This Article is From Sep 24, 2009

Insurance for Navratris this season

Mumbai: This Navratri, insurance companies are doing brisk business with Dandiya organisers looking for means to protect themselves from any kind of loss. This year Mumbai's prominent Dandiya Mandals are insuring themselves for as much as Rs three crore.

Like everyone else, festivals too are seeking protection from unexpected disasters.

From performers doing a last minute ditch to damage to the music system, any kind of disaster, and the companies are willing to cover it.

"This is very important so that we do not suffer any loss," said Jitendra Mehta, Ghatkopar Gujarati Samaj Dandiya.

Looking at the demand for festival insurance, companies are coming up with innovative packages.

For instance, the premiums range from Rs 10,000 to Rs one lakh; Dandiya queen Falguni Pathak's show has been insured for Rs two crore; and the Ghatkopar veterans Beaters for even more, Rs three crore.

"Throughout the country about 200 such policies have been taken out. Festival organisers are taking out insurance policies ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs three crore," said K G Krishnamurthy Rau, COO, Future Generali Insurance.

What were once small community festivals, have now become big businesses worth crores of rupees, pushing the stakes that much higher. Mandals are no longer banking just on divine intervention.
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