GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

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.

We all can debate if mental health is as crucial as physical health. Because of our stressful lifestyles, it is necessary to stay both mentally and physically fit. Nowadays, doctors, fitness and wellness experts recommend equal attention to a person's mental health, which seems reasonable.

Is mental illness covered in health insurance? Any person who is buying health insurance would have this query in mind. The answer is "yes". The IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has also made it mandatory for insurance companies to have policies with mental illness coverage. Every insurance company has to keep coverage for treating a mental illness in the same way they cover physical ailments.

We explain in this article how a health insurance policy can take care of financial emergencies arising out of any mental illness.

What are mental health and mental illness?

Characteristics such as psychological wellbeing, behaviour, emotions, cognition, and socialising make up a person's mental health. Each of these influences how we act, think, respond and feel. It also plays a role in our decision-making, interactions, and other functional activities. Mental illness refers to the situation when at least one of the characteristics mentioned above falls short in performing their role, and an imbalance occurs in a person's mind. It affects their thinking ability, decisions, behaviour, grasping, responses, memory, and the like.

Facts to know about mental illness coverage in health insurance.

Here are some factors you should know about mental illness and how it is covered in a health insurance policy:

- Just like any physical health insurance, mental health insurance covers your expenses of treatments, hospitalisation, medications, etc.

- Any person suffering from overthinking, moodiness, anxiousness, depression, loss of memory, coordination inability, and the rest is considered mentally ill and can opt for a mental health insurance policy

- Mental health insurance also gives you cashless services like comprehensive insurances

- Unfortunately, mental health insurance does not cover retardation

- The benefits and claim process may differ from one patient to another

- Illnesses resulting from the consumption of drugs or alcohol are excluded from the coverage

- It is more advisable to include mental health insurance in the initial stage with health insurance

Final thoughts:

As we lead a stressful lifestyle, investing in mental health insurance is undoubtedly a wise decision for every health insurance policyholder. We spend a lot of time discussing our physical wellness and weight loss plans, but not nearly enough about our mental wellbeing. Every third person you come across may be suffering from some kind of mental issue. Although there is still a taboo of mental illness being inferior and shameful, it is remarkable how IRDAI acknowledges this concern and makes it compulsory for insurance companies to cover mental disorders.

Though the policies have some exclusions and restrictions, it is only equitable for the insurance companies to provide you with the best available facilities even in emergency.

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In India, health care has become a major expense than ever before, with 15% annual inflation. Given the increase in lifestyle-related diseases in current times, long term health insurance is unquestionably the most cost-effective and viable choice.

Most people in their early 20s and 30s believe that they are healthy and nothing will happen to them ever. But a most concerning question flickers in our mind that as we grow old, "Is someone going to be our support system at the times when we will need them the most?" At this point, something like "Long-term Health insurance" kicks in.

Today, with higher awareness regarding health issues and well-being, a long term Health Insurance plan provides you hassle-free safety assurance. Consider these four questions to see the advantages of long-term health insurance and why should you buy it at an early age.

What is Long-Term Health Insurance?

Long-term Health insurance lasts for a long tenure, say about 2 to 3 years. Therefore, you can lock up your coverage for 2-3 long years rather than monthly or quarterly. It keeps the policyholder relieved from the medical expenses and acts as practical support against unannounced diseases.

Why should you consider and opt for Long-term Health insurance?

The most notable advantage for the policyholder is that you no longer have to renew your policy every year when you opt for a long-term insurance plan. Also, long term plans are likely to come with a discounted premium compared to other plans.

Who cannot take advantage of this plan?

Senior citizens cannot claim for this plan. Health insurance companies consider senior citizens at high risk. It is advisable to get long-term insurance during your younger and working days to secure your post-retirement life.

What are the other perks of long-term insurance?

Long-term health insurance provides more advantages over regular health insurance. Some of the benefits include –

1. You don't need to worry about renewals: The long-term policy helps avoid yearly renewals. Also, during the policy period, it covers unannounced diseases. It also provides a good discount on premiums in comparison to short-term policy plans.

2. An excellent tax waiver: Long-term insurance plans not only give you a shield for health but are also crucial for tax saving. If you get a health insurance plan for yourself or your family members, you can avail a tax exemption under Income Tax Act, section 80D.

3. Chance to cover pre-existing health issues: While many insurance firms do not cover the pre-existing diseases or health issues under the short-term policy, the long term insurance can provide you a solution here. The cost of the premium may vary depending upon the age of the policyholder.

Lastly, look at the different plans available and buy a 

health insurance plan

 which is the best fit for your needs. Medical expenses can drain a lot of money, but long-term health insurance can reduce the financial burden. Long-term health insurance is undoubtedly one of the best solutions to health expenses in the future.

Do You Consider Health As A Priority? Then Click Here To Know The Best Long-Term Health Insurance Plan For You.

Skills like swimming, playing body-accelerating sports, and riding a cycle on their own are must-have skills for any kid entering their teen years. Although kids learn the most skills independently, they still require an instructor or parents to help them master many skills. And that is a brilliant opportunity for a parent to grab and spend quality time teaching them while also having fun.

Teaching a child how to ride cycle is a no-brainer for a parent, but implementing the following tips can smoothen the process, and your child will learn to cycle in no time.

1. Find a grassy location:
Although most people might look for a spot where the surface is smooth, it is crucial to know that smooth flooring can result in faster acceleration even without the child’s efforts, and the cycle might move at high speed. So, always look for a grassy surface; even if your child accidentally falls from the bike, the impact might not be severe.

2. Avoid holding their cycle all the time:
Usually, parents or any instructor teaching a child how to cycle, hold it from the back for support and balance. Although it can give the child a good head start, gradually, it can become a practice, and the child might look for your support now and then. Hence, slowly get rid of giving them balance and start over again if they lose balance.

3. Lower the cycle’s seat:
A cycle sold for kids comes with training wheels and a high lifted seat, but it isn’t going to help in any way for a child to learn how to cycle. Instead, lowering the seat reduces the child’s fear of falling from height and allows their feet to touch the ground directly.

4. Tell your child to look forward:
It is natural for a child to look at their feet when cycling to ensure that they are not missing a leg while pedalling. However, your child should know what is ahead of them to avoid collisions with obstacles. You can talk it out in their language, like telling them that you do not look at the remote but the screen when playing video games. Similarly, they should not look at the feet but the direction they are riding.

5. Teach kangaroo hops for balance:
Although kangaroo hops are done without using a cycle, these can be an efficient way to increase their balance while riding. For example, get your child seated on their bike and tell them to start giving movements with their feet touching the ground, similar to kangaroo hops.

6. Proceed with pedalling:
Once your child successfully learns to balance a cycle, they are almost there. A little push on teaching the technicalities of pedals to move the cycle can instantly get them to master the skill. Then, slowly, tell them to press one pedal after another and practice it for a while.

7. How to apply the brakes:
After pedalling, the only thing that your child needs to learn is stopping the cycle on their own. Have them ride around you for a while and instruct them on using brakes when necessary.

As a parent, you should also be aware of unfortunate events that might result in injuries during the process. But, despite numerous falls and failures, don’t stop your child from pushing themselves.

Let them grind, make them feel the urge to struggle, and motivate them to rise again and try with the same vigour. Never deprive or restrict your child from taking on adventures, trying new activities, and imbibing unique experiences due to the fear of getting injured. Instead, invest in personal accident insurance online and contribute to your child’s growth years with the layer of protection.

Click HERE to know more about the personal accident 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.

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…

With all types of car insurance available out there, which one should you go for? Many vehicle owners get confused by unfamiliar terms and calculations. Buying car insurance is undoubtedly necessary as it protects you from financial trouble. However, selecting it based on lower premiums and skipping other important features about car insurance may not be a good option; if you don't know some lesser-known yet important facts.

So to help you with decision-making for the best car insurance or car insurance renewal, here are seven things you should know about car insurance.

1. Factors that determine your premium:

Although every insurance company applies its own formula for calculating premiums, there are some basic factors used by all of them. The list includes the model, engine, type of your car, current condition of the vehicle, Insured Declared Value (IDV), your age and marital status, etc. This information helps the insurer to evaluate risk and computing the premium for your car insurance.

2. You can save on your insurance premium:

Yes! You heard it right. And this might get you a considerable discount on the insurance premium that you have to pay. You may be eligible for discounts if you have anti-theft devices installed, buying insurance online, or applying for multi-year coverage, among others. There are several ways to lower your insurance premium. Double check with the insurance company on discounts available to you or when to use your no claim bonus.

3. Zero depreciation on damage:

When you make a claim, your car insurance company subtracts the depreciation costs from the cost of the components even before the determination of the claim amount. If your policy includes a zero depreciation cover, your insurer reimburses you for the cost of the components, including depreciation. Purchasing a zero-depreciation policy would raise your premium slightly, but the added coverage is well worth it.

4. Get rewarded in the form of No-Claim Bonus:

Did you know that you are eligible for rewards in the form of bonuses for not using your insurance? For example, insurance companies will offer you a No-Claim Bonus if you do not file a claim during the policy period. It's a premium discount that works as an incentive for improved driving and prevents individuals from claiming tiny amounts.

5. Insurance is transferable:

If you're the second owner of a car and the vehicle's insurance is in the first owner's name, you need not buy a new one. All insurance companies offer car insurance renewal and transfer of insurance to the second owner. All you need to do is to provide the transfer forms with the relevant document to the insurance company, and it's done.

6. The insurer can cancel your insurance:

If you break one or more of your policy's rules during the policy period, your insurance provider has the right to cancel your coverage at any time. The same is true for non-renewal. Failure to pay your premium on time, losing your driver's license due to suspension or revocation, filing too many at-fault claims, or lying about your driving history or prior insurance claims might be grounds for cancellation or non-renewal.

7. All insurers have different premiums:

While the insurance regulation sets the prices for third-party liability insurance, the premiums for all other types of coverage vary between insurers. Therefore, before settling on a vehicle insurance cover, always compare among the available options.

Always make an informed choice about where to cut corners on your insurance features and where no to. Also, remember to choose an insurance company with a good rating and high claim settlement record.

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