MAM
77 per cent citizens report high happiness levels in June 2024: Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor
Mumbai: How happy were Indians in June 2024? More happy or less? Interestingly, overall happiness levels have stayed constant and high in June wave at 77 per cent, like the previous month.
June wave shows that the cities and cohorts most happy were tier1 (88 per cent), east zone(85 per cent), north zone (84 per cent) and west zone (83 per cent) citizens; full time parents and homemakers (83 per cent), 45 plus age group (81 per cent), low education citizens (80 per cent), females (79 per cent), SEC A (78 per cent), SEC C (78 per cent), SEC B (77 per cent), males (76 per cent), employed – part time/ full time (78 per cent), tier 2 (76 per cent), 18-30 years (77 per cent) and 31-45 years (76 per cent), high education (74 per cent) among others.
Citizens dwelling in non-metros were happier (80 per cent) vis-à-vis those residing in the metros (71 per cent).
South zone residents continued to be the least happy, at 56 per cent. Do they feel excluded?
These are the findings of the Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Survey, that is the monthly barometer of happiness of urban Indians.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, group service line leader, public affairs, corporate reputation, ESG and CSR Parijat Chakraborty said, “Largely, majority of Indians are happy, across cities, cohorts and age groups. For a growing, emerging market like India, it is understandable as people are happy and filled with hope and aspirations and are driven. Monsoons in several parts of the country could have worked as a mood elevator, amplifying happiness; more so after a hot and prolonged summer season. And non metros are seeing a lot of improvement in infrastrucure, with a manageable cost of living, making it conducive for the citizens to lead a comfortable life and be joyful.”
“Full time parents/ homemakers seem the happiest across all cohorts – spending time with children as they have their holidays and family, socializing/ outings and binge watching OTT at home, could be other reasons for their elevated happiness levels,” added Chakraborty.
Further, the survey showed, that in the June wave, urban Indians were the happiest about family (77 per cent) (minus two per cent), health (72 per cent) (minus two per cent), friends’ circle (70 per cent) (minus two per cent), economic conditions (66 per cent) (plus two per cent), colleagues/ business associates (68 per cent) (plus two per cent), employment/ work (65 per cent) (=), neighbours (65 per cent) (plus one), situation of the country (62 per cent) (minus one per cent), situation of the world 58 per cent (=).
“Happiness is not just a fleeting feeling. Different aspects of our daily life have a bearing on happiness and it manifests in our relationships, wellbeing, social network, work and other key areas,” said Chakraborty.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
