GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Every legitimate and eligible citizen of India is supposed to pay Income Tax regularly within the specified time limit as per the government regulations and norms. The taxable amount is based on an individual’s annual earnings. There are different tax and income slabs defined respectively by the Indian government. One must consider their earnings and calculate their taxes accordingly. These taxes are righteously used for the benefit and progress of the country.

But amidst all these details, were you aware that insurance, apart from protecting you and your assets against various risks, also is a substantial tax-saving benefit? This important question may give you a broader perspective on the insurance and tax-paying correlation. We have all the information you will need to understand the perks of insurance and how it can be a tax-saving choice. Let’s dive deeper into the facts!

Which policies help you fetch tax benefits?

Insurance options that will help you avail of full benefits along with tax-saving options include:
● Retirement plans and policies
● Health insurance policies
● ULIPs-Unit Linked Insurance Policies

All these insurance policies can be categorised under similar yet slightly different sections of the Income Tax Act regulated by the Government of India.

Understanding the tax deductions.

Various types of deductions can influence the tax benefits you can get on your health insurance. Let’s understand what 80C and 80D tax deductions are. Tax deduction can be claimed on your taxable income on premiums valuing around Rs. 1.5 lacs.

These premiums are supposed to be paid for insurance policies in your name, spouse’s name, or your children’s/child’s name/names. If you are someone who has paid their premiums, you can avail of 80C and 80D tax deductions annually.

The 80D deduction.

The 80D deduction dictates that if you have a health insurance policy in your name or the names of your spouse and children, the tax-deductible income can be Rs 25,000 on the insurance premiums.

According to section 80D, there are various other prospects for this deduction, but we will now consider this information to discuss the tax benefits further.

The 80C deduction.

According to section 80C of the Income Tax Act, the tax-deductible you can claim is worth Rs 1.5 lacs of insurance premiums. If you purchase a single premium policy, you can only claim the tax benefits under section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Under section 80D, if you have a health insurance policy under your name along with a dependent with the minimum age of 60, you can claim a tax deductible on the dependent’s health insurance.

Protecting your financial assets against unprecedented situations and getting compensation for your financial losses is essential. Times can be very unpredictable, and you might never know when you will need a lot of money. Exhausting your savings is not a wise option here. You need to think beyond and try to avoid burning a hole in your pocket.

While being mindful of your expenses and determining a budget is one of the top solutions here, insurance is another way you can stay secure about your assets. It is vital to purchase the right general insurance after exploring the market and determining the one that can cater to your needs in the best way possible.

Click HERE to know more about general insurance.

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.

Plastic bags have become a necessary evil in today's day and age. Everything from the packaging of everyday items to utensils, we have seen a massive increase in plastic usage across households. However, plastic has dire effects on the environment. Polluted rivers, channel blockage, pollution, and animal choking are some of plastic's environmental hazards.
Looking at the various damaging implications of plastic usage, activists and other environmentalists have raised their voices against the excess and single use of plastics.

In response, many governments have banned the manufacturing and usage of plastic. Even after the ban on single-use plastic, the complete absence of plastic is impractical. The ease and efficiency of plastic packaging are seldom matched by anything else. This makes plastic an almost irreplaceable part of our lives.

But if you are a responsible human being and want to make a small contribution to the environment, this article will help you reduce plastic waste in your home.

1. Use jute or cotton bags:
Plastic is one of the most convenient options when it comes to shopping. Opting for a plastic bag at the counter is more convenient than carrying cloth bags. By carrying your bags, you are not only saving the environment, but you are also avoiding the excess charge levied on plastic bags. Cloth bags or jute bags are better alternatives to plastic bags. They are reusable, washable, and durable. Consider carrying your carry bags for your next grocery run.

2. Avoid plastic utensils:
Want to carry a tiffin to your office or college? Are you reaching out for the fancy plastic containers? Then you need to reconsider your choice. Plastic utensils such as lunchboxes and water bottles release toxic chemicals into the food, and when consumed, these can cause serious health issues like cancer and heart problems. Storing food in plastic containers can have dire health effects on your body and affect the food's composition.
It is best to opt for steel tiffin to keep your food fresh for longer. People also use microwavable plastic dishes to reheat their food. This can be highly toxic. Switch out the plastic vessels for glass containers. Instead of storing the spices and pulses in plastic boxes, reuse the glass containers you already have. Various pickles, jams, and oils come stored in glass packaging. Remove the sticker and reuse it. This helps you save money and keep yourself and your family healthy.

3. Replace your bathroom essentials:
There are many options available in the market that are more eco-friendly. Opt for locally sourced soap and shampoo bars instead of purchasing a new bottle. Buy refill packs for handwashes and invest in ceramic soap dispensers instead of plastic bottles. Choose wooden toothbrushes and combs as these are eco-friendly and healthier options for your teeth and hair.

4. Change your grocery habits:
People find it more convenient to buy packaged food, be it fruits and vegetables or meat and other farm products. Most of these packaged foods are frozen and lose their nutritional value after some time. Instead, explore your nearest local markets and buy fruits and vegetables from local vendors. By doing this, you are helping the locals while reducing plastic use.

These are some ways in which you can ensure that your home reduces the use of plastic. Being mindful is a small step towards making the planet a better place for your children and the future generations to come.

The above measures can help your home get rid of plastic, but have you considered its safety? Safety is paramount, and when it comes to assets like home, then it is a necessity. To add more value to your homes, invest in home insurance India. Home insurance is a safety net against any expenses incurred due to damage, theft, and other accidents. In case of any mishap, you can be assured that your insurer can make up for your expenses and loss.

Click HERE to know more about home 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.

Being healthy is one of the essential human development goals that has now turned into a necessity of the hour. Kidneys plan an essential role in enhancing the functions of our body, and like all organs, they have a due place in our system. Health risks can come untimely, and it is advisable to subscribe to any of the available, Affordable Health Insurance plans to enjoy protection against the financial cost of treatment. But it is equally important to follow specific tips through which you can fight even the toughest of kidney problems: -

• Eat right It is an essential component in maintaining your health, and there is no way you can hope to make some progress with a healthy lifestyle if you don’t eat right. Fresh fruits, whole grains, frozen vegetables, and low fat/fat-free dairy products are some of the essential food components that must be focused upon. It is vital to cut back on salt and added sugar along with a particular focus on maintaining less 2300 milligrams of sodium every day.
• Physical activity and aiming for the right weight An active schedule of about 30 minutes on most days can aid in keeping the calories and cholesterol under control. You can always consult a health care provider about the right kind of exercise that suits your physique. Use the NIH body weight planner to tailor your calories and the physical activities that will help you in maintaining the right weight. Being obese exposes you to various health risks, using a dietician can be extremely helpful.
• Indulge in stress-reducing activities To manage stress and cope with your problems, just the right way to improve emotional and physical health. Meditation or yoga are some of the most popular styles in which you can gain physical and mental health benefits. Stress can also be significantly reduced if you are sleeping on time. A human body needs about 7-8 hours of proper sleep to maintain all the inappropriate systems conditions.
• Avoid alcohol intake It tends to increase blood pressure, thereby adding to calories, which can lead to weight gain. Other health issues add to additional risks, thus making the need to search for affordable health insurance plans. Keep a tab on the consumption of alcohol and make sure that it does not exceed one drink a day. It is also advisable to avoid counter pain medications, especially the regular usage of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, since they have the potential to damage kidneys.
• Keep a regular tab on your blood sugar Your glucose numbers every day and make sure they are near the goal you are aiming for. Maintaining your blood sugar level is one of the most efficient ways to be alert for any diabetic issues. Maintain a regular tab over your blood pressure number and take all the medication that has been prescribed by your health care provider.

These are some of the most effective ways through which you can keep all the kidney problems at bay. However, you must focus on browsing through affordable health insurance plans to get an idea about the best offers available online from leading insurance companies.

One of the best ways to safeguarding your finances while availing medical treatments is getting health insurance. Good health insurance protects you and your family against the various health risks that life toss at us over time — it lets us have that peace of mind.

However, not all the claims that are raised are settled. There are various reasons for a claim application getting rejected. A claim rejection could lead to much unwanted financial stress. By making sure of certain things, you can put away the anxiety of your claim rejection.

Here will look at the reasons why health insurance policies get rejected.

Claim process

Health insurance is a contract between the insurance provider and you. To make sure that all the terms in the agreement are retained while filing a claim, you need to input correct details in the application. If you decide to hide any bit of information about your health in your insurance documents, then you may get into some trouble while filing a claim. Misinformation can lead to your claim being rejected.

Health conditions

Some health insurance companies do not provide cover for specific illnesses. So if you happen to fall ill with these diseases, then your insurance might come of no use. It is advisable to get an insurance which has support for critical illnesses, as it will save you much hassle later on. To begin with, you should get a thorough health checkup (most of the insurance companies provide this option). This will help you know what the potential illnesses that you might face in the future are.

Policy period

Health insurance policies expire after a certain period, depending on the terms that you have agreed with. Expired health insurance is no good. If you make a claim after your health insurance has expired, then your claim is bound to be rejected. Make sure that you keep on paying your insurance premiums before your policy expires, or get insurance which lasts you throughout your life.

Exclusion policies

There are certain conditions — depending on the insurance provider — under which you are not liable to file a claim. These conditions are also called insurance exclusions. So if you happen to raise an insurance claim against these exclusions, then your policy might get rejected. To deal with this situation, it is best to read the policy terms and conditions carefully. You can even consult your insurance provider if you do not understand a particular clause.

If you are looking for a good health insurance policy for family or yourself, then Magma HDI health insurance can, indeed, be an ideal option. It provides you cashless hospitalization of an extensive network of hospitals across India and offers you features such as optional cover for critical illnesses so that the health of you and your family is secured at minimal costs.