GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Driving a car can be one of the most joyous and liberating feelings in the world. Cruising through the roads, being in control and manoeuvring your vehicle is sure to give you a sense of euphoria. While many of us master the art of driving effortlessly within a short period, others might take a considerable amount. The important thing to remember is that developing driving skills is a matter of experience.

In this article, we will discuss a few ways to develop your driving abilities and become a skilled driver.

1. Understanding how your car works:
An expert driver should be able to manoeuvre every car. But as a start, before you can take your vehicle out, understand its mechanisms and how it responds to adverse weather conditions. This will help you manage your car better if presented with any circumstance that you have had no prior experience with.

2. Configure the mirrors:
Mirrors should perform their intended functions. Knowing what mirror angle works best for you is crucial. Set your mirrors so that the sides of the chassis are not visible anymore. Upon setting up the mirrors the right way, you can reduce the blind spots significantly.

3. Turn signals:
Many people often neglect to use the indicators. However, it is vital to understand that the turn signals are not for you. They alert other people behind or around you about your next move. Warning others will help reduce accidents or crashes on the road.

4. Keep a margin:
This might seem futile when you are traversing through slow-moving and congested traffic. However, leaving a margin between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is necessary when you are driving fast on an empty road. This helps avoid potential crashes in case of a sudden brake by the person ahead of you. A thumb rule to follow is the 10-second rule. Keep a checkpoint for reference and note the time the vehicle ahead of you passes this point. Ensure that your vehicle follows with a gap of 10 seconds.

5. Be responsible towards others:
When talking about good driving skills, one of the most neglected factors is the responsibility towards others. Being empathetic towards others on the road is the trademark of a good driver. Unnecessary honking, not adhering to speed limits, not warning the other drivers, etc., can lead to agitation and even accidents. Being calm during such situations can go a long way.

6. Practice night driving:
Traversing through night traffic can be challenging the first few times. Instead of taking your car at night during heavy traffic hours, start practising on relatively empty roads to get comfortable with the headlights from the opposite vehicles. Understand the rules of alerting fellow drivers during the night and stick to them.

These are a few ways in which you can improve your driving skills. Being confident and practising adds to your experience and makes you a better driver. As a beginner, handling a 3000-pound motor can seem daunting. Keep in mind that being intimidated is entirely normal. Start with open grounds and slowly make your way into heavy traffic roads.

Another thing to consider is that sometimes, accidents might happen due to the negligence of fellow drivers or some unexpected situations. To help you rest easy, consider buying motor and personal accident insurance. Personal accident insurance covers all the expenses you will face in case of an accident and compensates for your losses.

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.

A significant issue prevailing in the minds of drivers and car commuters while driving on the roads is their safety. You should drive safely to avoid the chance of any mishap, as it is rightly said that precaution is better than cure. Wearing seat belts while driving is crucial to lessen the impact of accidents if ever you meet with one. Cars today have mandatory regulations and systems about wearing your seat belts. Many vehicles have alert signs and sounds that do not stop until the driver and the co-passenger have put on their seat belts.

Different types of people might sit in your car. Sometimes, kids might wipe their hands or gnaw on the seat belts, getting them dirty. The dirt and dust might affect the material, and they could begin to smell or have developing infectious germs.

Do you want to clean your seatbelts but find it complex and confusing to figure out how and what ingredients to use? Don't worry. This blog discusses some of the best tips to clean your car's seat belts.

1. Separate the parts:
To clean the seat belts properly, calmly separate the parts without damaging them. You can remove the buckles and other buttons using a screwdriver. Separating the components makes it easier to access the stains or dirty areas and work to make them clean.

2. Pull:
It would be best to pull out the seat belt entirely until it becomes stiff and cannot be pulled anymore. This will ensure a thorough inspection and cleaning.

3. Clip it up:
You can use clamps or paper clips to ensure that the seat belt does not retract back. This helps in easier accessibility during the cleaning process. You can place the clamp near the reel (where the rest of the seatbelt part is stored).

4. Inspect for corrosion:
The steel portions of the seat belt can rust over time. You can use steel wool to polish the steel buckle of the seatbelt.

5. Identify the dirtiest spots:
Use a degreaser and spray it to identify the stains on the seatbelts. After identifying the spots, you can clean them softly, avoiding the risks of damaging the material of the belts.

6. Materials you should use:
Do not use sharp objects for a light dusting of the seatbelts. It may damage the materials causing the seat belts to wear out. Microfiber cloths are your best option for dusting or wiping the seat belts after a proper cleanup using water and detergent.

7. Recommended ingredients for thorough cleaning:
Make a water mixture with distilled vinegar and dish soap (liquid). Vinegar has antibacterial properties and eliminates foul odour. Dish soap cleans the stains and spots gently of the seat belt. The mixture prevents the possibility of bacteria and moulds.

8. Dry the belts:
Let the belt dry before letting it retract back into the reel. If the belt stays wet, it can cause fungus development on the material, leading to infection, bad smells, etc. Leave the car open and let the seat belts dry.

You can use a brush with tiny stiff bristles to remove the stains and sweat spots that require deep cleaning for removal.

Along with cleaning the seat belts and maintaining other parts of your car, a wise option would be to be prepared for unprecedented circumstances. While you can control the cleaning and maintenance process, the possibilities of mishaps are not under anyone's control.

It is wise to stay monetarily stress-free by exploring your options and purchasing car insurance India. Car insurance is a wise investment that can guarantee you healthy returns during emergencies. Understand your requirements and accordingly browse and choose a plan offering the best benefits with a reasonable premium.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy car 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.

Be it the snow-capped mountains in the North or the golden sands of the Sahara in the West, India promises something for everybody and provides a wide variety of landscapes, flora and fauna. The country also hosts a wide array of activities like paragliding, surfing, trekking etc., to adventure seekers. However, in this article, we will discuss one of the lesser talked about activities, which is bird watching.

Bird watching is not just limited to spotting birds. It also gives you a better opportunity to explore nature, trees and other aspects of nature. Over the past years, owing to the growing number of endangered bird species, India has dedicated various sanctuaries for birds. These sanctuaries host a mixture of domestic and migratory birds.

Bird watching demands patience and perseverance, but the result is rewarding and exhilarating. Bird watching tours can be an excellent way to enjoy your vacations while indulging in new knowledge activities.

Let’s look at a few places in India that promise an impeccable bird watching experience.

1. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat:
Rann of Kutch sees about 300 different species of birds around the year. It is one of the largest breeding grounds for the Lesser Flamingo. Thousands of flamingos are seen flying together, making the skies a beautiful shade of pink. Short-eared owl, Syke’s lark, Greater Flamingo, Great White Pelican are just a few of the many birds that you will spot here.

2. Keoladeo national park, Rajasthan:
The Keoladeo national park is India’s most famous bird-watching site. It is located in the Bharatpur bird sanctuary and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small area of about 29 sq km is the feeding ground for over 400 different bird species. The wetlands have naturally formed earthen mounts to provide perching spots for birds to feed on fish and other aquatic species. The best time to visit is between December and February when migratory birds visit the sanctuary.

3. Kaziranga national park, Assam:
Famously known for its one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga also hosts various species of birds. Kaziranga is famous for its unmatched ecological importance. The Brahmaputra flows alongside the area making the river basin a basis for all life in the region. It has also been identified as IBA or Important Bird Area as it hosts a multitude of birds such as Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Cinnamon Bittern etc.

4. Nainital, Uttarakhand:
In the Kumaon region of West Central Himalayas, one can see a wide range of different flora and fauna. Nainital is home to over 250 Himalayan bird species. The best time to visit is anywhere between November to May. Few species one can spot in Nainital are Chestnut-headed Laughingthrush, Cheer Pheasant, Greater Yellownape, etc. You can experience several walking trails for bird watching here.

5. Chilika Lake, Odisha:
Chilika bird sanctuary in Odisha is one of the most extensive winter grounds for migratory birds. It hosts some of the unique species, such as Purple Moorhen. It also hosts one of the largest breeding grounds for flamingos. The best time to visit is between October to March.

These are a few of the many opportunities you can consider to enjoy bird watching for your next vacation. As mentioned above, bird watching can seem like a tedious exercise, but the results are mesmerising. Keep in mind that you must always carry food, water, and first aid while going birding, as most of these spots are inside jungles or above hills.

Traversing through these terrains might present itself with certain challenges as well. Another essential thing to consider is to invest in general insurance plans before planning to travel. General insurance is sure to add value to your experience while also acting as a safety net for any unforeseen expenses you might face during your trip.

Click HERE to know more about general 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 house is a lifelong dream for most, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Analysing the market, arranging the funds, making remodelling decisions and getting house insurance takes a lot of time and research. However, renting a house is no picnic either.

Looking for the perfect house, checking out the neighbourhood, ensuring safety, inspecting the amenities, budget, shifting, agreements, meeting the landlord, etc., are significant factors that need to be considered before making a final decision.

Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you need to get insurance. Owner's and renter's insurance have different terms and conditions, and the policies are structured accordingly.

Are you confused between the two and find it challenging to figure out their differences? Let's understand the difference between the policy of homeowners and renters with specific pointers to help you find a suitable policy for you.

1. Coverage:
While homeowner's insurance covers the building, garage and other structural amenities, the renter's insurance covers your personal belongings and property. The landlord is supposed to have insurance cover for the building.

2. Coverage cost:
The homeowner's insurance covers the cost of your home in case of a complete loss. Additionally, it also covers personal property like jewellery, appliances, apparel, etc., that gets damaged or becomes completely irretrievable due to the circumstances. On the other hand, renter's insurance only covers the replacement cost for your lost or stolen possessions on the property. It does not cover any damaged or destroyed possessions.

3. Price:
Given the coverage, it is understandable that renter's insurance is cheaper than homeowner’s. This varies due to the renter's insurance's limited scope as compared to the homeowner's.

4. Factors that are considered:
The factors that decide the price of the homeowner's policy include the type of property, the amount of personal property you need coverage for, location, etc.
For renter's insurance, the amount of personal property coverage and the area you live in are considered essential factors determining the price.

5. Other liabilities:
Homeowner's insurance incorporates personal liability coverage. This covers the legal fees if someone gets injured on your property. The homeowner's and renter's insurance cover living expenses if you need alternative accommodation solutions due to house damage, disasters, fire, etc. If you or someone else gets injured in your home, your insurance will cover their medical expenses too.

6. Which one do you need:
Renters need to verify that they get renters insurance, medical coverage and a personal liability policy. Several homeowners take renters insurance to avoid further hassle and disputes about financial loss.

In the case of renting out your property, you need to ensure that the homeowner's insurance has adequate coverage and doesn't lead to any confusion or disputes. You can always check with your insurance agent before renting out your property, whether it's a small space or a lavish villa.

Insuring your home is paramount. Never skip on the benefits that home insurances offer. Browse through different plans and purchase the best house insurance India. Make a smart investment, and rest assured.

Click HERE to know more about house 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.