(By Rakesh Jain, CEO at Reliance General Insurance)
Mumbai, Divya rasthra* As India marks its Freedom Day, the very definition of freedom keeps changing. Now, it’s not only sovereignty or self-governance; it’s about making people live without fear, dream without bounds, and create futures with faith. Accordingly, general insurance is an important facilitates of freedom rather than simply an insurance policy. It gives one the bravery to make plans, take chances, and follow goals without being held captive by unanticipated bad luck.
In recent years, India’s risk environment has changed significantly. Inflation in healthcare, severe weather, greater mobility, and an expanding number of entrepreneurs have made both households and businesses subject to threats that could undo years of advancement. This progress is maintained by general insurance, which comes in a variety of forms, including health, auto, home, travel, and SME coverage. It turns fear into agency and uncertainty into resilience.
Consider health insurance. Families are under enormous financial stress because of the sharp increase in medical expenses over the last ten years. One serious illness or extended hospital stay may damage savings, put families in debt, and change the course of a person’s life. Health insurance protects dignity in this setting in addition to paying bills. It guarantees that people can put their attention on recovery rather than money. Increasing access to high-quality health coverage is not a luxury but rather a need for a nation looking to improve its health and productivity. For people outside of formal employment systems, who are most at risk of financial ruin due to medical emergencies and do not have employer-sponsored protection, this is especially urgent.
In the same way, millions of people’s lives depend more on auto insurance. Road accidents, crimes, or natural disasters can have serious financial repercussions in a nation where mobility drives economic participation, whether through ride-hailing, delivery services, logistics, or daily commuting. Insurance helps drivers, transport operators, and car owners recover from these shocks and get back to work as soon as possible. The wider result? peace of mind and economic continuity, particularly for the unorganized labour force that relies on transportation to survive.
Home insurance is another undervalued type of protection. Owning a home is the result of years of sacrifice and saving for most Indian families. However, most people are still uninsured against natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and fire. The stakes are higher than ever as urban densities rise, and climate-related disasters become more common. For families who can least afford to start over, home insurance is about maintaining stability rather than just rebuilding buildings. Community resilience depends on increasing awareness and promoting broader adoption of this safeguard.
Travel insurance, which has evolved into a continuous necessity with a gentle touch, also serves a similar purpose. While increasing Indians travel for business, education, or tourism, the risks involved from missing luggage to a medical crisis overseas have tangible implications. Travel insurance provides more than just convenience; it enforces continuity and faith. It facilitates India’s international outreach by securing our people’s ability to travel across borders insured and equipped.
Small and medium-sized businesses in India, which are often viewed as the foundation of the economy, stand to gain a great deal from customized insurance plans.
