GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Personal information is an asset that one must safeguard at all costs. In the olden days, identity theft was limited to misrepresentation by misuse of a person's name and identity, but in the modern world, its implications are far more severe.

In the era of digitalisation, where a person's identity proofs are linked to their bank accounts and other financial databases, it is easy for a criminal to wreak havoc with a stolen identity. The most vulnerable personal identities generally stolen include social media accounts, PAN, Aadhar, email, and bank details.

While different kinds of thefts and infringements are often discussed, identity theft insurance in India is an under-discussed topic that few are aware of. It is essential to protect oneself from such contingent threats using adequate insurance. In the backdrop of a crisis, they play a vital role in recouping losses.

If you suspect that your identity has been impersonated, here are the steps you must take immediately.

1. Identify the violation:
The first step after discovering that there seems to be some misuse of your information is to determine the extent of unauthorised action. Once you have identified the broad area, which may be one of the following- credit, taxes, or government benefits fraud, amongst others, try to identify the source of misuse of information.

2. Notify appropriate authorities:
While you can trace the source of misuse by jogging your memory, it is often infeasible. Even if you can trace the origin, your immediate action should be to notify the concerned authorities of the fraud details. This means that there will be a different concerned authority to approach each type of identity misuse.
For example, you should notify the Department of Telecommunications if your documents have been used to register for a SIM card. For cybercrimes or online fraud, you should approach the cybercrime police department. Similarly, you should immediately notify your bank to stop the payments in case you witness any unauthorised bank transactions.

3. Identify the extent of the damage:
Once you have identified and reported the problem, it is time to find the damage incurred. You may simplify this by checking your bank statements and any financial databases by scrutinising any recent transactions that appear to be unordinary and unauthorised by you.

4. File for damages:
Once you have a general estimate of the amount of loss incurred, you can file a lawsuit under the existing laws in India that provide relief against such fraud after fulfilling the conditions. A lawyer's aid can help handle the case legally.

While these are the steps you can take after realising the theft of your identity, here are some precautionary measures to ensure that your confidential data is not breached.

● Never save passwords:
While saving passwords to your accounts provides convenience during login, it also increases your susceptibility to fraudsters looking for opportunities to steal your information.

● Do not use unreliable sites:
One must always be careful when sharing basic details or banking information on any site, especially for new or unrecognisable sites. Do your due diligence before taking on such risks to ascertain its authenticity.

● Utilise multiple authentications:
Most sites now offer 2-factor and 3-factor authentication to secure your account. Ensure that you optimise such facilities to keep your accounts and data safe.

● Dispose of physical copies of identification:
It is common for most official processes to require the submission of physical copies of original identification records. Ensure that the printer and receiver get rid of the documents immediately after the official use if fulfilled.

● Purchase identity theft insurance:
While it is not so common, it is ideal to purchase theft insurance in India to protect yourself from identity theft in case the need arises.

The constant development of technology brings convenience to our lives while opening new windows for mischievous minds to scam people and make profits. Always have the mindset to follow the above preventive measures to minimise or eliminate identity theft threats. And don't forget to have the best theft insurance in India for your rescue if you find yourself trapped in a fraud or compromised identity.

Click HERE to buy the best theft insurance in 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.

Marriage is a monumental step in anyone's life. And if you have made this important decision and are going to or have recently got married, one of the essential things to consider is your and your spouse's financial security!

Since you intend to spend your entire life together, you must have adequate health insurance coverage. Consequently, reviewing and updating your health insurance plan after marriage is essential to ensure the best coverage for you and your new family.

1. Understand your new healthcare needs:
While your health insurance needs may change, it is best to have in-depth healthcare knowledge on what type of coverage would best suit you and your family. Nowadays, most plans include outpatient care, prescription drugs, and hospital or facility stays for a fixed premium. Sometimes, your coverage may include vision, dental needs, and even mental healthcare.
Suppose you have a specific need for any coverage or want to consult about the best options for your family. In that case, we suggest you seek help from your medical insurance provider and financial adviser. You can also surf the internet to gain a comprehensive understanding of all online health insurance policies.

2. Add your spouse to an existing plan:
If you are satisfied with your current health insurance plan coverage, you can add your spouse to your existing policy.
Whoever owns the policy can initiate this process by submitting the necessary documents (such as the marriage certificates and KYC documents for the new member, comprising evidence of identification, proof of age, and pictures) and completing the necessary form. The adjustment will also require changes in the policy premium for the newly added member.

3. Include maternity benefits under your policy:
Most health insurance policies have a maternity waiting period of two to four years. You can only consider obtaining the wife's maternity benefits once the waiting time is over. Therefore, if you don't include maternity benefits in your plan now, you will be unable to utilise them when planning a family.

4. More add-on covers:
As a result of the many changes that marriage entails, you and your spouse may want additional protection for your family. Now is the time to look into online health insurance add-ons that you can include in your coverage to make it more tailored to your specific requirements.
In addition to maternity insurance, you should think about purchasing a critical illness cover, personal accident protection, or a top-up cover. These are all powerful add-ons to consider. As some of these coverages may come with waiting periods, making the decision as soon as possible is crucial.

5. Choose the right insurer:
When you update your health plan or acquire a new one to meet your post-marriage requirements, it is recommended that you switch to an insurer that provides superior facilities and services to get the most out of your new plan.
Therefore, if unsatisfied with your current insurance provider, you may easily switch to a new and potentially superior insurance company. Look for an insurer that provides you with various rider coverages and benefits.

Marriage is one of the most critical decisions in your life, and you must handle it responsibly. You must have not only the coverage you need but also the coverage that is best for your family. By doing your homework and researching the best online health insurance options available, you can ensure that you will protect your family's health for years to come.

Click HERE to buy the best online health insurance policy.

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.

Every season has its own character and is anticipated to practically play a hot-and-cold game with us. The seasonal changes sometimes make us feel a little under the weather. More illnesses, particularly colds, are frequently associated with this unpredictability of the temperature and weather. The main reason is that individuals often make the rookie error of becoming overly impatient and slipping into summer mode too quickly!

While there is no way to prevent falling sick during seasonal transitions, opting to buy health insurance online India and taking a few precautions can help you minimise the chance of developing common illnesses.

Five considerations as the weather begins to change are listed below.

1. Drink enough water:
Commonly prescribed for most health issues, drinking adequate water is essential, especially for staying healthy during the changing seasons. If you consume enough water, you can remove all the toxins from your body. It keeps your throat and nasal passages wet, preventing bacteria from having a chance to survive. To clear mucus from your body, you must also maintain a very high level of hydration. Therefore, consume at least eight glasses of water daily to maintain good health.

2. Avoid immediate cooling or air-conditioning:
Want to do it? It could feel warm sometimes in the middle of the season, and you might want to turn on the fan or use A/C. Subjecting your body to such abrupt temperature shifts can make you ill. A simple flick of the switch might result in several issues, ranging from a headache to a dry and scratchy throat.

3. Keep clad in cosy attire:
Giving up your cardigans and sweatshirts just yet isn't the best option, but losing a few layers is perfectly acceptable. Dressing in woollen clothes provides warmth and protection throughout the winter. Exposure and diseases like the flu might result from not wearing warm clothing. Even though the weather may be warm during the change of seasons, you need to keep yourself warm. It could make you sick to switch to summer attire so quickly.

4. Continue your exercise regimen:
Regarding exercise sessions, there are no excuses at all. You may have been sluggish throughout the winter, but you must start working out again, especially when the seasons change. Exercise enhances the immune system and promotes blood circulation, which can help you avoid illnesses. Physical activity can shorten the duration of the common cold, one of the diseases most closely related to the change in seasons. Consequently, put on your athletic shoes and get moving!

5. Keep harmful substances at a distance:
To deal with your flue like feelings, refrain from using harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Although these could appear to make you feel better in the short term, they can make you feel worse over time. These substances increase your risk of getting sick.

Medical crises can happen at any time. You should immediately seek medical attention if you or any family member exhibit any sickness symptoms. Many symptoms, especially in youngsters and the elderly, are frequently dismissed as minor. This often leads to a minor issue snowballing into a significant illness that could have been prevented with immediate medical intervention. Instead of shying away from medical facilities due to the high healthcare costs, buy health insurance online India for yourself and your family to cover medical expenses.

Click HERE to buy health insurance online 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.

Regular office work requires prolonged periods of desk sitting. Because of this excessive sitting, people tend to get various health issues like obesity, diabetes and risk of some chronic diseases. This post will discuss how sitting all day at your desk can harm your health.

1. Sedentary lifestyles have become increasingly common:
People spend a lot of time sitting down, whether working, socialising, studying, or travelling. Whether behind the wheel, at a desk, or in front of the TV, most people spend over half of their day's hours seated. An office worker may sit for as much as 15 hours a day. However, the average agricultural worker spends less than three hours a day seated.

2. Calorie expenditure is reduced:
Calories are burned even while you're not exercising, just by standing, strolling, and fidgeting. This type of energy use is called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), and not getting enough of it is a big reason people gain weight.
No significant energy is used up by sitting or lounging around all day. It has a significant impact on your ability to burn calories through NEAT. Research shows that those who work in agriculture can burn up to 1,000 more calories per day than those who sit at a desk.

3. The risk of gaining weight while sitting is higher than when standing:
On average, obese people sit for an extra two hours a day compared to their normal-weight counterparts. It has been shown that prolonged sitting throughout the day can cause weight gain and a number of other health concerns.
Obesity or fat accumulation can lead to increased risks of heart disease and also put pressure on other vital organs like the liver, kidney, etc. You may also experience early joint pain, stiffness of body parts, backaches, and reduced stamina and endurance due to inactivity.

4. Sickness is associated with inactivity:
According to an analysis of data on more than a million people, sedentary lifestyles are associated with an increased risk of severe health conditions, early signs of ailments like hypertension and diabetes in younger people, and even cause premature death.
An increased risk of type 2 diabetes by 110% and heart disease by 140% have been linked to a lack of physical activity over the long term. Research has shown that sitting for long periods or walking less than 1,500 steps per day can significantly increase insulin resistance, a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

5. Even if you work out regularly, you still are at risk:
Even if you work out hard for an hour, sitting for the rest of the day is still bad for your health. It is important to take short breaks and keep the constant movement of your body throughout the day to avoid getting at risk of health issues due to lack of motion. Regular walking and exercises are necessary to keep your body in its best shape.

While taking breaks is crucial, indulging in physical activities at regular intervals of the day is equally important. Those who spend their days sitting at a desk can benefit from investing in a standing desk or taking frequent breaks to walk around the office. Cutting down on how much time you spend sitting is just as crucial for your health as what you eat and how often you work out.

It would help if you also buy health insurance to ensure you get the best care possible without putting a strain on your finances during the time of need. Rising medical costs force many to make compromise with the situation. You can purchase insurance from the best health insurance company in India, which will keep you secure in such cases.

Click HERE to get insurance benefits from the best health insurance company in 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.