Introduction- The Ombudsman is a person appointed by the insurance council. The serving term of the Insurance Ombudsman is three years and there are 17 Ombudsman across India. Who can approach an Insurance Ombudsman? Any person who has a grievance against an insurer, may himself or through his legal heirs, nominee or assignee, complain […]
Media
No loan facility with new Ulips; but you may borrow against older policies
Published in Mint on Feb 27 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia I have a unit-linked insurance plan (Ulip) that I had bought in 2009. I have a family situation where I need to help my brother to pay his son’s college fees. Can I borrow against this policy? Will it be of the same value […]
Adding rooms to your house will increase your home insurance premium
Published in Mint on Feb 20 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia My house in Delhi is insured against earthquakes and I have never missed any premiums. I want to add two rooms to the second floor. Will my existing insurance policy suffice or will I have to take a new policy? If I need to […]
Term insurance is not an investment product, as it has no maturity value
Published in Mint on Feb 02 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia How do I lower the cost of buying life insurance? I am 28 years old and earn Rs20,000 per month. I am the sole earner in my family and can only spare around Rs2,000-3,000 a month for insurance, which I now consider to be […]
You cannot change a term plan’s specifications after buying it
Published in Mint on Jan 19 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia What is an adjustable life insurance plan? Can this be done for a term plan? —Gautam Chopra An adjustable life insurance gives the option of changing the plan’s specifications during the term of a plan. Changes can be made to the sum assured, […]
No claim bonus can be availed up to 90 days after insurance policy lapses
Published in Mint on Jan 12 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia I own a car that is 6 years old. I have been diligent with properly insuring it every year and have never taken any claim. Its renewal is due in January. However, I have been with my son in the US since November last […]
Letting Go
The narrative for entrepreneurship that has built up over the years is one of acquisition; of wealth, market share and funding. Actually entrepreneurship is about letting go; of legacies, power and perks. Letting go takes place at a personal and professional level. Personally, being an entrepreneur means little salary and uncertain cash flows for many […]
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
There was a time when entrepreneurship was considered unconventional, offbeat even. It was for the dreamers, the outliers. It was for millennials who looked at life differently, who yearned to know the world better, for whom ordinary just wasn’t enough. Perhaps the spark within these souls had been dimmed by cloistered office cubicles and protracted, […]
Insurance premiums, including top-ups, get income tax deduction
Published in Mint on Jan 05 2017, Written by Abhishek Bondia I have a 10-year unit-linked insurance plan (Ulip) with an annual premium of Rs30,000. I have received a performance bonus that I want to invest in the same Ulip as a top-up. Will I get tax benefit on this also under section 80C or will […]
Buy a health cover with entry level sum assured for planned checkups
Published in Mint on Dec 27 2016, Written by Abhishek Bondia he area that I live in has a few hospitals but none of them are empanelled by the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). I am a central government employee. Will it be better for me to buy a health insurance policy? —Renu Tandon […]