Bhargav Dasgupta, MD & CEO, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, answers your questions
I was recently approached by an agent who insisted ladies should own a policy covering women-specific diseases. I am 31 and am presently covered under a plan offered by my employer. How important is a women-centric insurance plan? How is it better than other health covers?
A regular indemnity health insurance plan provides cover to the policyholder against medical expenses irrespective of the gender. Today, a majority of the health insurance plans also provide cover for women-centric cases like maternity expenses. I advise you to focus on the extent and quantum of covers offered by the health insurance policy and the terms and conditions of the policy. If a regular health insurance policy provides medical expense covers in line with your needs, there is no need for a separate women-centric plan.
I have been enquiring about buying a new washing machine and one of the retailers offered free insurance for the machine. I already own a householder's policy. Can I not include the machine in the policy? Or, should I buy a separate cover for it?
You can include the washing machine in your existing home insurance policy cover. For this, you need to send a request to your insurance company with details of the new item, including its purchase value. Your insurance company will charge an additional premium for the additional content covered for the remaining period of the policy and an endorsement letter will be given to you, stating the revised sum insured, after considering the new content.
You should also evaluate the insurance being provided along with the durable. If the same offers you additional cover or extra benefits, you can opt for the insurance cover.
The views expressed are expert's own. Send your queries to yourmoney@bsmail.in
