GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Travel is a great way to expand one's horizons. It gives you a different perspective and is necessary to re-energise the mundane lifestyle. It is a great way to rejuvenate yourself after a hectic schedule and become more productive and enthusiastic at work.

However, it's a well-known fact that travel can get expensive. From finding the right flights to booking the right hotel, a lot needs to be done, and the challenging part is the hefty unexpected expenses. So, to save you from falling prey to the hidden cost charged by hotels, airlines or travel agencies, this blog gives you an insight into mindful travel techniques.

1. Baggage fees:

Airlines charge massively for excess baggage. Extra luggage means extra cost. It is impossible to unpack luggage at the last minute. Therefore, always carefully check the size and weight requirements and pack accordingly. Keep a habit of packing light and avoid stuffing your bags with unnecessary things. You may also practice vacuum packing, which helps keep your bags clutter-free.

2. The pesky phone bill:

We live in a digital age where smartphones are crucial to travel for safety and convenience. Be it clicking photos, talking to new people using translation, booking cabs and hotels, everything is done using our phones these days.
If you are planning a long trip to a foreign destination, it is imperative to know that international roaming charges cost a fortune and will drain your funds if not managed mindfully. For an extended travel period, it's better to buy a local sim to save money.

3. Departure Taxes:

One of the most unexpected and annoying expenses is a departure tax. Some countries charge you money for simply exiting their country. This also applies to the layover at these places. Browse the internet thoroughly so you don't get blindsided.

4. Transportation:

Transportation has been made very easy in many regions worldwide, which might be why new travellers often overlook this expense. But getting out of the airport and taking a cab to the hotel might cost you a significant amount of money.
To avoid this situation, thoroughly research the modes of transport available in the place you're visiting. Choose public transport if that is an option. Better yet, find a hotel with transportation included in their services.

5. Emergencies and medical expenses:

When travelling to a new place, especially if you're visiting another country, it's important to remember that the food, drink, and lifestyle of their habitants might not suit everyone. There is a chance of falling sick, and one must be prepared for all emergencies. Prepare a first aid kit and a stash of the common medicines for general problems like headaches and stomach aches.
Falling sick in another country costs a fortune, especially because foreigners are not included in the national healthcare system. While this cost is unavoidable, checking insurance policies online that fit your needs will help reduce your spending.

6. Trip cancellation:

Cancelling a trip is something no traveller wants to experience. You'll lose a significant amount of money on something you didn't even get to enjoy. An excellent way to avoid these expenses is to research the best and buy insurance policy online. These policies may reimburse you for the flights and sometimes even the hotels you're staying at.

Always keep some extra funds with you to buy small souvenirs and make the trip more memorable. Although we wish for the best in every situation, it's wise to be prepared for less than ideal situations. Buy insurance policy online to rest assured during the trip. With these effective tips, you can cut costs without compromising on the fun part of your trip. Happy travelling!

Click HERE to buy insurance policy 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.

Veganism is a new trend that has drawn the significant attention of Indians. But, what is veganism? The dictionary defines veganism as the practice of eating only plant-based food. For example, plant-based alternatives to your regular cow’s milk are almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. Consumerism has given veganism a new branding, which means an abundance of mock meat, vegan cheese, vegan butter, tofu, etc., in the western and European markets. The list is endless.

An average Indian’s meal plan is predominantly vegetarian, consequently vegan. Hence, more often than not, people eat what is readily available. However, if you intend to travel as a vegan, you might lack options to meet your daily dietary needs.

In this article, we will look at everything you can do to ensure that you enjoy your vacation without compromising your food preferences.

1. Fruit and vegetables:

While travelling, take a tour of the local stores and buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, beetroots, etc., are great ingredients for salads and sandwiches. You can prepare either of the options in your hotel and carry it with you for later use. Chop and store them in a tiffin inside the mini-fridge provided by the hotel. This will ensure that you always have a backup in case you can't find anything outside.

2. Carry vegan snack options:

Make a run to the nearest convenience store and pick up vegan options that suit your taste. Cup noodles, bread, protein bars, nuts, etc., are convenient and readily available vegan options that you can bank on. You can rest assured that you have ready-to-make food options available during emergencies.

3. Explore vegan restaurants and eateries:

Travelling is all about exploring and trying new things. Include restaurants and dishes that you never tried before in your itinerary. Talk to locals to understand the vegan culture in the places you visit.
This is an intelligent way of knowing all the good vegan places to visit. Veganism is a trend that has been growing for the last few years, which is why many restaurants have a good selection of unique vegan dishes.

4. Talk to your hotel:

Before booking your accommodation, you can talk to the hotel and notify them of your needs. If your hotel provides concierge services, they will know the best places to visit and try local dishes and vegan food. Most hotels also offer vegan food options.
However, if your hotel does not have vegan options, you can consider looking for other hotels. Look out for private villas or homestays. These are equipped with all necessary items such as a gas stove, fridge, and oven, making it easier for you to cook meals yourself.

5. Talk to the chef:

Most people still find it difficult to gauge the difference between vegans and vegetarians. This is why it becomes challenging to keep track of the food and ingredients that go into a meal. Tourists prefer to say that they are allergic to certain ingredients. Talking to the chef is the best way to ensure that these ingredients are not added to your dish. The world is still new to the idea of vegan butter and vegan cheese, so providing adequate information to the chef is essential.

These are a few ways to ensure a stress-free trip with your vegan choices. An important tip is to learn a few phrases in the local language to let somebody know of your allergies and food preferences.

Your food choices should be a matter of joy in your life. Do not forget to experiment with new cuisines and dishes for a wholesome travel experience. Travelling vegan might still be easy, but travelling without proper safety is challenging. As a responsible traveller, do not forget to buy general insurance online to ensure your safety during travel. General insurance acts as a safety net for you and your loved ones for any unprecedented expenses you might face.

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.

"To-be" parents enjoy investing time and money to transform their child's room into a small world where their baby feels comfortable. They carefully plan and curate their thoughts about the room, including toys, fancy paints, and furniture for the newborns.

These elements just don't make the room attractive but develop an interest in the child. As babies have excellent observation skills, decorating their room with colours and playful stuff will help them enjoy new experiences.

Parents get tensed while selecting the theme and the other decorative articles. There are various options available in the market, which make the to-be-parents more confused. We are here with a few fantastic themes you can choose from. You can browse through the blog and think of ideas with fresh perspectives. Add a personal touch and get ready to welcome your newborn into the world!

1. Space-time exploration:

You can decorate your baby's room with various maps, flags of different countries, ships, rockets, space shuttles, planets, stars, the sun, the moon, and other images that will bring curiosity. You can also use glow-in-the-dark stickers of the stars and the planets to cap off the night sky.

2. Let's go to the zoo:

A zoo decor would be a great idea to give the room a natural and jungle look. You can create grasses and graphics of different animals and birds to excite your baby. Use colours that pop off to stimulate your child's mind and develop their brains from a very young age. You can also put up a small canopy in the room, giving it a "camping in the woods" feel to engage your child’s creativity and interest in learning new experiences.

3. Beneath the ocean:

Paint the whole room blue. You can depict the diverse life forms in the ocean. Put up pictures of cute whales, sharks, fishes, jellyfishes, coral reefs, etc. Make use of glow-in-the-dark jellyfish stickers displaying their original nature and give the room a complete underwater look. You may put up a bedsheet with designs of fishes or buy cushions in the shape of sea animals to bring more marine character to the room.

4. Cartoon characters are fun:

You can draw and paint famous children's cartoon characters and elements from favourite cartoon shows. You can paint them yourself or call an expert to decorate your baby's room. Select different props from the show, and put the soft toy versions in the crib, chair, or floor.

5. Kids love beaches:

Babies love playing in the sun. And beaches are a whole carnival for them. You can use light yellow wallpaper to display the sand and decorate it with stickers, pictures, or other marine items and plushies of seashells, crabs, forts, oysters, etc. This would complete the beach vibes you want to create.

These were a few exciting theme ideas that you can implement while decorating your child's room. Take your time, research thoroughly, and design a room your baby will enjoy. After all, your baby will be spending most of its developing years in that room.

To be a parent brings many responsibilities. Along with the decoration, it would be wise to consider protecting your home. A home is where you make the most of the memories with your children and loved ones.

The damages to home come uninvited, but you must be prepared beforehand to tackle all the mishaps. Damage to property due to theft or natural disasters can drain your pockets. So, invest in home insurance India to put less monetary pressure and assure guaranteed compensation for these damages. Reap the benefits of providing hassle-free protection for your home and make endless memories with your family.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy home 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.

Watching the beautiful horizon from the open deck is a mesmerising experience. Cruise trips seem elite and sound exciting. It is a paradise for ocean lovers. From solo ventures to family getaways, the cruise journeys welcome travellers to enjoy an unforgettable maritime holiday opportunity. Sailing couldn't have been more fun with several recreational activities, games, and cuisine organised onboard. Every moment on the ship reflects a beautiful memory to cherish forever!

Planning your first cruise trip can seem daunting without proper information about bookings, the right time to travel, the expenses, and much more.

This blog is your guide to understanding all the information you need to know before you board the ship. Carefully go through the pointers and chart all the requirements to plan a hassle-free cruise trip. Here’s all you need to know.

1. Timing is everything:

You need to figure out the right time to sail. Finalise your destinations and understand their sailing season. Look up the details of the touchpoints and the locations you wish to visit on the cruise company’s website or reservation site and research their sailing calendar.

2. Choosing the right cruise:

Different cruise liners provide you with various amenities and a range of activities to do while you’re on your sea voyage. Carefully look at different packages and determine which one fits your vacation goals and budget. Choosing the right cruise is important as they will take you on a journey to foreign countries and continents. Multiple onboard activities will keep you engaged throughout your travel.

3. Intent of travel is important:

Determining how and why you wish to take a cruise trip would be best. It is essential to determine your travel purpose as you will be out in the sea longer than expected. And when there are fewer locations to step down and explore and more sea exploration, things can get a little challenging due to the feeling of stagnation. Hence it is essential to figure out how confident and strongly willing you are to take a sea voyage.

4. Book the cruise:

While planning your first-ever cruise trip, you should book with someone trustworthy. Or some of your close contacts have already experienced their services and recommend them. Given the time of the journey and the heavy expenditure, you must ensure to do research regarding the company before you go ahead and book your tickets.

5. What should your itinerary look like:

Foremost finalise your budget and the location before you head out in search of the best cruise trips and their itineraries. Fixing your budget will help you narrow down your list of options and help you efficiently choose the suitable itinerary that covers all your expectations.

6. Choosing the perfect cabin:

You will have several options to pick from when you are finalising your cabin for the cruise journey. But how to choose the right cabin? If you’re easily seasick, looking for cabins with a sea view will not be advisable. You can choose higher or lower cabins according to your preferences, which do not face the sea but open your doorway into the activity area, making you feel more alive!

Certain other pointers like checking on your travel documents: your passports, visa, identity proof, tickets, etc., are paramount. Keep your health as the priority. Make all necessary preparations regarding the medications you might need beforehand to avoid the stress of getting sick when onboard.

While planning your first cruise trip can be stressful yet exciting, it is always helpful to be prepared for any travel or medical emergencies in advance. Unprecedented circumstances can result in panic situations while travelling. Don’t let health emergencies spoil your excitement of enjoying your first cruise trip.

We advise you to browse through Magma HDI’s general insurance plans and purchase the one which would cover your travel insurance in the best way possible. Purchase the best general insurance plan and sail carefree. Bon voyage!

Click HERE to know more about how general insurance plans can make your travel experience risk-free.

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.