A double-accident benefit pays an additional amount equal to the sum assured of the base policy in case of death of the policyholder due to an accident. It is provided by life insurance companies either as a rider or as an in-built feature. If a policyholder opts for it as a rider, he will have to pay an additional premium.

Life insurance: V Philip

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Brokers with national presence offer the best rates, but do shop around, online and off.

Explore all options before buying car insurance

It could be a short-term blip. Though, a consistently bad rating should worry you.

Don't panic at rating downgrade

Balwinder Singh took a loan from HDFC Bank to purchase a car. Due to a default in payment of some equated monthly instalments (EMIs), the bank engaged musclemen, who forcibly repossessed the vehicle and subsequently sold it.

Can banks use recovery agents?

Don't go overboard with expenses and avoid borrowing for funding purchases.

Festive cheer comes with a price tag

One keeps hearing about interest rates peaking. I want to lock my surplus funds in debt to make the most of the high rates. I am looking at a two-three year investment horizon.

Investing: Rishi Nathany

Customers might have to pay for existing ailments and forgo the no-claim bonus.

Porting polices? Not so easy

Reshuffling your portfolio? Check this recent I-T ruling on why and how such gains should be treated.

Cost of churning

Compounding advantage helps even those investing for a limited period.

Early birds end up richer  

Dena Bank on Saturday announced a 25-basis-point reduction for floating home loans and car loans schemes. The offer would be valid until December 31, the bank said on Saturday. On September 21, the bank had cut rates on new housing and car loans by 25 basis points and processing fee by 50 per cent.

Dena Bank cuts floating loan rates 

Insurers consider the initial waiting period, history, non-disclosure and policy renewal.

Things to check before making a claim

There are so many riders available on life covers.

Life Insurance: Deepak Sood

Investors who don't want to be bothered by asset allocation and rebalancing of portfolio as they grow older could look at schemes like the recently-launched Tata Mutual Fund's Retirement Savings Fund.

Only for long-term investors

Valuations are cheap, but there&rsquo;s no reason why one can&rsquo;t get them cheaper in these times.

Avoid the roller coaster

Some banks may agree to a particular interest rate during negotiation, but increase it at the time of sanction. The Reserve Bank of India does not bother to regulate such practices, but the national commission has given a landmark ruling that will help those in similar situations.

Banks can't arbitrate  

I have taken a home loan for buying my father's house. I am paying the interest on the loan regularly and claiming it under Section 24. My father passed away recently and the loan is now, in the natural course, due to my mother. Can I draw cheques in her favour and continue to claim the interest paid? If not, what should I do? Also, the income from gifts to the spouse is clubbed with the income of the donor.

Taxation: Homi Mistry

With insurers now listing old ailments as permanent exclusions, it may be better to stay with existing insurers; group insurance plans could also be looked at.

Pre-existing pains for new policyholders

Ajayan T, a resident of Bangalore, was shocked when he was asked to produce a tax-clearance certificate by a prospective buyer, when he was trying to sell his flat a year ago. The buyer, Ajayan recalls, was sure he would consider another property in case of any tax dues.

Clear your tax dues for seamless transfers

These should be considered for a year as interest rates may start coming down after that.

Don't get locked in fixed-rate loans for long tenures

Go for cash discounts if you can make lump sum payment.

Festive discount schemes are no free lunches

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) wants all pension products to do exactly what they are expected to do &mdash; provide pension to policyholders.

Irda wants annuity a must with all pension plans

Personal Finance: Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Personal Finance: Investing, Planning, Retirement, Loans, & Insurance | Business Standard

Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Page 890 - Personal Finance