GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

As kids turn 18, they begin to own up to their duties of seeking higher education and building a career. They get ready to set off to universities to pursue their dreams and take up multiple responsibilities as adults. This phase is often hard for parents as they won't be able to guide their children through it.

As they deal with the empty nest syndrome, they are also constantly worrying if their children are capable enough to make it on their own. As per research conducted by New York University (NYU), this rapidly changing phase in life is the best opportunity for parents to explain to their children the realities of college life. They could shed some light on the pressures of adulthood, academic expectations, varying social situations, and personal responsibilities that will soon become significant elements of their lives.

It is never too late for parents to indulge in teaching their kids some skills that will help them in the long run. Here are some tips for parents to prepare to send their kids off to university.

1. Cooking and cleaning:
After years of protective parenting, living by themselves can be challenging to adjust to. Learning how to cook a nutritious meal for themselves is key to remaining fit during these college years. Parents can teach their kids to prepare a few basic, healthy meals that should suffice them as beginners.
Cleanliness is another integral part of adulthood that reflects in daily habits. Regularly doing laundry, cleaning their living space, and washing dishes should be essential habits.

2. Healthcare and first aid:
Teaching youngsters about primary healthcare is essential. Familiarising them with the appropriate medication and basic first aid can help them in times of need. It is necessary to educate them about the importance of prioritising fitness, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.

3. Budgeting:
Parents must teach their young adults about budgeting their monthly basic needs. It's crucial to know how to allocate funds for essentials such as groceries, medicines, cleaning supplies, rent, electricity, and other personal requirements.
If they seem comfortable with the idea of employment, you can inspire them to take up part-time jobs to gain a bit of extra monetary benefit. You can also push them to take up worthy internships during their vacations to build their resumes and develop considerable skills.

4. Networking:
While in university, students have a chance to build a strong network of meaningful connections among the wide variety of people they encounter. Parents must highlight the importance of developing solid relationships with not only fellow students but also the professors and faculty members of the university. This may help them receive multiple rewards and gain opportunities to build their future.

5. Security measures:
It is vital to inform children about the basic security measures, such as avoiding any stops in lonely areas at night, covering their drinks, so they don't get spiked and keeping their belongings safe while travelling.
These minute but crucial details are essential when kids head into adulthood. Security is paramount, and prioritising it should be the kid's responsibility, not just at the university but even elsewhere.

To sum it up, while this phase of your kid moving out for university can be emotional, foresee it as a learning period that can shape the future of your children. Teaching them about how to go about their responsibilities, security, and healthcare is vital before they leave.

Apart from these essential lifestyle things, it would help to guide your children through the process of insurance planning. Securing health and assets under the umbrella of insurance adds great value and safety to our lives. For kids going to university, personal accident insurance plans are protective measures to help in accidents or emergencies!

Click HERE to buy the best personal accident 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.

A handbrake, sometimes known as an emergency brake or e-brake, is vital for your car's safety. We're sure you're well aware of what a handbrake is for: it holds your vehicle from rolling backwards once you've stopped. If you're new to driving, you may be confused about how a handbrake functions and when to use it. Is it only for emergencies or also for parking?

Read ahead for the answers to these questions and much more so that you can take advantage of your vehicle's most vital safety features. Another way to ensure the total safety of your car is to buy car insurance online.

How does a handbrake function?
The handbrake on a vehicle may be mechanical or electrical, based on its age, model, and gearbox. Unlike the footbrake, the handbrake is linked to the rear wheels of your automobile through a steel wire. It serves two purposes. First, it assures that you have a way to stop your car if the hydraulic brake fails. Second, it enables you to press the accelerator pedal while braking, facilitating more sophisticated driving tactics like drifting and flawless hill starts. When applying the handbrake, the metal cable goes through an intermediary gear before arriving at an equaliser, distributing power equally across the brake pads. This will eventually freeze the back wheels and cause the vehicle to come to a stop.

When should you use a handbrake?
It is all too common for inexperienced drivers to misuse their handbrake. For example, never use the handbrake while the automobile is still in motion.

You should only apply the handbrake in the following situations.

1. When parking:
Only use the handbrake when your vehicle has come to a complete stop after parking.

2. When stopping:
If you come to a halt at an intersection or a traffic signal, you should apply your handbrake. When you've come to a complete stop at a pedestrian crossing, activating your handbrake will keep your vehicle from moving forward.

3. While turning:
To prevent rolling against the curb while turning on a road that descends towards the sidewalk, proceed carefully, utilise clutch control, and use the brakes after each motion.

4. Following an emergency break:
To conduct an emergency stop, you must utilise your hand brake and, if operating a manual vehicle, then also your clutch pedal simultaneously. However, after your car has come to a complete stop, you should use the handbrake and shift it into neutral.

5. Hill starts:
After coming to a stop on a hill, using your handbrake in conjunction will keep your car from rolling backwards.

When it comes to operating your handbrake, like with any other area of driving, the more you practice, the more accustomed and confident you'll get. However, another thing to keep in mind is to buy car insurance online and save considerably in case your car faces any external damage or requires repairing and servicing. Driving without possession of insurance is against the law, and as a beginner, you'll need to have all the protection you can get.

Click HERE to buy car 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.

Rock climbing is an exciting adventure sport and a great way to stay fit. Today, several gyms incorporate rock climbing within their space settings to help people exercise and strengthen their bones and muscles. Many parents encourage their kids to try rock climbing established in recreation and amusement parks. Mountain climbing and mountaineering are different disciplines that come under rock climbing.

Rock climbing comes with its set of challenges. It requires expensive gear and training, which may not be readily available everywhere. Also, there is a degree of risk associated with the sport, given that you will be working with ropes and harnesses at certain heights. Safety is paramount while rock climbing. So, it is advisable to train formally before climbing in natural settings such as mountains, rocks, etc.

This blog will provide you with the complete guide to rock climbing for beginners. You will learn how to get started and various essential tips you'll need to know.

1. Gear:
Stop splurging on renting gear for climbing if you have decided to pursue it regularly. Purchasing your equipment is a wise long-term investment that will prove to be helpful. Also, check which gear you need as a beginner. You don't have to buy the ‘advanced’ level of equipment when you are just starting with rock climbing. Initially, you'll need climbing shoes, chalk and chalk bag, harness, headgear (helmet), etc.

2. Routine:
Now that you have decided to attempt rock climbing, you need to form a routine. Find time to practice regularly and seriously. To accomplish that, you can join a gym with rock climbing facilities or a training institute that provides regular rock climbing courses. Your trainer/coach can help you get familiar with the workouts, the footwork, etc., to develop the strength required for the sport.

3. Ease into the process:
You need to build a strong foundation before starting a more advanced stage in rock climbing. Give your body time to adapt to the different physical and mental stress levels of learning rock climbing. Pushing your body to do strenuous work can cause severe injuries or soreness in muscles, making it difficult to continue with the learning process.

4. Warm-up:
Warm-up exercises can help reduce the probability of severe injuries. These exercises boost your energy by pumping blood into your muscles. Your body can then accommodate different stress levels with ease while practising climbing. Some warm-up exercises include jumping jacks, squats, arm, wrist, ankle and foot circles. After these, you can head off to practice light and easy climbing, increase the intensity as instructed, and to the extent your body allows.

Rock climbing sounds intriguing. But as we discussed, it comes with a particular risk that can lead to severe injuries, harming your body in the process. While that seems quite unfortunate, a wise option to safeguard yourself is exploring the insurance market and purchasing the best personal accident policy in India to cater to all your needs. Insurance becomes helpful if the policyholder meets with an accident and requires medical care. So invest wisely and make your rock climbing journey hassle-free.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy the best personal accident policy 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 eyes are one of the primary sensory organs, and they react to different colours in different ways. Colours enhance the feel and perception of people and things around us and have several psychological impacts on our mood, emotions, and behaviours.

Colour blindness is a visual deficiency due to which an individual can face difficulties in seeing specific colours or telling the difference between two colours under standard lighting. Most types of colour blindness issues are inherited during birth.

For people who are colour blind, routine tasks like driving or picking out a ripe fruit can become difficult. Since there is no particular cure, most people adapt and learn to live with this condition. However, many people don’t consider colour blindness a grave matter, and some don’t even get diagnosed. They spend their lives without acknowledging that they might have colour blindness or deficiency.

In this article, we will discuss some healthy tips that can make the lives of colour blind people easier.

1. Enquire about special glasses:
Special contacts or glasses might not solve your problem completely. But they can enhance your experience regarding colour blindness and help you visualise better. You can check in with your doctor to see how these glasses or contacts lenses work for you.

2. Ample lighting:
Make sure that your workspace and your house have plenty of lighting. Natural light in abundance is the best thing. In addition, it would be best if you tried to avoid glare.

3. Go digital:
You can use your smartphone or tablet to download and access applications that identify and name colours for you. Some gadgets have options where you can see shapes instead of colours. You can also use colour filters to tell the colours apart.

4. Look for signs:
You can look for different indications to incorporate into your daily activities. For example, to pick up a ripe pineapple, look for its weight (should be heavy), sweet smell, and easily pluckable leaves. You can also ask the vendor to help you out or order fruits and vegetables online.

5. Managing work:
Charts, graphs, and presentations are expected to have a lot of colours to distinguish the components of the data. If you’re someone who struggles with colour blindness, you can add detailed labels and texts to explain the differences to your peers.
Sending links for reference can be a good option too. Many colour blind people get certified as pilots but might face certain restrictions like flying at night, etc.

Never consider colour blindness as a disability. It is just a medical condition, and if you learn to adapt to it, you will be able to live an easy life. Now that we have discussed some healthy tips to help colour blind people lead an easier life, it would be wise to think about purchasing health insurance in India. The only way to make your life financially secure and beat the rising medical costs is with the help of the right health insurance.

Click HERE to learn more about health 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.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of things on your task list? Do you distract yourself by doing everything else? Do you end up hastily finishing your work minutes before the deadline? This postponing tasks until the last minute or past the deadline is called procrastination.

To put it simply, procrastination is the voluntary delay of essential tasks despite being aware of the negative consequences it may have in the future. But don’t worry; you’re not alone in this. Research shows that about 20 percent of adults tend to delay or avoid completing tasks by allowing themselves to get distracted.

The reasons for procrastination may differ from person to person. Psychology states that procrastination is not a time-management issue but is about avoiding negative feelings or triggers. A person may feel overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities and the pressure of completing them, causing intense anxiety, fear, or other negative emotions. Procrastinating then becomes an avoidance strategy to evade those negative feelings. It also revolves around the person’s inability to focus or deal with personal fears and emotional triggers.

Being a procrastinator can affect your productivity and harm your behavioural pattern. Never procrastinate on health issues, and always keep your health a priority. While health insurance plans in India can help recoup the costs of your treatments, they cannot guarantee a backup plan for missed opportunities. It is never too late to change and make better choices.

Here are a few tips to overcome procrastination.

1. Remove distractions:
While working, remove distractions to create a more conducive work environment, even if you’re not ready to get started on your work.

2. Take baby steps:
When we think of a task, the burden of completing it to the finish line can often become overwhelming. Think of the small, immediate steps to begin the task to dodge any such anxiety. For example, if you have to prepare a meal, simply start by gathering all ingredients required. Breaking down a task into more manageable steps can reduce the pressure of an overwhelming responsibility.

3. Reward yourself:
Treat yourself for the steps that you take towards completing a task. If you manage to get started, assign a relatively small reward to create a positive and content feeling. This will self-motivate you to complete the work with enthusiasm.

4. Recognise your triggers:
Recognising and accepting the triggers and fears causing you to procrastinate is a crucial step to resolve your habit. Think through your patterns and try to examine the cause of your procrastination. Ask yourself about what is making you to procrastinate. For example, if you’re afraid that you will make a mistake while doing the task, you can start resolving this fear by assuring yourself that it’s not the end of the world and that you can always correct the fault.

5. Create a plan of action:
Formulate a plan to smoothly complete your work based on two factors - your goals and the nature of your procrastination. For example, if your goal is to study 15 pages of a chapter and you fear that you won’t do it all in one sitting. Break down your study hours by splitting the work equally with timed breaks and small rewards. Doing this will allow you to systematically complete your task while relieving yourself from any negative feelings.

The habit of procrastination can quickly become a detrimental habit in the long run. Investing in health insurance plans in India can certainly secure your health in the future, but forming better habits is all in your hands. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and focus on visualising yourself having completed the goals.

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance plans 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.

Owning a car can be a thrilling experience, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Your car needs to go through frequent servicing and care to avoid unwanted breakdowns and troubles. People make great efforts to keep their vehicles in the best condition inside out. Scheduling servicing, getting car insurance, ensuring the proper tyre pressure are all things every car owner is familiar with. However, one thing that is often neglected is your car's exhaust system.

Cleaning your exhaust plays a vital role in the upkeep of your vehicle. The exhaust is responsible for expelling the harmful gases generated by your car due to combustion and reducing noise pollution. Unfortunately, during the release of these fumes, some particles are left inside the pipe as residue. This decreases the performance of the exhaust and hinders the optimum functionality of your car. Hence, it is vital to give your exhaust the extra care it deserves.

Here we'll be looking at a few ways to clean your exhaust so that you can prevent your car from troubling you in the future.

1. Water wash:
During combustion, water settles on the exhaust. This is the leading cause of corrosion. Cleaning the exhaust with water helps remove the rust. Going in again with soap and water ensures no other sediments are left but will lead to corrosion later. Use a clean, dry cloth to get rid of any moisture left on the outside of the exhaust. Next, use a brush with an extended arm to penetrate deep into the pipe's insides and ensure proper cleaning.

2. Degreasing:
Using a heavy-duty degreaser inside and outside the exhaust helps break down carbon and rust. After some time, use steel wool to remove the collected sediments.

3. Polishing:
After the preliminary cleaning of the exhaust, it is now time for some metal polish. Polish adds an extra layer between the surface of the exhaust and the atmosphere. This significantly delays the corrosion of the exhaust and helps extend its longevity.

4. Stainless steel exhaust:
The best option is to opt for a stainless steel exhaust pipe. They do not rust and also prevent carbon development.

5. Go to the service station:
While the steps mentioned above help take care of your exhaust system, sometimes your vehicle might be facing more complex problems. One such issue is a failing catalytic converter. An exhaust emission control device prevents the highly toxic fumes from getting out through the tailpipe. It converts the toxic air into less harmful fumes to reduce pollution levels.

However, cleaning a catalytic converter is much more complex than cleaning exhaust pipes. Hence, it is advised to go to your service centre to ensure safe and effective cleaning of the converter.

These are a few ways to take care of your exhaust systems. However, there might be instances where your vehicle needs more than just instant home solutions, which is why you should consider adding value to your car by investing in car insurance.

Having car insurance saves you from worrying about all the extra expenses you might encounter while getting its maintenance and servicing done regularly.

Click HERE to know more about car 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.

Imagine the frustration of driving on a deserted road and encountering a breakdown. To avoid such a situation, you should always be on the safer side and ensure proper maintenance and routine servicing.

The best way to deal with such a situation is to buy car insurance in advance and benefit from add-ons like roadside assistance. Through this, your insurer will always have your back during a crisis. However, car insurance is not a replacement for effective car servicing. Often, car owners grow careless and get negligent about repairs and maintenance activities. It can lead to significant problems with several car parts, including issues with your air conditioning.

The air conditioning can get faulty over time and be ineffective. With the rising temperatures all around, this can be an extremely uncomfortable situation. With time, it will only get worse. You need to get it fixed or opt for a solution yourself.

Read on for a quick guide through the various steps of fixing your air conditioning at home. However, if you have car insurance, it will be covered under it. Steps to getting your car AC back on track are:

● Start the car and turn on the air conditioning. Turn it to the highest value and assess its functioning. See how warm or cool it is. If it does not get as cool as it should, there may be an issue with the airflow.

● Now, check if the AC compressor is working well. You can determine the next course of action only when you know its functionality.

● Invest in a leak detection kit to help you locate the leaks in your air conditioning system. Through this, you will be able to identify leaks quickly. You can then repair it or replace it accordingly.

● The next and most crucial step would be adding the correct refrigerant. You must have a suitable refrigerant for your vehicle and add it carefully. Contact a professional to learn about the ideal car refrigerant for your vehicle.

● To maintain the best temperature in your car, you need to read the gauge. You can do that by using a thermometer.

● It is time to locate the low-side service port for further action. The low service port is where you charge your car's AC.

● It is essential to avoid clogging the area around the service port. You can wipe with a clean cloth or rag.

● You will find a charging hose with your refrigerant. Connect it to the low-service port.

● It is time to open your refrigerant now. Go on turning the valve till the seal on the can is punctured completely.

● Hold the can upright if you want the refrigerant to go into the car engine. Shake it well for a good flow.

● Once done, you need to remove the hose and store the can in a safe and cool place.

● If the problem persists, you need to contact a professional mechanic to complete the repairs.

*Tip
Periodically clean your car's AC vents to avoid clogging in the air outlet. Clean vents ensure proper passage of air throughout the vehicle.

Regular maintenance ensures the longevity of your vehicle's air conditioning system and overall upkeep. Along with periodic checks and servicing by a professional mechanic, we encourage you to invest in car insurance to protect your vehicle and your finances from the effects of an accident. Remember that your car is your responsibility, and you need to undertake its maintenance.

Click HERE to invest in the best car 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.

Understanding how to keep your car shiny is not only a matter of display but also a necessity to sustain your car's value. Certain parts of the car are exposed to dust and need to be cleaned regularly. The mats in your vehicle are the single most mistreated part and are often overlooked during a carwash. They are continuously battered by dirt, filth, sand, twigs, and stones brought in by your shoes. Not to mention how food and beverage spills create an excess mess on the carpet.

So, here are some of the best tips to keep your car carpets as good as new:

1. Take out all of the waste from the vehicle, including empty bottles, cans, wrappings, and pieces of paper. Gather it all up and chuck it away. Also, organise other personal things and either keep them in the glove box or remove them from the vehicle while you clean the carpets.

2. Now use a strong vacuum cleaner to clean the carpets thoroughly. Apply a stiff rug brush to scrape the fibres. Doing this will remove the dust and small bits that have been trapped between the fibres.

3. Examine the carpet for spots and areas that need further care before shampooing it. Prepare a spray bottle with hot water, vinegar, and a few drops of cleaning solution or laundry soap. Let it absorb for a moment before respraying and scrubbing it with a brush.

4. To get rid of a stubborn liquid stain, use soda and salt. Immediately after spilling something, put soda and salt on it and let it sit for a while. Then scrub it off using a paper towel or a cloth.

5. The best way to clean stains is to act quickly. To remove as much excess as possible, place a piece of paper tissue on the area. Then, sprinkle cold or sparkling water over the stain to dilute it and prevent it from hardening. After, wipe the area with additional paper towels or a cloth to absorb the liquid.

6. Finally, wash off your carpet. Then use a steam cleaner to dry it. The fabrics dry only with the pressure of hot compressed steam, which enters the material and blasts away any remaining trash.

7. Take measures to protect the fabric. Carpet and upholstery protectors come into play here. These chemicals coat the material with a flexible hydrophobic coating. To achieve complete coverage, spray the product evenly over the surface of the mat, then allow it to settle before applying another layer.

When it comes to caring for your vehicle, don't leave anything to chance. Owners diligently schedule regular maintenance of their car and take it in for expert treatment at the first hint of a problem. For those occasions when you decide to treat your vehicle yourself or in between expert treatments, the tips mentioned above will surely help keep your car carpets secured from getting dirty.

Similarly, opt for online car insurance to secure your car from the threat of physical damages during mishaps. Invest in good car insurance to aid you in paying the mechanic's required fees for repairs and servicing.

Click HERE to get online car 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.