Monsoons: the good, the bad and the ugly

We all rejoice when it rains because it is a welcome respite from the scorching heat of the summer. The rain showers feel like a good replacement. We have a very picturesque idea of the monsoons: sitting by the windows, munching on hot samosas and sipping on a hot brew as raindrops tapping on the windowsills. The reality, however, is far from fetching. Due to muddy roads and potholes, driving becomes a nightmarish experience and health takes a toll during monsoon.

Even though monsoon is slow and intermittent this year, the impact in terms of waterlogging and traffic jams is already palpable. The onset of monsoon also implies the advent of diseases and ailments like diarrhea, dengue, viral fever, typhoid fever, malaria, asthma, Hepatitis A, leptospirosis and chikungunya. Heavy rains also pose the risk of damage to your assets, including your vehicles and home, in addition to wreaking havoc on the roads. Everyone is more vulnerable to road accidents, from pedestrians to drivers and street hawkers. 

How can you save yourself from the troubles pertaining to your health and the adventures of driving on broken, water-logged roads? How can you make sure you are covered for these dangers and damages? How can you keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum amidst all the havoc?

Insurance covers for the rainy days
This is where certain insurance covers and riders like health insurance with  accidental death and disability riders can prove to be extremely useful. Let’s look at the must-have insurance covers to combat the unpleasant side of monsoon:

First of all, you need a comprehensive health insurance policy to protect yourself against a host of waterborne diseases and viral infections that covers pre- and post-hospitalization expenses. In monsoons, the roads in both urban and rural areas become a breeding ground for ailments like diarrhea, dengue, viral fever, typhoid fever, malaria, asthma, Hepatitis A, conjunctivitis, dysentery, leptospirosis and chikungunya. Healthcare access and affordability during monsoon can be hard with you having to shell out your hard-earned money on basic medical treatment. Your long durations of treatments and hospitalization can shake your broken bank balance and a massive hole in the wallet. Health insurance cover can be your financial raingear against the dangers of monsoon by mitigating the cost of medical care and providing benefits like cashless hospitalization.
Along with a raincoat, an umbrella and a pair of boots, add a robust health insurance policy to your rainy-day toolkit. 

Another key insurance element you should secure is personal accident insurance or an accidental rider. Keeping in mind the increased vulnerability to accidents due to issues like waterlogging and potholes on roads, low visibility, slippery surfaces, congested traffic, it is non-negotiable to insert a layer of financial protection. You can also opt for an accidental rider on your term insurance policy itself.  Skidding, caused by lack of friction on slippery road surfaces, is a dangerously common occurrence during periods of heavy showers. Roads are quite literally death traps. It has been reported time and again that accidents during monsoons lead to most fatalities and injuries . In this case, term insurance policy can cover the beneficiaries or the dependents untimely death. But the loss of income due to a disability or inability to work is not covered. With an accidental rider added to your term insurance, you can cover such losses as well. This will allow you to pay an additional amount along with your premium and secure coverage for an additional lump sum amount in case of accidental death, disability or dismemberment. 

No one wants to associate morbidity with monsoons, but in order to be prepared and equipped, you ought to have all the tools in your financial kit.

1 Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/sep/10/accidents-in-monsoon-claim-more-lives-in-kerala-1869842.html