GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

A home-based business is crucial when we do not have a formal business setup but have a strong business idea and are motivated enough to go for it. We should not fear starting such a business. Who knows, going down the years, our idea blooms into a big business and takes us up through the success lane.

However, we need to be passionate about our ideas and ensure our commitment to them. Always be open to failures and struggles, and be determined to race your way through all the hardships, and success will be yours!

Are you motivated to get started with your home-based business? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you design the roadmap of your business most effectively.

1. Talent assessment:
Assessing our strengths and talents is one of the key things we need to do at the start. Brainstorm what talents you have that you can implement in your business. Improvise the idea according to your skills, prepare a chart mentioning your weaknesses and areas that require improvements. Start working on them so that they do not act as a hindrance in your business venture.

2. Assess product/service feasibility:
The next step is to assess whether the product or service you want to sell has substantial market potential or not. An idea without good market potential can lead to failure and investment loss. Identify your target customers and markets. You need to assess whether your business idea can be executed successfully from your home or not. For example, you cannot start a manufacturing unit at home. You need to figure out these things before planning to bring your business into the market.

3. Pricing and cost assessment:
Once you have a clear product or service that you want to offer in mind, assess how much it will cost you to make or acquire it. This is especially important in case we plan to sell a product. Find out the cheapest available source for that product. Once you have the cost idea, survey the pricing at which the product sells in the market. Don't miss out on counting the overhead costs as well, such as electricity bills, maintenance, repairs, breakages, and the cost of manpower if you need to hire. Add them to the product's cost price to arrive at a fair selling price. The pricing should be lower than other similar products in the market. Your product and brand are new, and you must penetrate the market with competitive pricing. Do a similar exercise in case you plan to offer a service. Remember, correct pricing can make or break your business.

4. Finances:
Figure out your sources of finance for your business idea. If you have sufficient funds to start with, there is nothing better than it. In case you are looking for a loan from a bank or a financial institution, draw up a project report which you can present to the bank for financing. Always plan for working capital and emergency funds well in advance. A business idea will fail if it is not backed by proper financing.

5. Implementation:
Once you have the above points in place, implement your plan. Be serious about your implementation process from the very first day. Mark and maintain a separate work area for yourself at home. Create a positive work environment using the appropriate setup, furniture, lighting, and equipment. Make sure that you keep your costs low initially; else, you will run out of cash soon. Maintain a strict work schedule; otherwise, your daily household work will take over, and you will deviate from your implementation plan.

6. Build a team and give wings to your dreams:
It is time to build a team of like-minded people who can take your business to new heights. Hire or partner with talent, explore and target newer markets and customers, and expand.

Your home is the basis for the implementation of your new business idea. Keep it safe and secure by choosing the best home insurance policy. Get a general insurance online quote and look for the home insurance plan that best suits your requirements and budget. Any damage to your house can shatter your home-based business idea. Don't let that happen, and get your home insured today.

Click HERE to buy or renew your home 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.

Who doesn’t love a private swimming pool? People of all ages have the time of their lives in the pool. You can go swimming, have floating meals, spend quality time with your loved ones, organise pool parties, and so much more. Building a swimming pool on your own house’s premises is an alluring deal. But as amazing as it sounds, there are multiple things you need to consider before you start constructing your pool.

What factors need to be considered before and during the pool construction process? Are there different types of pools? If so, which would be the best fit for your house? This blog will discuss all the answers to the above questions and much more.

1. Be thoroughly educated about the local laws and regulations:
You need to make sure that you are aware of the local municipal corporation laws and the rules of such types of construction, as many cities and states have different sets of rules that you need to comply with. You need to check in with the authorities and the designated officials to ensure that you do not violate the terms and end up in trouble for the same.

2. Determine the reason for the construction of the pool:
You need to make sure that you are clear about the reason behind building the swimming pool. Is it for exercise or pleasure? Which set of people would use the pool more- children or adults? Suppose it is children that you are focusing on while constructing the pool. In that case, you have to ensure that the depth is not more than 1.5 ft, and if it is for adults, then not more than 4 ft (the guidelines regarding these measurements might vary), according to the safety purposes.

3. Types of pools and which one do you want:
Fibreglass, vinyl-lined, and concrete are the three significant categories of in-ground swimming pools can be classified into. Fibreglass pools have fewer varieties in shapes and sizes, which can be difficult in case you want to construct a pool in your backyard or some area within your premises that would require multiple customisations. In cooler regions, fibreglass and vinyl-lined pools are preferred over concrete pools due to their flexibility.

4. What would be the ideal location for a pool:
It would be best to consider multiple factors before finalising where to construct the pool. These include more sun exposure and fewer trees to avoid getting leaves into the pool and eliminate contamination risks. Otherwise, you will have to spend the entire day cleaning and filling up the pool due to dirt and debris in case of heavy rains or winds. Steer clear of any electrical pipeline, wires, sewers, etc., above or underneath the pool to avoid any risks of shocks. Lastly, the pool must be in the visible range within your premises so you can quickly check on the people in the pool or if there are any other potentially dangerous factors.

Other factors that you need to take care of are filtration techniques that would suit your pool and fit your budget optimally, pool sanitisers, the budget, and the type of workers you might need for the process safety gears and protocols, etc.

Know how you can build a swimming pool in your house? Well, now you do. Beautifying your house and upgrading it by installing various entertainment sources helps you create the home you have always dreamt of. It is a massive part of building memories. But apart from the entire up-gradation and decoration process, you must ensure that your sweet abode stays secure against any damages. Apart from investing in pool construction, it would be best if you also considered buying home insurance. Buy best home insurance online India to make the purchase hassle-free. You can get instant solutions for all your queries and good customer satisfaction while making claims or paying premiums through the online portal.

Click HERE to learn more about how you can buy home 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.

Sustainable living has different definitions for different people. It ensures that your lifestyle incorporates the three R's-reduce, reuse, and recycle, which eventually helps build a better environment, help with climate change, and develop a culture of harmony and mindfulness while going about your daily schedule.

There are several aspects to sustainable living, which include better alternatives to the material of everyday objects, energy efficiency, promoting the greens, veganism, saving resources, proper garbage disposal, repurposing ideas, opting for eco-friendly methods, conserving rainwater, and many more.

But how can one opt for sustainable living at home? Is it expensive? How can you make your switch towards sustainability? This blog will help you explore everything about sustainable living at home.

1. Replace your light bulbs:
Check the light bulbs around your house. You might be using the traditional bulbs, which consume higher energy to provide a low output level. Switching to low-energy-consuming light bulbs helps you in saving five times the energy consumed by regular bulbs for a high source of brightness.
They last longer, thus allowing you to reduce the costs of constant changes and replacements and help you save big bucks! All in all, you get a much better deal with these Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

2. Turn off those lights:
Often, our family members (not to exclude ourselves) do not have the habit of switching off the light, fans, and other electrical appliances when leaving the room. This is something that we need to be mindful of. There may be a lack of understanding of the gravity of wastage of resources when you leave all the lights on.
Still, it takes considerable non-renewable resources to generate the power to keep those electrical appliances running. Sustainable living promotes energy conservation at the top of its list. And along with the earthy resources, you also save a lot of money when you switch off those lights when not in use!

3. Get that vitamin D:
Our lifestyles have started revolving around our corners of the house where we seldom take an opportunity to go out in the sun. But as much as our body needs that vitamin D, sunlight is one of the best light sources, which can liven up your premises. You can rearrange the furniture set up of your house to enhance the impact of sunlight passing through your doors and windows.

4. Be mindful of the garbage disposal:
We might not grasp the weightage of segregated garbage disposal, but it is essential to dispose of the waste of your house categorically biodegradable and non-biodegradable. These can be turned into compost and manure for the healthy growth of vegetation or recycled as per the best waste management process.

5. Cannot miss the solar energy:
You need to install solar panels and water heaters in your house to take complete advantage of the heat and light coming from the sun. This will help you replenish the energy and consume it mindfully. This way, you can contribute to conserving the non-renewable resources we use today for power generation. You will also see a significant drop in your electricity bills.

Some other tips for sustainable living include finding better alternatives to paper towels, avoiding the usage of artificial fragrances, using eco-friendly cleaning detergents, using efficient brushes for washing your dishes so that you can efficiently clean them without wasting water, etc.

Upgrading your lifestyle for the better and in more mindful ways can be a difficult start but will be worthwhile in the end. Your home can get the switch it needs. And while you transform your way of living, it is equally essential that you protect your abode, which treasures all your memories and provides you with the warmth and comfort you need. To accomplish this, you must purchase home insurance from the best home insurance company in India to avail all the benefits in case of unforeseeable circumstances.

Click HERE to know more about the benefits of buying insurance from the best home 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.

The terms and conditions of insurance policies might get a little confusing for an average person to understand. The technical language of the information presented can take some time to get acquainted with, which is why the insurance companies send their officials or agents to help you navigate the entire process and have digital services and chat assistants available for help 24*7. While the customers have an idea about what the home insurance usually provides coverage for and their intent of purchase, there are certain things they might be unaware of.

Do you have a complete idea of the type of coverage home insurance provides? What are some of the strangest things you might be able to secure under the insurance? If you have these questions, don’t worry. Following are a few weird things that your home insurance covers. Let’s discuss.

1. If a plane crashes:
Difficult to believe, right? The rarest of the rare cases is if a plane crashes into your house. But yes, your home insurance does cover the damages that might be caused due to a plane crashing into your house. Any objects falling from the sky which can potentially cause severe damage to your home are covered under your home insurance. Although, you need to make sure that you cross-check these details with your insurance provider.

2. Destructive riots:
Riots can take a destructive route when they rise to a huge scale. In such cases, sometimes the parties involved in the riots and those trying to control the outrage get into a defensive mode and cause mass destruction of properties. If there are any damages to your house during the riots, your home insurance provides coverage for that.

3. What if your pet bites someone:
Your home insurance might cover the cost of the treatment in case your pet bites someone within the perimeters of your house. Despite this, you might have to stay prepared if the person who got bit sues you, but you can stay assured of the coverage of those hospital bills.

4. Wild animals are also on this list:
This is for residents who usually have wild animals roaming around. Although humans and animals have become accustomed to their way around each other, you never know when the wild beings get agitated and, therefore, can trigger the possibility of a stampede.
In such situations, if there is any damage due to the stampede, your home insurance also provides coverage. But ensure to check the details carefully as some animals might be left out of this benefit (for example, rodents, possums, etc.).

5. Be careful about the parties you throw:
Some home insurances might cover the cost of damages caused during the parties organised in your house. Your insurance might cover these damages, but you might end up in trouble if someone gets injured. Check-in with your home insurance provider to ensure that the damages incurred during parties are covered under your policy.

Some other weird things covered under your home insurance include theft of cover identification, damage due to meteors, etc. And in the interest of protecting your home and your family against damages incurred due to unfortunate circumstances, you must get the best home insurance policy in India. Your home is not just a space where you live; it carries an important place in your life.

It is a place you return to after a long day at work, comforts you during the sad times, houses the best memories, and provides your family a safe zone where they can stay and create their own lives. Therefore, you must get the best home insurance policy that caters to your needs in the best ways possible.

Click HERE to know more about the benefits of buying the best home insurance policy 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.

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.