GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

When protecting your vehicle, having a motor insurance is a legal requirement in most countries, including India. However, many vehicle owners mistakenly believe that motor insurance is enough to cover all kinds of damages, including those caused by fire. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Fire accidents can cause significant damage to your vehicle, leaving you with a hefty repair bill. This is where fire insurance comes to your protection. Fire insurance is a type of insurance that covers damages caused by fire, including damages to your vehicle.

This blog will discuss the types of damages fire insurance covers, the cost of fire insurance, and how to obtain fire insurance for your vehicle.

1. Motor insurance does not cover fire damage
While motor insurance covers damages caused by accidents, theft, and natural calamities, it does not cover damage caused by fire. If your vehicle catches fire, you cannot claim any compensation from your motor insurance policy. On the other hand, fire insurance is specifically designed to cover damages caused by fire.

2. Fire accidents are common in India
India witnesses a high number of accidental and intentional incidences of fire annually. Fire can spread quickly and cause significant damage to your vehicle in minutes. Having fire insurance for your vehicle will protect you against the financial impact of such accidents.

3. Fire insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement
If your vehicle is damaged by fire, fire insurance will cover the cost of repair or replacement, depending on the extent of the damage. This means you will not have to bear the entire cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle's parts, which can be a significant financial burden.

4. Fire insurance is affordable
Contrary to popular belief, fire insurance is not expensive. The cost of fire insurance for your vehicle will depend on various factors, such as the age, make, and model of your vehicle, as well as the extent of coverage you choose. However, fire insurance is a small price compared to the potential cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after a fire accident.

5. Fire insurance provides peace of mind
Having fire insurance for your vehicle provides peace of mind, knowing you are protected against the financial impact of fire accidents. This is especially important if you rely on your vehicle for your livelihood or have invested significant money in purchasing or modifying your vehicle.

6. Fire insurance covers damages caused by riots
In a situation of riots and civil disturbances, vehicles are often targeted and damaged by fire. Fire insurance covers damages caused by such incidents, providing financial protection to your vehicle.

7. Fire insurance covers damages caused by electrical faults
Electrical faults can also cause fire accidents in vehicles. Fire insurance covers damages caused by electrical faults, providing financial protection against such incidents.

8. Fire insurance is easy to obtain
Obtaining fire insurance for your vehicle is easy and uncomplicated. You can purchase fire insurance as an add-on to your motor insurance policy or as a standalone policy from any insurance provider. Purchasing it is quick and hassle-free, and you can do it online from the comfort of your home.

While motor insurance is mandatory by law in India, more is needed to protect your vehicle against all kinds of risks. Fire accidents can cause significant damage to your vehicle, leaving you with a hefty repair bill. This is why it's essential to have fire insurance for your vehicle in addition to your motor insurance India. Fire insurance provides comprehensive financial protection against damages caused by fire, riots, electrical faults, and other such incidents.

Click HERE to learn more about motor insurance India and its benefits.

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.

Back pain is one of the most common problems everyone faces across the length and breadth of the country. Some people may face a dull pain in their back now and then, while for some, it may be constant. Others may experience sudden and excruciating pain in their back, that they may be unable to sit or walk properly.

The leading causes of back pain are a fall, an accident, lifting a heavy load, or age-related factors. Sometimes a medical condition can also result in back pain. The treatment varies with the category of back pain you are suffering from. Hence, let us first understand the different types of back pain.

1. Cervical pain
The cervical region in our body is the vertebrae of the neck. When you suffer from pain in or around your spine, it is a case of cervical pain beneath your head. It is a common type of pain that can last a few days to several years. The common causes of cervical pain include poor and slumped posture, physical strain, mental stress, herniated disc, tumors, and other health conditions.

In Cervical pain, you may feel the most axial neck pain in your neck or radicular neck pain that shoots to other body parts, such as your shoulders or arms. Cervical pain is not very serious and can be treated with treatments such as exercise, stress management, and medicines for pain.

2. Thoracic back pain
Thoracic back pain is the pain in your upper back. The main symptoms include fever, loss of weight, nerve pain or numbness in the legs or lower body, physical trauma, noticeable deformity, severe stiffness, and constant severe pain that does not go away even after a change in sleeping or sitting position.

Thoracic back pain should not be ignored because the upper portion of the spine is connected to the ribs that protect your heart and lungs. You should immediately see a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms for a long time.

3. Middle back pain
Middle back pain occurs below your rib cage but above the lumbar spine region. You may feel similar symptoms, such as fever, chills, weight loss, dizziness, etc., as in thoracic back pain. However, sometimes the symptoms can be vague, and you cannot easily diagnose them.

Middle back pain is caused due to several reasons, such as obesity, stress, anxiety, lack of physical activity, smoking, and pregnancy.

4. Lower back pain
Lower back or lumbar pain is common in people over 30 years of age. It is caused by a strain on muscles or tendons in the back. Arthritis of the spine is also a common cause of lower back pain. The pain can be mild to severe, leaving people unable to walk, sleep, work, and do their daily activities properly.

The common causes of lumbar pain are obesity, back injuries and accidents, lifestyle, mental health, diseases, and age. Such pain can come and go suddenly, especially after you bend abruptly to pick up something or during a sport. Medications and physical therapy can treat it, while sometimes surgery may also be required to cure it.

Back pain is becoming common even among youngsters, making it a cause of concern. Excessive junk food intake causing obesity, a lifestyle with no physical activity, stress and anxiety, smoking, etc., are primarily causing back pain in the younger generation.

Furthermore, this problem is alleviated with age, injuries, and accidents. A good health insurance policy can be very helpful in case you require a long treatment or surgery due to prolonged back pain problems. It will make you financially secure and stress-free, even if your treatment lasts for several years.

Click HERE to buy the best health 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.

When you notice black or white smoke coming out of your motorcycle's muffler, it is a sign that something is not working correctly. The smoke's colour makes it possible to tell what kind of problem the engine faces. White smoke typically indicates the presence of coolant or water mixing with the fuel in the combustion chamber. Whereas black smoke typically indicates a vibrant air/fuel ratio. The causes of black or white smoke can vary.

The following are some common causes of black or white smoke coming from a motorcycle's muffler:

Black smoke
1. Fuel injectors
The ability of the fuel injectors to supply the engine with the appropriate amount of fuel may be compromised if they are clogged or broken. Black smoke can result from incomplete combustion caused by a shortage of fuel.

2. Spark plugs
Black smoke is produced when the air/fuel mixture does not burn completely due to a damaged spark plug.

3. Inappropriate fuel blend
Black smoke can result from incomplete combustion, caused when the fuel combination is vibrant or too much fuel in the air/fuel mixture. This may occur if the motorcycle uses power with a more excellent octane rating than the engine needs.

4. Air filter
Black smoke may result from the engine receiving less air than required due to a blocked or dirty air filter. A vibrant air/fuel mixture caused by a dirty air filter can result in incomplete combustion.

5. Carburetor
Black smoke can also be produced by a vibrant air/fuel mixture from a dirty or faulty carburetor.

6. Exhaust system
Black smoke can result from an accumulation of exhaust gases brought on by a damaged or blocked exhaust system.

7. Carbon accumulation
An engine's combustion chamber, valves, and pistons may accumulate carbon deposits over time. These carbon deposits can interfere with combustion and lead to black smoke.

8. Oxygen sensor malfunction
The oxygen sensor determines how much oxygen is in the exhaust gases. The oxygen sensor may be unable to provide the engine control module with reliable readings if it is broken or faulty. This can cause the engine to receive insufficient fuel, leading to black smoke.

White smoke
1. Overheating
If the engine operates excessively, the coolant may boil and combine with the fuel in the combustion chamber. Additionally, this may cause the silencer to release white smoke.

2. Incorrect fuel blend
White smoke may result from an excessively lean fuel combination or an air/fuel mixture that contains too much air. This might occur if the motorcycle is powered by fuel that doesn't meet the engine's octane requirements.

3. Transmission fluid
A motorcycle with an automated transmission may emit white smoke from the silencer if the transmission fluid is burning.

4. Defective fuel injectors
The engine may not receive the proper amount of fuel if the fuel injectors are not operating correctly. White smoke can result from incomplete combustion caused by a lack of power.

5. Coolant leak
Coolant can leak into the combustion chamber if the engine's head gasket is damaged or the cylinder head is cracked. White smoke will flow out of the muffler when the engine runs because coolant and fuel will combine.

6. Water in the fuel
White smoke may emerge from the silencer if the fuel contains water. This may occur if water has collected in the motorcycle's fuel tank due to prolonged sitting.

7. Defective glow plug
The glow plug heats the combustion chamber, which helps the engine start. White smoke may result from incomplete combustion caused by an inaccurate glow plug.

A motorcycle's muffler may emit black or white smoke, indicating several engine issues. It is essential to determine the root of the problem and take quick action to fix it to stop the engine from suffering additional damage. Taking your motorbike to an expert mechanic for diagnostic and repair is advised if unsure of the cause. Motor insurance provides financial security in the case of an accident or damage to your vehicle. It is advisable to buy motor insurance online as it eliminates the need for paperwork and mediators, which may result in cost savings on insurance premiums.

Click HERE to buy motor insurance 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.

Motorcycles are open vehicles with no outer enclosures to protect you in case of a fall or an accident. Also, they are smaller than cars, making them less prominent and visible on the roads. This makes motorcycle riders more susceptible to accidents that can cause injuries, many times so severe that they can result in the loss of lives of the rider and the pillion.

Motorcycles are also lighter in weight, meaning they may drag on the road for a few metres after a fall or crash. This may also cause severe injury to the passengers. Let's look at some common motorcycle injuries you must know.

1. Rashes
Rashes are the most common injury that motorcycles can cause. When you fall from your bike, your arms and legs are most susceptible to rubbing against the ground's surface. This causes rashes on your skin, the severity of which depends upon the intensity of the drag or fall. If you were riding your motorcycle at high speed, you would likely develop severe rashes and bleeding, which will take a few days to heal. You can even develop infections and nerve damage.

2. Fracture
A fracture or multiple broken bones are also a common motorcycle injury. The impact of your fall on the ground can be intense enough to break or crack a few bones in your body. A fracture commonly occurs in the legs, forearms, or pelvis bones. A severe accident can even cause damage to your skull and rib cage.

3. Head injuries
The impact area of your fall from the motorcycle is often your head and neck. You may face severe head injuries, especially if you are not wearing a helmet. Youngsters tend to drive their motorcycles fast and recklessly, and falling at such high speeds can be fatal to the head and life.

4. Spinal and neck injuries
Your neck and the spinal cord may face irreparable damage if the main impact area is the neck or back. Such damage can be intense and extremely painful. The pain can be chronic, and the accident can result in paralysis, nerve damage, and even death.

5. Hands, arms, and legs

After a fall due to a motorcycle accident, you instinctively throw out your arms and land on them. Your hands and arms immediately bear the brunt of the fall, and you may suffer deep rashes, cuts, and broken bones. Such accidents can also result in nerve damage and paralysis of your arm.

Similarly, the main impact area of a motorcycle accident is your legs. In most accidents, you will hurt your legs by suffering rashes, deep cuts, or a fracture.

6. Muscle tear
A motorcycle accident often does not break your bones or cause a fracture. Instead, it causes muscle tears, soreness, and internal muscle damage. Since the impact is internal, recovery also takes a lot of time.

7. Burns
Severe burns are also a possibility when you meet with a motorcycle accident. This rarely occurs when the fall or accident is intense enough to spill the fuel from the fuel tank during the crash. The motorcycle may immediately catch fire, causing severe burns. Burns cause intense pain and take a long time to heal.

A motorcycle accident can happen unannounced with anyone, anytime and anywhere. You should always wear protective bike gear while riding your motorcycle, such as a protective jacket, knee and arm pads, gloves, etc. A helmet is a must and should be worn every time you ride your motorcycle. You should also choose a good motor insurance company in India to protect your vehicle from damages due to an accident. It will protect you financially and cover all the repair costs when your bike needs repair work.

Click HERE to buy insurance from 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.