Smartmoney

Also, third-party liability cover is limited to a maximum of Rs 7.5 lakh—as against unlimited cover earlier—and the premium has been doubled to Rs 100. Again, the maximum amount for which you can insure your vehicle will be far lower with each successive year than before. In addition, insurers are increasingly tying up with car dealers and service stations to facilitate cashless settlement of claims. Better service standards are welcome, but your only defence against being taken for a ride is your own sense of heightened vigilance.

The current commodity upturn has gone on for six months, but by no means has it run its course. Demand is still good and there is scope for manufacturers to further hike price. Our seven picks are all leaders in their respective sectors and cost-efficient producers. They earn bigger margins as compared to their peers and are better placed to ride upturns while weathering downturns.

They are also looking to enable telephonic transactions. First off the block is Prudential ICICI’s service, InstaCall—a call centre in Mumbai will process a unitholder’s request. Plus, some fund houses allow investors to set predetermined limits to sell their holding. These triggers are just the tool to inculcate some discipline in your investing habits.

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