GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Owning a car is an investment that some individuals cannot afford, while others do not enjoy driving in overcrowded cities with heavy traffic. A new study shows that around 57% of people in India prefer cab services over owning a car. The figures of similar studies carried out in several other countries will surprise you too. Comparatively, in China and the United States, where people utilize ride-sharing services instead of their automobiles are 53% and 31%, respectively.

So, why in India are people preferring cab service over owning a car so much? In this post below, we'll try and answer it.

Here are the key advantages that people acknowledge to make this choice.

1. Service that is available round the clock:

Cabs are now accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No matter if you're in your home town or out of the station. All you have to do is to book a cab through a mobile app. In no time, the cab will be at your doorsteps.

2. Convenience in this fast-paced life:

Got a presentation to prepare but you have to drive to the office too? Just book a taxi and continue working while your driver takes you to your destination. Not just that, as you don't have to drive yourself, you can utilize the time doing other important and meaningful tasks which you would rather have missed.

3. Variety of vehicles to choose from:

Cab services provide you with the luxury to book from a range of vehicle options. Cars ranging from sharing vehicles to high-end sedans are available. You can select a car based on your requirements and budget.

4. Professional drivers to ride with:

Cab services use well-trained professionals and experienced drivers to offer you comfortable transportation. The drivers are familiar with the city roads and traffic patterns. The driver will also assist you in reaching your destination quicker while keeping your safety in mind. A cab ride is even more favourable for you while commuting in an unknown city.

5. Other perks of being a passenger:

When you ride with a cab service, finding the proper spots for parking, paying tolls, and other things is not your headache.

6. Light on the pockets:

Studies have statistically proven that going for a rental is easier on your pockets in the long term for many cases. Feel free to check the study papers online, and calculate the expenses of both the possibilities.

Sounds good, right? However, the narrative about road safety and the accidents with cabs is anecdotal, proving that not all taxi rides end on a good note. In such a situation, the need for a personal accident policy arises even more. Individual personal accident insurance provides financial assistance to you in the event of an accident.

Choosing a cab service indeed has many advantages. These are just a few of the main reasons some individuals choose cab services over having a car. You may also consider savings like EMIs, petrol/diesel prices, and maintenance costs before making any purchase. On a conclusive note, now, we leave the decision to you, what between the two matches your requirements.

Click HERE to know more about personal accident insurance to make your trips safe!

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

In the wake of the catastrophic fires in India these days, building owners have become more concerned about fire safety for their residential and commercial buildings. Once a fire starts spreading, it is hard to control it. Even though we have efficient modern firefighting methods, it is always better to be cautious about things that can cause destruction.

Ensuring fire safety for buildings is essential, as even a minor fire outbreak in a building can ignite the most extensive fires, sufficient to destroy the whole structure. No one can predict fire mishaps; therefore, improving our fire safety methods is necessary.

This article will look at the best methods to ensure fire safety for buildings that you can implement right away.

1. Educate people on fire safety:
Prevention is better than cure, and the saying cannot have a better real-life example. Unfortunately, most casualties and deaths occur during fire incidents because of insufficient knowledge on fire safety. Therefore, everyone in the building should be made aware of the fire protocols and guidelines.

2. Emergency escape route:
If a building catches fire, there is a possibility of a power breakdown, and the lift too will stop working immediately. Constructing emergency escapes or fire exits is a necessity in almost all high-rise buildings. It is important to ensure that nothing blocks the fire exit route.

3. Create designated smoking areas:
Always ensure the proper disposal of used cigarettes to avoid the possibility of sparks turning into flames. It is also mandatory to monitor smoking zones as several fires initiate from there. Nowadays, most of the premises maintain a smoke-free zones with the designated smoking areas in the building. Smoking anywhere other than the designated areas should be strictly prohibited.

4. Have a sound fire detecting system:
The first step that the maintenance department should take is to instal a fire detecting system in the building. There have been regular technology upgrades in fire sensors, and you must stay up-to-date with their handling to use them during an emergency. These sensors often send an alert to the local fire department, informing them of your location.

5. Display fire safety signs:
Signs are one of the most effective methods of cautioning people of danger. Fire safety warning signs, fire fighting equipment signs, and the labelling of piping that holds toxic compounds are examples of illuminated signs that communicate safety information.

6. Install a fire extinguishing system:
You do not always require the local fire department to put out the small fires. Modern buildings contain sprinklers and fire extinguishers to control minor fire outbreaks. We advise you to use fire sprinklers rather than fire extinguishers because people might not handle extinguishers because of a lack of training. On the other hand, sprinklers will equally spray water everywhere in the building, thus putting out any fire.

7. Inspect your fire doors:
Fire doors have helped save many lives and have considerably reduced the damage by slowing down the fire. Therefore, regularly check your fire doors and replace them immediately if they have undergone even a small fire.

Fires are not in our control, but the least we can do is prepare ourselves for them. Regular monitoring of fire safety equipment, maintaining them, following fire safety norms for the building, and mock fire drills are essentials for the buildings. Remember that, apart from following the above tips, you also need to choose fire insurance for the building. Fire insurance can immensely help you financially against any fire mishaps. During a fire, even a single second can make a massive difference. Always act immediately and sensibly during these incidents. Don’t hesitate to leave all your belongings and evacuate the place in case of a massive fire outbreak. You need to understand that you can get a new home, but what about your life?

Click HERE to know about the different fire insurance policies you can buy today!

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.

With each passing day, people are extra concerned about the environment and the reality of climate change. As a result, more and more people are opting for environment-friendly and sustainable options, like e-scooters as a greener alternative.

The face of personal transportation has immensely changed since the introduction of electric vehicles in the Indian market. Electric scooters are an excellent alternative to traditional combustion engines. They have become the new face of convenience and an affordable mode of transport in India, with over 150,000 e-bikes and e-scooters sold in 2020 alone.

Yet, we know relatively little about its reliability. And to better understand it clearly, we will answer a few questions and tell you about its limitations and advantages.

What is an electric scooter?
Electric bikes or scooters are plug-in electric vehicles that use electric motors to get locomotion.

What is the mileage of an electric scooter?
On average, an electric scooter can go up to 70 km in a single charge, that is 70 km in 10 rupees making it cost-effective and an efficient commutation option.

What batteries are used in an electric scooter?
Usually, electric scooters operate on lithium-ion batteries and adhere to a 12v starter battery or a 24v electrical system.

Do you need a driving license and insurance?
Yes, in India, you would need a driving license and 2 wheeler insurance to drive any vehicle which has a capacity of more than 250 kilowatts and can attain a speed higher than 25km per hour.

What is the expected life of an electric scooter?
Electric scooters might not have the same life span as petrol bikes because engines work longer than motors, but motors are easily replaceable.

Are electric scooters reliable?
When buying a vehicle, the main factor is its reliability—whether it is safe to use, performance, durability, flexibility, etc. To know it, let's understand the pros and cons of buying an electric scooter so that you can make a choice.

PROS:
1. Easy maintenance
There's no need to maintain a battery, clutch, or oil change, and there are no valves to tune, throttle bodies to sync, or air filters to replace. You'll only need to change tires and brake pads every once in a while.

2. Limited noise pollution
Of course, it is a myth that electric motorcycles are entirely silent, but still, the noises are comparatively minimal. This means that you get to enjoy a peaceful experience. Also, no neighbours will be disturbed late at night!

3. Environment-friendly
The best advantage that electric scooters bring with them is the green revolution. These sustainable vehicles are shaping the future of the world towards a cleaner and more environmentally safe era.

4. Insurance benefits
Reports suggested that the Indian EV market will grow at 36% in the coming years and emerge as a key segment in the insurance business. Thus, in most cases, you will notice that the 2 wheeler insurance premiums are comparatively low for electric vehicles.

CONS:
1. Charging
One of the main problems is finding a charging unit for your electric vehicles. Let's say you do find one, but certainly, charging will take more time than filling a tank with fuel. Therefore, a fuel-based vehicle is more practical due to the easy access to a gas station.

2. Resale value
Electric scooters have a low resale value. And if the battery needs replacement, there is almost no market value of the vehicle. Also, it is hard to find a buyer interested in a used e-bike.

3. Storage space
E-bikes generally do not have much storage space below the seat, but new design technology is finding solutions to address this requirement of ample storage in vehicles.

These checkpoints related to the reliability of an electric scooter come in handy for you to compare the advantages and understand your requirements correctly. Planning an e-scooter certainly brings your meaningful contribution towards zero air pollution.

Planning to buy a new electric bike? Click HERE to cover it with a reliable two-wheeler 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.

A nutritious and filling breakfast fuels you up for the day and provides you with the energy you need after fasting for 8 to 12 hours. And not having one will leave you feeling irked and restless for the rest of the day. Therefore, it is essential to have an energy-rich breakfast in the morning.

But, what should be your ideal breakfast diet? Nutritionists suggest that your breakfast should have approximately 50 percent fruits or vegetables, 25 percent proteins, and 25 percent carbohydrates.

This article has rounded up seven healthy and tasty breakfast recipes that will charge your day.

1. Smoothies – a protein delight:
If you do not like a heavy breakfast, a smoothie is a perfect fit for you. It is a complete meal with all the essential minerals and vitamins. Then, just whip up a few fruits and veggies, and you are good to go! Adding a couple of ice cubes, dry fruits, or sleek pieces of fruits will elevate the taste of your smoothie.

2. Poha – the delicacy of the west:
Next on our list is everyone’s experimental and go-to breakfast. It is a famous dish of the western part of India but loved by the entire nation. It is tasty, light, and easy to make. It has a lot of variety to fit every taste - Kanda Poha, Aloo Poha, Tarri Poha, Curd Poha, Coconut-jaggery poha. The key ingredient here is rice flakes. You can add vegetables and spices the way you like.

3. Upma – cook it quickly:
Students living away from home prefer it because it is prepared in under 5 minutes without much hassle or even ingredients! It is slow to digest; therefore, it keeps you full for longer. Prepare this breakfast food using semolina or sooji and rice flour.

4. Salad – the authentic taste of fitness:
Some may think that a salad is not enough for breakfast, but there is nothing better than salad if you use the right ingredients. It is a perfect delight for diet-conscious people. It will boost your mood and productivity instantly, help maintain weight, enhance your digestive system, and be an excellent light breakfast option.

5. Idli – the trademark of the south:
Whenever South Indian breakfast is considered, idli always stays at the top. It is a steamed cake made of rice and black lentils. You can have an Idli with coconut chutney or vegetable stew. It is a healthy option as it requires no oil and is rich in carbohydrates, enzymes, and fibres.

6. Paratha – stuffed with love:
Many people consider it an unhealthy and heavy breakfast option as it is stuffed with excessive fats and consumes amounts of oil or butter. But, if you swap a few ingredients, it can be nutritious and delicious at the same time. Use whole wheat flour or multi-grain flour and knead the paratha dough with curd of whey water. Make your innovations as per your dietary requirements and enjoy parathas with curd, ketchup, or a chutney.

7. Muesli – the powerhouse of taste:
Muesli is a cold oatmeal dish full of fibre and proteins. To start your day on a sweet note, you may add chocolate, honey, and almond milk to your muesli. This breakfast recipe can give an energetic start to your day.

“One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast.”- Robert Heinlein expressed this years ago, but it sounds right even today. Indeed, breakfast is crucial for the day. But on-the-go breakfast like bread and cheese or a packet of cookies is not sufficient. So, even if you are time-bound, it is still necessary to have an elaborate and disciplined breakfast daily.

To reinvent your breakfast routine, try bringing variations into your recipes. Search for exciting recipes online, watch videos, and bring newness to your morning meals. Along with these tips, invest in healthy habits like buying online health insurance to add the flavours of good health and financial safety to your life!

Click HERE to know more about the online health insurance you can buy.

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

In this digital age, our professional and personal lives have all begun to gravitate toward the internet. Unfortunately, due to this widespread phenomenon, we are now more exposed than ever before to invasions of privacy and fraud. Businesses are at a higher risk of cyber attacks than individuals.

Hackers are making the best use of their mischievous minds to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in the working infrastructure of several small and large businesses. As a result, tons of sensitive digital data of users, customers and organizations, including government agencies, are subjected to threat from cybercriminals.

It's more urgent to get a solid cyber security policy in place to safeguard your business from cyber-attacks. In this article, we'll go through some pointers that will help you understand the criticality of this issue and help you take the necessary actions to get it secured right away.

Let's take a look at some common cyber-attacks first.

1. Phishing:
Phishing is when a fraudster appears as somebody else to trick individuals into supplying personal information such as credit card details. Financial institutions, Banking, E-commerce sectors are at high risk from phishing.

2. Ransomware:
This type of malware attack affects a computer or server; it encrypts files and locks them down. The attacker then demands payment to restore the files to their original state. Both private and government sectors can be affected severely by ransomware.

3. Spyware:
This is when a cybercriminal installs malware on a victim's computer; it collects their internet history, credentials, bank account information, and other sensitive data.

4. Denial of Service Attack:
Also known as a DoS attack, a hacker attempts to take down a network by flooding it with traffic to avoid other people from utilizing the service.

Why should you think about getting cyber security?

• Ample resources are required to recover from a cyberattack, with the typical breach taking 55 days to resolve. This will hinder and divert time, money, and personnel resources away from the other operations of your company.

• If your company stores a lot of personal information about your consumers, you must maintain its security so that no data of even a single user gets compromised. Customers can lose trust in your company when their valuable information is at risk in a data breach, and you can face unfavourable lawsuits as a result. 41% of customers believe they will stop doing business with a firm if their data is compromised.

Statistical overview:

• Every 39 seconds, a cyber-attack occurs around the globe.

• Cybercrime will cost the globe $6 trillion by the end of 2021.

• 24,000 malicious applications are eliminated across the web every day.

• By the end of 2021, the average ransomware request will be more than $1000.

• Only 25% of businesses worldwide have their cyber security department.

The threat of cybercrime is gradually rising. Millions of records are affected each year by data breaches, and reports of violations are increasing at an alarming rate.

It's not only about data privacy or net neutrality that needs attention; a complete change in emphasis to internet security is concerning. In the long term, taking an extra step in cyber and email protection can help businesses increase their overall productivity. You can take an extra step today by getting public liability insurance in India. This will help you cover both first and third-party liabilities caused due to online attacks.

See the best public liability insurance in India HERE .

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

The current pandemic situation has undoubtedly left us feeling depressed and lethargic. Unlike before, being stuck at home, we do not have much to look forward to, which has affected our hormonal balance. Everyone is dealing with this situation in their own way, and some of us have a hard time adapting to this change. Especially people with an active lifestyle find this switch extremely challenging.

Before it starts to take a toll on your mental state, we must find ways to cope with it. One of the ways is to boost your happy hormones to keep yourself healthy.

What are happy hormones?
These neurotransmitters have a role in mood control, pleasure, bonding, and even pain reduction. These enzymes are essential for your health in areas such as growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. Happy hormones mainly include Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphin.

How to boost these hormones?

1. Dopamine – the “Reward Chemical”
Linked with pleasurable experiences and a motor system function, Dopamine is an essential element of your brain’s reward system. It is nicknamed the “feel-good” hormone.
To boost it: Get plenty of rest, eat nuts, try to achieve realistic goals and spend time practicing healthy hobbies or getting soaked in the sun. Musical therapy and meditation can also increase dopamine levels surprisingly.

2. Serotonin – the “Mood Stabilizer”
This hormone assists in the regulation of your mood, appetite, digestion, learning capacity, and memory. Low levels of serotonin can land you into depression.
To boost it: Work out, or participate in a sport, consume carbs, drink milk at night, and focus on incorporating omega-3-rich foods into your diet. Mood enhancement can also boost serotonin levels. Cheer yourself up by recalling all the beautiful memories of the past. You may open an old photo album or do an activity that excites you the most.

3. Oxytocin – the “Love Hormone”
The feeling of love, affection, and being valued boost the oxytocin level; hence it is nick-named as the “love hormone.” It also helps develop trust, empathy, and bonding in relationships through deeper connections and physical intimacy.
To boost it: Get a massage once a week, take up a new hobby, spend quality time with loved ones, help someone, have a pet, or practice yoga.

4. Endorphins – the “Pain Killer”
Your endorphin levels tend to rise when you engage in reward-producing activities like eating, working out, or having a fun time celebrating even small moments. It is also a natural pain reliever produced by your body in reaction to stress or suffering. Endorphins redefine our social attachments by promoting pleasure.
To boost it: Go out for a run, eat a protein-rich meal, plan out a romantic evening, take a hot shower.

Your body remains active and energetic if your mind is refreshed and active. Therefore, boosting your happy hormones is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. Besides the suggested ways to improve productivity, you can figure out your methods to develop and boost these hormones. Find what makes you genuinely happy and pursue it often to lead a healthy lifestyle. While you are at it, do not forget to back up your physical health with insurance. Browse through our online health insurance plans to seek the best one that makes your dopamine level go high, to feel good and safe!

To find online health insurance plans, click HERE .

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

Unlike old times, almost all car manufacturing companies are now producing new vehicles with both petrol and diesel variants. With it, the common misbelief of a petrol car being superior is also burning to the ground. The way diesel engines have advanced significantly poses a severe threat to their petrol rivals by being more efficient and economical.

But the debate remains as to whether to go for a petrol or diesel model. Allow us to clear it out for you quickly. Here are the 5 major aspects to compare both the options, and let’s view the results.

1. Performance:
If you are a power enthusiast looking deeply into car performance other than anything, remember that a car’s performance is mainly affected by the amount of weight it carries. However, both petrol and diesel cars offer specific power. For example, if you like instant pick up, a petrol car will impress you better. On the other hand, a diesel car will amaze you with the sudden thrust despite the slow start. So, out of the two variants, decide what suits you better.

2. Prices:
Diesel models are generally more expensive than their petrol rivals, and so is their maintenance cost. Do not let the fuel prices confuse you with the car prices. Although diesel as a fuel is cheaper than petrol in our country, the cars sell at a higher price. It's on you to decide whether to pay more for your car one time or more for your fuel every time.

3. Maintenance expenses:
Do diesel models require a higher maintenance cost? That no longer stands true for every case. Although maintaining a diesel vehicle is still more expensive than a petrol vehicle, it has become comparatively affordable than earlier. It even varies between the different classes of the car and the brand.

4. Fuel-efficiency:
This is something to consider later in all the aspects mentioned earlier. Mileage for diesel vehicles is one of the sole reasons for people to choose them over petrol vehicles. A diesel car will run more kilometres in the same litres of fuel than a petrol car. So, in terms of fuel efficiency, diesel cars are clearly the prize winner.

5. Fuel costs:
India has always had diesel at a reduced price than petrol owing to the subsidies. Although the price gap has reduced continuously in almost all states, this is still a fact. Hence, diesel is cheaper than petrol, with diesel vehicles having a better mileage than the latter. Therefore, despite the initial higher charges, it is proved that a diesel car is affordable after all.

Owning a car is a luxury in itself; hence ensure to get the one most suited to your expectations. Regardless of what type of car you buy, decide it after assessing the running cost, the duration you want to retain it and resell value it brings to you. And when you finally make a purchase, do not forget to buy new car insurance as made mandatory by the laws. Apart from choosing the best vehicle variant, you also need to buy new car insurance for a financial safety net if the unexpected occurs.

To buy new car insurance for your car, click HERE .

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

No one likes to think about the possibility of their vehicle being in an accident, but knowing what to do when it happens, helps you a lot. According to a survey, almost 77% of drivers have been in at least one accident during their lifetime. Thus, as per the facts, your chances of getting into a car accident during a 1,000-mile trip are 1 in 366.

After a car crash, your immediate response is to ensure everyone's safety and get medical attention even if the injuries seem minor to you. The immediate aftermath of an accident is quite stressful, and not knowing what should be your next step only adds to the stress.

Therefore, it is time you learn what to do when your car gets totaled post an accident.

After the accident, when you inform your insurance company about the incident to claim your insurance, the company may deem your car to be 'totaled'.

But, first, what exactly does 'a totaled car' mean?

• If the value of repairing the vehicle is more than the value of the car, pre-accident.

• If it can be dangerous to use the car again after the repair work.

Some companies cover the cost of towing the car. Few look after your rental car bills only for three days, whereas some might cover for an extended period. Different companies have different policies for the drivers. Therefore, it is better to be familiar with your private car insurance policy.

Now follow the given steps to claim your insurance settlement.

Step 1
Give your insurance company a call. Many companies have mobile applications where you can click images of the damage and post them, and an inspector will survey the specifics. But, when you think your car is totaled, it will take much more than a basic inspection to verify the damage.
Sometimes, there is not much visible damage, but some damaged parts of the car can cost much more than you anticipate. For this, you will have to trust your inspector to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle.

Step 2
Submit your application, policy details, and police report. Now, all companies have different documentation processes, and you must be sure to understand what papers you will need to submit precisely. Your settlement request would not proceed further unless the company has received all that it needs.

Step 3
Whether you own the vehicle or are leasing it, the insurance company will write a check to you, your lender, or the lease company. The amount of your total loss settlement will be the AVC, average cash value of your car, which depends on the following

• the current market value of your vehicle

• the condition of your car pre-accident as well as its mileage

• other features of the car such as leather seats, power windows etc.

Sometimes fortune turns harsh on us, and it becomes tough to accept the reality. Accidents can happen anytime, and it is rightly quoted that 'Accidents hurt, but not safety.' The recovery post a severe accident is never a peaceful process. Seeing your beloved car turn into crushed pieces of metal is an awful feeling. Don't wait for the worst to happen. Be prepared by buying private car insurance that assures you the complete assistance and compensation you expect during the tough times.

Need private car insurance? Click HERE to get the best insurance quotes.

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.