GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

If you're looking for answers to some frequently asked questions about two wheeler insurance, look no further. According to the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, every two-wheeler and four-wheeler owner must have third-party coverage. As a result, you must get either standalone bike insurance or a comprehensive bike insurance plan if you wish to cover the damages your bike sustains in accidents.

Many individuals need clarification on the numerous facets of a bike insurance policy. Therefore, we are addressing many concerns about a two wheeler insurance plan in this post in the form of some frequently asked questions.

1. What paperwork is necessary to submit an insurance claim for a two-wheeler?
Depending on your coverage and the damage experienced, you may need specific papers to submit a two-wheeler insurance claim. However, the necessary documents required to submit a two-wheeler insurance claim are summarised below:

● A current insurance policy agreement

● R.C. papers

● Driving licence copy

● As reported to the local police, a First Information Report (FIR)

● Pictures that were taken at the scene of the accident

● Other supporting records, if any

2. How much is my two-wheeler worth, and how is that determined?
Insured Declared Value (IDV), to which you are referring in this sentence, is the maximum sum for which you will be compensated if your two-wheeler is stolen or lost in its entirety. The manufacturer's suggested retail price determines the IDV of two wheeler, which is then depreciation-adjusted. Similarly, the IDV for non-factory-installed items is determined separately if they need to be added to the coverage at an additional expense.

3. What steps are involved in renewing my bike insurance?
Nowadays, it's effortless to renew your bike insurance thanks to the online renewal process of two-wheeler insurance. Most insurers notify the policyholder of the policy's expiration date in advance. Therefore, to renew your bike insurance online, go to the insurance company's website and complete a few easy steps. In addition, you can renew the insurance offline by going to your insurer's office or getting in touch with customer service.

4. Which situations fall under a bike insurance policy's exclusions?
The policy wordings for bike insurance coverage include specific information about the exclusions. Before purchasing your bike insurance policy, reading and comprehending the exclusions is crucial. It is advised to get clarification if there are any questions about the exclusions in your bike insurance policy.
Here is a list of typical exclusions that can be encountered while filing a two-wheeler insurance claim:

● Getting behind the handlebar when intoxicated

● Riding a motorcycle without having insurance

● Driving without a valid licence

● Nuclear risks-related harm

● War-related damage

5. What kind of additional coverage is offered for my two-wheeler?
You must purchase comprehensive coverage that includes any injury or damage to a third party and any harm to your two-wheeler if you want to protect it adequately. Similar to the above, an add-on policy like Zero Depreciation would guarantee the total amount of your valid claim is paid without considering the depreciation factor.
Repairs and replacements of certain parts made of plastic, fibre, glass, etc., are priced on a depreciation basis under IRDA regulations.

6. Where can I find the policy number for my bike insurance?
When you purchase a two-wheeler insurance policy, you will receive policy documents having the policy number for your bike insurance. The correspondence letters, emails, etc., that your insurer sends you regularly include your bike insurance policy number as a reference.

7. Why should I purchase online two-wheeler insurance?
The advantages of purchasing insurance online include the following:

● Comparing prices and assessing coverage alternatives on a free and user-friendly platform.

● A quick and helpful customer service team can address any issues.

● Post-sale services that are prompt and trustworthy.

● Assistance with the claims and related issues as soon as possible.

These are the most commonly asked questions when purchasing bike insurance which offer you good clarity about the application process, claim settlement, premium, inclusions and exclusions, types of bike insurance, renewal details, and much more. Let's get ready to buy your bike insurance today!

Click HERE to buy bike insurance and stay stress-free.

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.

Tulsi is a popular houseplant in India and is worshipped by people as a religious practice in different parts of the country. You can find a dedicated area for the tulsi plant if you visit the traditional Indian houses. But things have changed a lot nowadays, and people have also started keeping a tulsi plant in their apartments for its many benefits.

Having a tulsi plant at home can have many benefits, including calmness and happiness to the house. According to the ancient Vastu Shastra and Ayurveda, tulsi can benefit you in the following ways:

1. Tulsi leaves have medicinal values:
According to Ayurveda, tulsi leaves contain various medicinal properties. Taking tulsi leaves with honey can heal common coughs and colds. Moreover, tulsi leaves possess various natural antioxidants that kill free radicals in the body and improve the immune system. Regular consumption of tulsi leaves can help manage stress and high blood pressure. Notably, tulsi leaves feature multiple benefits without any side effects on your body.

2. Bring happiness to marital life:
It is believed that maintaining a tulsi plant in the east or northeast corner of your home can bring positive energy. As per the Vastu, a tulsi plant eliminates stress and brings happiness to your conjugal life. Gradually, your life will become happier and more peaceful.

3. Tea with tulsi leaves:
Tulsi can make your tea more refreshing and nourishing. Restaurants usually use dried basil to prepare such tea. But you can use fresh leaves if you have a tulsi plant. Tea is a source of various antioxidants, which improve your immunity, and when you add tulsi to it, the level of such minerals and antioxidants increases. The combination of tulsi and tea creates a warm beverage with many health benefits.

4. Insect repellent:
Many homeowners find themselves subjected to frequent insect attacks, and it often becomes annoying to tackle them. People use different kinds of toxic chemicals to remove insects, though these chemicals may harm pets and children in the house. Tulsi is a natural insect repellent, and your house can stay protected from mosquitoes, flies, and many other insects if you have this plant in your balcony garden.

5. Tulsi brings prosperity:
In Hindu mythology, the Tulsi plant has been represented as the form of the goddess Lakhsmi. So, it is believed that having a tulsi plant in the east or northeast part of the home brings good luck and prosperity. Having a tulsi plant in the house can protect you from unnecessary financial expenses. Also known as the queen of herbs, the tulsi eliminates negativity and spreads positive energy to the home.

How can you have a tulsi plant in your apartment? The tulsi plant needs direct sunlight for 4-5 hours a day. You can keep it on the window sill or balcony, where it can receive a good amount of sunlight.

So, these are some benefits of having a tulsi plant at home. Overall, people believe that tulsi brings peace, happiness, wellness, and good luck to a house. Your house will become a more beautiful place to live, though you must remember to invest in the best home insurance policy in India for financial peace during unexpected circumstances.

Click HERE to buy the best home insurance 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.

From commuting to the office to planning a road trip with friends, having your vehicle is a worthwhile investment. However, there are certain rules and regulations you should keep in mind when driving a vehicle. A valid driving licence and insurance are essential to driving a vehicle on Indian roads, and vehicles that lack these important documents are subjected to fines and punishments.

But there are times when you can lose your motor insurance policy documents accidentally. What should be the right measure in the situation? While, your insurance company will guide you through the whole procedure, we help you here with all the basic things to keep in mind.

What are the immediate steps to take after losing your insurance papers?

If you've misplaced or lost your insurance papers, then the immediate steps to take are mentioned below:

1. File an FIR at the nearest station:
The First Information Report (FIR) is important for obtaining duplicate insurance papers. Once you have lost your insurance papers, go to the nearest police station and file an FIR. Report all the necessary details to the officer in charge. Once you've done that, get a copy of the report to keep with you.

2. Apply to the insurance company:
The next step involves the submission of the application to your insurance company. You must submit a written application with details like the policyholder's name, policy number, kind of coverage, and date of issuance, among others. You should also mention the reason for the loss of the documents. The application also requires the photocopy of the FIR to be provided with the documents.

While there are no restrictions on claim filing, it may not be a good idea to do so frequently for the reasons mentioned below:

3. Publish an advertisement:
It is also required to publish an advertisement announcing the loss of your insurance papers. It is to be done in a newspaper so that all the details can be covered for a wider reader base. The details to be included are:

● Registration number of the two-wheeler

● Insurance policy number

● Name of the insurance company

● Name of the policyholder

You will cover the cost of it all. Once the newspaper publication is done, attest a copy of the same with the other documents to the insurance company.

4. The signing of the indemnity bond:
The last step is a bit complicated. Through this, you will be asked to sign an indemnity bond. It will be done on a judicial stamp paper and requires your signature. This bond will be your official request to the insurance company for issuing the duplicate policy documents of your insurance. This bond also states that if you find the original policy documents, you will inform the insurer and return the documents. The signing should be done with the presence of two witnesses. All the necessary details should be provided as well.

After the bond is signed, the insurance company will investigate the matter and verify everything. Once everything is done, a duplicate set of insurance papers will be issued to you.

Following these steps will get you the duplicate papers of your motor insurance in case you've misplaced or lost it. Make sure to apply to your concerned motor insurance company in India to avoid further delays. Also, always be alert and keep your insurance papers safe to minimise the risks of theft or misplacing them.

Click HERE to buy insurance from the best motor insurance company 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.

Technology has significantly advanced in recent years, with almost all businesses, including the auto and insurance industries, adapting to technology principles to drive better results and more scalability.

While the auto industry has made great strides in autonomous driving, the insurance sector has also started to offer motor insurance plans that charge customised premiums using various telematics systems. After being extensively available in many nations worldwide, these insurance policies have recently become popular in India.

What impact does telematics have on the motor insurance sector?

Telematics, once a specialised element, is now permeating the mainstream of the car and insurance industries. A growing number of motor insurers have started to give customers the choice of usage-based insurance with telematics.

The automobile sector is experiencing an acceleration in innovation because of the surprising boost of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which are creating new opportunities to enhance customer experiences. Telematics-powered usage-based insurance (UBI) is a key component of this push toward digitalisation.

How does it work?

GPS and other technologies are used by telematics to track user driving through a gadget put in the car or a mobile app. You might reduce your rate by driving more safely with telematics or GPS box insurance.

The telematics model initially gained popularity in the auto insurance industry because of its capacity to monitor vehicle usage using devices that can be operated using smartphones. Usage Based Insurance (UBI), a recent development among auto insurers, offers four distinct types based on driving behaviour:

● Pay As You Drive

● Pay How You Drive

● Control Your Drive

● Distance-based insurance

How is the cost of insurance determined using telematics?

Traditionally, the type of your car is one of the factors considered when determining the rate for your motor insurance policy. As a result, if two people own the same make and model of car, their insurance premiums will probably be similar. But what if one of the two drivers is a more sensible and responsible driver? Should they still be subject to the same premiums?

A usage-based or telematics-based auto insurance coverage can be useful in this situation. In a usage-based auto insurance policy, the insurance providers use various telematics tools and connect them to the vehicle's GPS. They can monitor the drivers' driving behaviour and reward them with benefits. The device tracks your car's mileage, average speed, gasoline consumption, fuel economy, and driving safety.

The gathered information is sent to your insurer over the cellular network. Your insurance premium is determined after the insurance provider analyses the data it has received. Your motor insurance premiums will be lower if you drive safely or do not use your car frequently.

Challenges:
Insurers can use telematic devices to gain information about a customer's driving habits because they capture real-time data. As telematics devices need to be added to or retrofitted into cars and data needs to be collected and kept, this raises data privacy issues. Before being subjected to extensive analysis to produce actionable insights, data is frequently shared with several parties.

Benefits of telematics insurance:
Telematics in auto insurance may significantly reduce friction throughout the insurance supply chain, particularly underwriting, customer service, and claims management. One potential result from telematics as a whole is a considerably closer bond with insurers and the consumer base that boosts customer loyalty.

How is telematics transforming the future of motor insurance?
Every business, from the car to aviation, has embraced technology to create cutting-edge products that will win over customers. Like other businesses, the insurance sector has begun integrating modern technologies into its daily operations to make it simpler for customers to access and purchase policies.

Speaking of the motor insurance industry, it has seen a significant transition recently. Technology has significantly impacted this sector, from IoT telematics-based premium computation to new insurance products. The change will be evident soon and will reap exceptional outcomes.

Click HERE to buy the best motor 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.

Most people are familiar with motor insurance, its benefits, and its exclusions. It is an efficient financial instrument that supports us when our insured vehicle encounters an unfortunate incident. Motor insurance comes with many optional coverages that may be useful to you. Did you know about the Return to Invoice or RTI coverage? Choosing this coverage while you buy motor insurance online can be a great help. Let's learn more about RTI coverage, its benefits, and its functionality.

What is "Return to Invoice" in motor insurance?

Return to invoice is an optional coverage for your car insurance. It lets you get money equal to the car's original value, also called the invoice value. This coverage is not required by law, so you can buy motor insurance online and include RTI coverage as an add-on. It is an application you use when your car faces total loss, such as if someone steals it or it gets fully damaged by fire or a natural calamity.

How does it work?
In normal car insurance coverage without an RTI add-on, you can get the maximum claim amount as your car's "insured declared value" (IDV). IDV is always less than the invoice value of the car.
However, with car insurance having RTI coverage, you can get the maximum amount of claim on the invoice value of your car. In simple words, when you have RTI coverage in your car insurance, you can get the road value of your car when it is stolen.

How is it calculated?
You can easily determine the amount of insurance that comes with RTI by looking at the car's total price when you buy it. The return to invoice includes the total car price, such as road tax paid, ex-showroom price, and registration cost.

What is covered in Return to Invoice?
If your car gets stolen or damaged beyond repair, you can raise a claim against the RTI. Let's look at the different circumstances when this coverage can benefit you:

● When you don't have secured parking

● Living in an area where car thefts are common

● Living in an area prone to natural calamities such as floods, landslides, and more

What does not apply in the Return to Invoice?

Sometimes, the RTI cover may not work, and you can't claim the insured amount. Here are some situations when this cover is not applicable, including:

● Damage to your car when someone else is driving

● You can't avail RTI add-on if your car is older than 3 years from the buying time

● You can't avail of the RTI cover for minor dents and grazing on the car body

● You must submit a copy of the FIR to process the return-to-invoice claim

Benefits of Return to Invoice in motor insurance.

Some benefits of RTI in car insurance include:

● It increases the scope of your car insurance coverage

● It is beneficial when you live in an area where car thefts are common

● It is available for new cars. Hence, you can give your new car more care with this cover

● It is available with a comprehensive car insurance policy

Once you understand everything about the Return to Invoice, consider adding this optional cover. RTI can help you when your car is damaged beyond repair. If you live or park your car in a place where theft, natural calamity, or fire is common, you should add RTI to your policy when you buy motor insurance online.

Click HERE to buy motor 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.

A cashless garage facility is one in which an insurance company has a tie-up with a garage. Whenever you meet with an accident or file an insurance claim for repairs, you will not have to settle the bill in cash at these garages. The insurance company will directly pay the bill. However, you have to bear some nominal charges for processing the claim. Also, some compulsory deductibles exist as per the insurance policy’s terms and conditions.

Not all garages will have a tie-up with your respective insurance company. The list of network garages is easily available with your insurance company. You need to verify it with your insurance provider and search for the nearest garage that will provide you with a cashless facility. Let us see how a cashless garage facility can be helpful to us.

1. Hassle-free claim settlement:
Insurance companies are directly connected to the network garages. Hence, you do not need to visit multiple garages to complete the repair work. You can directly go to the network garage after informing the insurance company, provide the required documents, and that’s it! The garage will take it over, and the insurance company will settle the bill. The entire claim settlement process becomes hassle-free.

2. Prompt service:
As mentioned above, not all garages are covered in the cashless network list of the insurance company. Hence, listed garages provide prompt and good quality repairs and renewal services to maintain harmonious relations with the insurance company. This can be helpful to you, and you’ll get quick service and timely delivery of your vehicle.

3. No cash payout:
This is one of the most important benefits of a cashless garage facility. In the non-listed garage, you have to settle the entire bill in cash at the time of delivery of the car. Accidents do not come informed. Hence, such sudden bills can put you under a financial burden. The repair costs of modern-day cars are hefty and can cost several thousands of rupees in one go.
A cashless garage facility will release this financial burden from you, and you’ll not have to pay any repair costs from your pocket. Minor documentation and deductibles charges can be easily met. This facility makes the claim settlement process swift, and you do not have to worry about footing the repair bill.

4. Transparent billing and quality service:
The insurance company and its surveyors are in constant touch with the network garage. They provide a big chunk of work to the garage regularly. Hence, the network garages abstain from committing any fraud, using sub-standard components and parts, or engaging in over-billing while repairing cars. Hence, we are assured of fair and transparent billing and top-notch service.

A cashless garage facility is a blessing for all vehicle owners. It makes the claim settlement process convenient, hassle-free, and fast. Also, it relieves us from paying sudden and heavy repairs and renewal charges when our car meets with an accident. We get quality work at reasonable prices.

But first, you need to have a valid and functional motor insurance policy for your vehicle to enjoy a cashless garage facility for it. Always renew your insurance policy on time and never let it expire because accidents do not announce before occurring. Opt for online motor insurance renewal, which makes the renewal process effortless. You can do it from the comfort of your office or home, at any time of day or night. Also, you are saved from the hassle of meeting with the insurance agent or going to the insurance office for renewal. Go the modern way; choose online motor insurance renewal.

Click HERE for hassle-free 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.

In India, awareness about motor insurance has grown significantly in the last few years. The number of insurance policyholders is slowly but steadily increasing. The increasing means of living and demand for luxury goods to improve convenience are anticipated to keep driving the market for motor insurance. Comprehensive motor insurance consisting of own damages and third-party covers is expected to grow more in the coming future.

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory to protect the driver against legal and accidental liability, financial loss or property damage, and medical expenses he may face after an accident. Despite its advantages, settling claims is a lengthy and costly procedure. The knock-for-knock agreement is a recently introduced aspect of motor insurance to simplify the process and increase the policyholder base and satisfaction.

This blog discusses all you need to know about the knock-for-knock agreement.

The issue before the knock-for-knock agreement:

When an accident happens, the persons involved can contact their insurance companies to compensate the other party for damages. However, this is a lengthy procedure that may sometimes take months to settle with unfavourable conditions. It is also still being determined whether or not the insurer will accept the claim.

In the background of such uncertainties, the affected party has no choice but to file a suit in court, which takes additional time and cost. The knock-for-knock agreement aims to eliminate this waiting period by providing an alternate solution to settle the claim among the parties without the court's involvement.

An alternative approach using a knock-for-knock agreement:

The knock-for-knock agreement is signed by two or more motor insurance companies insuring two or more parties involved in a motor accident. Since these companies are aware of the tedious claim settlement process, they use this alternative agreement and promise to bear the expenses for repairs or damages to their client instead of claiming the amount from the other party. Introduced in 2001 by the General Insurance Council, a motor insurance company doesn't need to sign such an agreement to make the claim process quick.

Advantages of knock-for-knock agreement:

While the concept is simple to understand, here is the summary of the benefits of signing a knock-for-knock agreement:

● Speedy settlement of claims

● Eliminates the need for the involvement of law

● Reduces the expenses required to be borne in case of proving the liability of the third party to derive a settlement from his insurer

Conditions for knock-for-knock agreement:

Three primary conditions are applicable for claims that are admissible under a knock-for-knock agreement.

1. Accidents must occur within geographical boundaries:
The insurance company decides such boundaries before the lodging of the claim. Generally, the limit is considered to be the defined geographical boundaries of India. It is implied that any accident outside the border cannot be admitted as a claim under a knock-for-knock agreement.

2. The claim must be filed as own damages:
Under the agreement, each motor insurance company agrees to compensate its client instead of demanding compensation from the other party. This claim can no longer be filed as third-party damages and is processed as "own damage". Therefore, you must purchase your "own damages" cover, without which you cannot complete this procedure.

3. Limit on the claim amount:
The admissible claim cannot exceed the insured declared value (IDV) previously mentioned in the policy.

The knock-for-knock agreement is a lesser-known aspect of motor insurance that makes claim settlements speedy and inexpensive. It saves the resources of a motor insurance company that agrees to such a contract. Explore this aspect to know more about its seamless benefits before buying motor insurance in India.

Click HERE to buy reliable motor 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.

A critical safety element that is now standard in all modern vehicles is the anti-lock braking system, or ABS. The ABS is frequently marketed as an efficient breaking mechanism that significantly reduces accident risk by facilitating a good grip over the vehicle. We go over everything you need to know about ABS, including its advantages, how it works, and the several kinds you can find in modern vehicles.

What exactly is "anti-lock braking"?

The name of the technology suggests that when you apply the brakes, ABS keeps the wheels from locking. It shortens the distance you need to stop and lets you move or "steer" the car while the brakes are still on. This way, you can avoid collisions from sudden braking and crash into fellow vehicles or objects.

What is the purpose of ABS?

Irrespective of the car's speed, when you press the brake pedal (without ABS), the wheels lock up because the brake pads make tight contact with the wheel discs and stop the wheels from turning.

The car skids because of its momentum when the wheels stop rotating. As a result, the driver has no control over the wheels. Most frequently, this can result in severe accidents.

What are the main components of ABS?

Speed sensors, valves, a pump, and an ECU comprise most ABS parts.

Speed sensors:
These sensors are important to keep track of the wheels' speed.
Valves:
In the brake line, some valves regulate the pressure on the brakes.
Pumps:
When brakes are used, hydraulic fluid-filled pumps pressure the brake callipers or drums.
Electronic Control Unit (ECU):
In response to the signals from the speed sensors, the ECU acts as the command centre of all the processing.

How is ABS used?

When you use the brakes on a car with ABS, the speed sensors track how slowly the wheels turn. Brakes deliver a signal to the electric control unit when they are about to stop rotating. Using valves and pumps, the ECU removes some of the brake pads from the wheels, allowing them to continue spinning. When you apply heavy brakes, ABS enables the wheels to continue turning, giving you control over the car.

Without ABS, when you hit the brakes, the wheels would stop or lock up immediately, causing the car to slide. In this situation, the vehicle would skid and travel a fair distance. It would be challenging to turn your vehicle because the wheels were locked. ABS helps you slow down efficiently, deploy uniform braking, and quickly control your car and avoid it from spinning.

ABS benefits:

● Uneven tyre wear is avoided because the wheels don't lock up when the automobile is stopped.

● The Traction Control System (TCS) and ABS share specific fundamental architectures, which facilitate TCS installation on vehicles in manufacturing facilities.

● You may steer the automobile around obstacles when braking hard, which can reduce brake pad and brake disc wear.

● Minimises the risk of severe accidents due to sudden braking and enhances the car's stability post-braking.

When the brakes are applied hard at high speeds, ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, which makes it much less likely that a deadly accident will happen. The effectiveness of the anti-lock braking system has been demonstrated everywhere. Anti-lock brake systems are now so critical to safety that the Indian government has made them a requirement.

Safety is paramount, and braking is a crucial part of vehicle safety. It's also a good idea to get online motor insurance to upgrade the security of the vehicle and the owner. Motor insurance covers car owners' liabilities and protects them from damage to their cars and any legal obligations they may face. Browse through different options and opt for online motor insurance with the best premium and benefits that suit your needs.

Click HERE to buy online 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.