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All about General Insurance

General Insurance covers anything other than the risk over the life of an individual. It most commonly covers the risk against health, motor, travel, household, fire and many more.

Most general insurance policies are issued annually, that is the general insurance company provides the cover for a year which has to be renewed annually by paying a one time premium. A medical policy of an individual, for instance, is an annual contract.

Whereas, in some cases the policy is provided for a short time span such as a travel insurance policy which covers an individual only during the duration of the travel.

Major insurance policies that are covered under general insurance are:

  • Health Insurance

Health insurance policy, the most commonly of which is a mediclaim policy covers unexpected medical emergencies of an individual. Subject to the policy, it provides cashless facility by covering all hospitalization expenses along with pre and post medical expenses. It also provides tax benefit to the insured. Despite these facilities, every health insurance policy have certain exclusions which are covered only after the insured bears a waiting period.

  • Motor Insurance

Legally, every vehicle running on road should be insured. A motor insurance policy covers the damage to the vehicle and the third party during an accident. A comprehensive motor insurance plan covers the vehicle insured along with the third party that might suffer during the road accident. A motor insurance policy provide a cover to you and your family by a personal accident cover and also protects you from the liability towards the third party.

  • Travel Insurance

A travel policy covers the insured with the unheralded emergencies that may take place while travelling. These emergencies may vary from loss of luggage to the medical emergencies faced by the traveller. A travel insurance policy usually covers Medical expenses, accidental death or disablement benefit, delayed departure, trip cancellation and loss of baggage.

  • Home Insurance

It is a type of insurance that covers your most valuable asset, your house. It covers loss of home and its contents. A home insurance policy covers all your household components be it refrigerator, air conditioners or television sets. It protects your house from unexpected emergencies, keeping you safe.

Despite the above, organisations get their goods, commercial vehicles, godowns, shipments, offices, laptops and many more covered under general insurance.

FAQ'S

  • Can I take two policies and get claims from both?


In case an individual holds two policies, the claims raised would be shared by both the policies. Under no circumstances, a person can get more than the actual value of the bills against which a claim is raised.

  • How much should I ensure for?


Normally the sum assured should be the market value at the time of purchasing the insurance product.

  • How do I pay the premiums?


A general insurance policy usually is an annual contract where the insured has to pay the premium once in a year in order to renew the policy each year. Other than this, few policies are short term such as travel health policies, which require a one time payment and are valid for the duration of travel.

  • Why are there different premiums for different people?


Premiums, commonly referred to the payment made against purchasing a policy is usually different depending upon the sum assured. Higher the sum assured, higher would be the premium that a person would have to pay. Similarly, it also depends upon the age of a person in case of a mediclaim, and many other factors.

  • How do I get my Claims?

The claims are either cashless, as in the case of a health policy or the payment can be reimbursed by the general insurance company on production of bills paid by the policy holder.
 

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