GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Car driving is a skill we want to ace throughout our lives. It is a constant learning process, and with practice comes perfection. There is no definition of the best car driving skills, but the more we do it, the better we will be at it.

Let us take you through a practical guide to ace your skills in city driving.

1. Know your car inside out:
You need to know your car inside out to master it. Every car's clutch, brake, and accelerator have a different feel. Familiarise yourself with it so that you can adjust yourself accordingly. Nowadays, gear position varies in cars from different companies.
The position of the reverse gear often changes with models, and some cars have six or even seven gears instead of the usual five gears. Know how your car's gears work, so you are fluent in changing them, especially while driving through heavy traffic.

2. Get used to your automatic car:
Automatic cars don't have a clutch. New drivers of automatic cars tend to push the brake, thinking it to be the clutch, especially while driving through traffic. This will bring your car to a sudden halt and put you at the risk of being banged by the vehicle right behind you.
If you have an automatic car, practice driving it on empty roads in the surroundings of your house. You will soon get used to the missing clutch and learn how to drive it skillfully through the busy roads.

3. Get your seating position right:
An appropriate seating position is necessary if you want to ace your city driving skills. Present-day cars come with power seats that can be brought forward or backward at the click of a button. If you are short in height, worry not.
These seats come with seat cushion tilt and height adjustment features as well. Recline the seat as per your comfort, and you are ready to go! Moreover, you can also adjust your car's steering wheel. Proper seating posture can make you feel comfortable and do wonders for your driving.

4. Understand your car features:
Nowadays, cars have many features that can leave us puzzled. Go through your car's various buttons and consoles thoroughly to know how to take advantage of the respective features. For example, cars nowadays come with a "parking assist" feature, making parking much easier on busy streets. Use the features effectively, which will improve your driving experience.

5. Maintain adequate distance:
Ensure that you maintain adequate distance between yourself and the car in front of you while driving through busy city roads. In case the car in the front stops suddenly, you should have a sufficient gap to apply your brakes and stop in time without crashing into the vehicle in front.

6. Use your rear-view and side mirrors:
Rear-view and side mirrors will show you exactly what vehicles are behind you, and you can adjust your direction and speed accordingly in the city traffic. Moreover, these mirrors are very helpful while backing your car and changing lanes.

7. Follow traffic rules:
Last but not least, follow traffic rules! Simple rules like giving an indicator while turning and not using your phone while driving can make you a much better driver in the city traffic.

The above tips will help you ace your city driving skills effectively and make you a better driver. City driving is a challenge, but with the right mindset and following the traffic rules strictly will help you effortlessly glide through the traffic.

Similarly, master the skill of safety, and buy the best car insurance online India. Take one step ahead of others in choosing a policy that will give you the best mix of proper insurance coverage and the lowest premium amount. Be the best, as always!

Click HERE to buy car insurance online 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.

We all yearn for a trip with family and friends to rejuvenate ourselves from our routine life. This break is needed to remove all the stress and troubles, restore positivity and boost motivation. Planning such trips at least once a year and even more can help us cherish some rejoicing memories.

When we talk about memories, mentioning souvenirs is mandatory. They provide a glimpse of our journey, remind us of the fun-filled moments, and help us relive them long after travelling.

We all would love to keep these souvenirs right in front of our eyes at home, close to our hearts. Let us go through some of the best tips to decorate your home with travel souvenirs.

1. Pin it up:
Why stack up the beautiful postcards you purchased from your holiday destinations inside a cupboard? You can easily buy a soft board, hang it in your living room and pin up all the vibrant and mesmerising postcards you have on it. They will be a treat for your eyes every day you see them, and make sure you do not forget the lovely time you had.
Moreover, they will be a topic of interest and conversation whenever guests and friends visit your place. A well-arranged display of your vibrant postcards can act as a fantastic décor idea.

2. Use them on your bookshelf:
Small and vibrant coloured souvenirs can be a fantastic decoration for your bookshelf. You might read a book during your leisure time. Hence, these souvenirs will remind you of your vacation and be a treat to your eyes when you pick up a book to read in your leisure time.

3. Decorate your fridge:
Small magnetic souvenirs can be used as decorative pieces on your refrigerator. They will make your dull refrigerator door vibrant and buzzing with colours. Also, the souvenirs will remind you of the glimpses of the trip every time you open the fridge and help to lighten your mood.

4. Fabric as a travel souvenir:
Try buying small items made of unique fabric from your travel destination and use them in your house. They can be in the form of pillow covers, a scarf, a handkerchief, or even a dress or a t-shirt. They will act as lovely decorative pieces with purpose and use. Such works can make your home look colourful, bright, and welcoming. Also, such small pieces are usually inexpensive and convenient to carry.

5. Stones and rocks:
The next time you travel to any beach destination, remember to bring back local stones and rocks that are small in size but lovely to hold. You can also get sea shells from there. These pieces can work as beautiful decorative tools in your house.
You can keep a bowl full of beautiful rocks and stones on your centre table or dining table. You can decorate your home's main entrance with lovely sea shells. They will add a fresh variety to your home décor and make it look sporty and adventurous.

6. Wind chimes:
Buy good-quality wind chimes whenever you travel. They act as fantastic decorative pieces in your gallery and balconies. You can keep bringing new ones every time you travel and change your home décor frequently. Moreover, the mesmerising sound they produce can do wonders for your mood and senses.

Your home is about staying together and creating beautiful memories with every passing day. Travel souvenirs help you strengthen the bond of love and unity among family members by reminding the lovely moments you had together.

But your home will not be complete and secure just by decorating it. You should go for the best possible home insurance India and provide a secure environment for yourselves and your family members. Home insurance is like a security blanket that will protect it from any damage. Buy one today!

Click HERE to buy reliable home insurance India policy.

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

Driving is an activity that requires a very high amount of cognitive presence. As the number of accidents happening around the world becomes one of the leading causes of death, driving safely from one location to another should be an individual's primary concern while driving.

When the driver's mind is off the task of driving safely, the phenomenon is called distracted driving. Other signs of distracted driving are when the individual's eyes are not on the road or their hands are off the steering wheel. These activities significantly increase the risk of accidents and threaten the safety of everyone on the road.

Do you know that smoking cigarettes can cause distracted driving? With more and more people mocking drivers who use their phones while simultaneously driving, it should be common knowledge that cigarette smoking causes more distracted driving than using a phone. For instance, to smoke a cigarette, a driver has to;

1. Locate the cigarette pack. This might be difficult as it might be in the glove box, which further requires you to open it, or the back seat, which requires you to completely turn and look for the pack from the opposite direction of where you're supposed to look ahead.

2. Look for a lighter.

3. Light the smoke while still trying to keep your eyes on the road. It's already tricky to light a cigarette while driving, so it's accepted that there will be many unsuccessful attempts. This results in your concentration being broken for even longer.

4. Locating the ashtray to dispose of the ash and then discarding the cigarette will take even more of your time and demand your attention.

As per a study on the risk assessment of smoking habits while driving, it was concluded that the risk posed by distracted driving through the use of mobile phones is lesser than that of the use of cigarettes. It was observed that cigarette smoking resulted in about 12 seconds of distracted driving, while cell phone users averaged about 10.6 seconds.

Insurance claims:
Insurance claims are greatly affected by using cigarettes, even if you were not at fault. There might be a drunken or speeding driver who totaled your car from the rear end, and it might even be evident that you were not at fault, but your insurance claim is sure to suffer. Smoking while driving is seen as distracted driving, which is sure to affect your claim.

Health risks involved with smoking:
It has been known for a long time that smoking is detrimental to an individual's health and the people around them. However, nicotine dependence makes it very hard to quit. Even though the start is an innocent curiosity, it takes as little as 5 packs (100 cigarettes) to get addicted. And the more you smoke, the more receptors for nicotine form in your brain, and the more nicotine you need to get the same high.

Avoid putting your life at risk while in the car and practice healthy driving habits to stay safe in all situations. Invest in trustworthy motor insurance India and get an additional safety net for your vehicle to protect it from unexpected events and safeguard you from financial losses. Also, it is best to stop smoking altogether, or at least reduce your dependence on it to the degree that it doesn't affect your driving.

Click HERE to know more about motor 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.

Planning a road trip in itself can be a hassle. From deciding the location and handling the logistics to buying all the essentials and packing them, you must have a lot on your to-do list. In addition, the excitement of travelling makes us pack things that might not be necessary, and we carry them due to the slight probability of them coming into use.

But, is this important? Overpacking can lead to an overstuffed car which can ruin the comfort and convenience of your road trip. To save you from one more additional hassle in the morning when you realise that you have overpacked and absolutely nothing fits into the trunk of your car, here are some tips and tricks to help you best utilise the boot space in your vehicle.

1. Planning before packing is the key:
Before stuffing all the suitcases in at once, taking a breather and planning accordingly is advisable. Have a rough idea of the dimensions of your trunk and gauge the amount of stuff you can take. After this, advise all the passengers on the maximum limit of bags and suitcases they can take.

2. Vacuum packing for the win:
Try the effective vacuum packing method to fit the maximum amount of clothes and other travel essentials in a bag. This method allows you to suck the air out of bags, reducing the space taken by clothes up to 50 per cent. You may also use it as an excuse to pack several beach dresses instead of the one you really need! Also, another trick that you can use to save space in suitcases is to roll the clothes instead of folding them.

3. Replacing your suitcases with soft bags:
Squeezing and squashing suitcases are impossible. They are suitable for air travel, where luggage might be thrown around, but for road travel, it is handier to use soft bags like duffles.

4. Heavy things first:
Assemble all your items into their smallest possible state so they can be stored easily in all nooks and crannies of your vehicle. Ensure to store the heaviest luggage first in the boot of your car to prevent them from rolling around and causing harm to the car, the passengers, or other delicate items.

5. Be careful:
It's advisable to be innovative while piling the suitcases on top of each other. Tie it in with bungee cords or ropes if it feels like a suitcase might fly off. Especially in open vehicles, you must be careful and keep the safety of other drivers around you.

6. Get creative with spaces:
The boot of your car isn't the only place to store luggage. Use all available space in the vehicle, including the glovebox, the footrest, and the space beneath the seats. If all these spaces are insufficient, try using a roof box for bulkier suitcases.

7. A carry-on:
The most frustrating thing during a trip is when essential items are deep in the heaviest luggage, which has been kept at the very bottom of the trunk, and you have to unload every single suitcase before you get to it. To avoid this, think about the essential things required for the trip and put it all in the carry bag you'll hold. These can include sunscreen, tissues, and your toothbrush, among other things.

8. Don't overload:
Cramming too much in your car can drastically reduce fuel economy and risk your vehicle's suspension. You should also be mindful of the luggage in your backseat, which might obscure your rear-view mirror. Be mindful of the tyres as they can only take a certain pressure. Check the driver's manual and determine the tyre's pressure for a heavy load.

Successful packing is the key to a hassle-free vacation. Be mindful of the things that you take along with you. Take precautions in advance to avoid facing damage to your car due to an overloaded trunk. But, having comprehensive car insurance handy can be your saviour if you face any damage. However, research new car insurance rates before making the final decision and look for the plan that promises the best coverage and benefits.

Click HERE to know more about new car insurance rates.

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.

Every one of us tries to include as much nutritious food as possible to achieve a healthy lifestyle and stay fit and strong. To have proper nutrition in the daily diet, you should be aware of its various sources and the ideal intake of each type of food.

Let us go through a few interesting facts about nutrition that people aren't aware of.

1. Low-fat processed food is not healthy:
We often see propaganda and advertisements of artificially processed low-fat food to be healthy and nutritious without compromising on taste. This is a common myth. Most processed low-fat foods do not help in reducing weight. Also, they are unhealthy and do not help control or curb diseases.
Studies have shown that manufacturers use sugar and other preservatives, which can prove detrimental to your health and nutrition instead of benefitting you.

2. Fruit juices are high in sugar:
Since you were kids, you might have been told to drink a lot of fruit juice regularly as they are very healthy and a good substitute for eating fruits in raw form. You need to recheck this fact.
Fruit juices – apple, orange, or pomegranate, have high sugar content. You will be surprised to know that this sugar content equals any cola or soft drink you consume and is no better. Moreover, the packaged fruit juice that comes with the claim of having been made from real fruits is even more detrimental to your nutrition since they are made after removing wholesome fruit parts such as the skin and the pulp.
You can usually not eat three or four oranges in one sitting. However, a glassful of orange juice will contain the equivalent sugar of three to four oranges. Hence, consuming fruit juices frequently for your nutrition is not a very good idea.

3. The truth about weight loss supplements:
You often purchase over-priced weight loss supplements believing them to be helpful in your quest to lose weight. The truth is that these supplements hardly help us in doing so. They often prove inadequate for your nutrition and harm your body in several other ways.
The best way to lose weight is to increase your intake of nutritious food, reduce your calorie intake and stay physically active.

4. Calories are not everything:
You don't have to necessarily watch your calorie intake all day to lose weight and stay in shape. Having nutritious food high in protein can be a good calorie restrictor and help you to shed your excess weight.

5. Nutrition is more about control:
You often crave certain food and are willing to put in a good amount of effort just to get them. This usually happens with junk food that hardly has any nutrition and is unhealthy.
Junk food releases large amounts of dopamine in your body, similar to pleasure in your brain. Hence, the brain sends a signal to have more of such junk food. You start eating it more frequently and in much higher quantities than you can digest. Hence, eating junk food is more of an addiction for most people. Having nutritious food is more about controlling such behaviour and restricting junk food intake.

Nutrition should be at the top of our list in attaining a stronger inner self. Nutritious food is our passport to leading a secure and fit life that can keep us away from diseases and ensure our well-being.

A good health insurance policy is equally important to you, just as proper nutrition. You should compulsorily make it a part of your life as it will keep you secure and guarantee financial support in medical emergencies. Even if you have an active health insurance policy, always check its expiry date. Renew health insurance online and lead a hassle-free and protected life.

Click HERE to buy or renew health 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.

Indian roads witness several incidents of massive accidents and crashes of vehicles every year. According to a report, the number of deaths per thousand vehicles in 2021 has risen from 0.45 to 0.53, meaning around 426 people die each day in road accidents. The main reason for road accidents is bad driving habits and negligence in following the traffic rules.

Bad driving habits also have an impact on your driving record, which can have a significant effect on your car insurance claim. Having a clean driving record is beneficial when making claims or buying insurance for your car. You should learn about all the lousy car driving habits and eliminate them to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.

Here are the most annoying driving habits that many drivers have.

1. Not driving in lanes:
It is a common car-driving habit seen in Indian drivers. Drivers lack lane discipline because they get improper training at car driving schools about the leftmost and rightmost lanes.

2. Tailgating:
Most drivers habitually fill the gap between their car and the car in front of them. Driving closely to another car is the most annoying as your car may hit other vehicles and cause traffic jams.

3. Wrong side driving:
Drivers often drive on the opposite side of the road when they find crowds or traffic on their side of the road. Driving on the wrong side of the road is a risky move to practice as it involves heavy chances of collisions.

4. Riding the clutch:
Feathering the accelerator while keeping the clutch pressed will damage the car's clutch cables, clutch plate, and pressure plates. You should avoid riding a clutch when you are on a busy road.

5. Not following traffic signals:
Most people skip the red light to reach their destination a minute earlier. However, hurrying for a minute can cost you a lifetime. Violating a traffic rule can get you into trouble, like getting a fine or challan and, worst case, your licence being suspended.

6. Not giving proper signals:
Some drivers need to consider giving indicators or hand signals more importance while making a turn or a forced stop. They suddenly take turns and put the vehicles from behind in extreme danger.

7. Using a phone while driving:
Texting or talking on mobile phones distracts drivers from the road, which causes them to meet catastrophic consequences. If you urgently want to talk to someone, then use the speaker and AUX facility of the car's music system.

8. Not wearing seatbelts:
Most people understand the importance of seatbelts, but some drivers don't wear seatbelts while driving on the road.

9. Driving under influence:
Alcohol and other toxic substances impair the driver's judgement and slow down the necessary responses for safe driving. Many drivers create a nuisance and chaos on the road due to intoxication and are the reason for choking the traffic.

10. Losing your composure:
Most road accidents happen because drivers lose their calm when they get stuck in traffic or encounter harsh driving by other drivers. Getting frustrated while driving can weaken your judgement, and you'll make wrong choices that might elevate your problems.

It is necessary to become responsible on the road and spread awareness about the annoying habits of drivers that may turn into fatal accidents on the road. You should also maintain a proper driving style to avoid paying higher premiums for car insurance. Follow the traffic rules and regulations to avoid putting your life and others in danger. It also helps you keep your driving record clean.

Click HERE to buy the best car insurance in India.

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

The recent sales trends indicate a pickup in demand for two-wheelers in India as the Indian consumers have begun spending at par with pre-pandemic levels. However, Indians continue to undermine the importance of having insurance for their two-wheelers. Although made compulsory by the IRDAI to purchase a long-term third-party insurance plan, many still don't follow the mandate.

With the plethora of online resources available, there is no excuse for delaying insuring your two-wheeler anymore. Most insurance providers have made their services accessible online, making it extremely straightforward to purchase 2 wheeler insurance online.

Read on to debunk eight common myths surrounding purchasing 2 wheeler insurance online.

Myth 1: Purchasing online insurance requires you to be a tech-wiz.
False! It is incredibly effortless to purchase an online insurance plan for your two-wheeler! You only need a stable internet connection, basic vehicle details, and your personal details. Once you choose an appropriate policy on the insurance provider's website, fill up the data, and you will be redirected to the payment gateway.
Upon successful processing, your insurance policy details are emailed to you. It's just that simple! If it appears to be difficult, you can always refer to our simple 5 step guide to help you get the best 2 wheeler insurance online for your vehicle.

Myth 2: Online insurance is expensive when compared to offline.
Online insurance eliminates a middleman's interference, thereby eliminating any additional commission. Your insurance provider also gives further discounts and other benefits when purchasing insurance directly. How much better can it get?

Myth 3: It is complex to switch policies when purchased online.
What does the internet do? It makes things convenient! Purchasing online insurance is the easiest way to switch between plans. Although it is recommended to upgrade your policy rather than switching insurance companies, it is also quite simple if you need to change your insurance.

Myth 4: Making claims on insurance purchased online is challenging.
While the process of claim settlement varies from company to company, it has nothing to do with the mode of buying the insurance policy. The proper documents and proof according to the company's procedure will result in successful claims and reimbursement.

Myth 5: There are very few options to choose from.
Incorrect! With technology, comparison becomes easy, and so does accessing a wide range of options. Your preferred insurance company most likely provides a comparative differentiation between different plans, further simplifying the process.

Myth 6: 2 wheeler insurance online is risky.
Online insurance very clearly states what is included and what's not. It is transparent and comes with no hidden cost. The payment options are also safe and keep your data protected. There is clearly no risk in purchasing online insurance.

Myth 7: Purchasing online insurance leads to data leaks.
If you choose to purchase online insurance, you can rest assured that your personal, vehicle and payment details are in safe hands. All reputed insurance companies do all they can to keep your data safe.

Myth 8: No assistance provided.
Most insurance companies have live chat, email, and customer services options that allow you to get in touch with a professional in case of any queries or issues. Although it is easy to self-navigate through the process, you can still always ask for assistance.

Most myths surrounding online insurance arise from misconceptions. We have attempted to debunk all these misconceptions about buying two-wheeler insurance digitally. The future is digital, and we should be ready to welcome it by taking these small measures of making investments online. Purchasing insurance online is completely safe and provides significant value to your two-wheeler. Without further delay, make the purchase now!

Click HERE to compare and buy 2 wheeler 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.

Everyone from all ages and walks of life enjoys exploring new places, and there can be no better way to discover the best of India's exciting destinations than a road trip. Have you ever wondered why?

From city commutes to long-distance planning vacations, travelling by road has a special sentiment that binds travellers to its charm. After the restrictions for the pandemic have been lifted, travel by road has become all the more prevalent.

There are many reasons why road trips are considered the best way to travel. However, it is also important to prioritise your safety when taking up a road journey. Investing in personal accident insurance plans is the best way to do this. Go through the terms and conditions and understand the benefits offered if you ever find yourself in a problem and decide to claim your insurance.

Let's look at some of the perks of travelling by road to explore places.

1. It is more convenient and less stressful:
When you travel by road, you can connect with the quaint interiors of the country and visit offbeat places that can only be seen by road. Road journeys are convenient and hassle-free as you get the luxury to take as many pit stops as you want and enjoy your trip.

2. There will be no baggage issues:
When you're on a road trip, you will have the complete freedom to choose the luggage you carry with you. You will not be restricted to any limited baggage size or weight and can pack a significant amount of your wardrobe in your car.
This way, you do not have to repeat the same shirts on vacation. You can also carry things like a mini fridge or a large bag full of snacks and make your vehicle appear as a cool campervan.

3. It provides flexibility:
With road travelling, there is a lot of room for flexibility. You will not be restricted to any timings or protocols you must follow. The restrictions can take the fun out of travelling. But, when you have a personal vehicle at your service, you do not have to wait for public transport to take you to places. You can venture into the unknown without any questions asked.

4. They are easy on the pocket:
Road trips are easy on your pocket, especially when travelling with a group. As the pandemic restrictions are lifted, the cost of travelling by air or train has increased significantly. Although the fuel prices are high, they can still be lower than the cost of travelling by other means. Apart from that, the fuel cost will be equally divided when travelling with friends.

5. An immersive experience:
Travelling by road offers a myriad of experiences that are second to none. The long stretch of national highways, good inter and intra-state connectivity, plush food and shopping options, thrilling countryside roads, mountains, etc., make road trips exciting. Watching the sunrise next to the highway and sipping tea as you move towards your destination is a fantastic feeling that only road journeys can offer.

You should plan at least one road trip a year to better understand what makes exploration by road unique. Road journeys, rather spontaneous than planned, are one of the most memorable experiences. Take your friends or family along or plan it solo, just pick a destination and set off to discover places where roads lead to perfect moments.

No matter where you travel, you should always abide by the traffic rules, wear seatbelts, and carry all the essential documents. It is advisable to ensure your safety on roads and invest in personal accident insurance plans that can cover your medical expenses if ever you meet with an accident. With all this said, get ready to conquer the roads and absorb the vibrancy of places to make unforgettable memories.

Click HERE to know more about 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.