GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

People's concern over their health and fitness has increased since the outbreak of Covid-19. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have all been practicing social distancing. It has become evident that we don't need a gym membership to keep ourselves fit. Instead, health from home has become just as popular as work from home.

There are multiple applications, websites, and tutorial videos available online to guide you through a proper workout regime. Whether you have registered for a virtual fitness class or have decided to go solo in your home gym, many types of equipment will help you maintain a healthy body and hopefully relieve your stress.

So, here are a few recommendations for home-workout equipment helpful to achieve your fitness goals.

1. TRX GO All-in-One Suspension Training:

This set is perfect for a full-body workout. It's lightweight, affordable, convenient, and portable. The seven-piece set includes full-body training tools for exercises at home, outdoor, or on the go. It should be a part of your house to feel like you have a private gym.

2. Yoga Mat:

A mat isn't just for yoga. It is helpful for bodyweight exercises like stretching and core work out since it makes them comfortable and easier to do. Mats are affordable, long-lasting, and require no maintenance. In addition, they have a good endurance ability to withstand pressure and give total comfort even while doing difficult yoga asanas.

3. Resistance Bands:

The main use of a resistance band is stretching and strength training. It can be used to work on every muscle group in your body. There are even more exercise options when it is fastened to a post or a door and helps you improve your posture while building muscles. Easy to use, it can be your on-the-go fitness aid.

4. Treadmill:

Walking is the most efficient exercise for any age group. But, many of us, with our busy schedules, have limited space and time for our daily physical activity. So that makes the treadmill a relatively easy piece of workout equipment to use.

5. Ankle Weights:

Ankle weights help you diversify your at-home workouts. They make your lower body workout more effective and are highly recommended if you aim to increase your speed.

Choose your at-home workout equipment based on these three criteria:

1. Cost - Figure out the amount you are willing to spend on your home gym and look for items that fit your budget.

2. Use - Determine your personal goals; if you intend to work out to lose weight, build a muscular body, or straight-up gain strength and maintain overall fitness. Then select gears that provide you functions related to your personal goals.

3. Space - If you live in a city apartment, sharing it with other flatmates, you may only have your bedroom for a home gym. So pick wisely, considering the actual storage space you have.

While choosing the best home workout equipment, remember to decide on a smart health insurance plan for you, too. Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle prevent diseases, whereas health insurance provides financial security against these diseases.

Start planning your home gym today, and once you start working out, be regular and never miss a day.

THINKING ABOUT THE PERFECT HEALTH INSURANCES FOR YOU? CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM…

There is no denying that many outdated vehicles are still plying on Indian roads, causing massive pollution. Therefore, the Government of India has unveiled the Nation's new Vehicle Scrapping Policy. The main object of this updated policy is to get rid of old and unfit automobiles that produce pollution. The government aims to clean up the air, and the efforts are commendable.

If you have an outdated two-wheeler at home and are considering scrapping it, here are some things you should know prior.

1. Mandatory fitness examination:
The procedure of obtaining a fitness certificate would become significantly strict under the updated scrappage Policy. If your two-wheeler is more than 20 years old, you will have to take a fitness test for your vehicle.
Automobiles registered for business use are subject to the fitness standards once they go beyond the 15 years mark. Computerized workshops will be set up around the Nation. This will result in pinpoint accuracy and faster tests.

2. Compulsory end of life vehicle certification:
If your bike fails the fitness test, you will be required to get an ‘End of Life Vehicle certificate’. This is because used automobiles contain dangerous compounds such as lead-acid batteries, lubricating oil, coolant, braking fluid, and catalytic converters. If not disposed of properly, these compounds can contaminate the environment and risk human health and wildlife.

Benefits of scrapping your old bike:
If you're purchasing a new vehicle under the scrappage program, you will receive a 4 to 6% refund off the total price. In addition, state governments can recommend a road-tax credit of up to 25% for personal automobiles and up to 15% for commercial automobiles. In some cases, automobile manufacturers also offer a 5% discount to those who present the 'Scrapping Certificate,' and registration expenses will be waived when purchasing a new vehicle.

Additional pointers to know:

• The policy will not apply to vintage bikes.

• Hybrid and electric bikes are exempted.

• A bike that runs on alternative fuels like CNG is exempted.

When will the policy come into action?
The updated policy will come to force starting with large commercial automobiles, requiring mandatory fitness testing beginning April 1st, 2023. In a phased approach, all other vehicles will be subject to the fitness test starting June 1st, 2024.

Final Say:

The policy is set to come into action in the year 2022; the most crucial stage for the proposed program to succeed is to construct the necessary infrastructure across the nation immediately. As things stand, India has seven computerized fitness test facilities and two official scrappage sites. To meet the market demand, more such facilities are provisioned in coming years.

This policy will encourage the bike sale, benefit the environment, and a step towards a greener future. While benefiting from all the incentives when you dispose of your 2 wheeler, add an extra benefit of insurance to the bundle of happiness. Buy a 2 wheeler insurance online, customize your plan according to your needs, and include the add-ons that can help you when you plan to buy a new two-wheeler after disposing of the old one.

Click HERE to get 2 wheeler 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.

Insurance for your car is as important as your health insurance because your vehicle also needs a safety shield. It protects your vehicle against incidents like accidents, theft, or damages. You might be aware of the conventional way of car insurance. But here, we provide you with information about usage-based car insurance and its benefits.

The very first question that arises in your mind is, "What is usage-based car insurance?" User-based insurance or UBI combines the expertise from telecommunication and informatics sectors to serve the auto industry. The traditional car insurance policy's premium is based on the car's model and not the driving abilities. So even if you use your vehicle less frequently and have good driving skills, you have to pay a particular premium according to the standard calculation.

Whereas, UBI is a new concept in the Indian car insurance segment that usually collects the available information from the vehicle with the help of Telematics. The accurate data helps insurers to get a better estimation of mileage and driving habits of the driver. Then, the insurer decides on the premium amount based on your driving skills, basic vehicle information, and driving data.

When you opt for UBI, you have to install a tracker on your car, which will collect your driving data, and it will be used on a large stage. It will create your driving risk profile for your welfare and your insurance company. It stores the following data:

1. Frequency of usage of your car

2. Average speed of your car

3. Accelerating and braking pattern of your car while you drive

4. Based on your driving, you are rated if a safe driver or harsh driver

This information is used to charge the appropriate premium for your car insurance. So if you have a low-risk profile with an excellent driving score, you have to pay less premium than a reckless driver.

Also, this UBI comes in variants like:

1. Pay as You Drive (PAYD): Premium charged based on the amount of driving

2. Pay How You Drive (PHYD): Premium is decided based on driving skills

3. Distance-based Insurance: This is miles-based insurance; in this, the total number of miles covered by the car during the policy period will decide the premium

Let us share some of the advantages of UBI:

1. Having a personalized car insurance plan can save your pocket to a reasonable extent

2. It's a rewarding system for safe and skilled drivers

3. In critical times like accidents, your location is easily tracked and rescued on time with medical aids

4. Insurance companies get closer conversations and better relations with customers

5. This information or data analysis helps in identifying and reducing accidents or rash driving

6. Increases customer's interest as well as reduces claim cost. This further results in low-risk driving and safe drivers

Lastly, the UBI concept is still a new segment in the insurance industry but transforming digitally with more accurate information and benefits. So, get the advantages from UBI when you buy your online car insurance.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ONLINE CAR INSURANCE POLICIES? CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE… 

The Indian government has recently stated that installing FASTag is mandatory for every vehicle. Various toll plazas in the country have already adopted it for toll collection. This initiative helps to make the cashless tax collection and reduce waiting time at the toll plazas.

FASTag comes in the form of a sticker or a tag that you need to stick on your car’s windscreen. You can recharge FASTag as per your requirement. When your car passes through a toll plaza, it automatically deducts a certain amount from your bank account or a prepaid wallet. FASTags are a step forward in making India digital. Following are some interesting facts and benefits of FASTag if you are still sceptical about installing it.

Interesting facts to know about FASTag.

1. Without FASTag, you pay double:
Although the authorities have made the use of FASTags compulsory for all vehicles, they are more than just mandatory. If a vehicle does not have it installed, they have to pay double what is paid through FASTag. This rule has been imposed to promote the use of the electronic chip and reduce waiting time and fuel consumption at the tolls.

2. RFID technology:
FASTag uses the RFID or Radio Frequency Identification technology for making payments directly when the vehicle is still in motion. The FASTag sticker is affixed on the vehicle’s windscreen and lets you make direct payments from your bank account or wallet.

3. FASTags are bank-neutral:
FASTags are available in most of the certified banks. They are also available at various toll plazas, digital wallets, and unified payment networks. Vehicle owners can simply visit any of these locations or visit these apps with the required documents to open their FASTag account and recharge it.

4. FASTags have validity:
FASTags have a validity of five years from the day of issuance. This means you will have to renew your FASTag account every 5 years. However, there is no expiry date on your recharge money, and you can use it as per your requirements. To check the validity of your FASTag, you can log in to the bank’s FASTag portal or mobile app.

5. Recharge as per your requirements:
There are two ways you can pay tolls using FASTag- by linking FASTag to your bank account where the money is directly deducted or by recharging your online wallet. If you choose to recharge, the minimum amount is Rs. 100. The recharge can only be done through online mode.

6. FASTags send you SMS alerts:
When you open your FASTag account and link your mobile number to it, you will be notified via SMS whenever there is a deduction from your account. You will also receive details regarding available balance, recharge confirmations, and alerts if you have a low balance.

Technological advancements have been shaping the future of India in various dimensions, and road transport has been receiving the optimum results. Severe commutation issues like long traffic jams, chaos at the toll plazas, and road accidents, have been brought under control with the wise use of technology.

FASTag has been a significant contributor to this movement, and it will show a massive positive impact in the coming years. Be a responsible driver and install FASTag in your vehicle to play your role in the initiative. Use these technology initiatives in your favour to have a comfortable and safe driving standard. And when safety is concerned, think of car insurance. Reduce dependencies on additional unwanted expenses and cover your car under the benefits of a comprehensive car insurance policy. Always look after your car insurance renewal to enjoy uninterrupted services for a long time.

Click HERE to know more about the best car insurance renewal options.

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.