GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Roughly around six million people are flying somewhere every day. Air travel has become a necessity for most of us for multiple purposes; study, work, holiday, and different other reasons.

Air travel brings in a different excitement of seeing the world from a bird-eye view. But some of us are still terrified of travelling on an aeroplane. Air travel is not an easy game for all. These are all signs of aviophobia, from feeling groggy to having a panic attack during or before a flight. And this fear and anxiety can hold you back in your life. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you overcome the fear of flying before and during your flight.

1. Recognize your fear: Extreme avoidance of planes or anything in association with flying like airports is considered the fear of flight. According to psychologists, people with severe aerophobia organize their life around avoiding flying. When stepping onto a plane, you may be afraid of a single or a range of things like noises and sensations during takeoff and landing or sudden or prolonged turbulence. Therefore, it is crucial to figure out what triggers your flight-related anxiety so you can take steps to anticipate or avoid it.

There can also be underlying reasons for aerophobia such as claustrophobia – fear of enclosed spaces, agoraphobia – fear of crowds, acrophobia – fear of heights, or simply uneasiness of not being in control. It is necessary to treat these baseline anxieties. You can try taking small steps to deal with them; for instance, choosing the aisle seat will make you feel less restrained by giving you the freedom of movement. It will also help you avoid looking out of the window if you are uncomfortable with heights.

There can also be underlying reasons for aerophobia such as claustrophobia – fear of enclosed spaces, agoraphobia – fear of crowds, acrophobia – fear of heights, or simply uneasiness of not being in control. It is necessary to treat these baseline anxieties. You can try taking small steps to deal with them; for instance, choosing the aisle seat will make you feel less restrained by giving you the freedom of movement. It will also help you avoid looking out of the window if you are uncomfortable with heights.

2. Distractions can be saviours: Keep your mind off it. Many people can sleep the moment they are on a plane, but typically, people with aerophobia find it difficult to relax, let alone sleep. Therefore, to keep your mind occupied, we suggest you pack many distractions. Of course, it is sometimes impossible to concentrate on something when you have high levels of anxiety. But stuff like music, movies, books, magazines helps you pass the time and refrain from overthinking.

3. Educate yourself: If your aerophobia has got nothing to do with other phobias, then you are probably paranoid thinking anything, and everything is going wrong with your aircraft mid-flight. Instead of indulging in scary, unrealistic fantasies, educate yourself on some other interesting stuff, such as the reasons behind the switched-on seat belt sign. There are multiple resources offline, and online that educate you on what happens during different flying conditions. YouTube videos are always a great help. Many airline employees like pilots and air hostesses have their channels to explain how turbulence is uncomfortable and what safety measures are taken from their side that you might not know.

Of course, worrying about a person's well-being while flying is digestible, but it would be best if you did not fuss over the possible financial loss as there is online GENERAL INSURANCE available to secure your valuables.

So, are you ready to work on your fears to enjoy a good flight this year? For sure, it won't be easy at first, but eventually, you will overcome your fear. Some techniques may be helpful to you, and some downright not effective. So, you might want to experiment a little to find a strategy that works best for you.

Click HERE to know about health insurance policies that are the best 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.

A two-wheeler insurance policy covers the cost of repair and replacement for your bike or scooter. It includes theft of the two-wheeler and damages to the bike that involves paid repairing. The insurance can also provide personal accident coverage, including accidental death and partial or total disability due to the accident. You can also opt for personal accident coverage of the pillion rider if you often ride with a pillion rider. Personal accident coverage can also include paid riders if the bikes are used for commercial purposes.

Here we talk about what all is insured if your bike encounters an accident, if you have existing two-wheeler insurance for your bike:

• Accidental death –

Accidental death coverage takes care of the financial difficulties that the surviving family faces in the event of the policyholder’s demise. This coverage is extremely beneficial for families where the policyholder is the sole bread-winner, and the family is financially dependent on him/her. The accidental death coverage acts as a supplement to the term insurance policy that the policyholder may have purchased.

• Disability compensation –

A disability to the policyholder also affects the financial position of the policyholder and his or her family. The earning capacity of the policyholder may get compromised in case of a partial or total disability. This part of the two-wheeler insurance coverage addresses these concerns by earmarking a sum assured for disability.

• Hospitalization Expenses –

Many two-wheeler insurances provide a cash allowance to meet hospitalization costs in case of a two-wheeler accident. This cash allowance can also be claimed if the policyholder is required to stay at the hospital to recuperate from injuries sustained in the accident. Most insurance companies offer cash allowance for a specific number of days that is stipulated in the policy.

• Own damage coverage –

A basic third party coverage will not cover the damage to your bike. However, comprehensive two-wheeler insurance covers any type of damage that can happen to the policyholder’s bike in the event of an accident or a natural calamity. This policy covers all man-made and natural damages to the bike, along with third-party coverage. Insurance companies also provide cashless repairs facility and maintain a network of garages where you can avail of this facility. If the bike has been in a road accident, the policyholder can make the claim through traditional paper mode or opt for a video claim facility if provided by the insurer. The policyholder can make reimbursement claims even if repairs are carried out in a non-network garage.

• Third-party insurance –

Two-wheeler accidents can damage not just your own vehicle but also damage or injure a third party. This is why insurers provide coverage of a specific amount in case of damage to a third party. Besides, the disability and death of a third party are also covered in most third party insurance.

Do note that personal accident coverage is compulsory for all Two-Wheeler Insurance policies. Therefore, any harm to self in case of a motorcycle accident is sure to be covered under your existing policy. On the other hand, not all types of two-wheeler accidents are covered by a typical motorcycle insurance policy. These are unusual causes such as self-inflicted injuries, riding without a driver’s license, riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, riding as a part of hazardous or criminal activities, riding outside geographical limits of the policy, and so on. In other words, a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance with a reliable insurer covers all the possible damage and harm resulting from an accident.

As large scale infections sweep the nation, there is a massive demand for COVID-19 related medicines and vaccines, apart from the surge in demand for Health Insurance Online . Strong immunity is vital for keeping COVID-19 successfully at bay. Luckily, apart from Zinc supplements and Vitamin C tablets, there are several readily available food items with which you can build immunity.

Here are some foods that will help strengthen your immunity to fight everything from a common cold to more concerning ailments:

1. Tulsi – Also known as holy basil, Tulsi is a highly regarded herb in Ayurveda. It is a rejuvenating herb that enhances your respiratory system and has expectorant properties that help keep your lungs clean. You can chew a few Tulsi leaves every morning or mix them with your cup of morning tea.

2. Garlic – The spice trinity of the Indian kitchen - garlic, ginger and turmeric - all find a place in our list of immunity boosters. Garlic has been used to fight infections for ages. It is known to prevent artery blockages and helps prevent cold. Garlic contains the compound allicin, which in turn contains Sulphur that is an effective immunity booster.

3. Ginger – Ginger is commonly used for inflammatory conditions, nausea and sore throat and is a well-known antioxidant. Apart from its popularity as a spice, ginger is also popular as an additive in tea.

4. Turmeric – The presence of curcumin makes turmeric a great candidate for antiviral immunity boosters. Turmeric has been used through the ages for muscle damage and inflammations from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Luckily for Indians, we consume sufficient turmeric in the form of a powdery additive in our curries, vegetables and gravies.

5. Citrus fruits – An umbrella term for oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, grapefruits and pomelos that we are so fond of, citrus fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells, which help the human body fight infections. Vitamin C is not produced by the body, nor can it be stored. Regular consumption of rich sources of Vitamin C (or citrus fruits) can also speed up recovery from cold and flu.

6. Broccoli – Most children would not be happy about this, but broccoli is a rich source of Vitamins A, C and E, folic acid, fibre, minerals like iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants like sulforaphane. Easy to consume and digest, broccoli is one of those versatile vegetables that help build immunity, reduce the risk of heart disease, promote stronger bones, and better eyesight.

7. Spinach – Spinach is an excellent source of beta carotene, which helps our body fight infections. It contains Vitamins C and E which help strengthen immunity. It contains flavonoids which are known to be effective in fighting the common cold.

8. Green tea – Flavonoids are also found in green tea and black tea. Additionally, green tea contains the powerful antioxidant Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which is highly effective in boosting immunity. Green tea helps in the production of germ-fighting compounds due to the presence of amino acid L-theanine in it.

9. Ghee – This is one of the most easily available items in the list. Ghee can be spread generously on chappatis or added to rice and curries. Although many people think of it as fattening, ghee is actually a good source of healthy fats, aids digestion, and is excellent for skin and hair. It contains Vitamins A, E and K, and omega-3 and omega-9 essential fatty acids.

10. Indian gooseberry (Amla) – Amla is a powerhouse of nutrients and is loaded with health benefits. It contains 20 times more Vitamin C than oranges and is an excellent aid for digestion and colon cleansing.

Our health insurance takes care of us when we fall sick (check for health insurance online today). But our food habits can ensure that we rarely fall ill. Luckily, our world is filled with fruits, vegetables and natural foods rich in nutrients, which offer an organic way of strengthening our body. In these tough times, let us embrace nature and enrich ourselves with its goodness.

COVID-19 has upended the lives of billions of people around the globe. People have been restricted to their houses for months on end, and personal and professional habits have changed considerably. It is only over the past few weeks that things might have started getting back to normal with the vaccination drives ramping up, but certain habits are here to stay. Some of these habits are related to driving. Since most people who own a personal vehicle are bound to use it for their daily commute once workplaces are reopened, it would be prudent to understand how you can protect your car from the COVID-19 virus.

Sanitizing:

The most obvious way to protect your car from COVID-19 is by sanitizing all possible surfaces in your car. It is essential that you make a note of all the surfaces that you are likely to touch inside your car while driving. This includes the steering wheel, manual gear, belt buckle, glovebox, and dashboard. Make sure that you use a medically certified alcohol-based sanitizer to clean these surfaces before you start driving. Sanitizing surfaces is the most important step that you must regularly take whenever you take your vehicle out.

Cleaning Fabrics:

Apart from regularly cleaning polymer and leather-based surfaces on the interior of your car, make sure to clean the seats and other fabric-based surfaces from time to time. There are currently no recommendations on the kind of liquid to use when cleaning these fabrics. There are several soaps and liquids that claim to purge viruses from fabrics, but these are seldom medically certified. It is sufficient to use regular soap and water to clean your fabrics for now since these also help wash away any external elements from the fabric of your seats. It is prudent to recall that when you buy Online Car Insurance , it often includes periodic servicing, which is a great feature to take advantage of for cleaning your car.

Using a Microfiber Cloth:

While it is good to clean your seat fabric and other interior surfaces of your car, it might not be practical to do this often, for example, every time you step into your car. It might be much more practical to use a microfiber cloth for cleaning. This may be a dry microfiber cloth or a damp cloth that cleans surfaces thoroughly. Non-microfiber cloths often leave scratches and marks on surfaces when they’re used for cleaning. Microfiber cloths contain minute loops that trap dirt particles in them and prevent them from causing scratches.

Wash Your Hands:

Perhaps the most important part of keeping your car and other surroundings safe from COVID-19 is to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands before you step into the car and sanitize them after getting in. This is very important to ensure that you don’t inadvertently end up acting as a vector for COVID-19 for your car or the people around you.

COVID-19 is a once-in-a-century pandemic, and it is essential that we all stay safe from getting infected and keep our surroundings hygienic enough to reduce the risk of infection. The above steps will go a long way in ensuring that your car does not become a carrier of the coronavirus. Alongside these steps, do not forget to follow the personal sanitization steps to contain the spread of the coronavirus.