GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

A seat belt is one of the necessary safety items that come with the car. But we often avoid wearing a seatbelt on the rear seat. It is important to understand that as per the Section 138 (3) of the Central Motor Vehicles, seat belts are compulsory for the rear seat passengers as well. However, most rear seat occupants give it a miss because of the lack of awareness and relaxed law enforcement.

The automotive industry experts researched that passengers tend to suffer collisions when a car meets an accident. A seat belt protects the passengers from undesirable forward motion during sudden brakes or crashes. Hence, it prevents critical harm to the life of passengers on the rear seat.

Remember, the rear seatbelts are not decorative accessories; they are installed for a reason. And, in case you are not wearing a seatbelt, your motor insurance company can also object to your claim for damages to your car.

Let's understand the reasons why a seat belt is equally important for the rear seat.

1. Avoid severe injuries:
We might think that sitting on the rear seat is safe, but that's not true. During accidents, the rear seat passenger might get badly injured. Injuries on prime parts of the body like the spine, head, abdominal can be life-threatening. To save yourself from this, make sure that you wear the seat belt correctly. Unfortunately, some cars have installed only lap seat belts, which are not entirely secure. Three-point seat belts are a better option, which have shoulder and lap belts to support the passengers' chest, shoulder, and pelvis.

2. Reason to be penalized:
In 1988, the government enforced an act to consolidate and amend motor vehicles, known as the MV act. According to this safety rule, if passengers are caught with unbuckled seat belts, they are liable to pay a fine for traffic safety violations.

3. A threat to the passengers in front seats:
Studies show that, in many cases, unbuckled rear passengers tend to collide with the front seat and push the front seater into the steering wheel or dashboard. It might damage airbags, and even passengers may strike with or fly out of the windscreen too. So, not wearing seat belts at the rear seats can be life-threatening for those sitting in the front.

Seat belts reduce the secondary danger impacts. It works as resistance for the passengers by holding them in position, such that airbags can work efficiently

Every individual should hold themselves accountable for spreading awareness about the necessity of wearing seat belts during car journeys. Especially when you are travelling with kids, you need to be extra cautious. Check if your children are correctly seated and have their seat belts fastened.

On a conclusive note, never undervalue the use of seat belts. From driving to a grocery store in your neighbourhood to long-distance drives, you must fasten the seat belt at all times. Driving is meant to provide you convenience and comfort, so make a habit of following safe practices such as wearing a seatbelt. Follow the traffic rules, buckle your seat belt, and keep your life, car, money and motor insurance company record safe.

Click HERE to buy/renew your car 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.

When you plan to purchase a car, you spend a lot of time on market research since it's quite a heavy investment involving various factors to consider. Then you look into the car insurance price in India before finalising your decision. Once you figure out all these details, you go ahead and buy the car which suits you the best.

But that's not it. What if there are some faulty parts? Or what if you face some issues with the car, which puts the vehicle at risk and endangers your family's safety? You cannot take that chance. You need to check in with the car manufacturer's warranty. The worst of it is to be unaware of the terms not included in the warranty provided by your car manufacturer.

This article is your guide to understanding your car manufacturer's warranty.

Let's discuss the terms and conditions:

1. Components that require scheduled servicing-oil, fluids, etc. are not covered under warranty by the manufacturer.

2. Accidental damages are covered under car insurance rather than the warranty.

3. Repair and car parts in the lower region are not included in your manufacturer's warranty.

4. Parts that are prone to "wear and tear" like the brake pads, clutch plate, bulb, belts, bearings related to AC, clutch bearing, hub bearing, gasket, etc., do not come under the warranty.

5. Repairing related to fuse, wiper blade, AC gas change, rubber components, cracks in the windshield glass, etc., cannot be claimed under warranty (unless there are manufacturing defects).

6. Paint issues, rusting, corrosion are not included in the warranty unless specifically mentioned.

7. Tyre, battery, music system, parking sensors do not come under the terms of warranty from the manufacturer.

8. Need of repair due to consequential damages like –

• Driving with an engine oil leakage causing a coolant leakage, leading to radiator damages.

• Jump-starting your car with a drained battery

• Engine seizure caused by driving the vehicle in deep water.

• None of these are covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

Car warranties can turn ineffective under the following circumstances:

1. Discrepancies in the recommended servicing schedule.

2. The vehicle is taken to unauthorised workshops or service centres instead of authorised ones.

3. Repairing your car using unauthorised/counterfeit car parts or accessories that can impact the wiring.

4. Damages in Electronic Control Unit (ECU) due to incorrect fitting/usage of unauthorised accessories or spare parts.

5. Attempt to install accessories by modifying the electrical wiring system or using supplements with substandard wiring.

6. Installation of cylinders (CNG) without checking the manufacturer's warranty conditions about the coverage and compensation in such cases.

Now that you're aware of the terms that are not included in your car manufacturer's warranty, you can refer them before making any critical decisions. However, while we're at it, it is necessary to purchase car insurance that caters to your needs for the additional safety of your vehicle and your family.

For that, you need to browse through several car insurances in India and verify their suitability. This small effort can safeguard you from unprecedented circumstances and monetary loss in the long run.

Click HERE to browse through the best deals on car insurance for your new car.

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 vaccination drive is in full swing in India, and the government is trying to vaccinate the entire country before the year-end. But, once vaccinated, do you still need to focus on building your immunity? Absolutely yes! Medical authorities, wellbeing experts, and health insurance companies encourage people to continue wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and sanitizing hands. In addition to it, you should also focus on nutrition and a healthy diet to continue building immunity. And here are a few reasons why you still need to build your immunity even after getting both vaccine doses.

1. New virus variant:
In December 2020, the media reported the first variant of covid-19. Since then, many new variants have been identified in regular researches done by scientists. So the question arises, will the COVID-19 vaccine be effective on the new variants? Laboratory studies suggest that current vaccines may help reduce the severity but might not provide complete immunity against these new variants. Meaning you have a chance of contracting any of the virus variants. The best way to prevent this is to keep following the coronavirus safety precautions and focus on developing your immune system.

2. Not 100% effective:
So, will the country be safe and covid free once everyone is vaccinated? Few vaccines have a high rate of success in preventing the illness or reducing the severity of it. It is a fact that vaccines cannot be hundred percent effective against the virus on an entire population. The clinical trials of various vaccines show 90-95% efficacy, indicating that the vaccine reduces your chance of contracting COVID-19. There have been instances of people getting detected with the COVID-19 virus after getting both doses. Therefore, vaccinated people still need to follow safety protocols. The vaccine prevents the severity of disease, reducing the possibility of being hospitalized. Having high immunity further improves your chances to fight against the COVID-19 virus.

3. Other diseases:
Your immunity helps to fight any harmful substances, germs and viruses entering the body. So your immune system allows the body to fight microbes and acts as the first wall of defence in your body, not just when the coronavirus is concerned. Therefore, to not contract any disease, you must take measures to boost your immune system.

4. Protecting the community:
The only way to end the COVID-19 pandemic is to reach the state of herd immunity. Herd immunity is a situation where a massive section of a population gets immunity against a disease. As a result, the whole community is under protection from the disease, not just the few who are immune. Even if you are vaccinated and might be safe from a severe illness due to coronavirus, the people around you aren't, so you are responsible for keeping them safe too.

While it is inevitable that vaccines protect you against the severity of COVID-19, you must still build your immunity, follow COVID-19 protocols, and have good health insurance to be financially and physically prepared for any medical conditions or diseases coming your way.

Are you concerned about the medical bills during a pandemic? Click HERE to know about the health 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.

After putting in months of research, reviews, and careful consideration, you finally zero down on one car. You go on long drives, cut the time of waiting for public transport, and get that car insurance. Let’s now talk about the essential care your car deserves after all the miles it has covered for you.

In this space, we will discuss tyres and the three crucial parts of tyre care - wheel alignment, balancing, and rotation. Taking care of these essential aspects of your car will ensure that you don’t have the unnecessary expense of changing your tyres frequently. But, most importantly, it reduces the risks of driving in unfavourable conditions.

1. Wheel Alignment:
After driving a significant distance, your car needs to go through wheel alignment. It essentially means that your vehicle’s suspension is adjusted so that the tyre makes an optimised contact with the road to avoid frequent wear and tear.
Things that might lead to the misalignment of the tyres are –

• A sudden impact on the vehicle

• Collisions

• Sudden change in steering alignment while driving

If you find it challenging to manoeuvre the steering or notice tears on tyres, it could be due to misaligned wheels. This would be a good reason to go to a service centre for your wheel alignment corrected. Before starting any repair work, buy car insurance online for better features and advantages.

2. Balancing:
Wheel balancing is done to equalise the weight of the tyre and wheel for a smoother rotation at high speeds. However, wheels and tyres vary in their weights resulting in a slight imbalance which leads to the car undergoing extreme vibration and wobbly movements. Tyre balancing along with tyre alignment is done to counter this.
Over a significant period, the imbalance of the wheels is inevitable, so we suggest that you contemplate rebalancing after having driven a considerable distance ranging between 6000km to 8000 km., which a computerised balancer can achieve. First, the wheels are tested for their weights, and the computer inspects any faults. The weight balance is then performed by adding weights on the rim where the computer suggests.

3. Rotation:

The wear and tear of your tyres are never identical. The front tyres are susceptible to more damage considering they undergo more pressure from steering, braking, and most of the weight is towards the car’s front. So for a uniform beating, interchange the front, rear, and spare wheels. To ensure that your tires have a longer run time, you must consider wheel rotation.

So there you have the three essential services that you need to provide to your car after having enjoyed some thousand miles. These services must be performed periodically to ensure the longevity of your vehicle. While looking for car services near you, do consider to buy car insurance online. Many owners tend to neglect the benefits of having comprehensive car insurance for their valuable possession, but this coverage can add value to your car.

Click HERE to get the best deals on car insurance online.

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

Aiming for a more intense physical fitness level is achievable, but consider hiring a personal trainer beforehand. Irrespective of your fitness level, training with an expert can most effectively help you achieve your health and fitness objectives. Whether you're new to fitness training or the gym is your second home, workout under a professional trainer will set the fitness tone for you.

Also, it is necessary to exercise caution at the gym to avoid injuries and mishaps that can impact your regular life. Since you cannot predict injuries while training, secure your life under the umbrella of a personal accidental insurance online coverage. This could assist you in covering the costs of medical treatment if you were injured while working out at a gym.

The following are the five primary reasons for working with a personal trainer.

1. You have no idea where to begin:
Exercise can be challenging if you are new to it. When faced with the responsibility of creating a comprehensive fitness schedule, it's easy to get carried away. You then have to consider multiple factors, such as which activities to include in your workout regime. However, trainers are well-versed in the various aspects of a complete program, including cardio, strength exercises, and flexibility training, among others.

2. Variety in regular exercise is encouraged:
While training, you can't continually gravitate to almost the same machines at the gym or repeat the same exercise routines at home. A personal trainer can expose you to activities you may have never done before or that you'd never have undertaken on your own. Also, reducing your chances of becoming bored or striking a border in your fitness journey. A trainer gives an unbiased perspective. They assist you in modifying your schedule to make it more engaging, proactive, or even just more fun to complete.

3. Understand how to work out on your own:
You can learn exercises correctly by working with a trainer, even if your ultimate objective is to design your regimens and training on your own. For those who are new to weight lifting and require additional practice, trainers can provide necessary guidance. The proper form for each exercise is essential for getting the most out of your training and avoiding injuries. In addition, while shifting from a personal trainer to working on your own, consider purchasing personal accident insurance online for additional safety.

4. Tips for a healthy diet:
Personal trainers can provide essential dietary guidance, which many customers may find highly beneficial as they navigate their health and fitness endeavours. Whether you want to lose weight, increase muscle, or do both, your diet is critical to reaching your goals. You can improve your gym performance by learning how much protein to eat, including more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and even how much water to drink each day. As a result, consult with your trainer for recommendations as you plan your diet.

5. Diagnosed with an ailment, injury, or condition of some kind:
Trainers work with a diverse range of individuals. Some trainers specialise in working with clients having specific needs. For example, to avoid any further harm, a trainer may assist you in designing a workout program that concentrates on the areas of your body you need to work on without putting yourself at risk for new or recurrent injuries.

A private trainer can help you develop the necessary abilities and encouragement to achieve your fitness objectives. In the long run, working with professionals may prove to be well worth your time and money. In addition to it, you should also consider personal accidental insurance online so that you can concentrate on your workout without being worried about injuries and healthcare expenses.

Click HERE to browse the merits of purchasing personal accident insurance online.

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

If you want to reduce weight, you may be considering a complete lifestyle change. Remove chocolate from your diet, avoid alcohol, quit eating sweets, say goodbye to junk food, begin running 10 kilometres every day and so on. Wait! The list is endless and, while it sounds like a foolproof strategy to lose weight, it isn't easy to follow.

So, what is that unique, the successful weight watchers do to reduce weight? They work on an alternative way to cultivate healthy habits. Here are six habits that can help you reach your healthiest weight.

1. Hydration:
The brain frequently misinterprets thirst, which is triggered by minor dehydration, for hunger. Even slight dehydration might cause your metabolism to slow down and function inefficiently. Don't reach out for a snack, instead find a tap and drink some water next time you feel that hunger calls frequently.

2. Don't skip meals:
Especially breakfast, you'll rarely see successful weight watchers skip breakfast. Skipping meals is a bad idea in general since it means you'll be hungry later. And, when you're hungry like that, you're more likely to overeat.

3. Mindful eating:
The idea of mindless eating is familiar to most of us. Whenever we're sitting in front of the television or browsing through our phones, this is what we do. However, when you focus on what you're eating without interruptions, you create a healthier connection with food, lose extra weight, and are more likely to keep it off.

4. Intake more fibre:
Fibre doesn't have any unique fat-burning qualities. It just makes you feel full without adding too many calories to your daily diet. For example, if you eat a baked potato instead of a bag of potato chips, you'll consume fewer calories and be less hungry an hour later.

5. Caloric awareness:
Simple math, to lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you spend. Figure out your caloric intake and try to meet the demand with nutrient-rich, minimally processed food. Wholesome foods and healthy fatty foods are great choices. Snacking now and then won't hurt; try to be aware of the foods you consume, and as long as you're in your maintenance calorie level, you're good.

6. Exercise regularly:
Hitting the gym, swimming laps in a pool, dancing, and running are the possibilities. Find a workout that you like and adhere to it. Adding various forms of exercise will keep you engaged. Aim for 10,000 steps every day. Take stairs instead of the lift whenever you can. Just keep your heart rate up every day one way or the other.

Be patient with your new habits. Weight management is a journey that all weight watchers should enjoy. What worked for others may not work for you; follow these six habits and add your mix to it. Find the right combination, and then be consistent.

Losing weight leads to a healthy lifestyle as it increases your productivity and efficiency at work and keeps you motivated throughout the day. In addition, it reduces your medical bills, healthcare costs and premium for your health insurance plan. Many insurance companies encourage healthy individuals with affordable health insurance plans.

Click HERE to know about affordable health insurance plans.

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

Although most dogs are friendly and offer infinite affection to the humans around them, sometimes even the most gentle and cute puppies can snap under specific conditions. Hence, intentionally or unintentionally, many people are hurt by dog bites. In either case, there are immediate measures you must take to treat the wound and limit the danger of infection.

If you are bitten by a dog, the frontal teeth will grasp and squeeze your tissue, and the smaller teeth might shred it. The outcome is a piercing, gaping wound. When an injury becomes infected, the consequences are typically severe. Therefore, medical assistance on the same day is necessary. Remember that your health insurance will ease the whole medical process and keep you from unnecessary expenses in financial aid requirements.

Continue reading to discover what to do and how to avoid infection if a dog has bitten you.

1. Assist with first aid:
. Clean the area with lukewarm water and soap if your skin isn't damaged. As a precaution, apply an antimicrobial cream or antibacterial ointment to the affected region. If you have damaged skin, gently pat the wound with warm water and soap to encourage a tiny bit of bleeding. This will assist in the removal of bacteria. Then, bandage the wound properly and visit the doctor if you suspect an infection or exposure to rabies.

2. Inquire about the dog's vaccination record:
If the dog's owner is around, inquire about the dog's immunization history. If the dog is alone, see if anybody who observed the incident knows about the owner.

3. Inspect the bite frequently:
If the bite is infected, it might turn red, bloated, and heated to the touch. You may experience discomfort or develop a fever, in which case, it is advisable to visit a doctor.

4. When should you seek medical attention:
Visit the hospital if you haven't got your latest tetanus shot, if you feel weak, dizzy, faint, or if you develop a fever.
Besides that, other reasons you should see a doctor are if the wound:

• Bleeds uncontrollably

• Causes a great deal of discomfort

• Appears inflamed, puffy, or red

• Causes movement loss, such as difficulty in flexing fingers.

5. Do you really require rabies vaccination:
If the dog that bit you is acting strangely or foaming at the mouth, you should take a rabies vaccine. Getting a rabies post-exposure vaccination makes sense if you or your doctor have concerns that you may have caught rabies from the bite. Because of widespread immunization and preventive initiatives, rabies is uncommon, and dogs seldom transmit it.

Your most excellent defence against dog bites and related repercussions is to vaccinate your dog for rabies and keep away from unfamiliar dogs. No matter how cute a dog appears, never approach one you don't know. Dog bites are frightening, and if left untreated, they can lead to significant consequences.

Therefore, you should check any symptoms of infection straight away. Take the medication as prescribed. Consult your doctor if you take longer than expected to recover from your injury. Keeping your health insurance policy up-to-date is crucial to receiving uninterrupted benefits during emergencies.

To get health insurance, click HERE .

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

For years, humankind has been a cruel predator that has not cared for or preserved the environment. As a result, we live in a world that is deteriorating with each passing second. Today, we face the negative repercussions of drastic climate change, rising global temperature and sea levels, rapidly melting glaciers, wildfires, droughts, etc. While we are already experiencing the ramifications of years of ecological neglect, it is never too late to go green.

People are finally starting to understand the importance of preserving the environment for future generations. Although we cannot reverse climate change overnight, we can contribute to slowing it down. Here are the best few tips to start living a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Use reusable cups, glasses, and straws:
Many takeaway restaurants and cafes hand out cups and glasses that we can use only once. These are usually made of plastic or paper and are detrimental to the planet. Using reusable cups, glasses, and straws made of a durable material like bamboo, glass, silver, etc., helps reduce the amount of plastic waste, which is highly toxic for the environment.

2. Take a bucket bath:
Wastage of water is one of the biggest mistakes we make. We tend to undervalue freshwater availability, overexploit it, and forget that “water is life”. For example, leaving the tap or shower running for long durations wastes a significant amount of clean water. We can simply avoid this by taking a bucket bath that controls the amount of water used per person.

3. Take more walks, cycle more:
The constant overuse of motor vehicles causes high polluting gases and harmful substance emissions. Pollution levels are rising at an alarming pace in the metros and cities. This can significantly be reduced if each person decides to walk more often. Walking is not only a healthier alternative but also an eco-friendly initiative. If longer distances need to be covered, cycling or electric vehicles are a greener alternative to motor vehicles. Several online general insurance schemes spread awareness about the benefits of travelling by foot or on a cycle to promote public health and fitness.

4. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle before waste disposal:
Reducing unnecessary purchases is key to maintaining a minimal and sustainable lifestyle. Reusing materials such as clothing, containers, etc., to their absolute limit is another way to reduce waste generated. While disposing of garbage, segregating it into categories like wet, dry, biodegradable, and non-biodegradable goes a long way. This makes recycling of waste much more efficient.

5. Use eco-friendly products:
Several products like cleaning agents constitute harmful chemicals that can be toxic to the environment. When exposed to the environment, they contaminate it and take far too long to be cleaned out. Many of these products pose a threat to wildlife as well. By boycotting them and switching to eco-friendly cleaning products, we can help to prevent the direct release of these hazardous chemicals into the environment.

Our planet is severely damaging and needs to be preserved at all costs. Not only our lives depend on it, but also the future of coming generations need a safe environment. While you can easily invest in general online insurance today to protect your future, the planet cannot. Let’s be the insurance of our environment and provide the best efforts to ensure its safety by having a more sustainable lifestyle.

Click HERE to surf through the different plans of online general 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.