logo
Universal Sompo Extends Insurance Coverage to Pets

Universal Sompo Extends Insurance Coverage to Pets

Universal Sompo experiences a high demand for Pet Assure, a comprehensive and customisable pet insurance product tailored to meet the evolving needs of India's growing community of pet parents.
Universal Sompo Launches Personalized Pet Insurance
Urban India is witnessing a dramatic shift in pet ownership trends, driven largely by Millennials and Gen Z. Now pets are no longer just companions but cherished as family members. This cultural transformation has fuelled rising demand for structured, preventive, and tech-enabled pet care solutions, particularly in Tier 1 cities, and increasingly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions.
Pet Assure has been designed to support this growing responsibility by offering extensive coverage for pet dogs and cats aged between 3 months and 10 years. The policy includes protection for routine outpatient consultations, diagnostics, surgeries, critical illnesses, accidental injuries, and third-party liabilities. Optional benefits further extend to coverage for terminal diseases, pregnancy-related complications, dental care, post-treatment recovery, theft or loss, emergency pet minding, and even cremation expenses.
Customers can choose from flexible sum insured options ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2,00,000, with policy tenures of one to three years. Premiums start at an affordable Rs. 1499 per annum, making pet insurance accessible to a broad range of pet parents across the country.
'Pets today are cherished family members and deserve the same level of healthcare and financial protection. With Pet Assure, we've built one of the most inclusive and customisable pet insurance offerings in the market,' said the Pet Parents Fraternity at Universal Sompo. 'This is a step toward not only meeting a growing market demand but also fulfilling our commitment to holistic customer well-being.'
Real-life testimonials already speak to its value. Mr. Jagrit Joshi, a pet parent working as a Digital Activations Lead, shared, 'As veterinary costs and pet ownership in Indian cities surge, pet insurance is transitioning from luxury to a necessity. My pet dog, Coco, was unwell and advised diagnostic tests. Ultrasound findings revealed crystal formation and a cyst in the prostate, for which he underwent surgery. The Pet Parent Fraternity at Universal Sompo stood in strong support throughout and ensured timely settlement of all claims expenses.'
As pet tele-health services gain popularity and veterinary care grows more advanced, Universal Sompo's commitment and pet insurance offering is a timely and responsible initiative. More than just a financial safeguard, Pet Assure is a step toward redefining pet care in India, ensuring pet parents have peace of mind and their furry family members receive the care they deserve.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

No home loan deductions in new tax regime: Why prepayment makes sense & how it can help you save on interest outgo
No home loan deductions in new tax regime: Why prepayment makes sense & how it can help you save on interest outgo

Time of India

time38 minutes ago

  • Time of India

No home loan deductions in new tax regime: Why prepayment makes sense & how it can help you save on interest outgo

Home loan tax benefits : With key tax incentives not available under the new income tax regime, many loan borrowers are reassessing home loan repayment strategies. Many borrowers are now favouring early prepayments to cut interest outgo and loan tenure. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The old tax regime allows borrowers to claim deductions of Rs 2 lakh on interest under Section 24(b) and Rs 1.5 lakh on principal under Section 80C. The new income tax regime doesn't have these benefits, reducing the incentive to maintain long-term loans. 'While earlier tax deductions justified holding on to loans, the new tax structure weakens that logic as the cost has gone up,' said Amar Ranu, Head–Investment Product & Insights at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers, according to an ET report. Benefits of prepaying home loans Prepaying a home loan, especially in the early years, significantly reduces interest payments because EMIs are front-loaded—meaning most of the initial outgo covers interest. For instance, on a Rs 50 lakh loan at 8.5% for 20 years, borrowers would pay over Rs 48 lakh in interest. A Rs 5 lakh prepayment in the third year could shorten the tenure by 3–4 years and save up to Rs 12 lakh in interest, according to the ET analysis. When lump sum prepayments are not feasible, increasing EMIs gradually as income rises is an effective alternative. A 10% annual EMI increase can cut the loan term to under 10 years, while a 5% rise can bring it down to 12–13 years. Annual Increase in EMI Interest Saved (Rs lakh) EMIs Saved 5% 16.1 80 10% 22.2 109 15% 25.6 125 20% 27.9 136 Source: ET report A dual strategy of periodic prepayments and stepped-up EMIs yields maximum savings. This disciplined approach doesn't necessarily demand big sacrifices. Redirecting bonuses, maturing fixed deposits, life insurance proceeds, or funds from low-yield assets can help build a prepayment pool. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Prepaying 5% of the loan every year is a sensible and manageable target,' said Ranu. While early repayment yields the most savings, it becomes less effective in later stages of the loan. Borrowers in the final years may be better off continuing with the loan—particularly if the interest rate is low or they have access to investments offering higher returns. 'Prepaying your loan is like saving money at the same rate as your loan interest. So, if your home loan rate is 8.5%, every rupee you prepay helps you avoid paying 8.5% interest on it, which is as good as getting a risk-free return of 8.5%,' said Vipul Patel, Founder of in the ET report. Experts also advise checking for hidden charges before prepaying, maintaining adequate emergency funds, and ensuring liquidity before committing excess cash to loan repayment. While markets may offer higher returns, prepayment guarantees fixed savings and peace of mind.

IPO watch: Which Indian startups are next to hit the stock market?
IPO watch: Which Indian startups are next to hit the stock market?

Economic Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

IPO watch: Which Indian startups are next to hit the stock market?

The last few months have seen a surge in startups and new-age internet firms preparing for initial public offerings (IPOs), with some already filing their draft papers and others nearing completion of the process. Wakefit, a mattress and furniture maker, and Pine Labs, a merchant payments company, are the latest in the series of firms to file their IPO papers. The companies poised to enter the stock market belong to a wide range of sectors, from fintech to consumer goods and logistics. Here's a list of the companies in the run and their IPO plans: Companies that have filed IPO papers Wakefit: The company filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), aiming to raise Rs 468 crore through a fresh issue. The funds will be used to open 118 new retail outlets and upgrade existing ones. The IPO also includes an offer-for-sale (OFS) component. Groww: This online investment platform has filed its DRHP confidentially. The IPO is estimated to be worth $700 million to $1 billion, and the shares will be listed on the NSE and BSE. Pine Labs: The Noida-based payments company is looking to raise Rs 2,600 crore through a fresh issue and an OFS of up to 147.8 million shares. It is backed by major investors like Mastercard, PayPal, and Temasek and is targeting a valuation of $4–$5 billion. Also Read: Decoding Pine Labs' DRHP: Fintech aims to raise Rs 2,600 crore via an IPO Shiprocket: Backed by Zomato and Temasek, this ecommerce enablement platform filed its IPO papers confidentially in May. It aims to raise Rs 2,000–2,500 crore, including a fresh issue of Rs 1,000–1,100 crore. Urban Company: The at-home services platform filed its DRHP in April for a Rs 1,900 crore IPO. This includes a Rs 429 crore fresh issue and a Rs 1,471 crore OFS by investors like Accel and Tiger Global. Boat: The parent company, Imagine Marketing, filed confidential IPO papers earlier this year. The company, however, said that this doesn't necessarily mean that it will launch the IPO. Boat is likely targeting a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion, which may change closer to the IPO filing date. Capillary Technologies: The customer engagement and loyalty provider filed for an IPO, including a Rs 430 crore fresh issue and an OFS of 18.3 million shares. This marks its second attempt at going public after shelving plans in 2021. Companies preparing to file IPO papers Meesho : The ecommerce platform has received shareholder approval to raise Rs 4,250 crore (about $500 million) through a fresh issue. Having recently shifted its domicile back to India, it is expected to file its DRHP in the next few weeks. Lenskart: Back in February, ET reported that the eyewear brand is planning a $1 billion IPO, with a target valuation of around $10 billion. The SoftBank-backed company has already converted into a public limited entity. Shadowfax: ET reported on Friday that this logistics startup plans to file its DRHP confidentially within a month. The IPO is expected to raise Rs 2,000–2,500 crore, with around half as a fresh issue. Zetwerk: The manufacturing unicorn plans to go public within the next 12 to 24 months and will start preparations for its listing in the ongoing fiscal year, founder and chief executive Amrit Acharya told its employees in April. PhonePe: The digital payments giant is aiming for a $1.5 billion IPO later this year, with plans to file its DRHP by August. The expected valuation is around $15 billion, up from $12 billion in 2023.

How much does it cost to raise a child in India? The expense is making young Indians rethink parenthood
How much does it cost to raise a child in India? The expense is making young Indians rethink parenthood

Economic Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

How much does it cost to raise a child in India? The expense is making young Indians rethink parenthood

TIL Creatives Representative AI Image A child in urban India now comes with a price tag that is making many pause. Nearly Rs 45 lakh — that's the figure Bengaluru-based startup founder Meenal Goel laid out in a viral LinkedIn post. Her breakdown of the numbers shows why middle-class parenting is starting to feel out of reach for many. She wrote, "Cost of raising a child in India is ~ Rs 45 lakhs! We are scared to have a kid, because we cannot afford it. I recently met a couple who said this, and honestly, they're not wrong." It is not just fear. It's real maths. Goel decided to run the numbers after hearing this worry first-hand. According to Goel's breakdown, the cost starts even before a child learns to walk. She wrote, "So I sat down and did the math. What does it actually cost to raise a child in India in 2025?" The delivery alone can drain Rs 1.5–2.5 lakh. Vaccinations add another Rs 30,000–50,000. Then come the basics — diapers, baby food, a pram, maybe a cradle — together these can take another Rs 3 lakh out of parents' pockets. Add playschool and daycare, which often become lifelines for working parents in cities. That's another Rs 2.5 lakh. By the time the child starts school, many parents have already spent Rs 7–8 lakh. From age 6 to 17, the money drain only grows. Private school fees alone can touch Rs 12 lakh in total. Goel wrote, "Just the school fees can add up to Rs 12 lakh. Throw in extra tuition, coaching classes, gadgets, uniforms, books, and activities, and the total reaches around Rs 17 lakh." These extras are no longer optional for many families who want their children to keep up. Gadgets for online classes, private tutors to bridge gaps, hobby classes to build skills — they all come with a price often dream of giving their child the best shot at life. But higher education has turned into one of the heaviest expenses. Private college fees, hostel stay, daily meals and living costs can easily push the final phase to another Rs 13 it all together — Rs 38–45 lakh is what it takes for one child to reach adulthood. That's the reality Goel's post has forced many to a child is not cheap anywhere, but cities make it harder. Families in metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru see higher school fees, daycare bills and medical expenses than rural households. Government schools may be cheaper, but many urban professionals skip them for private or international schools, which can demand Rs 1–9 lakh a branded clothes, birthday parties, gadgets, maybe even that one big holiday abroad — it's easy to see how the total pointed out, "Education inflation in India has been around 10–12% annually," which means these numbers won't stay still. For many young couples, the fear is that by the time their child enters school or college, the bills could be much worse.A child used to be seen as the natural next step. Today, it's starting to look like a luxury. Some couples are rethinking plans altogether. Others are pushing parenthood down the line. Many say money is now as big a factor as summed up the new fear: "Finance is a real fear when it comes to family planning. Are you also planning to have a kid in 2025 and feeling the money pressure?"For young families, the message is clear — budget early, plan ahead and save smart. But for many, even that feels like a tall order. The price of a dream is high. And more young Indians are now asking themselves — can we afford it? (Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on LinkedIn. has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of Reader discretion is advised.)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store