Other Insurance

Explore niche insurance types: home, cyber, crop, mobile, pet.

Niche Insurance Types — Who Needs What

Beyond the standard health, life, and motor policies lie several insurance products that fill critical protection gaps. Most Indians remain significantly under-insured in these categories.

Home Insurance
Underrated

Who needs it

Homeowners, especially in flood/earthquake-prone zones or with a mortgage.

What it covers

  • Structure damage (earthquake, flood, fire)
  • Household contents theft/damage
  • Liability to third parties
  • Rent loss if home uninhabitable
Indicative Premium₹2,000–8,000/year for ₹50 Lakh structure cover

Watch: Under-declaration of structure value is common — insure at rebuild cost, not market value.

Crop Insurance (PMFBY)
Government Scheme

Who needs it

Farmers with crop loans (mandatory) and voluntary for non-loanee farmers.

What it covers

  • Sowing failure due to bad weather
  • Standing crop damage (hail, flood, drought)
  • Post-harvest losses (cyclone, unseasonal rain)
  • Localised calamities (landslide, inundation)
Indicative PremiumKharif: ≤2% of SI | Rabi: ≤1.5% | Horticulture: ≤5%

Watch: Enrol before cut-off dates through your bank or Common Service Centre.

Cyber Insurance
Growing Fast

Who needs it

Individuals with online banking, businesses with customer data.

What it covers

  • Financial loss from phishing/online fraud
  • Ransomware extortion payments
  • Identity theft expenses
  • Social media liability
  • IT forensics cost
Indicative Premium₹3,000–15,000/year (individual); ₹20,000+ for SMBs

Watch: Read exclusions — frauds due to "gross negligence" (sharing OTP) are often excluded.

Mobile / Gadget Insurance
Optional

Who needs it

Owners of smartphones above ₹20,000, laptops, tablets.

What it covers

  • Accidental damage (screen break, liquid damage)
  • Theft
  • Extended warranty on electronics
Indicative Premium₹1,000–4,000/year depending on device value

Watch: Check deductible — some plans charge 20–30% of repair cost. Compare with extended warranty.

Pet Insurance
Niche

Who needs it

Dog and cat owners, especially those with expensive breeds.

What it covers

  • Veterinary treatment (illness, surgery)
  • Accidental injuries
  • Death/permanent disability benefit
  • Third-party liability (dog bite)
Indicative Premium₹5,000–15,000/year depending on breed and age

Watch: Very few Indian insurers offer pet insurance. Bajaj Allianz and New India are key players.

Premiums shown are indicative estimates. Consult an IRDAI-registered advisor before purchasing.