GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

The winter season is the perfect escape from the hot and humid climate. But what appears soothing to the youth can be troublesome for elders. Winter is a difficult season to withstand and maintain good health, especially for elders suffering from joint pain. This season comes with cold conditions, low atmospheric pressure, and dry air, making the muscles tight and rigid, which results in joint pain.

If you have elders at home and you're wondering how to make the winter season more enjoyable for them, here are a few tips for the best joint protection.

1. Move frequently:
The winter season makes elders lazy and feels less energetic. They avoid going out and prefer staying indoors, often sitting or lying on the bed to stay warm and cosy. However, they should avoid doing this as their body will become more rigid and joints achy.
Elders need to be active during the winter months. They may take up small household chores to keep their mind and body active. Even a brisk walk now and then inside the house will help. Frequent movement of the joints will ensure they are not jammed and do not ache much.

2. Regular exercise:
Elders should exercise regularly during winter to keep their bodies in shape and their joints in rhythm. However, they should take proper care while exercising and not overdo it as it can cause more harm than benefit. Light cardio exercises, yoga, and stretching can be helpful to keep the elders free from joint pain. Exercise can also help to cure existing joint pain, if any.

3. A restricted and healthy diet:
Winters are a great time for food lovers and munchers to grab quick bites while watching their favourite TV shows or movies. We tend to eat more which increases the sugar intake. This can negatively impact the body weight and invite unwanted health problems.
Elders need to restrict their diet and avoid overeating. More weight means more pressure on the joints, resulting in pain. Weight control will help them to keep their joint pain in control and keep other critical illnesses like heart issues, hypertension, diabetes, etc., at bay.
Moreover, they need to maintain a healthy diet. Food with anti-inflammatory properties helps to relieve joint pain. Such food includes nuts, seeds, fish, turmeric, garlic, onion, and dark green leafy vegetables.

4. Supplements:
Many supplements available in the market help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Elders may also opt for calcium supplements to make their bones stronger and healthier.

5. Dress-up adequately:
Elders should take adequate care while dressing up in winter. They should choose attire that will keep them warm at home or if they plan to go out. Good quality jackets and coats are a must while going out. Also, they should stock up on woollen gloves and socks to keep themselves warm. Adequate clothing will ensure they do not suffer joint pain even in the harshest weather.

6. Stay well hydrated:
We tend to drink less water and fluids in the winter than in the summer. Staying hydrated is very important for elders during winter. They should frequently drink water and even warm liquids such as soup and tea to feel energetic and fresh throughout the day. Proper hydration will help the body to maintain its temperature. Muscles will be more flexible, helping them to keep the joint pain in control.

Now we know how winter can directly result in joint pain, especially in the elderly. Following the above tips judiciously can help them to curtail or minimise it in the tough cold weather and create a comfort zone for themselves.

Similarly, you should consider the best health insurance in India for parents and elders at home. These plans are specially curated to minimise your worries about their health and medical expenses. Under all severe circumstances, a comprehensive health insurance policy will ensure the elders' well-being.

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance in India for parents.

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

Recent years have seen a rising number of women actively contributing in every sector. Whether police services, office-goers, or cab drivers, women are stepping out of their homes to build a future for themselves. Even with the ever-growing numbers of women workers, only fifty percent of women invest in general insurance as opposed to seventy-two percent of their male counterparts.

Why are the numbers so different? Although there has been a progressive shift in women's lives, general insurance was conventionally associated with the household males. During the earlier days, men were the sole breadwinners of the household and handled all monetary transactions. So, it was usually considered the males' responsibility to ensure that the family remained financially covered. This lifestyle trend has not been seen as evident as the societal change that women have faced.

This article will examine why general insurance is essential for women and how it paves a path to financial freedom.

1. Financial security:
It is important to remember that general insurance is an essential resource for the family. With more women actively contributing financially to their respective households, general insurance becomes an irreplaceable asset. It not only acts as a backbone to the family's financial stability but also provides tax benefits, adding more value.
In addition, general insurance covers many things, including travel, medical, artificial disasters, theft, etc. Therefore, general insurance is necessary for women to ensure their families' financial security if they become the household's sole breadwinner.

2. Financial independence:
Statistics show that most women, even when earning, depend on their spouses or family for financial knowledge. This is surprising in consideration of the rapid growth of women in all sectors of life. To combat this dependency and to be able to handle their own money, investing in general insurance is the first step. Taking care of your finances makes you confident and in charge of your own money without having to depend on anyone.
Having your finances sorted at every step will ensure that your children, parents, or spouse can have a comfortable lifestyle, safe and enjoyable vacations with no worries about lost luggage or cancelled flights, or you can visit the best hospitals without worrying about the bills going through the roof. There are so many advantages and benefits to favouring you.

3. Loans and debts:
Most households must rely on loans to pay for their houses, vehicles, and other significant expenses. In case of a mishap, general insurance will be able to help you cover the loss and ensure that you won't fall behind on your loan payments due to the distress of any emergencies.

4. Critical illness benefits:
Certain health conditions are specific to women, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, etc. With an unhealthy lifestyle and heavy amounts of impurity in the food and drinks one consumes, these diseases have become a part of one in eight urban women populations. Comprehensive health insurance and critical illness protection can help you rest assured in case of such illnesses and cover the cost of the treatment.

These are just some of the many reasons women should invest in a general insurance policy. As mentioned, not only is it an intelligent way to secure your family's future, but it is also a way to ensure your financial liberty. General insurance is imperative to add value to your life and secure financial independence. As a responsible citizen, you should encourage fellow women to invest in general insurance India as the first step to their financial freedom and security. More power to every woman!

Click HERE to know more about general 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.

The pandemic significantly impacted every business globally, and the maritime logistics sector was no exception. However, this industry will continue to grow as the supply and demand cycle returns on track post-pandemic.

Maritime logistics involve preparing, implementing, and managing goods and information necessary for ocean carriage. Transporting goods via the ocean route is profitable, but it still has some risks, such as the loss or damage of goods. Marine insurance is a must, as it covers damage that may occur during transit between the starting point and the destination.

With the insurance cover, you can safely run your business, but you will need to stay updated about the latest trends. Here's a list of a few logistics trends significantly influencing the industry.

1. Circular supply chains:
The pandemic made many business owners realise they had to change their approach to developing shipping routes. It helps many businesses develop an alternate, more sustainable supply chain model for future global emergencies.
Shortening the current supply chain structure reduces ocean transit time and allows the industry to adopt an eco-friendlier approach and thereby improving product longevity.

2. New methods for data collection:
Maritime logistics also helps researchers and scientists to provide crucial statistics and weather forecasts. The researchers collect data from ships travelling in different oceans in various regions worldwide to predict weather and make other observations to curate possible solutions for efficient logistics.
The pandemic had put a brake on logistics which caused a lack of data collection for researchers. This made it challenging for researchers to provide accurate weather forecasting and analyse other crucial statistics. Now, researchers are using new methods like marine weather buoys for precise weather forecasts.

3. Automation and Digitalisation:
Tech-based automation shows significance in every sector and a strong future scope. For instance, many warehouses adopt automated processes such as cargo handlers, stacking cranes, unmanned unloaders, and more to improve efficiency and revenue.
Technology also makes the documentation and paperwork process digital. The digitalisation helps boost the organisation's productivity by improving turnaround time and work efficiency. You can expect automation and digitalisation to be an integral part of maritime logistics.

4. Real-time data visibility:
Live location becomes popular demand from consumers and clients. Trading partners and customers expect updates on order locations. With supply chain visibility, business owners help monitor order shipments and provide the clients with updated status of their goods. Knowing the real-time status of your shipping enables you to ensure that your ship and the goods are safe.

5. Systematic policy response:
The pandemic also caused the necessity of a systematic global policy for the logistics industry. Many new policies emerged as the demand for more features and coverage for international shipments. The logistics industry can witness more emergency policy response that helps maritime operations to have resilient and agile transport systems.

6. Decarbonisation:
Carbon emissions have been a major global problem for the last decade. Logistics ships are the main culprits for heavy oil emissions. These days, the enforcement of controlled carbon emissions has become strict, causing maritime operators to opt for fuel-efficient routes. The IMO (International Maritime Organization) aims to reduce greenhouse emissions and the carbon emissions caused by shipping by 40% in the next ten years.

Understanding the demands of consumers and the need for technology in the logistics process is the need of the hour to strengthen the maritime logistics sector in India. Business owners must plan and implement new trends in their logistics businesses to create better growth opportunities. Shortening supply chains can help lower carbon emissions and benefit the environment. Similarly, it would help if you also considered getting marine insurance to provide reliable coverage against losses due to damage to goods during sea transit.

Click HERE to buy marine insurance.

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.

Let's say you're a washing machine manufacturer. Due to some defect in the formulae of chemicals used in the hose pipe of your washing machine, it is more likely to burst. The product has already hit the shelves, and you're receiving massive backlash for the damaged goods and might be at risk of a few customers suing you. This event can potentially shut down your business as you don't have enough capital to pay for the legal fees. You are incurring huge losses now as you have to take down the products from the shelves.

The only way-out would be an insurance covering you against these unforeseeable liabilities. The insurance that is suitable for this situation is product liability insurance. Product liability insurance protects manufacturers, wholesale and distribution businesses, and retailers against claims that the product they have sold has caused harm to a customer, including either bodily or property damage.

This insurance is helpful for all kinds of businesses. Taking the above example of the washing machine, the company should be insured with this type of insurance. This is because when a lawsuit is launched, an enquiry is made on all the companies involved. Small businesses need it more than others because they usually don't have the capital to pay the customer and can quickly go bankrupt.

This blog explains why product liability insurance is a must for your company.

Coverage for design defects:
Design defects can bother customers long after the product has been manufactured and sold off. The customer, in most cases, can still sue the organisation which manufactures the product. Product liability reimburses you for the expenses incurred due to such design errors.

Coverage for manufacturing or production flaws:
The most crucial feature of product liability insurance is that it provides coverage for any manufacturing defects that might cause harm to a customer.

Protection against packaging concerns:
Sometimes the manufacturer does not provide an adequate warning on the product package, such as potential defects, instructions for properly using the product, or some allergenic substances. One example is how beverage companies have to warn if it is hot and not to be liable if the hot drink is spilled on a customer. Additionally, if there's some substance like peanuts or other common inflammatory substances in the product and it's not mentioned clearly, the manufacturer might be prosecuted. Product liability insurance provides coverage for all these situations.

Supplemental commercial general liability coverage:
Product liability policies generally work along with commercial general liability coverage to provide the company with insurance against such claims by customers.
There are several reasons to take product liability insurance as a business owner. But the payout certainly depends on which kind of policy you've chosen. The insurance cost depends on various factors, including your industry, the potential risks associated with that industry, your business's claim history, and the insurance company's policy limits. For example, getting cover for risky businesses like alcohol, tobacco, and contraceptives is challenging because of the high rate of lawsuits that are usually launched against them.

Insurance companies may charge you a higher premium for such kinds of businesses. It's always best to be insured to remain stress-free. Business owners should also invest in public liability insurance policy to provide the best coverage to third parties in the event of financial loss, injury or death due to an accident.

Click HERE to know more about public liability insurance 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.