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GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

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Consider these factors while purchasing cancer health insurance

Cancer is one such illness that affects the patient and their family emotionally and mentally. According to recent studies, cancer rates are alarmingly increasing day by day. It can happen to anyone, irrespective of age, health, or lifestyle. Keeping these increasing numbers in mind, getting health insurance to manage expensive cancer treatment is ideal. Moreover, many insurance companies offer easy and quick health insurance policy renewals to avoid complications and get you financially protected.

Factors to consider when purchasing a cancer health insurance.

There are a lot of insurance plans in the market, which makes it confusing to find the right insurance company. It is important to purchase the right policy that matches your requirements to get the desired benefits in the event of a need. Understand that not just buying but timely cancer health insurance policy renewal is the best way to remain financially protected.

1. Type of policy:
Look for insurance policy features that specifically meet the needs of life-threatening diseases like cancer. You can also buy a cancer coverage add-on with your original health insurance policy or opt for the critical illness insurance policy that covers expensive medical charges.

2. Policy coverage:
Cancer treatments can jeopardize your lifelong savings. While some people can bear these expenses, some take out heavy loans to cover them. Thus, choosing a maximum sum assured and policy coverage is ideal. Also, look for an insurance provider that offers quick and hassle-free health insurance policy renewal.
During the critical cancer stage, you may be unable to work and provide income to the family. Therefore, ensure that your plan offers sufficient money to cover your lost income and medical expenses.

3. Waiting period:
Keep in mind that every health insurance plan comes with a waiting period. The waiting period for a particular disease can differ from one insurer to other. You may not be able to claim the medical expenses till your policy comes into force. Therefore, look for policies with shorter waiting periods or quick health insurance renewal to avoid increasing costs.

4. Prior medical history:
You may not know, but most insurers do not offer cancer coverage to those with a prior cancer history. Thus, if you have already survived cancer, your application has a chance of being rejected by the insurance company. Thus, disclose all health-related information with the insurance company when you buy a health insurance policy or consider health insurance policy renewal.

5. Insurance company:
Besides looking at the policy offerings and benefits, choosing the right insurance company is essential to ensuring a smooth purchase and claim settlement experience. It is recommended to check the insurance company's online reviews, customer support, claim settlement ratio, etc., and then choose the best policy.

6. Premium:
Another important factor to consider while purchasing cancer health insurance is the insurance premium. An insurance broker may offer maximum benefits, but if the insurance premium is out of your budget, all of these things do not matter. You must think twice before purchasing or considering health insurance policy renewal if the premium is out of budget.

While many want to avoid such dreadful illnesses, preparing yourself and your family for the worst is always a wise decision. Therefore, purchase or ensure regular health insurance policy renewal today to secure your tomorrow.

Click HERE for health insurance policy renewal.

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.

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Here’s why the least-priced car insurance may not be a worthwhile investment

Imagine you're out with your car for some work, and suddenly another over-speeding vehicle rams into your car from behind. A scary situation, isn't it? Worrying about the damages is not a concern if you have the right protection. Car insurance is the immediate step you should buy to ensure that you are compensated fairly and stay financially stress-free.

When you begin choosing insurance from the options available, you always look for competitive premiums which are affordable and fully effective. Although you can get substantially low car insurance policies, you will not be able to enjoy all the benefits and features.

Let's have a detailed look at why you should not opt for the least-priced car insurance.

1. Unavailability of essential benefits:
The least-priced car insurance often strips you of the major benefits. Not all expensive insurance policies need to offer you all the benefits, but the least-priced ones offer you none. For instance, it may not even cover accident costs if someone else is driving the car at the time of an accident. Some insurance companies very cleverly offer you a low premium to attract you to their insurance policies. You must properly inspect your policy before determining the one you want to buy.

2. Impacts policy coverage:
The cost of the car insurance policy is directly proportional to the level of coverage it provides. If your insurance is cheap, the coverage will be lower too. There might be third-party insurance involved, which requires the protection against damages to the third party. You can be accountable for major crises in terms of losses or damages.

3. Lack of cashless claims:
If your insurance policy is cheap, you may not be able to enjoy cashless claims. This means that you will not be able to avail the facility of getting your car repaired in a garage that falls under your insurance. Under other circumstances, you will not be required to pay any money from your pocket. But with cheap car insurance, you are forced to pay for the damages before you apply for a claim.

4. Unsatisfactory customer service:
It is a known fact that the reputed insurance agencies ask you for a premium which is justified. This means that you will receive top-notch and priority treatment as a customer. You will be given the best support and care by the customer service of your designated insurance company. They will pay attention to all your complaints and resolve them on priority. In the case of cheap insurance, you will face unsatisfactory responses to your queries. Always keep that in mind.

5. Greater deductibles:
A deductible is a partial amount paid by the policy owner during the settlement of an insurance claim. With this feature in your car insurance policy, you need to pay a small deductible for your claim. However, for the least-priced car insurance, you need to pay a larger amount as deductibles. Only after the payment, you'll get the claim amount. This is how they loop you in for trouble. Always ensure that you read your documents carefully and ask all the right questions.

These points are enough to evaluate decently priced car insurance instead of a cheap one. Always make sure you explore all your options and purchase the best car insurance, which would cater to all your needs in the best way possible. By saving a few bucks today, you risk losing a lot of money tomorrow. Hence, choose wisely while getting car insurance to protect your car against hefty damages in unfortunate situations.

Click HERE to learn more about the benefits of car insurance and the process of determining the best option for you.

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.

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Top trends the insurance industry is set to see in 2023

Financial products and services are constantly evolving and adapting to changing market conditions and customer needs. The insurance industry is no outlier with the ultimate goal of increasing insurance penetration. It undergoes massive changes each year to use potential opportunities within the scope of the law to increase customer satisfaction and insurance awareness.

As we move into 2023, general insurance companies in India expect significant changes that will redefine the perception of insurance. While some align with predicted global trends, many are likely to contribute to domestic consumer trends and legal amendments.

Here is a quick rundown of some top insurance industry trends predicted for 2023!

1. Portfolio diversification through product innovation:
Increased product development innovation is expected globally to address the unique needs and risks of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, smart cities, and the Internet of Things. Cybersecurity insurance is likely to continue as a highly demanded product. As the consumer-centric approach of the industry grows, diversification is expected to be based on evolving consumer needs.

2. Additional offerings:
Insurance companies may distribute other financial products as per the Finance Ministry's proposal. While the proposal is yet to be clarified, veterans speculate that the approved products could include allied insurance products, investment, or value-added services.
Insurance companies are set to benefit from their well-established distribution channels, adding to their revenue from a secondary source.

3. M&As:
A proposal to issue composite licences is also under discussion, opening up opportunities for general insurance companies in India to sell insurance policies, favourable mergers, acquisitions, and massive expansions in revenue and product portfolios.

4. Technology:
The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, will steadily increase and provide insight into customer behaviour and preferences. This offers an excellent opportunity to efficiently use human intervention and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations by harmoniously using digital and human efforts.

5. Digitalisation:
The pick-up of technological advancements has been slow across the global insurance industry, but this is expected to change in 2023. Insurers will invest in digital platforms and tools to provide personalised and convenient services to customers. Digital channels will likely be used for sales and service and to support underwriting and claim settlements.

6. Value-based brand building:
With the entry of new competitors amid an incoming global recession, insurance companies may have to rethink their approach to changing customer perception and stricter regulations. As consumers tightly clutch their wallets, companies will have to build greater awareness regarding their products and their significance amid uncertainties. This will build a connection based on values that their audience resonates with, including transparency.

7. New distribution channels:
With the rise of insurtech start-ups, the insurance industry is expected to see a boom of new distribution channels, such as online marketplaces, digital brokers, and comparison websites, making it easier for customers to access insurance products and compare prices.

8. Entry of new players:
The growth of the Indian insurance industry has largely been dependent on the Insurance Act of 1938 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act of 1999.
The winter session of Parliament discussed proposed amendments, including the scrapping of the statutory requirement of INR 100 crore start-up capital for life, health and general insurance companies in India and INR 200 crore for reinsurance business. This move will likely result in new entrants in the market, increased competition, and possibly making premiums cheaper.

With increasing internet use, rural India is an untapped market that general insurance companies in India can explore through efficient digital channels that make insurance accessible.

Slated for rapid growth, the insurance industry will see several significant changes in 2023 as it adapts to new technologies and evolving customer needs. By focusing on global trends, digitalisation, and customer satisfaction, non-general and general insurance companies in India can curate a path to be at the forefront of the insurance industry's future!

Click HERE to buy a reliable insurance plan that fits your needs.

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.

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How is AI set to revolutionise the car insurance sector

AI has evolved tremendously over recent years, and its impact can be seen in every sector of the economy. The car insurance sector is also touched by AI and is all set to revolutionise it. Data modelling and machine learning applications are changing the insurance process and customer experience. Its role is increasing in car inspection, claim processing, and car insurance renewal.

Let us see how AI is set to revolutionise the car insurance sector in detail.

1. Car Insurance renewal:
Policyholders must upload photos and videos of their cars from all angles on a cloud-based app. No human assistance is required in this process on the insurance company's end because of AI. Computers evaluate the condition of the car, quote the premium amount accordingly and process the renewal.
AI is helping companies to save millions of rupees as their manpower requirement for the insurance renewal process has gone down drastically. Also, it is helping to save a lot of valuable time for companies and customers by making the renewal process swift and streamlined.

2. Claim processing:
AI is also set to revolutionise the processing of claims in the car insurance sector. Currently, claim management and processing are primarily manual. It takes a lot of time and is prone to errors and inefficiencies. This process is known to eat up around 50%-80% of the revenues generated by premiums.
Machines and computers need sufficient learning data and algorithms to master claims processing. AI can be used for initial claims routing, thorough inspection, and assessing the nature of damage and time for repairs. It can save several hours in processing every individual claim.
More importantly, AI can detect fraudulent claims, a major revenue drainer for every insurance company. AI can help to detect out-of-the-ordinary behaviour and claims coming for processing, which sometimes normal eyes can fail to detect. Some AI-based applications are capable of running background checks on customers coming for insurance claims. The insurance company can assess the risks associated with a respective customer or business.

3. Telematics-based insurance plans:
AI has enabled car insurance companies to offer telematics-based insurance plans to their customers. A "Pay-as-you-drive" plan can be used to charge premiums for insurance plans according to the number of kilometres a customer drives over time. AI can also assess driving style and behaviour of the drivers and charge premiums accordingly.
Thus, AI can be a revolutionising tool for "Pay-how-you-drive" plans and help companies to offer sophisticated and need-based plans to their customers. Such plans can help an insurance company to increase its clientele and profitability.

4. Competitive premiums:
AI can be very helpful in tracking the premiums charged by competitors for their car insurance plans in real time. A car insurance provider can accordingly charge a lower premium or offer a better car insurance price in India to the customers and ensure that the do not go away to the competitors.

The adoption of AI by insurers will be an essential criterion for companies to bring down their car insurance price in India. The insurance companies will pass on the savings due to AI to their customers, who will eventually benefit. Companies that do not adopt AI in the near future will be laggards, and competition will take over them.

Click HERE to get the best car insurance price in India for all your needs.

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.

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Concerned about malicious mischief and vandalism? House insurance is the solution you're looking for

Buying a home is a dream for most Indians. Considering the ever-increasing inflation, sky-rocketing real estate prices and constantly changing economic conditions, it requires extensive planning and budgeting. After putting in such efforts, a home becomes more than just a roof over one’s head- it is an investment, a sign of wealth, and probably the most important asset of your net worth.

Protecting an asset on which you have spent a fortune is essential. Buying the best home insurance policy in India is important to secure your home from multiple mishaps. While the best home insurance policy in India may offer you broad coverage from several risks, is the increasing threat of malicious mischief and vandalism included?

Read on to learn all about the specific coverage under home insurance.

What are acts of malicious mischief and vandalism?

To understand what the best home insurance policy in India covers, we must understand the meaning of the terms malicious mischief and vandalism.

Malicious mischief refers to the acts of destruction with the intent to damage or destroy property. It is usually acted out as a sign of resentment towards the property owner. Criminal mischief is recognised as a legal offence as per the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes an imprisonment term of 3 months, or fine, or both for perpetrators.

Vandalism is commonly used to describe the destruction of property without malicious intent targeting the owner. It is often seen as a mindless activity done to achieve the satisfaction of destruction rather than being fueled by ill intent. Vandalism is a punishable offence in India.

The need for malicious mischief and vandalism insurance.

While the terms may seem unfamiliar, malicious mischief and vandalism are rampant in the country. Irrespective of intent, such acts result in minor to massive losses for the property owner, depending on the scale.

In such situations, the prudent purchase of the best home insurance policy in India covering such acts pays off. Since one cannot immediately pinpoint the instigators of such acts of destruction, legal cases don't suffice as an instant relief. By comparing alternatives and purchasing the best home insurance policy in India, you can ensure the immediate raising of a claim and quick settlement of financial losses arising from vandalism and malicious mischief.

Exclusions from vandalism and malicious mischief:

1. If your property has been vacant for over 60 days consecutively, you cannot raise a claim even as a victim of vandalism or malicious mischief.

2. Suppose multiple people are listed as home insurance policyholders. If one of them intentionally indulges in destructive acts to damage the property, the other policyholders cannot raise a successful claim against the perpetrator.

General inclusions under vandalism insurance.

When comparing home insurance policies offered by multiple insurers to find the best home insurance policy in India, you may notice that each insurer offers a varying reimbursement limit and the extent of property covered under the policy. While minute details can differ, most vandalism and malicious mischief covers extend to the following.

1. Fixed structures:
The most apparent inclusions are the fixed structures on your property. This includes the house or flat's external frame, additional safety door, and exterior add-ons like mailboxes or shoe racks.

2. Personal property:
The best home insurance policy in India offers coverage for all your home appliances, furniture and fittings. Refrain from raising a claim for the destruction of commercial holdings since they are not covered by such plans.

In the backdrop of uncertainties, it is always ideal to have a security net that protects homeowners from the risk of vandalism and malicious mischief. If you are considering purchasing a house, ensure that you do due research to identify the best home insurance policy in India to safeguard your home and your finances!

Click HERE to invest in the 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.

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Home insurance is a must for you if you are a jewellery enthusiast

Are you fascinated with the ever-changing and beautiful jewellery designs that keep coming every second day in the fancy showrooms, and go and buy a lot of them? If yes, you must buy a good home insurance policy as soon as possible and safeguard your treasure against any perils.

As you might be stacking a lot of that jewellery in your home cupboards, the policy will protect your home and your most valuable possession.

In this article, let us discuss how home insurance can help protect your jewellery.

1. Go for a comprehensive home insurance policy:

A comprehensive home insurance policy provides umbrella insurance coverage to your house, its contents, or both. Hence, opt for a comprehensive home insurance policy that will protect you and your precious jewellery if ever your home is looted. Even if your house is damaged or destroyed due to natural calamities such as floods, fire, or earthquake, this policy will reimburse you for your house and its contents, including your jewellery. The policy also protects other valuables, such as expensive art pieces, antiques, etc.

2. Insurance valuation services:
A home insurance policy provides protection and coverage for your expensive jewellery after proper inspection and valuation. The insurance company provides accurate valuations of your jewellery, including gold, silver, or diamond ornaments and gold and silver coins.
An insurer covering jewellery expects you to take proper precautionary measures at your house to prevent it from being stolen or getting damaged. Although the size of the jewellery may be minuscule, its value could be in lakhs and even crores. There should be no scope for wrong valuation and interpretation issues between you and the insurance company when a mishap occurs. You expect a swift resolution from the insurance company, for which there should be no room for confusion.

3. Premium amount:
The premium amount varies with the amount of insurance coverage you are seeking. This will depend upon the valuation of your jewellery from a certified valuer of the insurance company. Also, insurance companies now cover up to 100% cost of your jewellery and charge you premium accordingly.
You should compare the premium amount of standalone jewellery insurance with comprehensive house insurance. Also, check the policies of several insurance companies, compare the premium amount of their respective coverage and choose the best among them.

4. Exclusions:
You should also be aware of the few exclusions in your home insurance policy that will not provide coverage for your jewellery.
Wilful negligence –
An insurer will not process your claim for jewellery that has been wilfully mishandled or recklessly handled and damaged by you.
Sale and replacement –
The insurance company will not cover jewellery sold and replaced by a new one. The insurance policy does not automatically apply to a new piece of jewellery. You will have to inform the insurer first, get it valued and complete the required formalities for taking coverage.
Non-payment of premium –
Your home insurance policy will cease to protect your jewellery in the event of non-payment of the due premium by you against the insurance policy.

Jewellery is a great investment for most of us. It is expensive and has good resale value as well. Moreover, there are a lot of emotions attached to them, if they are a part of our family heirloom or have been purchased by us for our dear ones on some special occasion. Hence, it is essential for you to buy home insurance and get them insured.

You should compare the policies and premiums of several home insurance policies and opt for the best home insurance in India. Going for the best will keep you stress free, and you will be assured of the safety of your house and its contents at any point of day or night.

Click HERE to buy 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.

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Here’s why you should check your insurer’s persistency ratio before purchasing a policy

Seller credibility is a crucial factor that affects buying decisions. This is especially noticed in high-value assets and financial products. Since these are transactions involving large numbers and significant interest, it is a must to check the insurer's reliability, which becomes a greater priority in the case of insurance products.

Insurance is a critical product; therefore, before purchasing such policies, checking the insurer's past performance and customer satisfaction is essential to ensure that you choose the best policy.

*For your understanding, we’ll be talking in reference to purchasing a health insurance policy.

The insurer's persistency ratio measures customer satisfaction, making it an important factor when comparing policies offered by various online health insurance companies.

What is the persistency ratio?

The persistency ratio depicts brand loyalty and the continued interest of policyholders in availing of the insurer's services. It is the number of policies renewed compared to the policies issued by the insurer. This ratio may be calculated for a financial year or a continuous period.

Calculation of the persistency ratio.
This is a relatively easy ratio to derive through two methods. It is determined using the annual premiums paid or the number of renewed policies. For newly issued policies, it is calculated in the thirteenth month, after one year for which the insurance plan is valid.

What does the persistency ratio indicate?

A high persistency ratio indicates a favourable position for an insurance company. Apart from showing the number of renewed policies, it offers multiple takeaways, including

1. Customer satisfaction:
The clearest inference from the ratio is the rate of client satisfaction. It indicates the emphasis health insurance companies place on valuing their customer's needs and assessing circumstances when claims are raised. It is an effective way to measure the insurer's performance and ability to facilitate a seamless insurance experience from the enquiry stage up to after-sales services. With the broad range of insurance providers available, customers can choose amongst them based on each insurer's transparency, overall quality of services, and customer gratification.

2. Solvency position:
A business's perpetual functioning depends on its ability to generate and expand revenue streams. The primary revenue stream for online health insurance companies is through the sale of insurance policies. Insurance companies need lower liabilities and higher revenues to maintain a prudent solvency position as regulated by the IRDAI. The higher the persistency ratio, the better the cash inflow and the more favourable the solvency position.

3. Claim settlement position:
If policyholders feel content with the insurer's services, they are more likely to become loyal customers who renew their policies annually. This becomes more likely when the insurer has a high claim settlement rate, which indicates that the company makes the claim settlement process more accessible and resolves claims sooner. Claim settlement rate, persistency rate, and renewals are interlinked, resulting in reduced risk for the insurer and more significant funds at their disposal to settle claims.

Why insurers may have a low persistency ratio?

Like all other ratios that serve as a barometer of online health insurance companies' performance, potential consumers need to understand the possible causes behind the result, irrespective of a favourable or unfavourable ratio. This becomes especially important in case of a negative ratio, which may be caused by the following:

1. Poor after-sales and administration services offered by the insurer.

2. A low claim settlement ratio deters potential buyers from purchasing a policy since the possibility of getting compensated is low.

3. Lack of innovation puts the insurer's products at a disadvantage against other evolved products aligned with consumer demands.

The persistency ratio of online health insurance companies is ultimately a reflection of their ability to retain customers. It is an essential parameter that potential buyers must consider before purchasing their health insurance to ensure that a reliable insurer protects them with a sound claim settlement system and customer satisfaction rate.

Click HERE to buy health insurance that suits your needs.

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.

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Before riding a borrowed bike, run these quick checks

Two-wheelers are extremely convenient modes of conveyance. Being easy to control and manoeuvre makes them a popular choice, resulting in the continued exponential growth of the Indian two-wheeler market.

While it is known that bikes are relatively unsafe compared to cars, an experienced rider doesn't face safety issues when following general driving rules. The additional cover provided by bike insurance enhances the safety quotient for riders and protects them from contingent financial losses resulting from accidents.

However, if you choose to borrow a bike, it becomes essential to run some quick checks to assess its condition before taking it for a ride. Whether you borrow it from a friend or rent one from a bike rental, here is a list of basic checks before riding a borrowed bike.

1. Inspect the tyres:
A bike's tyres are essential components that can cause or prevent an accident. Before you turn on the ignition system, ensure that the tyres are in good shape. Borrowed bikes have the possibility of having worn-out tyres, which you need to inspect thoroughly before you ride them. This is to ensure that no issues arise while you're on the road that may leave you stranded.
While a quick look can help identify any significant problems, such as deep treads or punctures, it is ideal to use your hand or kick the tyres to check the air pressure. The tyres' ideal PSI is listed on the body of the bike in case you need to fill up air in the tyres.

2. Don’t miss out on the brakes:
Well-functioning brakes are just as important as tyres to ensure the rider's safety. Depending on the type of two-wheeler, you may not have a foot brake to test. In the case of bikes, engage the foot brake and gauge the force required to engage the brake. Also, check the brake levers near the handlebars to test how much pressure is needed to apply the brakes. Even if you skip some of the other steps on this checklist, this is a non-negotiable inspection.

3. Did you check the side mirrors:
Every rider adjusts their side mirrors as per their convenience. While they may not seem important, they are essential for ensuring complete visibility of the rear traffic to make appropriate judgements on the road. If you have trouble setting them right, use this trick- adjust the mirrors such that the inward corners of the mirrors show your shoulder line on each side respectively. This way, you can have an optimal view of the vehicles behind your bike.

4. Indicators:
Poor indication habits while switching lanes and taking turns are leading causes of accidental grazing of vehicles, which sometimes escalate into massive accidents. This can be avoided by simply locating and checking the functioning of the turn signal controls, also called indicators and testing them before riding the borrowed bike.

5. Gear shifts:
What makes bikes difficult compared to scooters is the need to shift gears. If you have borrowed a manual transmission bike, check its gear shift mechanism to efficiently and effectively switch between gears while riding.

6. Valid driver's licence:
For bike insurance to cover any unfortunate accident while you ride a borrowed vehicle, you must hold a valid driver's licence and not drive under the influence of any substance.

*pro-tip
It is legally required to purchase bike insurance for every bike before it hits the road. While the policy can be purchased by either the owner or the short-term user, having valid bike insurance proof is essential. Check if the owner has already purchased a policy. If not, buy one for the short term in case of a rental to avoid legal troubles.

While your friend may have lent you a bike in good faith, it is necessary to check these aspects to ensure your safety. Additionally, inspect the bike's throttle, clutch, display, and the validity of bike insurance to avoid any mishaps and getting involved in unnecessary trouble due to poor maintenance of the borrowed bike.

Click HERE to buy a robust bike 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.