GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Any car driver wants a clear view of their surroundings in the front and back to judge traffic properly. This helps him to drive without any roadblocks or hesitation and minimizes the chances of a possible accident. But how will a driver have a clear view of what is behind his car while driving?

A driver gets eyes on the back of the car with the help of ORVMs and IRVM. ORVM means the “Outer rear-view mirrors,” while IRVM is the Inside rear-view mirror. ORVM is a compulsory part of any car in India. It is mounted to the outside of a vehicle near the driver’s gate and the gate of the front passenger.

Let us go through the advantages of having ORVM in our car.

1. Clear visibility:
ORVMs are an excellent solution for having a clear view of the rear sides of the car. A driver can glance at any of the ORVM and have a view of that respective side of the car. This helps him to know about the traffic behind his car. ORVMs are especially useful while changing lanes on streets and highways. Also, they help us see if there is any vehicle in our proximity while taking a turn or reversing our car.

2. Prevents accidents:
ORVMs eliminate blind spots and give us a clear picture of what is behind us. This helps us to make quick decisions about when and how to change lanes, take a turn or reverse our car. A driver can easily access and operate it while driving. Without ORVMs, it can be difficult to know if obstacles and vehicles are behind us, and the chances of an accident get very high.

3. Convenience:
Older cars had manual ORVMs, and we had to open and close them by hand, making their operation and use inconvenient. But with advancement of technology, cars of the modern age come equipped with electric and auto-fold ORVMs. They are very convenient to use.
Whenever we unlock our car with the remote, the ORVM opens up automatically and gets closed when we lock our car with the remote in case of auto-fold ORVMs. Automatic ORVMs come with adjusters that the driver can easily operate to ensure a perfect vision.

4. Turn-signal repeaters:
Side turn-signal repeaters are usually installed on the ORVMs in cars these days. They give a fancy look to the car and do their job of signaling to other vehicles that the car will take a turn. Also, they are more effective in giving a turn signal than indicators installed on the body of a car.

5. Cameras:
Cars nowadays come with a 360-degree view that enhances our safety and visibility of any obstacle around the entire car and not just one of its sides. Now, how does this feature work? A 360-degree view is possible with the help of multiple cameras installed in the car.
Cameras on the rear bumper are a common feature in many cars. However, besides the front bumper, ORVMs come equipped with cameras that give us a clear side view of the car on our screen. Thus, ORVMs act as the eyes of the car on the sides and provide us with enhanced safety and security.

As we have seen, there are multiple advantages to having ORVMs in our cars. They are not just show-piece but are meant to be used extensively while driving. Having the perfect vision of the outside of the car is paramount while driving, and ORVMs justify this objective. They make our journey safer, and a lot easier and minimize the chances of an accident.

Private car insurance India offers similar safety, security, and protection to any car owner during emergencies. You should not just go blindly with any car insurance coverage. Your car is priceless, and your lives are even more priceless. Hence, you should do your best research, compare various policies, understand their terms, and choose the best private car insurance India that promises you comprehensive coverage at the best premium.

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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.

Every car owner wishes to keep the vehicle in prime condition to maintain its sleek look. However, it is challenging to do so considering the high levels of pollution and poorly maintained roads. With the hectic daily schedule, finding time to keep your car clean takes time and effort.

Car cleaning is a part of the car ownership experience that you cannot ignore. It is just as essential to keep your car clean inside out as to have regular car servicing, a pollution certificate, and a car insurance policy. Always research the best car insurance company in India to purchase adequate insurance coverage that safeguards your finances against damages.

While a weekly car wash can keep your car clean for a short period, having the right cleaning accessories can ensure that your vehicle stays clean during the week.

Here are five car cleaning accessories that are easy to use and effective.

1. Wireless handheld vacuum cleaner:
While vacuum cleaners for homes have picked up demand in the past two decades, they are also an effective cleaning solution for your car. Picking up a compact car vacuum cleaner is a quick solution to keep your car’s interiors clean at all times.
It does not take up too much space, operates efficiently, and helps keep your vehicle free of dust or waste particles of any size with minimal effort. It is incredibly convenient if you have kids since keeping them from spilling food or drinks and dirtying the car floor and seats is impossible.

2. Microfibre cloth:
A microfibre cloth is an essential cleaning supply in most spaces, and a car is no exception. They speed up the cleaning process and pick up even the smallest particles. You can restore the shine of the car’s paint underneath the dust by running the cloth on your seats, windows, and exteriors.
Another benefit is that they absorb liquids rapidly, which helps deal with accidental spills on leather seats. While you need additional supplies to eliminate any odour or deal with the stickiness a drink spill may cause, a microfibre cloth is a basic necessity in dealing with the situation.

3. Liquid glass cleaner:
While the other accessories help maintain your car’s cleanliness, this is essential to ensure proper visibility and prevent mishaps. Keeping your mirrors and windshield clean are primary requisites that help maintain perfect vision for the driver, which can reduce the possibility of accidents. Therefore, a microfibre cloth, if needed, and some glass cleaning solution goes a long way in keeping your mirrors and glasses clean to facilitate better visibility of the incoming traffic.

4. Wheel cleaner:
An often overlooked part of a car is the tyres. Newly purchased and well-maintained cars have shiny alloy rims that cause envy to most car enthusiasts. A little bit of wheel cleaner and a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth take care of any grease or dirt accumulating on your tyres and make them shine like new with minimal effort.

5. Rust remover spray:
Rust and stain remover spray comes in handy when your car needs a quick. It eliminates the squeaking of rusted parts, prolongs the life of parts, and helps remove sticky particles from the exterior. Spray some onto the sticky residue you wish to get rid of and wipe it off with a microfibre cloth to ensure that there are no scratches on the paint and that the look of your car is maintained.

Maintaining your car may seem like a daunting task. Using basic supplies and spending a few minutes can help maintain your car. Additionally, purchase a car body cover to protect your vehicle from dust, sun exposure, falling leaves, and bird droppings. Lastly, don’t overlook the benefits of having reliable car insurance. Look for the best car insurance company in India and assure yourself of coverage that provides maximum security to your valuable asset during emergencies.

Click HERE to buy insurance from the best car insurance company 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.

The penalties for traffic defaulters have increased steeply with the passage of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill in the year 2019 in India. For instance, the fine for driving without a licence has been increased from INR 500 to INR 5000. Similarly, the penalty for over-speeding has increased from INR 400 to INR 2000.

Also, the police have been extra vigilant, and as a result, the issuance of traffic challans has significantly increased in the last couple of years. Do you wish to stay protected and avoid draining your hard-earned money by paying for hefty traffic challans due to over-speeding your vehicle? Let us see how you can achieve this and prevent over-speeding.

1. Be mindful of the speed limit:
Although fast driving seems thrilling to some people, driving over the speed limit has grave consequences. The speed limit has been put in place by city traffic police with many factors in mind, including the friction of the surface of the road and whether it has schools or hospitals nearby. Be careful and pay attention to board signages alongside the roads. Ensure to drive your vehicle within the speed limit as per the signage on the respective road.
Over-speeding might not only affect your life but also put the lives of others at risk. According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2020, 71% of accidents were related to over-speeding on Indian roads, resulting in 66% of fatalities. Pay close attention to signboards when driving, or you might incur a fine of up to INR 4000.

2. Yellow lights mean slow down:
Everyone is in a hurry to reach their destination. Although jumping a light might seem like a minor offense at any given moment, it causes severe accidents in India. To deter the public from jumping a red light, fines have been levied that range up to INR 5000, and the driver can even be sent away up to a one-year prison sentence for this offense with the suspension of their driving licence.
To avoid such consequences, be prepared to stop right when the yellow light comes on, and stop a few metres before the stop line. Try not to block the zebra crossing and create inconvenience to the pedestrians.

3. Speed camera alert applications:
You will be surprised to know that there exist applications that can alert us of upcoming speed cameras from a few hundred metres in advance. Moreover, most of these applications are free and convenient to operate.
However, use these devices as a reminder that you are over-speeding your vehicle, not as an escape from speed cameras. Make a habit of following the speed limit set by the traffic police.

4. Never drink and drive:
Often drinking provokes you to do things you don't usually do when sober. And, one very common concern among drivers is rash & fast driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a punishable offense in India, and you will get a hefty traffic challan for drunken driving and over-speeding when intoxicated. Moreover, it can lead to serious accidents and cause property loss and lives.
Hence, do not drive when you have consumed alcohol or are heading out for a party. Book a cab to get back home if you are drunk, even if you came in your car. Otherwise, ensure that a non-drinking friend takes the wheel for you.

Another important thing is never to run away or escape the spot if a police officer finds you guilty of violating a rule and stops you. Always accept that you’ve made a mistake and support the officials doing their work.

You should always follow the above steps to avoid getting traffic challans and paying fines. Receiving challans is not a good feeling, and repeated mistakes can make you face severe consequences. So, be a responsible driver and ensure the above traffic practices that help you avoid getting fined due to over-speeding. In addition, car insurance online India can protect your car with adequate coverage against any possible damage due to an accident.

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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.

Car parking has always been a major challenge in most metro cities. The number of cars on the roads is constantly increasing while the parking space and the available supporting infrastructure have yet to develop at a matching pace.

A traffic challan for violation of parking rules is very pinching and bothering. What do we do if there is not much free legal space available for parking our car? The legitimate answer is understanding the car parking rules to avoid traffic violations.

Let us go through the five car parking rules that one must know.

1. Way of parking:
According to section 122 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a car owner should always park his car in a manner that does not cause any inconvenience to other road users. Also, the way of parking the car should not be dangerous, nor should it cause any obstruction to other vehicles and users of the road.
If there is a signboard depicting the correct manner of parking your car on the roadside, you should abide by it and park your car accordingly.

2. An abandoned or unattended car:
According to section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, you cannot abandon your car or leave it unattended at a public place where you cannot legally park it.
A police officer with jurisdiction in that area can tow your car away or make it immobile by using methods such as clamping the wheels. Also, you or the person in charge of your car will be responsible for paying the towing charges.

3. Prohibited parking:
You cannot park your car in a no-parking zone or any spot where parking is prohibited, on a footpath, on the wrong side of the road, on private property without the owner's permission, alongside a parked vehicle so that you do not obstruct the traffic flow, in front of any gate that blocks the entrance to any place, in front of a school or hospital entrance, near a bus stop, a traffic signal, or a road crossing.
Also, your vehicle should not obstruct the view of a signboard. You are not permitted to park at a bend, at the top of a hill, or even near or on a bridge so that you do not obstruct incoming traffic.

4. Parking restrictions at home / society:
Even your housing societies or homes have car parking rules you must follow. You should park your car so that it does not obstruct or block your neighbour's gate.
It is illegal to park your car at the boundary of your own house if your parking style obstructs the neighbour's gate in any way. He may be unable to open the gate of his house fully. In such a case, he can file a case, serve you a legal notice and obtain an injunction restricting you from blocking his gate.

5. Blocking a parking lot exit:
You cannot park your car in front of another vehicle in a parking lot in such a way that his way is obstructed, and the owner of that vehicle is unable to take his car out. In such a case, he can call a cop, and you will have to pay a fine for blocking his way.

Parking fines differ from one city to another in India. Understanding the parking rules in your respective cities is crucial to avoid traffic violations. So, abide by these parking rules to avoid catching yourself in chaotic situations and save on fines and penalties.

Similarly, having a good car insurance policy will help you save on other penalties, as car insurance is mandatory to drive legally in India. Also, it will provide coverage in case of an accident, a mishap involving your car, or even if it gets stolen. Hence, go for the best car insurance in India and forget the stress of expenses involved in unexpected situations.

Click HERE to buy the best 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.