GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Zebra crossings worldwide provide pedestrians with a safe option to cross the roads amidst heavy traffic. While road rules might differ from country to country, the purpose of zebra crossing stays the same. When drivers see people waiting to cross the street at one end of the black-and-white stripes, they usually apply their brakes to allow pedestrians to cross the road.

However, unfortunately, most drivers tend to ignore the zebra crossing, nullifying the purpose and putting the safety of pedestrians at risk.

Skipping the zebra crossing deprives pedestrians of the chance to cross the road safely. And being ignorant on the road isn't just a threat to pedestrians; it also puts your vehicles at a high risk of damage. To avoid landing in such trouble and causing significant damage to your car, you must follow the traffic rules strictly and consider getting car insurance India to prevent monetary stress in unprecedented situations.

Where does the problem lie?

Many drivers don't obey traffic lights and make an emergency stop over the zebra crossings, making it hard for pedestrians to use the approved crossing path on roads that are already crowded. Surprisingly, although zebra crossings are present at busy intersections, traffic officials are somehow lenient toward automobiles occupying zebra crossings.

As a result, when attempting to cross the road, people frequently need to use their running skills to safely reach the other side without being hit by any vehicle. When the traffic lights malfunction, it becomes more challenging as the traffic is set loose.

Due to the chaotic traffic, school children wait several minutes to cross roads safely. Most kids assume that because they have learned about zebra crossing since they were little, cars will stop so that they may cross. However, the truth is different.

Unfortunately, many drivers don't know the importance of zebra crossings, and even the public works department doesn't care enough to paint them often. Public awareness campaigns on traffic etiquette are required.

Determining the requirement of a crossing.

Zebra crossings are used on roads with much traffic and where fewer people can cross the road at signal-controlled crossings. Many surveys of busy traffic intersections reveal that pedestrians find it extremely difficult to cross the road.

Also, personal injury accident data showed that most common accidents involving pedestrians happen at busy crossings.

If you're a pedestrian waiting at zebra crossings, then remember to:

● Give incoming traffic plenty of time to see you and stop before crossing

● Wait until both directions of incoming traffic have stopped or the road is clear before crossing

● Look for the traffic signals and avoid crossing in a hurry

If you're a driver, then remember to:

● Watch out for the traffic signal from far and accordingly prepare to halt

● Avoid halting over the zebra crossing and keep it clear for pedestrians to walk

● Never jump the traffic signal

Additionally, keep in mind that:

● Normal drivers tend to ignore crossings that are not frequently used

● Drivers require more time to manage their vehicles when the road is slick

● Cross the street only when the traffic is stopped

Drivers must keep all these things in mind while driving and follow the rules carefully to avoid collisions with pedestrians. Be responsible, follow traffic rules religiously, and avoid over-speeding on the roads. Prioritise your safety, fasten seat belts before beginning your journey, keep all the required documents handy, and purchase a valid insurance policy. Buy the best car insurance India not just because it is mandatory but more as a financial shield to protect you and your valuable asset in case of accidents.

Click HERE to buy reliable car insurance 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.

Owning a car is a huge responsibility, and one should take all the necessary measures to make it as easy as possible. One such important requirement is to get car insurance as soon as you purchase a car.

Getting car insurance is necessary, as it protects you from various damages caused to the car, such as repairing a broken windshield or paying high mechanical costs due to an accident. To get car insurance, one should complete all the necessary procedures, like KYC which stands for Know Your customer.

What is KYC?

Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process of discovering and authenticating the basic credentials of customers by financial establishments like banks, insurance companies, stockbrokers, etc. KYC is typically performed before or during the handling of financial transactions with customers. For example, when applying for car insurance, a KYC is mandatory.

IRDAI-accepted KYC procedure types.

KYC in insurance has become a mandatory requirement by the IRDAI due to the increasing number of insurance-related frauds.

IRDAI has authorised the following KYC methods for the insurer:

● Aadhaar-based KYC

● Digital KYC

● Video-based identification

● By KYC identifier

● Pan card

Depending on the type of car insurance, the insurance company chooses the appropriate KYC method.

Why has KYC compliance become mandatory for car insurance?

As mentioned above, due to the rise in insurance-related frauds, the government of India has made regulations to make KYC mandatory for every type of insurance, be it car insurance or life insurance.

KYC is necessary to ensure the authenticity of the investments and the insurance policy purchased by the individual. It ensures that the insurance coverage is received by the family of the genuine policyholder and not by an imposter.

Insurance companies are required to verify a customer's identity before proceeding with the insurance registration procedure. Strict implementation of the KYC process is an efficient method that allows the banks to authenticate the identity of the customers.

If you plan to purchase a car, the first step should be buying car insurance using the KYC procedure.

KYC documents required for car insurance:

● Passport

● Aadhar card or Voter ID card

● Pan number

● Driving licences

● Bank Statement—not more than six months old

● Verified copies of an electricity bill, a telephone bill, and registered lease and licence agreements

● A letter from the National Population Register containing name and address information

The insurance company will inform you beforehand if any other document is required. Collect all the required documents and get your insurance without any trouble.

Prevent the misuse of your KYC documents.

Submitting your KYC documents is a necessity that brings with it the threat of identity theft. Here are three simple steps to prevent the misuse of self-attested KYC documents:

● Clearly state the date and intended purpose for submitting the documents.

● Similar to the crossing of cheques, specify that the documents are ‘To be used only for the specified purpose’.

The recent wave of digitalisation has made it possible to keep track of all financial products including investments, insurance policies, etc. Regular inspection of such KYC documents makes it easy to detect the mishandling of important documents that may have been used by an imposter.

Purchasing car insurance may appear to be a time-consuming process, but it is a necessity that everyone should obtain for their vehicle's safety. During unprecedented situations where the outcome is unpredictable and could lead to hefty damages to the car, car insurance would act as a rescue and help you steer clear of the monetary stress. As a result, you must investigate your options and purchase the best car insurance for your needs.

Click HERE to learn more about the benefits of car 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.

Winter brings with it a change that most people welcome. The cold temperatures and delightful food choices make it a pleasant period of the year. Despite the enjoyable climate that makes one seek warmth and comfort from cosy cafes and piping hot winter delicacies, it is a time that you must watch out for health issues.

The drop in temperatures and shortened daylight leads to frequent sickness. In such times, taking good care of your well-being and purchasing a health insurance policy is key to saving on medical costs that may arise due to contingent illnesses. If not taken good care of, health in winter can take a toll and become frustrating due to the uninvited expenses.

While maintaining good health, purchasing or renewing health insurance online is the most important tip for preparing for a healthy winter. Here are a few tips you can follow throughout the upcoming winter months to stay fit while enjoying the season the most!

1. Practising good hygiene:
While this may seem like a no-brainer, good hygiene is the easiest way to prevent catching even the most insignificant cold. The low temperatures and damp environment facilitate microbial growth that can lead to compromised immunity, leading to falling sick often. Wash your hands regularly, especially when you visit public spaces and restaurants, use public transport services and washrooms, etc.

2. Focus on your food intake:
Healthy food has been considered preventive medicine and fuel for one's body, especially in the Indian culture. We usually emphasise immunity-boosting foods like ginger, turmeric, etc. Coupled with fresh produce, these foods rich in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C are sure to reduce your susceptibility to illness during the cold months.

3. Stay active:
Bundling up in your most comfortable blanket with a hot beverage to combat the cold is highly tempting. While your food choices can provide you with most of the required nutrients to keep you healthy throughout the season, some requirements, like Vitamin D, can only be supplied by exposing yourself to sunlight. Even a short walk in the early morning will improve your mood and keep you active and warm.

4. Ensure adequate sleep:
Sleep is an essential factor that is often overlooked when discussing health. It not only helps fight tiredness and stress but also allows you to wake up refreshed and ready to take on another day with new energy. Adults require a minimum of 7 hours of sleep daily. Provide your body with enough rest to recover and rejuvenate to ensure that it can function effectively and keep you healthy.

5. Dress appropriately:
In recent times, it has been noticed that winters aren't as chilly as they used to be. While present temperatures are noticeably less cold than previous trends, it is still necessary to keep yourself warm. Sometimes, our body does not recognise a cold draft, and staying exposed to it without enough clothing is bound to result in health issues.
In these situations where the weather doesn't warrant wearing heavy winter wear, simply layer on a few lightweight fabrics. These will keep you warm against a slight chill without being too heavy.

6. Quit smoking:
For smokers, foggy winter mornings may seem like an invitation to smoke to keep themselves warm. Smoking suppresses the immune system's normal functioning, which puts smokers at greater risk of falling ill in winter. It is best to quit smoking early and keep chest and lung-related problems at bay.

The cold climate makes one feel lazy and dull, but take the time to keep yourself in the best shape possible. Engage in light exercise daily, dress warm and ensure that you consume fresh food that will boost your immunity. While these tips can help prevent diseases, we encourage you to check your health insurance and purchase or renew health insurance online with just a few clicks so that winter doesn't get harsh on you!

Click HERE to renew health insurance online.

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.

We all must have travelled by road at night, either by choice or due to some emergency. We try to stay awake and attentive while driving, no matter what happens. Then sleep starts taking over. We feel drowsy but continue to drive, feeling strong enough to stay awake with focus. But, this can be a fatal situation for the driver and others on the road.

So how can we avoid sleeping while driving during the night? Let us go through some of the best tips for the same.

1. Do not drive for long distances alone:
Never try to drive alone for over 4-5 hours, especially at night. Always take a co-passenger along who can drive. This has two advantages. Firstly, you can change shifts with him and rest in the middle of a long journey. Secondly, you will have someone to talk to, which will take your boredom away, and you will stay attentive and awake. If you cannot find a friend or a family member to accompany you for the trip, hire a driver and take him along.

2. Do not drive when you are sleep deprived:
Always ensure that you have slept well for at least 8 hours the night before you plan to drive at night. A proper night's sleep keeps you fresh, and you will not feel drowsy when in the driving seat. Sleep deprivation is one of the major causes of making you fall asleep while driving.

3. Park and take a nap:
What to do if you are sleepy but still have to continue your journey because it is urgent? Park your car on the side of the road, and take a nap for half an hour or so. This will do wonders for you and make you feel refreshed, awake, and alert again. Have some water and wash your face to recharge yourself and continue driving.

4. Turn on some music:
Turn on music that you love on your car stereo and hum with the songs. This will keep your mind alert, and you will feel fresh. Music stimulate your brain and keep you mentally awake.

5. Take caffeine and snacks:
Caffeine is a proven stimulant that helps you to stay awake and alert. Take regular coffee or tea breaks during your drive to help you fight drowsiness. Also, you can keep munching something while you drive. Get out of your car, roll down your windows, and take fresh air, coffee, and snacks.

6. Do not drink and drive:
Taking alcohol before or while driving at night seriously threatens your ability to stay awake and drive with focus. It is prohibited, and even one drink will make you sleepy if you have not had a good night's sleep the previous night or are feeling drowsy. You will feel low in energy, start losing concentration and can meet with an accident.

Sleeping while driving during the night can be life-threatening for you, your co-passengers, and even third parties and other vehicles around you. But it can happen to anyone. Sleep is sometimes uncontrollable, but the factors that can make you sleepy are surely controllable. Follow the above practises and have a safe night's journey.

Before heading out on a car trip, you must purchase personal accident insurance in addition to your car insurance. It will cover disablement and bodily injuries, impairment, and even loss of life while travelling. It becomes all the more essential if you frequently travel by road at night as the chances of accidents increase manifold at that time. Do your research well and choose the best personal accident policy in India.

Click HERE to buy the best personal accident 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.