ITV

Tag: Ruchika Varma

  • Stride with pride as FGII marches ahead for inclusion and impact

    Stride with pride as FGII marches ahead for inclusion and impact

    MUMBAI: There was colour, there was conviction, and there was community spirit all marching in rhythm at Bandra Fort on 1st June as Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited (FGII) kicked off Pride Month with a purpose-driven stride. Its landmark ‘Walk with Pride’ initiative wasn’t just a three-kilometre stroll under Mumbai’s monsoon-blushed skies, it was a call to walk the talk on equality.

    Led by FGII’s managing director and CEO Anup Rau, the walk saw over 500 participants from LGBTQIA+ individuals and corporate allies to employees and public figures come together in a visible, vocal display of solidarity. For every step taken, FGII pledged support to The Humsafar Trust, bolstering healthcare services for the queer community.

    The event wasn’t just symbolic; it was catalytic. “Inclusion is not just a corporate agenda, it’s a human imperative,” said FGII chief marketing for customer and impact officer Ruchika Varma. “Our walk is an expression of our daily commitment to diversity, not just a June moment.”

    Adding stardust to the spirited march was actor and philanthropist Mandira Bedi. “India has come a long way post Article 377, but true change lies in access to jobs, to care, to dignity,” she said, lauding FGII for setting the bar on corporate allyship.

    Human rights activist and performer Sushant Divgikar echoed the mood, “Today, we’re not walking alone. We’re being seen, celebrated, and supported.”

    The vibe? “Refreshing and uplifting,” said veteran transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant. “It’s not just a walk, it’s an embrace.”

    For FGII, which has long championed mental wellness, workplace equity, and DEI leadership, the ‘Walk with Pride’ adds real miles to its mission. Because when inclusion gets a route map and purpose gets a pulse, every step counts.
     

  • FGII’s heartwarming #WelcomeHome campaign is a call for LGBTQIA+ inclusion

    FGII’s heartwarming #WelcomeHome campaign is a call for LGBTQIA+ inclusion

    Mumbai: Future Generali India Insurance (FGII) marked PRIDE celebrations 2024 with a heart-touching campaign #WelcomeHome to reaffirm its allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community in their struggle for equality and wellbeing. The campaign, which signs off with the core thought of ‘Home is wherever you can be yourself’, highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels valued and accepted.

    Home is possibly the only place where an individual can be secure and comfortable in their own skin, beyond any prejudice or societal pressures. However, for individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, the journey to finding such a space is often fraught with challenges. In its #WelcomeHome campaign, FGII underscores the importance of ‘home’ and the need to create inclusive environments for people from the community who often have to adjust to a world that lacks inclusivity, warmth and hospitality.

    Future Generali India Insurance, chief marketing, customer and impact officer Ruchika Varma said, “At Future Generali India Insurance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is ingrained in our DNA, and we stand firmly aligned with this ethos not just as an inclusive employer and an inclusive insurer but also as an inclusive corporate citizen. Everyone deserves a safe and supportive environment where they can be their authentic selves, free from judgment and discrimination. Our #WelcomeHome campaign, which features reallife LGBTQIA+ talents, aims to highlight this fundamental need. By showcasing these stories and experiences, we strike the right chords to foster broader societal acceptance, encouraging a more inclusive and understanding community for all.”

    “In addition to facing significant barriers in getting access to comprehensive care, the community also often faces discrimination at the workplace. Instead of mere tokenism, we at FGII, have walked the talk and have taken several concrete steps that includes providing family floater health insurance cover to live-in partners including the LGBT community across all our health indemnity insurance products, introducing LGBTQIA+ friendly employee policies, and equipping our workplace with inclusive infrastructure like gender-neutral washrooms to welcome people from the community into the FGII family. By fostering a culture of acceptance via frequent conversations and events round the year, we have extended the scope of PRIDE celebrations beyond just a day or month.” Varma added.

    Home has no fixed address; it is wherever you can be yourself. Home can be your family circle, a stranger’s smile, a friend’s company or a lover’s arms. It can also be the place you work at. #WelcomeHome is a statement of Future Generali’s unwavering allyship with the Pride family. Our film is set to a trans-man and musician, Jay Anand’s searing track, and we shot with over 15 members from the LGBTQIA+ community, essaying each person’s beautiful truth as honestly as we could.’ said Mullen Lintas CCO Ram Cobain.

    Pride Campaign 2024 | #WelcomeHome

  • “We firmly believe that preventive healthcare is important to ensure good health”: Ruchika Malhan Varma

    “We firmly believe that preventive healthcare is important to ensure good health”: Ruchika Malhan Varma

    Mumbai: Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII), a private general insurer, on 7 March had announced the launch of its most comprehensive women’s health insurance plan. The plan is designed to meet women’s unique needs.

    Some of the critical differentiators of HEALTH POWHER include Enhanced Limits for Female Cancer treatments, Coverage for Puberty and Menopause-related disorders, OPD focuses  on physical & mental well-being with the reinstatement of mental illness benefits to 200 per cent, Coverage for infertility treatment and Oocyte cryopreservation, Stem Cell Storage, a comprehensive wellness program, Lumpsum benefit for Newborn defect, Nursing care, Senior Care covering bone strengthening injections, joint injections etc., Enhanced maternity benefits with the inclusion of Antenatal cover, and many more.

    For a country like India, where women comprise roughly half of the nation’s population, at around 49 per cent, less than one-third or only about 30 per cent of them aged 15-49, were covered under health insurance between 2019-2021, as per data fetched from the National Family Health Survey India report.

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd chief marketing, customer & impact officer Ruchika Malhan Varma where she shared more insights on the launch plan.

    Edited excerpts

    On the key features of the HEALTH POWHER women’s health insurance plan launched by Future Generali India Insurance Company

    Our recent survey among women in India revealed that approximately 74% of Indian women are not engaged in decisions regarding their health insurance cover. Given the unique healthcare needs of women, which differ significantly from those of men due to their distinct anatomy, it’s crucial to provide products that address their requirements. However, an overwhelming 75% of women feel that pre-existing health insurance policies failed to adequately address their evolving needs. Recognizing this critical gap, we introduced HEALTH POWHER, which addresses women specific health issues, ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage to women across all stages of their life. It covers Puberty and Menopause related disorders, comes with Enhanced Limits for Female Cancer treatments, provides Coverage for infertility treatment & Egg freezing, offers Comprehensive Wellness Program, and much more. It also includes provisions for various maternity-related expenses such as delivery, miscarriage, antenatal treatment, and newborn care. This apart, it also underlines preventive care strategy aimed at early detection and management of ailments, thereby contributing to long-term health and well-being. Supplementary benefits such as senior care, nursing assistance, temporary domestic help, and women-specific value-added services further enhance the plan’s coverage, making it a comprehensive solution dedicated to promoting and safeguarding women’s health.

    On elaborating the coverage provided for female cancer treatments under the plan

    According to official estimates, the number of cancer cases in India for the year 2022 was 14,61,427, with a greater number of female cases 7,49,251 compared to that in males 7,12,176. Understandably, having comprehensive coverage for cancer treatments included in one’s health plan is of utmost importance. HEALTH POWHER addresses this need by offering comprehensive coverage for cancer treatments, with a notable focus on providing additional coverage for cancers that predominantly affect women.

    On the types of infertility treatments covered under the plan, and what is oocyte cryopreservation

    Estimates suggest that nearly 60-80 million couples suffer from infertility worldwide and nearly 25 per cent (15-20 million) of them are in India alone. Under HEALTH POWHER we cover the cost of IVF and other infertility treatment and it is designed in a way to make infertility treatments accessible to our customers. This apart, cryopreservation, which involves the freezing and storage of oocytes (eggs) is also covered under the plan. This can be particularly beneficial for women who wish to preserve their fertility for various medical conditions where treatment would be medically necessary.

    On the comprehensive wellness program offered by the plan entail

    We firmly believe that preventive healthcare is important to ensure good health and help detect problems early on so as to provide timely care and support. Hence, we have included both preventive care and wellness benefits in our comprehensive wellness program. Under HEALTH POWHER’s preventive care benefit, we provide coverage for scans and vaccination, such as HPV vaccine, to our policyholders. The wellness benefits encompasses various value-added services and wellness reward points aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, our customers have the opportunity to accrue wellness reward points, which can be redeemed for additional wellness-related services, incentives, or discounts, encouraging ongoing engagement in activities that promote health and well-being.

    On the plan providing lump sum benefits for newborn defects and nursing care

    The HEALTH POWHER plan ensures financial support for newborns, covering expenses related to newborn defects, vaccinations, and stem cell storage, providing peace of mind to parents regarding their child’s healthcare needs. The plan includes comprehensive coverage for newborns, encompassing lump sum benefits for defects and nursing care. Furthermore, it covers stem cell storage for potential future medical use.

    On the National Family Health Survey India report, covering only 30 per cent of women aged 15-49 under health insurance between 2019-2021

    To address the low penetration of health insurance cover among women aged 15-49 years, a multifaceted approach needs to be implemented. This includes launching educational campaigns tailored to women’s needs, developing insurance plans covering their evolving medical requirements, providing financial literacy programs, collaborating with stakeholders, utilizing customized communication channels, simplifying enrollment processes, offering enrollment incentives, designing women-friendly policies, partnering with employers, and continuously evaluating and improving initiatives to ensure sustained progress. Our survey identified one of the significant factors contributing to the low adoption of health insurance among surveyed women: the absence of a comprehensive product addressing the specific needs of women. Infact nearly 75% of women we surveyed believed that the existing health insurance policies fell short of addressing women-specific needs and 94% of the respondents agreed that having a comprehensive health insurance plan for women would increase participation in the purchase process. In response to this demand gap, we have introduced HEALTH POWHER, a comprehensive health plan designed to cater to women’s varied needs across different life stages.

  • FGII launches #DontBeAPlus1 campaign urging women to be mindful of their unique health needs while purchasing insurance

    FGII launches #DontBeAPlus1 campaign urging women to be mindful of their unique health needs while purchasing insurance

    Mumbai: Future Generali India Insurance marked International Women’s Day 2024 with the launch of a trailblazing initiative, the #DontBeAPlus1 campaign. Aimed at raising awareness about the necessity of having a comprehensive cover addressing the varied needs of women across different stages of her life, rather than being relegated to the status of a ‘plus1’ in a man’s health insurance policy, the campaign seeks to address gender disparity in health insurance.

    Unveiling the #DontBeAPlus1 campaign, renowned author, columnist, and women’s rights advocate Twinkle Khanna emphasised the importance of women taking control of their health and financial well-being.

    The campaign underscores the importance of women taking charge of their health and well-being by securing insurance coverage tailored to their specific needs. Future Generali India Insurance aims to empower women to prioritise their health and financial independence through this initiative, urging them to break free from the traditional norm of being added as a secondary beneficiary and opt for comprehensive health insurance plans.

    Future Generali India Insurance CMO Ruchika Varma said, “At Future Generali India Insurance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is in our DNA, and all our efforts are aligned with this vision, be it at the workplace as an inclusive employer or as an inclusive insurer by way of the policies we design. Our market insights suggest that there is a gap between what women need in their insurance policy and what is currently being offered. Given their distinct anatomies, women’s health needs vary from those of men, their health protection requirements differ and hence they need products that caters to their unique needs. With #DontBeAPlus1, we are encouraging women to give due importance to their specific health needs while signing up for an insurance policy.”

    With a view to bridging the demand gap, Future Generali India Insurance has launched a comprehensive insurance plan “HEALTH POWHER” to empower women and cater to their varied health needs.

    Commending Future Generali India Insurance for spearheading such a significant initiative and encouraging women to prioritise their health by opting for comprehensive health insurance plans, Twinkle Khanna, said, “I think it’s great that Future Generali is helping women focus on their health by offering comprehensive women insurance solutions and they are leading the way in supporting their independence too. I’m excited to be part of this campaign, where women are taking care of themselves.”

    Future Generali India Insurance’s latest film – A World full of +1s – showcases a literary award ceremony with the presenter on stage announcing the best author award going to Kumar’s+1. Reacting to this, Twinkle Khanna says, while it may sound a little absurd but it does happen, particularly in health insurance, wherein women get added as +1 in a man’s health insurance policies all the time. She then goes on to say women’s bodies and needs are different from men and hence it would not be right to settle for a health insurnace that is not designed keeping women’s needs in mind.

    Mullen Lintas CCO Ram Cobain said “What looks jarring in fiction doesn’t raise an eyebrow in real life. We played on this absurdity to highlight how women are added as ‘+1s’ in men’s health insurance. Our idea was launched on Women’s Day with a social disruption. Twinkle Khanna, our brand champion, changed her Instagram bio to ‘Kumar’s +1’ before explaining why she did so, via the film. ‘Don’t be a Plus One’ isn’t just a campaign; it is a movement to get women to reconsider their health cover. After all, women’s bodies and needs are different from men – their health insurance better be, as well.”

  • Future Generali India Insurance appoints Ruchika Varma as Chief Marketing Officer

    Future Generali India Insurance appoints Ruchika Varma as Chief Marketing Officer

    MUMBAI: Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited (FGII), the general insurance arm of the joint venture between retail game-changers Future Group and global insurer Generali, announced the appointment of Ruchika Varma as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the company.

    Varma has over 18 years of marketing experience across multiple sectors, including financial services, media, travel and consumer goods. Prior to this, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at IDFC FIRST Bank, where she developed, launched and managed the IDFC brand pre and post-merger. She has also held roles in Singapore with entities such as BBC Worldwide, Lonely Planet and Singapore Tourism Board.

    At FGII, Varma will be responsible for marketing communications, product innovations, developing digital capabilities and partnerships and CSR.

    Future Generali India Insurance  CMO Ruchika Varma said, “I’m proud to be joining a company committed to enhancing customer experience and delight, through innovative products and unmatched customer service. ‘Insurance’ is a complex yet challenging sector that holds great potential for expansion. I am very excited to lead the company’s vision and establish Future Generali as the brand of choice that is truly customer-centric for an underinsured India”

    Future Generali India Insurance  MD & CEO Anup Rau said, “Ruchika is a highly skilled marketing leader with a wealth of experience in leading marketing initiatives for some of the leading brands in the industry. As our new Chief Marketing Officer, her experience will be critical in the transformation of Future Generali India Insurance into a future-ready – digitized organization serving customer requirements.”