GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Driving a car can be one of the most joyous and liberating feelings in the world. Cruising through the roads, being in control and manoeuvring your vehicle is sure to give you a sense of euphoria. While many of us master the art of driving effortlessly within a short period, others might take a considerable amount. The important thing to remember is that developing driving skills is a matter of experience.

In this article, we will discuss a few ways to develop your driving abilities and become a skilled driver.

1. Understanding how your car works:
An expert driver should be able to manoeuvre every car. But as a start, before you can take your vehicle out, understand its mechanisms and how it responds to adverse weather conditions. This will help you manage your car better if presented with any circumstance that you have had no prior experience with.

2. Configure the mirrors:
Mirrors should perform their intended functions. Knowing what mirror angle works best for you is crucial. Set your mirrors so that the sides of the chassis are not visible anymore. Upon setting up the mirrors the right way, you can reduce the blind spots significantly.

3. Turn signals:
Many people often neglect to use the indicators. However, it is vital to understand that the turn signals are not for you. They alert other people behind or around you about your next move. Warning others will help reduce accidents or crashes on the road.

4. Keep a margin:
This might seem futile when you are traversing through slow-moving and congested traffic. However, leaving a margin between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is necessary when you are driving fast on an empty road. This helps avoid potential crashes in case of a sudden brake by the person ahead of you. A thumb rule to follow is the 10-second rule. Keep a checkpoint for reference and note the time the vehicle ahead of you passes this point. Ensure that your vehicle follows with a gap of 10 seconds.

5. Be responsible towards others:
When talking about good driving skills, one of the most neglected factors is the responsibility towards others. Being empathetic towards others on the road is the trademark of a good driver. Unnecessary honking, not adhering to speed limits, not warning the other drivers, etc., can lead to agitation and even accidents. Being calm during such situations can go a long way.

6. Practice night driving:
Traversing through night traffic can be challenging the first few times. Instead of taking your car at night during heavy traffic hours, start practising on relatively empty roads to get comfortable with the headlights from the opposite vehicles. Understand the rules of alerting fellow drivers during the night and stick to them.

These are a few ways in which you can improve your driving skills. Being confident and practising adds to your experience and makes you a better driver. As a beginner, handling a 3000-pound motor can seem daunting. Keep in mind that being intimidated is entirely normal. Start with open grounds and slowly make your way into heavy traffic roads.

Another thing to consider is that sometimes, accidents might happen due to the negligence of fellow drivers or some unexpected situations. To help you rest easy, consider buying motor and personal accident insurance. Personal accident insurance covers all the expenses you will face in case of an accident and compensates for your losses.

Click HERE to know more about personal accident 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.

While buying a car is hectic and time-consuming, learning how to drive a vehicle is a different ball game. We all know that Indian roads are chaotic, and sadly, the strict implementation of traffic rules is lacking. People are ignorant of the traffic rules. The high number of vehicles on the road makes it difficult for the traffic police to control the cars and catch the ones breaking the regulations, thus encouraging the environment of neglect. New learners find it challenging to navigate the roads under such conditions and risk a massive chance of landing in or creating an accident or collision with other vehicles, poles, and bumpers if they are not extremely vigilant.

Considering the above reasons, it is imperative for any potential learner or driver must pass a driving test with good scores or grades to show their understanding and make them eligible for driving on the road.

This driving test examines a candidate based on a written and practical test. Both these tests are focused on your knowledge of the traffic rules and road conditions, situational risks and solutions to avoid any accidents, and a practical display of your driving skills catering to the tasks given by your examiner. This driving test is extensive and essential, which is why many test takers get nervous before the test.

Are you someone who gets the pre-exam jitters that makes you anxious about the upcoming test and interview? Well, do not worry. This blog has the best tips to overcome your driving test nerves. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Confidence is key:
It would be best if you assured yourself that you are ready. You have studied well for the test and practised your driving skills enough times to be confident that you will pass your test with flying colours. You need to be satisfied that you will not be able to take this test until and unless your driving instructor thinks you are ready. So, if you are applying for this examination, you must avoid hyping up the test and magnifying its importance to make yourself anxious. This test will examine your skills in something you have done many times already.

2. Do not tell everyone:
Avoid telling everyone that you are about to take your driving test. Keeping it a secret will help you avoid the millions of tips and techniques people will say to you, and various negative reviews you might come across will make you more nervous and break your confidence. Losing confidence is not something you can risk. So, avoid revealing your test dates and take the pressure off.

3. Never skip your meals:
Skipping your food and having anxiety about your performance on the test is not a favourable combination. It might make you weak or cause a panic attack, which will eventually force your examiner to declare you unfit for the test, and you might have to reapply and go through the hassle again. Therefore, have a light meal, like some fruits, salad, or something which is fulfilling and energetic and does not make you drowsy.

Some other tips to overcome your driving test nerves include:

● Using the washroom before you go in for the test

● Washing your face lightly to wean off the pressure

● Chatting with your driving instructor to create a normal atmosphere

● Not consuming caffeine for a couple of days before the test

● Consider the actual test to be a mock examination

● Carry a jacket in case the exam hall gets cold

● Avoid too much revising on the day of the test

● Arrive at the test centre well in advance to give yourself some time to calm down and understand the procedure of the test

These are some of the best tips to overcome your driving test nerves. Follow them righteously, and you will pass the test with ease. And while we talk about driving tests, we should discuss the necessity of purchasing car insurance too. After getting your driving licence, car insurance is the next essential document you need to drive a car legally. Compare new car insurance rates and consider other factors before buying a policy.

Click HERE to learn more about comparing new car insurance rates.

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.

Hundreds of options are available for your bike insurance, both online and offline. You must have encountered tempting advertisements promising you the lowest premium with complete coverage for your bike. Also, we frequently receive calls from insurance companies or their agents with lucrative offers for buying our bike insurance from them.

But wait a moment. Are all these offers authentic? Will they provide you with complete protection, safety, and quick claim disbursal in the unfortunate event of your bike accident? You need to follow these steps if you have the slightest doubts and are concerned about the authenticity of your bike insurance.

1. Check with IRDAI:
The first step for checking the authenticity of your bike insurance is to check the website of IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) and search for your insurance company. The insurance company will probably be a fraud if its name is not on the IRDAI website.

2. Go for a brand:
Always choose a bike insurance policy of a reputed company or brand. An insurance company that is well-known and reputed in the market is less likely to cheat and issue a policy with false claims and promises. Also, the chances of a fake policy from such companies are almost zero.
We often buy a bike insurance policy on the advice of an insurance agent or by getting influenced by some advertisement. You should first call the customer care of such companies and verify the policy details being sold to you. Also, you may visit the nearest branch of the company and verify the details there. Check whether the policy contains the same IDV (Insured Declared Value) and all the add-ons promised earlier to you. Buy the bike insurance policy only after you are certain about its genuineness.

3. Premium receipt and other details:
A genuine bike insurance policy will always issue a receipt for the premium paid by you. Also, the policy document will contain all the details, such as your name, policy tenure, terms and conditions of insurance coverage, etc.
To ensure the authenticity of your bike insurance, always insist on a hard copy of your premium receipt. Review your policy document thoroughly and ensure it contains all the required details.

4. Mode of premium payment:
A bike insurance company will give you several options to pay your bike insurance premium. You can pay it online through its website or issue a cheque in the insurance company's name and hand it over to the insurance company’s office or your insurance agent.
If your insurance company or agent is insisting only on cash payment or payment by cheque/bank transfer in the name of a person, it should be a red flag for you. The insurance company or the agent in between might not be genuine and authentic.

5. Verification link:
Insurance companies nowadays validate a bike insurance policy on their official portal at the time of issue. You can check the authenticity of your bike insurance policy by checking whether this link redirects you to the official website of the insurance company or not. This is especially important if you buy your policy from a 3rd party vendor.

The digitalisation of insurance services has contributed greatly to the progress and development of the insurance industry. However, fraudsters find new ways to dupe you while selling you a bike insurance policy. You need to be vigilant to protect your hard-earned money. Always verify the authenticity of your new bike insurance policy and its details before paying for it.

Bike insurance is compulsory under the law, and you must buy it from one source or another. Visit the nearest branch office of bike insurance companies, or go through their offerings in detail on their website. Call their customer care and confirm the details. Buy a good bike insurance policy that is genuine and does what it promises to do.

Click HERE to buy reliable bike insurance for your valuable two-wheeled asset.

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.

Every one of us has once had a dream of flying. As kids, we have looked at birds and planes and wished for the ability to fly. Today, we have various ways to live this dream. Different adventure sports like sky diving, hang gliding, and paragliding have created opportunities where people can enjoy a safe yet thrilling experience of being in the air.

India proudly displays unique landforms, making it one of the most enjoyable places for such activities. Paragliders have referred to paragliding as one the most unforgettable experiences of their lives. Being up in the air and away from the ground is sure to be one of the most humbling experiences of your life.

Today we will look at a few places in India that offer this experience.

1. Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh:
Situated near Kangra Valley, Bir is a beautiful village in Himachal Pradesh. It has over 11 paragliding options, giving it the name of the 'Paragliding capital of India'. Bir promises you the spectacular views of lush green mountains and the beautiful sunsets that paint the sky in all shades of orange.

2. Panchgani, Maharashtra:
Panchgani is a small hill station in Maharashtra that offers training as well as flying for all paragliding enthusiasts. The landscapes of Bilar, Khinger, and Tapola are arguably one of the best locations for flying. The best time to visit Panchgani is between November and February.

3. Arambol, Goa:
Goa is famous for its beaches, food, and party life. But Arambol promises priceless views of the Arabian Sea and beautiful arrays of palm trees. Choose the evenings for your paragliding adventure to watch the sunset while you sail over the blue waters reflecting its golden shine.

4. Nandi Hills, Karnataka:
Situated close to Bangalore, Nandi is the perfect place for adrenaline junkies, as many tourists choose it for camping, trekking, and paragliding. People here are mostly seen enjoying paragliding in the day and camping at night.

5. Gangtok, Sikkim:
The land of magic, monasteries, and mountains, Gangtok is a must-visit for anyone who wants to combine adventure and spirituality on their trip. Paragliding in Gangtok promises you a bird's eye view of the unexplored places in Sikkim and a beautiful view of the mighty Kanchenjunga.

6. Shillong, Meghalaya:
The Scotland of the east, Shillong, has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Paragliding here is sure to be a cathartic experience. Shillong is a canvas of dense, lush forests and beautiful waterfalls. Visit during the summer months to ensure the magnificent view that this palace has to offer.

These are a few of the best places in India that offer you a safe and fun paragliding experience. Over the years, adventure sports have become more prevalent in India. While well-trained and licensed professionals are always there to guide you through the process, invest a fair amount of time researching the best paragliders in the area to ensure maximum safety. Add to this a personal accident insurance policy to help you evade any expense that you might incur in case of an accident.

Click HERE to know more about personal accident 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.