GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

The time of a health crisis is a vulnerable time for you and your loved ones. And this moment of panic is where most frauds occur, where mischievous minds exploit your vulnerability with their fraudulent strategies. Everyone can't look into the small details of fraud unless they understand how it takes place beforehand.

Medical emergencies are a time of great financial insecurity. A lifetime of savings can be drained due to your loved one getting into a sudden accident or the unexpected detection of chronic disease. In this time of need, health insurance is a great boon. It can provide you and your dear ones with much-needed protection from financial disaster. However, it is imperative to have the correct information to avoid falling into the trap of health insurance fraud. You won't ever want your hard-earned money to go to waste by falling prey to frauds or scams.

This blog gives you some pointers you can keep in mind to safeguard yourself from health insurance frauds.

Most common types of fraud:

Before getting into how to protect yourself from this deceit, here are some of the most common ways people can swindle money from your health insurance policy –

1. Medical identity theft: This type of fraud involves scammers using your personal information to charge fraudulent bills or make health insurance claims in your name.

2. Marketing scams: If you do not do adequate research about the company's reputation and decide to buy insurance, it may result in the company taking a high premium from you but not responding to any claims. These companies give out forged insurance documents to individuals and then become untraceable.

3. Ambulance fraud: Holding the spot of being the most overlooked type of fraud, ambulance fraud comes in the form of unnecessary charges and facilities you might not have taken, paying huge dividends to scammers.

Tips to safeguard yourself from scammers –

1. Take your time: The biggest red flag in an insurance company is when they ask you to make hasty decisions. Avoid schemes that promise you a lesser premium or better claim if you sign immediately. It is advisable to take your time with the decision-making process and be sure what kind of policy is necessary for you.

2. Be wary of unsolicited calls: Reputed insurance companies rarely call individuals to market their health insurance policies; if they do, they never pressure a customer. Be cautious of aggressive salespeople. However, even if the salesperson seems to be from a reputed company, you must never share your personal information or documents without proper research about the company.

3. A hard copy of policy and seller's signature: Request a copy of the policy they offer, complete with the company's seal and seller's signature.

4. Extensive research on plans: Become familiar with the kind of plans that insurance companies usually offer. This will help you be aware of unsolicited advertisements to sell insurance policies. Understand that if something is too good to be true.

5. IRDA licence: If an agent does not have an IRDA licence, there is a higher probability that they are a scammer.

6. Avoid online transactions: It is safer to avoid sending any money online to the agent upfront unless it is an IRDA licenced insurance firm.

Researching a quality health insurance policy is already a demanding process. The process is complicated, from finding a good plan to cover all your needs to looking for a reputed doctor in an emergency that your insurance covers and then claiming the insured amount. This is when people are most susceptible to getting scammed by fraudsters.

Be careful while opting for a health insurance policy, and always remember to read the fine print. Always buy from genuine insurance firms and avoid the manipulative sales tactics of agencies. Rely more on your personal research for buying the best health insurance and guarantee yourself trustworthy and reliable protection.

Click HERE to know more about 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 trend of automobiles that exude luxury isn't on the decline anytime soon. With several unique yet functional features rolled out by top manufacturers to entice drivers, the automobile sector continues to evolve.

Sunroofs are one such feature that has been in the market for long enough but continues to catch the fancy of many automobile owners. While they let in the fresh air and natural light on the go, many owners avoid purchasing cars with sunroofs because they fear excessive maintenance.

If you feel the same, here are some tips to keep your car's sunroof in good condition:

1. Clean it frequently
Dust and debris can easily get lodged inside the sunroof due to its positioning. The component's performance will be compromised if it gathers trash and dust particles beside and within. It is essential to clean the sunroof from top to bottom, including the areas surrounding it. Your car's sunroof will remain spotless and operate smoothly with regular cleaning.

2. Annual deep clean
You should thoroughly clean your car's sunroof once a year with the following:

● Clean the sunroof properly
● Now pump low-pressure air through the drain tubes to clean the trough
● The last step is to insert a thin, flexible, non-puncturing wire into a drain tube, twist it anticlockwise, clockwise again, and gently push it farther into the line.

3. Use appropriate cleaning products
Never use any cleaning agent or solution to clean the sunroof. You can harm the quality of the rubber seal in the sunroof by using a harsh or improper cleaning agent. The best advice from professionals for cleaning a sunroof is to use warm tap water or isopropyl alcohol (IPA). 4. Set it free to move
Inspect the working parts of your car's sunroof if it sticks or seems to be moving slowly to look for cracked or stripped gears or a build-up of dirt and debris. To find the location of the issue, start your car and cycle the roof between the open, closed, and vent positions. After a few cycles, clean everything if it works more smoothly, and lightly lubricate all visible moving components with a mild, heat-resistant grease. If you hear a squeaking noise or see the sunroof not opening and closing correctly, visit an expert mechanic to rectify the problem.

5. Look for rust around the hinges
You should check the mounting hardware for any signs of rust or wear and tear if the sunroof in your automobile is manually operated. Moisture can also cause it to corrode. The hardware won't rust or sustain any damage if it is properly maintained. You should pay close attention to the mounting hardware and clean it properly when cleaning the sunroof.

6. Lubricate the moving parts
Lubrication is necessary for a sunroof's moving parts to operate effectively. But, using the proper grease is crucial to ensure efficient and trouble-free operation. Conventional mineral grease is inappropriate for lubricating components in a sunroof. For this, you must use heat-resistant grease. This grease is designed for high temperatures.

7. Pay close attention to any unusual sounds
Remember to listen for any odd noises from your sunroof while opening and closing it. When opened and closed, you must adequately clean the sunroof if it makes a scraping noise. The sunroof auto glass is likely to shatter if there is a popping sound. Consequently, before the issue worsens, it is critical to seek professional assistance.

The correct operation of a sunroof depends on regular maintenance. Your sunroof can get damaged due to improper care. Take your car to a service centre that fixes auto glass if the sunroof makes odd noises even after proper maintenance. While we are discussing your car's upkeep, it is also crucial to buy car insurance. Reliable car insurance can protect your asset from mishaps and monetary stress.

Click HERE to buy the best car insurance in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

The craze for new things never dies out. You might ride your new bike or car more, and eventually, your old bike starts getting dust all over it. But you can't just let it sit there and slowly rust and get damaged to the point where it would be a huge pain to repair the damages, maintain and get it serviced regularly. There can be various risks and damages your old bike might go through over time.

But why is it essential to ensure that your old bike is up and running? Well, there could be multiple scenarios where old bikes may come in handy. You could land up in an emergency and might not have your new vehicle at that point. Or you could get stuck with the new car if it does not start up and you must urgently be somewhere. These situations will make you realise why it was an excellent decision to keep it up to date, maintained, damage-free, and keep up with its insurance.

This blog will discuss everything you need to know while insuring your old bike. All this information will provide context when you meet up with your insurance company officials or apply for insuring your old motorcycle online.

1. You need to be aware of the depreciation:

When your vehicle gets old, its original value depreciates over time. If it's more than a year, but under two years, the actual value depreciates by ten percent. The bike's value further declines by almost fifteen percent and more, depending on the manufacturing year.
This also varies as you compare one insurance company's list of depreciated values to the others. The primary point here is to make sure that you know what the vehicle is worth by consulting an expert or researching a bit about the current market value on your own.

2. Be mindful about renewals:

It would help if you were careful about renewal dates while purchasing third-party two-wheeler insurance for your old bike. This insurance does not grant you any grace period for your insurance renewals. Even if you realise your renewal payment is due a day later, the third-party two-wheeler insurance for your old bike will be considered null and void. But you can escape this trouble by buying comprehensive two wheeler insurance online India for your old bike. This type of insurance grants you a grace period of thirty days. The renewal of your insurance policy can only be completed after a thorough inspection of your old bike that is to be insured. To ensure you avail of all the benefits of the policy, please renew it timely.

3. What happens to the premium:

Since your old bike's market value has depreciated, you do not have to worry about sky-high premiums. Your premium rates would be determined according to the value of your bike. But this does have a side effect. You will be subject to lower IDV-Insured Declared Value which derives the assured amount you will get from the insurance based on the asset (in this case-the bike) in case of loss or theft. The compensation would be pretty low since your premiums and the value of your bike is already depreciated.

Other factors you need to include are the add-on benefits, the engine capacity, and the best premiums without diminishing the features of your policy cover.

Be it an old bike or new; you need to get two wheeler insurance to protect your motorcycle against mishaps. You can explore all your options and purchase the best two wheeler insurance online in India to serve your needs. Insurance firms are adapting to technological advancements and moving towards the online revolution. You may also reduce the physical and mental stress of buying insurance the traditional way by purchasing two wheeler insurance online India.

Click HERE to know more about purchasing the best two wheeler insurance online 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.

REM cycle (Rapid eye movement cycle), melatonin, biological clock, etc.- these are the terms we have all heard when decoding the type of our sleeping schedules and whether or not it is the right choice for our mind, body, and overall health in the long run. Most of us tend to work or study late during the night and thus develop the tendencies of what one may call “being a night owl.” And we are sure that most parents, especially in India, do not favour such schedules, which might cause havoc on your health. But have you wondered how such lifestyles affect different aspects of our day and what effects they might have in the future?

Being in the prime of your life, you have the potential to bear the worst of the consequences. But have you ever researched more about how the sleeping schedules that you have currently or had in the past affected your current habits? Does being a night owl wreak havoc on your health? Are early risers the golden people of our age?

This blog tends to bring different influencing factors which will help you settle the debate to understand which sleep style is healthier and more productive. Let’s get started!

1. Let’s understand the WHY:
It is essential to understand why you are an early riser or a night owl to decide which sleep schedule fits your needs. Your circadian rhythm, usually known as an individual’s biological clock, tends to vary from person to person. If your circadian rhythm is on the longer end, you are a night owl, and if it’s on the shorter end, you are an early riser.
Now, you must know that your circadian rhythm can change throughout your life- which is how you can change your lifestyle by enforcing certain habits to make the switch.
Hormonal changes during the adolescent years when puberty hits are one of the leading causes of the variation in patterns of sleep in teenagers – their shift from early risers to night owls can be explained.
While research has proved that night owls are more depressed and run on caffeine which eventually does more harm than good, other studies have demonstrated night owls to be more focused as the day progresses compared to the observations made about the early risers.

2. Sleep patterns:
It is seen that the early risers sleep better since they have defined sleep patterns, have regular periods of sleep, and tend to be flexible, happier, and healthier individuals as compared to the night owls, who seem a little groggy due to undefined sleep schedules. The circadian rhythms of night owls are very different from the usual body clock, which becomes more active during the later part of the day (usually at night).

3. Productivity:
Studies have proved that early risers display higher productivity and lower levels of depression compared to night owls. The people who wake up early are more successful in their personal and professional lives than those who are identified as night owls.
Night owls have shown a more increased risk of being susceptible to physical and mental health issues due to disrupted sleep schedules. They might suffer from weight and blood pressure problems, poor diet choices, and get addicted to caffeine and alcohol.

You can shift to the choice which seems likely to be helpful for you in the long run, especially considering your health since we all know that “health is wealth.” Given the factors discussed above, early risers seem to have a considerable advantage in all aspects of their lives. And it’s never too late to make the switch!

We hope you choose the best healthy alternative, become more energized, and improve your overall well-being. But at times, you might end up in unforeseeable situations that endanger your health despite all the healthy choices you might have made. In such cases, you must get health insurance to help you cover the costs and focus on your or your family member’s recovery. You can browse through the available options and choose the health insurance which caters to your needs in the best way.

Click HERE to learn more about how you can purchase health insurance and the benefits it entails.

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.