GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration. –Charles Dickens

You’ve made the big decision to purchase a dream house: reality is finally sweeter than your dreams! Congratulations.

A house is a matter of pride and a big commitment for many many years. A house is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make: a dream you would like to protect.

While there is little we can do against natural disasters, we can reduce some of the hardships by having home insurance, which protects against any damage to the house and valuables in it.

Home insurance is poorly sold in India; People are either not aware of home insurance or are reluctant to buy it. They don’t see the risk to their property—be it fire or an act of terrorism; and of course, it always happens to other people!

A lost life cannot be regained, but a lost house can be rebuilt and it doesn’t cost much.

Here is what our Truth lens tells us:

A good policy covers for financial loss arising out of various incidents such as fire, earthquake or burglary. It covers, not only for structural damage but also for all other assets and possessions you may have, right from a rug to a refrigerator.

Here are a few things to consider:

One, the Cover

At the basic level, a standard fire and special perils policy covers your structure and possessions from fire and other dangers such as earthquakes and storms. The second level of coverage protects against burglary or breakdown of mechanical and electrical appliances. The last one protects against minimal risks such as loss of rent, loss of important documents such as title deeds and passport, and provision for alternate accommodation.

Two, the Sum Insured

While the value of your house is based on three factors - land, cost of construction for the building and prevailing real estate prices – the insurance only covers for the building’s cost of construction. Most insurers will offer a standard rate per square foot multiplied by the carpet area of your house. The rate offered also considers depreciation. Therefore, it is important to go for a reinstatement cover. This covers for rebuilding your home from scratch, assuming the worst.

Three, Compliance

If you are living in an urban high-rise, your flat alone cannot be rebuilt in case a big calamity hits the locality. It is the housing society’s responsibility to insure the entire premise. Talk to the society management and figure the kind of insurance availed of and what supplementation you need. The insurer will not cover for poor or unauthorized construction and you don’t want to be left high and dry in the event something goes wrong. Taking 2 insurance policies for the same asset will not result in double benefits! [This is based on the principle of indemnity, and the more technical oriented amongst us can click here to read more about it]

Time period: Home insurance can be bought for a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years. Do remember to renew.

Fine print: Home insurance policies are worded differently. For example, structure insurance may only be for building and not land, or only jewelry kept in the locker may be covered.

Tenants: If you are living in a rented house, you can insure only the contents and not the structure as you don’t own it.

You have arrived at the airport and are excited about your holiday. But for some reason, your flight is delayed. Maddening! Right? You begin to feel irritated as all the thrill starts disappearing. You have no idea how to pass the time at the airport. Even the noise and chaos further grow your disappointment.

Fortunately, there are lots of activities you can do to occupy yourself while waiting for the airplane to take off. You will notice that an airport is a sizable facility with various entertainment options. Therefore, before you get to your destination, wait patiently, and tour the airport's many areas. Put yourself in "vacation mode" and leave the bustling world behind.

Here are a few things you can do in airports to pass the time as you wait for your flight.

1. Display your photography prowess:
If you enjoy taking pictures, the airport offers interesting opportunities to capture props, aircraft, artwork, and architectural structures. You can even take candid pictures and make portraits of the individuals nearby. Start by putting your hesitation aside and enjoy yourself as you take amazing images and start making beautiful memories right from the start of your trip. However, be cautious, as photography is prohibited at some locations at the airport.

2. Browse the kiosks or shop at duty-free:
The duty-free shops at the airport have some incredibly affordable offers. You name it: clothing, alcohol, and chocolates! Even though some stores are pricey, you may pass the time by browsing various goods if you have no other choice. It's an excellent strategy to stay active and finish any unfinished tasks.

3. Use the free Wi-Fi:
Suppose you are not interested in moving around. Still, we have a fix for you! Worldwide, free Wi-Fi is available in most airports. Your favourite web series is available for viewing after turning on your Wi-Fi. There are free things in life sometimes! But don't use a public Wi-Fi network to access your bank accounts or anything private.

4. Talk to others:
People from many places are seated together in an airport like a miniature world. Additionally, it's a great place to meet new people and mingle. Avoid just bursting into people. Talk to them and find out about their country and neighbourhood. You must always be open to making new friends on the go!

5. Observe:
Suppose you don't like engaging with others. You can just watch them; there won't be any interaction or information. The airport is the perfect place full of travellers from all parts of the world. If you are an artist, noticing things can help you write or copy articles.

6. Read a book:
The best way to enjoy your company and kill time at the airport is to pick your favourite book and engross yourself in reading. There can't be any better experience than involving a substance that entices and refreshes you by just turning pages.

7. Sleep off:
If none of the choices appeals, you may take a nap and rest for a while. Pick a seat in a corner or access the lounge if you can, turn on your favourite music, and set the alarm for a quick nap.

If you're stuck in an airport, we hope these solutions will be helpful. But be aware of the updated details of your flight and stay alert on the announcements. Also, check your luggage in case you are waiting for a long time. It is advised that you purchase travel insurance to protect your trip. The travel protection under the general insurance India policy covers unexpected events like a delayed flight, missing checked baggage, and more.

Suppose your general insurance India plan includes luggage insurance. In that case, your insurer may be able to reimburse you, up to the limit specified on the confirmation of coverage, for covered loss, theft, or damage to your baggage and personal belongings.

Click HERE to buy the best general insurance India plan to make your travel hassle-free.

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.

In this hustling world, everyone wants to save the most valuable aspect of their life – time. Finding out time for household chores feels like an impossible task in the middle of your tight schedule.

But, many gadgets and appliances have made the way to clear the chaos and get things convenient for you. From the start of our day until we retire, we encounter several devices that work as our assistants and eliminate the worries of most household tasks.

Below you will learn some of these intelligent home appliances that make your life easier.

1. Speakers with AI and Bluetooth – technology reimagined:
Apart from listening to songs, we can use smart speakers to remind every major-minor event or daily tasks such as paying the bills, recharging your internet pack, weather forecasting, news, and what not. The exciting feature is that it also operates by voice recognition feature. You may even integrate your smart speakers with your other smart home devices to enjoy a fully customizable and command-driven home environment.

2. WIFI/portable routers – make smarter connections:
The Internet has become new oxygen for the globe. Constant evolution in the WIFI system like portable routers and mesh WIFI systems are trending and valuable for the smart home network that connects all your smart devices.

3. Smartwatches – the world around your wrist:
Smartwatches are a great invention that looks classy and way more productive than just showing time. Get all the notifications and regular updates without touching your mobile. Additionally, it's the best investment for health by keeping your active schedule with your walks, work-out, and counting calories burnt.

4. Innovative kitchen appliances – cooking made fun:
Smart refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves can be paired with your smartphones through helpful apps and make the cooking experience more enjoyable than we could ever imagine. These appliances would do the task in minutes which you finish in hours with your bare hands.

5. Laundry appliances – happy clothes, happy wardrobe:
Fully automatic washing machines with timers, clothes dryers are the appliances that have become popular and essential in the last decade. They are an excellent example of time-saving and doing your laundry easier and faster.

6. Living room appliances – feel like the 'modern king':
It is where we tend to spend more time with our guests and visitors. You can easily interact and schedule the smart lights, automatic blinds, Smart TV and sound system and turn your living room more automated to your requirements.

7. Smart doorbell/locks – safety redefined:
Safety is the biggest concern for homeowners. Using an intelligent doorbell system, remote control of door locks, and security cameras will bring a good change in your life by making you feel secure. Also, the house insurance premium goes down when you add a layer of security to your home. This way, you guarantee yourself a peaceful sleep at night and the shield of double protection from unfortunate incidents like burglary for your home.

You can make your home a lot more automated by using these intelligent electronic appliances and gadgets. Imagine cooking in your microwaves from anywhere with your smartphone and receiving alerts when the food is ready.

The constant upgrades and new appliances make way to your home and give you the upper hand to manage the daily household work. Some of these items are expensive devices to install in your house. A suitable house insurance plan can provides you compensation for the damages caused due to fire, theft, or man-made hazards or any vandalism. Get house insurance for the financial security of your insured belongings and enjoy your life with the golden-age technology appliances.

Are you looking for a best home insurance in India for your new home? 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.

Technology is undoubtedly a key driver for the economic growth of a country. Fuelled by the revolution in internet connectivity, it has evolved over the years and made many advancements. As a result, it plays a significant role in improving people's lives in every field, including the transport industry. Truck drivers encounter multiple issues in their day-to-day life, but the latest introduction of technology in truck drivers' lives has made things smoother for them. In this post, we share how technology is making the life of truck drivers easy on the wheels.

1. ELDs – Electronic Logbook Devices:
Truck drivers are required to manually fill forms or papers to enter the number of hours they drive. To avoid this hassle, ELDs are attached to the engine, which automatically calculates the number of driving hours. Besides, ELDs also assist in helping the truck driver with fuel consumption by the truck. Another perk of these devices is that it monitors the driving route and thus helps the truck driver's safety. Furthermore, if truck drivers encounter accidents, ELDs play a crucial role in proving the evidence.

2. Load boards:
Load boards are another vital tool used to find new shippers who need to haul their loads. This is widely used by truck drivers, owners, freight brokers, and more. You can go to load board sites and enter all the necessary information, including types of loads you can haul, weight allowance, and currently available destinations. Once you fill up all this information, shippers can contact you.

3. GPS systems for truck drivers:
GPS units are a standard device that assists truck drivers to reach their destination quickly with the shortest route. It avoids unnecessary travelling for them and results in efficient delivery. In case of traffic jams and bad weather conditions, the drivers can avoid those routes and save fuel and time.

4. Best use of smartphones:
Smartphones are excellent technology examples that are helpful for truck drivers. Through smartphones, truck drivers can communicate seamlessly and share their exact locations. This is also crucial for knowing how long the truck driver will take to reach their destination. Additionally, you can use smartphones to check out the nearest gas stations, accommodations, and more. During the breaks, truck drivers can use their phones for entertainment, such as listening to their favourite music or watching shows and movies.

5. Hands-free communication:
Voice assistant devices and other hands-free communication devices serve great purposes for truck drivers. Using hands-free communication devices ensures their eyes are on the road while informing people about their route. Since we all are aware of the consequences of holding a phone while driving, truck drivers can use hands-free communication devices and stay in contact with the dispatcher. This is also essential when the driver is confused about the exact route and needs guidance.

It is no surprise that technology innovation is pushing the limits and changing how the transport business functions and improving life on highways. However, as the industry evolves and expands, it also requires safe cover for efficient operation through motor insurance. Good motor insurance addresses the worry of mishaps on the road and puts you away from unwanted risks. Thanks to the technology, you can have online motor insurance renewal even on the move from your smartphone. So, use the technology advancement to your advantage and remain ahead in the business!

To know more about motor 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.