GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Car insurance is all about cutting your losses in case of an accident or theft. You will pay the premium annually or more frequently as per the guidelines of your policy. You need to pay the premium regularly to keep the policy active. Car accidents do not happen that frequently, but they do occur quite a lot. This makes having a proper car insurance policy extremely important. Though at the time of purchasing a car insurance policy, it is important to look up new car insurance rates, so you do not end up shelling an unnecessary amount of money. You will also be rewarded for driving safely and responsibly by No Claim Bonus.

No Claim Bonus is essentially a discount over the own damage premium component. It means that you would have to pay less in the forthcoming premium if you do not raise any claim in the entire year. You generally start with zero NCB (except in the case of NCB transfer) and accumulate discounts over the years. It is often misinterpreted, so here are few features you need to be mindful of: -

• NCB is available only on policy renewal. It is a reward for not making any claims during the entire year. It is earned by keeping a claim-free record. It starts at 20 percent after one claim-free year and accumulates steadily with each subsequent claim-free year and can reach up to a maximum of 50 percent.
• NCB belongs to you and not the car. It is essentially a reward to the driver. If you decide to change the car and get an insurance policy for it, you will retain your NCB discount from the first premium on your new insurance policy. So, in essence, NCB is transferrable between cars. However, NCB is not transferrable between two people.
• Transferring NCB is a simple procedure. After the purchase of a new vehicle, you have to submit Form 29 and Form 30 along with a letter requesting your insurer for NCB transfer. Your insurer will issue an NCB certificate which will be valid for three years after the date of the issue. You have to submit this certificate to your new insurer to retain your NCB benefits.
• NCB is only valid over the own damage component of the premium. This means NCB is not valid over the third-party liability component of the premium.
• NCB must be kept in mind before making small claims. NCB is reset to zero, no matter the magnitude of the claim. It is therefore important to make calculations before making any small claims. You can end up losing more than you gain. In addition to NCB be set to zero you will also lose any accumulated discount and will have to start over to reach a 50% discount earmark.
• You can purchase an NCB add-on cover that will allow you to make a limited number of claims without affecting your NCB. This can help you if you are stuck in the decision to make a small or moderate claim.
• Maximum NCB discount is 50% though some insurers allow higher discounts in their policies for driver's clean records.

Insurance is nothing but risk management. You buy insurance just so you do not fall into a financial burden in emergencies. Insurance is all about saving money. At the time of purchasing a new policy, you must always check up new car insurance rates, so you don't end up paying more. NCB too is a step towards saving money, you must always drive safely, and NCB ensures you will be rewarded for it.

A lot of people become victim to unfortunate road accidents. Merely witnessing an accident can leave a huge impact on the mind of an individual. Imagine the situation of those who have to go through such misfortune. That is why the Indian government always insists on following road safety rules.

It is very important to have car insurance for your vehicle to reimburse you for the losses suffered due to an accident. But as someone has wisely said, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, following road safety rules should be the topmost priority of every single person driving a vehicle. Road safety rules are made by the government for the safety of those on the road - be it people driving vehicles or pedestrians.

The given road safety rules are for the safety of Indian citizens and must be understood as well as followed by everyone: -

●Use of indicators - While changing directions or taking a turn on either side of the road, using an indicator is very important. If you wish to turn left, keep left with your indicator light on and turn when there is no vehicle following too closely to avoid a collision. Similar is the case while turning right.

●Overtaking - A lot of people are in a hurry to reach somewhere, that's why they keep on driving past the other vehicles. If you are in such a situation, always remember that if you want to overtake the vehicle driving ahead of you, it needs to be done from the right side. Never overtake in a curve as it might lead to obstruction of the view of the other driver. Also, if the vehicle ahead does not slow down, overtaking might end up in an accident.

●Helmets and seat belts - You all must be familiar with this rule! The government lays special emphasis on the use of seat belts in cars and wearing helmets while driving two-wheelers. If any accident happens, the damage to your car can be covered through policies issued from the best car insurance company in India, but your safety is not guaranteed by any means. That is why you should make sure that you undertake all safety measures like wearing helmets and seat belts while driving.

●Noise- Unnecessary honking can be very irritating to other drivers as well as pedestrians. Thus, you must use the horn only when required. Avoid using it in prohibited places like hospital areas, school areas and others. Also, ensure that the horn in your vehicle does not make a loud and blaring noise.

●Following distance - Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you is also a very important thing. In case the driver applies his brakes all of a sudden, you might not be able to engage your brakes at the same time, and this might end up in a collision.

●Documents - All required documents ranging from RC book of your vehicle to the car insurance papers, your driving license, PUC (Pollution Under Control) license and others, should be kept inside the vehicle so that you can access them whenever required.

●Traffic signals - Traffic lights are present at junctions or intersections of four roads. If not, there might be traffic police officers or authorized persons giving directions to the vehicles that must be followed. At such crossings, move carefully so that no inconvenience is caused to any other vehicle. You should always allow vehicles to turn right and avoid blocking the right side of the road.

●Emergency vehicles - Certain vehicles like ambulances and firetrucks work for saving the lives of people and it is your duty as a responsible citizen to give way to them.

If you have purchased a new vehicle, make sure that before everything else, you contact the best car insurance company in India to reap the benefits of their policies and also enjoy superior protection against possible incidents.

Anyone who has seen a person close to them in the hospital will agree that it is the most stressful time in their life. A medical emergency disturbs the lives of everyone around the affected person. The person who is battling a disease or any other medical condition goes through a lot of pain and suffers a lot. Along with that person, the people close to him also go through an equally stressful time. There is too much to look after. During those times, the financial burden can make everything worse. Medical expenses are rising continuously for many years. For many, it has become almost impossible to provide quality treatment to their family members out of their pockets. If the affected person has health insurance, it will lighten the burden on the people close to him, and everyone can pay attention to more important things in life.

Health insurance will provide you with coverage for a lot of medical conditions that you are likely to suffer from. The policy will cover most of the expenses that you will incur in the treatment. It will take the financial burden off the shoulders of your family members. This will, in return, help you as they will not be worrying about finances and can take proper care of you. If you do not have health insurance yet, you can quickly obtain one from one of the many online health insurance companies in India. Contact various health insurance companies to get health insurance quotes in India. Here are five explanations on why health insurance quote is essential:-

• It is the first step in getting health insurance. If you are looking forward to getting health insurance, you need to contact various health insurance providers and receive their quotations. The more you delay this step, the longer it will take you to finally sign the contract and get health insurance.
• Once you obtain various health insurance quotes, you can check which quote fits your budget best. You must not necessarily choose the cheapest quote. You should instead research coverage provided by the companies against their quotes and see which company gives you the best quote with all-round coverage.
• Health insurance quotes will help you be prepared on how you have to modify your monthly budget to accommodate the premiums. It might not be feasible to change your lifestyle overnight. Health insurance quotes will give you time to make small changes in life so you can better adjust to paying for health insurance.
• You can also contact the companies and check if you are getting all the available discounts. Many insurance companies offer various discounts on certain conditions. You must contact the insurance company after receiving health insurance quotes in India to talk in more detail and obtain a better quote.
• You can weigh the pros and cons of the policy financially after receiving the quote. The complete coverage policies might be too expensive for you. So, you might prefer opting for a policy with less coverage. Receiving the quotes will help you make a more informed decision.

It is crucial to have health insurance nowadays. If you do not have one, your family might fall into tough times, as they would have to go through their savings to provide you with healthcare. Health insurance benefits you as well as everyone around you.

'The more, the merrier'. A lot of you must be familiar with this phrase. It states that the more the number of people, the more fun they are likely to have. But that is not the only situation where this phrase is applicable. The same thing applies while buying a health insurance plan.

If you are thinking of getting insurance for yourself, you might want to get more than just one.

Many online health insurance companies offer insurance plans that offer you comprehensive protection against a wide range of ailments and allow you to avail cashless treatment in the network hospitals.

The following points elaborate on the benefits of getting insurance policies from 3 different companies: -

●Less premium - If you purchase an insurance policy which offers comprehensive protection against a wide range of conditions, it might require a greater premium amount as well. However, if you spread this amount within multiple policies, you are likely to pay a much lesser amount for each cover. Such small sums add up to a large amount with different companies and turn out to be less expensive.

● Better coverage of diseases - Usually, general health insurance plans include only a selected handful number of diseases. Such diseases are not critical, which might pose to be a huge threat in the future as you would not be able to avail the claim amount. Therefore, buying multiple plans from different companies can result in the coverage of a wide range of diseases - right from the basic ones to the high expense ones.

● Protection against price rise - With the rise in inflation, there is an increase in the price of medical treatment. Not just medicines, but the doctor's fees, hospital charges and other expenses can drill a hole in your pocket. That's why if you wish to save yourself from the given additional expenditure, you can invest in insurances from various online health insurance companies to claim the amount whenever required.

● No stress from claim rejection - There might be times when insurance companies do not find the claimed reason to be strong enough. Therefore, they might deny the claim, and you might end up with no amount of money. In such conditions, when you desperately require claims for paying medical expenses, your family might have to bear the burden of paying expenses at their own cost. To avoid this, insurance should be purchased from more than one company. That is how you can ensure that even if one company rejects your claim, you still have the hope of availing it from the secondary companies.

●Quick grant - Health insurance is like an amount of deposit which can be claimed in times of medical emergency. If you have insurance in three or more different companies, you can get the claim amount from at least one of them which can prove to be sufficient for your requirements.

●Diversified benefits - If you purchase insurance from a single provider, their policy might not benefit you as much due to the rules and regulations of premiums, cover, duration or claim on maturity and so on. However, if you purchase health insurance from different companies, you can get the best of each of their policies. Selection can be made based on each of your specific requirements, and you can avail the claim as per your convenience.

Life is not certain, and that's why insurance is something every individual should rely on. Buying it from various companies only results in a larger amount of benefits, so why not read them!

The large competition in the market between different companies leads to the launch of several new bikes and scooters by the major brands almost every month throughout the year. All the major companies of India such as Hero Motocorp, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Bajaj, Honda release at least one to two two-wheelers in the Indian market in a single year. When you buy a new bike, you also need to buy insurance for the vehicle. Nowadays, the procedure for getting insurance is quite simplified and direct. Moreover, you can easily renew the bike insurance online without much hassle. Some of the major bikes launched in recent times and about to launch in the coming months in India are mentioned here:

● Recently Royal Enfield trademarked a new name Meteor for its new bike in India which is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2020. This bike has a 648cc engine and is supposed to be a derivative of the Interceptor 650 bike. Priced in the range of over Rs. 2 lakhs, this bike has a powerful engine that provides high torque for hill climbing. This bike is being marketed by Royal Enfield as a more affordable Interceptor 650.

● Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR is a high range model of Kawasaki priced at nearly Rs. 17 lakhs for the new age sports bike lovers. It has a 998cc engine and is scheduled to be launched in January 2020. The 203 PS powerful petrol engine can provide a torque of up to 114.9 Nm.

● With unofficial bookings already started, KTM’s new bike KTM 390 Adventure priced at around Rs. 3 lakhs scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2020 is one of the most awaited bikes of 2020. This bike has a 373 cc engine and has ergonomics that support stand-up biking as well.

● Honda is also set to launch its new bike Honda CB650R in January 2020 to start the new year with a bang. This bike priced in the range of around Rs. to 8 lakhs features a 95.1 PS 649cc powerful engine has no direct competitors in the market at present. Only another bike that comes close to it in features is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 which is currently priced at 5.49 lakhs ex-showroom price.

● While other companies are slated to launch high-end models at the beginning of the next year, TVS is one company which is more focused towards the lower end of the price range. The TVS Radeon BS6 is a BS6 engine model of TVS set to launch in January with a competitive price tag of Rs. 58,000 in the segment.

● Norton Atlas 650 is another high-end model set to be launched at the beginning of 2020 with a price tag that is no less than Rs. 16 lakhs. This bike has a 650cc petrol engine that provides a power of 84 PS.

● Husqvarna is also launching two new variants which go by the names Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and HusqvarnaVitpilen 401 in the first month of 2020. Both of these bikes are priced in the range of Rs. 2.8 lakhs to 3 lakhs. Both of these bikes have the same 373.2cc engine and are available in different coloured variants.

India is currently a very hot market for new automobiles, and the launch of new bikes is going to interest new buyers who want something different from the manufacturers. Bikes are launching in a wide range starting from TVS Radeon priced at Rs. 58,000 to high-end bikes such as Kawasaki Ninja models which are priced at over 17 lakhs. Whichever of these bikes you have chosen for yourself, make sure that you get new insurance as well as renew the bike insurance online before the due date for continued protection.

Monsoon arrives with new promises and provides a route to escape from the scorching summer heat. It comes as a respite to many but has its consequences.

Different types of bacteria thrive during this period due to the warm and humid climate. People often suffer from the likes of cold, flu, typhoid, malaria and other such diseases caused by various viruses or micro-organisms.

It is essential to take adequate measures to guard against such diseases and stay healthy, although there are some affordable health insurance plans to take care in case of any ailment. Some such measures for a disease-free monsoon are:

1. Keeping house clean

• Your house should be kept clean and pest-free.
• One should be aware of leakages and water clogging, especially around electronic devices, like coolers, ACs and washing machines.
• Rusty or broken pipes should be replaced as they can become the breeding place for pests.
• Pest control should be called once a week to check.

1. Taking showers

• Getting caught in the monsoon rain is one of the most serene experiences. But a lot of micro-organisms or germs might have entered the body.
• A shower with a few drops of disinfectants prevents any such infection.
• One should not enter an AC-room in wet clothes as possibilities of catching a cold increases manifold.

1. Keeping hydrated

• It is vital to stay properly hydrated and drink water at regular intervals to fight against diseases, like typhoid and cholera.
• One should avoid having unfiltered water from the streets.
• Water purifier should be working properly.

1. Checking ventilation

• Cross-ventilation should be allowed as infectious organisms can leave the room.
• The room should be open to sunlight, and fresh air as damp may creep in otherwise.

1. Keeping hands clean

• Harmful germs may reside on the surface. So, it is essential to wash your hands at regular intervals.
• One can carry hand sanitizers in the pockets. Hands should be cleaned before having food.

1. Vitamin-rich diet

• Vitamin C-enriched food is vital to make your body immune to such harmful organisms.
• One should have lemon juices and fresh vegetables regularly.
• One should stay away from street food as much as possible. Potholes in the streets are often home to microbes causing diseases, like typhoid and cholera.

1. Using Mosquito repellents

• Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Stored water should be appropriately covered inside houses.
• Use of mosquito tents, coils and repellents are a must to guard against diseases, like malaria and dengue.
• There are several affordable health insurance plans. One should take their help in case of emergencies to protect their family.

1. Strengthening immunity

• Strongly immune persons are not much affected by such diseases.
• The likes of tulsi, cardamom, turmeric and lemongrass are vital in boosting the immunity against the monsoon diseases.

1. Taking influenza and pneumonia shots

• These are vital in case of those who have asthma. These help in creating strong immunity against these harmful germs.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccine shots help guard against diseases, like jaundice.
• Many affordable health insurance plans can cover the cost for such vaccines.
• One should also be careful in the medications he/she takes.
• If unwell, one should remain back at home and prevent spreading the virus to others.

1. Having warm food

• Warm saline gargles help in fighting against the irritation caused in throats due to the infection.
• Warm fluids help to soothe. So one can have warm water or milk often.
• Soups and broths are a welcome change to the diet.

By keeping these few precautionary steps in mind, one can stay away from these diseases. However, if one faces any symptoms of such diseases, he/she should immediately consult a doctor. There are some affordable health insurance plans to take the help of, if necessary.

People are becoming more and more aware of physical fitness and activities that keep them healthy. Fitness has become a priority, and they are resorting to various measures like joining gyms, purchasing health insurance, joining yoga classes and engaging in other fitness routines to maintain their health.

One such outdoor activity that has garnered extreme popularity among the youngsters nowadays is cycling.

But before listing the advantages, you should know the required gear that is essential to enjoy cycling: -

● A good bike - The type of cycle you select to ride has a major effect on your experience. Therefore, do not compromise on the quality of the cycle.

●Cycling gear - A helmet, knee and elbow supports are important while riding a cycle as you never know when something unfortunate might happen. In such case, such gear can save you from major injuries.

●Insurance– A health insurance policy and bike insurance policy, both are necessary when you go out on your journey of fitness.

Cycling has countless benefits, and the following points advocate why taking up exercises like cycling can be helpful to you: -

●Weight loss - In order to lose weight, the number of calories you burn should be greater than the number you consume. This can be done through exercises. And just like any other exercise, cycling burns calories. Depending on the intensity, speed and weight of the rider, cycling can burn calories ranging anywhere from four hundred to one thousand calories.

●Reduced cancer risk - Cancer or other heart-related diseases can pose to be a very serious threat to any person. It doesn't matter if you have health insurance or renew health insurance online; nothing guarantees safety from diseases. But exercising does! And especially, cycling. As a result, the risk of diseases is reduced to a great extent.

● Improved health - Cycling improves the circulation of blood all around your body. You burn calories, thus the chances of being overweight and suffering from diseases due to obesity decrease to a significant level. Studies suggest that due to involvement in any sort of physical activity, a person's mental health also improves. You can free yourself from the psychological burdens as well.

●Saves time - This might sound a bit contradictory, but when you choose to travel to your work or any other place using your cycle, you actually save time. If you drive your car to work, you might get stuck in traffic and would have to wait for a long time before getting a way out of the crowd of vehicles. But if you ride on a cycle, you can easily filter through the traffic and reach your destination before time. There are no major parking hassles involved which only adds to the benefits.

●Better sleep - Cycling is a physical activity after all. If done for a long duration of time, it can tire you out, which eventually leads to a good night's sleep. Indirectly, exercise can also be done as a form of an outlet that relieves you of stress and reduces anxiety levels, thereby improving the quality of sleep.

●Muscle gain - The muscles of and around your thighs, hamstrings, glutes and calves are engaged intensively while cycling. Therefore, not only losing weight but gaining such muscles is also a plus point of taking up cycling. As muscle is leaner than fat, you can burn an even higher number of calories while cycling and develop a strong physique.

You should always have a comprehensive health insurance policy and make sure that you renew health insurance online before it expires so that you can enjoy continued protection

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared novel Coronavirus (nCoV) as a Global Health Emergency. Here’s a quick guide to knowing all about the deadly virus.

Let’s begin with the obvious, what is Coronavirus?

The coronavirus is a family of viruses that are known to cause illnesses like the common cold to more critical diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new force of coronavirus that has not been identified before in humans. This particular virus is called ‘2019-nCoV’.

Now that we understood what Coronavirus is, so let us understand the Symptoms:

While it depends on the kind of virus, common symptoms are respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure and even death. Some coronaviruses can be carried from person to person. This normally happens after close contact with an infected patient.

Now that we have a better idea about the Coronavirus and the symptoms. Let's discuss the dos and don’ts for keeping the disease at bay.

• Observe good personal hygiene.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness.
• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette, which includes maintaining one's distance while coughing, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and washing one's hands after coughing and sneezing.
• Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
• Avoid contact with live animals and consumption of raw or undercooked meat.
• Avoid travel to farms, live animal markets or where animals are slaughtered.
• Indian government has advised citizens to avoid all "non-essential travel to China".

(Based on World Health Organization’s situation report)

Given the current circumstances, social distancing is the need of the hour as all offices in most parts of the nation are opting for ‘Work From Home’ approach. We bring you a few guidelines that will make this happen with similar efficiency and harmony as you work in the office.

Refer to the below checklist for productive results.

Get ready

Create a regimen and follow it. Some of the most successful business leaders get ready daily for work, although they don’t need to. It gets you into the mood. Please remember that it is work from home and not relax from home.

Create a boundary between work and leisure.

Don’t work from your bed/sofa. Your sofa/bed is the place where you relax, watch Netflix, schmooze. The office cannot be operated out of bed. You will not be able to do justice to important discussions.

When you have to leave your bed and go to the office, you create a sort of distinction which is difficult to import back home. It’s especially difficult right now when you have schools closed and kids at home; Malls, Cinema and Gym closed.

Follow your daily work routine ( With some modification)

• Continue making your daily plan / Morning huddles / Morning meetings
• Share your plan with your supervisor and colleagues who require to see

• Keep your supervisor informed.

• What are you going to accomplish in the morning
• How are you going to take breaks
• When are you going to stop working
•  

  Create trust

  In the office, you are surrounded by people whereas when you are at home, you have less information about your colleagues. You cannot just walk across and close your dealings. You cannot gauge their reactions from non-verbal cues.

  People will evaluate by outcomes and not by the extent of your effort

• Set explicit goals and to-do list with your supervisor
• Discuss and agree with your supervisor and colleagues
• Commit timelines and honour them.
• Extra-communicate with your colleagues. If you’re getting up and going for a walk, let that person know. Activate “away from desk” notification if possible
•  

  Use Teleconference tools

• Set up zoom/skype/WhatsApp meetings.
• Prepare for the meetings and run professionally. Check The Link To Know More
•  

  Take breaks and build physical activity

  Utilize the time that you will save by not commuting. Go for a quick walk or do bodyweight exercises at home.

  You will not get enough movement by pacing between your desk, refrigerator and the kitchen.

  Please note that work cannot suffer because that is how we all get paid.

Yes, we understand your problems, and the struggle is real when it comes to cars that stop suddenly, giving no hints of starting.
It can be a real deal when your lovely ride stops in the middle of a road and deny your orders to start. Having a car that stops suddenly can lead you to grave danger, especially when you are outside and need to go somewhere.
Interestingly, as easy as it is for your car not to start, similarly, there might be a principal reason behind the same. Therefore, let’s have a look at four common reasons why your car is not starting.

● Your timing belt is the real problem:

For those of you who don’t know what a timing belt is, it is an essential part of the car that is responsible for its effective running and performance. Your timing belt inside the vehicle is the primary reason why it keeps running and adapts to speed. Yes, gears do play a significant role, but the timing belt is what ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the proper interval.
Therefore, your timing belt can be one of the most common reasons why your car has become idle and fails to start. A significant reason behind the same can be that the valves inside the timing belt and the pistons are not meeting each other at a said interval, failing to give you efficient results and movement.
Moreover, your timing belt is the major part that you should look after whenever you go for servicing. Having a timing belt that fails to keep up with the systematic opening and closing of the valves can lead to harmful damage to the engine. It is always advisable for you to change your timing belt at a regular interval of every 60,000 miles or five years (whichever is earlier).

● Your alternator might be the cause:

An alternator is that essential part of your car that is responsible for the effective functioning of all the electrical pieces of equipment that function inside your car. Its most significant function is to start the spark plug and essentially provide it with the spark that is responsible for the running of your engine.
Besides the successful starting of your engine, a failed alternator can also be the cause behind the failure of other necessary parts of your car. It is also linked with the plugs that power the headlight and therefore, you need to keep a check on your alternator as well, in case your car fails to start.

● Your battery might be corroded:

It is no hidden fact that cars perform majorly due to the presence of a battery inside it. The battery is responsible for running all the electric-based components of your vehicle and also plays a significant role in igniting your engine.
Corrosion on your battery can be serious trouble for you as it is like rust and will ultimately end up waiting away your car’s battery beside the other significant parts that are developed out of iron. We suggest you always keep a check on the health of your battery and its corrosion, every time you take it to a service centre.

● Are you sure your air filter isn’t clogged?

Similar to the other necessary elements of your car, the air filter might also be the cause that is failing your vehicle to start. An air filter plays a significant role in keeping up with the excellent health of the drivetrain of the car. It filters out all the harmful elements like dust particles to keep up with the smooth functioning of your vehicle.
An air filter is essential for your car to your car 'breathe'. A clogged air filter might also pose serious damage to the blockage of the exhaust pipe, leaving your vehicle to fail from the start.

There are thousands of tourists in India at any given point of time. While many stays in one city or area for the entire duration of their stay, others choose to move around and explore. One of the most common ways of discovering new places is renting a car. As someone visiting another country, you would love to see all that you possibly can in the short time that you are there and driving around is great to do that. However, it is essential to keep in mind the necessity of car insurance. Here are five reasons why tourists make it a point to get car insurance: -

• Covers the Costs of Repairs: As someone coming from outside the country, there are high chances that you don’t know how to drive on the right side of the car. While it is possible to learn how to do so, there can be an accident. If that happens, having car insurance in place helps because it’ll cover the cost of repairs. Depending on how severe the damages are, having the costs covered can be of great help, since they can be quite expensive.
• Provides Extensive Financial Protection: Again, the costs to be covered would depend mainly upon how severe the accident and so, having insurance would protect you from significant expenses. Whether there is vehicular damage, minor injuries, loss of sight, disablement, or even death, car insurance would cover the costs or provide compensation. You would not have to pay a lot out of your pocket since the insurance would take care of medical bills or repairs.
• Reduces Liability: If there is an accident, there are chances that someone else was affected as well, whether it is damage to their vehicle or whether they were physically hurt. By taking Third Party Liability, you would not only be saved from having to pay for their damages but also from the legal ramifications; the insurance would cover all that. Getting Third Party Liability is mandatory in India. By getting car insurance, tourists can avoid getting involved in legal procedures while visiting.
• Covers the Cost of Treatment of Passengers:
• By opting for the best car insurance policy in India, you would protect yourself from extensive costs due to a car accident (either medical bills or repair costs). There are high chances that your co-passengers would be protected. If during an accident, not just you but your co-passengers get hurt, the insurance policy would also compensate for their damages; it would cover hospital visits, medical bills, any surgeries or operations, etc.
• Compensation after Death: Unfortunately, driving cars can lead to not just accidents, but, the accident can cause death as well. In this case, the car insurance policy you have chosen could provide compensation to the family, depending upon its terms or coverage. The demise might seriously affect the daily life of the family, and the insurance policy might help pay for their expenses.

Whether you are a tourist or a native, finding the best car insurance policy in India is no longer a difficult task since there are hundreds in the market. All you need to do is thorough research and choose the plan which offers maximum coverage and compensation in the event of a car accident.

Cars become a second home to those who love travelling and driving. Be it driving long distance or shorter ones, before we start off to any destination we need to ensure that we are stocked up on essential things that will come handy in emergency situations. As goes the saying, precaution is better than the solution, it’s better to be well equipped than to wait for help.
Still feeling unsure of what should be the essential things that you should keep in your car?
Well, we bring to you the 5 most important things that your car must have.

● Documents-

These are the things that should be your topmost priority. Documents like registration papers, the license and insurance papers, are a vital and most crucial thing that should always be in your car in a safe place. In case of any emergency like an accident, these papers are essential and required for any legal procedures. Also make sure to include the car manual, your emergency contact numbers, health cards with your medical records. Emergency contact numbers would help someone to call and reach out to your near and dear ones when you are in need and are unable to do so.

● Safety kit-

Before heading out anywhere, you should always carry the first aid kit with you at all times. A safety kit includes band aids, antibiotic creams, pain-relievers, tweezers, cottons, and many more. It is not only important but also crucial to ensure you do not need to wait for the first aid to arrive when in need. You can administer it to your fellow travellers or even yourself when required. A safety kit provides you with the immediate medical aid that is indispensable and very essential in saving lives. A safety kit does not only include the medical aid, but also includes the survival tool kit.

● Dry food-

Every time you drive, the other most essential thing to be stocked upon is the non-perishable food items. These can be anything starting from energy bars to the dry fruits and nuts. Dry foods ensure you do not end up being hangry when driving.

● Spare parts and tools-

Spare parts and tools like duct tape, match sticks or lighter, window breaker, flashlights, etc, are another list of important things that you should make sure to carry before you drive any car. When driving, there are times you end up with road emergencies like a flat tire and having a spare part and knowing how to change the tire makes it easier and quicker for you to reach your destination.
Not only do the spare tools and parts facilitate a smooth drive, they also ensure you do not need to run and search when having an emergency.

● Health essentials-

Every person has their share of health emergencies. Especially when you are a woman driver, you need to maintain your health hygiene whether you are on the roads or anywhere in the world. Keep a health essential kit to make sure your health does not take a back seat when driving and travelling. Clean microfiber cloths, packs of ‘lady’ products, sunscreen, your kit of prescribed medicines that you might need incase of any health emergency and tissues.

If someone were to tell me in 2019 that many of us would be using a screen in 2020 as if our lives depended on it, I would dismiss them entirely. But with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to sit across a laptop or our cell phones for academics, work, or recreation, we seem to be headed towards the reality I initially dismissed.
We wake up to our social media notifications. Go about the day jumping from one online lecture or work meeting to another. Fall asleep to an episode of a web series or responding to personal messages. As you can see (pun intended), in this newfound reality, it is our eyes that undergo a considerable amount of agony, inhaling all of that blue light.
More and more individuals have realised the need to care for their eyes in this pandemic. So here are a few ways in which you can do the same as well:

1. Monitor Distance - Room Lightning - Eyewear

It will be ideal if you place a computer screen at an arm’s length and 20 degrees below your eye level. This position helps avoid eye strain. Make sure you have enough diffused lighting in your room. Too much or too less light can cause the eyes to experience stress. Lastly, it is highly recommended to wear anti-glare glasses or lens when working on a computer all day long.

2. 20 - 20 - 20 Rule

If your eyes are dear to you, you should continue showering them with some affection by observing the 20 - 20 - 20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and fix your gaze on an object 20 feet away for a total of 20 seconds.
Unless you have a measuring tape, it will be difficult to measure 20 feet accurately. Being sureshot about the distance is not the key. The idea is to stare at something far away - maybe a building across the street or a tree. It takes about 20 seconds for your eyes to relax. And you can set a reminder for every 20 minutes. This is how you perform the rule!

3. Sleep Well

One common mistake that some of us make while going to sleep is that we do not cover our rooms in enough darkness. Our bodies are known to sleep well due to the release of a specific hormone called melatonin. And this hormone is produced in response to darkness — the more the melatonin, the better the quality and quantity of our sleep. So make sure to pop an eye mask while inviting the ZzZs.

4. Avoid Rubbing

Your hands are covered in dust, germs, dirt and whatnot. And these can be easily transferred to your eyes each time you rub them. To avoid irritation or infection, avoid touching your eyes directly with your hands.

5. Limit Substance Use

You thought smoking could only affect your lungs and heart? Think again. Research shows that smoking can cause dry eyes - a condition causing them to feel itchy, stingy and red. It can also increase the risk of developing cataract.
Consuming too much alcohol can lead to a condition named optic atrophy, wherein the nerve endings of the optical system get damaged, resulting in low vision or complete loss of it.

Right from childhood apart from studies we are taught about being safe in general, there are numerous ways in which you could hurt yourself, and thus, it is essential to know the dos and don’ts in your daily life. Something quite likely to cause a lot of damage is fire; no wonder today people have become more concerned about finding the best fire insurance policy in India so that any costs incurred due to fire damage are covered.

Here are five things your parents would have surely taught you about fire safety:

• Know the Emergency Number: Regardless of whether you are a child or not, it is highly necessary always to remember the fire emergency helpline number, which happens to be 101 in India. While there are some steps you can take if there is a fire, it is always better to call the fire department to ensure that there is no trace of the fire left. Moreover, as a child, if there is no one around, you were most likely not able to do much, and calling them would be the only option.
• To leave immediately: If you see a fire, especially one which is growing, you should leave the premises immediately. There is no saying how the situation might escalate, and you might end up getting hurt or severely injured if you stay indoors or hide somewhere.
• Electrical fires: One of the most common reasons for a fire is electrical. Often, there is a shortage of power, or the wires might break, causing a fire. You must know never to try to put it out with water since you might get a shock.
• Don’t play with flammable objects: Every household has objects such as lighters, matchboxes, candles, and other flammable ones, which could potentially cause a fire. It is essential to explain to children what these objects are for, and what damage they could cause if played with, like fire can be harmful and how these objects make use of fire, instead of merely keeping them away, especially since children are curious by nature. Also, when cooking, children should not be allowed near a burning gas and should not be left alone in the kitchen.
• Keep heaters and other appliances away: Most people use heaters during the winters to keep warm, and they must take precautions to keep such appliances away from the reach of children. You must ensure that their toys are nowhere near the heater or that they don’t play around such appliances since there is always the possibility of knocking it over and causing a fire.

While it is very crucial to take all the precautions when it comes to fire and to teach children about its possible threats, it is also essential to have a fire insurance policy in place to cover any costs due to fire. You must make sure to choose only the best fire insurance policy in India to ensure that you would not have to pay a considerable amount to repair any damages.

Motivated employees are the biggest asset of any company or organisation. They not only increase the overall productivity of the company but also generate better output. But the question arises, how to keep the employees motivated?

By implementing and following certain practices in the workplace, you can ensure that your employees give their best and develop both as a staff member as well as an individual. Given is a detailed explanation of the best practices to be followed in a corporate office:

• State your expectations clearly - Many times, bottom level workers feel crushed under the expectations of the middle-level managers or employees. Therefore, as an executive, is utmost important for you to be very clear about what you expect from your employees. You should elaborate on the quality of work you expect from them, timelines, personnel role is in a certain project, and so on. This way, they do not feel the burden of work or meeting deadlines at the very last moment. Build a strong foundation of communication and mutual support.
• Involve the employees - A surefire way to make any employee feel important is by involving him/her in the important decisions of the company. By taking their advice or opinions, you establish a feeling of trust and authority. For example, managers can ask their subordinates for their views on marketing strategies. This is bound to be successful as the employee gets motivated to work harder thinking of your company as his own!
• Encourage feedback - Employers tend to establish dominance over their staff members. If that is the case in your organization, it needs to be changed! As an employee, you wouldn't want your superior to ignore all the suggestions and feedback you provide, then why should you neglect those of your team? A great way of building strong relationships with your employees is encouraging them to provide feedback after every meeting and respond to any issues or queries they have.
• Fulfil their individual goals If you wish that your employees work for the betterment of your business, you must think of their personal goals. In many ways, you can add to their individual growth - for example, you can give regular bonuses, you can periodically increase their salaries. This way, they develop a stronger relationship with you as well as your company.
• Use their talent : Any employee can develop a feeling of boredom or monotony if they work in an area which doesn't utilize their skills or talent. This not only results in dissatisfaction amongst the employees but also leads to a counterproductive routine in the organization. It is best to recognize the specialization of an employee and hire him on a suitable designation as well as assign him to work accordingly. This way, the tasks allocated to him will be done in the best possible manner and reduces the chances of that employee leaving your company.
• Be open to errors: Humans tend to commit errors. Your employees too might make some of the other mistakes at some point in time. In such situations, it is best to take necessary corrective measures and guide them to not commit such mistakes in the future. Rather than   scolding them or making them feel bad about what happened, you must accept the mistake and be open towards it.

You can also make them aware of beneficial insurance policies and can help them in buying home insurance online if they moved to the city for working in your company. This way you can earn their trust as an employer and can expect the same from them.

With so many options in the market today, it is no longer a difficult task finding the best personal accident insurance policy in India still, before you buy one it's essential to know a few things.

First and foremost, what is accident insurance? It is a type of insurance that provides the insurance holder with compensation, in the event of an accident, death, dismemberment, loss of sight or other senses, medical expenses, etc. It is important to understand that it is not the same as health insurance but is complementary to it. Since choosing accident insurance is a significant decision, here are some points to consider: -

• What Does the Policy Cover: One of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing accident insurance is what all does it cover. It must include all the daily activities(mode of commute, work environment, residential locality, cause of calamity such as fire, water, etc.) which could lead to an accident, at home or elsewhere. The more it covers, the better.
• What are the Benefits of the Policy: Accidents or injuries is a broad category, and it is imperative to know what the benefits are that come with the insurance policy. It would be best if you found out whether it includes permanent/temporary and total/partial disablement, loss of senses (eyesight, hearing, etc.,), accidental death, and others, along with whether there is an ambulance facility and it covers hospital bills. The nature of your daily activities will largely determine the benefits that come under the policy.
• What are the Benefits to the Family: It is not enough to find out about the benefits that are provided to the insurance holder; you also need to know about the benefits being offered to the family. In case, there is a death, permanent disablement or loss of income, the policy which provides the maximum benefits to the family and promises to cover major costs is the one to buy.
• Find Out About the Company: Something vital that you need to take into consideration is the insurance company's reputation. Make sure to go with one which has managed to build its standing in the market for years and has a solid background. Since accident insurance has a lot to do with your life and health, you must do all the necessary research and take the time to choose a well-reputed company.
• The Premium that Needs to be Paid: A very crucial aspect of any insurance is the premium that you need to pay, and it is the same with accident insurance. Premium is the amount that needs to be paid regularly to maintain the insurance's validity. You must select a plan wherein the premium is well within your budget, and there is a balance between the premium being paid and the benefits provided.

When it comes to a matter of life and health, there is no room for complacency. You need to make sure to choose only the best personal accident insurance policy in India if you want expenses to be covered and relief to be provided in the event of an accident or calamity.

Carrying out activities such as phone recharges, bill payments, grocery shopping, clothes shopping, etc. has become very common. All the activities are getting digitalized now, and so is the case with general insurance policies. There are various platforms where you can generate an instant general insurance online quote as well as purchase a new policy.

In present times, a lot of people prefer to buy insurance policy online. Although the online purchase of insurance policies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, yet there are some significant advantages of buying an insurance policy online after generating a general insurance online quote.

In case you are wondering why people buy insurance policy online, here are the reasons which encourage them to do so: -

•Time-saving: - You do not have to go through the hectic processes of going to the company’s office and get the process completed. The offline process lasts several days whereas, through the online process, everything is just a few clicks away.

•Lower premiums: - The premiums to be paid are quite higher for the insurance policies purchased offline than the policies that are purchased online. Thus, the online method is pocket-friendly as well.

•Easy comparison: - When looking for an insurance policy online, comparing becomes easier. You can compare general insurance online quote from all the companies at once without having to go through any trouble. You can look for yourself and choose the company that suits you the most.

•Freedom to decide: - Everything is done on your own, so you are the one making the decisions. There is no manipulation or pressure from the company when you purchase an insurance policy online. You are the sole decision-maker without any external influence.

•Less paperwork: -Purchasing an insurance policy online reduces the amount of paperwork to be completed. The offline method involves a lot of paperwork which can be quite troublesome. The online saves you from it, and the entire experience becomes hassle-free.

•Informed decision making: - You can also view the customer reviews for the policy that you are going to buy. Before finally buying the policy, you can search for the reviews of other customers to check if you can trust the company and the policy.

•Fewer chances of rejection: - The chance of rejection due to incorrect or incomplete details becomes negligible under the online mode. This is probably where the offline method becomes troublesome, where the forms can be rejected multiple times for some trivial issues.

•Easy and convenient: - The processes of purchasing a new policy and paying the premiums can be completed with just a few clicks in case of the online mode. In the older times, buying policies was all about personal interaction and a buildup of trust following the interaction. The customer was convinced by the representative of the insurance

•Informed decision making: - You can also view the customer reviews for the policy that you are going to buy. Before finally buying the policy, you can search for the reviews of other customers to check if you can trust the company and the policy.

company and after various processes, the final buying of the insurance policy took place. However, in the online purchase procedure, everything is digitalized and available on your device with an internet connection.

Though, the digitalized ways of selling and buying insurances policies online lack the old ways of building up a sense of trust in the customer. The customers do everything on their own in such cases through the online portals of insurance companies, based on their brand image and terms and conditions.

The new method is not appreciated by all sections of the public, and many of them still prefer traditional methods. So, if you are looking to buy insurance policy then you should weigh all the pros and cons of both the methods and choose the one which suits you and your ideas the most.

Almost everyone today owns a car, which means they would most probably either already have a car insurance policy or would be looking to buy one soon.

For those who plan to buy one, there are many things to consider. Since the policy would provide financial cover in the event of an accident, either for the repairs/ any bodily harm, or both, hence, you must do all the necessary research. One should choose an insurance policy that not only suits your needs the best but also offers maximum coverage.

Here are five mistakes that most people tend to make when buying car insurance: -

• Opting for a low premium: The premium is the amount you regularly pay to the insurance company towards the policy, and often, many people choose a policy that comes with a lower premium.
• Comparing policies only based on price: Car insurance prices in India vary from company to company, and while paying a low premium might seem easy on the pocket, but you may not get a lot of benefits or the needed coverage out of it. Before you pay any amount, make sure to go over different policies, compare them, and then choose the one which offers maximum coverage.
• Not registering the vehicle: As a car owner, you must register the car or transfer the ownership to yourself since that is the only way to make the insurance claims when needed. While many forget to do so, others purposefully avoid it, to not pay the taxes, and end up not benefiting from the insurance policy.
• Not doing enough research: While asking friends and family or the car dealership about suitable car insurance is always a good idea, it would be stupid not to do the research yourself. You must make sure to go over different car insurance policies and compare their terms and benefits before you choose the one that suits you best. If you do not do so, you might end up paying higher than necessary or might opt for a policy that does not offer optimum coverage.
• Not reading the policy: Whether you are yet to select a car insurance policy or are about to sign on one, one of the worst mistake that you can commit is not reading the terms, conditions, and coverage of the policy. Unless you read it thoroughly, you will not know what it does and doesn’t cover, how much you need to pay, when and how much you would need to pay out of your pocket in some cases, etc.
• Not updating the policy: There are always changes in your everyday life, which in turn influence the kind of car insurance you would need (it could be related to where you live or work, where you drive most often, the rate of theft around your area, etc.). When you choose an insurance policy, you will go with the one whose terms and coverage align with your lifestyle, and thus, it makes sense to update your policy if there are any changes in your everyday life.

Keep in mind that the car insurance prices in India will differ everywhere, as will the terms, thus making it very important to research thoroughly before buying such a policy.

When truth and transparency are the core of a general insurance company, you know you are in trustworthy hands. This is the way of life at Magma HDI, and the fundamental reason it has been able to sell 1 million policies in FY19, as on February 21, 2019.

Having started operations only in 2012, Magma HDI has managed to build a strong reputation as a key player in the Indian insurance industry in a short span of time. It has steadily climbed growth charts with close to 1,000 employees, 135+ branches and 5,000-plus partners from about 180 employees, 46 branches and 500 partners back in the year of its commencement.

So, what have been the key differentiators responsible for this success?

The foremost reason is the company's utmost focus on honesty and transparency. When you choose Magma HDI, you get exactly what you have signed up for.

What's more, your struggle with endless, incomprehensible TnCs is over. Magma HDI believes in minimal TnCs that have important clauses highlighted. There are no hidden charges, and all costs are revealed to you upfront.

The company has a wide range of retail and commercial products on offer that suit requirements of all kinds of buyers. It has over 50 products across categories to choose from and has issued more than 24 lakh general insurance policies till date.

The foundation on which Magma HDI has been able to build its standing is its high claim- settlement ratio. Magma HDI has settled 94.1% of claims generated in FY 17-18 compared to the industry average of 87.2%. Owing to this, Magma HDI has successfully settled more than 1.25 lakh general insurance claims till date.

Additionally, the claim settlement process is absolutely hassle-free. Almost 87.17% claims made in FY 17-18 were settled in less than 30 days compared to the industry average of 62.1%.

A good insurance provider must not only assure you and your loved ones of a safety net in times of need, but also offer you the much-needed peace of mind that the promises made to you will be kept. To check both these parameters off your list, go ahead with a trusted partner such as Magma HDI.

Health insurance is something that every single person should have at all times, so they are protected from any unnecessary or substantial expenses in case there is any harm to life or threat to health. However, before you go with a particular health insurance policy, you need to have all the necessary information about it, such as the premium to be paid, the coverage, the validity, exceptions, etc.

You need to make sure to choose only the best health insurance policy in India, not just for yourself but also your family. Here are five reliable sources to learn about health insurance; you end up making the right choice: -

• A Health Insurance Agent: One of the best sources to learn about health insurance is an agent. A health insurance agent is well aware of all the terms and conditions of the different policies and can provide you with all the information you need. Whether it is about the premium you need to pay, find out about all that it covers, and doesn’t, what fees you need to pay, what some other benefits are, etc. Agents know about the policies of their own company and can also give you some vital information about health insurance in general.
• Your doctor: Your general physician, or the doctor you have been going to for years and who has all your health records, is another excellent source of information when it comes to health insurance. Since they are quite involved in the health industry, they would be able to advise you on what the insurance policy must cover depending upon the condition of your health.
• Your place of work: It might not seem as if your employer would have information about health insurance, but that is not true. Many companies provide their employees with health insurance or pay for a significant part of it, and thus have a lot of information about health insurance in general. If you are seeking information about health insurance, your employer might be able to help, especially since companies keep detailed records of such policies. If you work in the healthcare industry, you have an added advantage.
• The Internet: With almost everything available on the internet, it is not difficult to find the best health insurance policy in India online, given the number of insurance company websites as well as general websites that compare different policies. You have the option of going through the websites of different health insurance companies and collecting information about the various policies, or you can read different articles that compare health insurance policies, and then find out more about some particular ones. The internet is an excellent source of information for everything, including health insurance.
• Your Family: Believe it or not, your family members can help you choose the best policy for you and your family. Since they have been through the process of finding a good insurance policy numerous times, they can help you understand the terms and conditions and can help you find one which suits your needs the best. However, be sure to verify it with an agent.

Having Health insurance is extremely important, and so, you must only consult with the most reliable sources when finding out about it; having inadequate or incorrect information can prove to be detrimental in the future.