GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

The year 2020 was considered the year of WFH (work from home). In the beginning, everyone took it as a blessing, and people experienced enough flexibility at work and more time for family. However, as the trend continued into 2021, it presented new communication and collaboration challenges among teams, mental health issues, and imbalance in the work-life cycle.

Working from home looks like a job incentive for many employees, as suddenly they have more flexibility to get their work-life balance. But that's not the whole truth; reality seems to be different. Work from home culture has depended significantly on one question: Is remote working a sustainable option? In this article, we'll discuss some of the most common challenges that home-based workers are facing.

WFH affects your mental health:
Though work from home has proved to be helpful, it is also adversely affecting our mental health. A report states that about 76% of the global workforce recorded negative impacts on their mental health in 2020 due to WFH.
WFH results in total exposure to the computer all day, leading to headaches, fatigue, tiredness, and eye problems. In addition, rather than the benefits of work-life balance, some people lose sleep due to workload and family chores altogether. This continuous work-family adjustment results in emotional exhaustion. People who are hyperactive at work find it hard to detach themselves from work at home.
On the other hand, work from home has turned out to be an advantage for many introverts. You can work from the convenience of your customary conditions without any physical human interaction.

WFH takes a toll on physical health:
Because you are in front of the screens all day, there is no time for physical activities. Due to prolonged remote working hours, people are more often facing health issues. A sedentary lifestyle, irregular food intake, and sleep deprivation are common concerns. Parents working full time, taking care of household chores, and home-schooling their kids face much bigger physical health issues.
Tossing within the many tasks simultaneously; it takes the life out of those employees with productivity shame, lack of motivation and burnouts in most cases. Most surveys suggest that as many as 50% of people have back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems leading to more stress. Although the pandemic has blurred the boundaries between work and home, we learned a lot from WFH culture. These alarming health-related issues have brought well-being to the forefront. Both employers and workers are more aware than ever of the impact of mental and physical health.

We all know that stress and fatigue are not just resulting in some temporary problems but are also impacting cognitive health with some life-threatening issues such as anxiety, diabetes, heart diseases, and clinical depression. As a result, the corporate sector is taking measures to ensure the well-being of the employees and assuring better working conditions, flexibility and HEALTH INSURANCE coverage to their employees.

Since WFH impacts your overall well-being, re-think your current remote working style. There are undeniable benefits of work from home if you have a positive WFH culture, flexibility, work-home balance, time for other activities and a health insurance plan to address your mental and financial stress. So go, set in motion the true meaning of WFH!

To get the best deals on 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.

'Big business starts small' – wise words by Richard Branson. If you plan to become your boss, a bike rental business can be a good venture. A rental bike allows people to ditch cars and public transport without owning a motorcycle or being bothered by BIKE INSURANCE, storage, and maintenance hassles.

In recent years, the opportunities and demands for a bike rental business have increased considerably due to the convenience of two-wheelers. With just a helmet and a 2-wheeler, a person can go around the city efficiently running their errands; or take in some fresh air on an empty highway.

Now that you are ready with your business idea let's proceed to the next step. We have brought together these seven easy steps to help you start your bike rental business.

Step 1
Plan – 'A target to accomplish without a plan is just a dream!'
• Estimation of setting up your business

• The business operation cost

• Potential customers (set up the target audience and promotion offer accordingly)

• Method of business (hourly or daily rates, whether or not you will sell bike-related merchandise, policies concerning damage caused, etc.)

• More profits (consider extra services, like bike sales and repairs; if in a tourist place, offer tour guides)

• Name of your business (what's there in the name? Your brand, logo, website, etc.)

Step 2
Tax – 'Pay for doing the right thing!'
Register for taxes; your small business will be taxed depending upon your business structure (e.g., LLC or Sole Proprietorship.)

Step 3
Bank accounts and credit cards – 'Start your financial journey!'
A business bank account separates your assets from your company's assets. Similarly, getting a business credit card will help you separate your business and personal expenses, and it builds your company's credit history, allowing you to acquire your investments later.

Step 4
Daily cash flow and expenses – 'Maintain a proper business account!'
Keeping track of various expenses and income is crucial to understand financial performance. It also simplifies the tax filing for you. Carefully manage the cash flow, make all entries and maintain a daily account sheet.

Step 5
Legal requirements – ‘Keep the books clean!’
Get your company’s name registered, obtain GST, PAN card, trademark certificate, and other prerequisite licenses and permits to avoid any fines or legal issues in the future.

Step 6
Insurance – 'Keep your umbrellas ready before it rains!'
Similarly, for your firm's financial security, it is necessary to get the right business insurance. There are several types of insurance policies designed to cover different risks. For the growth of a bike rental business, the security of bikes makes a huge difference. With the rising operation cost of the bike rental business, having robust bike insurance plans helps you overcome financial risks related to your bikes.

Step 7
Move online – 'Make the internet your new market!'
Maintaining a good website and the social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram will help your business to grow with more user engagement. In addition, you can flash special offers, exclusive deals, trade merchandise as a part of your marketing strategy to draw more sales.

For running a bike rental business, you need to have mechanical skills or hire at least one full-time mechanic. Remember, a nonoperating bike won't earn you any money. Also, a significant amount of your customers can be tourists, so you should be well acquainted with the location to build a good customer relationship. Follow your passion and work in the direction of making your vision a reality with this quick guide.

Are you starting a new bike rental business? Click HERE to buy insurance that will ensure the safety of your bikes.

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 two-wheeler segment is considered the most convenient mode of commutation in our country. It is believed that 'life is better on two wheels.' With a couple of benefits like fuel efficiency, compact design, and budget-friendliness, two-wheelers are people's personal favourite to withstand the fast pace of life. From youths to retirees, you will find a large Indian population riding two-wheelers.

Despite many worthy features, two-wheelers elevate the risk involved in riding them. No matter how good your driving skills are, you can't deny the risks involved with two-wheelers. Unfortunately, people tend to overlook it while riding two-wheelers. Following traffic and safety rules is essential even if you have many years of experience under your belt. In addition, pursue another good habit of renewing your 2 WHEELER INSURANCE to ensure security in case of mishaps.

We bring these eleven good habits every rider should consider:

1. Start your two-wheeler only after wearing the helmet. It is unlawful and dangerous to ride a two-wheeler or a bike without wearing a proper helmet. The helmet should be ISI certified and of the best fit.

2. Always go for a bike that you can comfortably ride and control. Choose one that is appropriate for your physical capabilities, low maintenance, and compliments your budget.

3. Overtaking a vehicle from the left is always the wrong decision you'd ever make. Stay away from overtaking at intersections, schools and public zones, bridges. Honk before you take a turn.

4. The rider must be visible to other vehicles during the night and extreme weather conditions like fog. Stick reflective bands on the helmet, use dipper lights appropriately, especially when riding at night.

5. Riders must be cautious of their proximity to the vehicles ahead of them. Understand the distance required to go to a complete halt and brake correspondingly.

6. Maintain your motorcycle or scooter in excellent working condition and get regular servicing at an authorized workshop or service centre.

7. Always look out and be aware of potential dangers such as speed bumps, potholes, environmental disasters, and pedestrian crosswalks.

8. Obey all traffic rules religiously. Always signal first so that others can anticipate your next action. Make sure you don't slam on the brakes or make sharp bends suddenly.

9. Using your phone on the bike is a big threat for the rider and the pillion rider. If it is exceptionally urgent, pull over your bike at the side of the road to use your phone.

10. Only because you own a vehicle does not make you superior on the road. Be considerate of pedestrians and allow them to move before you in all situations.

11. In addition, an overall increase in service cost, maintenance fee, or a sudden accident may impact your financial plan. So, prepare for uncertainties in advance with 2 wheeler insurance. 

2 wheeler insurance will not just cover your finances at times of damage but will also provide you with compensation if your two-wheeler is stolen.

Keep the above-mentioned habits in mind and enjoy the pleasure of a bike ride to chase more smiles per hour.

Looking for 2 wheeler 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.

Bikes are the most commonly used vehicle when it comes to riding on India's busy roads. But did you know that your safety relies on one more thing than just your driving skills? Your choice of tyres and how you maintain them are two major factors contributing to a safe and smooth ride.

Still, most of us don't take the health of our bike's tyres very seriously. Tyres suffer a lot while making your riding experience pleasant. Besides this, bike tyres face significant external damage and develop cracks due to constant wear and tear. You cannot afford to leave the tyres unattended because a faulty tyre can be a threat to your life and others around you. Below are the five best tips to increase the life expectancy of your bike's tyres.

1. Wash them regularly:
Cleaning the tyres of your bike is an essential routine that you shouldn't miss. Leaving dirt will expose them to damages, thereby affecting their quality. The dirt racks up on the tyre's surface and affects its grip, which tends the bike to skid on the road. So, next time you go to the washing centre, get the tyres clean and dirt-free thoroughly.

2. Schedule regular repair checks:
Your bike runs over any sharp object like a nail or edgy stones on the road. With time, tyres also meet with alignment and wheel balancing issues. This happens due to extensive riding and wear and tear of treads or grooves. Get these issues fixed at the earliest, as otherwise, such things can damage the tyres inside out.

3. Get the best fit:
Sometimes we opt for fancy or trendy tyres and don't pay heed to the actual requirement. Always look out for the best fitting and necessity of your bike and its model. Mismatching tyres is never a good option – neither for your bike nor for you.

4. Timely replacement of tyres:
Tyres don't come with a lifelong guarantee. Ideally, they need to be changed every 4-5 years, or the kilometres you cover, depending on your bike's specifications. Due to resisting the friction continuously, tyres tend to lose their grip. Taking out your motorcycle with such tyres on the road is dangerous, especially on uneven roads or during the rainy season. So, timely replacing of tyres is required before the situation gets uncontrollable.

5. Check for ideal pressure:
Refer to the user manual of your bike to know the perfect pressure of the tyre and maintain it consistently. Don't forget the essential maintenance of air filling and oiling the engine. Riding under less pressured tyres is risky as there are chances of bursting or unexpected puncturing.

Your bike is your responsibility, and keeping it in good shape will give it an extended life. Moreover, regular maintenance to your bike and tyres promises comfortable and safe rides to you. Along with good care, buying suitable BIKE INSURANCE also counts as a wise step. Bike insurance comes with plenty of benefits that can help you as an owner during unfortunate incidents like accidents, theft, or damages due to calamities.

Click HERE to buy or renew your bike 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.

How often have we dreamt of going on a perfect road trip with friends? Most people prefer to take cars or SUVs for road trips, but many biker gangs tell us about the fantastic opportunities you can come across while touring the country on a bike.

On a motorcycle trip, you interact with the local community more closely, navigate treacherous roads more efficiently, and skip traffic jams. But all said and done, not everybody has access to fancy bikes that are meant for long trips. The question remains, do you need to compromise on the thrills of life just because you do not have a certain kind of bike? Not at all!

In this article, we will examine why commuter bikes can also be used on long road trips and the few things you need to remember before taking your bike out.

1. Riding:
The time and the distance covered plays an important role in long road trips. It is easier to maintain a high speed in higher capacity bikes, whereas in lower capacity bikes, the engine starts to sputter beyond a speeding limit.
If you intend to take a commuter bike on a trip, it is best to stick to a speed that does not force your engine and the body to shake vigorously. Remember to increase the acceleration and use breaks smoothly whenever required.

2. Braking:
It is challenging to maintain a standard speed when you have open and empty roads ahead of you. But it is important to remember that standard bikes have different braking efficiency than superior motorbikes. Maintaining a tunnel vision and keeping track of everything ahead will help you in these conditions to use brakes efficiently.
Also, maintain a significant distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. So, in situations where you are required to brake suddenly, you have ample time to avoid crashing.

3. Clothing:
Irrespective of the bike you ride, it is best to wear appropriate clothing to avoid injuries and bruises in case of accidents or crashes. A good quality helmet with a clear visor, riding boots, and gloves are essential parts of your bike accessories. Throw in a pair of knee guards and armour jackets for added protection.

4. Maintenance:
Before taking that much-awaited road trip, it is important to keep yourself and your bike in healthy condition. Do not forget to take your bike to an expert to get it checked for any defects and faults. Remember to check your bike's braking system, spark plugs, and engine efficiency before taking it out on a ride. Also, carry essential medicines and lots of water to avoid fatigue and lethargy.

These are a list of a few things that you need to remember while taking your commuter bike on a road trip. With regular maintenance and caution, remember that your commuter bike is a trustworthy option if you want to travel and explore more.

Even though they might have a low-power engine, with the right handling and proper planning, you can surely enjoy a memorable long trip with your commuter bike. To add more value to your bikes, do not forget to invest in Bike Insurance Online to safeguard yourself against any expenses you might incur in repairs or accidents.

Click HERE to buy bike 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.

Hitchhiking is not as common in India as in other western countries. Thanks to the rising safety issues and the constant reminders from our mothers on why we should not talk to strangers, hitchhiking or offering a ride to strangers is an alien concept. However, over the years, we have seen a hitchhiking trend among young travellers to save some money. But how safe is it to offer a ride to strangers? What are the things to look out for when hitchhiking someone? If these are some of the questions you have when you think of hitchhiking, then this article might be able to help you with those.

Here, we will look at some safety measures to ensure your safety in situations like these.

1. IDs and bags:
If someone has asked you for a ride and you want to help them, then the first thing to do is to check their IDs. Crack open the window slightly and take a picture of their ID on your phone. If they have bags or carry-ons, ask them to place them in the boot space with their ID in the bag. Ensuring they are empty-handed while sitting inside the car makes you less susceptible to attacks and robbery.

2. Show pockets:
Ask the hitchhiker to empty the pockets before entering the car. This way, you can ensure that the person is not carrying knives, scissors, or other equipment that can be used to attack or steal from you.

3. Keep them in your range of vision:
Never let them take the back seat. You must keep them seated where you have a clear vision of their actions. This is a crucial point to remember to ensure your safety.

4. Do not take food from them:
If they offer you food or drinks on the way, do not eat them. These can be quickly spiked using drugs that do not alter the taste of the food. Narcotics and sedatives can be used to make you unconscious. This is the leading cause of car theft in this country.

5. Do not hitchhike a group:
If you are driving alone, it is best to hitchhike solo hitchhikers. That way, even in an attack, you will need to worry about handling a single person.

6. Always be alert:
This is a no-brainer. If you want to help out a stranger, you have to be prepared for the dangers you might face. Always keep pepper spray and other tools that, when used, give you ample time to escape.

7. Do not hitchhike in new locations:
It is best to avoid getting strangers on board if you are a tourist. This is a common way of scamming people for money and other belongings. If you are new to a place, you might not be able to get immediate help and can also be unaware of escape routes.

If you want to hitchhike someone in your car, you need to keep these things in mind. Remember that not everybody is a thief or a fraud. Hitchhiking is an efficient way to cut costs while travelling, and youngsters depend heavily on hitchhiking to commute between places. Sometimes people need genuine help. If possible, provide food and water to roadside hitchhikers and call for help if you can.

On that note, take essential steps to safeguard yourself and your car against theft and vandalism and invest in a Car Insurance policy. If you do not have these essential add-ons, consider getting them during your next car insurance renewal.

Click HERE for car insurance renewal.

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.

Personalisation is a key to reaching the customers' hearts in the current times. Every brand has been trying to create its products with options to add a personalised touch for the consumers to feel like their own. The entire marketing world has been trying to come up with ways in which they can win this race and convert more customers to purchase their products and keep coming back for more. Personalisation, as a critical factor in today's customers' buying patterns, has a considerable influence and can change the game in the market.

We can comprehend personalised touch in small products like clothing, accessories, soft toys, sports kits, skincare items, and much more. But, can you add this unique touch to your car? Are such options available in the market? Are these choices limited? Are you someone who is looking for the answers to these questions and perhaps some more information on the same?

This blog answers all these questions about personalising your car and whether it is a good idea. Let's get started.

1. Number plates: yay or nay?
Customers pay extra money selecting a unique number to add that personalised touch to the vehicle. And this personal number will help you fetch a good deal as it amps up your car's resale value when you want to switch to another vehicle and close an agreement on the car you currently own.
On the plus side, a personalised number will make you part of the cool collector's club in the world of cars. It creates a "connoisseur of cars" persona for you as well.

2. Increases the level of safety while driving.
Adding a personal touch to your car requires a massive investment of money. The amount of money you spend depends on the features of your vehicle you want to modify and the accessibility of the tools, among other factors involved here.
But since you spend quite a large amount of money, you try to protect your car against any damages. This leads to you making mindful choices on the road, including taking extra safety measures while driving, ensuring that you obey the traffic rules even in urgent times, and avoiding any "road rage" type of scenario.
You can customise your mirrors to lessen the chances of blind spots in your vehicle while driving. You can get a complete view of your car's positioning and the vehicles near you if you decide to get a 180-degree mirror.

3. Upgrade the entire look.
You can get High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps for your car, which would help you upgrade the look of your vehicle and come in very handy by improving the visibility when you are out on the road during the nighttime.
These HID headlamps work with a light temperature and emit subtle blue light, which elevates the look of your car. The blue light not only looks attractive and complements the car's exterior but has been proven easy on the eyes and does not blind the driver coming from the opposite direction.

Speaking of investing money into upgrading the look of your vehicle with the help of personalisation, you also need to ensure that you protect your car against damages. Not all accidents come with a warning and are your fault. But you must ensure that you wouldn't want to get involved in such chaotic situations.

You must have car insurance to stay stress-free financially and focus on resolving the situation if you end up in one. Explore all your options, check in with your current insurance provider, and Buy New Car Insurance which caters to your needs in the best ways possible.

Click HERE to learn more about how you can buy new car 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.

Two-wheelers have been around for decades. Almost every average family in the country owns a two-wheeler which they use to run errands. The purpose of the two-wheeler depends on several circumstances and the motive of the commute. Two-wheelers are the most popular personal transportation services and fall into the affordable category. The prices increase depending on the type of the two-wheeler, its purpose, and its features.

But have you ever thought about the history of these vehicles and how they grew so prevalent in our country? How did they first come into circulation? Well, we will sail you through the evolution of two-wheelers in India through this blog.

1. What was the purpose of two-wheelers?
The two-wheelers were developed to provide people with a safe and convenient option for smooth rides. They have evolved over the years, and we now have bikes that range in lakhs with multiple fancy features, a dream of every bike fanatic. Now let's take a road down memory lane and revisit the evolution of two-wheelers in India.

2. The era of vintage bikes.
We all know the brands that manufacture classic and vintage-style bikes. Apart from being known for their royal appearance and elegance, these bikes represent a class apart from how they steal the show in the market. It was the year 1902 when a single-cylinder engine motorcycle was sold first time in India. Purchasing or owning a bike of this category used to express a solid and respectable financial status and background, rather than just being considered a bike used for everyday purposes.

3. What happened after the classic bikes became old news?
The market welcomed other two-wheeler brands which manufactured these noisy bikes that would leave their impressions behind by the loud sound of their silencers or by the whiffs of smoke released. The era of scooters came in as these bikes became popular.
The design, the efficiency, and how it differed from the widely popular bikes ignited its charm. The popularity of scooters escalated beyond expectations in the 70s till the late 80s, and there used to be a waiting period for the purchase! The crazy high prices of the scooters did not discourage the people from waiting for an extended period to bring them home.

4. Welcoming other foreign brands.
At the beginning of the '80s, India became a popular destination for various foreign brands to make their sale. The two-wheeler industry formulated partnerships with these brands to bring them to India at a cost affordable to the Indian audience. The collaboration with these companies grew exponentially, with the foreign brand names becoming a standard of every Indian household.
Today, the bike industry has diversified, from comfortable tourers to compact city bikes and from fuel-efficient to race engines.

Some more informative pointers to understanding the evolution of two-wheelers in India include how these landmark bikes and other categories became a reference model for the other brands' style, design, and comfort patterns. Now, we are heading into the era where electric two-wheelers are no more a concept but a reality!

Quite interesting to visit how two-wheelers in India became widely popular. And while we revisit the timeline of these developments, you need to be aware of how crucial it is to safeguard your two-wheeler. Being a bike owner feels fantastic, but living your responsibilities as the owner is paramount.

You must hold yourself accountable to maintain your bike's best shape. This can be possible with the help of two wheeler insurance. 

Take your search online, and find the Best Two Wheeler Insurance India to buy coverage that keeps your asset safe and sound. Invest in a policy that ensures the best returns and an efficient claim settlement process.

Click HERE to know more about the benefits of buying the best two wheeler 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.