How to avoid losses from stock market crash?:Know from experts what strategies retail investors should deploy to avoid losing money

Since the 2026 Iran War began on 28 February 2026, the Indian stock market has experienced a significant correction, with both benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty falling between 8% and 9% as of late March 2026 Stock market crashes can be scary, but experts say there are ways for regular investors to weather the storm. It’s not about predicting the crash, but about how you react. Here’s what the pros advise: Don’t Panic! Stay Calm: Panic selling turns temporary losses into permanent ones. If your investments are in solid companies, they usually bounce back. Long-Term View: Remember why you invested in the first place. Good companies tend to recover over time. Understand the Market Global Events Matter: Big events like wars or oil price spikes can hurt the market, even if they are happening far away. Market Swings: Markets can ignore good news or bad news for a while during a crash. This is temporary. Smart Moves for Investors Buy When Others Are Fearful: Crashes can be buying opportunities if you have some cash available. Diversify, Diversify, Diversify: Don’t just own different stocks. Own different types of assets, like gold or real estate. When stocks fall, other assets might hold steady. SIPs are your friend: Continue your SIPs and ETF investments consistently. Rules to Remember Stay Invested: The market’s best days often happen during crashes. If you sell, you’ll miss them. Accept the Pain: Market crashes are normal. The market rewards those who are patient. Protect Your Capital: Don’t take unnecessary risks! I see markets rising past 30,000 in next 12 months: Kishor Ostwal, CMD, CNI Infoxchange Kishor Ostwal, CMD, CNI Infoxchange Pvt Ltd, says “Short term pain will be always there due to OIL crisis which is going to affect every country including India. No one can predict the War duration and OIL rise for sure.” Although, he sees crashes as buying opportunities for long-term investors. Ostwal says he see markets rising past 30,000 in next 12 months. Pradip Halder, founder CEO, PHD Capital, advises investors to control their behavior, stay calm, and remember why they invested. Halder adds that staying calm is critical, because panic selling is what converts temporary losses into permanent ones. This expert blames boiling crude oil behind the market debacle: Lovelesh Sharma, founder CEO, MarketFeds Analytics says that India imports over 85% of its crude oil. When global markets panic, crude oil prices swing violently. A $30 spike in crude means higher petrol prices, higher input costs for every factory, higher inflation, and RBI is forced to raise interest rates. He adds that this chokes corporate profits which will be reflected in stock prices. Sharma advises investors to diversify assets and stay invested. Protect your capital: Indira Securities Navy Vijay Ramavat, Managing Director, Indira Securities advises investors to protect their capital. She says if people protect their downside today, then, they will be ready to benefit when stability returns. The Bottom Line: The stock market isn’t a casino. It’s a way to build wealth, and crashes are just part of the ride. Stay calm, stay diversified, and stay invested.