GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Technology has constantly been evolving and has been instrumental in all the big and small changes happening in the world. While there is a constant debate as to whether technology is a boon or a bane, it cannot be denied that our lives have been made easier by the many technological advancements made by humans. In today's age, everything is data-driven.

Starting from your date of birth to the last place you swiped your credit card is monitored and constantly fed to databases. Owing to the ever-growing gap between consumers' need to work and the ease with which they can achieve it, technology has taken centre stage and paved the path for accessible, hassle-free experiences. One such area is motor insurance. The rise of new technology has made its way into the world of insurance and is revolutionising services and interaction.

This article will discuss the emerging technology trends to change the motor insurance world.

1. Artificial intelligence:

The words artificial intelligence or AI are casually thrown around in everyday conversation. What is AI, and how is it changing motor insurance? In layman's terms, AI is the intelligence used by machines to undertake human-like tasks faster and more efficiently.
With the intervention of AI, insurers can meet the consumer's needs more quickly. AI is capable of finding unique tailor-made solutions to suit all your insurance needs. Insurers can access reports and data faster, thus speeding up the whole process.

2. Machine Learning:

The building blocks for artificial intelligence, machine learning is responsible for accessing, analysing, and modelling large chunks of data. A single run on these machine learning models can give a detailed analysis of every aspect of a person's life, given they have the data— pre-programmed algorithms to improve processing speed and yield accurate results. With machine learning, queries and identification can be made faster and effortlessly.

3. Internet of Things (IoT):

The concept of data privacy is lost on many people. People willingly give extra information if it means they can cut the prices. An extension of machine learning models and artificial intelligence concepts, IoT can process large amounts of data and automate the sharing process. IoT can also aid in risk assessment and mitigation to directly manipulate the new car insurance rates and the annual premium.

4. Chatbots:

Chatbots give you a human-like experience. With chatbots being used to their maximum potential, many insurance-related queries and doubts will be handled using these advanced bots.
Chatbots can efficiently communicate with customers; if they cannot solve a query, it will be forwarded to the person in charge. This helps everyone stay in the loop while not wasting time and resources. This produces fast and effective outcomes while assuring great on-the-go customer support.

5. Insurtech:

Insurance and technology together make insurance companies. They use the latest technologies to mitigate the insurance cost for customers and insurers. All the technologies mentioned earlier by insurance companies can revolutionise customer relationship management. They can use such tools to develop products that can help risk management and mitigation.

These were just a few of the many new technology trends that will take the world by storm. The rapid resurgence of technology can be scary and intimidating. Trusting technology-driven solutions might take some time for the common people, but the important thing to understand here is that technology can be a great friend if used correctly.

In the future, technology can assure surprising advancements in the insurance industry, which may promise new car insurance rates that will sit right in your budget while giving you the best covers and add-ons.

Click HERE to check out the new car insurance rates in the market.

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.

Owning a vehicle is a dream for many. In recent times, a vehicle has become a necessity. Be it a quick run to the nearby grocery store or taking road trips during the weekend, automobiles have become the new favourite investment for most people. Since the prices of cars and bikes are increasing daily, potential buyers are forced to have a second thought. While some people opt for loans or EMIs to pay for their motor vehicles, others prefer using second-hand cars.

In India, it is illegal to drive around without motor insurance. As a second-hand vehicle owner, transferring the insurance and understanding the nuances of the same can be challenging and intimidating. This article is here to help you understand the process better so that you can drive around worry-free.

Why is it essential to transfer the insurance policy from the previous owner to the current owner?

If the insurance ownership is not transferred to the new owner, then according to the law, the new owner can be charged legally. Not only that, if the vehicle were involved in an accident without having the name on the policy papers, the new owner would not be able to make any insurance claims. Without the insurance cover, the owner will be liable for all financial costs arising from an accident.

Let's look at the steps involved in transferring insurance ownership from one owner to another:

1. The vehicle's former owner must write an application to the RTO upon selling the bike.

2. Fill out a form at the RTO and submit RC, emission certificate, insurance papers, and fitness certificate.

3. Do not forget to carry valid IDs and passport-size photographs of the applicant.

4. The applicant must submit forms 28 (No objection certificate) and 29 (states the selling and purchasing of the vehicle between two parties) to the RTO.

If the buyer and the seller live in the same state, then report the transfer of ownership to the RTO within two weeks of buying the vehicle. The report must be made within forty-five days if both parties do not reside in the same state.

If selling an old vehicle, the seller must provide all details about the buyer and the bike to the motor insurance provider so that they can stay informed and updated.

After you visit the RTO where your bike is registered, you will need to submit a few forms along with the insurance papers and other required documents. The insurance provider might check the vehicle to ensure if it is in working condition and issue a fitness certificate. After submitting all the files, the RTO will verify and transfer the insurance to the new owner.

What are the benefits of insurance transfer?

1. If the new owner causes an accident, they cannot hold the seller accountable as the insurance papers are in the name of the new owner. This way, you can evade litigation and accountability for the damages caused.

2. NCB: If you have not claimed your vehicle's insurance before the transfer of ownership, then you are qualified for a No claim bonus. During the insurance transfer, you can collect a certificate of eligibility for NCB that can be applied to your following policy.

These were a comprehensive list of all things to remember while undertaking insurance transfers. As mentioned above, the seller and buyer can reap benefits from an insurance transfer. Do not forget to initiate the transfer as soon as possible to avoid legal hassles and financial obligations.

Remember to check out other benefits of policy transfer with your motor insurance provider and ask if there are options for add-ons to the existing policy. This will help you safeguard your vehicle as per your needs.

Click HERE to find out more about motor 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.

Car insurance costs can vary significantly depending on various factors. The total price you give at the beginning of policy renewal is the cost of the car insurance. In this article, we will look at a few factors responsible for the total cost of your car insurance.

1. The model of the vehicle can significantly determine the cost of your insurance. The more the market value of the car, the more will be the insurance cost. If your vehicle has good engine capacity, advanced technology, and electronic features, the overall cost of your insurance will be higher.

2. The geographical location is a lesser considered factor when it comes to car insurance. If your location is the face of extreme weather conditions such as rains and cyclones, then it is likely that the costs will increase. These are not just limited to natural calamities. Human-made disasters like riots and vandalism also fall into this category. Areas prone to riots and destruction can lead to heightened insurance costs.

3. Driving records are one of the most crucial factors that decide the cost of your premium. If you have a clean track record with no accidents or speeding tickets, then it is highly likely that your insurance costs will reduce. If it is proven that you are a responsible driver, then it automatically translates to lesser chances of accidents and danger. On the other hand, even if you have one ticket or one accident under your belt, the insurance costs can drastically change.

4. Suppose you have never raised a claim or are eligible for a no-claim bonus when you sign up for your online motor insurance renewal. In that case, insurance companies will provide you with a hefty discount on the insurance costs. If no claims have been made so far in your tenure, it proves that you are a responsible driver and a car owner. All these are extra points that the insurance companies consider while calculating the final cost.

5. If you have opted for voluntary deductibles, then the overall cost of the insurance falls automatically. However, this will not be possible if you take third-party insurance. Ensuring that you as an owner will pay a pre-determined amount in case of accidents and damages is a sign of assurance that you will not partake in malpractice to take unlawful benefits of the insurance system. Due to this, insurance companies will provide you with a low-cost insurance policy.

6. Digital insurance is the new policy in the market. With everything digitised, companies can cut costs on operations. Hence, they can offer better policies at lower price points. Consider opting for an online motor insurance renewal to understand digital insurance better. You will get a perfect walkthrough of the online procedures.

7. The type of fuel that you use in your vehicles can also determine the cost of car insurance. If your vehicle runs on CNG or diesel, then the cost of insurance will be more than that of cars running on petrol. Not only that, but the mileage also decides the overall cost of your insurance. These factors contribute to the overall IDV or the insured declared value. The higher the IDV, the more the cost of car insurance.

These are some of the factors that affect the cost of the car. Remember that proper maintenance and aftercare will help your vehicle run smoothly for an extended period. You must provide timely maintenance and servicing to keep your car working correctly and efficiently. Add more value to your vehicle by investing in good car insurance offers available in India. If your car insurance is about to expire, let this article remind you to opt for online motor insurance renewal for a contactless and hassle-free experience.

Click HERE to find out more about online motor insurance 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.

How often have you forgotten your spectacles at home and had difficulty recognising people's faces from a distance? These are some of the widespread yet frustrating problems people face with glasses. One of the most convenient and revolutionary technologies for solving this problem is laser eye surgery, popularly known as LASIK surgery.

With about a quarter of the world facing vision problems, it's not surprising that laser eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular. This blog aims to give you an insight into this technology and how it is revolutionising the world.

The need for LASIK:

When we look at a particular object, light from that object enters the eye and passes through the natural lens of the eye. This natural lens is responsible for correctly refracting the light to hit the retina. The eye's retina is responsible for focusing all the light and sending signals to the brain to help us interpret what we're seeing.

When light does not focus upon the retina correctly, vision can get blurry. This might be because the cornea isn't curved perfectly, or it can be because the eye lens present in our eye is slightly longer or shorter.

This refractive procedure is usually done to correct one of the following three vision problems: Myopia, Hypermetropia, and Astigmatism.

How does LASIK work?

Laser surgery is a procedure where the patient's cornea is reshaped by using an evolved cutting laser technology to help it refract the light to provide clear vision. Corneal reshaping is done by mapping the entire cornea precisely and then using this to plan the surgery accurately.

Pros:

1. Quick and safe – The most inviting aspect of this procedure is that it is a short one. LASIK takes only 10 minutes to mitigate your vision problems for each eye, so 20 minutes total to have perfect vision. It is also a very safe procedure, with 98 percent of people satisfied with the surgery's results.

2. Painless procedure – This procedure is entirely painless due to the eye drops your surgeon will apply at the beginning of the operation. Moreover, there is minimum post-operative pain, with no stitches or bandages required after LASIK.

3. Fixed cost – While the procedure is cumbersome on the wallet, it is a one-time investment. Glasses and contact lenses are cheaper than surgery, but they are building expenses with the cost of regular eye check-ups, lenses, and frames. However, there's a good chance LASIK is not covered by your insurance. Research online health insurance to find one that does.

4. Enjoy your favourite sports without fear – For many people, this surgery is not an option but a lifesaver. Whether you want to enlist in the police, army or play contact sports where wearing glasses is not an option, LASIK is the knight in shining armour if you don't want the hassle of carrying your lenses and lens cleaning solution everywhere.

Cons:

While this procedure has numerous advantages, there are some drawbacks too. You need to take several things into consideration before taking this big step. It is a huge investment and might burn a hole in your pocket if you're not ready. Like any other surgery, there are risks and side effects involved. Some side effects include dry eyes, a halo effect with bright light, and poor night vision. Consult your eye specialist before making any decision.

Although laser eye surgery is relatively quick and painless, you must take proper precautions. Avoid using any eye makeup or lotions around the eye for about three days before the surgery. Also, make sure to arrange a ride back home because you might not be able to drive right after the surgery due to blurred vision and the sedative. As most insurance plans might not cover the cost of laser eye surgery, it is best to research online health insurance to understand the terms.

Click HERE to know more about online health 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.

The feeling of riding a motorcycle in the morning is otherworldly. But it's not only the early morning atmosphere that gives this ethereal feeling to the rider. It's also the smooth functioning of the engine and the swift and excellent acceleration of the motorbike in the morning. Many people experience this but do not pay much heed to why this happens.

This blog aims to make this phenomenon more understandable for curious bike fanatics.

1. Reduced friction:

The smooth ride that the engine provides in the morning and the minimum noise directly result from the engine's internal temperature. However, other parts of the engine maintain their temperature even when kept at rest throughout the night. Due to the thermal expansion of metals, there needs to be a proper gap between various working parts of the engine.
For example, to permit the expansion of the piston, there is a gap within the block of the engine. There is less friction, resulting in less noise in the morning due to this gap between the piston and the cylinder wall in the morning. This occurrence applies to almost every moving part of the engine.

2. Viscosity:

Another reason the engine feels smooth in the morning is the oil's viscosity. Viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature. In the early morning, the engine oil is cold, making it denser in volume. This higher viscosity accounts for maximum lubrication in the engine, which results in the smooth running of the bike.

3. Fuel management systems:

As far as better crisp acceleration in the morning is concerned, the fuel management system of the bike is the most responsible. The bike's fueling is divided into two- either fuel and air can be mixed proportionally by a carburettor, or the fuel is atomised at high pressure, mixed with clean air, eventually entering the engine's combustion chamber.
Carburettors give you a crisper throttle response due to the richer mixture between fuel and air. But nowadays, these are slowly being phased out due to the increasing pollution by carburettors.

So, do you really need to warm the bike up before starting it? This is another question that greatly puzzles bike enthusiasts.

There's no real need to warm up an engine for more than a minute before starting it. For a long time, all bikes used a carburettor for combustion. This type of engine tends to run poorly until appropriately warmed.

So, there is still a misconception that you must let the engine warm up before you start riding it. But it would be best if you were careful about hammering the throttle before the engine has gotten all nice and warm.

Riding a motorcycle gently for the first few miles is a good idea because putting the engine under extreme pressure while still cold increases the chances of damage and breakdown.

This damage is dangerous and can result in the maintenance fees burning a hole in your pocket. The best solution to counter this is investing in a good bike insurance that pays great dividends.

Click HERE to know more about 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.

Driving a car without insurance is considered illegal in India. Automobile owners weigh the pros and cons of different options available in the policy market. Before buying car insurance, people consider various factors such as covers, add-ons, services, premiums, etc. In this article, we will be talking about premiums and how they can vary depending upon the kind and size of your car.

What is a premium?

A premium is an amount you pay your insurer to keep your policy valid. The duration of payment can vary from monthly to quarterly to annual payments.

What factors affect the premium?

1. Model and make of your vehicle
2. Engine capacity
3. The driving experience of the policyholder
4. Age
5. Location

Besides the points mentioned above, previous claims and traffic violations can also affect your insurance premium.

We better understand what premium is and how they can be affected. Let's look at premiums for SUVs and sedans.

1. The make and model:

Car insurance can vary significantly depending upon your car's size, make, and model. If you intend to buy an SUV or a sedan, remember that these models are charged the highest premiums. Putting in ample research into the car model and the respective insurance premium is essential.

2. Driving record:

Another crucial factor that decides the total cost of your premium is the driving experience. If you have no records of accidents, then the premium rates can be significantly lower. Even a minor skip such as running a red light or speeding ticket can affect the premium rates too. Insurance companies analyse your driving records to understand the risk associated with your driving and how likely you are to get into accidents. The more the chances of accidents, the higher the premium rates.

3. Location:

If you live in an area with high crime rates, the insurers tend to charge higher premiums.
The premium amounts can be excessive if your locality is prone to crime and vandalism.

4. Coverage and add-ons:

Coverage and add-ons are the services insurance companies provide when you buy an insurance policy from them. If you opt for the basic package and maintain a good driving record, the insurer will likely settle for a lower premium.

5. Age of the vehicle:

The age of your vehicle is another factor that insurance providers consider when offering insurance. The depreciation value of your vehicle increases with time. Adding to that is the wear and tear that the vehicle went through over the years, reducing the value of the car. Therefore, older cars will have a lesser premium.

6. Engine capacity:

The CC or the engine capacity affects the premium and higher the CC, higher the premium. And since SUVs and sedans have higher CC, their premiums are also higher.

7. Engine type:

Cars running on petrol have lesser premiums than cars running on diesel. A vehicle running on CNG has a higher premium than diesel engines. If you intend on adding a CNG unit to your sedan or SUV, keep in mind that the premium costs will increase significantly.

8. Modifications:

Modifications that alter the look or performance of your car will have a higher market value. This, in turn, will increase the cost of the premium on the vehicle. The look and feel of the car is a lesser talked about factor when it comes to insurance prices.

These are some factors that affect the premium of your insurance coverage. Irrespective of the kind of vehicle you buy, the points mentioned above determine the overall cost of your insurance. Before finalising your car insurance renewal, do not forget to look through various insurance providers and their services for a price best suited for your needs.

Click HERE to know more about car insurance 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.

OneHealth, Magma HDI’s flagship health insurance is an all-encompassing solution with five plans tailormade to suit a customer’s needs. With state-of-the-art features and a bucket of add-ons, OneHealth provides a solid financial shield in case of a health exigency.

What is zone-wise pricing in health insurance?

Insurers offer zone-wise pricing to strike a fair balance in health insurance premiums, especially for customers in smaller cities. Hence, it may so happen that premium for a similar health plan differs as per cities, especially between metros and non-metros. There can be multiple reasons for this.

a) Hospitalization costs are relatively lower in smaller cities vis-à-vis metros
b) In most instances, the insured will opt for treatment only in their home city / town
c) Moreover, it may be assumed that people living in metros or tier 1 cities could be more susceptible to lifestyle diseases, and thus the higher premium

Hence, insurers try to pass on the benefit of lower cost of hospitalization to customers hailing from smaller cities. Having said that, most of the insurers offering zone-wise premiums have a co-pay clause for policyholders who want to avail treatment from a higher zone, which they bear during their claim settlement.

Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver Optional Cover

In Magma HDI’s OneHealth insurance, the zones are classified into Zone 1, 2 and 3:

• Zone 1: Delhi including National Capital Region, Mumbai including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Bangalore, and Gujarat
• Zone 2: Coimbatore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, and Kerala
• Zone 3: Rest of India

One of the latest optional covers added in OneHealth is the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver. As mentioned above, the premium rates of a health insurance product are fixed as per the zone opted for in the policy (Zone 1, 2 or 3). Zone 1 calls for the highest premium, followed by Zone 2 and Zone 3. If the insured undergoes a treatment in a zone higher than the one opted for in the policy, he must pay an additional co-pay amount which is charged as a fixed percentage of the claim amount. The existing OneHealth insurance plan has the following co-pay:

Now, with the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver Optional Cover, the insured can get this co-pay amount waived off if their treatment occurs in a zone higher than the one opted for in the policy. The cover is available across all plans and sum insureds.

Let us understand with an example.

• Mr. Parag, a 40-year-old from Amritsar plans to buy the OneHealth Secure plan for himself, his wife and two children, with a sum insured of INR 10 lakh.

• As Amritsar falls in Zone 3, Mr. Parag would have to pay INR 12,997 + GST as premium but would have to bear 35% co-pay on his claim amount if he ever gets a medical treatment done in Delhi (which falls in Zone 1).

• To avoid this, Mr. Parag can also opt for a Zone 1 premium i.e., INR 16,154 + GST for any eventuality. However, even this is 24% higher than the Zone 3 premium.

• Thanks to the Zone-wise Co-pay Waiver optional cover, Mr. Parag would only have to pay INR 14,362 + GST and get a Pan India coverage.

An insured can also opt for this optional cover at the time of renewal. However, a waiting period of 1 year shall be applicable for renewed policies. No waiting period is applicable for this optional cover, if opted while buying OneHealth for the first time as fresh or portability policy. In case this cover is discontinued by the customer, and again opted for subsequently, the 1-year waiting period shall start afresh.

Know more about Magma HDI’s OneHealth on WWW.MAGMAHDI.COM/ONEHEALTH-INSURANCE

The feeling of riding a motorcycle in the morning is otherworldly. But it's not only the early morning atmosphere that gives this ethereal feeling to the rider. It's also the smooth functioning of the engine and the swift and excellent acceleration of the motorbike in the morning. Many people experience this but do not pay much heed to why this happens.

This blog aims to make this phenomenon more understandable for curious bike fanatics.

1. Reduced friction:

The smooth ride that the engine provides in the morning and the minimum noise directly result from the engine's internal temperature. However, other parts of the engine maintain their temperature even when kept at rest throughout the night. Due to the thermal expansion of metals, there needs to be a proper gap between various working parts of the engine.
For example, to permit the expansion of the piston, there is a gap within the block of the engine. There is less friction, resulting in less noise in the morning due to this gap between the piston and the cylinder wall in the morning. This occurrence applies to almost every moving part of the engine.

2. Viscosity:

Another reason the engine feels smooth in the morning is the oil's viscosity. Viscosity is inversely proportional to temperature. In the early morning, the engine oil is cold, making it denser in volume. This higher viscosity accounts for maximum lubrication in the engine, which results in the smooth running of the bike.

3. Fuel management systems:

As far as better crisp acceleration in the morning is concerned, the fuel management system of the bike is the most responsible. The bike's fueling is divided into two- either fuel and air can be mixed proportionally by a carburettor, or the fuel is atomised at high pressure, mixed with clean air, eventually entering the engine's combustion chamber.
Carburettors give you a crisper throttle response due to the richer mixture between fuel and air. But nowadays, these are slowly being phased out due to the increasing pollution by carburettors.

So, do you really need to warm the bike up before starting it? This is another question that greatly puzzles bike enthusiasts.

There's no real need to warm up an engine for more than a minute before starting it. For a long time, all bikes used a carburettor for combustion. This type of engine tends to run poorly until appropriately warmed.

So, there is still a misconception that you must let the engine warm up before you start riding it. But it would be best if you were careful about hammering the throttle before the engine has gotten all nice and warm.

Riding a motorcycle gently for the first few miles is a good idea because putting the engine under extreme pressure while still cold increases the chances of damage and breakdown.

This damage is dangerous and can result in the maintenance fees burning a hole in your pocket. The best solution to counter this is investing in a good bike insurance that pays great dividends.

Click HERE to know more about 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.