Himali Patel

Draft digital fraud compensation norm: Payout one-time, vigilance still key

Under the draft, an eligible victim will receive 85 per cent of the net loss amount, or ₹25,000, whichever is lower

Tackling West Asia conflict's impact on investments, household budget

Avoid panic selling, keep SIPs going: Past wars caused transitory selloffs

Home insurance policy: Know coverage nuances to avoid claim surprises

Some risks are covered, others require purchase of add-ons, and yet others are completely excluded

Home insurance: Burden of proving exclusion in a claim lies on insurer

If an insurer wants to deny a claim based on an exclusion, it must provide clear evidence that the incident falls under that exclusion

War disruption: When airlines, hotels must refund cancelled bookings

If airlines cancel flights due to war or airspace closure, passengers can seek full refunds. But if travellers cancel voluntarily, contractual rules apply and insurance may not cover war

Forex card breach: Prompt reporting can secure full refund if no negligence

When not travelling, lock the forex card, keep only a small balance, and switch on alerts

Use current valuations to enter small-cap stocks with robust fundamentals

Enter only those stocks that have consistently strong financials, adequate liquidity, and no signs of corporate governance risk

Corporate bond funds: Overlook recent outflows, invest with 3-5-yr horizon

The outflows were due to liquidity tightness and consequent rise in yields, not due to a deterioration in the category's risk-return profile

EV insurance: Avoid non-OEM chargers to prevent battery-cover exclusions

Older EVs, typically five years and above, may not be eligible for some add-ons, and may face higher premiums

All you need to know about RBI's new draft norms to curb misselling

Customers must stay vigilant and avoid falling prey as mis-selling is not easy to prove

Financial conflicts among couples: Balance joint and solo accounts

Regular money talks, setting up joint goals, and regular reviews can help couples stay aligned

Quality funds: Long-term investors seeking sustainable gains may invest

These funds carry valuation risk and can lag during speculative phases of bull markets

Debt funds outlook post Budget: Focus bulk of portfolio on 2-4-yr maturity

They offer the sweet spot of reasonably attractive yields without excessive interest-rate risk

Buyback taxed as capital gains, not dividends, to benefit high earners

Finance Bill 2026 shifts share buyback proceeds to capital gains tax from April 2026, easing the burden for many investors, while tightening tax rules for SGB buyers

Budget 2026: TCS cuts on LRS, tour packages to ease upfront cash outgo

Budget 2026 lowers TCS on foreign education, medical remittances and overseas tours, easing cash flow for families and simplifying compliance for NRI property deals

Silver rally: Unwinding of premiums, profit-taking could trigger correction

New investors should enter gradually, invest with a 5-10 year horizon, and cap exposure at 5-7 per cent of the portfolio

Zero-coupon bonds: For investors targeting specific, long-term goals

These bonds could prove risky for investors who might need to exit early

Invest in NPS Vatsalya if you have a long horizon and can forgo liquidity

The scheme may not suit investors who want liquidity, are targeting short- to medium-term goals, or are uncomfortable with equity volatility

Child insurance plans suit risk-averse parents seeking assured goals

Those prioritising higher returns and greater flexibility may prefer term cover with mutual fund investments

AI-based financial scams: Set a family code word for emergency requests

Pause and verify the caller's identity independently before transferring funds