PAYBACK OF INSURANCE TO INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATION AND SOCIETY

1. INTRODUCTION  

WHAT IS INSURANCE ? 

It is a legal agreement between two parties, the Insurer (Insurance Company) and Insured (Individual).  The agreement encompasses that the Insurance Company promises to compensate the loss arising out of contingency on the insured entity.  The contingency is the occurrence which causes loss due to death of the policyholder or destruction/damage of the property insured. 

 2.     SALIENT FEATURES OF INSURANCE 

a)    Insurance benefits individuals, organizations and society in multiple ways than one presumes. Obviously, the most important advantage of insurance is indemnity covered by unexpected losses. 

b)    Enables to compensate uncertain cash flow out-of-pocket for losses and burden is abridged extensively. 

c)    Insurance convenes statutory and contractual requirements to comply and endow with proof of monetary possessions

d)    Premium savings promote risk control and execute a loss control strategy. 

e)  Abstains from setting aside large amounts of reserve to meet unexpected financial contingency and enables optimum use of available funds. 

f)   Facilitates collateral guarantee for seeking insured credit and decreases the lender's ambiguity on default of repayment.

g)  Insurance provides a source of investment funds and enables one to invest premiums in a range of profitable Investments.

h)   Insurance reduces social burden and facilitates to decrease uncompensated burden of victims and the uncertainty of society. 

3.      HOW DOES INSURANCE WORK ?

The legal contract between the insurer (Insurance company) and the insured (Individual or entity) through an insurance policy. The insurance policy enunciates the details about the terms and conditions and circumstances of paying out the insurance amount to the insured or the nominees mentioned in the policy. Insurance paves modalities to safeguarding self, family and business in the event of financial loss, anxiety and depression. 

4.      TYPES OF INSURANCE 

LIFE INSURANCE:  Life insurance is insurance for life and secure dependents financially on occurrence of unfortunate demise.

HEALTH INSURANCE:   Health Insurance is to meet medical costs for expensive treatments. 

VEHICLE INSURANCE: Vehicle insurance is important to protect against any untoward incident like accidents, damage and theft.

EDUCATION INSURANCE:  The education insurance is to provide a lump sum amount to meet the cost of higher education. 

HOME INSURANCE: Home insurance enables covering loss or damage caused by natural calamities or perils and accidents like fire, theft and other damages. 

AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE:  Agricultural insurance protects against damage or loss of livestock or crops and has great potential to provide value to low-income farmers. 

5.      WHICH INSURANCE COMPANY TO CHOOSE ?

There is no firm called “Best Life Insurance Company”, each one is unique and different. An insurance company that suits a family with dependent children might not be the best option for a single, young professional and career driven. Life insurance companies offer competitive premiums and benefits to suit people at different stages of their lives. Notably, some Insurance companies might be offering cheaper premiums and provide better coverage suiting specific requirements of Insured. 

6.      HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST INSURANCE PRODUCT ?

The best Insurance product is the one that suits your necessities and fits your budget, subsequently providing a sense of security and protection for family, business and organization in case one leaves for heavenly abode. Importantly, there are important factors to consider while picking an insurer, including the short and long-term affordability of your premiums, benefits and policy features. 

7.      SUIT TO YOUR PRECISE REQUIREMENTS 

Without doubt pick an Insurance company which provides adequate coverage to families to live their accustomed standard of living they are used to. Further, if one is single they must ensure maximum cover is earmarked towards their outstanding debts. 

8.      INCORPORATE BUILT IN POLICY BENEFITS (Funeral Progression Benefit) 

In addition, one must consider an insurance provider that offers added benefits such as a funeral progression benefit, and admittedly absorb the financial burden of the family to conduct final rights expenses. Thereupon, awaiting for the balance of Insured payment, on completion of necessary documentation by the nominee, this type of built in policy benefits the aggrieved person. 

9.      TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

One has to meticulously review the Insurance Company’s Product Disclosure Statements (PDS), to have first-hand detailed information of what is covered or not covered in the Insurance product.  Subsequently, to find out the difference between retail insurers with direct insurers? Importantly, one has to be clear about the terms and conditions of the Insurance Company. 

10.    POLICY PRICE 

One has to calculate whether the policy premiums are affordable at present and in future. Considerably, if one is looking for affordability, a short term Policy with a stepped premium might be suitable. On the other hand, higher premiums which do not surge annually with one's aging, then undoubtedly companies offering  higher premiums is the best.

 11.    DISCOUNTS AND REWARDS

One has to consider Insurance companies that add additional value with healthy living rewards. Facilitating one to save their premiums and while inspiring to live a healthier life. However, rewarding is not the only criteria  to decide an Insurance company, the product must be exceptional and additional. 

12.    QUALITY RATINGS  

Ratings are given by various independent entities. It is paramount to evaluate the ratings of independent sources, however the independent source evaluation does not project fair and worthiness of an Insurance company. This rating does not enable us to measure the insurer’s creditworthiness. Nevertheless, precognition of the company is paramount. 

13.    CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Comparatively, reading customer reviews, suggestions and complaints about the Insurance companies will enable them to have conclusive understanding and will enable them to make determined decisions. DM with past and present customers will enable one to have first-hand information. 

14.    CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Unquestionably, quality customer care and service will enable us to rely upon. Unfortunately, in the prevailing scenario the unbecoming conduct is omnipresent. Importantly to clarify queries/questions or submission of claim, it’s essential for a competent customer representative to facilitate the customer. 

15.    IMPORTANT INSURANCE COMPANIES AROUND THE GLOBE 

a) TOP FIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IN USA

 Allstate

Travelers

MetLife

Progressive

Marsh & McLennan 

b)  TOP FIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IN AFRICAN UNION 

Old Mutual                                South Africa

Sanlam                                       South Africa

Momentum Life Assurers      South Africa 

Liberty Group                            South Africa 

Sage Group                               South Africa 

c)  TOP FIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IN EU

Allianz SE* - Germany

Axa – France

Legal & General Group plc- UK (Note BREXIT REFERS)

AssicurazioniGenerail SPA - Italy 

d)      TOP FIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IN AUSTRALIA

TAL Life Limited

AIA Australia Limited 

Zurich

MLC Limited 

Resolution Group 

f)       TOP FIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IN INDIA 

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) 

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance 

SBI Life Insurance 

HDFC Standard Life Insurance 

Max Life Insurance Company 

16.    TAX BENEFITS 

Apart from the safety and security benefits of buying insurance, there are also tax benefits that you can avail. One has to substantiate in your respective country. 

    a)  TAX EXEMPTION IN INDIA

Life insurance premium of up to ₹1.5 lakh can be claimed as a tax-saving deduction under Section 80C.

  • Medical insurance premium of up to ₹25,000 for yourself and your family and ₹25,000 for your parents can be claimed as a tax-saving deduction under Section 80D.
  • These claims have to be made at the time of e-filing income tax returns.

17.    CONCLUSION 

Insurance backs up when one is in dire need of money due to unforeseen situations, occurrences and circumstances beyond human control. The Life insurance, Health insurance, Vehicle insurance, Education insurance and Home insurance policy  one can buy offline as well as online. Importantly, procuring life insurance enables to secure dependents financially on occurrence of unfortunate demise. Obliviously, financial backup by Life insurance plays a vital role when the demised individual is the sole breadwinner of the family.

Hence, wisdom is to possess a few insurance for the unseen eventualities.  Subsequently, there are insurance agents who facilitate the  buying  the policy for laymen. Moreover, one can purchase the insurance policy directly by visiting the respective insurance company’s websites as well. Notably, one must carry out intense research before selecting and investing in an insurance policy. Understanding the benefits of Insurance and analyzing the need of insurance is paramount

 MONEY NOT SPENT IS MONEY SAVED.

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