GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and medical emergencies are among them. And the rising healthcare costs in India make a health insurance policy obligatory.

However, with so many alternatives available, selecting an insurance policy that fits the needs of people having pre-existing diseases cannot be easy.

What does pre-existing illness mean?

Pre-existing illness refers to the medical conditions the insured has before investing in a health insurance plan. A few examples of pre-existing illnesses include diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, cancer, etc. The insured must be transparent about all pre-existing health conditions with the insurance provider while purchasing the policy.

Here's a quick breakdown of the factors to consider when purchasing the best health insurance policy for you and your family considering pre-existing conditions.

1. Inclusions of the plan:
Selecting a policy that covers everything under the sun is unwise. It is always better to choose specific features. Further, you must also check what is or isn't covered by the insurance company if you need to file a claim with pre-existing health conditions.

2. All necessary costs to consider:
It is always best to control the price of your health insurance premium. You wouldn't want the cost of your medical bills to spiral out of control. Remember that you need hospitalisation coverage as well as outpatient coverage to get better benefits in the long run. People with pre-existing conditions need to consider the policy that addresses insurance benefits for such features.

3. Taking health insurance at the earliest:
Some people think they will get a health policy when they reach their fifties or sixties. However, this is a dangerous assumption. Going in for health insurance at a younger age can help you save substantially on the premium because insurers are often more willing to offer discounts to young and healthy individuals.

4. The waiting period:
The waiting period is an essential feature of your health insurance policy. You should check whether the company offers any waiting period and, if there is one, how long it is. Typically, you must pay a waiting period, and your insurer will reimburse you.
Insurance providers don't easily offer health coverage to people with pre-existing illnesses. The waiting period for pre-existing diseases ranges between 2 to 4 years. You can avail of the pre-existing diseases coverage after 48 months from the diagnosis of your pre-existing illness. You need to verify your insurance provider's terms and conditions to make claims during the waiting period.

5. Exclusions of the plan:
While selecting a health insurance policy, it is essential to understand the exclusion clause of the plan. This clause is applicable only in specific circumstances, and you must be certain of it before signing up for the policy. Some common exclusions include having health issues caused by excess weight.
Further, ensure you know of any service exclusions under any particular policy. For instance, if you require a specific type of care, it may not be covered under the plan. Sometimes, it is better to go for a higher-tiered plan to get above-the-line coverage to avoid such complications.

6. Hospitalisation coverage:
In addition to medical and diagnostic care, you need hospitalisation or short-term coverage. It is crucial because adverse effects of pre-existing diseases can make you visit the hospital. It would be best if your plan provides coverage for these needs.

You now know that the pre-existing condition clause is an aspect you must check before selecting a health insurance policy. It states whether the insurer will cover your medical expenses if you are diagnosed with a pre-existing condition in the future. It is crucial to research this clause thoroughly before opting for the plan. However, the most important thing is to invest in reliable health insurance because it provides financial security in medical emergencies for you and your family.

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance to deal with pre-existing diseases.

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.

Modern problems require advanced solutions. If you've been on the internet for a while, you've heard about cyber-attacks. With the increased dependence on digitalisation, cyber-attacks are an enormous threat to the growth of any business. Cyber-attacks affect the devices on the company's network and infringe on its data reserves. It puts the organisation at the mercy of hackers who can gain control over its valuable digital assets.

A conservative cover like a public liability insurance policy may not suffice in such instances. Commonly known to cover any physical injuries and third-party damages on owned property, a general liability insurance policy is necessary for every business. However, it does not cover cyber-attacks, making it essential to purchase an individual plan.

This blog discusses the correlation between rising cyber-attacks and the recent hikes in premium rates.

Understanding cyber insurance:

The recent Covid-19 pandemic highlighted a business's digital presence like never before. With many risks like malware attacks, compromised emails, and attacks on software and hardware devices, insuring a business is crucial. Cyber insurance is the perfect tool to combat such contingencies to prevent sudden operations interruptions from manufacturing up to the delivery stage. Cyber insurance is a rapidly growing segment of the Indian insurance sector.

Insurance premiums and assets covered under the policy:

The potential of digital assets is unimaginable. They are highly valued compared to physical assets like machinery. The insurance segment presently covers a small percentage of businesses, including banks, non-banks, and information technology services companies that comprehend the need for the cover. These organisations are heavily dependent on their pool of digital assets.

The high premium amount is a distinguishing factor that sets cyber insurance apart from most insurances. While common insurances like health, motor, or fire insurance are significantly low compared to the cover value, cyber insurance has a very high cover, up to 200 crores depending on the industry and the valuation of the business.

These high premium values are marginal compared to the asset valuations covered under the insurance. Typically, the assets covered under the policy are 50-100 times the value of the annual premium paid. The premium amount is determined after studying multiple factors like the company's turnover, cyber-attack risk, and availability of backup infrastructures.

Insurance premium trends:

As the demand for the product increases, so does its price. With reputed insurance providers stating that the Indian cyber insurance market has a projected growth of 35-50%, the rising trends in premium amounts do not come as a surprise. The high rate of uncertainty and dynamic environment with new cyber threats frequently emerging has caused a steep increase in premiums.

While some reports and insights by experts suggest that the increase is by 50%, there is reasonable evidence to believe that the growth may be closer to 100%. Despite the exponential increase in premium amounts backed by expansion in demand, the need for cyber insurance continues to grow. While the policy was taken by only big corporations earlier, smaller businesses of varying natures are assessing the risk of being unprotected in such volatile conditions and are willing to pay the high premium amounts, which do not seem to stabilise or decrease any time soon.

While the penetration rate of cyber insurance policies is not as high as any general public liability insurance policy, the need is bound to continue creating a demand for the insurance and fuel higher premium rates in proportion to the risk shouldered by the insurance providers.

Click HERE to buy the best public liability insurance for your business.

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 train rides offer you to experience India's great culture and heritage as you cross stations and states. The Indian Railways has always been working at the forefront to bring the best of incredible India to citizens and visitors by connecting the nation's glory and heritage landmarks. And all this is achieved with the strong network of railways, which is indeed the lifeline of India. The Railways operates special heritage trains and tours to bring people and experiences together.

Among the excitement and thrill of heritage train riding that you may undertake soon, let's not forget the importance of insurance. As an individual, you never know when uncertainties can kick in, so better always to stay prepared! And general insurance is the best and safest way to make your experience less stressful and more enjoyable, knowing that your travel is safeguarded by reliable insurance coverage.

Here are a few top heritage trains in India that one shouldn't miss.

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR):
One of India's best-known and most popular trains is the toy train, which runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. The journey takes you through hills and dense forests, with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga on clear days. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) toy train trip is akin to a soothing lullaby in the middle of a fantastical environment.
A cheerful train ride over the foggy lines from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri would undoubtedly restore the romance in a person. If you didn't already know, UNESCO designated and recognised this Toy Train as a World Heritage Site on December 5, 1999.

2. Deccan Odyssey:
Modelled after the royal carriages of ancient India, the iconic and luxurious Deccan Odyssey offers top-of-the-line amenities and services. It features a library, Ayurvedic massage centre, beauty salon, gym, business centre, and a conference room.
A Deccan Odyssey train journey is a wonderful way to learn more about the ancient folklore of civilisations and the reigns of dynasties that made their remarkable imprint in India's history. It offers comfortable and spacious cabins, dining and sightseeing facilities. You'll stop at cities such as Mumbai, Badami, Hospet, Bijapur and Hyderabad. Upon arrival in each of these destinations, you'll have a chance to explore the places.

3. Golden Chariot:
The Golden Chariot is a luxury train that offers its passengers the best immersive experience of South India. It features a lounge bar, LCD television, DVD player, Wi-Fi, and central air conditioning. It also features a variety of therapeutic massages onboard. From the cultural extravaganza of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the adventure hotspots of Goa, Golden Chariot travels down the enchanting routes of Southern India. The cabins reflect the rich heritage of the erstwhile Dravidian era and are furnished in a modern manner. Don't miss the opportunity to witness cultural and heritage magnificence with the taste of luxury with the Golden Chariot.

4. Ramayana Express:
Under the excellent initiative of "Dekho Apna Desh" of the Indian government, the Ramayana Express is not just a train but a treasure trove of knowledge and heartful experiences that will take you back to the mythological era.
This divine train originates from Delhi Safdarjung and covers all the major destinations related to Ramayan and Lord Rama, like Varanasi, Nasik, Chitrakoot, Rameswaram, and more. The entire tour duration is 17 days, and it is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about the colourful culture and the influence of the many miracles of Ramayana.

Heritage trains in India are not just tourist attractions but also an immersive way to experience the history and culture of the region. Though many of these trains have undergone changes over the years for the safety of travellers and technical advancements, they still maintain the charm and nostalgic feel of bygone eras. Still, for your safety and assurance, you may always opt for general insurance as a backup to cover your finances in case any damages are incurred during your trip.

Click HERE to buy general insurance to make your travel safer than the rest.

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.

If you want to do something good for humanity, you do not have to deal with arduous tasks. You can reach a blood donation camp and donate your blood. A drop of your blood can be life-saving for others. A report claims that India requires five crore units of blood daily. The same report also reflects that someone requires blood every two seconds.

Since there is no substitute for human blood, donating it is essential for everyone and the only option. Nevertheless, blood donation has a few surprising physical benefits, which we will cover further as this blog progresses. Staying fit is not an illusion. One can achieve and manage it by indulging in regular exercise, a proper diet, and sound sleep. Along with occasional blood donation, every health-conscious person should focus on health insurance policy renewal.

In the following section, find some surprising health benefits of donating blood.

1. A free health screening:
Blood donation ensures a free health screening for the donors. Routine tests have become costly in private laboratories in India. As a result, people do not undergo frequent health check-ups to save money. Not doing this can lead to non-identification with various complex diseases. Diagnosing such diseases early can help in better management and quicker treatment.
A blood donor undergoes a mini-physical examination before the donation process. For example, the screening test includes checking pulse, haemoglobin level, blood pressure, body temperature, etc. The screening test is free, and the test helps to know a few physical complications that were not known to you earlier.

2. Reduce the harmful iron storage in your body:
According to research, one out of two people are vulnerable to hemochromatosis, a physical condition due to iron overload. Most of the time, it is a genetic disease, but you can prevent it from happening by giving blood regularly.
Hemochromatosis patients need to undergo a treatment that removes additional red blood cells from their bodies. Instead of undergoing such a treatment, you can easily reduce iron storage by donating your blood regularly.

3. Reduce the risk of heart diseases:
Donating blood might lower the chance of heart disease, but it doesn't mean that regular blood donors will never get heart disease. According to the studies, a regular blood donor can reduce heart attacks by 80% through blood donation. Various medical research teams have noted that excessive iron in the blood increases the risk of heart attacks. As stated above, donating blood reduces excessive iron storage in your blood.
As a result, donating blood can prevent the risk of heart attacks. But it doesn't give you any guarantees this way, and you still need to stick to your workout and diet plans to avoid heart attacks. People with good heart conditions can obtain low-cost health insurance policy renewal deals.

4. Prevent the risk of cancer:
Cancer is one of the diseases that are fatal and difficult to deal with. A large number of people develop blood cancer. But did you know that you can reduce the risk of blood cancer to some extent through regular blood donation?
Various studies have revealed that blood donation can reduce the risk of blood cancer since it reduces the risk of hemochromatosis. Patients with the peripheral arterial disease have the highest risk of developing blood cancer, and donating blood regularly can lower this risk.

5. Psychological and social benefits:
Many researchers have also found psychological benefits of donating blood. Donating blood is a noble thing, and it can bring mental satisfaction. Many people want to work in favour of humanity, but they cannot find ways of helping others. Donating blood is the best way of helping others, as it can save a life in an emergency.

Keeping the body and mind healthy is the best way of living, and blood donation impacts both body and mind. You will feel healthier and mentally happy after donating blood. You should consider various other ways to keep your health in good shape. One way to do so is by investing in reliable health insurance. Always remain up-to-date regarding the health insurance policy renewal and avoid it from lapsing.

Click HERE before you miss out on your health insurance policy renewal.

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.