GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Driving can be an overwhelming experience, at least when learning the basics of safe driving. While not difficult, it is a task that requires the presence of mind, effective judgement, and, most important of all, confidence. The more you know and the further you drive, the better driver you become.

Sitting in the driver's seat can be confusing initially, as various components are essential to the smooth functioning of a car, and it is impossible to know their importance and how to operate them instantly. While no manual can replace regular practice, you must brush up on the car's know-how to become a confident driver. Having complete knowledge of car features makes you enjoy driving your vehicle.

One such important section is the bonnet of your car. Located at the front of the car, lifting your bonnet will open up a whole new world. Most people need to learn about the components of a bonnet and the functioning of each part. While it may seem complicated, it is advised to know the basics of the workings of the machinery. Since breakdowns don't occur post-announcement, awareness of its working can resolve the breaking of your machinery.

You should also check under your bonnet regularly to avoid problems later. Also, you should buy car insurance in advance to avoid hassles later. Review the car insurance price in India before you invest in any.

For now, let's look at the basics of what lies under your bonnet.

1. Engine:
The engine is the most critical component located under your bonnet. The extensive working of the engine can be complicated. You don’t need to understand the work in detail. You just require to have a basic knowledge of the same. Here, the fuel consumed by your car is turned into power to run the vehicle. You should look for signs of wear and tear here. A professional inspection may help identify the same and point out any cause for concern. Frequently check for the level of different fluids like engine oil, coolant, etc., especially before planning a long trip.

2. Battery:
The batteries are surrounded by a protective shield and are easy to spot under your bonnet. The rectangular battery box has terminals on both ends, which are differently coloured. Red indicates a positive terminal, while black indicates a negative one.

3. Alternator:
Alternators are responsible for powering up the batteries, which keeps the car up and running. If it breaks down, it can lead to significant problems, including affecting the engine's functioning. The alternators resemble a wheel with slits on the side.

4. Radiator:
This is an essential component of the car that helps maintain the ideal temperature of the car engine. It regulates the temperature extensively. You should not interfere with the radiator much as it can be highly hazardous.

5. Engine coolant:
This fluid is responsible for keeping the engine's temperature in check and preventing it from overheating. You should check the fluid level regularly. It should lie between the minimum and maximum levels. You can easily spot the coolant tank upon opening the bonnet. The coolant should combine water and antifreeze.

Other important components that lie underneath include brake fluid, dipsticks, oil, crankshaft, belts, and cylinders. They have a distinct functioning of their own. You need to know the basics of the major components of your car's bonnet before you start driving a car. It always comes in handy, mainly when your car breaks down midway. You should also have suitable car insurance that protects it financially. However, before buying, you should know the car insurance price in India to understand various options and invest in the best one.

Click HERE to buy the best car insurance to protect your valuable asset.

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.

Most of us have invested financially and emotionally in our automobiles, making them more than just a convenience. While cars are undoubtedly a long-term asset, the associated expenses can often amount to a large sum that many may hesitate to bear.

Apart from the regular fuel and maintenance, another necessary cost is your car insurance. Despite being mandated, many find loopholes to escape the law due to the rising cost of premiums annually. Instead of evading the process, find out why your car insurance premium is rising and whether you can manage it.

1. Vehicle inspection:
Your insurer may inspect the vehicle if there is a considerable lag between the policy expiry date and the intended policy renewal date, which may result in a higher insurance premium. You can prevent such costs by renewing your insurance on time as per the due date.

2. Brand and model:
The price of the car relies on its model, due to which different models have different premiums. A vehicle with a lower Insured Declared Value (IDV) will have a lower premium than one with a high IDV.

3. Advantage of NCB:
No-claim bonus is the primary element of a car insurance policy that lowers the premium and promotes careful driving. It rewards car owners for not filing a claim with a discount of up to 20% while renewing the policy. By applying the claims, you risk losing this advantage and could pay a more significant premium than necessary.

4. Driving habits:
Defaulting on laws, failing to use a seatbelt, etc., could get you into difficulty with law enforcement and your insurance company. If any traffic violation is made in your name, your premium will likely go up.

5. Purchasing insurance from the dealer in a hurry:
Explore various car insurance options and evaluate the offering, premium, and coverage to find the best option. A hastily purchased car insurance is a bigger expense than an asset. Additionally, dealers have a restricted area of competence, offer fewer options, and seek direct profits from the sale, so they may offer a policy that is more expensive than you need.

6. Claim history:
You may be a risky policyholder if you have a history of making frequent claims. Your profile might be deemed dangerous if your claim is denied due to factors like illegal vehicle use or involvement in filing fake insurance claims. As a result, you may be charged a more significant premium since the higher the risk, the higher the premium.

7. Vehicle and driver age:
The older the car and the younger the driver, the higher the premium. An older vehicle is more prone to wear and tear, and a novice or inexperienced driver needs to gain the knowledge of an experienced driver. You can lower your rate by choosing a zero Depreciation cover for your insurance plan.

8. Lack of awareness of deductible's effects:
An expense that the owner of the car bears when filing a claim is deductible or voluntary deduction. Making a proper deductible decision is crucial. If you are a seasoned driver who doesn't need to file claims frequently, you can select a greater deductible to lower your cost. However, if you leave it at zero, you will receive your entire claim payment but will have to pay a higher premium.

9. Locality analysis:
The insurer may raise the cost of insuring cars from a particular location if data indicates, for instance, that there has been a significant surge in flooding or car theft in your area.

A closer inspection is all it takes to identify why your car insurance premium increased, even if it may appear unclear initially. Some factors are uncontrollable, while others can be managed by a potential policyholder who has done his research. We encourage readers to check and compare car insurance prices online before purchasing a policy to avail themselves of the best offer.

Click HERE to buy reliable car 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.

Whether you own a two-wheeler or a car, you should always ensure that you know everything about its maintenance and insurance. Getting insurance for your vehicle is of utmost importance. It protects your vehicle from severe damages by giving you compensation and solves third-party disputes.

However, just getting insurance for your vehicle is not enough. You also need to check out the various additional services offered by the insurance. This way, you can choose the most comprehensive insurance for your 2 wheeler. You must also inquire about all the essential terms relevant to your insurance. One such term is a constructive total loss. Although the term sounds complicated, it is not.

This article will help you to understand various aspects of a constructive total loss.

What is a constructive total loss?

You will likely file a claim for your 2 wheeler insurance only when your vehicle has suffered severe damages. Once you have filed a claim, the insurance company will inspect all the damages and reimburse the amount accordingly. Either you will get cashless compensation or money for the repairs. The damage is assessed well, and only compensation for the damages is provided.

If the vehicle is in dire need of minor repairs or servicing, the insurance company will reimburse that. It can also refund the amount for the replacement of bike parts. However, reimbursement only occurs after all the deductibles are assessed carefully. No matter the damage's severity, you will only get compensation up to the Insured Declared Value or IDV. You will not get any claim money that exceeds the IDV value.

There is also a major catch here. For instance, your two-wheeler undergoes irreversible damage. In such a case, the bike will be beyond repair. The insurance company can then declare it as a total loss. In other words, if the repair cost for the vehicle far exceeds its value, it results in total loss.

It is said that when the repair cost is more than 75% of the IDV, it is impossible to reimburse it. The constructive total loss takes place here.

Let's assume that your two-wheeler gets stolen. Then what will happen? In such a case, your insurance company will reimburse you for the IDV of your vehicle. The claim for theft of your bike will be treated as a total loss claim. The reimbursement amount will be sans the deductibles and depreciation.

How do you apply for a constructive total loss claim?

Now that you are familiar with constructive total loss let's look at the various steps to file a claim. They are:

● Go to the official website of your insurance company

● Look for the claims process tab or page

● You will see blanks to fill in your information

● Provide all the necessary information carefully

● After that is done, verify the self-inspection of your bike through the link sent to your mobile number

● A surveyor or inspector may be sent to get your vehicle inspected. Cooperate with them

● Once everything is done, you can submit all the required documents and forms

These easy steps can get you a total claim from the comfort of your home. You need to keep all these things in mind before you file a claim for your 2 wheeler insurance under constructive total loss. Once you give the correct information and abide by the guidelines, you can access the claim amount.

Click HERE to buy 2 wheeler insurance to protect your motorcycle from unexpected damages.

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 Government of India presented the union budget on 1st February 2023. It has provided incentives for the people to move from the old tax regime consisting of deductions and rebates to the new tax regime. This, in turn, will affect the insurance sector as well.

While there were a few surprises here and there, it has proposed a significant change by taxing maturity proceeds of insurance policies commanding an aggregate premium of over Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year. Such high premiums usually occur in the case of money-back insurance plans that require one-time premium payments or endowment plans.

Here are some of the key recommendations that would impact life insurance sector.

1. No change in Section 80C and 80D:
Insurance premium amounts paid for insuring the life of self, spouse, or child are presently eligible for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act up to Rs.1.5 lakhs per annum. This is irrespective of whether our child is minor or major, dependent or independent. Also, individuals, as well as Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), are both eligible for claiming this deduction.
Similarly, Section 80D allows a person to claim a deduction for health insurance premiums and expenses incurred towards preventive health check-ups for self, spouse, children, and even parents up to Rs.65000/- per annum, subject to certain conditions.
The budget of 2023 could have been better for the insurance sector of the limits under Sections 80C and 80D. The industry expected a raise in the limits under these sections to boost consumer savings and investment. However, these limits have been left untouched in the budget of 2023.

2. The choice between the old-tax regime and the new-tax regime:
Till now, there was an option to choose between the old-tax regime that allows for several deductions and rebates and the new tax regime that taxes your income at a flat rate. You could choose either of the two and enjoy the above deductions under Sections 80C and 80D by choosing the old-tax regime.
There has been a shift in policy in this regard in the budget of 2023. The new tax regime is the default setting for individuals, under which you cannot enjoy these rebates. If you still want to enjoy deductions under Sections 80C and 80D, you will have to choose the old-tax regime specifically.

3. Aggregate premium clause:
According to the budget of 2023, if the aggregate premium paid by an individual is over Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year starting 1st April 2023, he will have to pay tax on their maturity proceeds. However, if such a policyholder dies, the nominee's maturity proceeds will be tax-free.
Maturity proceeds or income from insurance policies having an aggregate premium of less than Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year will be exempted from taxation. However, the introduction of this clause may discourage consumers such as High-Net-worth individuals (HNIs) from buying big-ticket insurance products to save taxes. As a result, the revenues or top-line of the insurance companies are bound to suffer and go down.

The Insurance industry plays a vital role in the overall financial growth of the country, and as such, the sector is undoubtedly not very encouraged with the budget for 2023. There was a general expectation of an extension of the Rs.1.5 lakhs deductions allowed under Sections 80C and 80D, which still needs to be met. Moreover, taxing the maturity proceeds of policies commanding an aggregate premium of Rs.5 lakhs or more in a financial year will further dampen the sales of high-value insurance policies.

However, insurance buyers need not be worried as the prevalent deduction limit is still the same and has not gone down. Also, a very small percentage of Indians buy high-value insurance policies, and the changed clause is unlikely to affect most Indian residents. Online general insurance policies continue to offer the same ease, protection, and security, and individuals can continue to enjoy its benefits.

Click HERE to buy online general insurance plan to safeguard your valuable assets.

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.