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.

First of all, Congratulations! If you're reading this article, we assume that you're taking your first step towards buying a home. You already know the stress of finding an ideal place to call home, and with so much to consider, it's not an easy task for sure.

Delays can be exceedingly expensive in a growing infrastructure industry like India's. One cannot help but wonder, can we spend so much time hunting for a home? So, to help make your house-hunting process a bit easier and quicker, we've come up with some tips that will surely assist you in making a clear decision. Let's understand them one by one.

1. Identify your needs:
Question yourself; what do you expect and require from your property? Do you prefer a well-kept contemporary home, or would you settle for a renovator? Do you want an east-facing flat or one with a sunset view? The more you uncover early on, the sooner you'll be able to zero down on houses that fit your requirements.

2. Find an ideal budget and adhere to it:
Before going online to look at properties, examine your income and spending. What are you able to comfortably afford at this stage of your life? Set a price range that is compatible with your budget, and start exploring!

3. Figure out the location:
You already know that locations will undoubtedly affect the budgets. But, it will also affect your lifestyle as you'll be spending a majority of your time there. Figure out the commute from workplaces and schools and ensure that all the essential services are close by or near enough to reach in emergencies. Scout the neighbourhood and try to visit the shortlisted places at all times of the day. The idea is to learn all about the site and its surrounding area.

4. Take the help of the internet:
Okay, citizens of Digital India, it's time to put your gadgets to use. Look for properties online. Reading online reviews will help you compare many different properties at once and get a deeper insight into them. With a few clicks, you can even measure the distance from a property to any location, such as workplaces, hospitals, and schools.

5. Make a checklist:
When you begin visiting houses with an agent, the process can become frantic. You'll visit so many places that you might find it tough to keep track of them, add to that, the pressure from brokers and sellers for an offer. A checklist consisting of all criteria of properties visited, along with additional notes of your observations, will be helpful when you review all the properties at the end of the week or day.

6. Enjoy the process:
Purchasing a home is a significant milestone. Don't forget to take a few deep breaths and let things unfold slowly. Everything may not go as planned, but if you're determined to purchase a property and interact with a trustworthy broker, you'll soon find yourself in your new dream home! Remember, as stressful as the process can be, you can still enjoy yourself.

We hope that these tips will assist you in having a successful house hunt and that you will locate an ideal property for yourself! Once you've purchased a home, be sure that it's adequately insured with the best home insurance in India. Your home is your responsibility, and ensuring its safety should be your priority. The best home insurance plan can harbour your home with the benefits of additional protection at times of unfortunate events.

Click HERE to know more about the best home 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.

Increased cholesterol levels are a cause of concern as it brings multiple health issues, including the risk of a stroke and other heart diseases. Irrespective of age, maintaining cholesterol levels is the first step towards living a healthy lifestyle.

Supposing you are looking for ways to lower your cholesterol without medication, read this post to learn how to keep those numbers down naturally.

1. Add monounsaturated fats to your diet:
Monounsaturated fats can be found in food substances like olive oil, canola oil, tree nuts such as almonds, pecans, and cashews. These fats do a great job decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL (good cholesterol). They even work to stop the oxidation of the cholesterol that contributes to clogging the arteries.

2. Add polyunsaturated fatty acids:
Consider including polyunsaturated fatty acids as they have shown tremendous results in decreasing LDL cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These are principally your omega-3 fatty acids. You see these in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and shellfish like shrimps. You may also find them in tree nuts and flax seeds.

3. Avoid trans fats:
This is the next thing you should eliminate from your diet. You will find these in pastries, butter spreads, cookies, etc. The major con with trans fats is increasing your total cholesterol, including your LDL, and decreasing your HDL by 20%.

4. Add more soluble fibre:
Soluble fibre is derived from plants, and it works on the bacteria present in your guts. The digestion of the fibre by the bacteria helps lower your cholesterol. Beans, lentils, fruits, and whole-grain oats are a few fibre rich foods.

5. Workout:
Working out not only decreases your harmful LDL but also increases your good HDL. More extensive studies have shown that 30-45 minutes of activity five days a week can enhance your cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease.

6. Stop smoking:
In smokers, the immune cells cannot return cholesterol from the vessel walls to the blood where it should be and contribute to plaque formation that leads to clogged arteries. So, do your body a favour and quit smoking.

7. Focus on shedding some weight:
Plenty of studies have shown that you can positively impact your cholesterol by losing weight. Pick a good eating plan, stick to it, and be healthier to shed some pounds.

8. Add more vegetables and lean meat to your diet:
The closer you get to your vegetables, the easier it becomes to reduce cholesterol levels. Non-vegetarians can choose leaner meats like fish and skinless chicken to cut off the extra fats.

9. Plants, sterols, and stanols:
These are plant-based versions of cholesterols, but they do not elevate your body’s cholesterol level. Instead, these versions compete with its destructive forms, avert absorption, and reduce LDL.

10. Supplements:
The last thing you can do is look at different supplements required to control cholesterol. There are several supplements out there, but most work on improving the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. Things like fish oil and flaxseed oil help improve your HDL.

Cholesterol diseases are linked directly to the heart, and the treatment for most of them is taxing for your pockets. Aged parents and people with irregular eating and sleeping habits commonly face this issue. Follow these healthy tips and check out some of the best health insurance in India for parents to add an extra layer of protection.

Click HERE to get the best health insurance in India for parents.

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.

Everyone wants the shiny look of their cars. But what about the smelly interiors? Stinky car interiors can negatively affect your mood and make you feel awful. So, to get rid of foul odours, in this post, we have mentioned some quick tips to help you have a refreshed car and a happy mood while commuting.

1. Vacuum the fabrics:
Most of the time, solid particles tend to get trapped in the car's interior and removing them can be a daunting task. These particles get deep into the fabric. Even after cleaning your car, you still wonder where the smell is coming from.
To get rid of the foul smell, use a vacuum cleaner to clean all the seats and the fabric of your car. This will suck all the gunk and dust particles from your vehicle, leaving your car clean and fresh.

2. Avoid smoking in the car:
If you smoke in your car, you might know how unpleasant the smell is. Smoking leaves behind tar which can stick to the interiors. The smoke can even get in the vent ducts of your air conditioner and become nearly impossible to remove.
To get rid of this, you can wipe off your car with a solution of water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio with a few drops of liquid detergent added to it. This will remove all of the gunky substance and leave the surface of your car clean. In addition, you can spray some air freshener in the air ducts of your air conditioner to combat the odour.

3. Use baking soda for unpleasant food spills:
Sometimes, you tend to drop something on the carpet or your car's fabric, and the spills being left for a long time start to stink. Even after wiping it, the pungent smell may remain.
To remove the smell of the leftover spill, you should mix a tablespoon of baking soda and three tablespoons of vinegar and use this mixture to rub the mat or car fabric. This mixture will clean your fabric and remove all the unpleasant smells coming from it.

4. Use car deodorants and air cleaners:
This is one of the simplest and quickest ways to keep your car smelling fresh. All you need to do is pick your favourite car perfume and spray it in your vehicle. The air spray molecules will trap the pungent smell and give your car a fresh aroma. There are other similar products that you can explore, like odour patches, air- filters, etc.

5. Get your car a spa:
This will be your last resort if any of the ways mentioned above are not working for you or if the smell is very foul. Next, you should take your vehicle to a professional car cleaning service. The cleaners will clean your car from inside to the outside by washing your seats, mats, air ducts, food trays, etc., making your vehicle look and feel brand new.

We all know how bothersome stinky cars can be. You can follow the tips mentioned above to get rid of the bad odour in your vehicle. But it is not always the dirt that causes the smell. Sometimes these smells can be from leakages. If not addressed correctly, these issues can cause severe damage. So, we would suggest you have car insurance by your side to cover all repairing costs at the garage. Reliable car insurance will keep the stress off your pockets and give your possession the benefits to have a long life.

Click HERE to buy the best car insurance plan.

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.

Often people think they need to invest years in mastering the art of carpentry. However, that's not entirely true. With the right mindset and tips, you will learn carpentry in no time! This specialized craft, believed to be one of the world's oldest professions, is commonly employed even today.

Here we have composed a detailed guide for you that will help you in your lessons while you are learning carpentry.

1. Learn about different types of carpentry:
When it comes to carpentry, the only thing that comes to an individual's mind is furniture. But that's not the real deal. There are different types of carpentry, and you can study each one and then pick the one suited for you.

• Formwork: Formwork in carpentry is designed to construct the structure of the object. It comprises the mould in which the concrete is poured while making stairs, walls, pillars, etc. Formwork, made with wood and steel, can be temporary or permanent.

• Framers: Framers work upon repairing and restructuring wood or wood-derived products. The task that you are to do as a framer is to measure, cut, and assemble the wood for industrial or household purposes.

• Cabinet designers:
This form of carpentry requires proficiency with woods and mastery of tools. The job of a cabinet maker is to build, repair and modify wooden structures and furniture.

• Joiners: Joiners, also popularly known as 'finish carpenters,' are more inclined towards wooden ornaments, fine woodworks, and fitting of doors and windows.

2. Take safety precautions:
While working with tools and woodwork, you must learn safety measures like first aid training and have all the safety accessories like gloves, glasses, helmets etc.

3. Measure like a pro:
Measurement is one of the essential skills you need to learn while practising carpentry. You will be cutting several wooden blocks and pieces most of the time. Therefore, double-check your measurement before doing anything.

4. Learn to use carpentry tools:
Tools make a carpenter's work easier, but only if they know how to use them. Carpenters use various tools like handsaws, chisels, mallets, etc. Therefore, it would be best to learn to use them rightly and understand which woodworking activity necessitates what type of equipment.

5. Get trained:
There are plenty of paths to carpentry, and some of these do not even require any qualifications, only skills.

6. Get working experience:
Working on-site on a live project can be one of the best ways to get into the carpentry industry. You can gain plenty of knowledge and skills while you are at work. Apart from that, you can even get into different roles like general construction operations and work with professional carpenters.

7. Take up courses:
There is an abundance of specialized courses you can sign up for learning carpentry. These courses typically provide you with hands-on and theoretical training to make you a better carpenter.

Carpentry is an excellent skill to learn and practice, and you can excel at it if you choose to continue with passion. Although being a skill, it still poses a threat while working. You may get hurt while using a tool or working with heavy objects. So, it is suggested to have the best personal accident policy in India to safeguard your wellbeing and put less stress on your pockets.

Click HERE to find the best personal accident 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.

If you are someone with an older adult in your house, you are always concerned about ensuring they live an active and healthy life. Sometimes, being available for them at all times can be difficult. No one wants to put their parents, grandparents, or in-laws in trouble because of their busy work-life, and we understand that.

If you are looking for fun activities for the elderly in your house or for yourself, we have hand-picked the best seven activities that will keep older people active and fit to avoid health complications. With that, let's dive in!

1. Reading:
Reading is a popular hobby among adults. It helps them to spend their time by keeping their brain occupied. Reading magazines, short storybooks, comics, or poetry will improve their memory, sleep disorder, and knowledge. One can also indulge in reading workshops and events that bring plenty of socialization and enjoyment!

2. Gardening:
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, gardening at home is an excellent opportunity for promoting physical and mental stimulation. Keeping the elderly involved in gardening is the perfect opportunity to spend time outside and feel connected to nature. They can even try basic tasks such as watering, seeding, or raking.

3. Yoga and exercise:
Yoga is an excellent practice to keep your body healthy and mind at peace. It is the best exercise to maintain your muscles in good shape, especially for those who face issues with their bones and joints due to ageing.
In addition, exercising will keep the senses refreshed and improve strength and flexibility. Community groups and classes conduct regular yoga clubs or workout sessions to revitalize older adults. So, grab your mat and take a step closer towards a healthy life!

4. Games and puzzles:
Playing games or puzzles is a fun way to improve memory and focus. Playing games with family and friends can refresh the mind and give the elderly an opportunity to bond with their children and grandchildren. In addition, games like snakes and ladders, cards, jigsaw puzzles, etc., can keep the elderly engaged and improve their hand-eye coordination.

5. Creative activities:
Activities like singing, painting, sketching, basic knitting, etc., can help older people lift their mood and cheer their spirit. These activities will save them from boredom and let them discover their favourite pastime activity.

6. Passing time outdoors:
Travel has no age limit. You can go on a trip with your family members or friends to explore new places, cities, or even different countries for a change. Additionally, you can also look out for a travel group of older adults who are passionate about exploring places!

7. Pet therapy:
Older people share a great bond with animals and can get attached quickly. This will keep them involved in the daily chores such as taking pets to the walk, feeding, bathing, or playing around with them. Furthermore, a pet will be their all-time companion even when no one is around and help them reduce boredom and loneliness.

Seeing your parents grow into their old age is one of the most challenging things. But that's a part of life, and there's nothing we can do to reverse their age. Older adults need extra care. As a child, you can involve them in multiple activities that will boost their mood, health and keep their warm smile alive.

Increasing age invites diseases that can take a toll on the happiness of older people. If you do not have a good insurance plan for them, make sure to search for the best health insurance in India for parents. This will keep their health and well-being secured, so they focus just on enjoying their lives. Life is like a drink. Enjoy it one sip at a time!

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance in India for parents.

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 same activity that brings joy to many can be a stressful experience for others. In several cases, the responsibility of controlling the wheel can be overwhelming to the drivers. Several people develop a freeway phobia every year due to accidents, which they find difficult to overcome.

Even though many drivers wish to get over their anxiety and feel optimistic about getting behind the wheel, they often feel lost about where to start. Here are a few practical tips that may help those that want to get back on the road and take charge of the vehicle.

1. Start driving around with a companion:
Having a trusted companion in a scary situation can help calm your nerves. The companion, be it a friend, spouse, or family member, can create a sense of safety and help you feel more confident while driving. Support from loved ones goes a long way while facing phobias.

2. Go for drives during the day:
Several individuals feel much safer outdoors during the daytime. Most road accidents are believed to happen during the night, which can be a nightmare for people who fear driving! In addition, driving during the day provides enough visibility that is sure to make you feel much more secure.

3. Make it a regular habit:
It takes time and effort to tackle the fear of driving. Improve your driving by practicing at regular intervals to strengthen your fundamentals. It is essential that you remain consistent in your efforts.

4. Inculcate relaxing techniques:
It can be difficult to relax your mind while facing your fears. However, relaxation techniques like breathing exercises and meditation right before getting behind the wheel can help control anxious feelings while driving.

5. Listen to calming music:
Music is known to influence our moods highly. While most of us are told that music can distract us while driving, it may be a rather soothing element. Listening to relaxing tunes at a low volume while driving can help take your mind off the fearful thoughts that may cloud you.

6. Keep a positive mindset:
Many individuals go through traumatic car accidents and suffer heavy losses, often even financial ones, as they lack auto or motor insurance. Having a positive mindset may not come naturally after such stressful incidents. We must train ourselves to alter a negative thought process with a positive one in such cases. Saying positive affirmations can drastically help develop a mindset that will help you overcome driving-related anxiety.

To sum it up, these tips may not dismiss away your fear of driving instantly, but they will help you build your confidence to a great start! To eliminate the fear of accidents and financial consequences, rely on an ideal motor insurance company to make your driving experience stress-free. Motor insurance will cover the expenses involved in the garage repair works of your vehicle. With consistent and regular efforts, you are sure to overcome your driving phobia. Practice hard until you ace it!

Click HERE to get the details about the motor insurance policy.

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 ride as a passionate biker or for daily commuting purposes, it can be hard on your back. Riding for extended periods can make a rider's body stiff and affect their stance. If you don't maintain your riding position correctly, you might suffer severe back discomfort.

Little things, such as workouts to strengthen your back, taking breaks during long rides, and practicing proper posture, can help motorcycle riders with back pain conditions. Here are some ways to secure your back from suffering and reduce pain while riding a bike.

1. Fix your posture:
One way of avoiding back discomfort during riding is to be more observant of how you're seated and take a few additional steps to prevent backaches. For example, try to keep your back straight and avoid a hunching posture by lining up your shoulders over your waist and making a conscious effort to arch your shoulders a little backward.

2. Exercise to strengthen back and core:
Maintain your core muscle strength and lessen the pressure on your spine by doing back strengthening exercises regularly. A simple set of home exercises such as knee-to-chest stretch, lower back rotational stretch, shoulder blade squeeze, and sitting lower back rotational stretch, as well as yoga asanas like the Bridge Pose or Cat Pose, can help significantly.

3. Take stretching breaks:
Do some easy stretches at long traffic lights or in heavy jams during your ride. Or pull over for a rest and stretch if you're on a long journey. Basic stretches like rotating your neck and shoulders, arching your back front and backward, bending down to touch your toes, counter stretching, and relaxing your torso sideways will help to get relief from backaches.

4. Switch positions often:
A cause of chronic injury, such as back discomfort, is repeated, cumulative stress that causes tissue damage. Sitting in the same posture for extended hours raises the chance of developing risk. Give your body rest from time to time.

5. Pay attention to the amount of riding:
Back discomfort can sometimes be caused by doing too much too quickly. Since biking requires minimal effort, it's tempting to get carried away and ride longer than our supporting muscles are trained to handle. Take it easy on yourself and avoid impulsive travels.

6. Examine your riding style:
At last, your riding technique might induce an ache in the lower back. The tension on your back varies depending on the angle of your back while riding. Bikers who use giant gears, especially while ascending, may have lower back pain.

Regardless of our daily activities, looking after our spine is critical for everyone. As fun as riding is, it can also be exhausting with severe back pain conditions if not done correctly. Follow the above tips religiously to keep your back fit and avoid unwanted aches and pains. Just like your body needs attention, so does your bike. Before hopping on your bike, ensure that you have protected your two-wheeler with proper bike insurance.

To get the best bike insurance, click HERE .

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.