GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

How well are you prepared for a situation like a brake failure? Well, most people can't imagine the correct answer. Imagine you are driving comfortably, and your eyes are engaged on the road. Then, when you approach traffic or a speed breaker, you hit the brake pedal, but your car doesn't slow down. You repress harder this time, but you are still speeding. Are brake failures terrifying to even think about? It's best to prepare for such panic scenarios.

Brake failures usually are not recognized beforehand; they hit you when you are in motion. It can be a panicking situation leaving the driver clueless and inviting a potential threat to his life.

In today's post, we'll talk about the dos and don'ts to stop your car safely when the brakes fail.

What to do?

1. Don't lose your cool:
We understand it's easier said than done but try not to panic. This will only put you and the passengers in unnecessary danger at the time of an actual stressful situation.

2. Go easy on the throttle:
Immediately take your foot off the accelerator pedal. You don't want to speed up even by mistake as it can only worsen the situation and make the vehicle handling uncontrollable.

3. Pump the brakes:
Press the brake pedal multiple times to generate enough pressure in the hydraulic system of the brakes. This can miraculously work out, and you'll be able to halt your car even after brake failures.

4. Lower the gears:
If the pumping doesn't help, shift into a lower gear gradually. Doing this increases the mechanical resistance, referred to as engine braking.

5. Engage handbrakes:
Some cars can restrict you from shifting to extra-low gear until the car has slowed sufficiently. In such cases, handbraking comes in. When you engage the handbrakes, do so gradually. If you suddenly apply them, your car can go skidding to make the situation worse.

6. Turn on the AC to the maximum:
Turning the AC to the max will take a few kilowatts of power. Turning on all extras will cause resistance to the alternator that can help you slow down.

Other dos:

● Keep your vision on the road at all times.

● Turn on the hazard lights. This will notify other drivers that you're in an emergency.

● If you notice an uphill road, use it to your advantage. Taking your vehicle to it will help you curb the speed.

● Wear your seatbelt at all times.

● Follow the speed limits on all roads.

Now that you know what to do. Let’s discuss the don'ts real quick:

● Do not continue driving on cruise control.

● Do not cut the ignition or change the gear to neutral as you will lose the full control.

● Do not shift from higher gear to low gear drastically. The same goes for handbrake. Do not engage it at once. This can cause skidding.

● DO NOT shift to reverse gear. This will completely shatter the gearbox, and further will not allow you to downshift.

● Don't move sideways with a speeding vehicle. Yes, it increases friction, but you run the danger of spinning out.

● Do not run into a concrete wall or a block to crash stop; go for shrubs and bushes.

When such situations arise, you are in danger and the rest of the commuters around. Therefore, you must think rationally and make decisions. You and your car can sustain damage in such scenarios; having reliable car insurance at your disposal will help you recover from it. If you have one, check for your car insurance renewal before you hit the roads. Car insurance renewal is a ticket for extended protection of your prized possession.

Also, don't ever overlook the necessity of having your car serviced at regular intervals so that critical safety systems, such as braking, are well maintained.

Car insurance renewals are possible online now. Click HERE to do it right now.

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.

Horseback riding is one of the most ancient adventure activities introduced in ancient times. And, it quickly became an integral part of every army, and until today it is a royal legacy. Adventure enthusiasts practice horse riding as a sport.

But horse riding is not as easy as it appears to be. Trusting a 1200 pounds animal to keep you safe and to cooperate with you is a daunting task. One wrong move can leave you paralyzed for the rest of your life; some mistakes can be life-threatening. But, if you are willing to take the risk to be a part of the equestrian community, you will undoubtedly have a great time learning it!

Following your passion or pursuing horseback riding as a hobby is a great start indeed! And to help you with it, we have created an essential checklist to learn horse riding as an adventure.

1. The attire:
Appropriate dressing plays a significant role in ensuring personal safety, especially when indulging in a gruelling sport like horseback riding. You require ankle-length, close-toed leather boots with a small heel to keep your feet from slipping out of the stirrups. Wear long pants to keep your legs safe from colliding against the saddle. Protecting your head is the most crucial safety aspect, so a helmet should be an essential accessory of your fit. Remember, even the horses require proper equipment. A properly fitted saddle, well-tightened cinch, a comfortable bit and bridle, and suitable hoof protection can make the sport for your horse safe and enjoyable.

2. Learn to use the reins:
Just as important it is to handle the steering of a car when learning to drive, similarly before hopping on the horse, you should understand the appropriate use of the reins. Do not hold the reins too harshly as it can hurt the horse, be gentle with it. Keep your arms at the correct angle from your elbow. The moment you master the handling of reins, you get the command over your horse.

3. Spend time with the horses:
One of the ways to be more comfortable with the horses is to spend more time with them. Try finding a part-time job at the stable or maybe just volunteer! This is how you will learn things you would not be able to learn otherwise, and horse riding will be easier for you.
Also, never forget to greet your horse first before training. It is essential to show compassion and affection to your fellow animal. Horses value the love and care their masters bestow upon them, which massively impacts the riding experience.

4. Correct your posture:
While on the back of the horse, relax and sit up straight. This will help you maintain balance and get a firmer and better hold on the horse. Relax your shoulders, and place both of your feet in the stirrup.

5. Stay hydrated:
This may seem like a small detail, but on warm and sunny days, horse riding can make you sweat profusely, therefore carry a water bottle along with you and stay hydrated.

We hope these valuable tips will guide you to kick-start your passion for learning horse riding. However, as the Equestrian community says, “Horses don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Just mastering the skills is not sufficient; you need to build a mutual understanding with your horse. Trust and respect are two vital factors that should define your bond with your saddled friend.

The more time you spend training, the better your skills will get, but the chances of you getting injured increase simultaneously. Therefore, before saddling up and preparing for this extreme sport, have a personal accident insurance policy and make your experience safe and unforgettable. Don’t let the fear of falling hinder your desire to learn!

Click HERE to get the best personal accident insurance policy quotes.

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.

Tyre management has become a critical factor in maintaining the overall condition of cars. In contrast, we cannot control the factors such as weather and road conditions that affect the wheels. But we do have control over what goes inside them. And mind it, the type of air you choose to put in your tyres can have a significant impact. So, if you are in a dilemma about which air to put in your tyres, you are not alone. The most common argument in the debate ranges from nitrogen being the most prominent option.

Not sure! This blog guides you in choosing a side. We have put both the options under the test of several key factors and see how each one fits in. By the end of this blog, you will be able to decide which one is the right choice for you.

1. In terms of cost:
At most fuel stations you get free air refills and check-ups. In the case of nitrogen, it’s not free and will cost you around 40-50 rupees for a four-wheeler. Even if you don't get a free refill of air, it usually costs about 10-15 rupees making it cheaper than nitrogen.

2. In terms of availability and convenience:
Normal air is readily available. The infrastructure and storage systems required for nitrogen are not present in every region, thus bringing limitations in its availability in those areas.

*Pro-tip: If you have nitrogen-filled tyres and get a puncture on the road where there are no nitrogen filling stations. Inflate the tyre with air. Don't worry; it is entirely safe.

3. In terms of tyre pressure:
When inflating a tyre with nitrogen, 95% of pure nitrogen goes into it. Nitrogen offers more consistent tyre pressure because nitrogen molecules hardly ever pass through the small holes in the tyre's rubber, being heavier and bigger in size. A tyre filled with conventional air has approximately 20% less pressure.

4. In terms of fuel economy:
Consistent tyre pressure results in improved fuel economy. As we already know, the winner in terms of tyre pressure. It's clear that nitrogen is the frontrunner in terms of fuel economy.

5. In terms of weather conditions:
Water vapour in conventional air causes the tyre pressure to vary when the weather conditions change. When the temperature outside is hot, the air within the tyres expands, resulting in over-inflation. On the other hand, they get underinflated when the temperature drops.

Not only that, but water vapour in your tyre causes corrosion in the metal rim of the tyre. As nitrogen contains no water vapour, tyre pressure variations and deterioration are non-existent.

From all the above information, it is clear that nitrogen does hold superiority over conventional air. Conventional air is not a bad option either. Yes, if your car stays idle for a more extended period, using nitrogen will save you trips to the air refill station every time you take your car out.

Maintaining proper tyre pressure is a must whether you use nitrogen or air. Just like that, maintaining your car insurance is a must if you want to drive legally on the Indian roads. So before you even take out your car for a tyre refill, make sure you buy new car insurance and if you already have one, keep it up to date.

To buy new car insurance today, 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.

People have a habit of covering more miles on two-wheelers than cars for convenience and cost saving. One thing that every biker wants to know is how to extend the two-wheeler battery life. Long battery life indicates that your two-wheeler will function for an extended period compared to other vehicles.

But the battery gets examined only at the time of each servicing or repair. Nonetheless, it needs more attention than these few times. You do not have to be an expert in mechanics to look after a battery, nor do you have to make endless trips to your nearby garage or service centre. Just a few regular checks and maintenance will improve the quality of the battery in terms of enhancing life.

Let’s have a look at the ways you can extend the battery life of your two-wheeler.

1. Charge the battery regularly:
Allowing your two-wheeler battery to discharge before charging to maximum capacity is not a good idea since it will decrease its life and negatively influence its performance. Hence, regular charging of the battery is a must. You can check charge levels using a multimeter. Allow the two-wheeler motor to be idle for about 15 minutes to get adequate charge levels.

2. Top up the fluids in the battery regularly:
The electrolyte in a battery gets utilized whenever you charge and discharge it. Hence, keep it refilled with distilled deionized water. If you find dropping electrolyte levels during your check, make sure to refill it up to avoid replacing the existing battery. If you don’t top up the electrolyte after a few cycles, your battery will begin to break down. A traditional two-wheeler battery would have many openings to inspect and fill electrolyte unless it is sealed.

3. When not in use, disconnect the battery:
Plugged-in batteries lose power, and hence not practising that might help you get the most out of your batteries. If you are not planning to use your bike for an incredibly long time, it is recommended that you disconnect the batteries to avoid power loss. And when you do, make sure to keep the batteries in a warm, dry location.

4. Look for any unsecured connections:
It’s crucial to scrutinize the batteries regularly to ensure there are no loose connections. Check for connectivity issues, scratches, and short-circuits of wires regularly to avoid long-term consequences. Internal wiring connects all sections of your two-wheeler to the battery, and weak connections might cause your two-wheeler to struggle to start. Some wiring errors might result in serious problems that affect other essential parts and the functioning of a two-wheeler.

5. Don’t put too much strain on the battery:
High-capacity lighting and LEDs that you connect to your two-wheeler put a lot of loads on the battery. As a result, it may cause the battery to drain and eventually lead to its termination. Ensure that the accessories you install don’t exceed the battery’s capacity.

On a conclusive note, for the smooth performance and uninterrupted functioning of your two-wheeler, keeping the batteries up-to-date is a crucial thing. Your two-wheeler derives its power from the battery, and any fault to it can bring the vehicle to a halt. Prepare for such uncertainties much in advance by investing in the zero depreciation feature of the regular 2 wheeler insurance. Taking good care and being careful is not just sufficient. Buying suitable 2 wheeler insurance can add an extra layer of protection.

To get two-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.