandatory by the government, it is also the best way to ensure owning and riding a motorcycle doesn’t become a burden. While breakdowns and accidents aren’t always avoidable, you can plan ahead for when you find yourself in a sticky situation.

Kinds of plans available 

To break it down, there are mainly two kinds of insurance plans available for two-wheelers. One is the third-party liability only insurance which is mandatory for all motor vehicles and the other one is thecomprehensive insurance which protects you and your vehicle as well.One should always go for the latter because not only does it cover your liabilities to the other party in case of an accident, but also your medical bills and biker repair costs.

How important is it?

You might be a terrific rider but can you be sure about everybody else on the road? A comprehensive insurance, in that case, is your best bet for protecting your finances.Your policywill not onlyhelp yourecover the costs of repair but also your medical bills. But the benefits of atwo-wheeler insurance don’t end here.It can also protect you against theft and send you help if your motorcycle breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

What does our truth lens say?

As mentioned earlier, you should always opt for a comprehensive insurance because it covers more than just the third-party liabilities. Apart from this, you should also check how extensive is the insurance provider’s network of service centres and garages.A large network means you are more likely to find one around you for cashless repair.

Another factor to keep in mind is to check the claims ratio of the company. It essentially means how many claims the provider has settled out of the total number of claims made. And of course, you should look for which plan offers most benefits. For instance, Magma HDI’s two-wheeler insurance covers your motorcycle against damage due to fire and explosion, damage in transit, natural disasters and even theft. 

Where to get it?

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

Hiring a security guard or a watchman

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

Under surveillance — installing CCTVs

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

Lock it all when you leave

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

Bank lockers are better than home safes

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

And, consider taking a home insurance cover.

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

A regular motorcycle rider is aware of the everyday challenges of engine overheating, the exhaust getting clogged due to high pollution levels, and the electric wiring cracks after consistent usage. Besides these technical maintenance issues, you may face several obstructions to a smooth riding experience. While you can buy two wheeler insurance online and get immediate assistance for major problems, fixing the more minor issues can be confusing.

One of the most typical issues that two-wheeler riders face is extreme condensation of their speedometer and tachometer. While the majority of today’s advanced vehicles are equipped with premium instruments sealed much better against humidity and moisture, several models still face this issue.

Why does condensation occur in motorcycle instruments?

If you reside in a coastal town or a location with high humidity levels, you must face condensation problems with your bike. While four-wheelers have air conditioning to control the heat and humidity levels, two-wheelers still face significant concerns with condensation. The instruments in the two-wheelers are highly exposed to humidity and other weather conditions like rain, hail, snow, etc. The bikes often overheat due to prolonged hours of travel which can quickly cause condensation as the moisture from the environment can settle on the loosely sealed speedometer or tachometer.
Additionally, careless maintenance like washing the motorcycle with a high-pressure washer can lead to water entering several parts of the vehicle causing numerous complications.

Why is condensation on motorcycle instruments harmful?

If the covering on the speedometer or tachometer is not sealed tight enough, moisture can seep in, which can cause a blurred view of the dials. This condensation can be highly risky when on the road, as your knowledge of the speed and other technicalities about the motorcycle get compromised. This can confuse any rider as they need to know the appropriate pace to ride at and maintain it through their journey. While this issue can often occur, there is no need to panic as it can be fixed using some simple remedies.

How to avoid or get rid of the condensation on the motorcycle instruments?

1. If you spray water with a high-pressure pipe or washer to clean your bike, steer clear of the front area of the motorcycle that consists of the instruments.
2. If you choose to use water around the instruments while cleaning your bike, tape the meters with plastic or use a damp cloth to wipe the areas. Immediately wipe the vehicle dry to avoid water seeping into the electric system or engine.
3. If you are riding the bike during the monsoon and are caught amidst a shower, keep a dry cloth to dry off the vehicle.
4. Try to wipe the cover of the meters with a rag soaked with a bit of 90% rubbing alcohol. This is not a fool-proof method but may work for specific bikes.
5. Use a hairdryer at a moderate temperature to dry out the water droplets. Use the hairdryer from a distance to avoid any overheating.
6. Avoid opening or drilling any parts of the instruments as they can get further damaged. Ask for technical assistance from a trusted mechanic.
7. Go for a long, breezy ride. This ensures that enough wind passes through the instruments to dry off the moisture automatically.

On a conclusive note, it’s important to remember that condensation on the vehicle’s instruments is expected, and it is difficult to avoid. However, you must ensure you fix it using these few methods and prevent having a blurred view of the meters. Also, don’t forget to invest in two wheeler insurance online to protect your bike from unforeseen circumstances.

Click HERE to buy two wheeler insurance online.

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.