GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

We all enjoy the occasional getaway to rejuvenate ourselves and break the mundane routine of our day-to-day lives. So often, we find ourselves surfing the internet for hours, trying to zero down on the one place we can go to and relax with our loved ones. But more often than not, we end up not going to these places. And there is no shortage of images on the internet, so we find ourselves looking at them and yearning to be there.

Today we will be looking at six places that will promise you peace and calm on your next getaway.

1. Cherai Beach, Kerala:
Popularly known as the ‘Princess of Arabian sea’, Cherai beach is located about 16 miles from Ernakulam on Vypeen island. This golden beach boasts blue waters and lush green vegetation stretches that are a must-visit for anyone who wants to unwind by a beach. People can enjoy various water sports in this destination. Cherai also hosts a five-day tourism festival that conducts an array of diverse cultural and traditional art forms.

2. Bhimbandh, Bihar:
This hot spring holds great significance in the history of India. Unfolding the pages of the past, during Mahabharat, when the Pandavas had to live in disguise, Bhimbandh was one of the locations that they had chosen. The temperature in this natural spring goes up to 72 degrees celsius. It is believed that Bhim was instrumental in placing slabs across the stream to prevent the water from flowing at high speeds. Hence the name “Bhimbandh”.

3. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh:
India’s Grand Canyon, Gandikota, is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places in the land. The main attraction is the Gandikota fort and its ruins. Built-in red sandstone, the fort has beautiful and intricate carvings, watchtowers, and a few noteworthy temples. Anyone interested in history should add Gandikota to the bucket list of places to visit.

4. Nagore, Tamil Nadu:
Nagore is a quaint town in Tamil Nadu, known for its famous Dargah, dedicated to Shahul Hamid, a renowned Sufi saint. It also promises a rustic, old-world charm and is a must-visit destination for travellers to enjoy beautiful unspoiled beaches.

5. Netarhat, Jharkhand:
A hill station, covered with thick forests known as the “Queen of the Chotanagpur”. One of the few places famous for its breath taking sunrise, and equally beautiful sunset, Netarhat is about 154 km from Ranchi. This hidden gem is surrounded by pines and orchards, making it the perfect picnic spot to enjoy with family and kids.

6. Idukki, Kerala:
This beautiful place has vast spans of mountains and dense forests. It has the lowest population density in Kerala, so its beauty is untouched and unexplored by many. Famously known as the ‘spice garden of India’. The Idukki dam is also one of the largest dams in the country and is a sight to behold.

We hope these places help you curate your next travel trip. Remember, no matter what the place is, always try to live amongst the locals and get a feel of the local lifestyle and the food. This only adds volumes to your experience and can be something that you will remember for the rest of your life. If you plan on taking a vacation, it is ideal to get your general insurance sorted. A beforehand general insurance policy acts as a safety net against any risks or unforeseen expenses you might face while traveling.

Click HERE to know more about general 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.

One of the most expensive assets that an average earning Indian buys in his/her life is a house. A good part of our earnings is spent on buying and furnishing our dream home. Though we pay a lot of attention when purchasing and setting up our house, we often neglect to get it insured from the best home insurance company in India.

Due to a lack of awareness among buyers, many people don’t consider buying a home insurance policy to protect their homes against natural calamities. There is a misconception among insurance buyers that home insurance is costly. However, the fact is that home insurance against natural disasters in India is inexpensive. It is being offered by the best home insurance company in India at a price that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Why buy Home Insurance against natural calamities?

Despite knowing that home insurance against natural calamities is not as expensive as it is perceived, only 1% of people buy the insurance cover.

It is essential to buy home insurance against natural calamity because India is a disaster-prone country. Many regions are prone to experience earthquakes with severe intensity. Also, there are many areas, approximately 12% of India, which is likely to floods. The areas on the Indian coastline are prone to experiencing tsunamis.

The frequency of natural disasters in India has increased in the past few years. According to the World Bank’s estimate, approximately 600 districts in India are calamity-prone. This places a large number of people and their property at a higher risk.

It is thus essential for Indians to buy a home insurance policy against natural calamities from one of the best home insurance companies in India. Moreover, a home insurance policy covers not only the building of your home but also the components in it from damages.

Here is a detailed analysis of why you need to buy a home insurance policy.

It not only protects your home:

• A home insurance policy provides protection not only by covering your home but also the components within.
• You can easily opt for add-ons to protect various components of your house like furniture, valuables, electronics, etc.

Replacement of loss

• A home insurance plan not only provides financial safety but also provides for the replacement of the insured subjects.
• You can opt for replacement cost instead of depreciation value when buying a home insurance plan.
• The structure of the building and the various components are insured for their replacement cost.

Home Insurance is inexpensive

• Home insurance plans to protect your home against natural calamities are available at affordable premium costs.
• You can easily buy home insurance from the best home insurance company in India without pinching your pocket.

Protect yourself from lawsuits

• A comprehensive home insurance policy offers you the required peace of mind by protecting you from property-related lawsuits.
• Some insurance plans also cover the medical expenses of a guest who is injured on the premises of your residence.

It offers flexibility

• If you are willing to buy a home insurance plan to protect your property from natural calamities, you can choose between insuring the structure of your home or only it’s content. This offers flexibility in buying a home insurance plan.

Natural calamities cannot be controlled, but you can protect your home. If you still don’t have home insurance, buy one soon from the best home insurance company in India to protect your dream home.

Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration. –Charles Dickens

You’ve made the big decision to purchase a dream house: reality is finally sweeter than your dreams! Congratulations.

A house is a matter of pride and a big commitment for many many years. A house is probably one of the biggest investments you will ever make: a dream you would like to protect.

While there is little we can do against natural disasters, we can reduce some of the hardships by having home insurance, which protects against any damage to the house and valuables in it.

Home insurance is poorly sold in India; People are either not aware of home insurance or are reluctant to buy it. They don’t see the risk to their property—be it fire or an act of terrorism; and of course, it always happens to other people!

A lost life cannot be regained, but a lost house can be rebuilt and it doesn’t cost much.

Here is what our Truth lens tells us:

A good policy covers for financial loss arising out of various incidents such as fire, earthquake or burglary. It covers, not only for structural damage but also for all other assets and possessions you may have, right from a rug to a refrigerator.

Here are a few things to consider:

One, the Cover

At the basic level, a standard fire and special perils policy covers your structure and possessions from fire and other dangers such as earthquakes and storms. The second level of coverage protects against burglary or breakdown of mechanical and electrical appliances. The last one protects against minimal risks such as loss of rent, loss of important documents such as title deeds and passport, and provision for alternate accommodation.

Two, the Sum Insured

While the value of your house is based on three factors - land, cost of construction for the building and prevailing real estate prices – the insurance only covers for the building’s cost of construction. Most insurers will offer a standard rate per square foot multiplied by the carpet area of your house. The rate offered also considers depreciation. Therefore, it is important to go for a reinstatement cover. This covers for rebuilding your home from scratch, assuming the worst.

Three, Compliance

If you are living in an urban high-rise, your flat alone cannot be rebuilt in case a big calamity hits the locality. It is the housing society’s responsibility to insure the entire premise. Talk to the society management and figure the kind of insurance availed of and what supplementation you need. The insurer will not cover for poor or unauthorized construction and you don’t want to be left high and dry in the event something goes wrong. Taking 2 insurance policies for the same asset will not result in double benefits! [This is based on the principle of indemnity, and the more technical oriented amongst us can click here to read more about it]

Time period: Home insurance can be bought for a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years. Do remember to renew.

Fine print: Home insurance policies are worded differently. For example, structure insurance may only be for building and not land, or only jewelry kept in the locker may be covered.

Tenants: If you are living in a rented house, you can insure only the contents and not the structure as you don’t own it.

A central air conditioner cools the air in one area, then uses the furnace's air handling skills to circulate the cool air throughout the house. This sets it apart from mini-split systems, window or wall air conditioners, or any other cooling system that needs many units to chill the entire house adequately. The compressor is outside, and the evaporator coil is inside the residence, dividing the device into two main parts.

The central AC installation process.

Now that the fundamentals have been addressed let's go over the detailed procedure for installing central air.

STEP 1: Get a quote.
Find nearby Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors by conducting an online search. The committed residential HVAC technicians may also come to your house to offer you a quote. This procedure includes inspecting any existing air conditioners and the areas of your house where the air ducts will be placed.

STEP 2: Choosing the appropriate central AC unit.
Your HVAC contractor will suggest an AC unit. This depends on elements like your home's size and the climate where you live. The following are the key elements that will help you choose the best AC unit for your house:

Unit size: Because homes come in various sizes and climates, HVAC manufacturers offer systems in multiple sizes. Most of the time, your contractor will assist in determining the ideal size for your property.

Ranking SEER: The performance of an AC system is based on its seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER). For instance, high-SEER equipment will benefit from lower operating expenses, decreased energy usage, increased safety, and quieter operation. High-SEER units frequently cost more upfront. However, they lead to more savings over time and can provide a better return on your investment.

Productivity of the unit: The two main types of AC units that manufacturers provide are package systems and split systems. Since all components are contained in a single housing, the general package systems perform well for an "all-in-one" experience.

STEP 3: The unit is placed on your property.
Proper location is important while installing central AC as they have two drawbacks: they take up room and are noisy. So, where should your unit be placed for the best results? You should put the unit out of sight and away from beds. The side yard, a location near the kitchen, or the laundry room are frequently chosen by consumers. By doing this, you can lessen the noise in the vicinity of the rooms in your house where you sleep, rest, and work.

Step 4A: Check the existing ductwork in step.
Ask your contractor to look over the ductwork if it already exists in your home. Before setting up the new system, they can find any structural damage and replace or fix it.

STEP 5: Installation.
As previously indicated, if a split system is installed, a portion of it will be stored indoors, most frequently in the attic. If new ductwork is necessary for your home, it will be installed by your contractor.

The value of your property can be increased while keeping you and your family comfortable by installing a central air conditioner. To ensure the most seamless installation of your central air conditioner, don't be afraid to ask your installer questions about the process.

Also note that the best home insurance in India will safeguard your home against unforeseeable catastrophes, such as calamities caused by both nature and humans. Some insurance covers the house's structure, while others cover the building and the home's contents. Buy the best home insurance in India and reward your home with seamless protection.

Click HERE to buy the best home 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.