“Papa, why do you keep talking about this PPF account? Isn’t it too old-fashioned?” asked Aarav, a young software engineer, while sipping his coffee.

His father, Mr. Sharma, smiled. “Son, sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Let me explain why a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account is like that simple, reliable friend who never lets you down.”

Safe and Steady – No Market Jitters

“Look at your mutual funds,” Papa continued. “One month they are up 10%, next month they fall 15%. But PPF? It gives guaranteed returns set by the government. Around 7% every year—steady, no matter what.”

Imagine you put ₹5,000 every month. Even if the stock market crashes, your PPF keeps growing peacefully in the background.

Aarav nodded. “That does sound comforting.”

Triple Tax Benefits – The Real Cherry on Top

Papa leaned forward. “PPF is not just about saving; it’s also about saving on taxes. Whatever you invest, up to ₹1.5 lakh a year, reduces your taxable income. And guess what—the interest and maturity amount are also tax-free.”

If you’re in the 30% tax bracket, investing ₹1.5 lakh in PPF saves you around ₹46,800 in taxes every year.

Aarav’s eyes widened. “That’s almost like the government is paying me to save!”

The Magic of Long-Term Compounding

Papa explained further. “The lock-in is 15 years. Sounds long, but that’s where compounding works its magic. Small amounts grow into something big.”

For example, investing ₹5,000 every month can grow into more than ₹16 lakh in 15 years, tax-free.

Aarav smiled. “That could even help with my kid’s education someday.”

Flexibility and Emergency Help

“Don’t worry about being forced to put huge amounts,” Papa reassured. “You can put in as little as ₹500 a year. And after 7 years, you can make partial withdrawals for emergencies.”

Imagine a sudden medical expense—you can dip into PPF instead of breaking an FD.

“Between the 3rd and 6th year, you can even take a loan against PPF at a very low interest rate,” Papa added.

Aarav thought for a moment. “So it’s like a piggy bank with extra features.”

& The Little Trick Most People Forget

Papa chuckled, “Now here’s a secret. To earn the maximum interest, always deposit between the 1st and 5th of the month. Interest in PPF is calculated on the lowest balance between the 5th and last day of each month. If you put money after the 5th, you lose interest for that month.”

Example: If Aarav puts ₹10,000 on 6th April, he earns interest from May. But if he deposits on 2nd April, he earns interest for April too. That one habit alone adds thousands more over the years!

Aarav laughed. “So timing matters in PPF just like timing matters in cricket shots!”

Untouchable Savings

“Another thing,” Papa said seriously. “No court or creditor can touch your PPF money. It’s your safe zone, no matter what financial storm comes your way.”

Closing Thought

Aarav finally admitted, “I used to think PPF was boring. But now I see it’s like the solid foundation of a house—quiet, strong, and dependable.”

Papa smiled. “Exactly, son. Flashy investments may come and go, but PPF is the steady friend that helps you build wealth safely, save taxes, and sleep peacefully.”

✨ Moral of the story: If you haven’t opened a PPF account yet, do it. And if you already have one, remember the golden rule—deposit before the 5th of the month to make every rupee count

A perfect portfolio should look like a balanced meal—different items that complement each other, not ten bowls of rice. 

We’ve all grown up hearing: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” It makes sense right—you spread risk, so if one basket drops, you don’t lose everything.

But here’s the catch: in the investing world, I have met many people who often go overboard with this idea. They spread their money across so many mutual funds, stcoks that instead of gaining safety, they end up with clutter and lower returns. Would you believe it, one investor who came for portfolio revision had bought 87 mutual funds in the name of diversification !

Now, let’s simplify this with some everyday stories.

1. The Chips Problem

Meet Ravi. He loves shopping for snacks. One weekend, he buys ten packets of chips—classic salted, masala, cream & onion, tangy tomato, you name it.

At home, his wife laughs:
“You think you’ve got variety, but at the end of the day, it’s still just chips!”

This is exactly what happens when investors collect 10 to 20 equity mutual funds. On the surface, they look different. But just a deeper look inside, you will find that many of them hold the same big companies—The Infosys, HDFCs, ICICIs Reliance, TCS etc. etc,

Result? 

You’ve just bought different flavors of chips—lots of the same thing, no real balance.

2. Wardrobe Woes

Now think about your wardrobe. Imagine you own 15 pairs of jeans. Sure, they’re slightly different shades—light blue, dark blue, faded—but they’re all still jeans.

When you actually need to attend a wedding or a formal dinner, you realize: jeans won’t work. You should have added trousers, a kurta, or a blazer.

In investing, this is what happens when you pile up too many “similar” funds. When markets get rough, all of them behave the same way—and you’re left exposed.

3. What Real Diversification Looks Like

Real diversification is about mixing things that complement each other, not repeating the same stuff.

Think of it like:

• A thali meal: Rice, dal, roti, sabzi, pickle, and a sweet. Each dish adds something unique. Ten bowls of rice won’t make a better meal.
• Exercise: Jogging every day builds stamina, but what about flexibility and strength? That’s where yoga and weights come in. A complete fitness plan mixes them all.
• Streaming apps: Having Netflix, Prime, and Hotstar gives you different shows. Having three Netflix subscriptions adds nothing.

Your investments work the same way. Smart diversification means mixing:

• Asset classes: Equity (for growth), debt (for stability), gold (for protection) FDs / RDS (for emergency corpus).
• Sectors: IT, healthcare, FMCG, energy, etc.—so one industry’s fall doesn’t sink everything.
• Styles: Growth funds chase fast-rising companies, value funds hunt for bargains. Both shine at different times.
• Fund houses: Relying on one AMC is like cheering for only one IPL team—when they lose form, your entire portfolio suffers.
• Geographies: India is just 5% of global markets. Adding international exposure is like adding new spices to your kitchen—it widens your options.

4. Match It to Your Appetite

Diversification also depends on your style as an investor.

• The Conservative Investor: – Think of someone who prefers home-cooked food every day. Simple, safe, predictable. For them, a couple of balanced funds or index funds are enough. Add a little debt for stability. That’s it.
• The Moderate Investor: – Like someone who enjoys trying new restaurants once in a while but still sticks mostly to home food. For them, a mix of equity funds (large and mid-cap), some debt, and a touch of international exposure works well.
• The Aggressive Investor: – The foodie who loves experimenting—street food one day, fine dining the next. They can take higher risks with mid-cap and small-cap funds, plus some international funds, while still keeping a base of large-cap or index funds for balance.

5. The Real Lesson

Diversification isn’t about collecting more funds. It’s about choosing the right mix.

Think of your portfolio like your kitchen.

• Stocking 20 brands of instant noodles doesn’t make you healthier.
• Stocking rice, dal, veggies, fruits, spices, and some treats does.

Too much of the same thing is “clutter.” The right mix is “balance.”

The Bottom Line

– Don’t mistake quantity for quality.
– Don’t collect funds like stamps.
– Build a portfolio that looks like a balanced thali, not a cupboard full of chips.

When your investments are thoughtfully diversified, they’ll not only protect you in bad times but also help you grow steadily in good times.

Remember – More is not better. Better is better.

Seema: Rohit, I’ve been reviewing my mutual funds and honestly, they’re not doing as well as I thought. Did I pick the wrong ones?

Rohit: Maybe, maybe not. Let me ask—how did you pick them?

Seema: I just looked at the funds with the highest 1-year and 3-year returns and picked those. Seemed like the obvious choice!

Rohit: That’s like buying a car just because it went the fastest last year — without checking how it performs on bad roads, what mileage it gives, or how safe it is.

Seema: (laughs) Fair point. So what should I look for?

Rohit: Instead of just looking at past returns, think long-term. Check how stable the fund is across different market conditions. Did it handle a bad year as gracefully as a good one?

Seema: But I thought returns tell everything…

Rohit: Not really. Imagine you’re choosing between two cooks. One makes amazing food but is super inconsistent. The other may not be flashy but always delivers a decent meal. Who would you trust for a family dinner?

Seema: The consistent one, of course.

Rohit: Exactly. Same goes for funds. Also, look at the fund’s risk. Some funds give high returns but take wild bets to get there. That’s like driving 140 km/hr on a city road — exciting, but not sustainable or safe.

Seema: Hmm. Makes sense. I’ve also seen some 5-star rated funds online. Should I just pick those?

Rohit: Star ratings are a helpful start — they filter out the really bad options. But you still have to do your homework. Think of it like online shopping. Just because a product has good reviews doesn’t mean it fits your size, budget, or need.

Seema: That’s true! I’ve returned a lot of those “bestsellers” myself. So what should I actually check in a fund?

Rohit: Look at things like:

How expensive the stocks in its portfolio are — like checking if you’re overpaying for groceries.

How often it changes its holdings — like constantly switching gym routines without giving any one plan time to work.

And whether it’s focused more on large, mid, or small companies — each behaves differently in different markets.

Seema: Got it. I think I was just chasing the biggest names.

Rohit: That’s common. But remember, “big” is usually temporary. Long-term wealth is built on patience and consistency.

Seema: So how often should I review my portfolio?

Rohit: Unless there’s a big change in your goals or life, once every 2-3 years is enough. Constantly switching funds is like changing your diet every week — you won’t see results.

Seema: You’re right. I’ve been treating fund selection like buying clothes on sale — just grabbing the best-looking deal.

Rohit: (laughs) Investing is more like planning your retirement wardrobe — you want quality, durability, and comfort. Not just what’s trending this season.

Seema: Rohit, you’ve officially changed how I think about mutual funds. Time to clean out the clutter and start fresh — wisely this time!

Rohit: That’s the spirit! And remember, the goal is not just to make money fast, but to keep it and grow it steadily.

The Lazy Investor’s Guide to Making Your Idle Cash Earn More – Daily!

Let’s be honest – we Indians love keeping a good chunk of money parked in our savings bank accounts.
Why?
Point #1 – “I need it for Emergency Bro!”
Point #2 – “If it’s in the bank there is peace of mind”
Point #3 – “Bro I just keep it like that, just in case… you know?”

Now, what if I told you there’s a smarter way to park this idle cash? What if your ₹10,000 could earn ₹1.35 to ₹1.50 every single day, without any extra risk?

That’s ₹500+ a year, with almost the same liquidity as a savings account. Sounds too good? Well, say hello to Overnight Funds.

Let’s break it down the fun way – through a quick, relatable chat between Jay and Nikunj.

Jay: Bro, have you ever looked into overnight funds?

Nikunj: Overnight fund? Sounds like a sleepover for money! What is it exactly?

Jay: Haha, not wrong! It is where your money sleeps overnight… but while it’s sleeping, it’s also working and earning!

Nikunj: Wait what? Tell me more.

Jay: So basically, these are debt mutual funds that invest in instruments maturing the next day — like literally overnight. Super low risk, super short-term, and still give better returns than your savings account.

Nikunj: But are they liquid? Like, can I take out the money anytime?

Jay: Absolutely. Most allow redemption in T+1 or even instantly in some cases. Perfect for parking emergency funds or cash you’re not using immediately.

Nikunj: Hmm… sounds better than letting my ₹50,000 sleep for free in the bank.

Jay: Exactly! Imagine it like a money hostel — your cash gets a bed, food, and even does a night shift for extra earnings.

Why Overnight Funds Make Sense:

Better than savings account returns (with similar liquidity)

Low risk – only invests in overnight debt instruments

No exit load, no lock-in period

Perfect for emergency funds, bonus money, or idle cash

The Crux of the matter : If you’re someone who believes in “let the money rest in my account”, maybe it’s time to make your money rest smarter — not just sleep, but sleep and earn!

Rita (worried investor): Ricky, did you see today’s headlines? Tensions between Iran and Israel, gold prices shooting up, crude oil becoming so expensive overnight. And then suddenly they say “ceasefire” and everything cools down. The market feels like a rollercoaster! Honestly, I feel like selling my investments and just keeping cash. What if things get worse tomorrow?

Ricky (financial planner): Rita, I understand your worry. But let me ask — is this the first time you’ve seen such news?

Rita: Well… no. I remember tariff wars, elections, oil price shocks, even Covid times. But each time it feels different, scarier.

Ricky: Exactly. Global events are like movie plot twists — they keep coming. Today it’s war news, tomorrow it’s elections, next month it’ll be interest rates. But here’s the thing: your financial life shouldn’t behave like a WhatsApp forward — reacting to every little piece of noise.

Rita (half-smiling): You’re right… but when I see petrol prices rising or my gold jeweller friend looking extra happy, I panic.

Ricky (laughing): That’s like deciding your entire diet based on what’s on sale at the grocery store today. Just because mangoes are expensive doesn’t mean you stop eating fruits altogether!

Rita: Hmm. Fair point. So what should I do? Just sit and watch?

Ricky: Not sit and watch — but plan and act smartly. Let me give you five simple rules.

1. Have a Goal, Not Just an Investment

Ricky: Tell me Rita, why did you buy mutual funds in the first place?

Rita: Umm… everyone was saying SIP is good, so I started.

Ricky: That’s like going on a road trip without deciding the destination. You don’t just drive because the road is smooth — you drive because you want to reach Shimla or Jaipur, right?

Your investments should have the same purpose. Maybe your daughter’s college in 10 years, or your retirement. That’s your “destination.”

2. Diversify Intelligently

Rita: But if markets fall, everything falls, na?

Ricky: Not really. Think of your portfolio like a thali. Rice, dal, sabzi, papad. If one item is a bit too salty, the others balance the taste. Similarly, when equity is down, gold or debt may balance things out. You’ll never love every item on the thali, but together it makes a satisfying meal.

3. Don’t Time the Market — Trust Time in the Market

Rita: But sometimes I feel like selling when the market is high and buying when it’s low.

Ricky (smiling): That’s like trying to predict whether the next raindrop will fall on your nose or your shoulder. Even experts can’t do it consistently.

Instead, just carry your umbrella (your long-term investments) and keep walking. Over 10–15 years, the rain and sunshine balance out.

4. Review, Don’t React

Rita: So when there’s war news or oil price spikes, I should do nothing?

Ricky: Not “nothing.” Review. Ask yourself — does this affect my child’s college fee goal? Does it affect your retirement? If not, stay the course.

If something changes in your life — like you got a new job, or your expenses doubled — then yes, we adjust. The Middle East doesn’t decide your retirement, but your decisions do.

5. Work With a Financial Planner

Rita: And that’s where you come in, right?

Ricky (laughing): Exactly. Think of me as your Google Maps. You’re driving the car, but I’ll reroute when there’s traffic, I’ll warn you when there’s a wrong turn. Headlines may shout “accident ahead!” but I’ll tell you whether you actually need a detour or just patience.

Rita (sighing in relief): So basically, don’t panic every time the world sneezes. Stick to the plan.

Ricky: Perfectly said. Global events are turbulence. But when you’re flying, do you ever see the pilot opening the door and saying, “Too much turbulence, I’m jumping off”? No! The pilot stays on course, follows the flight plan, and trusts the control tower.

You are the pilot of your money. And I’ll be your control tower. Together, we’ll ensure your journey is smooth — no matter how noisy the world gets.

Rita (smiling now): Thanks, Ricky. Guess I’ll finish my chai and delete those WhatsApp panic messages.

Ricky: Good idea. And maybe forward this instead: Patience pays, panic doesn’t.

Every morning, India wakes up to daily hustle.

From metro cities to small towns, from IT parks to factories, from office cubicles to kitchen counters—we work relentlessly. We put in extra hours, chase deadlines, skip vacations, and push ourselves for one core reason:

👉 To secure our family’s future.

But here’s what’s more puzzling.

When it comes to managing that hard-earned money, many of us suddenly take a back seat. We become indifferent. Casual. We blindly sign investment forms, trust agents without questions, and hope it all “somehow works out.”

Why this disconnect?

It’s not that we don’t care about our goals. But many of us have grown up with the mindset:

“My job is to earn. Investing? Naaaa…..Let the bank guy or agent handle it.”

This over-dependence on third parties—often incentivized to sell, not serve—has created a massive blind spot in the Indian earning class.

And it shows up in painful ways:

• Policies that don’t beat inflation
• Investments that don’t align with goals
• Savings that lie idle in FDs for years
• Tax-saving schemes bought at the last minute, with zero clarity on what they offer

The cost of this negligence?

Let me tell you about Rajiv (name intentionally changed here)

He earns ₹20 lakhs annually. Over 10 years, he’s diligently saved ₹3 lakhs a year in traditional life insurance policies and FDs.

But when his daughter turns 18 and he needs ₹25 lakhs for her college, he discovers his investments have barely grown—they’re worth ₹11 lakhs. No plan, no growth, just blind faith.

Now he’s staring at an education loan—and regret.

This is not rare. This is common.

So what’s the solution?

It’s financial awareness and ownership.
You don’t need to become a stock market expert. But you do need a basic financial plan. Here’s what it should cover:

Clear goals – Know why you’re investing?
Right insurance – Term life and health, not savings-linked traps
Emergency fund – 6–12 months of expenses
Smart investing – Mutual funds, SGBs, NPS, PPF—based on goals and timelines
Regular reviews – Because life changes

Most importantly: Stop outsourcing your financial life or find someone who really understands your financial needs and make it more easy for you

No one will care about your goals more than you do in the end. So be prudent.

Sales agents may smile and promise, but they don’t carry the burden of your child’s future or your retirement. You do.

My message to every hard-working Indian professional:

You work hard for your money.
Now let your money work smart for you.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Because your dreams deserve more than random investments.
They deserve a clear plan. A thoughtful strategy. And your involvement.

Let’s be more than just earners. Let’s become financially aware, goal-driven individuals who take charge of their money—just like we take charge of our careers.

Raj: Hey Vijay, I’m thinking of buying a life insurance policy with a limited premium payment option—pay for just 10 years and get coverage for 25 years. Seems like a win-win, right?

Vijay: It sounds good at first, Raj. But have you looked at the details? These limited premium plans often look attractive on paper, but there are some real downsides.

Raj: Really? Like what?

Vijay: First off, the annual premium is much higher because you’re paying for a long-term cover in a shorter period. It can become a heavy burden on your yearly budget.

Raj: Hmm. But at least I won’t have to worry about paying premiums after 10 years.

Vijay: True, but the returns you get from these traditional policies are very low—somewhere around 4 to 6% per annum. That’s barely beating inflation. You’re locking up a lot of money, and getting little in return.

Raj: I thought these plans give bonuses too?

Vijay: They do, but even with bonuses, the overall return doesn’t go much beyond 5–5.5%. Plus, the opportunity cost is huge. If you had invested the same amount elsewhere—like mutual funds or even PPF—you’d likely end up with a much larger corpus.

Raj: But at least my money is safe, right?

Vijay: That’s a common perception. But what if you need to exit early due to an emergency? The surrender value in the first few years is very low, and you could lose a significant chunk of your money.

Raj: Okay… that doesn’t sound great. So how do insurance companies benefit from this?

Vijay: Good question. They collect your premiums upfront, invest them in long-term instruments like government bonds earning 7–9%, and return only a small part to you. Plus, many policies lapse or are surrendered early—so they make money even if you don’t complete the term.

Raj: Wow, that’s stacked in their favor.

Vijay: Exactly. Let me give you a real example. A 35-year-old man buys a traditional limited premium policy with a Rs. 10 lakh life cover. He pays about Rs. 68,000 per year for 16 years, which is Rs. 10.96 lakh in total.

Raj: Okay.

Vijay: At maturity after 25 years, the insurer projects he’ll get around Rs. 24.5 lakh, assuming the best-case bonus rate. That’s an annual return of just around 5.3%. If bonuses are lower, he may get only Rs. 18.5 lakh—an IRR of just 3.4%.

Raj: That’s less than what a decent FD gives!

Vijay: Exactly! And if he were to pass away in the 10th year, the nominee would receive Rs. 10 lakh plus accrued bonuses—maybe around Rs. 13 lakh total. But by then, he’d have already paid about Rs. 6.8 lakh in premiums.

Raj: Hmm. So what would you suggest instead?

Vijay: Simple. Buy a term insurance plan for Rs. 1 crore. It’ll cost you around Rs. 8,000 per year. Then invest the remaining Rs. 60,000 every year in mutual funds. Over 16 years, that investment could grow to Rs. 41 lakh or more at 10% CAGR by the time 25 years are up.

Raj: That’s a huge difference. And I get 10 times the life cover too!

Vijay: Exactly. That’s the power of separating insurance and investment. Insurance is meant for protection. Investment is meant for growth. Combining both usually benefits the insurer, not you.

Raj: Thanks, Vijay. You just saved me from making a costly mistake.

Vijay: Anytime, Raj. Just remember: If it sounds too convenient, it’s probably more convenient for the insurer than for you.

This blog talks about how your “psychology” can play a major role with the way you make your investment decisions. This can even lead you to make wrong choices impacting your returns.

Riya:Sujit, I’ve been investing for a few years now, but honestly, sometimes I feel like my emotions mess things up. Is that normal?

Sujit:Completely normal, Riya! In fact, most investors struggle with psychological biases. Our brains are wired in ways that can sabotage our investment decisions.

Riya:Really? Like how?

Sujit:Let’s start with Loss Aversion. Imagine you find ₹500 on the road—feels great, right?

Riya:Absolutely! Instant joy.

Sujit:Now imagine you lose ₹500 from your wallet. That hurts more, doesn’t it?

Riya:Way more!

Sujit:Exactly. We fear losses more than we enjoy equivalent gains. So when markets dip, many investors panic-sell—even if it’s temporary. That’s loss aversion.

Riya:Oh! I think I did that in 2020 during the market crash.

Sujit:You’re not alone. Now, here’s Recency Bias. Let’s say you ordered food from a new place last night and it was bad. You might avoid that place forever—even if it’s usually great.

Riya:Haha, yes! I totally hold grudges like that with restaurants.

Sujit:Investors do the same with stocks. If the market just crashed, they assume it’ll keep falling. If it recently surged, they think it’ll never fall. Both are dangerous assumptions.

Riya:That explains why people buy high and sell low!

Sujit:Right. Then there’s Overconfidence. Ever played fantasy cricket?

Riya:Of course!

Sujit:When you win once, do you feel like you’ve cracked the code?

Riya:Totally. I start thinking I’m the next expert selector.

Sujit:That’s overconfidence. In investing, people think they can time the market or pick the best stocks consistently. But it rarely works long-term.

Riya:Guilty as charged…

Sujit:Next up: Herd Mentality. Remember when everyone was buying fidget spinners or that dalgona coffee craze?

Riya:Yes! I joined in just because it was everywhere.

Sujit:That’s what happens with IPOs or trending stocks. People buy because everyone else is buying—not because it makes financial sense.

Riya:Hmm… I bought into an NFO recently just because everyone in my WhatsApp group was investing.

Sujit:There you go! Then there’s Anchoring. Say you saw a dress priced at ₹5,000, then later it’s ₹3,500. You feel it’s a good deal, right?

Riya:Yes, because my mind is stuck on the original ₹5,000 price.

Sujit:Exactly. Investors do the same. They anchor to a stock’s previous high and keep holding it hoping it’ll bounce back, even when fundamentals have changed.

Riya:Oh, that’s why I kept holding that penny stock I bought in 2021. I wanted to “at least recover my cost.”

Sujit:That’s Disposition Effect too—selling winners too early to feel good and holding losers too long hoping they bounce back.

Riya:I do that too! Selling after a small gain and then regretting it when it keeps going up.

Sujit:You’re not alone, Riya. Then there’s Confirmation Bias—you know when you Google “Why is XYZ stock great” instead of looking at both pros and cons?

Riya:Haha yes! I do that all the time. I only read articles that support my views.

Sujit:That can be dangerous. We tend to ignore red flags. Lastly, there’s the Endowment Effect. Ever tried selling old clothes online?

Riya:Yes, and I always feel they deserve a higher price than buyers are willing to pay.

Sujit:Same with investments. We overvalue stocks just because we own them.

Riya:Wow, I didn’t realize how much psychology played a role!

Sujit:That’s why I always tell clients:

• Stick to a long-term plan
• Diversify your portfolio
• Review it regularly, and
• Don’t let emotions drive decisions

Riya:That makes so much sense. I’m glad we had this chat.

Sujit:Always happy to help. Remember, the market is not just about numbers—it’s also a mirror reflecting human behavior.

Naveen: Hey Ramesh, I just realized my car insurance expired last week. I’ve been juggling office deadlines and totally forgot!

Ramesh: Oh ho, Naveen! That’s like forgetting your anniversary—harmless at first, but can explode anytime! And trust me, if your car gets even a scratch now, you’ll be footing the whole bill.

Naveen: Haha, fair point! But I haven’t taken the car out. Can I still renew it online?

Ramesh: Yes it’s quite possible insurance companies usually offer a grace period for car insurance renewal, though it’s not mandated by the IRDAI. The grace period typically ranges from 30 to 90 days, but the exact duration is determined by the individual insurer. It’s like the grace period after missing a train—you can still catch the next one.

Naveen: Phew! What about my No Claim Bonus? I was banking on that 20% discount!

Ramesh: Ah, the NCB is like a loyalty reward card at your favorite tea point —valid only if you keep visiting. You have 90 days from the expiry date. After that, poof! The discount’s gone.

Naveen: Duly noted! Also, I might sell my car next month. Should I just leave the insurance as is for the buyer?

Ramesh: Big no-no! Selling a car without transferring the insurance is like handing over your house keys but keeping the nameplate. For the first 14 days, only third-party cover continues. The buyer won’t be covered for own damage unless they get it transferred.

Naveen: Interesting! So my NCB goes with me, right?

Ramesh: Exactly! Think of it like frequent flyer miles. You earned them, not the car! You can use it for your next car’s policy, but the new owner can’t.

Naveen: Makes sense. When I renew, should I go with the same insurer or explore others?

Ramesh: Depends. If your current insurer treats you well—good claim support, decent premium—stick with them. If not, it’s like a bad gym membership. Dump it! Other insurers may offer better rates, even loyalty or switcher discounts.

Naveen: Hmm… anything else I should watch out for?

Ramesh: Definitely. Don’t blindly accept the Insured Declared Value (IDV) they give—check if it reflects your car’s actual worth. And consider add-ons like zero depreciation or engine protection. Think of them like seatbelts—you don’t need them until you do.

Naveen: Engine protection? Really?

Ramesh: Absolutely! Monsoon in India is like a wildcard IPL match—anything can happen. One flooded street, and your engine’s gone. The add-on saves you from a massive bill.

Naveen: This is gold, Ramesh! I never thought insurance could be this interesting.

Ramesh: Bro, insurance is like a helmet. You won’t feel the need… until you crash. Always better to be 5 minutes early than 5 lakhs sorry!

Naveen: Haha, true that! Let’s renew this thing ASAP.

Ramesh: Done. Sending you options now. And this time, let’s set a reminder on your mobile phone, like you do for cricket matches!