GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

What can be more exciting than travelling internationally for the first time? No matter how much you have travelled within your country, crossing the borders to explore a new nation, its culture, lifestyle, and cuisine is always an exciting experience to cherish.

The number of outbound travellers flying out to foreign destinations has shown significant growth after the ease of global travel restrictions post Covid-19. The travel ecosystem is again flourishing with inbound and outbound tourism, leading to re-establish the harmony in travel relations among various countries.

However, as a first-time traveller, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind to make your experience more hassle-free and less daunting. This article will look at a few tips to help you have a successful first international trip.

1. Sort your passport:

The most important document that you need to have is a passport. Ideally, get your passport work done before you even begin planning your trip. However, the Indian government has facilitated “Tatkal” passports if you require a passport urgently. Under this scheme, you can get a passport between two to four days. Remember to keep a digital and a physical copy of your passport with you.
You must present your passport at security checks, immigration, and even at various hotels for identification purposes.

2. Visa process:

Make sure to check the visa requirements of the visiting country before booking tickets. Several countries offer visa-free access or visas on arrival to Indian passport holders. Visa on arrival is a procedure where a visa is provided to people upon arrival in the destination country rather than applying for it before flying.
Countries such as Maldives, Hong Kong, and Mauritius do not require visas for Indian passports. While, countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, etc., have a visa on arrival facility for Indian passport holders.

3. Money and Currency:

Many banks offer you international transactions and withdrawal facilities. Check your bank and understand their requirements, such as international fees, currency exchange rates, and ATM withdrawal fees. Carry some physical money during your trips. Withdraw a significant amount of cash from the airport to skip ATM fees.

4. Accommodation:

We have always heard people talk about the exorbitant rates of hotels and local transportation. Booking your accommodation at the last minute can be expensive. Instead, book at least a couple of months before your trip to get the best deals on good properties. Look for hotels that provide complementary services such as breakfast and Wi-Fi for maximum benefits.
If you are travelling with a group, your ideal choice would be to book a dormitory. You can stock the fridge here with food and groceries from nearby supermarkets, thus significantly cutting your accommodation and food expenses.

5. Transport:

Avoid booking taxis and rentals beforehand. After reaching your destination, download local transport and rental apps to avoid swindling. Travelling on local buses and trains is an excellent way to interact with the locals and other travellers.

6. Safety first:

It is highly important to keep yourself safe, be in your hotel or while travelling. Do not leave your bag and wallets lying around in cafes or public spaces. A crossbody bag is a must for passports and wallets. Keep the emergency contact details in your bag, especially when you're travelling with kids and aged people.
To have an extra layer of safety, look for a general insurance company that provides you with a comprehensive travel cover. This will safeguard you against expenses you might face because of theft, delayed flights, overbooked hotels, etc.

These are a few ways to make your first international trip successful and enjoyable. Do thorough research on the places you want to go, the cost, and your flight timing to avoid long queues. And as mentioned, do not forget to look for a general insurance company that suits your needs for that extra guarantee of a safe trip. First-timers’ trips are always special, and you, too, might want your first international trip to be your best memory.

Click HERE to know more about general insurance 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.

Transport is the lifeline of civilization, and the role of low-cost transportation in a developing country like India is crucial. For a larger section of society in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, cars are non-affordable. Therefore, two-wheelers are an all-time favourite among the middle class who can afford something more sophisticated than a bicycle.

While two-wheelers are necessary for many, poor road conditions, unorganized and rash driving, and traffic rules violations make bikers unsafe. Therefore, it is always important to stay safe on the road, ride with proper safety gear and always wear a helmet. To get additional protection for your two-wheeler, you can purchase 2 wheeler insurance online. Insurance can be of great help to overcome the losses due to mistakes that happen on the roads.

Let's have a look at a few common mistakes to avoid while riding a two-wheeler.

1. Listening to music:
Nowadays, many helmets come equipped with a Bluetooth system, with which you can attend calls. They can also communicate with other riders during a group ride, but many people misuse this feature by listening to music through Bluetooth. Music can be distracting to severe extents. It reduces your alertness, and you compromise with your listening ability too. It is always important to have situational attentiveness when in traffic. You can listen to music on a long trip, but that too on a low volume. Be sure that you are still able to hear the faint noises of other approaching vehicles.

2. Travelling at night:
People try to cover long distances at night to avoid the harsh sun during the day, but it can be hazardous. Riding at night is way more challenging than riding in broad daylight. Naturally, the human biological clock winds down at night, thus, making you feel sleepy. So, if you are not a professional rider, it is highly unsafe for you to ride long distances at night. Try to start early in the morning and ride till midday to cover long distances instead of riding at night.

3. Carrying heavy loads:
People have a habit of using their scooters to transport goods for a short distance which can be dangerous. Not only does it deteriorate the performance of the vehicle in the long run, but also affects the braking mechanism. Riding with more than the gross axle weight compromises the vehicle's ability to stop under panic braking situations. So be sure to check out your vehicle's gross axle weight (GAW) on the manufacturing company's website.

4. Overtaking at a blind curve:
At the blind curves on the road, you can only see a few meters in front of you. In such situations, it is risky to overtake the vehicle ahead of you because you may be unaware of any vehicle approaching from the blind side of the curve.

We all have come across at least one person who has met with an accident while riding a bike. Two-wheelers are convenient and cost-effective, but they are also more prone to accidents. So, be doubly sure to have a valid insurance cover, and if you don't have one, we suggest buying a 2 wheeler insurance online. It will financially back you in case of an accident. Be cautious while riding to have safer journeys!

Planning to buy 2 wheeler insurance online? Click HERE for details.

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 is our lifelong emotional dream to have a home for us. It is where we make the most memories with our families and cherish them for the rest of our lives. So, have you already decided to build your house? Congratulations to you on your decision!

But you can't imagine a piece of land as your home as it requires a lot of planning and proper construction. It is advisable to hire professionals as you will spend your life savings on this one project. In this article, we have put together some suggestions to help you design and construct your house.

1. Decide your budget:
The crucial aspect of constructing your own house is the budget. Your budget should be precise and inclusive of the expenses involved, from laying the bricks to finally stepping into your newly constructed home after completion. Remember, after building your house, you should have enough money to support a comfortable living for your family.

2. List the space requirements:
Have an idea of how many bedrooms you wish to have. What should be the appropriate size of your living room and kitchen? Will you need a separate kid's play area or a pooja room? Listing all the requirements will make the design work hassle-free, and the blueprint of your house can be accordingly finalized.

3. Hire an architect:
Find a good architect by looking at some of the portfolios online to better understand their expertise and intent. Then, make sure that the architect offers you the best suggestions for your house. An architect will,

• Make a few designs for you to select from.

• Supervise construction periodically.

• Check and certify the contractor's bills.

• Prepare structural design, Bill of Quantities (BOQ), cost estimates, drawings for approval to the authority, a tender document with T and Cs.

Always sign a formal contract with the architect specifying responsibilities and payment of the architect and associates.

4. Concept Phase:
Finalize the architectural design and appoint an interior designer if necessary. Based on the designer and finishing, you can get a better idea of the final budget.

5. Detailed design:
The structural engineers and electrical consultants will develop the designs and details based on architectural drawings. So it becomes convenient for these people to arrange for the materials and manage the required manpower. A detailed design also helps decisions regarding the flooring materials, ceramic fixtures, CP, fittings, requirements of light points, internet, ceiling fans, etc.

6. Approval from the authorities:
It is essential to obtain prior approval and sanctions for the drawings prepared by the architect. Make sufficient copies of the drawings as these will be required to get power, water, and sewage connections.

7. Tender phase:
The architect prepares a tender document to get the best prices and shares it with a few contractors. Then, you can meet the contractors to negotiate further and discuss essential points like the date of commencement and completion, terms of payment, any additional requirements, etc.

Once the construction phase gets over, the finishing stage commences. Now, collect all the documents related to the project, such as architectural, structural, and services drawings, warranties, final bills, and other necessary documents.

It feels incredible when you see the steel bars, layers of bricks glued with cement taking the shape of your house. You will feel accomplished by observing your progress because just thinking of building a house is itself a bold decision, and successfully making it is even bolder!

There is much discussion on how to construct your house, but what once it is ready? How will you ensure its security? For this, you can go on the web and search for a 'general insurance online quote' and buy the most suitable home insurance to secure your priceless possession financially.

Planning to buy a new home? Click HERE to check out a home insurance plan suitable for you.

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 start driving, you don't become an expert overnight. For any perfect driver, it takes a good amount of practice every day. Also, for error-free driving, it is necessary to identify and rectify the common driving mistakes. The statistic shows that nearly 98% of the road accidents result from human errors and sheer unawareness. Here are some of the common driving errors that you might be doing ignorantly.

1. Distracted driving:
Most road accidents happen because of our distracted driving. So what are the most common reasons for distraction? Usage of mobile phones while driving tops the list. We feel an urgency to read the message or answer the call immediately that we can't resist it even while driving. But in reality, it's not always the case. We forget the fine line between urgency and emergency and end up committing this small error that can land us in massive trouble while driving.

2. Sitting position and driving posture:
Sometimes your driving pattern harms your body. Getting comfortable in your car with the correct sitting position is necessary. It might affect your back and spine. In addition, your posture can compromise your control over your vehicle, such as pushing the brakes and clutch, which can cause you some trouble.

3. Disobeying/ignoring signal lights:
Now, without getting caught by traffic police, the advancement of CCTV over the roads will burn your pockets when you break the signal. But, we still end up making those silly mistakes like ignoring the yellow/amber signal light. Yellow/amber signal lights are an indicator to "slow down", and when it turns red, you are supposed to "stop". But we prefer to "speed up" so that we don't need to stop and wait at a red light. And that's where most of the car crashing occurs.

4. Unused mirrors/indicators of your vehicle:
The rear-view and side mirrors of your car have some purpose. These mirrors are used to look for the vehicles behind you and on either side of your car.

5. Light indicators while driving:
Lights installed on your vehicle play a vital role in safety. Unfortunately, many of us don't use indicators. It can be unfortunate for you and the vehicles following your car on curvy roads or turnings. It is a good practice to use indicators so that vehicles behind you can be alert and slow down without hitting your car.
Driving with a high beam at night is prone to disaster; it is useful when driving on streets or roads without streetlights. However, it can distract and even blind the other drivers on a two-way road especially.

6. Switching lanes at turns:
Driving and switching lanes is equally dangerous. Start early, if you anticipate some traffic, so that you don't have to indulge in rash driving and over-speeding. Know that life is much more important than the destination you want to reach.

On a conclusive note, we must hold ourselves responsible for ensuring safety on roads. Therefore, practice safe driving and purchase car insurance for more safety of your car and yourself. And timely car insurance renewal is equally necessary for extended protection of your valuable possession.

Are you looking for a renewal of car 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.

Considering the multitude of experiences, travellers all across the globe talk about India being their preferred destination for travel. Blessed with an extensive network of rivers flowing through the interiors of different states, India opens up to exciting river adventures for travel enthusiasts. One such adventure is river rafting, which charges up travellers' adrenaline.

This off-beat experience was introduced to boost India's inbound and domestic tourism, and over the years, it has shown remarkable responses from travellers. Manoeuvering the raft, feeling the roaring waters gushing past, and trusting the fellow rafters is a lifetime experience. Following is the list of places where you can plan to enjoy river rafting.

1. The Ganges, Rishikesh:

Rishikesh is a traveller’s favourite river rafting destination in India. Rafting in Ganga promises you a vast arena of difficulty levels and routes. No matter the level of expertise, you get to experience river rafting for everyone here.
Another benefit of choosing this stretch is the breathtaking views. The Garhwal mountains and the white sand river beaches are some of the most beautiful sites you wouldn’t want to miss out on. Plan to visit this place between September and June.

2. Barapole, Coorg:

This river in the southern part of Karnataka circles the Deccan Plateau and is one of the best river rafting fronts in South India. However, the route here is not for the faint-hearted as it is incredibly challenging and covers a stretch of about one hundred and fifty kilometres. July to September is the best time to visit Coorg.

3. Spiti, Himachal:

This stretch of one hundred and eighty kilometres spans between the Tuting region and reaches up to Pasighat. Rafting is spread over six days. What makes it worth the experience is the scenic views of villages and a closer look at the local life of the area. Tourists throng the place during July and August.

4. Kundalika, Maharashtra:

Kundalika is considered to be one of the fastest flowing rivers. River rafting here is open throughout the year. Kundalika is close to Pune and Mumbai, making it ideal for weekend getaways with family and friends. The green views and the rich rice fields are sure to be an experience and worth remembering.

5. Beas, Kullu Manali:

A relatively short route between Pirdi and Jhiri, the river rafting here covers a distance of about 14 kilometres. However, the rapids here can be challenging to manoeuver, but the scenery of the Beas makes it a must-visit place when in Kullu. The rafting is open between July and September.

6. Indus, Ladakh:

Indus hosts many river rafting spots, all of which are open for beginners. It offers spectacular courses and locations such as the Grand Canyon of Asia or the Zanskar canyon, the beautiful Ladakh skies, etc. The best season starts from July and goes on up to September.

Now that you have seen the list of places that host spectacular river rafting experiences in the country, get ready to plan your next trip to these places to feel the thrill. Whether going with family or friends or travelling solo, always keep safety your priority. Follow all the instructions carefully and make the optimum use of the safety gears provided to you. A little negligence can be fatal, and don't let carelessness spoil all your fun.

Take that extra mile towards safety and look for general insurance online quote to add value to your trips. Stay protected against all the additional costs you might face during your journey and are compensated for any damage or loss to your luggage. Ensure a safe touring experience with Magma HDI's insurance coverage.

Click HERE to know more about general insurance online quote.

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.

The concept of "no time" gradually becomes an excuse for most urban populations not to exercise at all. The long working hours and corporate lifestyle has made life more stressful than before. The hectic schedules leave little or no time for us to go to the gym for workouts.

Remove the idea that hitting the gym is the only way to have a good physique and a healthy life. Instead, take out just 25 minutes from your daily schedule to do some easy workout exercises to fit.

Here is an exercise plan for you that you can practice without the need for any extra weight other than your body weight.

Warm-Up Exercises

Warm-up is crucial before starting any exercise or physical activity to avoid the possibility of serious injuries. You may include the following exercise in your warm-up routine;

• On spot jog

• On spot jumps

• Knee to chest stretch

• Heel to butt stretch

• Side bends (both sides)

• Forward bend

• Arm and wrist circling

After a good warm-up, it's time to go all-in.

1. Chin-ups (Trains your back and arm strength) –
Directions: You can either purchase a chin-up bar or simply use a structure or a solid beam in your home for doing chin-ups. Place your arms at shoulder width on the bar to get a proper grip for performing the exercise. Hold yourselves at the upward position for 30 seconds, and then gently lower yourself. You've just finished one rep; buckle up for the next!

2. Squats (Trains your Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes):
Directions: Keep your feet hip-width apart, and all of your hips, knees, and toes should be pointing forward. Bend your knees and stretch your buttocks outward as if you were preparing to sit on a chair. Make sure your knees are not crossing your toes, and your weight is on your heels. Rise and repeat the process by maintaining the proper posture and focusing on your breathing.

3. Push-ups (Trains your Triceps, Pectoral muscles, Shoulders):
Directions: Push-ups are the most effective exercise in a workout segment. To do a push-up, get down on your arms and legs, position your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Then, straighten your arms and legs and go down till the point where your chest touches the floor.

You should feel that tightness in your triceps, chest, and shoulders. But, it is important to manage your breathing pattern during a push-up. When going down, take a deep breath, and release it when coming back up.

Complete as many repetitions as possible in 45 seconds for each exercise. Once time is up, take a 1-2 minutes break before starting round 2. Then, complete a couple of rounds of the whole set, and don't forget to stretch nicely after a good workout session.

To sum it up, practice these home exercises and encourage your family members to do them for at least 25 minutes a day. The results will be slow, but they’ll be evident. Also, we suggest you have a health insurance plan that serves as additional protection and a safety net for you and your family.

Click HERE to know about the best health 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.

Basketball is a lesser-talked-about sport in India, but it has seen an increasing number of people investing time in it. The enthusiasm of spectators is overwhelming, making this sport popular. Basketball can be one of the most physically demanding activities. If you are looking to start investing your time to this sport, this article will help you figure out the dos and don'ts of basketball.

1. Buying good shoes:

This is a no-brainer as any sport you play would require you to buy a pair of good shoes. Wearing the wrong size or one with no cushioning can lead to various injuries to the ankle. Buy shoes with proper cushioning and good ankle support while also keeping in mind the shoe's weight. Appropriate shoes are important for basketball players to obtain the optimum leg movement and lift to score baskets.

2. Warm-up:

A good game of basketball can be highly straining and exhausting. Warming up is an excellent way to prepare your muscles and joints for intense physical actions. It also helps reduce the chances of injuries and decreases the efficiency of various body parts. Jogging, jumping jacks, and skipping are some of the best warm-up exercises to prepare you for basketball.

3. Shooting practice:

Basketball is all about getting the ball in the hoop. Shooting from various positions and angles will help you understand the distance and the power you need to throw the ball. Understanding your shooting ranges is vital to ensure you perform well under pressure situations. Start shooting practice within the three-point line and work your way outwards to the half-court.

4. Dribbling:

One common mistake that beginners make is dribbling with their dominant hand. It is important to have command over the ball with both your hands. This is to ensure that in case you are up against a player from the opposing team, you are capable of making a switch between your hands without having to let go of the ball.
During the warm-up, one way to practice this is to try to dribble along the course of your jogging track. Dribble using your dominant hand using the first lap, switch to the non-dominant hand in the next lap and keep switching between the hands in the third lap. Repeating this cycle will ensure a good command over the ball.

5. Jumping:

Be it to defend the ball, collect rebounds, or make a go for the loop, jumping can not be ignored. Various jumping activities such as vertical jump training, jumping jacks, burpees, linear jumps, and rebounding are good ways to ensure flexibility and firm footing. At the same time, stretches effectively increase the height and the general mobility of the entire body.

6. Correct coaching:

Basketball is a team sport and taking note of how your fellow players perform and understanding their skills is vital if you want to improve your techniques. Another benefit of training alongside players is developing a good instinct for the game. It will give you a better insight into the body movements of other players, thus helping you in analysing and predicting the next move. If you intend on taking this sport, training under a coach's guidance will help you understand various tips and tricks associated with the game.

These are a few things you need to keep in mind if you wish to master the game of basketball.
Dedicate a considerable amount of time to practice. However, over-exerting your body can have other long-term implications, so it is also essential to take breaks now and then. If you consider basketball as part of your everyday fitness schedule, investing in personal accident insurance India would be beneficial. Personal accident insurance is an intelligent way to safeguard yourself in case of any accidents or injuries you might face while playing the game. Don’t let injuries hold you back, live your passion and make every moment count!

Click HERE to know more about personal accident 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.

Work-related stress is a significant public health issue affecting a massive population of people doing desk jobs. And, yoga has proved to be an effective way to manage this stress. Even the simplest forms of yoga and meditation can help you melt away the majority of your stress.

To raise awareness for well-being, International Yoga Day on the 21 June has become very popular in recent years. More and more people now understand the benefits of this three-thousand-year-old practice. Both meditation and yoga are increasingly finding their way into the corporate world as these small healthy practices performed on the desk can be a lifesaver. The rising demand for workplace health has created a greater priority for corporates to focus on the art of living, yoga, and other mindful activities in offices.

But why do companies care about employee well-being?
Good physical and mental health can result in efficiency and greater job satisfaction at the workplace. Also, studies have pointed out that poor employee healthcare is costing a massive loss to the companies. Hence, companies are adopting wellness programs to cut down medical leaves, paid health insurance policies, and other expenses related to health services. When employees are healthy, they can perform better and contribute more to the organization.

One might even think, why not just buy everyone a stress-relieving toy? It would save company's time and money, right? Well, that is not the complete solution. Here, yoga and meditation stand out from everything else; it has multiple benefits that make it a good choice as a stress reliever. A few of the benefits of yoga are listed below.

Improved concentration: Often a busy schedule including endless meetings, deadlines, unlimited calls and emails to answer can create chaos in your mind, which affects your focus on tasks and prevents you from making intelligent decisions. Yoga and meditation can effectively help you stop these unnecessary noises in your brain meddling with your productivity and freeing the mind clutter.

It is not always necessary to physically visit your 'silent corner or happy place'; just a quick mental trip can do the job for you. For example, many yoga practices increase the blood circulation in our body, which improves the brain function for a sharp and focused mind.

Prevents burnouts: Working round the clock is bound to create a feeling of tiredness, which lowers energy levels and burnouts in the long run. We recommend doing any sort of physical activity like stretching or even standing every 30 minutes because it significantly increases your blood circulation and oxygenation rate, which are both highly crucial to energy production. Yoga stretches help to get your heart pumping and blood flowing.

Taking deep breaths and filling your lungs with fresh air can help your anxious mind find some peace and comfort.

Do you think everyone needs yoga? If only a few people are stressed out, will it affect others too? To answer your question, yes! Stressed employees are more likely to be agitated and irritated, which disrupts the peace in the office and negatively affects the work environment causing everyone to be less motivated. A harmonious workplace is necessary to achieve excellence as productivity increases when employees are collaborative and willing to help.

Companies are driving health campaigns in their premises to promote a healthy work environment by encouraging everyone to do yoga and meditation. The corporate sector also makes investments in online health insurance for employees to secure their finances during a health crisis.

Encouraging employees to take ten minutes out of their work hours to practice a few stretches and breathing exercises can help create an active, less stressed, and supportive system that is far more productive and cost-efficient for organizations. So follow this mantra and see the magic happen!

Are you looking for good and cost-effective online health insurance plans for all your employees? 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.