MAM
Rural, tier 2 & 3 cities to drive the next leg of growth: Ashish Bhasin, DAN
NEW DELHI: After the sluggish growth in the previous few quarters, which is now further worsened by the Covid2019 pandemic, DAN CEO APAC and chairman India Ashish Bhasin is now bullish about the economic possibilities of the country. He feels that the worst has already happened and from here on it is going to be a month-on-month recovery path for the industry, he shared with Indiantelevision.com during a virtual fireside chat with founder CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari.
Bhasin noted that he doesn’t see a V-shape recovery happening but there are certain markets, which have already started signs of growth and will continue to do so, including automobile and FMCG.
“FMCG was doing well during the lockdown too as it came under the essential services category and then also a function of sales-and-demand, managed pretty well. Another sector that has started showing signs of recovery is the automobile industry. I feel that post-pandemic more people will be preferring own transport and I see a rise in sales of motorbikes happening. Tractor sales did pretty well too, over the past few months and that will continue to do so,” he insisted.
He is also pinning his hopes for growth in rural and tier 2, tier 3 areas. “The harvest has been good this time and also the sowing season was pretty positive. Though the agriculture sector just contributes to the 15-16 per cent of the GDP, it will play a significant role in pulling the numbers up in the coming quarters. Also, more dispensible income in the hands of people will create a good supply-demand cycle. I see rural areas and tier 2, tier 3 cities driving the next leg of our growth.”
Bhasin pointed out that in the rest of the industries, demand might not be a big problem but the struggles will be on the part of restoring the supply side logistics that have been badly hurt because of the pandemic. He sees sectors like cinema, real estate, and non-digital education entities taking quite some time to revive from here.
“It’s not like a switch that goes off during the lockdown and is suddenly up as the restrictions are lifted. One, it will take its own time for the labourers to come back, the production to start, and then supplies picking up. Even then, it is not going to be a straight way, there will be hiccups with cases spiking up or maybe demand going down,” he elaborated.
He stated that the pandemic has pushed the country behind by 2-2.5 years and it will take time till 2022 for the economy, as a function of various markets cumulatively, to reach 2019 level.
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.
