HDFC ERGO kicks off a road safety campaign to promote accountable driving and safer roads.This rewritten version maintains the same message and tone as the original, but uses slightly different wording and phrasing to convey the same idea.
HDFC ERGO General Insurance, a leading non-life insurance company in India, has launched an initiative called GalatRaastePeMatJao to raise awareness about the risks associated with unsafe driving practices and promote responsible road usage. The company has observed a significant number of road accidents and injuries caused by factors such as over speeding, mobile phone usage, and reckless driving.
The initiative aims to create awareness and urge individuals to avoid unsafe practices like using mobile phones while driving, over-speeding, and other risky behaviors. To spread the message, the company is distributing car danglers with important road safety messages across select cashless garages across the country, serving as a reminder to vehicle owners to follow safety measures while driving.
According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety by WHO, road traffic crash numbers continue to rise in India, with young people aged 18-45 accounting for 65% of total accident deaths in 2022. The use of mobile phones accounted for over 2% of death, while drunken driving accounted for over 2.5% in 2018.
HDFC ERGO has launched various campaigns to promote road safety, including TakeItEasyonRoads (2015), Do Not Disturb (2018), EyesOnTheRoad (2019), High Beam – not OK Please (2020), KyaYehChaltaHai (2020), RoadSafetyKiZimmedariHamari (2021), and SadakSurakshaJeevanSuraksha (2022). The company has also collaborated with NGOs for urban trials and intersection redesigns to transform high-fatality stretches into zero-fatality corridors.
Through these initiatives, HDFC ERGO has benefitted over 2.6 lakh lives in FY24, demonstrating its commitment to fuel road safety in the country. The company’s GalatRaastePeMatJao campaign is a significant step towards promoting responsible road behavior and reducing the alarming number of road accidents and injuries in India.
HDFC Ergo Launches Groundbreaking Cashless Post-Hospitalisation Claims in Kolkata
HDFC Ergo, a leading non-life insurer, is planning to introduce a cashless claims facility for post-hospitalisation treatment. This would make it one of the first non-life insurers to offer this service. While public sector non-life insurers have not introduced this facility, private non-life insurers have only offered reimbursement of post-hospitalisation claims. HDFC Ergo’s move is expected to benefit customers who can now receive cashless settlement for their claims.
The company has already launched an app, “HERE”, for better customer interface and has seen significant adoption, with 70 lakh downloads and 4 lakh users. The cashless facility is expected to be launched by the third week of December. The company has assured that there will be no extra load on customers for this facility.
HDFC Ergo has a strong presence in the region with 7,800+ advisers, 10 branches, and 430+ employees. The company has been focusing on increasing health insurance penetration in the region and has paid out significant claims in West Bengal and Kolkata. In the current fiscal year, it has settled 56,761 claims worth Rs 118 crore in West Bengal, including 14,345 claims worth Rs 86 crore in Kolkata. The company has also collected significant premiums from retail health policies in the state and nationally.
Overall, HDFC Ergo’s move is expected to provide greater convenience to its customers and increase the adoption of health insurance in the region. The company’s strong presence and commitment to customer service have been demonstrated by its existing claims payment record and customer interface through its app.
Score an Apple Watch for free by signing up for HDFC Ergo’s exclusive plan.
HDFC Ergo, a leading insurance provider, has partnered with Zopper, an insurance distribution platform, to launch the “India Gets Moving” program, an innovative initiative that promotes fitness, technology, and rewards. The program challenges participants to achieve a daily goal of 15,000 steps for an entire year, with a compelling reward: a free Apple Watch. To qualify, customers must purchase an Apple Watch, register for the Zopper Wellness Program, and sync their data with the HDFC Ergo app. The program aims to motivate healthier lifestyles by integrating technology, fitness, and rewards.
Here’s how to get an Apple Watch for ‘free’ with HDFC Ergo’s program:
1. Purchase an Apple Watch from an Apple Premium Reseller in India.
2. Register for the Zapper Wellness Program, which is free of charge.
3. Sync your Apple Health Kit data with the HDFC Ergo app.
4. Start tracking your daily steps and earn points based on your daily step count.
The program rewards customers with points based on their daily step count, with a maximum of 4 points per day. To qualify for a full refund of their Apple Watch, customers must accumulate 110 points (equivalent to 15,000 steps) each month. Partial refunds are available for fewer steps, calculated on a pro-rata basis.
The program is a great way to promote a healthier lifestyle, and HDFC Ergo’s partnership with Zopper has created an innovative and engaging way to encourage customers to adopt a more active daily routine. By achieving the daily goal of 15,000 steps, customers can get their Apple Watch for free, making it an attractive offer for those interested in fitness and technology.
HDFC Ergo’s Apple Watch promotion is marred by allegations that step-count data has been tampered with, leaving participants uncertain about their eligibility for cashback rewards.
HDFC Ergo, an Indian insurer, launched a campaign called “India Gets Moving” in association with Zopper and Apple to promote healthy habits among customers who purchased an Apple Watch. Customers were required to sync their Apple Watch’s health data with HDFC Ergo’s mobile app and earn wellness points based on their daily step count. These points could be redeemed for cash every month.
However, customers who participated in the initiative experienced a backlash after HDFC Ergo started rejecting claims, stating that the step-count data was manipulated. Many customers who had genuinely achieved their step-count targets faced claim rejections initially.
After a significant backlash on social media, HDFC Ergo started making payments based on their step-counts. The insurer claimed that they had rejected claims of only those who allegedly manipulated their step-count data. Nevertheless, many people who genuinely achieved their step-count targets faced initial claim rejections.
Some customers, like Nikhil Dhawan, received surprise rejection emails despite genuinely completing their step-count challenges. However, after the issue gained widespread attention, HDFC Ergo eventually approved his claim and reinstated his policy. Similarly, many other customers also received approvals and payments after their initial rejections.
HDFC Ergo claimed that in a few instances, they discovered unusual and suspicious data, leading to the termination of policies of certain participants who allegedly manipulated their step-count data. The insurer emphasized that it is committed to honouring its commitments and continues to encourage customers to adopt healthy lifestyles.
As the controversy continues, customers like Vinayak Chougule remain unsure about the future of the initiative, fearing that refunds may not be processed for the remaining 11 months. While HDFC Ergo has settled some claims, the company has not provided detailed information on the number of participants, claims settled, or how many policies were terminated. The incident highlights the importance of transparent communication and clarifying terms and conditions to prevent misunderstandings between customers and service providers.
Which Indian insurance companies have the lowest claim rejection rates, according to a report by the brokers association?
The Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) has released a report revealing that the claim-to-settlement ratio for general insurance in 2022-23 was 86%, down from 87% in the previous year. The report highlights that not all claims are honored, with a claim-repudiation ratio of 6% for general insurance, which includes motor, health, fire, and marine cargo. Public sector insurer New India Assurance has the lowest claims repudiation ratio of 0.2%, while private insurers HDFC Ergo, Future Generali, Aditya Birla Health, and Shriram also have lower rejection rates.
The report breaks down the general insurers into four categories, including public sector, large private sector, other private sector, and standalone health insurers. New India Assurance is also the top performer in the health insurance category, with a claim-settlement ratio of 95%. However, experts note that the data for individual health insurance policies is not available separately, making it difficult for policyholders to make informed decisions.
The report also highlights the issue of incomplete or false disclosure at the time of policy purchase, which can lead to claim rejection. Additionally, the article discusses the low insurance penetration in India, with a coverage ratio of 30% compared to over 90% in developed countries like the US. The high 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on insurance premiums is also criticized, leading to people settling for smaller covers due to high premiums.
Experts suggest that the insurance industry needs several reforms, including reduced tax and segregated data on claim-settlement ratios for individual and group policies, to promote growth and provide better coverage for people. The report’s findings provide a benchmark for policyholders to make informed choices when selecting insurers and purchasing policies.
HDFC Ergo rolls out a cost-effective ‘Optima Lite’ variant of its flagship health insurance plan.
HDFC Ergo General Insurance has launched Optima Lite, a more affordable version of its popular health insurance plan with a base sum insured of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7.5 lakh. The new plan is designed to offer affordable health coverage to Indian citizens and includes benefits such as organ donor expenses, home hospitalization, and unlimited restorations of the base sum insured. Optima Lite is a variant of HDFC Ergo’s flagship my:Optima Secure health insurance plan, which is one of India’s most preferred health insurance plans.
In addition to Optima Lite, HDFC Ergo has introduced three new add-ons to complement its existing health insurance plans. These add-ons include Limitless, which offers an unlimited sum insured for a specified number of claims during the policy’s lifetime; ABCD Chronic Care, which provides coverage for chronic conditions like asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes after a 30-day waiting period; and Parenthood, which covers maternity, IVF, and embryo freezing. These add-ons will be available to customers across India starting February 2025.
The company has also launched a Post-Hospitalization Cashless Claims feature across all its health insurance plans, which will allow customers to receive cashless delivery of prescribed medications after hospitalization. This feature aims to improve convenience for customers during recovery.
The key benefits of Optima Lite include unlimited restoration of the sum insured, up to 100% increase in sum insured over time with a 10% bonus each year, pre-and post-hospitalization coverage, daily cash for shared room expenses, preventive health check-ups, and e-opinion for critical illnesses. Premiums can be optimized by up to a 40% discount with aggregate deductible options starting from Rs 10,000.
HDFC Ergo, a subsidiary of HDFC Bank, is one of India’s leading private-sector general insurers, offering a wide range of general insurance products, including health, motor, home, agriculture, travel, and more. The company boasts one of the best claims payout ratios in the industry, with a 95% claims payout ratio in FY24.
Among the top insurance companies in India, Aditya Birla, New India, HDFC ERGO, and Bajaj, Star, and Shriram standout with an impressive 90% claims settlement rate, making them a reliable choice for policyholders seeking quick and efficient claim processing.
The Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) has released data on the performance of insurance companies in India for the financial years 2023-24 and 2022-23. The data shows that four companies – Aditya Birla Health, HDFC Ergo, and New India Assurance from the public sector and private sector – have cleared more than 90% of claims sought by beneficiaries. Aditya Birla Health and HDFC Ergo, private sector companies, have achieved a clearance rate of 91.88% and 92.1%, respectively, while New India Assurance, a public sector company, has achieved a clearance rate of 93.13%.
On the other hand, three large private insurers – Bajaj Allianz, Star Health, and Shriram – have shown poor performance in terms of claim settlement, with clearance rates of 73.38%, 74%, and 70%, respectively. Shriram’s claim settlement rate has improved slightly from 69.16% in 2022, but it still lags behind other market leaders.
The data shows that Aditya Birla received over 8.5 lakh claims in 2023 and settled 91.88% of them, while HDFC ERGO handled 52 lakh claims and settled 94.32% of them. New India Assurance processed over 1.5 crore claims and settled 93.13% of them.
The report highlights the performance of insurance companies in India in terms of claim settlement, providing valuable insights for policyholders and insurance brokerages.
India’s insurance industry has achieved a milestone, with the lowest-ever rate of claim rejections recorded in the nation.
The Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) has released a handbook that compares the claims repudiation ratios of various Indian insurers. The data is for the fiscal year 2023, the latest available. The claims repudiation ratio is the percentage of claims rejected out of the total number of claims closed by an insurer. A lower ratio is better for customers.
According to the handbook, New India Assurance has the lowest overall claims repudiation ratio of 0.2%, making it the best among all Indian insurers. Its health insurance and motor own-damage insurance claims repudiation ratios are also the lowest at 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Other insurers with low overall claims repudiation ratios include HDFC Ergo, Aditya Birla Health, and Future Generali.
The handbook also highlights some insurers with higher claims repudiation ratios in specific segments. In the health insurance sector, Chola MS, Tata AIG, and Star Health have raised concerns with rejection rates of 15.3%, 19.1%, and 18.5%, respectively. In the motor own-damage segment, Chola MS, Magma HDI, and Navi General have higher rejection rates of 9.3%, 10.9%, and 15.8%, respectively.
Interestingly, New India Assurance, the only listed public sector insurer, outperforms other public sector insurers in terms of claims repudiation ratio. National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India have overall claims repudiation ratios of 8.3%, 9.9%, and 5.4%, respectively. Similarly, in the health insurance and motor own-damage segments, these public sector insurers have higher rejection rates.
Overall, the IBAI handbook provides valuable insights into the performance of various Indian insurance companies in terms of claims repudiation ratio. It enables customers to make informed decisions when selecting an insurance provider.
Win a sleek Apple Watch by forwarding your moves in the ‘India Gets Moving’ programme, an exclusive contest by HDFC Ergo and Zopper!
HDFC Ergo, a leading general insurance company, has partnered with Zopper, a health and wellness app, to launch the “India Gets Moving” program. This initiative aims to encourage customers to adopt a healthy lifestyle and use the Apple Watch to track their progress. Participants can get a free Apple Watch by signing up for the Zopper Wellness Program and walking at least 15,000 steps per day for a year. The program is available at Apple Premium Resellers and select offline stores in India.
To participate, customers must purchase an Apple Watch and sign up for the Zopper Wellness Program at the time of purchase. They will need to download the HDFC Ergo app and sync their Apple Health Kit data to track their daily step count and earn reward points. The program is available on two Apple Watch models: Series 10 and Ultra.
In addition to the free Apple Watch, participants will receive other benefits, including personal accident cover of Rs. 1 lakh, access to health and wellness webinars, a free session with experts on personal mental health coaching, and a complimentary one-time lifestyle and health score check. The program aims to promote healthy habits and provide users with a range of benefits that go beyond the free Apple Watch. By combining technology and insurance, HDFC Ergo and Zopper are encouraging people to take control of their health and well-being.
Get the Apple Watch for FREE with HDFC Ergo’s exclusive plan – Check it out now!
HDFC is offering a unique deal on Apple Watch, allowing customers to buy it for free. The offer is part of the “India Gets Moving” initiative, a collaboration between HDFC and Zopper. To participate, customers need to enroll in the Zopper Wellness Program, which challenges them to walk 15,000 steps daily for an entire year. If they complete the target, they will be eligible to buy an Apple Watch for free.
The program also offers additional benefits, including a complimentary one-year “Zopper Wellness Program” subscription, a personal accident cover of Rs 1 lakh by HDFC ERGO, and personalized lifestyle and health scores. Participants will also receive wellness rewards of up to 100% of the sum insured (Apple Watch invoice value) and access to webinars on health tips.
To enroll, customers need to follow these steps:
1. Voluntarily enroll in the “Zopper Wellness Program” at the point of purchase of the Apple Watch.
2. Become an active member of HDFC ERGO’s insurance program.
3. Enter their details in the Zopper Retailer Portal.
4. Receive an SMS and email with a link to the terms and conditions and a one-time password.
5. Provide the OTP to the store staff and enter it in the portal.
6. Receive an SMS/Email with a link to download the HDFC ERGO app.
7. Login to the app with their mobile number.
8. Provide permission to sync their step data from Apple Health Kit to the HDFC ERGO app to be eligible for Wellness Rewards.
This offer is a unique opportunity for customers to get an Apple Watch for free while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.
HDFC ERGO kicks off #GalatRaastePeMatJao, a road safety awareness campaign, to mark National Road Safety Week
HDFC ERGO General Insurance has launched a new campaign called #GalatRaastePeMatJao to raise awareness about unsafe driving practices and promote responsible road usage. The campaign, which is being launched during National Road Safety Week, aims to educate drivers about the risks associated with reckless behaviors like speeding, mobile phone usage, and distracted driving. The initiative is a response to the growing concern over road safety in India, where over 4.60 lakh road accidents resulted in 4.40 lakh injuries in 2022 alone.
As part of the campaign, HDFC ERGO is distributing car danglers at select networked cashless garages across India, which carry key road safety messages and serve as reminders for vehicle owners to follow safety measures while driving. The company has also launched a series of targeted initiatives in the past to address various aspects of unsafe driving, including the misuse of high beams and casual attitude towards traffic rules.
According to Parthanil Ghosh, Director and Chief Business Officer at HDFC ERGO, road crashes lead to emotional and financial turmoil for families and have a significant impact on the Indian GDP. He emphasized the need to raise awareness about the profound impact of unsafe driving habits and foster a culture of responsible road behavior.
The company has also partnered with NGOs for urban trials and intersection redesigns to transform high-risk areas into zero-fatality zones, which have already impacted over 2.6 lakh lives in FY24. With the new campaign, HDFC ERGO aims to reach a wide audience, urging drivers to rethink their unsafe actions behind the wheel and adopt safer driving habits. By promoting road safety, the company hopes to contribute to building a healthier and safer India.