GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

If you are buying a new house or renovating the existing one, having the perfect and attractive walls should be your focus. The most prominent part of your home is the walls. They capture many memories and provide a lot of scopes to try out new styles and give your home a refreshing touch.

Investing thought, time, and money in decorating the walls will turn your home into a more welcoming space. But how do you finalise the look of your walls? Would they look better with wallpapers, or would texture paints achieve the finish you attempted?

We will try to cover all your wall decor questions. Let's get started!

1. Types of texture paints:

Various forms of texture paints, including emulsions, distempers, etc., are available in the market. They can either be water or oil-based and are used for different purposes. You can use solid colours and texture paints to give your walls a bold look. Apply other techniques to create patterns and textures on your walls to give them a zing.

2. Wallpapers:

Wallpapers come with a variety of patterns and textures. Using the right tools and proper measurements, you can stick them on your walls. They come with a solid adhesive and are easy to paste. You can pick the wallpaper's designs as per your taste and the look you want to achieve for the walls.

Wallpapers and texture paint – how are they similar?

● Both are available with many options and shades

● Both have tailor-made options to match your usage and decor plans

● Both require some pre-preparation time to set things up

● Both help you achieve your decor goals

Wallpapers or texture paints: Which is the best for your home walls?

If you are starting from scratch (a blank wall), both wallpapers and texture paints require a similar time to set things up and get started. But removing any wallpaper or colour is a tedious job. After removing the previous coat, you must prepare the wall before pasting the wallpaper or starting with the primer for the texture paint.

Application of wallpaper takes less time as compared to texture paint. You need to apply at least two coats to achieve the texture and pattern you aim for, while it takes about twenty-four hours for the wallpaper to stick appropriately and achieve the best finish. Texture paints can take up to forty-eight hours or more.

Textured paints are your best bet in bathrooms and kitchens. High moisture does not gel well with adhesives. Hence, applying wallpaper in the bathroom and the kitchen would be a massive waste of resources, and there's a risk that it might come off or get wet and torn. Variations of textured paints can be used outdoors, while wallpapers are more appropriate for enriching the interiors.

You might need help from professionals during the application of wallpapers. Textured paints and wallpapers are both cost-effective, but wallpapers might get a bit expensive if you are looking for a specific design.

Now that we have discussed the significant aspects of the two options, you can make a decision. And while you are at it, consider protecting your home against unforeseen circumstances and tragedies. You would want your home to be safe from unexpected problems that take a massive toll on your finances and happiness.

Fret not! This is avoidable with the provision of purchasing home insurance. You can explore your options and buy the best home insurance in India which suits your needs. Carefully look at all the terms and conditions before finalising the deal. There are multiple home insurance options that can help you have the best premium and provide extended coverage.

Click HERE to know more about 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.

A cup of tea, a favourite book, and some music in the background while you feel the sprays of monsoon on your face. That’s what dreams are made for your casual & chic home. We all have unique ideas of our happy space and how we want to decorate them according to our tastes. Some of us are truly blessed with good aesthetic sense, while others have to depend heavily on the internet for ideas and inspiration.

After spending hours on various websites and choosing the best options, you create the perfect room for yourself. What about your balconies? This article will discuss some exciting and economical ways to revamp your balcony to make it the perfect cosy space for you to unwind.

1. Plants are the perfect backdrop:

Adding plants is one way to add colour and freshness to your balcony. You can opt for flowering or nonflowering plants depending on your choice. If you are a beginner, go for low-maintenance plants like the snake plant, money plant, spider grass, etc. You can also use different prints and colours on flowering pots to add more character to the balcony.
Artificial turf is a game-changer if you want more greens with minimum effort. Homeowners use these to give their balconies the feel of a miniature carpet garden that adds more comfort and cosiness to the entire space.

2. Sitting arrangements beyond ordinary:

Since your balcony is susceptible to rains and sun, one way to ensure the sitting area is not perishable by using metal chairs and tables. These bring a certain antique charm to your balcony without overbearing on your pocket. You can also add swings to make it more fun and quirkier. Adding rugs, floor pillows, and pouffes can make the space seem instantly cosy, and in the event of rain, you can quickly put them back inside.

3. Add lights for vibrant nights:

Adding tiny yellow lights and lanterns is probably the best way to make your balcony beautiful and warm for the evenings. You can further add scented candles if you have visitors, making it the perfect hangout spot for you and your guests. This way, you may even bring the romance right to your balconies and plan perfect dinner dates with your beloved or instead just indulge in your favourite pass time.

4. Textured wallpapers:

Using textured wallpapers can bring a new life to your balconies. Depending on the plants and other furniture used, you can either select a bright pop of colour or an understated neutral look. Wallpapers are a foolproof way to instantly elevate the interiors and add a certain elegance to the space.

5. Shade and privacy:

Most people do not spend time on their balconies because of a lack of privacy or unfavourable weather conditions. Use an awning or extended coverage to protect your balcony from direct sunlight or rains. Opting for a retractable or a folding roof is a choice that you must consider to change and alter the look of your balcony.

These are a few ways to turn your old balcony into a cosy living space. Remember to not go overboard with the decoration. A cluttered space kills the purpose of building a comfortable space for yourself. Talking to an interior designer or an architect can help you understand how you can modify the area without spending a lot of money.

Add value to your home and memories by investing in home insurance. Home insurance is a safety net for you and your family that will help you in case of any damages or losses. Along with beautification, you need to ensure your happy place's safety from mishaps like theft, fire breakout, etc.

Click HERE to learn more about home insurance plans.

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.

Owning a car promises exciting and thrilling adventures. Whether going on long road trips, making impromptu plans to meet up with your friends, or simply driving around the town while playing music, these are just a few of the benefits of owning a car. Every car owner wants to keep a well-maintained vehicle with glowing interiors and dashboard.

But how can you maintain a shiny car dashboard? The dashboard has nooks and corners that can quickly accumulate dust particles. Many of us eat inside the car, making it susceptible to spills and oil stains.

In this article, we will take a look at a few ways in which you can ensure the cleanliness of your dashboard.

1. Dusting:
One of the easiest yet most efficient ways of cleaning the dashboard is by dusting it regularly. Spare five minutes of your time to wipe down the entire dashboard with a dry cloth before leaving your vehicle. This will help reduce the build-up of dirt and dust and help in easy cleaning every time. You can also use a tiny brush with soft bristles to reach the crevices and folds that are not easily accessible by hand.

2. Vacuum:
Using vacuum cleaners once every month is another good way of ensuring clean dashboards. Vacuum cleaners help pick up tiny dust particles within the vents and buttons. This also increases the efficiency of ducts and helps with faster cooling when you turn on the air conditioner.

3. Cleaning solution:
Using a cleaning solution on the dashboard helps get rid of any greasiness. Spray some cleaning solution onto the surface of the dashboard and clean it thoroughly. Once done, use a damp cloth to wipe down the parts to avoid staining. Follow this up with a dry cloth to get rid of any residue. Remember to do this in small batches to ensure that the solution does not dry and leaves any patches on the surface.

4. Sanitise:
Since the dashboard is the most accessed part of the car, sanitising the drawers, buttons, steering, etc., is a good idea. Even if you are the only person using the vehicle, it is good to sanitise the area to prevent germs and bacteria.

5. Take special care of the infotainment unit:
Everyone inside the car often uses the infotainment unit. Use screen wipes and a microfiber cloth for best results. Microfiber can pull up dirt without causing any harm to the screen. Avoid using chemicals directly as you will constantly be touching the unit and are susceptible to being in contact with the same. Using harsh chemicals can also lead to damage to the anti-glare coatings on the console.

These are a few ways in which you can clean the dashboard. Proper cleanliness ensures good health for you and your co-passengers. Clean and stain-free interiors make a statement and provide credibility to the excellent maintenance of the vehicle.

If your interiors are neglected too often, you might need to change the unit entirely, which can be expensive. Add value to your car by investing in an insurance plan with a good motor insurance company. Getting the best deal on an insurance policy can be beneficial for you, in the long run, to stay stress-free regarding the expenses associated with your car.

Click HERE to know more about motor insurance company.

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.

We all know the importance of investing in home insurance. It covers the cost of repair work and modifications in case of damages. However, there are various aspects of home insurance that you might not be aware of.

Let's look at some surprisingly strange things that might be covered under your home insurance.

1. Space debris:
Damage to your property caused by meteors, airplanes, rockets, satellites, etc., is covered under home insurance. The risk from these is listed as environmental hazards. Space debris includes both man-made things and naturally occurring objects.
Any damage caused by this debris to the structure and the homeowners' belongings is covered under home insurance. If you get injured on the premises of your house, the insurer is liable to provide you cover for all the medical expenses you incurred during your treatment.

2. Damage from plane and vehicle crash:
A plane crash in housing areas can lead to severe property damage and injuries. Other instances of crashes are when cars swerve off-road and crash into the house. Damages and injuries resulting from these crashes are also covered under the home insurance policy.
Under these circumstances, the party that caused the crash is liable to make monetary compensations for the damages incurred. If, however, their payout is limited, then your insurer steps in and pays for the rest of the expenses.

3. Damage due to civil disorder:
Any explosion, bombing, etc., arising from civil commotion can lead to property damage and vandalism. These situations lead to severe expenses and maintenance work due to heavy destruction. Property damage arising from fire, broken windows, etc., are also a few instances. If you are unable to reside inside your home due to these conditions, your insurer will cover additional living expenses such as hotel bills, meals, etc.

4. Floods and other natural disasters:
Due to increasing global warming, there has been a severe increase in natural disasters. Any damage incurred during these disasters is also covered under home insurance. Note that most insurers do not cover these, so look for insurance policies that include these factors.

5. Upgrades:
Any upgrades or modifications made due to new regulations from the local government are covered under home insurance. Opting for ordinance coverage is an excellent way to ensure that your insurer handles these expenses. Under this feature, the insurance company is liable to pay you the cost of overhauling a home or building to comply with the up-to-date building codes.

6. Identity theft:
Identity theft is a massive problem across the globe, and many fraudulent activities occur because of this. Insurance providers cover the cost of all the expenses, from legal fees to the reapplication of loans.

Insurance providers are there to help and support you in case of emergencies and other mishaps. Spending ample time on research and reading through the policy papers to ensure that you are choosing the best home insurance will help you in the long run.

Click HERE to know more about home insurance.

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.

Although travelling with kids is fun, it can also be challenging at times. Children are difficult to control and have to be constantly looked after no matter where you are. While parenting is blissful, it can be stressful during travel.

You need to ensure that you carry enough supplies for the trip, pack your essentials, and anticipate everything your kids might require during the journey. It also depends on their age, as younger kids need more attention than those old enough to carry their bags and take care of themselves.

Kids can get iffy while traveling for multiple reasons, including an unfamiliar atmosphere, too many people, deviation from the routine, and much more. But how to handle it when they get all worked up? This blog will answer that for you. By the end, you will know more about the different ways to handle your kid's mood swings while travelling.

1. Keep small toys handy:
You can distract your kids with their favourite portable toys. This will give them a sense of familiarity and allow them to have fun and stay unaffected by the crowd or the unfamiliar surroundings around them.

2. Food breaks:
Try to give your child quick snacks on the go like chocolates, biscuits, chips, or other food items they like. Giving them food and water breaks keeps their stomach full and can even help them drift off to sleep for the rest of the journey. This would keep the kids stress-free during the trip and be helpful for the parents.

3. Cartoons and shows:
Entertainment is always a saviour when it comes to calming kids during travelling. You can download their favourite shows and cartoons before heading for the trip. This will keep them occupied, and they won't be much bothered about their surroundings.

4. Activities can help:
Parents can pack different supplies for some exciting activities that the kids can indulge in. This will serve as a learning purpose while also keeping them busy. You can carry crayons, pencils, papers, board games, tokens and dice, comics, storybooks, etc., for the children to keep themselves occupied with. These pastime pursuits will engage them and enrich their knowledge while keeping their mood swings at bay.

Another easy way is to give your kids a gaming console to keep them occupied and have a relaxing trip. Next, carry travelling essentials for kids, pack their backpacks, and give them the responsibility to handle them if they are old enough. If you are travelling with a newborn, carry their diapers, warm water, milk, and a sipper.

These are some tips and tricks that parents can use to help their kids stay calm while travelling. Often children might get sick on trips, bringing you and your children into unprecedented situations. It is crucial to invest in an insurance plan to stay stress-free and protect yourself and your kids against any health-related emergencies or other unforeseen mishaps. You can check out all the available options and easily buy an insurance policy online.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy insurance policy online.

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.

It's an old adage "New or Old - Home is where the heart is". Whether you have moved into a new house or have just had your entire house renovated, you want to make sure that it is safe from calamities. You need to make sure that you can reduce the damage to your house in case there is a natural disaster and that you won’t need to pay a hefty amount trying to fix that damage. One of the best ways is to always have home insurance. With there being so many in the market, it isn’t that difficult to find the best home insurance in India. Here are some ways to secure your home against calamities: -

Get Home Insurance: Always having home insurance in place is one of the best ways to protect your house from any calamities. Home insurance will cover a certain proportion of the costs of repairing or will protect against any damage due to fire, a flood, an earthquake or other such disasters. So, if there were to be a calamity, you wouldn’t need to pay for all the costs of repairing from your own pocket; the insurance company will pay for most of it. Do a little research and choose only the best home insurance in india.

• Have a strong foundation: If you live in a house and not an apartment in a building, make sure to bolt the house to the foundation. When constructing or renovating the house, make it a point to secure the house to its foundations so it won’t be uprooted when there is an earthquake, especially if you live in an earthquake-prone region.
• Know how to turn off the utilities or electricity: When there is a natural disaster, the chances are that you won’t really have a lot of time to turn off all the electrical switches, water taps or the gas. So, you must always be prepared. Know where the main electrical board is or where the main source of the gas is, so you can just turn them off during an emergency instead of scampering around trying to turn off individual taps or switches.
• Do not put off any repairs: Whether there is a tap leaking, a hole in the wall or the roof, or the door isn’t properly hinged to the wall, do not procrastinate when it comes to fixes these problems. You cannot predict a disaster, and when it does hit, the slightest gap or the smallest hole will allow water to enter into the house and eventually flood it. In case of a storm or tornado, a loose door could ultimately break, and you wouldn’t have much protection from the strong winds or the damage they may cause.
• Try to use fire-proof materials: Trying to construct the house entirely with fire-proof material is not possible. However, the wires used must be all fire-proof. During a natural disaster, wires can possibly cause a fire, and using water to put it out would only be more dangerous. So, you must make sure that the wires you have running all over your house will not catch fire.

Being a homeowner, you need to keep a lot of things in mind to ensure that your property is safe from any damages and a natural disaster is something no one can predict so the only option is to be fully prepared.

Flying thousands of feet up in the air for the first time is always one of the best experiences in life. Picking a window seat for stunning views, excellent food, comfort, and convenience are a few things you can associate with air travel. When you are boarding a plane for the first time, you have different emotions; your eyes sparkle with anticipation, your heart races with delight, but there is a lot of confusion that daunts you. Few of us wait impatiently for our first ever flight journey, whereas others are a bit worried, and it is natural.

So, to prepare you for this incredible experience, we have put together a guide that will make your first-ever flight journey more exciting and less daunting.

1. Turbulence is normal:
Even regular flyers are still afraid of turbulence, but it is nothing to be scared of. Engineers design the planes to undergo much more shaking than you could have imagined.

2. Arrive early:
Usually, people adhere to the reporting times given by the airlines. Still, being early for your first flight makes you a little more relaxed to adjust to the atmosphere at the airport. The spare time lets you complete the baggage check-in, collect boarding cards, security formalities and cross the immigration counter with ease.

3. Know about the airline's luggage policy:
How much luggage would you be allowed? How much should they weigh? What all things are you restricted to travel with? What if your luggage is misplaced? Acquaint yourself with all these important guidelines to avoid chaos.

4. Not all noises indicate dysfunctional aircraft parts:
Commercial planes are super complex machines. And it is pretty normal for devices to be noisy. For example, when retracted or deployed, the landing gear sounds like a thud that usually startles people. But, even the engine will be relatively quieter once the aircraft is in the air at a certain altitude.

5. Prepare yourself for motion sickness:
The likelihood of having it in mid-air is less because you do not experience twists or turns as you do in a car or a bus. But, some people have aerophobia that makes them feel sick and anxious mid-air. There are air sickness bags in each seat, and you can bring pills for yourself.

6. Choose your seat according to your liking:
Window seats let you peep outside with a few of the most sensational sights; on the other hand, aisle seats give you the option to take a walk more frequently during the journey. Consider your choices if you get the liberty to select your seat.

7. Carry these useful items:
Bring good noise-cancelling headphones, eye masks or neck pillow with you if you wish to have a few good hours of pleasant sleep. Use onboard entertainment music to engage you throughout your flight and make you rejoice in the journey with the melody of beats.

8. Comfortable dressing:
Aircraft's economy class seats are not the most luxurious ones out there. So, for a comfortable journey, choose breathable and stretchable clothes and footwear; think about the weather too.

9. Keep your cabin baggage light:
Wisely choose what you will pack in your cabin baggage. Remember to put the liquids, medicines, wallet, and electronics on top as, during checking, you might have to remove them for inspection.

The first trip can be a nervous one, but if you're confident and enthusiastic, you'll never say 'no' to flight journeys. Everyone has had an enjoyable first flight experience that becomes a story that they often recollect.

Also, as you pack your bags, it is essential to ensure some security in terms of insurance before boarding a flight. We recommend having general insurance plans as these will prove to be helpful all the time. General insurance plans include protection for your travel and will be beneficial to cover passport loss, any loss of baggage, or medical emergencies. So, keep the worries aside, and get ready to check in for your first flight experience!

Are you travelling internationally for the first time? Click HERE to know about the essential travel insurance.

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.

There really isn’t the right time to go on a trip. Sure, you might need to take fewer leaves from work or school if it’s sometime in June or December when everyone is on vacation. But a vacation is a vacation. And it’s an exciting time; you are busy making plans about all that you’d do once you get there, all that you need to buy before leaving, packing up your suitcase and other such things. But that isn’t all. You shouldn’t get so absorbed in making all the plans that you forget to be thoroughly prepared for the trip. For instance, to safeguard your car when you are on your vacay, you should get it insured from the best car insurance company in India. There are some tips you should always keep in mind when travelling, no matter where. Some of them are as follows:

• Keep your belongings in a secure place: When you are travelling, there are chances of being pick-pocketed. Try keeping your wallet and identity proof in an inside pocket if possible or keep your bag towards the front side if they are kept in there. When staying in a hotel or hostel, do not keep your belongings scattered around and keep your luggage locked at all times. If you are travelling abroad, keep your passport and other documents in a locker if available.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Make sure to research well about where you’d be staying. Do not forget to find out details about the area where you’d be lodging. If you don’t, you might end up staying in an unsafe or dangerous neighbourhood. In case you do end up in such an area, try not to go out after dark, especially alone.
• Keep people informed: Whether you are travelling alone or with friends or family, it is always a really good idea to let people know where you are and what you generally intend to do that day. This way, in case something were to happen, or you aren’t able to contact anyone during an emergency, they would know where you are and can perhaps get to you or could inform the authorities if need be.
• Be careful when using public Wi-Fi: It is great to have Wi-Fi around you, so you don’t need to use up your mobile data but be careful when connecting to it. If you end up connecting to a network that isn’t secure, you could fall prey to hackers who might steal important information from your phone such as bank details or might even obtain your house address etc. It is key that you practise caution when using an unknown network since you could become a victim of cyber-crime.
• Beware of strangers: There is absolutely nothing wrong with making friends when out on vacation. In fact, it is great to make friends in different places. However, you mustn’t trust just anybody you meet. You can never really know - someone’s intentions so you must avoid giving out personal information or going just about anywhere with people you have just met.

Trips are a great way to destress and just have a good time, but it is necessary to be careful when travelling. You must take good care of your things, including your vehicles. For instance, if you plan a road trip with your friends, do not forget to choose the best car insurance company in India, so you are protected in case of a problem.