GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

As the pandemic's effects subside and we return to offices, the stress associated with commuting has returned. Every weekday, most office workers face a huge challenge in the morning of whether travelling upwards of an hour one-way is worth their compensation.

Whether you choose private or public modes of transport, here are some tips and tricks to relieve stress from your daily commute.

1. Prepare the night before and leave earlier:
Hectic mornings increase stress levels during the commute, which results in irritation and reduced productivity. Worrying about being late every day can be very stress-inducing. To combat this, start preparing for your day ahead at night. Keep your work clothes and meals ready, and finish all your work. This will lead to a less stressful morning, resulting in you leaving 10 minutes earlier and not worrying about delays in reaching.

2. Try to commute actively:
Commuting via personal transport, such as a car or bike, can cause health issues. The best way to go about this is to walk or cycle as part of your commute if your work location is not far. This is known as an active commute, and it will drastically change the way you travel. Exercising on your way to work releases endorphins and improves mental and physical health. If walking or biking is not possible, try to take public transport. It increases your activity and reduces stress levels significantly.

3. Detach from the digital world:
In the age of social media, it is increasingly challenging to focus on oneself rather than what people on the internet are doing. It is essential to go off the grid for your mental health.
Your daily commute could be your time to read a new book, watch the view outside, or focus on yourself with meditation. Meditation has been a proven method of giving the brain the rest it deserves, and whether it be guided meditation or simply focusing inward, it will surely benefit you.

4. Try getting flexible hours:
It makes absolutely no sense sometimes that everyone has the same office hours. This causes the "rush hour," which is impossible to tolerate five days a week. If this is an option, ask your office for flexible hours, so you can come in before the rush hour and leave earlier too.
If this is not an option in your company, find some activities around your workplace before leaving for the day, like working out or reading a book in a nearby park. This way, you'll be able to avoid rush hour.

5. Try to buddy up for a long commute:
If you find driving incredibly dull and tedious, one way to improve it is to find neighbours who go to the same area for work and carpool with them. This way, the pressure of driving does not fall on you every single day, and you can chat with people along the journey. Ensure that you purchase new motor insurance or avail of online motor insurance renewal facilities to protect yourself and your car against the financial burden of accidents.

6. Stretch it out:
Keep stretching those aching muscles! Even when you're the one driving, always keep adjusting your neck and back, so they don't cramp up and give you further pain.

In conclusion, since long-distance commutes are an inescapable necessity in the urban lifestyle, effective management techniques are becoming essential to prevent strain on your mood and physical well-being. We recommend alternative commute methods to private transport for the best impact on your health. However, in case of no option but to travel by vehicle, ensure that you protect yourself against accidents. Check for your insurance status and get online motor insurance renewal before the due date.

Click HERE to know more about online motor 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.

Buying a house can be an expensive but gratifying event. It is an extensive process involving multiple options and intense decision-making to create your dream house. After spending massive amounts of money, effort, and resources on your home, investing in house insurance India is prudent to protect your home, belongings, and more from uncertainties.

After spending massive amounts on purchasing your home, consider these DIY for your home's interiors to save on additional expenses. Equipped with the right tools, creativity, and zeal, you can take on any home DIY project! A painting project is the ideal task to test your skills and is manageable. Before you start painting, here are some tips to enhance the outcome of your DIY house painting project.

1. Purchase premium paint:
Make sure to pay attention to the quality of the paint. Every room in your house deserves a different type of paint, so keep that in mind. Choose paints with minimal volatile organic compounds and odour to keep your family safe. For your favourite walls in your house, choose a standout colour to create an accent wall.

2. Remove the hardware:
Remove light fittings, doorknobs, electrical cover plates, window locks, and window lifts. Store the components in a bucket. Tape the screws to each piece of hardware, and identify each one with its location to simplify future reinstallations.

3. Identify the type of paint on existing walls:
Test a patch to determine what colour was used there. Apply alcohol-soaked cotton to a small section of the wall. The paint is latex if there is paint residue on the cotton ball. If not, the colour is oil-based.

4. Inspect and prepare the area:
Before applying new primer and paint, check for any cracked or peeling areas. These need to be carefully sanded or scraped, as the weight of the new layer will loosen the old paint. A small amount of soap and water, followed by a rinse with clean water, may be required for greasy stains, followed by a wipe-down.

5. Paint from top to bottom:
Use your brush to start with the edges of the ceiling. Then use the roller to apply an even paint coating from top to bottom. Once you're done with a patch of the wall, leave it to dry. Continue the same process for the remaining patch of the wall. You might notice colour marks and streaks on the already-done patch. Now, get ready for the second round of coating. Ensure that your application motion is the same as the first round of coating to get a bright and evenly looking finish.

6. Fill in fractures, voids, and holes:
Examine the walls and trim carefully for flaws. Fix any holes, dents, and dings with wood filler, caulk gun, or ready-mix spackle, depending on the situation.

7. Safeguard everything you don't want to be painted:
Protect your flooring, furniture, and hardware before starting a painting project. Drop clothes are essential. Protecting door knobs with small plastic sandwich bags is a simple solution.

8. Use a paint grid:
A paint grid is an attachment to the bucket's rim. It facilitates the removal of extra paint and uniformly distributes it across the roller cover for consistent paint application.

9. Apply primer:
Paint and primer combinations work well if the surface is clean and smooth. However, use a different primer if it has been over eight years since the last paint job or if the wall has dents and scratches. Use a bonding primer to cover a hard surface, such as glass or high-gloss paint.

Interior painting projects require time, effort, and skill. While you can take on this task by yourself, the same does not apply to protecting your home. Consider purchasing house insurance India to protect your home against irreparable damage and prevent the depletion of your finances.

Click HERE to buy the best house 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.

When switching to a sustainable energy source like solar, it is wise to conduct a careful study because this is an expensive purchase you will have to live with for 25 years. In this post, we will provide essential questions so you can learn everything you need to know before installing solar panels on your home. These solutions will simplify your solar journey.

1. How much can solar power reduce your household electricity costs?
The monthly savings from solar for household electricity users can be as much as 80%, and in certain circumstances, even more. Before ordering a solar system, determine how much money you will save.

2. Can you utilise net metering at your house? When should you apply if the answer is yes?
Savings from solar can be maximised using a net metering feature in conjunction with an on-grid or hybrid solar system. In exchange for payment, you can export the extra electricity your solar system produces to the grid.
Now, homeowners in all of India's states can use the facility. However, the advantages may vary based on the tariffs established by the individual states. Before and after your solar PV system installation, you can apply for net metering. Nonetheless, we advise you to apply for net metering before the system is installed for your convenience.

3. How much would it cost for your rooftop solar system?
Over the past ten years, solar system prices have decreased significantly. A typical 1 kilowatt (kW) solar system, which cost about INR 145 per watt (Wp) in 2000, is now available for about INR 35 per Wp. However, the final price varies according to the project's size, the skill level of the solar installer, and component quality.
Residential solar systems are often smaller than commercial or industrial ones, and because of the smaller scale of operations, the cost per KW tends to be more significant. The essential thing in this situation is not to hold back on the components' quality or the installer's knowledge.

4. When will your solar system reach financial stability?
With a properly installed household solar system, you should reach your breakeven point in about three and a half years. However, the system size and the state's DISCOM tariff rate affect the breakeven point. The critical thing to remember is that since solar energy returns come in the form of savings, they are guaranteed. You can use a solar calculator to determine your expected payback period and return on investment.

5. Is the rooftop of your house a suitable location for solar panel installation?
It is crucial to examine the capacity of your rooftop. Your rooftop needs to support the combined weight of the mounting structures and the panels. A rooftop must be free of any shadows cast by surrounding structures or objects because most homes in India are constructed too close to one another.

6. Are there any tax benefits for your residential solar investment?
Household electricity is not currently eligible for any tax incentives. However, the investment is worthwhile, though, because the savings on electricity bills alone are substantial.

After investing in such sophisticated technologies and energy sources, it becomes crucial to protect your home against any unforeseen contingencies. In such cases, the best home insurance in India can also assist you in significantly reducing your financial outlay by protecting your home, its structure, and content from unexpected loss or damages.

Click HERE to buy the best home insurance in 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.

Accidents, unfortunately, happen far too frequently. They cause vehicle owners to pay for auto repairs, treating injuries, and increased insurance premiums when accidents occur. A small error might lead your car to be totaled in an instant. Purchasing a policy from a reliable motor insurance company in India secures you and your vehicle from various hazards and damages that could cause financial losses.

We repeatedly observe the same trends that lead to collision incidents. To decode this most common issue, we're presenting the most typical crash types and accident-prevention advice to make the roads safer.

1. Front-impact collisions:
When the front of your vehicle collides with another car or object, it is called a front-impact accident, accounting for 54% of all auto accidents. It can result from wrong-lane driving or a poor indication by the approaching vehicle from the front, especially while making turns.

How to avoid them:
Modify your driving according to the circumstances, such as slick roads or other weather-related issues. Give yourself more time to react and take control by driving more slowly in the rain and using indicators while taking turns. Keep your focus on the road and avoid any distractions.

2. Rear-end collisions:
Heavy commuter traffic on roads and thoroughfares, over-speeding, aggressive driving, and leaving insufficient room for the car in front of you are the common causes of rear-end collisions.

How to avoid them:
Driver distraction accounts for 89% of rear-end collisions. Avoid being distracted by putting the phone down, even in driving mode, and adjusting your audio. Additionally, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid tailgating by not maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

3. Parked-car collisions:
In crowded parking lots, bumper dents are all too typical. They occur when several vehicles travel in various directions or while reversing out of a parking space.

How to avoid them:
Parking lots can make viewing your surroundings challenging, especially when reversing. Before leaving a parking space, survey the area and use your rear-view mirror effectively. Park a bit further away from other vehicles.

4. Side-impact collisions:
Side impacts between cars travelling in different lanes parallel to one another are the norm in cases of sideswipes. This kind of accident accounts for 27% of fatal passenger crashes.

How to avoid them:
Refrain from speeding to beat the yellow light. Instead, be extra cautious and always check both ways at stop signs and traffic lights. Check your blind spot before changing lanes, and watch for sudden lane changes from other motorists.

5. Hydroplaning collisions:
Since the tyres can't touch the pavement when you hydroplane, you have little control over the direction of the automobile, which almost definitely results in a collision. More than 10% of car fatalities yearly are related to wet roadways.

How to avoid them:
Stop accelerating, and don't stamp your foot on the brakes if your car does hydroplane. Instead, keep the pressure constant and let the automobile slow down. Make sure the tread on your tyres isn't too worn out. When driving through significant road puddles, proceed slowly.

Although there are many steps you may take to lessen the risk of accidents, theft, injuries, or damage to your car, it's not always possible to avoid the unexpected. In road accidents, collisions are a significant factor in injury and fatalities. We recommend purchasing a comprehensive auto insurance policy from a trusted motor insurance company in India. This will protect you and your vehicle against various damages and provide monetary compensation for expenses resulting from theft, fire, natural disasters, third-party liabilities, accidents, and other tragedies.

Click HERE to learn more about the policies offered by the best motor insurance company in 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.