GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

While building your home or renovating your existing apartment, design, furniture, wallpapers, paints, etc., are just some of the many things you need to consider. However, one of the lesser talked about things is the house's flooring. Choosing a floor involves various factors such as climate, the people, pet and child friendly etc. Having an interior designer can significantly help you in selecting the right fit for you.

Sometimes, even the best flooring can show defects due to various climatic and other factors, and you might need to change your flooring after a while. This is when your insurer plays a significant role. Your insurance provider will take care of the extra expense that you have incurred in the process of revamping your floors due to the damage. Keeping these things in mind, opting for the best home insurance in India should be your first step to building your dream home.

Today, we will be looking at a complete guide that will help you choose the best floors for your home.

1. Lifestyle:
Depending on the lifestyle of your family members, your flooring preference will change. e.g., if you live with older people, you might want to look for floors that provide some friction and prevent the cold. Hence, choosing a floor that serves functionality and style is essential. If you are a pet parent, you might want to opt for textured floors to ensure that your pet’s joints and muscles remain in proper health.

2. Durability:
Quite literally, your house stands on your floor. Hence, it is essential to opt for durable floors. Paying a slightly higher price for quality material ensures that your floor stands the test of time and sustains all the pressure.

3. Weather conditions:
Weather conditions are the driving factors in flooring selection. You need to keep your house warm. It is wise to invest in wooden floors and add carpets to ensure your floor remains warm throughout. Marble flooring is a smart option for hot or warm places as it retains the cold temperature during the night and keeps your house cool.

4. Colour theme:
While we discuss the floors' functionality and cost-benefits, choosing a floor that goes well with your house's colour and the theme is also important. An interior designer can suggest the latest trends and flooring patterns that add value to the interiors of your house.

5. Maintenance:
Opting for fancy flooring and sticking to a theme is just the first step in ensuring the longevity of your floors. It is also essential to go for options that are easy to maintain. Floors such as quarry tile, carpet tile, epoxy flooring are all examples of durable yet low maintenance flooring. The only thing these floors require is daily sweeping and deep cleaning once a month. On the contrary, high maintenance flooring requires regular upkeep and intense cleaning to avoid discolouring and scratches.

The floor is what holds your room together, so choosing the right floor can make or break the look of your room. The above discussed are a few points that you can look out for before selecting the best flooring options for yourself.

Compare the prices in the market to make sure that you are getting the best quality products for your home. Another good option would be investing in the best home insurance in India to safeguard your home against unforeseen circumstances. Remember, your floor selection is about balancing your requirements with your style. Use the internet and look out for various brochures and more ideas online.

Click HERE to know about the best home 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.

Whether you're looking to purchase your first pickup vehicle, minivan or heavy-duty truck, there are several aspects to consider beforehand. The process of buying a commercial vehicle can be daunting for first-time customers. An excellent place to start is to gain enough basic knowledge about trucks to understand how they will meet your requirements. In contrast, existing truck owners should focus on increasing the benchmark performance of their present fleet.

If you fall in either of the categories, here are some pointers to help you while buying a commercial vehicle.

1. Research your way into it:
Regardless of your level of knowledge about commercial vehicles, most showrooms would be happy to assist you. However, doing some comprehensive research as part of the purchase process will help you better understand commercial vehicles before going to a dealer.
Talk to people in your known circle who own commercial vehicles. Find out what goes into daily and long-term maintenance, and get details about performance and cost. Read through buyer reviews and do plenty of research online.
This may appear a tedious task, but buying a commercial vehicle is a significant investment. If you go for the wrong product, it can cost your company in the longer run.

2. To help you make a better decision, ask yourself these questions:

What kind of chassis am I looking for?
Chassis is your vehicle's structural backbone. Fuel will be wasted if you use a chassis that is too large for your needs. On the other hand, a tiny chassis might cause your vehicle to get overloaded, requiring you to make additional trips, wasting time and fuel, and reducing efficiency.

How much power do I require?
When the vehicle obtains the best torque at a low engine speed, the overall fuel consumption is lower than when the engine is operating at maximum speed. So choose a vehicle with an engine designed to provide maximum torque at the speed at which the vehicle will primarily operate most of the time.

What type of tyres am I looking for?
Tyres support your truck in operating at its maximum design speed safely. When moving, they should provide as little resistance as possible. If your vehicle involves driving on high-speed routes, low-rolling-resistance tyres might be beneficial. For small trucks, remember that tyre maintenance is more important than tyre selection.

Which fuel will my truck need?
Although most commercial vehicles run on diesel, alternative options are gaining popularity due to growing fuel prices and environmental concerns. Hybrid electric engines can be helpful for trucks dealing with a large number of small deliveries.

An increase in fossil fuel prices may make these alternative fuels more tempting for your applications. Still, given the current market, you should do thorough research because these options have challenges, fewer refuelling or charging stations, to name one.

Purchasing a truck is a significant financial investment for anyone. A good vehicle can be your business's maker or breaker. It is an asset that needs regular servicing and maintenance to perform at its best. In addition to doing extensive online research for some valuable takeaways to buying a commercial vehicle, you also need to study online motor insurance that can provide financial cover to your vehicle against any mishap. While making the most impactful investment of your life, it is also crucial to get online motor insurance for your purchase to help you be carefree when it travels miles for your success.

To know more about online motor insurance plans for your next commercial vehicle, click HERE .

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.

In this hustling world, everyone wants to save the most valuable aspect of their life – time. Finding out time for household chores feels like an impossible task in the middle of your tight schedule.

But, many gadgets and appliances have made the way to clear the chaos and get things convenient for you. From the start of our day until we retire, we encounter several devices that work as our assistants and eliminate the worries of most household tasks.

Below you will learn some of these intelligent home appliances that make your life easier.

1. Speakers with AI and Bluetooth – technology reimagined:
Apart from listening to songs, we can use smart speakers to remind every major-minor event or daily tasks such as paying the bills, recharging your internet pack, weather forecasting, news, and what not. The exciting feature is that it also operates by voice recognition feature. You may even integrate your smart speakers with your other smart home devices to enjoy a fully customizable and command-driven home environment.

2. WIFI/portable routers – make smarter connections:
The Internet has become new oxygen for the globe. Constant evolution in the WIFI system like portable routers and mesh WIFI systems are trending and valuable for the smart home network that connects all your smart devices.

3. Smartwatches – the world around your wrist:
Smartwatches are a great invention that looks classy and way more productive than just showing time. Get all the notifications and regular updates without touching your mobile. Additionally, it's the best investment for health by keeping your active schedule with your walks, work-out, and counting calories burnt.

4. Innovative kitchen appliances – cooking made fun:
Smart refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves can be paired with your smartphones through helpful apps and make the cooking experience more enjoyable than we could ever imagine. These appliances would do the task in minutes which you finish in hours with your bare hands.

5. Laundry appliances – happy clothes, happy wardrobe:
Fully automatic washing machines with timers, clothes dryers are the appliances that have become popular and essential in the last decade. They are an excellent example of time-saving and doing your laundry easier and faster.

6. Living room appliances – feel like the 'modern king':
It is where we tend to spend more time with our guests and visitors. You can easily interact and schedule the smart lights, automatic blinds, Smart TV and sound system and turn your living room more automated to your requirements.

7. Smart doorbell/locks – safety redefined:
Safety is the biggest concern for homeowners. Using an intelligent doorbell system, remote control of door locks, and security cameras will bring a good change in your life by making you feel secure. Also, the house insurance premium goes down when you add a layer of security to your home. This way, you guarantee yourself a peaceful sleep at night and the shield of double protection from unfortunate incidents like burglary for your home.

You can make your home a lot more automated by using these intelligent electronic appliances and gadgets. Imagine cooking in your microwaves from anywhere with your smartphone and receiving alerts when the food is ready.

The constant upgrades and new appliances make way to your home and give you the upper hand to manage the daily household work. Some of these items are expensive devices to install in your house. A suitable house insurance plan can provides you compensation for the damages caused due to fire, theft, or man-made hazards or any vandalism. Get house insurance for the financial security of your insured belongings and enjoy your life with the golden-age technology appliances.

Are you looking for a best home insurance in India for your new home? Click HERE .

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.

Having your furry friend accompanying you as a travel partner can be an exciting experience. When you have good company, the journey appears to be insightful. No trip is complete without the favourite member of the house! So, if you're planning a vacation, let your cute friend know that he's coming too.

People might think it's hard to travel with pets considering they might litter around or cause trouble for others. But, in reality, travelling with your furry friends can be one of the best travel experiences ever. With just a few tips and precautions, you can go on adventures with your pet and take your bond to greater heights.

We are here to offer you the top five essentials to make travelling fun with your pet.

1. Visit your vet before leaving:
Always consult your vet before leaving for the trip, especially if it is your pet's first long journey. Your pets might need some extra vaccination or require a health certificate for the travel. Check all the documentation from your vet mentioning your pet's proper health before starting a trip.

2. Practice can make your pet perfect:
A long-distance car ride for the first time can get them nervous. So it's better to take some shorter drives before the main trip to see if they are comfortable for long-distance. As they get used to the travel conditions, they start enjoying the little things. Try some commands and tricks to calm them in new public places and to avoid any mishaps with strangers.

3. Travel pack for your pet:
As you wish to have all the best things with you while travelling, so does your pet. Carry your pet's favourite toys and treats. This will make them the happiest even when they aren't able to do much while travelling. Pack ample food and water that will last the whole trip. Also, add a separate first aid kit for them. Be a responsible guardian and take the best care of your pet; you will find that it'll keep you entertained throughout your vacation.

4. Time for stretches and play:
All pets are hyperactive, and they can't sit still in one place for a long period. Stop at every 3-4 hours for them to stretch out and go for a bit of run. This will place their energy in the right direction, and they won't be jumping all over and creating chaos during the drive. They would love to have these sessions in between, making them bear long travel runs.

5. Maintain a pet-friendly environment:
Having an environment they can enjoy and be comfortable with is the most important thing for long journeys. While planning, choose hotels and restaurants that are pet-friendly to have the opportunity to socialize with others. As the most pet-friendly hotels get booked in advance, always have a prior reservation for your stay. While in the car, don't drive too fast as they quickly go through motion sickness.

All these tips will help you make your journey so much more fun and exciting for your pet. Along with that, keep a check on other minor details such as carrying pet seat belts, a first aid kit, and your pet's medical documents.

While you have to be a little extra careful about the well-being of your furry friend, ensure you have already guarded yourself against other travel-related worries like theft or damage to your baggage or a medical emergency during the journey. To deal with these unfortunate incidents, a general insurance company can be of great help. Magma HDI General Insurance company covers the losses amidst your travel plan so that you focus on playing and making memories with your pet.

Click HERE to know more about general insurances available.

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.

Problems come uninvited, so do thieves. While modern technology makes it safer than before, no homes can be declared as "burglar-proof". The skills of burglars are advancing too with time. So, to avoid clever thieves from attacking your house and stealing valuables, you need to take considerable precautions. Below are the twenty-one tips to prevent burglary at your home so that you feel guarded.

1. Get a pet dog to guard your home: Most common and convenient option is to get a pet and train it to safeguard your home. Believe it or not, most thieves are badly scared of dogs!

2. Keep your spare keys in a place known only to you: Unlike old times, you cannot keep your spare key under a flowerpot or doormat. Unsurprisingly, invaders are aware of this trick. So, it is advisable to keep your keys at some safe place, or you can hand them over to your trustworthy neighbours till you return home.

3. Keep your car keys accessible to you: At the time of intrusion, you can make them scared by pressing the car alarm with your keys.

4. Always use the peephole before opening the door: Use the peephole to see who's outside, confirm the unknown person's identity, and then only open the door.

5. Draw curtains and blinds: Surely you won't like to give some stranger an option of window shopping to your home. To ensure privacy inside your house, make a habit of drawing curtains and blinds.

6. Be a friendly neighbour: A neighbourhood watch is one of the best ways to protect your home. Protect their home when they are not around and request them the same when you are away for a long period.

7. Install security cameras for surveillance: Make this one-time investment in installing CCTV outside your home premises. No invader will break in quickly.

8. Keep your valuables safe: Considering the worst case, even if the intruder breaks into your house, make sure that your valuables, essential documents, and ornaments are in a fireproof and password-protected safe or locker.

9. Hide expensive items: Don't keep your expensive items like jewellery, watches etc., at bay where everyone can see them. It's easier for visitors and strangers to scan through while you open the door for them.

10. Install a video doorbell camera: It is a modern-day alternative to the peephole, providing a better and broader view and a clear channel for communication.

11. Keep multiple layers of defence: Using a single door is not safe. Keeping fences, external gates on the entrance further prevent invaders.

12. Shift your door hinges: Doors having hinges outside are highly vulnerable. Anyone can break in with simple tools. So, make sure hinges are inside the home.

13. Shine a light of security: Having a light outside the home and keeping the gate well-lit makes burglary less possible. Burglars usually try to avoid attacking homes that have lights on!

14. Keep the external switches and wires covered: The invaders will likely break in after cutting the cables and CCTV camera connections. So, ensure that all the cables are covered safely and not visible to intruders.

15. Timely update and upgrade doors and locks: Old doors and locks are easily breakable and cannot provide durability. Update your locks and doors from time to time.

16. Use multiple locks: Like multiple doors, use multiple locks for additional protection.

17. Secure the windows: The window is a familiar and most found intruding means by which burglars break-in. Make it safer by using good quality windowpanes, glasses, and handle locks.

18. Declutter your door: When you are not at home, ask your neighbours or inform some friend to empty your garbage bin, collect your daily newspapers or any parcels and packages dropped at your doorstep.

19. Keep security signboards: 'This property/home is under the surveillance of CCTV.' Such signboards will easily break the will of an intruder, preventing them from entering your house.

20. Don't overshare or overexpose: Make wise use of social media. And don't overshare your personal information, things about the home, or any upcoming events and trips too. It might risk your home and privacy in the first place.

21. Get a home insurance plan: A good house insurance India plan guards your house against losses in case of a burglary. Your insurance company will reimburse the value of the lost items.

Phew! Many of the above tips will save your home from burglary and make it secure inside out in your day-to-day life. The future of safe homes lies in home automation or smart homes. If you have a reasonable budget, you can also opt for such options. However, thinking of additional protection for a home is not a wrong thought. So, always invest in home insurance that provides you additional protection.

Click HERE to get the best home insurance India for your home.

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.

Technology is undoubtedly a key driver for the economic growth of a country. Fuelled by the revolution in internet connectivity, it has evolved over the years and made many advancements. As a result, it plays a significant role in improving people's lives in every field, including the transport industry. Truck drivers encounter multiple issues in their day-to-day life, but the latest introduction of technology in truck drivers' lives has made things smoother for them. In this post, we share how technology is making the life of truck drivers easy on the wheels.

1. ELDs – Electronic Logbook Devices:
Truck drivers are required to manually fill forms or papers to enter the number of hours they drive. To avoid this hassle, ELDs are attached to the engine, which automatically calculates the number of driving hours. Besides, ELDs also assist in helping the truck driver with fuel consumption by the truck. Another perk of these devices is that it monitors the driving route and thus helps the truck driver's safety. Furthermore, if truck drivers encounter accidents, ELDs play a crucial role in proving the evidence.

2. Load boards:
Load boards are another vital tool used to find new shippers who need to haul their loads. This is widely used by truck drivers, owners, freight brokers, and more. You can go to load board sites and enter all the necessary information, including types of loads you can haul, weight allowance, and currently available destinations. Once you fill up all this information, shippers can contact you.

3. GPS systems for truck drivers:
GPS units are a standard device that assists truck drivers to reach their destination quickly with the shortest route. It avoids unnecessary travelling for them and results in efficient delivery. In case of traffic jams and bad weather conditions, the drivers can avoid those routes and save fuel and time.

4. Best use of smartphones:
Smartphones are excellent technology examples that are helpful for truck drivers. Through smartphones, truck drivers can communicate seamlessly and share their exact locations. This is also crucial for knowing how long the truck driver will take to reach their destination. Additionally, you can use smartphones to check out the nearest gas stations, accommodations, and more. During the breaks, truck drivers can use their phones for entertainment, such as listening to their favourite music or watching shows and movies.

5. Hands-free communication:
Voice assistant devices and other hands-free communication devices serve great purposes for truck drivers. Using hands-free communication devices ensures their eyes are on the road while informing people about their route. Since we all are aware of the consequences of holding a phone while driving, truck drivers can use hands-free communication devices and stay in contact with the dispatcher. This is also essential when the driver is confused about the exact route and needs guidance.

It is no surprise that technology innovation is pushing the limits and changing how the transport business functions and improving life on highways. However, as the industry evolves and expands, it also requires safe cover for efficient operation through motor insurance. Good motor insurance addresses the worry of mishaps on the road and puts you away from unwanted risks. Thanks to the technology, you can have online motor insurance renewal even on the move from your smartphone. So, use the technology advancement to your advantage and remain ahead in the business!

To know more about motor insurance, click HERE .

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 fire can start anywhere and you will be surprised to know that you may have as little as two minutes to escape from such fires to safety. Early warning signs and proper steps taken once the fire has been detected can save your life as well as others. Most of the home fires that occur are preventable and you should follow certain fire safety tips to protect yourself as well as your family from fire hazards.

Buying home fire insurance is the first step towards protecting your house from an unforeseen fire hazard that may destroy your complete property. But along with this, you need to know some safety tips to protect yourself if and when there is a fire outbreak in your home or office or any other such building.

• Smoke alarms are the basic detectors that must be installed within the building so that you are immediately aware of if there is some fire in your house. Such fire alarms can be installed in your living room and all of the bedrooms. Installing fire alarms does not finish your job and you need to take care if they are working properly by regular checks. You may even need to replace their batteries periodically.
• Have a fire escape plan ready and your whole family should be aware of what to do to escape from the house in case of a fire outbreak.
• In case there is a fire in your home, try to escape as quickly as possible and do not go back to your house to gather any belongings. If your house is insured under home fire insurance, you will get everything back.
• If you live in an apartment, get to know all the escape routes and as soon as there is a fire outbreak, pull the fire alarm so that everyone else is aware of a fire in the apartment.
• In case there is a fire in your home, lie down close to the floor because smoke tends to rise higher. You can save your breath this way and can be safe inside the room for a longer period until help arrives.
• If you are locked inside in case of a fire, try to block all paths of the smoke entrance to your area. You can get any clothing material and place it at the entry point of smoke which is generally the bottom of doors. The wet cloth will prevent smoke from reaching your area and you will be able to survive for a longer period until help comes.
• All the inflammable materials in your home should be handled carefully and must be put in a safe place. In case there is a fire outbreak, try to keep flammable materials out of the reach of the fire, otherwise, they may cause an explosion risking everyone’s lives.
• In case you use fireplaces inside your home to warm the house in winters, install a fire safety gate around the fireplace.
• Fire extinguishers are a must at office places, but there must be fire extinguishers at your home also. Everyone in your family should be trained enough to use the fire extinguisher in case the need arrives.
• In case your clothes catch fire, do not run because running won’t douse the flames, instead, it will only help the flame. Lie down and roll on the ground and the flames must be smothered by a heavy blanket or rug.

All these tips can come in handy whenever there is a fire outbreak in your home or your office. You must follow these tips, but you must never forget to call the fire department to let the professionals handle the fire hazard.

Owning a home is generally seen as a sign of adulthood and financial responsibility. Buying a home is a huge step and a very big commitment and requires a lot of work on your part. You need to be aware of all the different things and steps involved with everything to fully comprehend what all things need to be taken care of before you buy a home such as EMI payments, property tax payments,best home insurance policies in India and several others. Many people rush into buying homes which is never a good idea because if you are not careful while buying a home, there is a probability that you may be making a bad investment.

When buying a home, you need to be sure that you can sustain the financial burden and it won’t mess up your financial stability and for that, you need to understand the various aspects of homeownership. You can consider this as a guide which will help you in making a correct decision that will be beneficial for you in the long run as a good investment. Going step-by-step, you need to ponder over carefully on all these things: -

• The need to buy the property - Many people decide to buy a home just because they want to prove to the world that they have attained adulthood and they can own a home. The decision to buy a home should not be made so precariously and proper thought must be given to whether you need to buy a property and how will it affect your financial stability in terms of mortgages.
• Shortlisting the Property - Once you have properly assessed your requirements for a property, you need to now ponder upon what kind of home would you like to live in. Shortlisting can also be done based on whether you want to move in immediately or you want to construct the house according to your preferences. Ready to move in property generally require enough finances for paying cash up-front to buy them but for a house under construction, you can take bank loans while paying less cash up-front. The property should also be shortlisted based on what kind of location you want to live in.
• Understand the tax implications - Everyone wants to reduce their taxes, and for this, you need to understand what kinds of taxes you have to pay and how can that tax be reduced smartly. You can save capital gain tax on residential properties but not on commercial properties.
• The Legal Perspective - Once you have decided on buying a property, take care of all the legal things that need to be done so that the property is registered under your name or someone in your family. All the documents should be clear, and you should be comprehensive with regards to all the paperwork for the property to avoid any issues in the future.
• Manage Finances - You need to have a stable financial system so that you do not face any difficulty in your daily life after deciding to buy a new property. You can also avail home loans from banks to finance the new property by paying less cash upfront to the developer of the property. Your home loan eligibility and the amount for which your home loan is sanctioned depends on your ability to repay the loan, i.e. indirectly your salary..

Home buying is generally categorized into three different stages which are the Pre-purchase stage, financial handling stage and the Post-purchase stage. You need to be properly involved in all of these stages and understand each and everything so that you do not face any legal problems in future.

Make sure that all documents are complete and if you rent out your property, have proper rent agreement papers made. Buying a home also means you need to have home insurance, and you can buy some of the best home insurance policies in India from different insurance providers at attractive premium rates. Compare the policies properly and buy the one that suits your requirements the best.