GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

You're familiar with that feeling when you're on the verge of becoming ill. You feel worn out, like something is wrong, and you're colder than usual. And at that point, you start to wonder just what is happening. Is it the cold, the flu, or the RSV? Or might it just be allergies?

When you first start to get sick, it can be hard to tell the difference between these illnesses. Surprisingly, they have identical symptoms. Find out in the following article what might be causing your flu-like symptoms and when you should visit a doctor.

What are the symptoms of flu?

● Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea

● Muscle aches and pains

● Sore throat, running nose, or cough

● Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

● Fever

What other conditions are like the flu?

1. Cold:
Most people have experienced many episodes of the common cold. A wide variety of viruses brings it on. Symptoms of a cold include a running or stuffy nose, a sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headaches or body aches, and fever. Since there is no way to tell if you have a cold, most treatments are meant to ease the symptoms.

2. COVID:
The symptoms of COVID and the flu sometimes coincide. In its early stage, COVID symptoms are more like those of a cold than of the flu. Breathing difficulties and loss of taste or smell are two symptoms that are more prevalent with COVID.

3. Pneumonia:
Both viruses and bacteria can cause pneumonia. Cough, fever, shortness of breath, and exhaustion are the primary signs of pneumonia. It's also crucial to remember that pneumonia can develop from the flu, COVID, or a simple cold. This is only sometimes the case, though. Finding out if you have pneumonia requires a chest X-ray.

4. Bronchitis:
A lower respiratory infection or inflammation is referred to as "bronchitis." It is caused by a virus that affects the lungs, but the symptoms can last even after the infection is gone. It may be caused by persistent inflammation. Your symptoms and other medical issues typically determine your course of treatment. Steroids and inhalers are helpful for some people.

5. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV):
RSV is a widespread virus that manifests as flu-like symptoms. In grownups, it frequently resembles and feels like the common cold. But it can hurt the lungs and cause breathing problems in young children, especially those under 6 months old. Infants with RSV have fast breathing and apparent behavioural abnormalities. They could have difficulties in eating or seem more worn out than usual. A hospital stay may be necessary for oxygen and constant monitoring during treatment.

When should you go to the doctor if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms?

● People with severe lung or heart diseases

● Very young children

● Older adults over 65

● Women who are pregnant or within two weeks of birth

● People with neurologic abnormalities, such as a history of seizures

If you experience any of the following, get medical care right away:

● Dizziness

● Pressure in the chest or stomach

● Extreme muscle tenderness

● Dehydration and inability to retain food

● Difficulty breathing or fast breathing

● No improvement in symptoms after 3 to 5 days

A healthcare professional can test you for many diseases you might have and ensure you get the right treatments. Mainly due to change in seasons, flu-like symptoms are frequent. It could be hard to tell the difference between the flu and other diseases like COVID, the common cold, or strep throat. If you have the flu but aren't sure, see your doctor for a check-up.

You can speak with your physician about receiving a flu shot if you fall into one of the high-risk categories. Your medical bills, pharmaceutical charges, hospitalisation costs, and other expenses are all covered by health insurance. Health insurance in India is now more than just a choice—it's necessary to get the best medical care without worrying about how it will affect your finances.

Click HERE to buy the best 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.

It's the new year, and one resolution that we all commonly try to make is to keep our homes organised and well-maintained. A well-organised home is the key to an organised and healthy you. Good home organising ideas with the proper implementation strategy can give you the perfect home without spending a bomb on it.

Do you also have a new year resolution of organising your home well? Here are a few interesting ways you can achieve it this new year.

1. Take one room at a time:
Organising your entire home can be an uphill and time-consuming task. You will get confused about how and where to start and what changes to incorporate. Start with organising your home by taking small steps. Start from one room at a time. You can focus better and devote time to individual rooms separately. This will make the entire home organising task less daunting and easily manageable.

2. Hanging spaces:
Create multiple hanging spaces in all your rooms, galleries, and sitting areas. You should have appropriate space to hang your jackets, blazers and other clothes so that you do not have to put them here and there on the bed, side table or the floor! This will make your rooms clutter-free and look neat and clean. You can put a peg board and hang your hats, caps, shirts, t-shirts, etc., on it. This will look nice and organised, and you will be easily able to locate all your stuff too.
Hanging spaces in the kitchen can be very useful as well. Paste iron hooks behind the main kitchen door and cabinet doors. You can hang the dusting cloth, small pans, spare packets, etc., on them and not store or litter them in the open. They will stay behind the doors and not be visible to all.

3. Learn to donate:
Each of us has the habit of stocking up multiple useless things we don't need and creating clutter in our wardrobes and even out in the open. For example, you might have stacked up dresses from the past that do not fit you anymore. Since you have limited storage space, you keep putting the new clothes you buy on those same shelves. The clothes start tumbling out of your closet every time you open them.
Learn to let go and donate! Your old clothes will not get bigger on their own, nor will they shrink. Donate the extra clothes to the needy in an orphanage or an old-age home. It will feel great to help, and your wardrobe will be lighter and more organised.

4. Go green:
You may buy indoor plants in fancy, beautiful pots and use them as decorative pieces around your house. They will provide fresh air while making your house green and beautiful. You can also hang a few pots in the stairway and outside the main entrance to give a great look.

5. Proper marking:
A key to being organised is keeping everything labelled and properly marked. You can start with the kitchen and put labels on each storage container. This will make it easy to figure out what is inside each container, and the items will not get mixed up.
You can also label items such as photo albums to instantly know when these photographs were taken, even after several years. Use labels for marking important files and documents, first aid kits, etc., so you can easily find them when needed.

Start with one thing at a time, and you will enjoy organising your house this new year. Even if you do little at first, do it with full dedication and focus. This will ensure that your efforts do not go waste and that your home looks the best.

Another important way to get organised this new year is by opting for home insurance India policy. It protects your house and all your valuable possessions from damages caused by fire, theft, earthquake, etc. Choose the best home insurance India and protect your valuable asset from mishaps.

Click HERE to buy reliable 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.

Children give purpose to a family. As they carry their family's legacy, their development is always of utmost priority around the house. Parents focus on saving up for their children's education, health, marriage and fulfilling their other needs and demands. They try their best to give their children more than what was provided to them.

It is said that a child reflects the culture that is practised in the family. They imitate what they see at home. Their cognitive abilities start developing in the early stages of life. So, it is essential to engage them in various activities which stimulate their body and mind. These practices will help them utilise their time fruitfully and give them a wide range of things to explore.

Wondering how to keep your child engaged? In this blog, we will discuss a couple of activities to promote your child's early development.

1. Get your kids into musical:
Music creatively stimulates your child's brain. It helps them understand and capture different tones, rhythms and sounds. You can help them learn nursery rhymes, numbers, alphabets, etc., through music. This can shape their cognitive abilities.
The tunes will help them remember things easily. Having a fun, musical experience makes things exciting and lighthearted.

2. Lots of pictures:
You can put up many pictures in your child's room. Having visuals around will stimulate their brain. Associate the images with words, for example, a family tree. Discuss the pictures and the terms frequently. This will help them identify and relate the words to images and vice-versa. It's a fun learning technique that many experts prescribe.

3. Colours and textures:
Humans respond to colours and textures. Toddlers' brains are more receptive to sensory stimulation, including touch, vision and taste. These sensations help them understand their surroundings. You can use bold letters and dark markers to help them understand patterns, notes, etc.
Parents can use textured materials for decor and furnish their child's room with their favourite learning and playtime materials. For example- you can use cotton balls, sandpapers, beans, etc.

4. Play:
"All work and no play make Jack a dull boy" is a saying we've all heard. Physical movement holds as much importance as mental development does. Engage your children in outdoor activities to help them get familiar with the environment and observe the things around them. This further allows them to recognise certain situations and people when interacting outdoors.

5. Organization:
Arrangement and organisation help your kids understand the importance of cleanliness. At the same time, it trains their mind and builds organisational skills, which will prove to be helpful for them in the future. You can start by helping them understand how to place their toys, small clothing items, activities' kits, etc.
Spend time with your children and make labels for different drawers and bins. And then develop their habit to place their stuff in the assigned places. This is how you can smartly introduce discipline in your child's behaviour.

Other activities to promote your child's early development include planning a scavenger hunt, measuring their growth, numbering the days of the week and months, etc. These activities create an enjoyable learning experience and make your kids excited about future learning. Activities and hobbies help foster and strengthen the bond between parents and their children and make the interaction hesitation-free, exciting and full of love and care.

As parents, you will always be worried about your children's health. You take many measures to ensure they stay safe. And to make sure that they remain unharmed during unprecedented circumstances, it would be beneficial to purchase personal accident insurance online.

This will allow your children to focus only on learning, imbibe new experiences, and be playful without any worries of being hurt. Don't let any hurdle hinder the path to your child's development.

Click HERE to know more about how you can 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.

Sensitivity is a common existing dental issue faced by most people. Research states that one out of every eight adults experiences severe discomfort due to sensitive teeth. A person can experience severe pain during eating, drinking, brushing etc. Sensitivity can be caused by worn-out tooth enamel, cavity, chipped tooth, gum disease etc. The pain can be mild to sometimes highly severe depending on the level of advancement of the sensitivity.

This article will discuss a few home remedies to help tackle sensitive teeth problems.

1. Desensitizing toothpaste:
These kinds of toothpaste contain multiple compounds that help protect nerve endings. Sensitivity is primarily a result of open nerve endings that come directly in contact with irritants causing pain and irritation. Prominent among these compounds is potassium nitrate. It decreases the flow of fluid from tubules by clogging them. This blocks the brain from receiving pain signals from open nerve endings and protects them from extreme cold or hot sensations.

2. Salt rinse:
Salt helps reduce inflammation. To reduce the sensitivity, gargle using salt and water twice every day. Take about ½ tsp of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and mix well. Swish the solution for half a minute and spit out it. Regular use of saltwater gargle can do wonders for you.

3. Hydrogen peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic and disinfectant. Doctors usually use it to sterilise wounds and cuts to prevent infection. Using this as a mouthwash in diluted form can heal gums and avoid inflammation.
Add equal portions of water and hydrogen peroxide. Swish the solution like you would with an ordinary mouthwash. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with clean water.

4. Turmeric:
Our ancestors used turmeric for years as a natural antibacterial and antiseptic formula. The curcumin in turmeric aids in healing any kind of wound. You can mix turmeric, honey and salt and apply it to your gum and give them a proper massage. Use this twice every day for better results.

5. Green tea:
Apart from weight loss, green tea has been associated with other health benefits as well. It is rich in antioxidants and also has many anti-inflammatory properties. Using green tea without sugar as a mouthwash can strengthen your teeth and reduce inflammation. Even drinking green tea regularly can do the job for you.

These are a few things that you can do to reduce sensitivity. However, make sure to take care of your teeth before the onset of any such ailments. Avoiding sugar, brushing your teeth twice a day and regular flossing are things you can follow to ensure better oral health.

Dental problems are often latent and only show up in the form of pain, bad breath or swelling. By the time one experiences these symptoms, their oral hygiene has already been severely affected. Hence, you should not skip regular dental check-ups.

Dental treatments are mainly done over a few months and can take anywhere between 4 to 15 sittings with your dentist. This can prove to be expensive depending on your doctor and your location, which is why it is a wise choice to invest in affordable health insurance plans to safeguard yourself against such expenses. Check the options that offer the best benefits for a decent premium.

Click HERE to know more about affordable health 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.

The breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic brought the whole world to a halt. The auto industry suffered as people were majorly under lockdown across the globe. Usage-based insurance has been at the forefront of the auto-insurance market for some time now. And during the pandemic, it took the front seat as people felt that it was more economical than other insurance policies.

As the demand for personalised services increases globally, usage-based car insurance is becoming popular among car owners. People feel the need to be rewarded for driving safely, causing no accidents and following safety guidelines, unlike those who drive rashly.

While the basic concept of usage-based insurance seems accommodating, it is essential to know its benefits. Let's understand the working of usage-based car insurance and how it can be helpful. We will discuss the advantages of the insurance for you to make an informed decision.

1. Lower rates:
The usage-based car insurance caters to the human tendency of wanting to be rewarded for good performance. The associated discounts that come with this insurance include special price cuts based on the applicant's driving skills. Hence, usage-based insurance is among vehicle owners' top choices when getting insurance.

2. Driving behaviour is a substantial contributing factor:
An individual's driving habits and behaviour may change when they have co-passengers. A tech gadget called the telematics device helps you ensure that your concentration remains on the road. It alerts you about problematic and rash drivers on the road. Improper driving decisions account for consequential higher payments for the insurance as the penalty.

3. Tracking is enabled and easy:
Insurance-approved trackers make it easy to locate the vehicle and alert you when it leaves the set area. The devices also allow you to set specific regulations, for example, the speed limit. It will send you alerts when the vehicle crosses the specified speed limit. It helps parents track their children's driving habits and ensure their safety. It also proves beneficial for companies to monitor their cars and follow the routes they've been travelling.

4. Helpful in investigations:
The insurance-approved trackers and GPS devices track the vehicle's locations at different times. In case of accidents, they help make the investigations easier by providing the data from these devices. The investigation teams and authorities can gather all the data about speed, location, acceleration, etc., up to the moment of the accident and claim accordingly.

5. More features:
The platforms which provide usage-based insurance have a lot of other features apart from the ones we've discussed. Other tools and features will help you monitor your driving habits and stay safe on the road.

The usage-based car insurance includes other parameters like age, financial status, gender, profession, and the evaluation of your driving skills. There is a base price over which you may receive potential discounts according to your skills. Unsafe driving gets penalised with higher prices.

We hope that this article helped you understand the working of usage-based insurance and how it can be helpful. A more convenient option for protecting your cars against damages is purchasing a car insurance policy online. You can always compare various policies and grab attractive deals, and additional features on car insurance as per your requirements.

Click HERE to know more to buy car 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.

Vertigo is a widespread illness that affects roughly 15% of the global population and is often a symptom of a more serious health problem. A deceptive impression of motion, spinning, or feeling of unbalance denotes vertigo. Vertigo comes in various forms, and subduing the sign is not the solution.

An accurate diagnosis of what induces vertigo is viable only when the doctor makes a systematic examination. Although vertigo is a typical concern affecting people of all ages, it is observed that older adults experience this more than younger ones. That is why you must purchase trustworthy health insurance in India for parents to cover them under a financial safety net.

If you or your parents are suffering from vertigo, there are certain things you may do at home to alleviate the symptoms and lessen the impact on their bodies.

These are some of the home remedies.

1. Managing stress:
Stress can trigger some vertigo-causing disorders, such as Meniere's disease. Developing coping methods to deal with stressful situations may help you have fewer vertigo attacks. An ideal situation is to start with meditation and deep breathing methods.
Long-term stress isn't something you can breathe through, and the sources of stress aren't always easy to eliminate. Simply being aware of what is causing the stress may be enough to alleviate your vertigo symptoms.

2. Hydration:
Even mild dehydration can trigger vertigo. Drink an ample amount of water to keep your body active and avoid lethargy. The body craves 8 to 12 glasses of liquids every day, so water is the most suitable choice because it has zero calories or caffeine.

3. Vitamin D boost:
You might be right if you think your vertigo is caused by something you aren't getting in your diet. BPPV is the most frequent type of vertigo, which is commonly caused due to deficiency of vitamin D. Always check your vitamin D levels with your doctor to see whether you need to increase your intake or take supplements.

4. Acupressure:
Acupressure uses the same principles as acupuncture but without the need for needles. The P6 acupressure method, for example, involves a pressure point located in the two tendons between the inner forearm and the wrist. It provides relaxation and is effective in multiple ways to lower vertigo symptoms.

5. Exercise:
Yoga and tai chi reduce stress and improve flexibility and balance. Physical therapy in an outpatient setting teaches your brain to compensate for the cause of your vertigo, and home exercise can help you achieve the same result. Try easy yoga stances when you're dizzy. Avoid anything that requires rapid bending forward because it may boost your vertigo symptoms.

Vertigo is usually an indication of a more serious health problem. While treating vertigo at home can be quick, if the symptoms persist or become more severe over time, get medical help right there. Severe health problems can strike without warning, leaving you in a financial bind.

After a certain age, parents experience this problem due to several factors. Diagnosing the problem at an early stage is the best way to treat vertigo before it develops into a severe health condition. Choose proper health insurance in India for parents to cover them for medical or hospitalisation expenditures and provide a healthy and happy life.

Click HERE to know more about health insurance in India for parents.

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 know the challenges of driving these days, no matter where we drive. The roads are raided with potholes, many drivers do not follow traffic regulations, and the unmaintained roadways are challenging to manoeuvre. While evading stray animals, pedestrians, or even rash drivers, we often come too close to getting into serious accidents. As per a report, over 4.37 lakh accidents occurred on Indian roads in 2019. Clearly, even after years of experience in driving and having a focused mind, several people in the country still get into unfortunate crashes that ruin their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

While you can take several precautions during driving, you can also install safety devices that help enhance your degree of protection. Using a dashcam while driving can play a vital role in providing security on the road. Let's understand how.

What is a dashcam?
A dashcam or a dashboard camera is like any other compact camera designed to give the car's occupants a clear view of the road ahead. The camera is positioned on the windscreen to record the road ahead and placed on the back of some vehicles to record the rearview. This camera starts recording as soon as you start the car or push a button.
The driver can view all the movements and incidents happening not only on the road ahead but also behind on a monitor installed inside the car. You can view the proximity of the vehicles around you, giving you a better edge at driving.
As a great convenience, the recordings on the dashcam can be saved on an SD card. You can access this footage as proof material in case of accidents.

What are the benefits of using a dashcam while driving your car?
No matter how many years of driving experience you have, you will never know when a dangerous accident might occur. Drinking and other destructive behaviours behind the wheel are vastly known to take innocent lives. Besides the fatalities and injuries, several vehicle damages and monetary losses are also incurred. A dashboard camera can help in several such situations:

1. A dashcam can assist the police in punishing the offenders in accidents by providing viable evidence. They can access the footage from the dashcam to view the factual occurrences rather than basing a case on mere statements.

2. A dashcam can be highly cost-effective. It can prevent the daily wear and tear that your vehicle might suffer from on the road by giving you a well-rounded view while driving, taking turns, and parking.

3. If you want to buy new car insurance, look for plans that offer a discount for installing a dashcam. Insurance companies recognise the benefits of this device. They sometimes provide a hefty discount on your premium if your vehicle is equipped with one and if you ensure other safety measures too.

4. Dashboard cameras are highly effective in promoting safe driving. They allow you to keep an eye on the rearview and side mirrors and foresee crashes or bumps.

The dashcam is proven to play an essential role in securing your personal as well as your vehicle's safety. There is a wide variety of dashcams available in the market. Invest in a good quality one to safeguard your future and ensure a quality driving experience. Remember, dashcam provides you advantages like lower premiums when you buy new car insurance as it can assist with settling claims quickly.

Click HERE to buy new car insurance for the additional safety of your car.

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.

It can be daunting to have your car breakdown in the middle of nowhere, even worse if it's raining or pitch-black outside. Roadside assistance is a lifesaver in such situations and something you should consider while investing in a car insurance policy.

Every car owner in India is required to have insurance. The critical piece of paper in your car's dashboard keeps you from getting a ticket and helps you arrange your finances. You can also buy car insurance online to protect yourself from financial stress in such situations.

That's not all, though. Car insurance add-ons protect you from the high costs of repairs and maintenance. One such add-on is roadside assistance.

Let's talk about this cover and why it's so important.

What is Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance (RSA) is an optional coverage that helps you when your car breaks down. Some motor insurance companies include this protection as a standard feature, whereas others provide it as an optional add-on that the car owner can choose to purchase. RSA coverage does not count as a claim on your primary insurance policy if you need quick assistance.

How does RSA work?
Call your car insurance company for assistance, and a crew will arrive at your location in no time. Almost all services are free, but you may have to pay a fee in some cases. For example, if your vehicle needs to be towed, you will have to pay for it. Some companies also offer taxi services to your next destination.

What benefits does RSA offer?
The roadside assistance feature covers a wide range of circumstances, including the following:

1. Suppose you face a flat tyre issue. In this case, a mechanic will trace your location and arrive at the spot. The mechanic will inspect the situation and replace the flat tyre. If needed, your car might be towed to the nearest garage for better servicing. It saves you from looking for towing vans or garages to fix your vehicle.

2. Your car's battery might drain. Here, a mechanic will arrive on a call and assist you in jump-starting your vehicle and bringing it back on the road. This is one of the best benefits offered by RSA insurance, especially when you're travelling alone.

3. Suddenly running out of fuel can bring an annoying situation to you. However, the RSA insurance policy allows you to request 5 litres of fuel to reload your tank without any hindrance.

4. RSA covers breakdowns that require minor repairs on site.

5. If you lose your keys while on vacation, the insurer will help you get a new set of keys if you're within the reach of an approved limit of Kms.

6. The insurance company will arrange for immediate and safe towing to a nearby garage or authorised automobile centre in case of an accident.

Typically, roadside assistance services come with a different premium, depending on the plans chosen, the number of services required, and the size of the geographical area covered. Having a roadside assistance add-on can save you significant money in service fees. So, buy car insurance online today to safeguard your car and yourself in emergencies and ensure the best coverage for your possession.

Click HERE to know more about 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.