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Health Insurance

What Is Waiting Period In Health Insurance?

The waiting period in health insurance refers to a period you must pass to become eligible for specific benefits to treat diseases. Health insurance gets active from the starting date of your claiming policy. The waiting period for health insurance varies from company to company, from several months to several years. You must check the health insurance waiting period in an insurance policy before buying it. Here is everything you need to know about the health insurance waiting period. [B-01] Why do companies put a waiting period for health insurance? Companies have seen cases where people buy health insurance immediately before treating their diseases to encash the reimbursement for major procedures. To reduce false claims, insurance providers came up with a waiting period for health insurance policies to stay protected. It provides all the benefits to genuine people using health insurance for their purposes. Here’s an example: Suppose Mr A was diagnosed with cancer, and the doctor suggested surgery. This would’ve made a big hole in Mr A’s pocket. Mr A had to avoid those expenses. So Mr A got his health insurance without disclosing the disease to the insurance provider. He got his surgery done at the hospital. And he paid for the costs of the surgery right after the purchase. Now, the insurance company was at a loss. Insurance companies then developed the concept of a Waiting Period. Types of Waiting Periods for Health Insurance Policyholders: Initial Wait Period ​Pre-existing disease Wait Period Maternity Wait Period Disease-Specific Wait Period Initial Wait Period: It is the period for which you have to wait before a health insurance policy becomes active. Suppose you are hospitalized or fall sick, so before claiming insurance you must pass this initial period of 30-90 days before availing of your policy. You cannot ask the health insurance company to provide you with coverage of a health insurance policy after 24 hr of hospitalization or before the waiting period in your health insurance is over. Pre-Existing Disease Wait Period: There is a particular waiting period in health insurance for specific pre-declared diseases. The policyholder should declare these conditions. For these Pre-Existing Diseases (PED), the waiting period ranges from 12 to 24 months. Any disease diagnosed at least 48 months prior can come under pre-existing conditions. Maternity Wait Period: Some health insurance companies provide maternity benefits. It is offered to expecting mothers and their children. The waiting period in health insurance for maternity benefits ranges from 9 months to 36 months, depending on your health insurance provider. Most companies cover the cost of pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery expenses, but only after the waiting period passes. So it is better to plan accordingly before buying health insurance. In case your health insurance does not cover maternity benefits, you can choose a maternity add-on to cover the cost of pregnancy. You will be charged more. But it is better to bear it. Disease-Specific Wait Period: The waiting period for health insurance is fixed for a few diseases like kidney stones, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), osteoporosis and hernia ranging between 24 and 48 months in your policy documents. It would help if you talked to the company representative. Know the waiting period in health insurance for a few diseases. Suppose you suffer from any such condition. Then you can claim your benefits only after your waiting period has passed. Therefore, it is advised to read the documents thoroughly. Going for health insurance with a shorter waiting period is the best option. Then you don’t have to pay for the treatment from your pocket. Points to be considered about the waiting period before buying Health Insurance Policy: The waiting period for health insurance depends on your chosen health insurance plan. Age and overall medical history may give you a custom waiting period. You should disclose your existing medical conditions while purchasing the policy. The insurance company does not honor your policy if a PED is claimed without intimation. Few insurance companies have started waiving senior citizens’ waiting periods by introducing a co-pay clause in plans. A co-pay clause states that the policyholder will bear a mentioned percentage of the total claim amount. For reference, if the entire claim is for Rs. 10,00,000. And you choose to co-pay 25%. Then you will bear the amount of Rs. 2,50,000. Your health insurance company will pay the remaining amount of Rs. 7,50,000. Common questions regarding Health Insurance: Can the insurance company waive the period? Yes, some insurance companies give you the option to minimize the waiting period for health insurance. But only if you are ready to pay a higher premium amount. This process is called Premium loading. It is an excellent way to get health insurance benefits sooner. But it depends on the insurance company if they want to offer a reduced waiting period while keeping your medical condition in mind. What happens to my policy if I do not disclose my pre-existing conditions? You will breach your health insurance benefits. It is a severe concern if you hide your pre-existing medical condition from your health insurance company. You cannot get your health insurance benefits even after the waiting period. [B-02] Final Takeaway: The waiting period is a procedure to give health insurance benefits to people who want to make the best use of it. You can choose the right plan before investing in health insurance. Choose according to your needs and keep in mind the waiting period for your health insurance policy. Piramal Finance offers personal loans at a low-interest rate. Choose the best personal loan to finance your medical expenses. In case you did not take health insurance yet and have a medical condition already. Experts from Piramal will advise you on the best solution based on your financial needs. Contact them now for the best advice.

08-11-2023
Stocks Markets

Best Online Platform For Stock Trading In India

The best online trading platform helps you get a seamless experience trading stocks. A good platform makes it easier to view current market movements. You can make use of advanced tools for stock trading, like charting. In India, there are three basic types of interfaces for online trading. You can select either one, based on your preference. The best online trading platform for you may be a web app, desktop app or mobile app. Compared to all three, a desktop-based stock trading platform is the quickest. It is highly suitable for professional traders who desire to place swift orders. You can easily install such a platform on your laptop or PC. A web-based platform is accessible through a website address. You will need to authenticate your access with a User ID and password. Such platforms tend to be somewhat slower than desktop apps. Mobile applications are showing a recent trend in popularity. That most stock trading platforms are making their mobile apps available for their customers. Let us look at some of the best stock trading platforms in India. [B-01] Best Online Trading Platforms Zerodha Kite 3.0 Trading Platform This platform is one of the best stock trading platforms for beginners. Zerodha consumes bandwidth speed not more than 1 kbps, making it a fuss-free option as long as you have a reasonable internet speed. In terms of the market watch, the platform does not disappoint. You can access charting tools and use hundreds of indicators available on Zerodha. In addition to placing market orders, you can even trade through bracket orders and cover orders on the platform. Zerodha provides access to multiple exchanges through a sleek interface which makes it easy to perform analysis and trade. The stock trading platform does not offer trading services directly from a stock chart. Upstox Pro Trading Platform The HTML-based platform demands very little when it comes to operating capacity. The platform offers a bounty of indicators and the option to customise charts. Thus, you monitor market moves and make well-informed trading decisions. The order entry form offered by Upstox is unique and easy to fill. You can tailor the settings to meet your trading style using exclusive widget features. Upstox stands out by making it feasible to place a trade directly from a chart. But, at the same time, it does not offer a tool to evaluate the market depth. 5 Paisa Trading App The platform is an all-rounder when it comes to market investments. This app is a one-stop solution for traders. You can buy equity or invest across various instruments. This includes digital gold, mutual funds, and personal loans. A click is all it takes to place orders in the app. Further, it has advanced technical charts, a drawing feature and stock reports. You can get access to several advisory products through the app. Also, it offers several predefined screeners to assess stocks. However, this app might not give you an experience of the best stock trading platform. This is largely due to lagged customer service. Angel Broking App Angel Broking app is among the best online trading platforms. It offers a handful of technical chart indicators. This app is an excellent base for analysis and stock trading. As a trader, you can benefit from its ARQ tool. It helps improve the overall performance of the portfolio. The intuitive interface of the app provides clean access to its features. There is a slight limitation on the app. It is because it lacks in providing investment options in IPO and bonds. Motilal Oswal Orion Lite Trading Platform The name Motilal Oswal is known for its research advisory. You can access thousands of research reports and trading recommendations here. It offers several charting indicators to perform technical analysis. The platform offers a guiding signal, which is its signature feature. It generates several buys and sells trading ideas in auto mode. The platform makes it easier to watch multiple assets. Motilal Oswal offers trading options in the derivatives market. This makes it one of the best online trading platforms. But the platform can bother you with too many SMSes. Fyers One Trading Platform This desktop trading platform offers in-built stock screeners. They help check trends and single-day movements in the market. The trading platform helps to make use of the latest charting tools. You can view historical data for stocks through its in-built features. The platform surpasses its competitors in offering many different indicators. Also, it provides in-depth market analysis. Some unique offerings of the platform include a heat map. You can also access various index meter tools here. Fyers One also offers customisable workspaces. Using these, you can make specific watch lists according to sectors, indices and derivatives. You can also access intraday charts for stocks with a month-old history. [B-02] Conclusion There are several features to check whether a trading platform is the best one out there. You should check the indicators of an ideal trading platform before selecting one. You should be able to access advanced charting and tools. The platform should give the option to place swift orders. It should use minimum hardware and software. There should be scope for customisation and be easy to use. Ideally, a seamless interface makes a trading platform useful. Choosing the best stock trading platform depends on your style of trading. Are you looking for similar finance blogs? Visit the Piramal Finance website and help yourself to the knowledge of wide-ranging financial products and services, from stock trading to personal loans. This web platform helps introduce you to every facet of finance you wish to explore.

08-11-2023
Schemes

9 Reasons to Invest in the National Pension Scheme

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is an investment plan to make your retired life easier. It is a Government of India scheme to provide you with a regular post-retirement income. You can voluntarily contribute to the fund anytime during your working life. The money then gets invested in government bonds, debentures, and shares. Thus, the money grows, and you receive a lump sum and a monthly amount upon retirement age. [B-01] How does National Pension Scheme work? A professional fund manager pools the amount you save under NPS into a pension fund. The money gets invested according to the guidelines set by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The fund manager invests in a diverse portfolio. It includes government bonds, debentures, and company shares. Your money stays locked in till the age of 60. By that time, it grows due to compounding. Thus, you get a substantial corpus on retirement. You can withdraw 60% of the money and buy annuities with the rest. That will ensure a fixed income stream in your retired life. Types of NPS accounts Tier 1 Account It is a non-withdrawable account. Your savings accumulate over time and get invested by the fund manager. You get the lump sum at the age of 60. Tier 2 Account You can voluntarily withdraw funds from this account. But you can only have a Tier 2 account when there is a Tier 1 account in your name. Benefits of the NPS Scheme The National Pension Scheme is one of the best pension schemes to secure your retirement life. Let’s look at its several benefits. It is government regulated The PFRDA regulates NPS. They monitor and review the performance of your funds. So, you can stay assured about good returns. There are also transparent norms. So you don’t have to worry about losing your hard-earned money. Since it’s government regulated, your money is comparatively safer from market fluctuations. You get immense flexibility You are free to allocate your funds across several assets. For instance, you can choose between shares, government bonds, and debentures. Moreover, you can choose a fund manager according to your preferences. You can switch between different fund managers. But what if you get confused by these financial terms? Don’t worry. You can choose the auto option. That will let your fund manager decide your investment portfolio according to your age and other factors. It is a voluntary pension scheme You won’t have the compulsion to contribute a fixed amount every month. You can save any amount at any time according to your convenience. That means you will have complete control over your investments. You can invest more in your NPS account if you earn a few extra bucks in one month. In contrast, you can invest less if your income drops suddenly. You can take a loan against property to deal with financial emergencies. Check out the things to remember while taking a mortgage loan. It is simple and hassle-free You will get a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). It is a unique identification number that will stay with you throughout your life. Your PRAN number will remain the same even if you change your fund manager. It is portable You can switch jobs and locations smoothly without worrying about losing your corpus. Whenever you change jobs, automatic arrangements will be made to ensure that your contributions get deposited in the same fund. Note — Are you planning to buy a home in your new job location? Check out how you can improve your home loan eligibility. NPS account has a low maintenance cost Its maintenance cost is significantly lower than other investment accounts. Otherwise, a long-term investment of 30-35 years would cost you a lot, reducing your returns. You get the benefits of compounding Your money doesn’t sit idle. Instead, it multiplies over the years. The compounding effect grows your savings by many times. As a result, you receive a huge corpus on retirement. Your NPS account is easy to access You can easily open your NPS account online. After that, you’ll get a PRAN number. Using this number, you can log into your account anytime. It lets you avail of tax benefits Who doesn’t love to save taxes? Both salaried and self-employed people can avail of tax benefits from the NPS scheme. Let us check the details. Salaried individuals — If you contribute 10% of your salary to NPS, you can claim tax deductions of up to Rs 1,50,000 under Section 80CCD(1). In addition, you can claim tax deductions up to Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD1(B). This benefit is available over and above the limit of Rs 1,50,000. Self-employed individuals — You can contribute 20% of your gross annual income to NPS and claim a deduction under Section 80CCD(1). However, there is a limit of Rs 1,50,000. Moreover, you can claim tax deductions up to Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B). That is in addition to the limit of Rs 1,50,000. How to register for the NPS scheme? Visit the eNPS portal on the official website of NPS. Choose whether you are an ‘individual’ or ‘corporate’ subscriber. Select whether you are a citizen or NRI. Opt for either a Tier 1 account or both types of accounts (the former is mandatory). Enter your PAN number and choose a bank where you have an active account. Upload the scanned copy of your PAN card and the cancelled cheque. Now upload your scanned photograph and signature. Complete your payment There you go. Your PRAN number will be generated. [B-02] Final Thoughts Start contributing to the NPS scheme and keep all your worries at bay. You can contribute a fixed sum every month and watch it grow over time. By the time you retire, you won’t have to think about your daily expenses. Read more related blogs on the Piramal Finance website to explore our financial products and services, from personal loans to any financial goal you aim to achieve.

08-11-2023
Other

What Is a Cancelled Cheque Leaf Sample?

When you fill out an application related to insurance, a loan, or anything for which you need to provide your bank details, you will be asked to attach a cancelled cheque. You will ask the salesperson to show a cancelled cheque sample if it’s your first time. He will explain how to do it. But what if you’re applying online and want to know what a cancelled cheque leaf is? Let us explain it to you here. So, what is a cancelled cheque leaf? A cheque leaf is crossed between two parallel lines, and the word “Cancelled” is written in between. Also, if you closely observe, nothing will be written on the important information on the cheque. [B-01] What is the important information that is needed on the cancelled cheque? The cancelled cheque presents vital information about your bank account. It contains your account number, the IFSC code of the branch, your name, the type of the account, and a MICR number, among others. In the cancelled cheque sample, you will find the details mentioned earlier clearly. If you want to transfer funds to anyone, ask them for a cancel cheque image or a bank passbook first page with all the required details. Cancelled Cheque Image: What Does It Show? The image of a cancelled cheque displays the word “cancelled” written across the cheque between parallel lines. The useful information can be retrieved from the cheque to retain for further use. Institutions such as insurance agencies, companies like Piramal Finance that provide loans, mutual fund management companies, etc. use the information shown on the cheque to transfer money to the concerned party at the time of payment. It is also useful to set up automatic deductions at regular intervals to avoid payment delays. These financial institutions add the cancelled cheque as a required document for KYC (Know Your Customer). The cancelled cheque provides your bank’s details. And the bank has a record of your working mobile number, address, and email ID. Therefore, it becomes easy for any financial institution to keep track of the customer. What Happens if I Give a Cancelled Cheque as a Sample? You can give your cheque to anyone, but remember that you have to mark the purpose of the cheque. Did you issue the cheque for payment purposes or just for details? For payment purposes, make sure you cross the cheque at the top left corner to make it account payable. That means only the person whose name is on the cheque can get the money deposited into their bank account. This crossing of cheques is a secure way of making payments. If you’re giving the cheque only for details, then do not give a blank cheque at any cost. Doing so will land you in trouble. Instead, draw two parallel lines diagonally across the cheque from the bottom left to the top right and write “cancelled” in between. This method ensures that the cheque is cancelled and can’t be used for any other purpose. Educate your friends and family by sharing this vital information and the picture of a cancelled cheque as a sample. Do you have to inform your bank? It is not necessary to inform your bank that you’ve cancelled a certain cheque number. But if you choose to report it, it will be a much more secure way to keep your money safe. If you notify the bank in writing, through a phone call, or sometimes using an internet banking facility that you’ve cancelled a cheque, they will mark it in their records. If, in the future, someone tries to withdraw money using the cheque you’ve cancelled, the bank will immediately inform you and stop the payment. The cheque number plays a crucial role in this. While informing the bank about which cheque is frozen or cancelled, quote the cheque number properly. As mentioned above, you should look at the cancel cheque image to understand what a cancel cheque looks like. When you cancel the cheque, you must ensure the details are visible. The vital information should not be struck off or covered with pen ink, such as the bank account number, IFSC, bank branch, your name, the barcode-like number at the bottom, and the cheque number. Refer to the sample of a cancelled cheque to know more. To find a cancelled cheque sample, a simple Google search with the phrase “cancelled cheque sample” is enough. Make sure to follow the detailed guidelines above to cancel the cheque without errors. Once the cheque is stricken cancelled, there is no way you can use it for payment purposes. Therefore, think carefully before cancelling a cheque for any purpose. The bank charges you a certain amount for the new chequebook. So choose wisely before taking any step. Just as a word uttered from your mouth cannot be taken back, a single line struck on the cheque cannot be cleared. [B-02] Save resources like a pro! We Indians have a habit of using everything as little as possible. Wondering how this is connected to the cancelled cheque. If you made any mistake on a cheque, use it as a cancelled cheque by marking cancelled. We’ve seen above how to mark a cheque as cancelled. Also, instead of cancelling a cheque every time an application is filled, the photocopy of a single cancelled cheque as a sample can be attached to the list of documents. This saves you money as well as paper. Thus moving a step ahead in being earth friendly. There are other alternatives to a cancelled cheque leaf, and those include: Bank passbook front page Account statement And as discussed above, a cancelled cheque photocopy Having basic knowledge about banking and finance helps you be cautious. With many cyber crimes happening in the digital era, you should be very careful. Piramal Finance offers you accurate information on banking and financial services. Make sure your financial knowledge is up to date on essential services and products, such as personal loans and financial calculators, by reading the informative blogs on their website.

08-11-2023
Tax Savings

Tax Benefits Associated with Term Insurance

Managing a family and its expenses is often complicated, especially regarding tax expenses. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little knowledge of term plan tax benefits, one can easily manage this without any stress. Getting term insurance helps people avail themselves of various tax benefits. Let’s look at the tax benefits, restrictions, and limitations. But before we do that, let’s first understand term insurance. [B-01] What is term insurance? Term insurance is a life insurance policy that benefits people for a certain “term” of years in exchange for regular premium payments. They can choose how many “term” of years will be in the insurance. In other words, the nominee of their policy (mostly their wife or children) will get all the benefits in the event of the untimely death of the insured. Life is precious, and even when they are away from this world, their loved ones will be taken care of with the term insurance benefits they have secured. It’s about tax benefits, which brings us to the second part of the term insurance. Getting a term insurance policy also allows one to take advantage of several tax benefits under Section 80C and 10(10D) of the ITA, 1961, that wouldn’t have been available to them otherwise. Let’s take a look: Tax Benefits That One Can Avail From Term Insurance Getting a term insurance policy provides the individual with various tax benefits under 80C and 10D of the ITA, 1961, but what exactly are they? Let’s check them out in detail. Term Insurance Tax Benefits Under the 80C Section According to Section 80C of the Indian Tax Act, an individual will benefit from tax exemption if they have a term insurance policy. The benefits will be provided to their wives or children in the event of their untimely death, so long as the claimed tax benefits are limited to Rs 1.5 lakh per year. If they are also included in the premium that the individual pays, then even that will be eligible for tax exemption. However, ITA has recently declared that this policy has been limited to term insurance policies issued before March 31, 2012, which is certainly a bummer. The term insurance policies issued after March 31, 2012, will only get a maximum of 10% of the sum as tax deduction benefits. Also, if the taxpayer is disabled, then the taxpayer will receive 5% more tax deduction benefits, leading to a total of 15%. Also, if the individual wishes to close the term insurance within 2 years of the coverage for any reason, then no tax benefits will be provided to them. Term Insurance Tax Benefits Under 10(10D) Section While one can apply for tax benefits under the 10(10D) section of the ITA, one can also avail of tax benefits on the returns paid under the 10(10D) section. The beneficiary who receives the said tax benefits will also be completely exempt, and unlike the 80C section, there’s no upper limit to this, not even the limitation of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year that it had. One will also get further benefits if the maturity amount is higher and hence taxable under the 10D section. Such taxes will be exempted. However, this is rare and only limited to 20%, which is usually not the case as the sum insured in the term insurance is higher than that of the yearly premium. Restrictions on Term Insurance’s Tax Benefits There are certain restrictions, however. According to the ITA, only 20% of tax breaks are provided for the total amount if the premium they pay is more than 20% of the total amount they originally had to pay. Also, term insurance policies issued after 31st March 2012 can only get a maximum of 10% tax deductions, which will increase by 5% if the taxpayer is disabled. The term insurance policies issued before March 31, 2012, will get tax benefits only if the premium doesn’t cost more than 10% of the total amount insured. Also, if the individual has a certain illness or disability, they are further eligible for tax benefits. Limitations of Tax Benefits from Term Insurance Even after getting a term insurance policy, the individual may still have to pay taxes if they fall under these two categories. 1st Category Suppose the term insurance policy says that the death benefits will not be paid immediately after the policyholder dies. In that case, the insurance company will keep the cash and only give it back when the period is over. Here, the person who gets the benefits will still have to pay taxes on the benefits they receive. This is because interest has been built over the years that death benefits money was being held by the insurance company. So, the individual will have to pay tax, and only then will they receive the benefits. 2nd Category If the death benefits fall under the category of inheritance, then the individual who gets the benefits will still have to pay the tax to receive the said death benefit. [B-02] Wrapping Up You can indeed lower the amount of tax you have to pay if you have a term insurance policy, but you have to be careful about the limitations and exceptions of these policies. So, as long as you mind the limitations and steer clear of the exceptions, you are good to go. If you need help with financing your term insurance, you can always reach out to the experts at Piramal Finance. We help you find the best solutions to finance your purchase, such as a personal loan or credit card. Visit us to learn more!

08-11-2023
Tax Savings

Know All the Health Insurance Tax Benefits in India

Generally, people buy medical insurance for themselves and their families. It helps them ensure promising healthcare in times of emergency. In the bigger picture, health insurance provides relief when you have certain medical expenses ahead of you. However, the advantages of these policies can range from lowered hospital bills to tax reductions. A health insurance policy in India can be more beneficial than you think. Taxpayers in India get relief in income tax when they provide proper documentation of their expenses. It should also include house rent details. Interestingly, health insurance is also one factor that can reduce the tax you have to pay. As per Section 80D of the Indian Income Tax Act, the total taxable amount of your overall income will be reduced. The amount of reduction will be as per the health insurance policy you have chosen for your family. Though, this tax relief is subject to changes in income tax laws. Have you recently bought health insurance or are planning to do so? If yes, the following overview of medical insurance tax benefits will help you make the right decision. [B-01] Health Insurance Deduction as per Section 80D This section was added to the income tax regulations of India during the 1980s. It later came into effect to offer mediclaim deductions on each premium. The core concept of bringing this section into effect was to raise awareness about health insurance. Moreover, it encourages people to invest their money in the right place. There are different deduction rates for various types of health insurance policies. Taxpayers can be eligible for a minimum of Rs. 25,000 and a maximum of Rs. 1,00,000 tax deduction. This tax relief depends on the medical policy type of the taxpayer. Simply put, medical insurance tax benefits can save you a substantial amount of money that you can save for future purposes. If your health insurance policy covers parents, spouses, and children, you can apply for a deduction in your existing tax amount. In addition, you can expect a bigger reduction rate if you have recently updated your policy or bought add-ons to your medical insurance. How Much Can You Save with Health Insurance Tax Benefits? Most people fail to benefit from their health insurance policy. People often splurge their money on paying taxes and buying health insurance policies. Many people are unaware of the applicable tax benefits per their health insurance deductions. In the following section, you will get a basic idea of how much you can save with your medical policies. The income tax act of section 80D applies to health insurance coverage if your policy falls under the category of two prominent types. One of them is the policy you buy for yourself and your family. Another health insurance policy should be for dependent parents. Simply put, taxpayers in India are entitled to these benefits if they have purchased medical insurance for their families. It also applies if they have dependent parents. Health insurance deduction is crucial for relief in taxable income. Here’s a brief breakdown of how much money you can save on taxation with the right healthcare policy: The limit of medical insurance deduction is decided based on the age of the primary policyholder. The benefit will be the same even if your family insurance covers senior citizens. Health insurance benefits on income tax can be applicable even if the policy is for a single person or a family. This statement only includes wives/husbands and children. However, the tax reduction is higher when your health insurance covers dependent parents or senior citizens. You can leverage their policies only if you pay the premiums. If the age of the policyholder is less than 60 years, then the maximum deductible tax amount will be Rs. 25.000. On the flip side, the maximum tax relief on the policy will be Rs. 50,000 for policyholders above the age of 60 years. An undivided family is eligible for a health insurance tax deduction of Rs. 25,000. For this, the primary policyholder should be below the age of 60 years. On the other hand, the deductible tax will be Rs. 50,000 if the primary policyholder is above the age of 60 years. Non-residential Indians are also eligible for maximum tax relief of Rs. 25,000. It is possible if they have purchased a health insurance policy in India for their parents, a family member, or themselves. This eligibility doesn’t require any age limit for NRIs. This section also says that a preventive health checkup or PHC is possible only if you don’t qualify for the deduction limits we discussed earlier. The PHC limit is Rs. 5000 for policyholders below the age of 60 years. It is Rs. 7000 for policyholders above 60 years. List of Documents You Will Need for Health Insurance Tax Benefits Section 80D of the Indian Income Tax Act has some regulations. It entails that health insurance deduction will be applied to the taxation amount per policy. It should also cover the information of policyholders. Your health insurance and the age of members involved in the policy can result in Rs. 25,000 tax benefit. It can also be Rs. 50,000, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 1,00,000 as per the policy type. Here is a list of documents and other requirements that you will need to claim tax relief from your health insurance: Receipt of the payment of the premium. If you have paid the premium online, don’t forget to download the online receipt from the website. The date of the receipt should have the same year for which you are paying the tax. You must remember that a cash receipt is not acceptable. Moreover, you cannot present the receipts given by insurance agents. Try not to use these slips for tax reduction claims. [B-02] Final Thoughts In addition to Section 80D, you can also benefit from section 17. According to this section, you can benefit from recent health-related expenses from your income. Health insurance tax benefits in India can help you save a lot of money. Therefore, you should buy a medical insurance policy from a reliable provider. Piramal Finance is an online platform allowing you to learn everything you need to know about health insurance tax and avail yourself of customised personal financial solutions from financial experts. To learn about personal loans, credit cards and financial management, check out more such blogs on our website!

08-11-2023
Mutual Funds

Should You Choose SIPs Over Fixed Deposits?

A Systematic Investment Plan Mutual funds / SIP Mutual Fund is a way of funding mutual funds where people deposit small amounts frequently over time. Besides, a Fixed Deposit (FD) is an asset option where people can deposit a certain sum of money for a specified term and get back the share along with interest upon maturity. Let’s compare SIP Mutual Fund and Fixed Deposit. And for this comparison, let’s see what these terms are. [B-01] What is a Fixed Deposit (FD)? FD is an investment method that permits people to deposit a certain sum of money for a fixed period. Banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) deliver this service to the public. In the case of Fixed Deposits, you cannot break the FD before its maturity date. If you wish to split your FD, you will have to pay a certain sum of money as charges to the Bank/NBFC. On fulfilment of the FD term, the whole amount invested, along with interest, will be credited to the person’s account. Benefits of Having a Fixed Deposit: The primary advantage you can gain with an FD is that it guarantees secured investment returns. A fixed deposit asset is risk-free. It shows flexibility to the people funding as they can pick the amount and term they want to sustain. You can sell your FDs in a crisis, or the investors can make an overdraft escape. Using your FD, you can apply for a carload and become suitable for applying for a credit card. This benefit can satisfy people who do not have a credit record or have just begun earning. What is SIP? Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) are an asset that permits people to deposit small amounts of money every month. SIPs can be considered goal-oriented assets and might act as stepping stones for newbies with mutual funds. People can choose to invest in their amenities. With the help of SIP, people can plan for future objectives and fulfil dreams like buying a house or car, preparing for the higher education of children, etc. People can start their SIP investment with a sum of money as low as Rs. 500. Benefits of SIP Mutual Fund: Individuals can make investments counting on their requirements. It is easy to make a SIP mutual fund, and a premium feature is that you can chase how the assets are accomplished at your amenity. SIPs eradicate the demand for investors to scan interest rates because you can create investments regularly. Tax concessions are another great advantage proposed by SIPs. People who fund SIPs for more than a year can relish tax concessions. In SIPs, money can be financed and drawn at any time as SIPs are in open-ended reserves. Each month a set amount will get deducted from your savings account towards the mutual fund you have chosen. SIP mutual fund lets you enter the market with small routine payments and takes the load off of making notable lump sum investments. Those funds may serve well initially, but a fickle market can never assure anything. For instance, the fund you have invested in starts constantly underperforming for two to three years. Diversification is crucial if you want the highest return from your investments. And the diversification of assets becomes easier with these investment plans. It is most suited for people who can make small but frequent payments from their disposable income. Always be picky in choosing funds and ensure you do not have an excess number of equity mutual investments. If you know how to fund in SIP and have invested a significant portion of your savings, your returns will unfailingly be zeroed down. It may even go down to negative. That is why long-term equity assets are always better, as market kinks are fixed over time. Thus, it is advisable to stay funded till the market smoothes out. Moreover, it will lower the general return your fund is anticipated to earn. Leaving midway will make you skip out on many good market days that could have brought you quite a high return. Typically, the money is auto-debited from your bank account and is funded into the specific mutual fund plan you had already purchased. This assigns you a certain number of units relying on the market value of your funds (Net Asset Value or NAV) for the day. Which one is better for your investment purposes? SIPs and FDs have their advantages and deliver a lot to those looking to invest. Though the benefits look alike, there is a stark contrast between the two. Let us take a look at what makes them diverse and which alternative you should pick: Investment Rates Starting an investment plan is accessible in both choices when looking at the investment type. SIP Mutual Fund has an added advantage where people can begin funding even with a small sum of money. The SIP asset frequency can also be set monthly or quarterly to suit an individual’s needs. In the case of a Fixed Deposit, an FD lets a person fund in a lump sum. Interest Rates The rate of interest presented in SIPs is higher than that of FDs, but it does not ensure you the best returns. It would be best if you believed the risk linked to the returns. On the other hand, with a fixed deposit, you are sure to get higher returns irrespective of the amount funded in the FD. Tax Benefits Tax saving is essential for everyone. A few investment plans provide tax benefits. Another type of FD that many don’t know about is Tax Saving FD, through which one can claim a deduction on specific investments. In the case of some Systematic Investment Plans, only a particular percentage of the tax will be imposed on the person who is investing money. [B-02] Conclusion Though FDs are the safest choice if you want to invest, Systematic Investment Plan Mutual Funds can also be helpful when you put your hard-earned money to riskless use. After understanding and considering all the risks, you can invest in SIP. Get the best advice regarding all financial products and banks from your well-wisher and financial expert, Piramal Finance. Investing in SIPs is profitable, and our experts help you understand your credit score and how to maintain a proper fund management portfolio. This enables you to choose the best personal loan for yourself.

08-11-2023
Mutual Funds

Grow Your Money – The Best Mutual Funds in India

Mutual Funds A mutual fund is an investment scheme. SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) regulates India’s mutual fund operations. Experienced professionals manage mutual fund companies. They work by collecting money from several investors, such as you. Then, the fund managers use this money to buy different securities. These include stocks, gold, government bonds, or a combination of these. The goal of the fund managers is to generate profits for the investors. The best mutual funds use their money in such a way that the possibility of good returns is high. The income generated by a mutual fund is distributed among all the investors. [B-01] Why Should I Invest in Mutual Funds? Maybe you think, “saving in a bank account will also make me money.” Unfortunately, savings account returns are low. They are even lower than the rate of inflation. So you’ll be losing money in the long run by relying on your bank account. Mutual fund investing has now become a popular choice among people. These funds offer many features to the investor. Mutual funds are a fairly safe option to invest your money. They usually give good returns over a long period. With mutual funds, your money is under professional management. The fund managers do the research and select the companies to invest the money in. They track the progress over time. So you do not need to put in any time or effort. Mutual funds are very affordable. You can start investing in some of the best mutual funds with INR 1000. Funds invest in many companies and industries. So your investment is diversified and less susceptible to market risk. Another reason to invest in mutual funds is liquidity. You can sell your mutual funds whenever you want to. The fund’s current Net Asset Value (NAV) will be credited to your account. Types of mutual funds in India Mutual funds are divided into different categories. This is based on the guidelines given by SEBI. According to their asset class, mutual funds can be divided into three types. Equity funds Equity mutual funds take your money and invest it in the stock market. These mutual funds are considered to be high-risk investments. These investments are directly linked to stock market volatility. Large-cap funds invest most of their money in the top 100 companies in India. Mid-cap funds invest most of their money in Indian companies that rank from 101 to 250. Small-cap funds invest most of their money in small companies that are ranked beyond 250. Flexi-cap or multi-cap mutual funds are flexible with their investments. They invest in both small and large companies. The fund managers focus on the growth potential of different companies. Index funds are an excellent investment option for beginners. These funds match the performance of Sensex and Nifty. Sensex and Nifty 50 are the two indices of the National Stock Exchange in India. Fixed income or debt funds These mutual funds invest your money in government bonds, corporate bonds, and debentures. Fixed-income funds help generate regular returns for their investors. So, you can consider investing in debt funds if you need to make some regular income. Make sure to know about the risk profile of a debt fund before investing your money. Hybrid or balanced funds Hybrid funds invest your money in different places. They invest in stocks, corporate bonds, and government bonds. They can also include other financial instruments. Hybrid funds try to reduce the investment risk for their investors. There are two types of hybrid funds. Equity-oriented hybrid funds invest most of their money in equities. The remaining amount is invested in debt instruments. Debt-oriented hybrid funds invest most of their money in debt instruments. The remaining amount is invested in equities. How to Invest in Mutual Funds You can open your account in mutual funds using both online and offline methods. Maybe you’re more comfortable with the offline method. To do this, complete your application form for the fund. Prepare a cheque or bank draft. Submit them at the branch office or at the designated service centre of that mutual fund. An easier method is to invest in mutual funds online. You can log in to the website of the mutual fund you want to invest in. Follow the procedure given on the website. Make the payment, and now you are an investor. There are two ways to invest money in mutual funds – Lump sum and SIP. A lump sum is a one-time payment method for mutual funds. The investor purchases the required number of units of a particular mutual fund. Additional units are not purchased regularly. A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a repeated payment method for mutual funds. You can invest a fixed amount of money in a particular scheme. This investment is repeated at regular intervals. This disciplined investment option works great for salaried employees. [B-02] A Concluding Note Investing in mutual funds can seem tricky for beginners. But don’t worry. There are several free online resources available for you. So, learn the basics and lay your foundation. Then you can continue to upskill yourself and grow your finances. There are many types of mutual funds in the Indian market. Understand and compare their risk profile and their return on investment. Make an informed decision based on your requirements. You can also consult a financial advisor initially and find the best mutual funds to invest in based on your risk profile. If you have any doubts or need help with your finances, you can always consult the experts at Piramal Finance. Visit the Piramal Finance website to learn more about their products and services.

08-11-2023
Health Insurance

When is the Right Time to Buy Health Insurance?

Reports suggest that most Indians still pay for medical expenses on their own. A medical insurance plan may not cover every medical expense. NITI Aayog reports that India has about 42 crore people who don’t have any such plan. Hence, most people still don’t have access to quality healthcare, which they either can’t afford or aren’t insured for. In recent years, though, India has made a name for providing modern and affordable healthcare. However, medical costs are on the rise (medical inflation), which means you must buy a medical insurance plan at the right time and age to avoid spending a fortune from your savings during a health emergency. Continue reading to learn more about when it is the right time to buy a health insurance plan. [B-01] What is a Health Insurance Plan? A health insurance plan consists of policies that provide medical protection. It is a sort of contract between you and the insurer that binds the latter to pay for your treatment or surgery when you are ill or injured. It covers some or all of your healthcare costs. You have to pay a monthly or yearly premium to get insured. These plans work in two main ways: They either pay you the costs incurred as insurance or pay the doctor or hospital directly. Why Do You Need Medical Insurance Plans? Covid-19 was an eye-opener for the whole world. It made people realise that an emergency never knocks on the door. Our general lifestyle has also changed a lot. Hectic work schedules, bad eating and sleeping habits, etc. are affecting health negatively. For instance, it would not be surprising to find young people who have heart-related problems. According to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL), among other Asian economies, India witnessed the highest medical inflation rate of 14%. This is reflected in another finding by the same org: Prevailing High Demand for Health Insurance in FY2022. Hence, rising healthcare costs, coupled with a sedentary and stressful lifestyle means having a plan to rely on during times of medical emergency is critical. A medical insurance plan is your financial security against sudden health problems. Buying such a plan is an important aspect of financial planning and independence. What Does a Great Medical Insurance Policy Offer? Your quest to know about the best medical insurance plans won’t end until you know what to expect from them. There are a ton of different medical insurance plans in the market, all designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, depending on age, sex and lifestyle. Since all medical insurance policies don’t cover every aspect of a medical emergency, it is critical to choose plans that do cover the maximum possible area of expenses or at least those required by you. Here are some of the basic features of a great health plan: The policy should cover hospital expenses. For individuals, a sum of five lacs is the minimum. Group policy amounts should be up to 20 lacs. Pre and post-hospital admission charges must also be a part of it. The policy must also provide cover for the treatment of mental illness. Choose a policy with no room-rent limit. It will ensure that you get the best possible room facility. It should cover daycare procedures like surgery, dialysis, etc. The policy must also provide for a cap on ICU room charges. No-claim bonus is another important feature. It helps if you didn’t claim insurance in a year. You will pay a lower premium next year, or the insurer might extend your coverage time. You might also get a higher cap depending on the vendor. Choose a plan that does not force a co-payment option. It means you will not have to pay part of the medical costs. The insurer will cover everything. This way, you need to only focus on recovery. Refill benefits must also be a part of the policy. It means that you can use your sum more than once a year. This is especially useful during pandemics like COVID-19. Zone upgrade is another big benefit. You might be in Zone B or C city. The policy must provide an upgrade. This way, you can get treatment in a great hospital. When is the Right Time to Choose a Health Insurance Plan? There is no fixed answer to this question. You can buy a medical insurance policy after turning 18 in India. Your family can include an underage person in a group policy. Senior citizens can also avail of medical insurance plans for themselves. However, the premium that you have to pay depends on your age—the lesser the age the lesser the premiums you pay. It also depends on your financial status. Hence, you can follow this piece of general advice: You should buy a medical insurance policy when you become financially stable. Most corporates provide such policies to young professionals. This practice is now a common part of corporate wellness programmes. The Benefits of Buying a Medical Insurance Plan Before You Turn 30 Insurance providers cannot predict your risk of disease or illness. So, they use your age as the main factor to determine risk. Generally, you are at a higher risk in your 40s and 50s. So, in your 20s, you will pay a lower premium. If you are over 60, the premium is very high. It is almost four times that for a 25-year-old. The math is simple. Moreover, these policies also come with a 30-day waiting period. It means that you cannot claim until 30 days. It is more possible for a young adult to pass through this period without any potential complications. Furthermore, if you are young, you do not need to undergo a medical test. Insurance providers do a test for older people. They do this to point out specific health conditions. The amount of your cover is then decided on that basis. You also get tax rebates under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. This happens if you can show proof of a premium. If you are young, it will increase your savings. These policies also provide general healthcare check-ups every year. It is a crucial step in trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Regular checkups can help in the timely diagnosis of a severe problem. [B-02] You must ensure that your policy includes a no-claim bonus. This is because, if you are young, you will not fall ill every year and can pay a lower premium next year. In some cases, you can also get a higher claim amount. Most young people are suffering from work-related stress. You can avail of therapy and medication using your healthcare policy. Most insurers provide coverage for this.

08-11-2023