GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

India has some of the harshest summers for any country in the world. Temperatures can routinely touch 50°C in several parts of the country, and the need for air conditioning or any form of cooling is fairly consistent throughout the year. But humans aren’t the only ones who suffer in these harsh summers. If you drive a car, the summers can be hard on your car as well. Driving in the summers often means having to turn the air conditioning (AC) on full blast for long periods, which can bring down your fuel economy considerably. Here, we cover some tips that will help you manage your fuel economy even in the summers.

Slow Down:

Regardless of the season, but especially in the summer, with the AC on, it is much better to drive within a certain range of speeds for optimized fuel economy. In general, the bracket between 40 km/h and 80 km/h will serve you best, irrespective of whether you’re driving in the city or on the highway. With fuel costs soaring by the day and the traffic on Indian roads only getting worse, it is wise to save fuel costs by driving at slower speeds. This also allows you to use the AC for longer durations.

Use the AC Intermittently:

The crippling summer of India often makes you want to use the AC for long periods without a break. However, the AC of your car is not as well equipped at handling long usage hours as your average domestic or industrial AC. Using the car AC for long periods can increase the load on the system and decrease its cooling efficacy. This can lead to damage in the long term and increases the chances for repair in the middle of the season. Hence, it is important to use your AC only intermittently, even on long trips. Make sure to turn it off when your car has cooled down sufficiently and turn it back up only when you feel the need for it again. Also, make sure that your AC is covered for damage when you buy your Car Insurance Online.

Turn Down the AC:

Apart from using it continuously, the summers are also when you are most likely to use the AC at its maximum capacity. There is hardly a standard flow rate at which your vehicle will blow air towards you, and hence the performance of different ACs at full blow will generally be different. Similarly, the performance of ACs will differ according to the age of the vehicles. The higher the level at which you operate your AC, the lower your mileage is likely to be. As enticing as it might be to get the most out of your AC in the summer, it is much more prudent with respect to mileage to slow down the AC.

Don’t Idle:

Depending on the model of the car you drive, it might be possible to leave the AC on while the engine is off. Even if your car has this feature, make sure to not idle your engine just so that you can leave your AC on. Idling the engine can reduce your mileage by several percentage points and generally wastes a huge amount of fuel. Instead of idling, if you get to your destination early, simply get out of the car and start walking to your destination. Similarly, if you are at a long signal, switch off your engine to save fuel and don’t worry about losing an extra few seconds of cool air.

Indian summers are perhaps when the greatest amount of fuel is lost due to the above factors. Following best practices associated with fuel mileage can help you save fuel and generally ensure a long life for your car. To add an extra layer of security, make sure that you buy car insurance online so you won’t need to pay out of your pocket if a summer breakdown occurs.

Oral health is not only important to keep cavity and gum disease at bay, but it also plays an important role in keeping you fit. With the mouth being the entrance to what you eat and drink, there is a strong correlation between your oral hygiene and overall health. Gum issues and tooth decay can cause pain, tooth loss, and reduced appetite and might affect your self-confidence if not treated on time. This can further lead to undernourishment and speech issues, causing strain on your personal and professional life.

It’s never too late to start taking care of your teeth. Below are 5 tips you should regularly follow to keep your teeth healthy:

● Avoid sugary food and drinks –

Do you find your teeth unclear and uneven? This could be due to dental plaque on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is caused by the sugary substances we eat, producing cavity-causing acid. So, whenever you eat sugary foods, a layer of plaque might get coated on the teeth. To reduce the occurrence of plaque, limit your consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Additionally, always check the labels and ingredients of packaged foods for sugar content before buying. For e.g., many yogurt flavors and sports drinks contain a high quantity of sugar, which might affect oral health.

● Brush your teeth twice daily –

Brushing your teeth two times a day helps in removing plaque and germs. This becomes more effective if done with the appropriate technique. Always brush the front, back, and top properly in small round movements. This process would take around 2-3 minutes; avoid moving the brush backward and forward. Hard brushing can cause damage to tooth enamel and gums that affect tooth sensitivity. If you see blood in your gums while brushing, then try gentler movements. It has been recommended by dentists to use a soft-bristle brush and change it every 3 months.

● Floss your teeth once a day –

Flossing helps to get rid of plaque and food stuck in the teeth, which cannot be removed while brushing. These stuck food particles, if not removed, get disintegrated by bacteria, leading to bad breath. The stuck debris can also affect your teeth, which might require treatment, such as a root canal to be fixed. Push the floss into the gum line before embracing the side tooth. There would be no pain while moving it up and down and removing the plaque effectively.

● Use mouthwash –

Always use mouthwashes recommended by dentists for good oral health. Mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, which is an antibacterial ingredient, helps in preventing plaque and gingivitis. It also contains essential oils that aid in oral health. Mouthwash cannot be a replacement for brush and floss but can enhance your teeth-cleaning practice.

● Visit the dentist regularly –

You should go to see the dentist for a regular check-up once in 6 months. They will examine your teeth to remove plaque, germs, and hardened tartar. The dentist will do a visual check for oral health problems, cavities, disease in gums, and mouth cancer. Cavities can be checked through dental x-rays. If adults take care of dental hygiene daily, then the frequency of visiting the dentist for oral health problems could be lesser.

Dental treatments are often not covered by your Health Insurance. Thus, various medical procedures performed by a dentist can be an expensive affair. Hence, it’s recommended to follow good oral habits for a healthy body and less medical expenditure.

Following good dental care from childhood helps keep the mouth healthy, even till later stages of life. Healthy oral habits protect you from various diseases and keep you fit throughout life. Follow the steps mentioned above as part of your routine to improve your smile and oral health.

If any pain or discomfort presents and persists, always consult with your dentist.

So you are just a few steps away from owning your dream car. But have you thought of the insurance process yet? Insurance is something that must be planned in advance as it cannot be purchased in a rush. One must research thoroughly before buying any car, whether it is a new one or an old one. This article will take you through everything you need to consider before purchasing a new car.

Insurance Types

Before purchasing a private car insurance, you need to be aware of all the available policies and what cover they offer. Car insurance policies vary between private and commercial vehicles, so you will need to buy insurance that suits your vehicle usage.

There are two basic types of insurance policies. They are:

1. Third-party Insurance –

Third-party insurance is compulsory for all vehicles on the road. In case of an accident, it covers any damage to the third party. But it doesn’t cover any damage that occurred to your car. To cover damage to your car, you will need to buy comprehensive insurance (explained below). The third-party policy is a relatively more affordable kind of insurance.

2. Comprehensive Insurance –

In case of an accident, a comprehensive insurance policy covers the damage to your car as well as to a third-party car. It can also cover any accidental damage or theft of the car. This policy also covers damage caused by natural disasters. This is the highest form of insurance policy you can get for your car.

Buy Add-ons based on your risk profile

Based on your risk profile, you can opt for some add-ons like roadside assistance, engine replacement, etc. For example, if you enjoy riding at odd hours or for long distances, then opting for roadside assistance as an add-on can be useful. In case of a vehicle breakdown, you will get assistance, and the vehicle will be moved to the service center.

Compare the dealers

Most car dealers offer insurance policies at the time of buying the car. But those policies may not meet your requirements. Make sure to compare the policy prices among different dealers and then make an informed decision. It is tempting to buy the cheapest policy, but choosing a suitable policy after thorough research of the dealers will help you in the long run.

Don’t neglect the policy terms

Most car owners read only what is included in the insurance policy and ignore the part that talks about what is not included. This is a very common mistake among most insurance buyers. Ensure that you go through the policy carefully and understand both inclusions and exclusions in your policy before finalizing.

Know about the claim procedure

Inquire about the claims procedure before purchasing a motor insurance policy. The process should be simple and reliable. Test the insurer's claim payment percentage as well. The claim payout ratio of a corporation indicates how many policies are settled per year by settling back claimants. You can use the claim payout ratio to gauge the reliability of the insurer.

Understand Insured Declared Value (IDV)

The Insured Declared Value or IDV, vehicle size and other variables are used to determine the premium of a private Car Insurance . As a result, knowing a car's IDV is important. In case of complete loss or burglary, the IDV is the highest amount you can collect on insurance. The IDV of a vehicle decreases as it gets older because a relatively new car has a higher IDV than a car of the same type that is a year older. In easy terms, we can say IDV is the current market value of your car.

In India, cars are among the most purchased and valued commodities. With an increased number of vehicles plying on Indian roads, there has been a notable rise in car accidents. To ensure the safety of drivers and others, the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 has made it mandatory that all vehicles must have a valid insurance policy before plying on public roads.

There is one more reason why you should have car insurance coverage. Not having insurance leaves you vulnerable to financial damages during unfortunate accidents. No matter how good a driver you are, you must possess a valid car insurance policy and renew it annually. We share the 8 benefits that your Car Insurance Renewal can provide you!

1. Third-Party Coverage:

If the unfortunate accident involves other individuals or their properties, your insurance renewal comes to your rescue. It protects against any loss or damage caused to the third party by your vehicle during an accident.

2. Comprehensive Coverage:

The comprehensive coverage provides a shield against the own vehicle damage and the third party coverage. It also protects your vehicle against natural calamities such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods, etc. At the same time, you also get coverage against man-made tragedies like theft, burglary, riots, etc.

3. No Claim Bonus (NCB):

Your car insurance renewal offers you a reward for safe driving in the form of a no-claim bonus. When you renew your car insurance online without any claim during the policy period, you will be eligible for NCB benefit. It is a discount on insurance policy premium, which you can avail during policy renewal. The NCB value can go up from a minimum of 20% for the first year to 50% for the fifth consecutive no-claim year of the policy.

4. Large network of garages:

Almost every good car insurance maintains an extensive network of garages across the country. It means that you receive cashless services in all these locations and networks of garages. This feature makes it convenient to claim a repair service if any damage happens to your vehicle.

5. Add-Ons:

Depending on the insurer you choose while opting for insurance, you get access to add-ons such as zero depreciation cover, engine cover and cover for accessories, etc. During your policy renewal, you can opt for riders to enhance your policy coverage with mentioned benefits.

6. Transparent Process:

Transparency is another significant factor that a policyholder gets while renewing car insurance. All your policy information is accessible to you at your fingertips. This ensures that there is no ambiguity regarding the process and the policy features.

7. Flexibility to switch insurer and cover:

During the online insurance renewal, you can compare the premium of various insurers. When you took insurance for the first time, you might not have thought of an insurer or coverage. However, car insurance renewal brings you the opportunity to select the best insurance company for your vehicle.

8. Security:

And most importantly, when you renew your policy, you get a sense of security and a shield of protection. Not just for yourself but for your vehicle too. It allows you to drive around with confidence and peace of mind.

You can opt for car insurance renewal online that is much quicker and affordable. You can simply visit an insurer's website and get an estimate by entering some essential details they ask for and renew your car policy online.

Click Here To Renew Your Car Insurance Policy.