GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

For regular people, bikes are only a form of commute. But for passionate bikers, riding is a rejuvenating, refreshing, and therapeutic experience.

Chances are, you may have never heard of the benefits of bike riding and only the dangers, especially from your parents. However, various studies show how bike rides can reduce stress and enhance cerebral functions. Riding has numerous other health benefits that you may have overlooked till now.

Let us now look at the physical and mental health benefits of riding.

1. Interacting with the environment:
When you go for a drive in your car, you are confined inside it. Although there is a window, people usually do not pull it down because of the AC or dust coming from outside. But, on a bike, you are out in the open with the wind blowing in your face. You can directly connect with your surroundings. You are closer to the trees and the essence of fresh air. An experience like this is undoubtedly bound to reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Core strength and stability:
When you are riding a bike, even just to the grocery store, you have to keep yourself upright. Maintaining correct posture while riding can enhance core strength, improve muscle tone and help keep the body in shape.

3. Calorie burn:
Did you know you could burn calories while bike riding? A one-hour motorcycle ride is estimated to burn about 200-300 calories if travelling on rugged terrain. So, to put things into perspective, if you ride a bike for one hour 5 days a week, you could lose 65,000 calories in a year.

4. Reflex enhancing:
Bikes are considered more dangerous than cars, and it’s because you need to be extra aware of your surroundings while riding a motorcycle than in a car. You need to be alert at all times, resulting in the riders developing good reflexes and improved brain alertness.

5. Neck strength:
If you are a neck and back pain victim, you will be thrilled with this benefit. Riding can improve your neck strength and is almost like therapy for your neck and back. However, for this, you need to make sure that your bike is fit for your body.

Bike riding is undoubtedly fun. Even if you are not a regular biker, riding in the open air once in a while can truly revitalize you from within. It can be a refreshing experience after a hectic day at work. Bike trips are an excellent way of connecting yourselves to new people and surroundings. The more you ride, the more you get to explore new dimensions of yourselves.

But, it is essential to be a responsible biker and ensure that you ride with the proper gear and required documents. Safety is paramount, and the same applies to your bike. As life insurance covers you for damages, your motorcycle needs ideal bike insurance coverage for its comprehensive security. So, before hopping on your bike, make sure that you have protected your asset with the shield of insurance.

Click HERE to get details about different bike 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.

Moving to a new house can be an exciting change. And downsizing to a smaller place is beneficial for many reasons, including saving money and getting rid of unused space. However, it can be a challenge to decide which things to take with you and which to give away. If you get emotionally attached to your possessions, this kind of a move may be difficult for you. It's good to have a few tips up your sleeve for an efficient and clutter-free move.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while downsizing your house.

1. Give away or throw away:
One of the effective ways to make room in your new smaller house is by giving or throwing away the items that are no longer in use. For example, if you still have your primary school books or old clothes, you could donate them to the needy. For things that you cannot give away, you can recycle or simply throw them away.

2. Avoid renting storage units:
Storage units can be a great place for storing items when you do not have enough space in your house. They allow you to keep things you no longer use or need. However, before renting one, ask yourself whether you really need it and if you are willing to pay its rent for the next ten years. Remember one rule: if you have not used the item in the last year, you do not require it anymore.

3. Measure out your new space:
It is advisable to measure the dimensions of each room and other vital spaces of your new home. Make sure to get accurate measurements to eliminate any unnecessary furniture that won't fit. Try to manage and utilize the available space smartly to avoid any issues in adjusting to the new environment.

4. Make money for your move:
If you have numerous items that you do not need but can still be used by other people, you can set up a neighbourhood garage sale or resell them online. Create advertisements to generate awareness about your shop.

5. Avoid additional costs:
When you downsize to a smaller house, it can be tempting to buy new furniture that would go with your new place. However, this can cost a hefty amount of money. Think of how you can make the best use of your current furniture, and if you must purchase new things, aim to buy used ones whenever possible.

Setting up a few rules and focusing on what you need and do not need can make your move easier. While you're at it, it might be wise to re-evaluate your home insurance policy. Investing in the best home insurance policy in India will provide you with protection and safety in your new place. If you already have an insurance plan, don't forget to inform the firm about the change in your address to ensure you continue to receive the benefits.

Click HERE to protect your new home with a layer of best home 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.

When you go out for a drive, hearing your tyre burst is the last thing you want. It can lead to a deadly accident. Many companies have now introduced tubeless tyres to reduce the chances of a blowout. However, there is very minimal time to control your bike if one does happen.

Since time is of the essence in such emergencies, it is important to know exactly what you need to do. So before going on your next ride, make sure you go through the following tips on controlling your bike after a tyre burst.

1. Do not hit the brakes instantly:
Whenever something goes wrong while driving or when we sense an emergency on the road, our natural instinct is to hit the brakes. However, this is not the universal solution to all emergencies. When you press the brakes suddenly, you may be thrown off your bike into the oncoming traffic.
If you are travelling at high speeds, more than 90 kmph, applying brakes suddenly can result in dangerous situations. Pressing brakes at high speeds can make the vehicle wobble, causing you to lose control of it. Instead, you should try rolling on the bike without using the brakes at all.

2. Maintain appropriate speed:
Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents occurring on the road. When you go over the speed, say, more than 100 kmph, you are more likely to face a nasty collision in case of a tyre burst.
The chances of safely coming to a halt on time are much higher when travelling at slow/safe speeds. On the other hand, speeding will make your bike uncontrollable during a tyre burst and reduce or eliminate the chances of recovery afterwards.

3. Use engine braking:
If you have a bike with good engine braking, you can use that to slow down your vehicle instead of hitting the brakes. When your bike suffers a tyre burst, shift down the gears and accelerate using engine braking to slow down gradually. By this method, your bike will not suffer from the shock of sudden braking, and the chances of losing control of your bike will reduce significantly.

4. Keep your bike straight:
When experiencing a tyre burst, there isn't much time to avoid an accident or think about directions. However, to save yourself, you should try to keep your bike straight and steady. Turning the motorcycle or veering can worsen the situation.

Of course, if there is a danger zone in front of you, making a turn is the only choice. However, do this with acute linearity because a sudden directional change can unbalance the bike and result in a mishap.

Accidents are unpredictable and can happen when we least expect them. Keeping a check on your bike and conducting regular maintenance can prevent an unexpected tyre burst. In addition to it, secure yourself and bike in such uncertain times through individual accident insurance. Ride safe so that you enjoy riding your bike again!

Click HERE to buy the best individual accident 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.

A driving test can be one of the biggest challenges for many. The exam can elevate multiple emotions and increase your stress about the final results. However, getting your driver’s licence and getting out on the road is a joyful feeling.

To help you pass the test with ease, here are a few tips that will come in handy.

1. Stay calm and do not panic:
It is normal to feel anxious and worried about the driving test. There are high chances of messing up when you are stressed. Therefore, avoid panicking during the exam and plan out your approach with a calm mind.

2. Get experience:
Practice and experience are two essential elements of passing the test. And both these elements complement each other. Without proper practice, you won’t be able to gain the experience that you might need. Get to know all the rules and regulations, and have an experienced driver to guide you on the dos and don’ts of driving.

3. Take the car that is familiar to you:
One of the critical tips to pass the driving test is to take your car with you. An unfamiliar vehicle can make giving the exam challenging. For example, if it rains, you will be comfortable handling your car’s controls rather than searching for the controls in a vehicle that is new to you. Another benefit of taking your car is that you will be familiar with the car’s judgment, and the test will go easier.

4. Use both hands for steering the wheel:
For a positive result and better judgment, use both your hands to get the grip of your steering wheel. Using only one hand may create difficulties in driving, resulting in a failed driving test.

5. Learn to drive in different conditions:
Weather is unpredictable. Hence, you must learn how to drive in different weather conditions, so you are always prepared in case of any sudden weather changes. Furthermore, practising driving in various weather conditions will help you be on the safer side.

6. Keep your basics right:
It is common for people to forget the basics while they are tense. Due to nervousness, standard rules such as checking mirrors can slip from the mind. Avoid making common mistakes like not checking the surroundings, lack of focus while reverse parking, and more. Keeping your basics right will help ease the burden and ensure a favourable outcome from your driving exam.

7. Do not hesitate to ask questions to the examiner:
Often, people feel scared to ask questions to the examiner in a fear that they will sound stupid or what the examiner might think. If you are unclear about what the examiner asked you to perform, do not hesitate to ask them to repeat what they said. Open communication is the key to passing your driving test without messing up.

8. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the given time:
Do not panic and rush to the location at the last hour. Doing so will create unnecessary stress and put you in a panic mode, affecting your driving exam. Therefore, get there 30 minutes before the scheduled test to get an idea about the surroundings.

Driving tests can be cleared quickly with a calm mind and following the tips mentioned above. Once you pass the tests, ensure that you follow all the traffic rules. Always carry essential documents with you, such as your driving licence, PUC, online car insurance details, so that you will be all clear even if the traffic police stops and question you.

Click HERE to know more about online car insurance plans best suited for your car.

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.