Meet Dua and Divya, two friends who share more than just a friendship; they share a sisterly bond. One evening, over a cup of chai, they found themselves engrossed in a conversation about their financial well-being and the importance of investing. Little did they know that this discussion would lead to valuable insights on SIP calculators and health insurance.
Dua: “Divya, have you ever thought about investing for our well-being? I mean, we focus so much on our day-to-day expenses, but what about securing our future health?”
Divya: “You’re right, Dua. We should start thinking about it. But where do we begin?”
Dua: “Well, have you heard about SIP calculators online? They’re a fantastic tool to plan our investments systematically. Let me share some tips I gathered.”
Tips on online SIP calculator –
Diversify your portfolio
Spread your investments across various sectors to minimise risks.
Start early
The power of compounding is real. The earlier you start investing in SIP, the more you benefit.
Set clear financial goals
Define your objectives, whether it’s buying a house or funding your child’s education. It helps in planning your SIP investments effectively.
Understand risk tolerance
Know how much risk you are comfortable with and choose SIPs that align with your risk appetite.
Regularly review and adjust
Keep an eye on your portfolio and make adjustments based on market conditions and your financial goals.
Stay committed
The key is consistency. Stick to your plan of SIP even during downturns in the market.
Emergency fund first
Before investing SIPs, make sure to have a proper contingency fund to manage unanticipated expenditures.
Avoid timing the market
In place of predicting market ups and downs, concentrate on a long-term and disciplined approach.
Opt for direct plans
Direct SIP investments have reduced expense ratios, enhancing your returns on investments.
Stay informed
Periodically update yourself on economic indicators and market trends.
Keep an eye on fees
Stay aware of any additional fees linked with your investments in SIP.
Reinvest dividends
Instead of taking dividends, reinvest them to compound your returns.
Consult a financial advisor
If needed, seek professional advice to tailor your SIP strategy to your specific financial situation.
Choose a reliable fund house
Research and select SIPs from reputable fund houses to ensure the safety of your investments.
Tax planning
Explore SIPs that offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act
As their conversation continued, Divya and Dua delved into the vertical of medical insurance.
Medical insurance insights –
Pre-existing conditions
Disclose all pre-existing conditions to avoid claim rejection later.
When purchasing health insurance, honesty is the best policy. Revealing pre-existing diseases or issues is important to prevent rejections of claims in the future. Insurers often require meeting the waiting periods for pre-existing issues and their non-disclosure can result in loss of cover. So, be transparent regarding your existing medical conditions during the insurance application procedure to make sure your coverage is effective and accurate.
Coverage adequacy
Ensure your health insurance provides sufficient coverage for medical expenses.
Health policy adequacy is having insurance that provides financial protection for a wide range of healthcare expenditures. It is essential to evaluate your health policy needs depending on parameters such as your lifestyle, age, and medical conditions. Adequate cover should consist of hospitalisation, surgical processes, diagnostic assessments, and post-hospitalisation care. Factor in additional features like maternity cover, day-car processes and alternative treatment covers to ensure overall protection.
Network hospitals
Select an insurance with an extensive network of hospitals offering cashless facilities.
Going for medical policy and having a broad network of hospitals is beneficial. This network offers cashless facilities, permitting you to get medical services without requiring you to pay anything upfront. Having access to a distinct range of hospitals ensures you can get quality medical services regardless of your location. Such a feature is especially advantageous during contingencies when instant medical attention is needed.
Waiting periods
Ensure you are aware of the waiting periods for particular illnesses before claiming.
Medical policies often have waiting periods for particular treatments or illnesses. It is essential to stay aware of such waiting periods as they differ between insurance policies. Understand the period of waiting for pre-existing diseases, maternity advantages and specific treatments. This awareness allows you to plan out your medical expenditures well and prevent any surprises when making any claim.
Policy renewal age
Opt for a plan that allows renewal at an older age to secure long-term coverage.
Long-term health coverage is vital, especially as you age, and your healthcare needs increase. Choose a health insurance plan that allows renewal at an older age without any major restrictions. This ensures that you can continue to enjoy the benefits of your policy well into your senior years, providing financial security during a time when health-related expenses tend to rise.
Claim settlement ratio
Research the insurer’s claim settlement ratio to gauge their reliability.
The claim settlement ratio is a key indicator of an insurer’s reliability. It represents the percentage of claims settled against the total number of claims received. A higher claim settlement ratio indicates that the insurer is more likely to honour claims. Research and choose an insurer with a consistently high claim settlement ratio to ensure a smoother claims process and timely reimbursement when you need it.
Policy exclusions
Understand the exclusions and limitations of your policy to avoid surprises during a claim.
Policies come with exclusions and limitations that specify what is not covered. It’s crucial to thoroughly understand these exclusions to avoid surprises during a claim. Common exclusions include cosmetic procedures, certain pre-existing conditions, and specific treatments. By being aware of these exclusions, you can plan accordingly and, if necessary, explore additional coverage options for excluded items.
Wrap Up
Through such in-depth discussion, Divya and Dua realised the importance of investing in both medical insurance and SIPs for a secure financial future. Dua shared a unique perspective, “Investing in our well-being is not just about money; it’s an investment in our peace of mind and a guarantee of a healthier tomorrow.”
Their discussion ended with a pact to research and choose the best health insurance plan and set up SIPs tailored to their financial goals. As they bid each other goodnight, they were filled with optimism, knowing that they had taken a step towards securing not only their financial health but their overall well-being.