The Economic Times

3 changes in health insurance claim rules to help consumers: Reduced waiting period for pre-existing diseases, moratorium

The insurance regulator has made it compulsory for health insurance companies to reduce the maximum waiting period to get complete health insurance coverage in case of pre-existing diseases (PED) from 4 years to 3 years. The regulator modified the definition of pre-existing disease in its IRDAI (Insurance Products) Regulations, 2024, notified on April 1, 2024.

How technology is easing the life of insurance customers

Insurance is one of the most effective ways to manage risks and secure assets; however, the insurance industry has been mainly susceptible to trust issues. Many people believe that insurers do not pay claims, but the data says otherwise; the industry has been paying claims and is bleeding.

Bank of Japan ends negative rates, closing era of radical policy

The Bank of Japan ended eight years of negative interest rates and other remnants of its unorthodox policy on Tuesday, making a historic shift away from a focus of reflating growth with decades of massive monetary stimulus.

New LIC life insurance cover: 7 important details about LIC’s Index Plus policy

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched a new unit-linked life insurance policy called LIC’s Index Plus this week. It is a non-participating, regular premium, individual life insurance plan which offers life insurance cover cum savings throughout the term of the policy.

Now, life insurance maturity money will not be fully tax-exempt: CBDT issues new tax rules

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued new guidelines on how tax-exempted maturity amount from a life insurance policy will be calculated in a financial year if the premium paid exceeds a specified level. As per the new guidelines, the maturity amount from life insurance policies bought on or after April 1, 2023, will not be fully tax-exempt.

Important features of LIC's Jeevan Azad life insurance plan

LIC's Jeevan Azad is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, savings life insurance plan. This is a Limited Premium Endowment plan under which the Premium Payment Term (PPT) is equal to Policy Term minus 8 years.

How health insurance plans have changed since Covid 19: OPD, mental health, surrogacy, pay as you go and more

The Covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for both health insurance companies and policyholders. While it exposed the vulnerabilities in the healthcare system, it also offered the regulator an opportunity to eliminate many lacunas and add new features that can offer enhanced and adequate protection to health insurance policy buyers.

How has health insurance changed over time? When should you go to for riders??

Insurance is now being offered for what is called the ABCD illnesses. Depending on the stage or depending on how serious the disease is, they are offering day one cover, which basically means that right after you buy the policy,

3 things about health insurance you ought to be careful about

"One has to be aware of the list of blacklisted hospitals. Second is the waiting period for specific illnesses. Third is the minimum time of hospitalization which is required for claiming a particular illness in your policy," says Ankit Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Insurance Dekho.

Can’t decide what health insurance plan to buy? Here are some tips from Siddharth Singhal

“If you are somebody who already has health insurance and are looking to bump up your cover at a very low cost, top up is a great option to go for. The detectable amount of that top up has to be equivalent to the sum insured that you already have,” says Siddharth Singhal, Business Head, Policybazaar.com

Common exclusions in health insurance policy

Irrespective of the insurer you buy a policy from, all health insurance plans have notable exclusions which you as a policyholder or buyer should be aware of. A careful scrutiny of such exclusions will save you from a nasty surprise later on.

Is buying a top-up health insurance plan a dependable solution for all your future health expenses?

Given the high inflation, especially in healthcare, many people who have a basic health insurance cover often consider buying a top-up plan. This is intended to ensure adequate financial protection even when medical expenses rise. However, will it work according to your plan? Not necessarily.

Should you have more than one nominee in your term insurance?

The nomination process is crucial to protect the interests of the insured’s family. However, just appointing one nominee shouldn’t be done by default as many do.

Why people in their early 30s should consider buying health insurance SECTIONS

Today, health insurance is not just an option but a necessity that a person should inculcate in their habits. A good health insurance cover can help you and your family tide over a medical emergency with ease.

12 factors to consider before buying cancer health insurance

While buying a health insurance policy for protection against cancer here are the 12 factors you should consider

LIC launches benefit based health insurance plan Arogya Rakshak, know how it will work

The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has introduced a new health insurance plan called Arogya Rakshak, which is a non-linked, non-participating, regular premium, individual health insurance plan.

49.1% bank deposits are not under Rs 5 lakh insurance cover: Check if your deposit is protected

When a bank fails, the only respite a depositor has is the insurance cover offered by the DICGC. This cover was raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh, effective from February 4, 2020.

PPF, Sukanya Samridhi, NSC interest rates may see further reduction from July 1

Industry experts say with state election results already announced the government will now take a decision on the rates.

LIC relaxes claim settlement requirements

Keeping in mind safety of its customers amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, state-run Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Friday announced a slew of relaxations in claim settlement requirements, making the process easier and hassle free.

Gold price slips below Rs 45,000; silver cheaper by Rs 900

NEW DELHI: Gold and silver futures fell on Monday as Turkey replaced its central bank governor with a high interest rate critic led to investors flocking towards the safety of the dollar, on fears that the move would threaten other financial markets.

PF threshold limit raised to Rs 5 lakh for tax-free interest where there is no contribution by employer

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday raised the limit for tax exemption on interest earned on provident fund contribution by employees to Rs 5 lakh per annum in specified cases as against Rs 2.5 lakh proposed in the Budget.

After taxman, banks ring warning signals for customers investing, trading in cryptocurrency

MUMBAI: Indian banks have started pulling the plug on customers investing and trading in crypto assets as the spectre of government ban on cryptocurrency rises. The government recently said that it plans to introduce a law banning trade in all cryptocurrencies — except for those issued by the government itself.

If bank fails, Rs 5 lakh deposit insurance amount to be available immediately to depositors

The finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced that in case a bank fails or withdrawals from the bank are stopped due to financial pressure on the bank, the depositors will be able to get immediate access to their deposits upto the deposit insurance amount of Rs 5 lakh, i.e.

ITR filing deadline extended from Dec 31 to January 10, 2021 for these taxpayers

This is the third time government has extended the deadline for taxpayers for whom the normal deadline is July 31. The government has also extended the date to submit the tax audit report to January 15, 2021. The last date of filing declaration under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme has been extended to January 31, 2021.

Money tasks after death in family: How to close accounts, transfer investments, make claims and more

Sort the paperwork and complete financial tasks without leaving any loose ends after the death of a family member. ET Wealth tells you about the documents needed to close accounts, transfer investments and make claims and the processes to complete these tasks.

Most Indians do not have a retirement plan, shows PGIM India MF's retirement survey

Are Indians prepared for their retirement? Yet another survey result shows that they are not. Most participants of the survey said they did not have a retirement plan.

Just Rs 11.57 lakh to retire? Survey shows young Indians grossly unprepared for old age

Barely one in five considers inflation while planning for retirement. Life insurance and bank FDs are top choices for those who plan for retirement, and this underlines the essential conservatism in most retirement plans.