GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Mumbai and its nearby locations have always been regarded as some of the best places to explore in the country. Besides being the financial capital of the nation, there is a lot to explore for travellers in the city of Mumbai. While a private tour package might seem like the easier option, it is way better to explore on your own. This way, you will be able to spend as much time as you like at every destination without having to hurry up and catch up with the rest of the group. Since the city is notorious for its traffic, many travellers, as well as locals, opt for a motorcycle or a scooter to go around. In case you go for this option, make sure that the vehicle has a suitable insurance policy in place. You can easily buy a new or renew the two-wheeler insurance online in India.

Here are the top 5 destinations in and around Mumbai that you can explore: -

• Gateway of India: If you visit Mumbai, it goes without saying that you must see the Gateway of India. Constructed facing the Arabian Sea in Colaba, it was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. The best time to visit this attraction is either early morning or late evening when there isn’t a huge crowd. It is located right next to the Taj Mahal Palace, another notable attraction in Mumbai.
• Juhu Beach: If you are looking to get away from the busy city for a little while, Juhu Beach is a great option. Since it is quite renowned, there will most likely be a lot of people there but the gorgeous sunset and the cool breeze in the evening will be worth it. Just put on a pair of flip-flops and take a nice, long walk on the beach as you marvel at the magnificence of the waves hitting the shore. .
• Marine Drive: Officially known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, this destination located in Chowpatty is very well-known. A curved promenade that runs for kilometres, Marine Drive is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a breath-taking view of the beach and enjoy the cool sea breeze.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: Built during the British colonial period in 1888, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to be the second most photographed location in India after Taj Mahal. It is a terminal train station built in a Victorian-Gothic style of architecture and attracts many who come to marvel at the splendid edifice.
• Elephanta Caves: Located on a small island called Gharapuri, east of the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves is a collection of caves, all adorned with intricate carvings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these cave temples have been linked to the Kalachuri dynasty and also the Hinayana Buddhists. Take a ferry from the mainland and go explore the Elephanta Caves situated somewhere in the Arabian Sea.

Mumbai as a city is massive and has a lot to offer, both for tourists as well as those looking to move to a new city. Besides the above-mentioned destinations, you can also visit Film City, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Taj Mahal Palace, Siddhivinayak Temple, Hanging Gardens, and many others. If you do plan on ditching a car and taking a scooter or bike to go around the city, make sure that you buy a suitable two wheeler insurance online in India for the vehicle.

It is important to have general insurance as it protects you against several unforeseen circumstances and comes as a financial aid in times of distress. However, it is often that people who buy insurance policies are unable to make the best out of their insurance plans are they are quite unaware of what their insurance policy has to offer. It is the job of the general insurance company to settle your claims, and as someone who has purchased the insurance, it is your job you be aware of your rights and duties.

Rights of a policyholder

● If the terms and conditions mentioned in the policy documents do not match with what you were promised at the time of buying th policy, then you can cancel or return the policy within a timeframe of 15 days. After cancellation, your insurance premium will be refunded to you after the deduction of processing costs, such as stamp duty, medical charges, et cetera.

● The nominee of the insurance policy gets the right to file a claim on the insurance in case of the unfortunate death of the policyholder.

● Depending on the insurance you have opted for, you get the option to modify it. You can change the mode of payment, the sum assured, the premium paid and the policy tenure of your insurance policy.

● If you have chosen a United Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), then you have additional rights on your insurance policies that involve making partial withdrawals, switching funds, and surrendering the policy after completing the lock-in period.

Duties of a policyholder

● You must spend time researching about the insurance, such as looking at the benefits it offers, the premium you have to pay, and the type of cover you will get, among others. It would help if you also compared your policy with other insurance providers to ensure that you are getting the best deal.

● Make sure to fill your details correctly in the policy documents

● After buying the policies from a general insurance company, you must make sure that you are paying the premiums on time. It is better to opt for an automated payment system, so you do not miss any dates.

● If you move places, make sure that you share the information about your address change with your insurance company.

● If you want to change your nominee, you can do so by filling up by ‘change of nominee’ form. If your nominee is a minor, then you can get an appointee to sign an acknowledgment on their behalf.

● In case you lose your insurance policy, you can identify your insurance service provider about it and get a duplicate document.

It is important to cooperate fully with your insurance company, as it makes sure that your experience is smooth and hassle-free, and your queries are resolved on time. If you are looking for a good, reputed and trusted insurance company, then your search could stop at Magma HDI insurance. It offers products for everyone and comes with prompt customer service. Besides, it also has a hassle-free claim processing service which eliminates frequent rounds to the insurance office. With a vision to be the most preferred, vibrant, and responsible insurance company, fulfilling the aspirations of all its stakeholders, Magma HDI general insurance company could be your one-stop for all your insurance needs.

The large competition in the market between different companies leads to the launch of several new bikes and scooters by the major brands almost every month throughout the year. All the major companies of India such as Hero Motocorp, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Bajaj, Honda release at least one to two two-wheelers in the Indian market in a single year. When you buy a new bike, you also need to buy insurance for the vehicle. Nowadays, the procedure for getting insurance is quite simplified and direct. Moreover, you can easily renew the bike insurance online without much hassle. Some of the major bikes launched in recent times and about to launch in the coming months in India are mentioned here:

● Recently Royal Enfield trademarked a new name Meteor for its new bike in India which is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2020. This bike has a 648cc engine and is supposed to be a derivative of the Interceptor 650 bike. Priced in the range of over Rs. 2 lakhs, this bike has a powerful engine that provides high torque for hill climbing. This bike is being marketed by Royal Enfield as a more affordable Interceptor 650.

● Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR is a high range model of Kawasaki priced at nearly Rs. 17 lakhs for the new age sports bike lovers. It has a 998cc engine and is scheduled to be launched in January 2020. The 203 PS powerful petrol engine can provide a torque of up to 114.9 Nm.

● With unofficial bookings already started, KTM’s new bike KTM 390 Adventure priced at around Rs. 3 lakhs scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2020 is one of the most awaited bikes of 2020. This bike has a 373 cc engine and has ergonomics that support stand-up biking as well.

● Honda is also set to launch its new bike Honda CB650R in January 2020 to start the new year with a bang. This bike priced in the range of around Rs. to 8 lakhs features a 95.1 PS 649cc powerful engine has no direct competitors in the market at present. Only another bike that comes close to it in features is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 which is currently priced at 5.49 lakhs ex-showroom price.

● While other companies are slated to launch high-end models at the beginning of the next year, TVS is one company which is more focused towards the lower end of the price range. The TVS Radeon BS6 is a BS6 engine model of TVS set to launch in January with a competitive price tag of Rs. 58,000 in the segment.

● Norton Atlas 650 is another high-end model set to be launched at the beginning of 2020 with a price tag that is no less than Rs. 16 lakhs. This bike has a 650cc petrol engine that provides a power of 84 PS.

● Husqvarna is also launching two new variants which go by the names Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and HusqvarnaVitpilen 401 in the first month of 2020. Both of these bikes are priced in the range of Rs. 2.8 lakhs to 3 lakhs. Both of these bikes have the same 373.2cc engine and are available in different coloured variants.

India is currently a very hot market for new automobiles, and the launch of new bikes is going to interest new buyers who want something different from the manufacturers. Bikes are launching in a wide range starting from TVS Radeon priced at Rs. 58,000 to high-end bikes such as Kawasaki Ninja models which are priced at over 17 lakhs. Whichever of these bikes you have chosen for yourself, make sure that you get new insurance as well as renew the bike insurance online before the due date for continued protection.

Monsoon arrives with new promises and provides a route to escape from the scorching summer heat. It comes as a respite to many but has its consequences.

Different types of bacteria thrive during this period due to the warm and humid climate. People often suffer from the likes of cold, flu, typhoid, malaria and other such diseases caused by various viruses or micro-organisms.

It is essential to take adequate measures to guard against such diseases and stay healthy, although there are some affordable health insurance plans to take care in case of any ailment. Some such measures for a disease-free monsoon are:

1. Keeping house clean

• Your house should be kept clean and pest-free.
• One should be aware of leakages and water clogging, especially around electronic devices, like coolers, ACs and washing machines.
• Rusty or broken pipes should be replaced as they can become the breeding place for pests.
• Pest control should be called once a week to check.

1. Taking showers

• Getting caught in the monsoon rain is one of the most serene experiences. But a lot of micro-organisms or germs might have entered the body.
• A shower with a few drops of disinfectants prevents any such infection.
• One should not enter an AC-room in wet clothes as possibilities of catching a cold increases manifold.

1. Keeping hydrated

• It is vital to stay properly hydrated and drink water at regular intervals to fight against diseases, like typhoid and cholera.
• One should avoid having unfiltered water from the streets.
• Water purifier should be working properly.

1. Checking ventilation

• Cross-ventilation should be allowed as infectious organisms can leave the room.
• The room should be open to sunlight, and fresh air as damp may creep in otherwise.

1. Keeping hands clean

• Harmful germs may reside on the surface. So, it is essential to wash your hands at regular intervals.
• One can carry hand sanitizers in the pockets. Hands should be cleaned before having food.

1. Vitamin-rich diet

• Vitamin C-enriched food is vital to make your body immune to such harmful organisms.
• One should have lemon juices and fresh vegetables regularly.
• One should stay away from street food as much as possible. Potholes in the streets are often home to microbes causing diseases, like typhoid and cholera.

1. Using Mosquito repellents

• Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Stored water should be appropriately covered inside houses.
• Use of mosquito tents, coils and repellents are a must to guard against diseases, like malaria and dengue.
• There are several affordable health insurance plans. One should take their help in case of emergencies to protect their family.

1. Strengthening immunity

• Strongly immune persons are not much affected by such diseases.
• The likes of tulsi, cardamom, turmeric and lemongrass are vital in boosting the immunity against the monsoon diseases.

1. Taking influenza and pneumonia shots

• These are vital in case of those who have asthma. These help in creating strong immunity against these harmful germs.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccine shots help guard against diseases, like jaundice.
• Many affordable health insurance plans can cover the cost for such vaccines.
• One should also be careful in the medications he/she takes.
• If unwell, one should remain back at home and prevent spreading the virus to others.

1. Having warm food

• Warm saline gargles help in fighting against the irritation caused in throats due to the infection.
• Warm fluids help to soothe. So one can have warm water or milk often.
• Soups and broths are a welcome change to the diet.

By keeping these few precautionary steps in mind, one can stay away from these diseases. However, if one faces any symptoms of such diseases, he/she should immediately consult a doctor. There are some affordable health insurance plans to take the help of, if necessary.