GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Monsoon is here, giving us the perfect opportunity to take ourselves out on a drive and snack at roadside eateries. But it also brings the many challenges of navigating through heavy rain, congested roads, and low visibility. Adding to that are the fogged windscreens making driving more challenging on the roads.

When a relatively warmer surface comes in contact with a cold surface, it gives rise to fog or mist. The cold surface of the windscreen forms tiny condensation particles and fogs up the surface obstructing the vision for both the driver and the co-passenger.

A foggy window should not be the reason to dampen your monsoon spirits, which is why, in this article, we will take a look at all tips and tricks that you can follow to ensure a fog-free windscreen for a better driving experience.

1. Invest in a good quality defogger:
As the name suggests, it is used to defog the car windscreen. A defogger uses the air conditioning to draw air from outside the vehicle and passes through a heater to produce hot air. This air can be directed to the area that requires demisting or defogging. Many cars facilitate the defogging targetted towards the front and back windshield.

2. Turn on the air conditioner:
The basic principle behind using an air conditioner is its function as a dehumidifier. An air conditioner helps with removing the moisture inside the car. Manage the temperature on the air conditioner in such a way that the temperature inside the car and outside the car is similar. The AC can then draw air from outside. After this, you can turn on the heater to effectively clear the fog.

3. Crack open the window:
Most modern cars are equipped with a defogger and an AC. If you drive an old car, or your AC and defogger are not working correctly, you might have to consider an alternative.
In these circumstances, your next best alternative is to crack open the window slightly to facilitate the free flow of air. Another way to ensure no fog on the windscreen is by switching on the wipers while keeping the windows open since the fogging happens mainly on the outer surface of the windshield.

4. Use silica balls:
The fogging inside your car happens because of water droplets and condensation from the humid air. Without humidity, there are almost no chances of fogging. Keeping silica balls handy and placing them on the dashboard is a cost-effective alternative to ensure no humidity. Silica balls absorb water from their surroundings, maintaining the interiors fresh and moisture-free.

These were a list of simple yet efficient tips to follow if you face foggy windows during the monsoon drives. Foggy windows can be dangerous and cause severe accidents due to lack of visibility. These simple tips are essential to have a safe driving experience. Another way to ensure their safety is by investing in online motor insurance. Online motor insurance acts as a safety net against expenses you might incur in post care for your vehicle. Enjoy the perks of buying online by getting better premiums, faster claims, and less processing time.

Click HERE to buy online motor 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.

How often are we stuck behind people scared to use the escalators, or are we the ones scared of escalators? Getting on the escalator can be daunting the first few times, but once you get the hang of it, it is easy and a more convenient way to traverse different floors. If you are worried about escalator safety, this article is just for you.

We will talk about everything you need to take care of around an escalator to make it easier and safer for you. Before understanding the safety measures, let’s examine some key points concerning an escalator.

How does an escalator work?
A set of interlocking steps looped around a pair of gears is made to rotate so that each step oscillates between different building levels.

What are the different parts of an escalator?
Inlet guards: A protective guard made of rubber that fits on the handrail to avoid fingers or other parts from getting caught in the handrail opening.
Operating panel: Switches that operate the functionalities of an escalator located near the boarding and landing parts of the escalator.
Sprocket: The wheels installed at the lower and upper parts attached to the steps are known as sprockets.
Truss: The support system of the entire escalator is known as a truss.
Balustrade: The part of the escalator that goes beyond the steps, including the guards, panels, handrails, and the deck board, is known as the balustrade.

What are the common escalator hazards?

1. Contacting the moving parts:
It is imperative to ensure that all the mechanical parts are adequately covered and are inaccessible to people. Little children tend to touch or hold the moving parts, crush their fingers, or scrape the surface altogether. Remember to hold on to the railings lined with the rubber casing and leave the railing as soon as you reach the standing deck on the escalator.
Don’t use phones or being distracted while on the escalator to avoid accidents. If you are with kids, be mindful and tell them beforehand about the dangers of touching the different moving parts of the escalator. Before getting on to the escalator, check that your shoe strings are tied properly to avoid getting caught between the steps.

2. Collision:
Leave a gap of at least one step between yourself and others on the escalator. Sometimes, people can take longer to get on or off the escalator, raising the chances of a collision. Never place your shopping bags on the stairs ahead or behind you.
This can create confusion and lead to a crash. If you have a lot of bags, it is best to keep them on the same level as yours so you can easily remove the bags off the escalator before getting down.

3. Step carefully:
Before stepping onto the escalator, ensure it is moving in the same direction you want. Step carefully onto the moving band. One key rule to remember is to avoid standing in lines on the escalator. These lines separate into different steps as you move forward and might lead you to topple over to the back.

These are a few things that you need to keep in mind before boarding an escalator. If you are with kids or older adults, hold their hands so that they can keep their balance. If you see elderly people trying to get onto the escalator, offer a helping hand. Escalator accidents are familiar sights in crowded areas but being mindful of your surroundings will keep you safe.

All that said, these situations can be completely unpredictable, and it is best to safeguard yourself in these circumstances with the best personal accident insurance policy in India. Personal accident insurance is the safety net you deserve to help yourself and your loved ones cover the costs of any accidents.

Click HERE to buy the best personal accident insurance policy 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.

Your bike is probably your favourite asset. Everything from grocery runs to those weekend trips; your bike is always at your beck and call. But what if someday, your bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere? What will you do? Your bike could break down for various reasons such as your battery dying, punctured tyre, malfunctioning brakes, etc.

A vehicle breakdown can be one of the most panic-inducing situations, and keeping your mind together to find a solution becomes challenging. Not only does it leave you stranded, but it also compromises your safety and makes you more susceptible to mugging and robbery.

Let's discuss a few things you need to do in case of a bike breakdown and how to avoid panic and confusion.

1. Move to a safe location:
Your vehicle generally gives you signs of breakdown way before it happens. Driving towards a safe spot is best if you feel like your bike might give up soon. Bus stops, supermarkets, and petrol pumps are some examples of safe spots that you can opt for. If your vehicle has already died out on you, you might have to push the vehicle further.
The main idea behind locating a safe location is to ensure your safety. You have to stay away from traffic to avoid a collision. You can also call your mechanic or service provider for immediate assistance once you are away from the road.

2. Secure the bike:
After reaching a safe spot, shut the engine off. If you can understand the issue, you can take the necessary action. However, if you don't know the problem, keeping a safe distance from your bike is best. However, stay close enough to have a clear view of the bike. Remember to keep your RC, driving licence, and all the other essential documents handy with you at all times.

3. Stay visible:
It is best to keep yourself visible to other pedestrians and commuters if a breakdown happens at night. Use blinkers or hazard lights. Whenever riding at night, it is best to wear high-visibility jackets. Use anything readily available around you, such as signs or cloth, to use as flags or signals for others.

4. Tools and repairs:
A repair kit comes extremely handy in case of a tyre puncture, dead battery, or failed brake system. Learn to use tools so that you can fix the basic issues that your bike might be facing. Fixing a tyre, jumpstarting a bike in case of a dead battery, etc., are skills that will be helpful in situations like these.

5. Invest in two-wheeler insurance:
The breakdown is one of the situations that help us understand the true value of insurance policies. Before embarking on trips, ensure to buy two wheeler insurance online India and regularly keep it up-to-date. Look for options that give you roadside assistance.
Under this cover, your insurance provider is bound to bring help to you wherever you are and help with the repair and movement of the vehicle from the site to the service centre. Getting roadside assistance strengthens your overall insurance policy and safeguards you against situations like these.

These were a list of all things you need to do if your bike breaks down in the middle of a road. As mentioned, it is imperative to keep yourself away from traffic and call for help as soon as possible. Talk to your insurance provider to understand the next steps that need to be taken and ensure the validity of your two wheeler insurance online India. With these things in mind, you can avoid panic and keep yourself and your bike safe.

Click HERE to buy two wheeler insurance online 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.

Have you ever wondered what an astounding invention your automobile is? How smoothly it moves across the roads and takes a U-turn with grace is truly mesmerising. Let’s unravel some interesting facts about cars that you might have heard or might be learning for the first time.

1. Do you know about 1 billion cars are plying on the roads currently? This number is only expected to double in the next 20 years, with the increasing usage of vehicles on the street. That means, if you get out of your house at any given point of the day, you are sure to spot at least 100 cars in 10 minutes hurtling down the roads going on with their busy days.

2. Have you seen those old cartoons where a car runs upside down at unbelievable speeds? Well, it’s not unbelievable anymore! This reality has been achieved by supercars and Formula 1 cars with modern technology. Theoretically, a formula 1 car could easily be driven upside down at high speeds.
While experimenting with this remarkable phenomenon, the critical calculation is the optimum speed required to produce enough traction with the road surface, so you don’t fall off due to gravity. You might have to maintain a speed of 130 miles per hour, or you could go right back down!

3. Most people have a fear of travelling by planes. The dire news flashes about the various plane crashes and the massive casualties do not help. But it’s shocking to note that the probability of getting killed in a plane crash is much lower than in a car accident. The odds of dying in a plane crash is 1 in 11 million, which is ludicrous compared to the 1 in 5000 in car crashes.

4. Do you sometimes imagine being an astronaut, going on the moon, and spacewalking to your heart’s desire? It is a far-fetched dream for most, but an interesting fact is that if you could ignore all the rules of physics for a month and drive a reasonable 100 km per hour, you would cover the distance to the moon in your sweet ride.

5. For those who have a hard time staying under the speed limit and crave a little thrill while driving, the first speeding ticket was issued in 1902 to a person driving at a scandalous speed of 70 km per hour.

6. A heartwarming fact for nature activists is that nearly 80 per cent of an average car is recyclable. This means that there is significantly less plastic waste generated by the automobile industry, as automotive recycling is one of the biggest industries in the world at the moment.

7. It seems ridiculous that people once used to have horse carriages instead of cars. What is even more interesting to note, however, is the fact that cars have evolved from horse carriages. For instance, a dashboard in the olden times would prevent the driver from getting muddy by the horse’s trotting!

8. Ethanol, used as car fuel, is made directly from sugarcane.

9. How often have you been frustrated about your car breaking down in the middle of the road? It seems almost understandable when you know that a car has nearly 30000 unique parts! It’s a miracle it doesn’t break down more often. So, it is undoubtedly best to research and buy car insurance online to stay stress-free about your vehicle.

10. A woman by the name of Mary Anderson invented the windshield wipers in 1902 and was soon granted a patent.

For many, the car is simply a means of commuting. But for car enthusiasts, their car means much more and is nothing less than a family member. But with the constant hustle and bustle of city life, it becomes tough to maintain your car as it’s supposed to. Regular servicing and maintenance are required to keep your car in the best shape.

Insurance is the best way to manage your finances efficiently, from ensuring the fitness of each mechanical part to the overall appeal of the car. Switch to digital transactions and buy car insurance online to avoid a hole in your wallet due to these expenses. You just need to regularly check your insurance policy and keep it up-to-date to prevent the policy from getting terminated.

Click HERE to buy car 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.