GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

While purchasing a car is a huge deal, that is not all. You also need to invest in the upkeep and maintenance of your vehicle to increase its longevity. The car manufacturers have a set of rules and regulations regarding the servicing and maintenance of your car, like the distance limit before the first servicing, availability of the original parts, the fittings, etc.

Do you need clarification on authorised service centres and local garages to ensure your car is in its best condition? Here’s all you need to know.

1. Professional mechanics:
Authorised service centres provide you with the best-seasoned persons and specialised mechanics to service a particular company or type of car. These mechanics can have a closer look and understand any unusual issue that might pop up in your vehicle. They can provide the best insights and the accurate method to rectify the problem.
Local garages have mechanics, but their professionalism might require validation. They have a reputation for using the quickest methods or resolving issues using trial and error without actually having a deeper understanding of the working and what consequences the current problem might have. Lack of proper servicing can lead to a decrease in the life of the car, hefty costs of damage repair, and cause more troubles in the functioning of your vehicle.

2. Latest gears and equipment:
The authorised service centres always ensure that they have the latest equipment as prescribed by the companies for various models of their cars. As the brands are manufacturing vehicles with advanced technologies and upgrading their features, the spare parts and other gears should be upgraded without meddling with the warranty, even if there is a problem with your vehicle.
Whereas, with local garages, this is a massive issue. Usually, they do not have the latest manufacturer-recommended parts for repair, which might end up voiding the warranty and causing further damage to the circuits and other systems of the car.

3. Time consumption and quality of services:
Authorised service centres take complete responsibility for customer care and quality services. While this is a massive plus against the local service garages, the waiting time is quite a factor that acts as a con for these service centres. There is a huge waiting list and a time taking procedure you must go through before you can get your car back in good shape.
If you approach a local garage to fix the issue with your vehicle, you will get your car back in no time. However, regarding the quality, even if it is a coat of paint on a small area that was hit against a harsh surface, you will be able to mark the difference between the fixtures of an authorised centre compared to the local garage.

While local garages provide quick, budget fixes to your issues, it is very evident that the authorised service centres are the smarter option of the two. Your vehicle is a massive investment, so it is wise not to cheap out regarding the maintenance, servicing, and compromising its safety. And you might end up in consequential trouble, which burns a hole in your pocket due to your reluctance to opt for quality service.

So always make an intelligent decision, one of which is to ensure that you purchase the best car insurance in India to stay financially stress-free during any unfortunate situations that might cause damage to your car. You can now buy the best car insurance in India, which is suitable for your needs, from the comfort of your home.

Click HERE to learn more about purchasing 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.

Ever since the world reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic, people have been making the most of their lives by travelling to different places and quenching their thirst for "wanderlust."

With the advent of the hustling lifestyle, people have become distant from nature, which is why travel has become an essential part of our lives. The popularity of travel vlogging on various social media platforms is helping users to get information about different types and destinations for trips, tickets, luxurious hotels, and much more. Travel has also become a career for many folks who have grown tired of corporate life.

With such an advancement in this sector, different travel experiences serve the various interests of people. Are you looking to explore much more than your regular itinerary? Check out these unique tourism niches in 2023 in this blog. So, without any further delay, let's get started!

1. Agricultural sites have become popular:
Agro-tourism, which involves organised tours and trips to agricultural farms and other farming sites, has recently gained popularity. These trips provide insights into the cultivation world and serve an educational purpose for people of all ages. Organic farming and agro-tourism have proven worthwhile for people who believe in consuming organic produce, are intrigued by the culture, or are building their businesses in the same sector. Apart from the tours to farms, agro-tourism has multiple activities like the detailed study of flora and fauna, horse riding, cooking sessions, wine tasting sessions, and much more.

2. Stars will always amaze you:
The universe will never cease to mesmerise you. The night sky is a world of its own, with stars as its main characters. Stargazing tourism is one such activity that will always be on the bucket list of anyone who can dream of lying under the stars and gazing at the beauty of the universe, which is beyond our imagination. Hardcore travellers and explorers are huge enthusiasts of stargazing tourism. Places like Norway, Iceland, Spiti Valley, Rann of Kutch, and many more provide the perfect stargazing spots.

3. Making to this list are VR and AR:
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are part of a travel niche called "armchair tourism." Gaining its market during the pandemic, virtual reality provides you with the perks of travel without leaving your sofa. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the downfall of the travel industry called upon a revolution. To accustom themselves to this new reality, VR and AR became popular and provided the much-needed escape from the dreary and dark times as the entire world shut down. Several hotels and brands from the travel industry include a virtual tour to give a glimpse of what they offer their potential customers, along with igniting excitement.

4. Solo trips are a must:
Solo adventures, especially women's solo trips involving treks, adventure sports, ethnic tourism, etc., have become increasingly popular over the past few years. The newfound opportunity due to financial freedom and a much safer environment has encouraged people to travel independently and see the world through their perspectives. Organised solo trips have started exploring lesser-known destinations. They have popularised the culture of exploration as solo women also want to cater to their own choices for their adrenaline needs.

And as we discussed travelling in 2023, it is a wise choice to discuss securing your trip to combat the monetary stress of unprecedented situations that can disrupt your travel plans. Purchasing general insurance is an intelligent decision to ensure that you stay stress-free in the financial aspect while travelling and enjoying it to the core. You can explore the options and extract a general insurance online quote, including all the details and the prices provided by different travel insurance providers. Plan and choose the one which best caters to your needs.

Click HERE to learn more about formulating a general insurance online quote and its benefits.

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.

You must have seen people around you discussing the rise in medicines, procedures, consultation fees, and expenses. The skyrocketing prices are justified due to the increasing costs of medicinal equipment and treatments. The costs of living have been escalating every year. And while living by yourself looks economically intimidating, creating a family and raising children drives up the cost, which could be scary for a single source of income in these times.

In this blog, we will discuss all you need to know about the impact of rising medical inflation on health insurance premiums. This information will answer all your questions about how the fluctuation in the price of health insurance affects your finances. So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

1. Let’s look deeper at the term “Medical Inflation”.
Medical inflation indicates the rise in average and per unit prices of healthcare assistance. There can be various factors that can influence the increase in the cost of medical services like technological progress, increase or decrease in the number of professionals in the healthcare industry, rising demand, price of materials, transportation costs for medical equipment, and increase in the cost of usage of healthcare services per person.

2. What do you mean by “medical healthcare demand”?
With the fast-food culture gripping the roots of our lifestyles and the hectic work life, people have become addicted to stagnancy, which has caused more harm to our health than ever. Humans have become vulnerable to severe health risks like diabetes, blood pressure issues, hypertension, anxiety, depression, etc., drastically affecting our lifestyle. Therefore, the demand for medical assistance is causing medical inflation in our country.

3. What is the current medical inflation scenario in India?
The inflation in India has been on a consistent ‘single-digit’ rise. However, medical inflation is inching toward double digits, which is a matter of concern. The affordability of health treatments and services would become heavy on the pockets of people and will potentially cause a significant dent in their savings.
Hospital beds, medical staff, conveyance, etc., reported inflation of 9.4% back in 2018-2019, while the cost of medications saw inflation of 7.2% during the same period. And in 2021, there was an unimaginable increase in the inflation rate by 14%.

4. What is the expected impact of the rising medical inflation?
As discussed in the previous point about the rising medical inflation rate, there is a direct influence on health insurance premiums. In some cases, the health premiums increased up to 30%, as reported in the financial year of 2022. The demand for healthcare assistance saw a rise of almost 25%, which indicates the necessity of these services in our country. Many health insurance policyholders have increased their insurance coverage to accommodate the rising medical inflation.
It is suggested that while you purchase your insurance to cover significant procedures and surgeries, you also include minor treatments and diagnostics. As a policyholder, you must watch out for the medical inflation rates to adjust your policy and avail the provisions to expand your coverage accordingly. It would be best to always account for inflation before finalising your health insurance policy.

We hope that the insights proved helpful. To ensure that any medical emergencies in your family can be handled stress-free in the monetary aspect, you need to purchase the best health insurance policy that would cater to your needs in an optimum way and allow you to focus on the recovery of the patient and have no worries about the expenses.

Click HERE to learn more about health insurance and its benefits.

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.

Indians love having a high-calorie diet without balancing it with an equal workout regime. The direct result is the building up of belly fat. Inadequate sleep, hormonal imbalances, and our family history can also add to this problem. Most of us suffer from it and would surely want to get rid of that extra fat bulging out around our belly. The big question is how?
Yoga is the most straightforward answer to this problem, which is also great for your mind and soul.

Let us go through some yoga poses to help you instantly burn your belly fat.

1. Chakrasana:
Also known as the yoga wheel pose, it is a strong back-bending yoga asana in which your body takes the shape of a wheel. There are several advantages of this asana. It tones the abdomen by stretching the stomach muscles and helps lose belly fat. It strengthens and increases the elasticity of the spine. Also, it boosts your appetite and cures digestive problems. This yoga pose ensures that all your body organs function correctly and you become fit and healthy.

2. Baddha Konasana:
This asana is also known as the cobbler’s pose and is one of the simplest to perform. It stimulates your abdominal muscles, improves digestion, and burns belly fat while strengthening your knees and thighs. It helps open up the lower back area and relieves sciatica. This pose improves the overall health of the ovaries, prostate gland, kidneys and bladder.

3. Naukasana:
We also call this asana the boat pose. This asana can strengthen abdominal muscles, cure constipation and improve digestion. This helps to take care of belly fat while strengthening the arms, thighs, and shoulders. It improves blood circulation and is excellent for the back muscles. This pose stimulates the pancreas, kidneys and liver and is good for the prostate and thyroid glands.

4. Padahastasana:
A great asana to begin with, you simply need to stand straight and bend forwards to achieve the proper posture. This simple asana is excellent for the heart while burning your belly fat by putting pressure on it. It massages your digestive organs and cures constipation and indigestion. This pose stimulates the spinal nerves and tones them. It is also helpful for nasal and throat diseases. It is an excellent asana for increasing vitality and metabolism and boosting concentration.

5. Uttanpadasana:
This asana is good for taking away excess accumulated fat from your belly and hips region and toning it. It is beneficial in curing your back pain and improves the flexibility of your spine. It also strengthens your abdominal muscles and organs and improves the functioning of your reproductive organs.

Yoga is the perfect answer to help you burn belly fat. Moreover, yoga keeps your mind alert and fresh and has several other advantages for your entire body.

While practising yoga is an excellent way of keeping medical issues at bay, it may not completely prevent such occurrences. Therefore, buying a health insurance policy becomes necessary to take good care of yourself and your family during medical emergencies. It acts as a cushion and gives you comfort and backup when you or your family members need any expensive medical treatments. Choose the best health insurance company in India upon which you can rely blindly in times of need and stay safe.

Click HERE to buy insurance from the best health 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.

Pre-owned cars, often known as used cars, are very economical, available in good condition and have a lower depreciation rate. These benefits make buying used cars a good idea and fulfil the dream of every person to own a car.

Banks and NBFCs even provide used car loans with affordable interest rates and quick processing times to make owning a used car simple. In a city like Mumbai, you'll find multiple options for second-hand or pre-owned cars in various regions. There are numerous certified dealers with a wide range of cars to choose from.

Here is how to find the ideal used car at the most competitive price if you want to purchase it in Mumbai.

1. Check with family and close friends:
First, ask people you know for recommendations while searching for a used car. There may be someone you know who wants to sell their vehicle. Because of the added trust factor, you can be confident that you are getting the best value for your money. Even better, you may ask them to let you borrow the car for a few days. This way, you can test drive it and decide whether you will be interested in buying it.

2. Purchase and sale on social media pages:
Social media groups are another way to connect directly with sellers and avoid the fees that middlemen charge. For buying used cars in Mumbai, there are specific social media groups. Until you find a vehicle you want, you can search for ads offering used cars for sale. The good thing about these groups is that you can talk to the seller directly, negotiate the best price, and set up a time to look at the car before you buy it. You can also view actual images of the cars for sale.

3. Used-car gateways:
You might also check out online marketplaces that specialise in selling pre-owned automobiles. Retailers selling directly to consumers conduct the necessary audits before establishing their car prices.

4. Nearby used-car dealerships and garages:
You can also rely on a trusted mechanic in a nearby garage. These experts also know individuals who are planning to sell their cars. A technician can provide you with valuable information on any pre-owned cars currently on the market and point you in the right direction.
Another option is to go to a used car dealer. Always bring along a car fanatic or a mechanic who knows a lot about cars and can help you choose a perfect car.

5. Resellers with permission:
With a good reputation, carmakers have approved resellers who purchase and resell their brand's products. You can go directly to a reseller if you are searching for a specific make and model or have faith in a certain brand. Mumbai is home to many resellers who can provide safe and excellent cars.

You can apply for a loan once you have selected a used car to purchase. Here, a pre-owned car loan calculator comes in handy to estimate the EMI you would be required to pay. Follow these steps to locate the best buying spots in Mumbai and get great deals on different categories of pre-owned cars.

Get coverage for accidental damages by comparing and selecting the best car insurance company in India from leading four-wheeler insurers. If a policyholder's car is damaged or stolen because of something out of their control, the car insurance will pay for it. So, once you buy your pre-owned car, ensure that you also invest in your car's safety along with the transfer of registration and other essential documents.

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.

Road accidents in India are estimated at around 2 Lakhs per year, the highest in the world. This mainly happens as people fail to follow traffic rules, over-speeding their vehicles, and also the poor road conditions.

The government of India has set a few stringent rules and regulations for drivers. They are made to bring down the number of injuries and accidents. Wearing a seat belt is one of the essential practices of road safety that save lives in case of a crash. However, most people tend to ignore this simple yet crucial safety measure. They find it uncomfortable, unnecessary, and bothersome. This has caused many people to compromise their safety and surrender to a life-threatening event.

This article will briefly describe the various advantages of wearing a seat belt.

1. Holds you in one position:
You can undergo substantial damage if your car is moving at a great speed, and you suddenly crash. Without a seat belt, you can be thrown here and there. You can even jerk out of the car if the speed and collision impact is too high. It can result in severe injuries and even death. Hence, the seatbelt is extremely important.
If the car starts spinning or skidding, the seat belt will hold you firm in one place. If you do not buckle up, you are likely to get into a crash.

2. Restricts ejection:
As discussed earlier, if your car is moving at high speed, you are likely to be ejected out of the vehicle. It has happened a lot of times during car crashes or accidents. It happens mostly because the driver and passenger are not wearing seat belts. This causes them to lose control of their positions. Therefore, they are ejected out of the car.
With a seat belt, you will be firmly tied to your seat. This increases your chances of survival during an accident as the airbags will bear the impact, keeping you safe.

3. Matches the speed of the vehicle:
In general physics, our body tends to move with the speed of the vehicle. For instance, your body would do the same if the vehicle is at high speed and comes to a jolt. You are likely to hit the steering wheel or dashboard in this situation. If you're buckled up, this will not happen. It will keep you secured to your seat so that your body slows down with the vehicle. Seatbelts help you to adapt to varying speeds.

4. Force distribution:
With the seatbelt, the force of a crash is distributed to the stronger parts of your body. You will not be restricted to delicate areas like the head, abdomen, or chest. Your body will be prepared better to deal with a crash with a seatbelt. The chances of injury also decrease.

5. Protects your brain and spinal cord:
A car crash is most likely to cause brain and spinal cord injuries. This can affect you significantly and cause irreparable damage like temporary or permanent disabilities. They can even be fatal. A seatbelt protects you from these life-threatening car crashes.

Most road accidents take place with people not wearing their seat belts. Many lives could be saved if we agreed to follow all road safety rules. It is best practice to buckle up the seatbelt before starting your car. Avoid overspeeding and ensure that the seatbelt is accurately fitting and neither too loose nor too tight. Safety is paramount, and the next step to ensuring it is insurance. You should buy motor insurance online to protect your vehicle from any potential damages. Keep the stress of finances at bay and enjoy an array of benefits if you decide to equip your plan with various add-ons.

Click HERE to buy motor insurance online.

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.

In the olden days, people unintentionally practised habits like following a set sleep schedule, eating locally sourced nutritious food, and engaging in physical activity, which are fundamental requirements for good health. Over time, we have grown to chase material wealth and forsaken our health in such pursuits. Hectic schedules, lack of time for personal interests, and excessive stress characterise modern lifestyles.

In such a background, it is almost impossible to follow healthy habits that lead to a disease-free life. This makes buying health insurance and following preventive measures essential to keep one’s health in the best condition possible. Additionally, periodic checks can help one recognise symptoms of an incoming illness and take corrective action at the earliest. This is facilitated by preventive health checkups, which are now included in health insurance plans. They provide several benefits to policyholders, which are discussed below.

Defining preventive health check-ups under health insurance.

Preventive health checkups are medical examinations run on to-be policyholders to assess their present state of health and identify their level of risk. It is an essential part of the insurance process as it makes the insurer aware of the existing illnesses suffered by the customer. The risk assessment directly impacts the annual premium paid for health insurance coverage.

Benefits of preventive health check-ups.

The above definition often puts potential health insurance buyers in a dilemma regarding their stance on the preventive health checkups offered. Detection of pre-existing medical conditions results in pricier premiums, but the checkup is highly beneficial to policyholders in multiple ways.

1. Substitutes individualistic effort:

Even when you are not sick, getting a health checkup is a prudent way to ensure that you are in the pink of health. Generally, a full-body annual health check is recommended for everyone. By purchasing health insurance, you no longer have to book an external appointment with a clinic. The insurance company takes care of the appointments and delivers the reports straight to your doorstep. Insurers even offer doorstep health checks, making the process incredibly convenient and hassle-free.

2. Early detection of diseases:

While the detection of disease increases the health insurance premium, on the bright side, it discovers an underlying problem that would otherwise have gone unnoticed and eventually led to more significant financial stress and physical discomfort. It is better to pay extra after early diagnosis and undergo treatment than bear the massive cost of a preventable illness that you neglected.

3. Tax deductions:

The Income Tax Act 1961 provides certain deductions that can be subtracted from your total gross income to arrive at the gross taxable income. One such deduction under Section 80D is preventive health check-ups.
Most insurance companies include free health checkups in their health insurance policy. However, in the case of non-inclusive health checkups, you can claim a deduction of INR 5,000 for medical checkups for yourself and your direct dependents, including your children, spouse, and parents. The Act also allows a deduction for health insurance premiums paid in the financial year of up to INR 25,000 for non-senior citizens and INR 50,00 for senior citizens.

4. Increases interest in self wellbeing:

Seeing the results of a health checkup is no short of a reality check. It can help you break poor habits, adopt a healthier lifestyle and work towards a more robust version of yourself. An additional incentive is a link between your health and premiums. Increasing premiums due to ill health is a great motivator to refocus your efforts towards building a healthy lifestyle and reducing the risk of diseases.

Preventive health checkups are a boon in the guise of a preliminary check that helps health insurance providers assess the risk of potential clients. These checks facilitate the early detection of potentially life-threatening ailments and provide appropriate facilities to take care of the problem at the earliest. While health insurance offers several benefits, including a safety net in medical emergencies, preventive health checkups are a perk you should take advantage of!

Click HERE to buy the best health 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.

Hatchbacks are small cars with a hatch-type opening at the rear end that we can open upwards and often come along with boot space. They do not have a separate boot from the passenger cabin. They are ideal in size for manoeuvring easily in city traffic and have a seating capacity of 4-5 people.

Hatchbacks are a preferred car segment for families, especially middle-class families, because of their size, ease, and convenience, in addition to good mileage and cost efficiency.

1. Easy manoeuvrability:
Hatchbacks provide ease of manoeuvrability compared to sedans and SUVs on busy city roads. They are easy to handle, and constant braking, taking turns, moving through narrow lanes, etc., become easier for the drivers. Moreover, it is easy to park them in the ever-shrinking parking space of the big cities.
As the Sedans are longer in size, it can be a hassle to drive them on busy streets. Parking them can be even more challenging. SUVs are heavier and can be tough to manoeuvre around if you are using them for daily use amidst heavy routine traffic.

2. Foldable rear seats:
Hatchbacks come with foldable rear seats. Just open the rear hatch, fold the back seats, and you have massive storage space for your luggage and other stuff. Hence, hatchbacks can offer more boot space than even a sedan with a separate boot if there is no passenger in the back seat.

3. Better mileage:
Hatchbacks usually have lesser kerb weight than sedans and SUVs. This directly has a positive impact on the fuel efficiency of the car. Also, hatchbacks usually have smaller engines than cars of other segments.
Hence, they provide better mileage than others and save a lot of money over a long period. SUVs usually have big engines and can be fuel guzzlers. Sedans can also have poor mileage due to their size and engine capacity.

4. Cost-effective:
Hatchbacks cost much less than SUVs and sedans. As these cars cater to the budget-conscious category, their spare parts are also reasonably priced. Hence, hatchbacks are easier to buy as well as maintain. Their running costs are much lesser than cars of other segments. They turn out to be cost-effective and pocket-friendly.
Sedans come with long, elegant, and stylish exteriors making them more expensive. SUVs, including compact-size ones, are heavier than hatchbacks and come equipped with bigger engines, making them more expensive than hatchbacks. The spare parts of sedans and SUVs are also costlier than hatchbacks. Their running costs, maintenance, and service charges are also higher.

5. Sporty:
Hatchbacks are usually sportier and more fun to drive than sedans and SUVs, especially in city traffic conditions. They come in various colours and designs and are considered practical alternatives to sports cars for everyday driving.

Hatchbacks are a preferred car segment for small families. Modern-day families also avoid buying long-sized sedans as the three-box design is of little use to them in their daily lives.

You may buy a car from any of the segments- a hatchback, a sedan, or an SUV, but you will have to go for motor insurance compulsorily in India. Driving without valid motor insurance can attract hefty fines and cancellation of your driving licence. Also, the motor insurance India policy protects you from any financial burden in case your car meets with an accident and needs repairs. The insurance company will foot the bills for you and bring your car back in shape. Hence, go for a good motor insurance India policy and stay secure.

Click HERE to buy a motor insurance India of your choice.

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.