GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Almost everyone today owns a car, which means they would most probably either already have a car insurance policy or would be looking to buy one soon.

For those who plan to buy one, there are many things to consider. Since the policy would provide financial cover in the event of an accident, either for the repairs/ any bodily harm, or both, hence, you must do all the necessary research. One should choose an insurance policy that not only suits your needs the best but also offers maximum coverage.

Here are five mistakes that most people tend to make when buying car insurance: -

• Opting for a low premium: The premium is the amount you regularly pay to the insurance company towards the policy, and often, many people choose a policy that comes with a lower premium.
• Comparing policies only based on price: Car insurance prices in India vary from company to company, and while paying a low premium might seem easy on the pocket, but you may not get a lot of benefits or the needed coverage out of it. Before you pay any amount, make sure to go over different policies, compare them, and then choose the one which offers maximum coverage.
• Not registering the vehicle: As a car owner, you must register the car or transfer the ownership to yourself since that is the only way to make the insurance claims when needed. While many forget to do so, others purposefully avoid it, to not pay the taxes, and end up not benefiting from the insurance policy.
• Not doing enough research: While asking friends and family or the car dealership about suitable car insurance is always a good idea, it would be stupid not to do the research yourself. You must make sure to go over different car insurance policies and compare their terms and benefits before you choose the one that suits you best. If you do not do so, you might end up paying higher than necessary or might opt for a policy that does not offer optimum coverage.
• Not reading the policy: Whether you are yet to select a car insurance policy or are about to sign on one, one of the worst mistake that you can commit is not reading the terms, conditions, and coverage of the policy. Unless you read it thoroughly, you will not know what it does and doesn’t cover, how much you need to pay, when and how much you would need to pay out of your pocket in some cases, etc.
• Not updating the policy: There are always changes in your everyday life, which in turn influence the kind of car insurance you would need (it could be related to where you live or work, where you drive most often, the rate of theft around your area, etc.). When you choose an insurance policy, you will go with the one whose terms and coverage align with your lifestyle, and thus, it makes sense to update your policy if there are any changes in your everyday life.

Keep in mind that the car insurance prices in India will differ everywhere, as will the terms, thus making it very important to research thoroughly before buying such a policy.

Health insurance is something that every single person should have at all times, so they are protected from any unnecessary or substantial expenses in case there is any harm to life or threat to health. However, before you go with a particular health insurance policy, you need to have all the necessary information about it, such as the premium to be paid, the coverage, the validity, exceptions, etc.

You need to make sure to choose only the best health insurance policy in India, not just for yourself but also your family. Here are five reliable sources to learn about health insurance; you end up making the right choice: -

• A Health Insurance Agent: One of the best sources to learn about health insurance is an agent. A health insurance agent is well aware of all the terms and conditions of the different policies and can provide you with all the information you need. Whether it is about the premium you need to pay, find out about all that it covers, and doesn’t, what fees you need to pay, what some other benefits are, etc. Agents know about the policies of their own company and can also give you some vital information about health insurance in general.
• Your doctor: Your general physician, or the doctor you have been going to for years and who has all your health records, is another excellent source of information when it comes to health insurance. Since they are quite involved in the health industry, they would be able to advise you on what the insurance policy must cover depending upon the condition of your health.
• Your place of work: It might not seem as if your employer would have information about health insurance, but that is not true. Many companies provide their employees with health insurance or pay for a significant part of it, and thus have a lot of information about health insurance in general. If you are seeking information about health insurance, your employer might be able to help, especially since companies keep detailed records of such policies. If you work in the healthcare industry, you have an added advantage.
• The Internet: With almost everything available on the internet, it is not difficult to find the best health insurance policy in India online, given the number of insurance company websites as well as general websites that compare different policies. You have the option of going through the websites of different health insurance companies and collecting information about the various policies, or you can read different articles that compare health insurance policies, and then find out more about some particular ones. The internet is an excellent source of information for everything, including health insurance.
• Your Family: Believe it or not, your family members can help you choose the best policy for you and your family. Since they have been through the process of finding a good insurance policy numerous times, they can help you understand the terms and conditions and can help you find one which suits your needs the best. However, be sure to verify it with an agent.

Having Health insurance is extremely important, and so, you must only consult with the most reliable sources when finding out about it; having inadequate or incorrect information can prove to be detrimental in the future.

With almost everyone, a driving car these days, the chances of accidents have increased, and there is always the possibility of the vehicle needing repairs. Both of these cases require a lot of funds, which is why you need to get car insurance online in India immediately. Having car insurance means that you would be compensated if your car faces any damages if you get into accident or needs repairs. However, what determines how well you would be compensated is the sum insured, which is the maximum amount that the insurance company would pay you in such situations. It depends on the premium you pay.

Here are some determinants of choosing the right sum insured for car insurance: -

• Your age: Your age has a lot to do with the sum insured that you want for your car insurance policy. If you are younger, you can insure a low amount and then increase it gradually over the years. If you are older, it is best to have a higher sum insured just in case you need to take care of growing medical bills. Being in an accident may require you to either pay for the damages or hospital bills, and the amount for the latter could be higher if you are older and relatively weaker.
• The condition of your health: It may seem odd, thinking about your health when deciding the sum insured for your car insurance. But the status of your health largely determines the kind of treatment you would need if you are involved in an accident, and also the expenses. If you are healthy and free of ailments, you should choose a lower sum as opposed to you being older and less active and agile, which might complicate the treatment procedure and lead to higher expenses.
• Any ailments or severe health issues: If you suffer from a critical health condition, you might have to pay higher medical bills given the nature of complications. In such situations, it is best to opt for a higher sum insured so that you are protected from higher expenses.
• Your income: A very vital factor to consider is your level of income. Whether you want a higher sum insured or not, your income determines how much you can pay towards the insurance. If you just began earning or do not earn a lot, it makes sense to have a lower sum insured, since you would have other expenses to take care of. On the other hand, if you earn a decent living, opt for a higher sum insured for full coverage.
• Lifestyle and daily activities: The kind of area you live or work in, how you commute, at what hours, how much you drive the car, etc. determine the type of plan you would need, and thus would also determine the sum insured. If your lifestyle is such that there are more significant risks of getting into an accident or requiring frequent repairs, it is best to go with a higher sum insured so that you would be financially covered when the need arises.

It is not enough to buy car insurance online in India; you need to understand its terms and conditions and choose the sum insured that suits your needs and situations best.

Right from childhood apart from studies we are taught about being safe in general, there are numerous ways in which you could hurt yourself, and thus, it is essential to know the dos and don’ts in your daily life. Something quite likely to cause a lot of damage is fire; no wonder today people have become more concerned about finding the best fire insurance policy in India so that any costs incurred due to fire damage are covered.

Here are five things your parents would have surely taught you about fire safety:

• Know the Emergency Number: Regardless of whether you are a child or not, it is highly necessary always to remember the fire emergency helpline number, which happens to be 101 in India. While there are some steps you can take if there is a fire, it is always better to call the fire department to ensure that there is no trace of the fire left. Moreover, as a child, if there is no one around, you were most likely not able to do much, and calling them would be the only option.
• To leave immediately: If you see a fire, especially one which is growing, you should leave the premises immediately. There is no saying how the situation might escalate, and you might end up getting hurt or severely injured if you stay indoors or hide somewhere.
• Electrical fires: One of the most common reasons for a fire is electrical. Often, there is a shortage of power, or the wires might break, causing a fire. You must know never to try to put it out with water since you might get a shock.
• Don’t play with flammable objects: Every household has objects such as lighters, matchboxes, candles, and other flammable ones, which could potentially cause a fire. It is essential to explain to children what these objects are for, and what damage they could cause if played with, like fire can be harmful and how these objects make use of fire, instead of merely keeping them away, especially since children are curious by nature. Also, when cooking, children should not be allowed near a burning gas and should not be left alone in the kitchen.
• Keep heaters and other appliances away: Most people use heaters during the winters to keep warm, and they must take precautions to keep such appliances away from the reach of children. You must ensure that their toys are nowhere near the heater or that they don’t play around such appliances since there is always the possibility of knocking it over and causing a fire.

While it is very crucial to take all the precautions when it comes to fire and to teach children about its possible threats, it is also essential to have a fire insurance policy in place to cover any costs due to fire. You must make sure to choose only the best fire insurance policy in India to ensure that you would not have to pay a considerable amount to repair any damages.