GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

How often have you forgotten your spectacles at home and had difficulty recognising people's faces from a distance? These are some of the widespread yet frustrating problems people face with glasses. One of the most convenient and revolutionary technologies for solving this problem is laser eye surgery, popularly known as LASIK surgery.

With about a quarter of the world facing vision problems, it's not surprising that laser eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular. This blog aims to give you an insight into this technology and how it is revolutionising the world.

The need for LASIK:

When we look at a particular object, light from that object enters the eye and passes through the natural lens of the eye. This natural lens is responsible for correctly refracting the light to hit the retina. The eye's retina is responsible for focusing all the light and sending signals to the brain to help us interpret what we're seeing.

When light does not focus upon the retina correctly, vision can get blurry. This might be because the cornea isn't curved perfectly, or it can be because the eye lens present in our eye is slightly longer or shorter.

This refractive procedure is usually done to correct one of the following three vision problems: Myopia, Hypermetropia, and Astigmatism.

How does LASIK work?

Laser surgery is a procedure where the patient's cornea is reshaped by using an evolved cutting laser technology to help it refract the light to provide clear vision. Corneal reshaping is done by mapping the entire cornea precisely and then using this to plan the surgery accurately.

Pros:

1. Quick and safe – The most inviting aspect of this procedure is that it is a short one. LASIK takes only 10 minutes to mitigate your vision problems for each eye, so 20 minutes total to have perfect vision. It is also a very safe procedure, with 98 percent of people satisfied with the surgery's results.

2. Painless procedure – This procedure is entirely painless due to the eye drops your surgeon will apply at the beginning of the operation. Moreover, there is minimum post-operative pain, with no stitches or bandages required after LASIK.

3. Fixed cost – While the procedure is cumbersome on the wallet, it is a one-time investment. Glasses and contact lenses are cheaper than surgery, but they are building expenses with the cost of regular eye check-ups, lenses, and frames. However, there's a good chance LASIK is not covered by your insurance. Research online health insurance to find one that does.

4. Enjoy your favourite sports without fear – For many people, this surgery is not an option but a lifesaver. Whether you want to enlist in the police, army or play contact sports where wearing glasses is not an option, LASIK is the knight in shining armour if you don't want the hassle of carrying your lenses and lens cleaning solution everywhere.

Cons:

While this procedure has numerous advantages, there are some drawbacks too. You need to take several things into consideration before taking this big step. It is a huge investment and might burn a hole in your pocket if you're not ready. Like any other surgery, there are risks and side effects involved. Some side effects include dry eyes, a halo effect with bright light, and poor night vision. Consult your eye specialist before making any decision.

Although laser eye surgery is relatively quick and painless, you must take proper precautions. Avoid using any eye makeup or lotions around the eye for about three days before the surgery. Also, make sure to arrange a ride back home because you might not be able to drive right after the surgery due to blurred vision and the sedative. As most insurance plans might not cover the cost of laser eye surgery, it is best to research online health insurance to understand the terms.

Click HERE to know more about online health insurance.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

We all have experienced planning a vacation with our family or friends, checking the travel fares and hotel rates, and making a budget for our trip. However, a harsh shock awaits us when we try to book the flight, train, or hotel room close to our departure date. Last-minute bookings cost us extra, and we may not even get our preferred travel and stay options.

Last-minute holiday planning is almost always upsetting. Here, it would help if you also acknowledged the pinch of delaying purchasing personal accident insurance online only after the occurrence of a mishap.

Read on to know more about the benefits of budgeting for your travel plans in advance:

1. Soaring rates:
Airlines hike their flight rates closer to departure dates. Nowadays, train ticket rates are also priced on a flexi-fare system and get pricier as the travel date comes closer. Hotels also increase their tariff when demand rises. Therefore, the later you book, the higher you will have to pay for the same room.

2. Great deals and discounts:
Travel companies and websites offer great deals and discounts for early travel bookings. You get discounts on travel services, accommodation, rental cars, etc. Additionally, keep track of special deals and discounts that travel websites occasionally provide during festivals, special occasions, or off-season periods. Some companies also offer extra discounts for paying through a specific credit or debit card.

3. Planning for expenditure:
Budgeting your travel plans in advance can also help you save for your dream trip and be ready for it when you plan to go. Prepare a list of all the possible expenditures you may incur during travel. Make the possible reservations in advance so your travel expenditure is split up in parts and does not burden you in one go.
Proper budgeting of your expenditure will take away the stress from the process. You can streamline your payment and start saving more for your trip. You will not feel the burden of your travel expenses when you eventually go and will enjoy your trip with a free mind.

4. Extra time for research:
Every holiday destination has many options concerning the places to visit, travel modes, accommodation, sightseeing, etc. When you plan your trip in advance, you can thoroughly research the possible activities you can do there and find out the best rates for them.

5. Holiday rush:
Rates for travel, accommodation and other allied services shoot up during peak season and may pinch you hard. Make your travel plan well in advance and get confirmed reservations, along with saving a lot of your hard-earned money.

Travelling is a shared passion amongst a majority across the globe. However, it is by no means an inexpensive hobby to engage in. Always budget your travel plans in advance and prevent feeling a pinch in your wallet.

Similarly, Never compromise your safety behind the fun of going on a trip. With personal accident insurance online, you can avoid incurring financial upsets when you meet with an accident. Accidents don’t come announced and can cause heavy financial damage in the long run. Browse several personal accident insurance online, evaluate their pros and cons, and choose the most comprehensive coverage policy. Take all the necessary precautions and ensure that you have a safe holiday.

Click HERE to buy personal accident insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Managing one's finances and accumulating wealth are essential activities that one must learn right from childhood. However, since most parents do not talk much about finances with their children, young adults grow up without knowing much about critical financial decisions like how to buy general insurance online, investing fundamentals, savings, etc.

Investing is an ideal way to grow one's wealth. The drastic price dip and sheer boredom during the pandemic introduced new investors into the stock market. However, you should avoid those rookie mistakes that most investors make with their money. This blog presents some common financial blunders you should consider before investing.

1. Constantly consuming media about the market:
It is very tempting to watch news channels that offer trading advice 24*7. These channels give what seems like certain information, but it is not advisable to take advice straight from them as they have no idea about your financial situation. Additionally, when this information has been made public, it has already been factored into market pricing, and listening to them becomes futile. Seasoned experts in the market take their information from several independent sources and then derive their conclusions.

2. Being unclear about your investment goals:
Make sure you are clear about the direction of your investing journey. After having a separate savings account that serves as your backup in case something goes wrong, the rest of the money is safe to invest. A common mistake most individuals make when investing is to expect high returns as the end goal. While making money is important, you should balance it with the amount of risk you're willing to take, and that should be determined by looking over your other financial goals.

3. Too high expectations and a lack of patience:
Investments can be of two kinds, short and long-term investments. While short-term investments provide greater returns, they are riskier. Give long-term investments adequate time to maximise your returns. Bailing out before an asset has matured because of fear is one of the most common mistakes you should avoid.

4. Inadequate diversification:
Don't put all your eggs in one basket, even if it seems like the safest basket in the world. Often, investors make the mistake of putting all their money into one investment they believe will be secure for quick returns. This may be disastrous if the market moves another way. Diversify your portfolio to get consistent returns. Ensure you diligently research various asset classes and associated risk levels to identify the best returns at your risk appetite.

5. Letting emotions get in the way of your investments:
Too often, investors will fall in love with a particular company due to its value proposition or its past performance. However, it is essential to understand that the stock is only here to make you money. So, when the company's fundamentals no longer align with your interests, consider selling the stock.
Fear and greed are the greatest adversaries of an investor. They should not come in the way of your financial decisions. Market returns vary significantly in the short term but are generally predictable in the long run. To be more tension free, buy general insurance online after adequate research.

Investing sooner than later is one of the best decisions you can make. This gives you time to learn how the market functions. Most people fail to enter the stock market because they believe they don't possess the basic knowledge it requires. But this is a skill learned on the job. Start by investing significantly less money and increase it as your confidence increases. Happy investing!

Click HERE to buy general insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Owning a car entails a considerable amount of responsibilities. You must take care of it adequately to maintain its functionality for long periods. Before you start driving, you must know how to keep it properly and prevent any breakdown. From knowing how to drive to changing your wheel if it gets punctured to checking all the fluid levels, there's plenty to learn and explore.

Additionally, you may also require expertise in jump-starting your car. Jump-starting your car is a viable alternative to starting your vehicle when using a key doesn't do the trick. You must know how the battery functions and why and when you should jump-start. If you do not learn the basics, you can cause severe damage to the car.

There may be several instances when you may presume the need to jump-start. However, to avoid damage, you must know when your vehicle needs a jump start and when it does not. This way, you can deal with your car better and more efficiently. Regardless, you should always buy the best car insurance in India to protect your vehicle against all damages.

This article will list all the possible reasons your car needs a jump start. They are –

1. Low battery:
Being low on battery is one of the biggest reasons for jump-starting your car. You'll probably need to jump-start your car if you have a low or dead battery. It is because your car would not start on its own. This may also arise if the battery needs to be heated up more. You'll experience this more often during cold weather. Batteries can give up due to old age as well.

2. Malfunction of starter:
If there is no problem with your battery, we move on to the starter. The starter may be dysfunctional. It can either be contaminated or extremely old. It can also malfunction due to corrosion. The best way is to check for weird noise that the starter might make. Often even jump starting does not ignite the car's engine if the starter is broken.

3. Bad spark plugs:
The ignition system has a built-in system of intricate parts that keeps it going. If one of them malfunctions, the car may not start. Apart from the starter, the spark plug is also included in the ignition system. It can malfunction due to clogging or contamination due to oil leaks. This can prevent the car from starting, and it may most certainly need a jump start.

4. Clogged or contaminated fuel lines:
Sometimes the problem is not with the ignition system or even the battery. In such a case, the problem lies in the fuel lines. If they are frozen or clogged, the fuel may not rush smoothly to the engine. This can disrupt the smooth start of the vehicle. It can be solved by jump-starting, but it will start creating problems again. Your car may stop in the middle of the road if it is not resolved soon. Jump-starting is not the permanent solution here.

Jump-starting a car is a practical way to rescue you from an emergency and help you reach the service centre or garage. However, it is not a permanent solution to fix the delay in running your vehicle. If you wish to have a smooth experience with your car, practise the preventive maintenance tips provided by the manufacturer.

Additionally, you must purchase the best car insurance in India that offers comprehensive protection against all maintenance and accident-allied costs. Car insurance can benefit you when your car demands high repair costs or, in the worst case, a total loss due to extensive damage.

Click HERE to buy the best car insurance in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

The feeling of riding a motorcycle in the morning is otherworldly. But it's not only the early morning atmosphere that gives this ethereal feeling to the rider. It's also the smooth functioning of the engine and the swift and excellent acceleration of the motorbike in the morning. Many people experience this but do not pay much heed to why this happens.

This blog aims to make this phenomenon more understandable for curious bike fanatics.

1. Reduced friction:

The smooth ride that the engine provides in the morning and the minimum noise directly result from the engine's internal temperature. However, other parts of the engine maintain their temperature even when kept at rest throughout the night. Due to the thermal expansion of metals, there needs to be a proper gap between various working parts of the engine.
For example, to permit the expansion of the piston, there is a gap within the block of the engine. There is less friction, resulting in less noise in the morning due to this gap between the piston and the cylinder wall in the morning. This occurrence applies to almost every moving part of the engine.

2. Viscosity:

Another reason the engine feels smooth in the morning is the oil's viscosity. Viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature. In the early morning, the engine oil is cold, making it denser in volume. This higher viscosity accounts for maximum lubrication in the engine, which results in the smooth running of the bike.

3. Fuel management systems:

As far as better crisp acceleration in the morning is concerned, the fuel management system of the bike is the most responsible. The bike's fueling is divided into two- either fuel and air can be mixed proportionally by a carburettor, or the fuel is atomised at high pressure, mixed with clean air, eventually entering the engine's combustion chamber.
Carburettors give you a crisper throttle response due to the richer mixture between fuel and air. But nowadays, these are slowly being phased out due to the increasing pollution by carburettors.

So, do you really need to warm the bike up before starting it? This is another question that greatly puzzles bike enthusiasts.

There's no real need to warm up an engine for more than a minute before starting it. For a long time, all bikes used a carburettor for combustion. This type of engine tends to run poorly until appropriately warmed.

So, there is still a misconception that you must let the engine warm up before you start riding it. But it would be best if you were careful about hammering the throttle before the engine has gotten all nice and warm.

Riding a motorcycle gently for the first few miles is a good idea because putting the engine under extreme pressure while still cold increases the chances of damage and breakdown.

This damage is dangerous and can result in the maintenance fees burning a hole in your pocket. The best solution to counter this is investing in a good bike insurance that pays great dividends.

Click HERE to know more about bike insurance plans.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Driving is an activity that requires extreme carefulness, responsibility, and special attention at all times. One tiny mistake can lead to significant damage to a person and property. Road accidents are frightening and can even prove to be fatal. Hence, being on your best behaviour when driving is recommended.

However, accidents while driving can take place due to a variety of reasons. One of them is the disturbance from your outer surroundings. This can also include the distractions that your passenger may create. It may induce driving concerns and cause road accidents or violations of road safety rules.

Apart from the driver, the passengers must also be highly responsible and dutiful while the car is in motion. They can play an essential role in maintaining peace inside the vehicle. If you're a co-passenger and want to contribute to the vehicle's safety, here are a few ways. Regardless, you should have private car insurance in India to protect yourself and your vehicle.

Let's discuss here how you can support your driver by being a responsible co-passenger.

1. Be attentive:
If your driver is getting distracted by texting or calling on the phone, call them out on their behaviour. It can be dangerous even if they talk with the passengers in the back seat. You must stay attentive to such situations and speak up whenever necessary. Politely request them to focus on the road.

2. Don't draw attention:
You can help your driver focus by not distracting them by any means. You should not talk to them unnecessarily or argue with them in the car. Emotional responses can distract the driver. Moreover, you should refrain from clicking pictures or showing them things on your cell phone. You should lay low and avoid all these activities.

3. Be careful of your surroundings:
You can easily be the co-driver for your driver by being extra cautious on the road. You can help them navigate busy streets by being their additional set of eyes. You can also help them read road signs, point out intersections, or alert them about possible hindrances they may fail to see.

4. Put on good music:
Good music can make the atmosphere inside your vehicle cheerful, serene, and lively. It can calm the nerves of your driver and help them focus better on the road. You should take control of the music in the car. You can put some of the driver's favourite tracks in a playlist on shuffle. This way, they need not constantly touch or operate the music system.

5. Keep quiet:
Small talk with the driver is alright, but you should refrain from having a full-fledged conversation that can distract the driver. You should not shout, yell, or sing loudly in the car. All these can make your driver lose focus completely. You should pause the music or stop talking when a congested road is approaching.

6. Stay out of sight:
You need to lay low and stop obstructing the view of your driver while driving. You should not physically block the driver from seeing the road well. They should also be able to see outside the windows. Apart from that, you should always be an adjusting and supportive co-passenger.

These are just some tips and tricks that you can use to be a good passenger inside the vehicle. It can lead to lesser accidents and mistakes on the road. A car journey becomes enjoyable and safe when the driver and co-passengers have a good understanding and coordination. The more focused the driver is, the better. Don't forget to buy private car insurance India and safeguard your finances against loss due to accidental damages to your car.

Click HERE to buy private car insurance India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Driving a car without insurance is considered illegal in India. Automobile owners weigh the pros and cons of different options available in the policy market. Before buying car insurance, people consider various factors such as covers, add-ons, services, premiums, etc. In this article, we will be talking about premiums and how they can vary depending upon the kind and size of your car.

What is a premium?

A premium is an amount you pay your insurer to keep your policy valid. The duration of payment can vary from monthly to quarterly to annual payments.

What factors affect the premium?

1. Model and make of your vehicle
2. Engine capacity
3. The driving experience of the policyholder
4. Age
5. Location

Besides the points mentioned above, previous claims and traffic violations can also affect your insurance premium.

We better understand what premium is and how they can be affected. Let's look at premiums for SUVs and sedans.

1. The make and model:

Car insurance can vary significantly depending upon your car's size, make, and model. If you intend to buy an SUV or a sedan, remember that these models are charged the highest premiums. Putting in ample research into the car model and the respective insurance premium is essential.

2. Driving record:

Another crucial factor that decides the total cost of your premium is the driving experience. If you have no records of accidents, then the premium rates can be significantly lower. Even a minor skip such as running a red light or speeding ticket can affect the premium rates too. Insurance companies analyse your driving records to understand the risk associated with your driving and how likely you are to get into accidents. The more the chances of accidents, the higher the premium rates.

3. Location:

If you live in an area with high crime rates, the insurers tend to charge higher premiums.
The premium amounts can be excessive if your locality is prone to crime and vandalism.

4. Coverage and add-ons:

Coverage and add-ons are the services insurance companies provide when you buy an insurance policy from them. If you opt for the basic package and maintain a good driving record, the insurer will likely settle for a lower premium.

5. Age of the vehicle:

The age of your vehicle is another factor that insurance providers consider when offering insurance. The depreciation value of your vehicle increases with time. Adding to that is the wear and tear that the vehicle went through over the years, reducing the value of the car. Therefore, older cars will have a lesser premium.

6. Engine capacity:

The CC or the engine capacity affects the premium and higher the CC, higher the premium. And since SUVs and sedans have higher CC, their premiums are also higher.

7. Engine type:

Cars running on petrol have lesser premiums than cars running on diesel. A vehicle running on CNG has a higher premium than diesel engines. If you intend on adding a CNG unit to your sedan or SUV, keep in mind that the premium costs will increase significantly.

8. Modifications:

Modifications that alter the look or performance of your car will have a higher market value. This, in turn, will increase the cost of the premium on the vehicle. The look and feel of the car is a lesser talked about factor when it comes to insurance prices.

These are some factors that affect the premium of your insurance coverage. Irrespective of the kind of vehicle you buy, the points mentioned above determine the overall cost of your insurance. Before finalising your car insurance renewal, do not forget to look through various insurance providers and their services for a price best suited for your needs.

Click HERE to know more about car insurance renewal.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

OneHealth, Magma HDI’s flagship health insurance is an all-encompassing solution with five plans tailormade to suit a customer’s needs. With state-of-the-art features and a bucket of add-ons, OneHealth provides a solid financial shield in case of a health exigency.

What is zone-wise pricing in health insurance?

Insurers offer zone-wise pricing to strike a fair balance in health insurance premiums, especially for customers in smaller cities. Hence, it may so happen that premium for a similar health plan differs as per cities, especially between metros and non-metros. There can be multiple reasons for this.

a) Hospitalization costs are relatively lower in smaller cities vis-à-vis metros
b) In most instances, the insured will opt for treatment only in their home city / town
c) Moreover, it may be assumed that people living in metros or tier 1 cities could be more susceptible to lifestyle diseases, and thus the higher premium

Hence, insurers try to pass on the benefit of lower cost of hospitalization to customers hailing from smaller cities. Having said that, most of the insurers offering zone-wise premiums have a co-pay clause for policyholders who want to avail treatment from a higher zone, which they bear during their claim settlement.

Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver Optional Cover

In Magma HDI’s OneHealth insurance, the zones are classified into Zone 1, 2 and 3:

• Zone 1: Delhi including National Capital Region, Mumbai including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Bangalore, and Gujarat
• Zone 2: Coimbatore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, and Kerala
• Zone 3: Rest of India

One of the latest optional covers added in OneHealth is the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver. As mentioned above, the premium rates of a health insurance product are fixed as per the zone opted for in the policy (Zone 1, 2 or 3). Zone 1 calls for the highest premium, followed by Zone 2 and Zone 3. If the insured undergoes a treatment in a zone higher than the one opted for in the policy, he must pay an additional co-pay amount which is charged as a fixed percentage of the claim amount. The existing OneHealth insurance plan has the following co-pay:

Now, with the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver Optional Cover, the insured can get this co-pay amount waived off if their treatment occurs in a zone higher than the one opted for in the policy. The cover is available across all plans and sum insureds.

Let us understand with an example.

• Mr. Parag, a 40-year-old from Amritsar plans to buy the OneHealth Secure plan for himself, his wife and two children, with a sum insured of INR 10 lakh.

• As Amritsar falls in Zone 3, Mr. Parag would have to pay INR 12,997 + GST as premium but would have to bear 35% co-pay on his claim amount if he ever gets a medical treatment done in Delhi (which falls in Zone 1).

• To avoid this, Mr. Parag can also opt for a Zone 1 premium i.e., INR 16,154 + GST for any eventuality. However, even this is 24% higher than the Zone 3 premium.

• Thanks to the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver optional cover, Mr. Parag would only have to pay INR 14,362 + GST and get a Pan India coverage.

An insured can also opt for this optional cover at the time of renewal. However, a waiting period of 1 year shall be applicable for renewed policies. No waiting period is applicable for this optional cover, if opted while buying OneHealth for the first time as fresh or portability policy. In case this cover is discontinued by the customer, and again opted for subsequently, the 1-year waiting period shall start afresh.

Know more about Magma HDI’s OneHealth on WWW.MAGMAHDI.COM/ONEHEALTH-INSURANCE