GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Safety technology is one of the most critical aspects to consider when purchasing a vehicle. For first-time buyers who want to know the importance of a vehicle's safety technology, it is a collection of intelligent technologies and devices built in the car to prevent collisions and ensure the safety of the passengers and the vehicle. Airbags are a common type of protective device present in all cars today.

Maintaining and abiding by all safety measures is essential to keep others and yourself safe. However, investing in trustworthy online car insurance can add an additional layer of protection to your vehicle.

With the car companies upgrading to the latest safety technologies, we must also understand their importance, especially airbags.

What are airbags?
Airbags are a type of supplemental restraint device (SRDs) whose main aim is to protect the individuals in the front seat from any injuries in case of a collision. When the car crashes, an electronic mechanism is triggered, and these airbags inflate with gas quickly. They are designed to instantly cushion and protect the driver upon impact and deflate soon after deployment. When airbags were introduced in 1951, most cars had this flexible fabric bag installed only to protect the driver. Today, most car models have it inbuilt for both the front occupants, the driver and the passenger. In 2021, the Central Government of India made passenger airbags mandatory for all vehicles to improve safety norms in the country.
Some car models only have airbags installed for the driver and the front-seat passenger. However, there are a few advanced models that have them installed in a way to protect the passengers in the back seat. While it is only mandatory to have airbags for the front passengers, cars that provide airbags for both back and front are the best to ensure maximum safety.

How effective are airbags?
Airbags are a crucial mechanism in your vehicle, and one cannot ignore their significance in improving the level of safety of your car.
An airbag comprises a thin nylon fabric bag, a set of inflators, and a sensor. It is designed to signal the inflators to blow up the nylon bags on detecting a collision. This mechanism goes a long way in avoiding severe facial, chest and head injuries.
While this device cannot stop or prevent a dangerous event like a road accident or car crash like other advanced safety technologies, it can protect the occupants from injuries and fatalities. The passengers are not only saved from the harsh impact of a collision but also avoid hitting any hard or sharp objects inside the car that can cause severe damage.
Several reports have confirmed that the rate of fatalities caused by dangerous accidents or collisions has significantly dropped, thanks to the safety devices including airbags. They can be most effective when the passengers are buckled-up and sit firmly in their seats.

To sum it up, drivers and passengers must always follow specific safety measures like wearing a seat belt, driving at a steady pace, adjusting the rearview and side mirrors for a clear vision, and not being distracted while driving. In addition to it, having a secure online car insurance can further cover the damages caused due to road accidents. So, before you purchase a new car, consider all safety technologies including the airbags for crucial cushioning for people during a crash.

Find the best car insurance India for your vehicle HERE .

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.

As the owner and user of your vehicle, you need to understand the importance of cleaning your car regularly to save money and ensure that your vehicle is safe and hygienic for other passengers.

The vehicle's trunk can become the dirtiest place due to the stuff we put there. It could be the dust from the roller bags and carry-ons, stains from the fruits and vegetables, baby items, liquids, and more. So, it is essential to deep clean the trunk of your car to keep the atmosphere in the vehicle healthy and avoid any smells, decaying, and dust that could be harmful to the health of the people sitting inside.

This blog will teach you how to deep clean your car’s trunk. Without any further delay, let us get started!

1. Identify the suitable materials:
For deep cleaning, you need to identify the suitable materials you must use to ensure that it does not cause any adverse effects like bad odour, staining the carpet or the rag in the trunk, damaging the surface inside the trunk, etc. Removing the stains and cleaning the trunk is essential, but the right kinds of detergents, liquids, and cleaning cloth helps you make the process easier and show effective results.

2. Remove the lint:
You often store your furry coats, jackets, sweaters, trench coats, etc., in the trunk. Such clothes generally leave particular woollen shreds called lint on the surface of the trunk, which should be removed properly. If not, they tend to stick to interiors and lose their colour when they come in contact with chemicals in cleaning liquids, soaps, or detergents causing irremovable stains.

3. Vacuuming efficiently:
Deep cleaning involves cleaning the surfaces, the trunk, and the carpet-rolled interiors. However, do not stop just at the cleaning but also vacuum the trunk to get rid of those tiny pieces of paper, leaves from the vegetable stems, or fruit peels. Clean everything that is not easily visible to the naked eye while cleaning. The trunk of your car can be a complex surface to maintain if you do not deep clean regularly and follow the complete routine and methods.

4. Cleaning the carpet:
While the surfaces are supposed to be clean, do not just leave the carpet and vacuum it regularly. Occasionally, remove the carpet from the trunk and wash it well by shampooing and conditioning it. You need to dry it completely before putting it back in the trunk. Even a slightly wet carpet can cause damage by giving rise to bacteria, thus making it unhealthy and unhygienic for you and the people in your car.

Adding to this list, remember to clean the lid of your trunk. A dirty top of the trunk of your car might make your entire effort of deep cleaning your car’s trunk go to waste due to the dirt and dust sitting on it.

We hope you found this blog valuable and effective in maintaining cleanliness and pleasing odour inside your car. Moreover, it is always a good idea to get car insurance and protect your vehicle from any damages which might be caused during unfortunate circumstances. Explore your options and purchase the best car insurance India that optimally caters to your needs.

Click HERE to learn more about 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.

Summers are here, and by now, you've probably made plans to detach from the routine life and plan an exotic vacation for the perfect summer. Overworking may lead to fatigue, stress, and significant health hazards. Taking a break is highly demanded by your body to unwind all the stress and rejuvenate to get back to work with a new positivity.

Whether you're flying across the nation or going on a road trip for a few days, there are a few travel essentials you should pick up before leaving your home. In today’s topic, we bring a helpful checklist of travel essentials that are a must to carry while planning a holiday this summer.

1. Sunscreen:
The scorching heat of summers invites tanning and burns that adversely affect the body. You should apply sunscreen before heading outside in the harsh sun. A sunscreen with an SPF35 or plus will block out around 95% of Ultraviolet radiation, which causes sunburns and raises the risk of skin cancer.

2. Hat and Sunglasses:
A hat will provide some relief from the heat by avoiding the direct contact of your head with the sunrays. Although a hat will provide some shade, it's also crucial to protect your eyes and ensure you carry your sunglasses.

3. Backpack:
One of the most pleasing aspects of an active holiday is the possibility of discovery. Invest in a good backpack to enjoy it. It should be light and with a waistband to relieve back pressure. We advise that you choose a rainproof rucksack with many safe and secure compartments.

4. Water bottle:
Hydration is crucial, especially in summers. We recommend getting a bottle with water level marking on it so that you can keep track of the amount of water you consume in a day. Regular sipping of water will help you stay active and keep your body engaged.

5. Comfortable clothes:
Most summer vacations are spent at the beach or poolside. Carry your swimwear and comfortable beachwear.

6. Footwear:
Flip flops are ideal in summers. Along with your flip flops, also carry a pair of hiking shoes. They will help you when you set out on a hike.

7. Quick-drying towel:
It's helpful to have a quick-drying towel to avoid soaking other things in your suitcase on the way home.

8. Dry-wet bag:
Separating wet and dry stuff is useful when on a summer vacation at the beachside. A bag with two separate compartments will do the job for you.

9. First aid kit:
There is always a risk of scrapes, bruises, bug bites, and even an upset stomach. It's usually a good idea to keep a modest first aid kit with the essentials. This contains bug repellent, bandages, essential medicines, antiseptics, pain relievers etc.

10. General Insurance:
General Insurance should always be on your checklist no matter where you go. It will protect your travel, and you can enjoy the vacation with complete peace of mind. Invest in the best general insurance India and be rest assured of a safe and memorable trip.

The best part about any vacation is to forget the worries of everyday life and be in the moment at your favourite beach or mountain resort. Summer is probably the best time for family vacations, and with the restrictions getting eased out, the opportunities for planning trips will increase.

Also, don’t forget to carry your masks and hand sanitizers wherever you go because the pandemic has not ended yet. Take all the necessary precautions and make the above essentials a part of your travel checklist to set off on an exciting, adventurous summer holiday.

Visit HERE to explore plans of general 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.

India faced the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2022. During these two years of resilience, we have controlled the spread of the virus with effective public health protocols. National and state lockdowns, social distancing, and mandatory face masks have contained the infection rate. Last year, introducing the various COVID-19 vaccines tremendously helped build strong immunity against the deadly virus.

Vaccination against the COVID-19 virus has proved to be an essential tool in helping effectively manage the pandemic. Fully vaccinated people are relatively well-protected against a severe coronavirus infection, complications, and mortality. However, even effective vaccines become less viable over time. Intensive research suggests that vaccinations lose some of their power over time. It has been found that eventually receiving another vaccine shot after a few months can help highly boost the vaccine's effectiveness. This additional shot is called the booster shot.

Receiving both vaccine doses is the first and foremost integral step to building a strong enough immunity to control the infection rate. While the vaccines are deemed safe and effective, and everyone has been advised to get the jab at the earliest, several members of the Indian population have still not been vaccinated. Before considering the booster shot, the goal is to vaccinate the country's entire population to build herd immunity.

Here is some information to know before getting your booster shot:

1. The booster doses have been rolled out from Jan 10th, 2022. They will initially be administered to the front-line workers and adults aged 60 and above with comorbidities.

2. The booster is given 9 months or 39 weeks after administering the second dose of COVID Vaccine as per the guidelines.

3. The vaccine's side effects are reportedly similar to the previous doses, including fever, body and muscle pains, headache, pain, or swelling at the injection site.

4. Unlike other countries, Indians are advised to get the booster from the company as their previous vaccine doses and not mix any other. Citizens who have taken two shots of Covishield must take the Covishield booster shot only, and those who have taken Covaxin should go for the Covaxin booster shot. Do not take the alternate vaccine as it might create a complication.

5. The first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine boost our body's immune system. With these shots, memory cells that remember the virus are produced to help in case of an infection. The number of these cells increases with the second dose and helps fight the infection.

When these memory cells are challenged with a booster, they induce a robust immune response. As a result, the booster shot produces more antibodies that have an increased potency to fight the virus.

While taking the vaccines is integral to stay safe from the virus, one must remain vigilant and follow the safety protocol. Vaccination alone is not enough to fight the pandemic and the constantly emerging variants. In these challenging times, prioritising health is paramount. Remember to renew health insurance online or simply contact your insurance company to ensure your safe future.

Apart from maintaining your health insurance, you must indulge in healthy activities like yoga and vigorously consume a nourishing diet to combat any health ailment or infection.

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.

The Government of India presented the union budget on 1st February 2023. It has provided incentives for the people to move from the old tax regime consisting of deductions and rebates to the new tax regime. This, in turn, will affect the insurance sector as well.

While there were a few surprises here and there, it has proposed a significant change by taxing maturity proceeds of insurance policies commanding an aggregate premium of over Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year. Such high premiums usually occur in the case of money-back insurance plans that require one-time premium payments or endowment plans.

Here are some of the key recommendations that would impact life insurance sector.

1. No change in Section 80C and 80D:
Insurance premium amounts paid for insuring the life of self, spouse, or child are presently eligible for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act up to Rs.1.5 lakhs per annum. This is irrespective of whether our child is minor or major, dependent or independent. Also, individuals, as well as Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), are both eligible for claiming this deduction.
Similarly, Section 80D allows a person to claim a deduction for health insurance premiums and expenses incurred towards preventive health check-ups for self, spouse, children, and even parents up to Rs.65000/- per annum, subject to certain conditions.
The budget of 2023 could have been better for the insurance sector of the limits under Sections 80C and 80D. The industry expected a raise in the limits under these sections to boost consumer savings and investment. However, these limits have been left untouched in the budget of 2023.

2. The choice between the old-tax regime and the new-tax regime:
Till now, there was an option to choose between the old-tax regime that allows for several deductions and rebates and the new tax regime that taxes your income at a flat rate. You could choose either of the two and enjoy the above deductions under Sections 80C and 80D by choosing the old-tax regime.
There has been a shift in policy in this regard in the budget of 2023. The new tax regime is the default setting for individuals, under which you cannot enjoy these rebates. If you still want to enjoy deductions under Sections 80C and 80D, you will have to choose the old-tax regime specifically.

3. Aggregate premium clause:
According to the budget of 2023, if the aggregate premium paid by an individual is over Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year starting 1st April 2023, he will have to pay tax on their maturity proceeds. However, if such a policyholder dies, the nominee's maturity proceeds will be tax-free.
Maturity proceeds or income from insurance policies having an aggregate premium of less than Rs.5 lakhs in a financial year will be exempted from taxation. However, the introduction of this clause may discourage consumers such as High-Net-worth individuals (HNIs) from buying big-ticket insurance products to save taxes. As a result, the revenues or top-line of the insurance companies are bound to suffer and go down.

The Insurance industry plays a vital role in the overall financial growth of the country, and as such, the sector is undoubtedly not very encouraged with the budget for 2023. There was a general expectation of an extension of the Rs.1.5 lakhs deductions allowed under Sections 80C and 80D, which still needs to be met. Moreover, taxing the maturity proceeds of policies commanding an aggregate premium of Rs.5 lakhs or more in a financial year will further dampen the sales of high-value insurance policies.

However, insurance buyers need not be worried as the prevalent deduction limit is still the same and has not gone down. Also, a very small percentage of Indians buy high-value insurance policies, and the changed clause is unlikely to affect most Indian residents. Online general insurance policies continue to offer the same ease, protection, and security, and individuals can continue to enjoy its benefits.

Click HERE to buy online general insurance plan to safeguard your valuable assets.

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.

Indian celebrities, cricket players, and business tycoons have all made headlines for driving fancy foreign cars that they brought into India. It takes time and is complicated to import a foreign car into India. But if someone is willing to put in the time and money, they can import their dream car by following the rules and going through the process.

In this article, we'll go through the steps involved in bringing a foreign car into India and some crucial rules you must abide by.

India has stricter regulations than other nations regarding the import of foreign cars. Foreign cars will be permitted to drive on Indian roads only if they meet all requirements.

Guidelines for importing a new car.
To import a new car, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

● The car must be built or assembled outside of India.

● The car must be brand new in every way, and you can only import it from the nation where it was made. It cannot have been registered, leased, sold, or loaned before being imported into India.

● A right-hand driver's car is required.

● Kilometres, not miles, should be displayed on the speedometer.

● You can use only the naval docks in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata to import cars. Therefore, you should use just one of these ports to transport the car to India.

Rules for importing a used car.
The procedures for importing a used car into India are complex and may take longer than expected. The rules are as follows:

● Imported used cars shouldn't have a manufacturing date older than three years.

● It must be a right-hand drive car.

● Kilometres, not miles, should be displayed on the speedometer.

● Again, only naval docks in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata are allowed to transport the car to India.

● The car should be financed, leased, registered, or sold.

● It must have a roadworthiness certificate with a minimum 5-year validity.

Who is authorised to bring commercial cars into India?
You must meet additional requirements before you can import commercial cars into India. Because people can travel in passenger cars, SUVs, and jeeps that were imported, the rules for commercial cars are strict. The following are the profiles that can bring such cars into the country:

1. An NRI who last lived in India at least two years before the import and owned a car for at least a year.

2. Relatives, i.e., the legitimate heirs or successors of a person who passed away overseas and left a car in their care.

3. Individuals with physical disabilities.

4. Companies with foreign equity participation that are already operating in India.

5. International corporations with a presence in India.

6. Trusts that are legally established for religious, missionary, or charitable purposes in India and abide by the regulations established by the state or central government.

7. Any honorary consuls that the Indian government's Ministry of External Affairs recommends.

8. Any journalist who possesses an accreditation certificate issued by the Bureau of the Indian government's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Things to take into account before bringing a car into India.
Before you start the time-consuming process of bringing a car into India, you need to think about a few essential things.

1. Import taxes on cars:
You might be required to pay an import duty of up to 116% of the car's CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) value.

2. Registration:
The closest RTO in India must register the car. The import tariff does not include the fees for registration and road tax. These fees vary based on the kind and price of the car.

Insurance is essential to drive your car in India legally. You can conveniently buy car insurance online to financially protect you from paying for damages caused by an accident or third-party liabilities. Your car insurance can offer financial security against collision, fire, or other unavoidable natural or man-made disasters.

Click HERE to buy car 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.

Health insurance is a policy that provides financial cover for your medical expenses. It includes both pre-emptive medical care such as routine medical checkups and tests and costs incurred after someone gets sick or in case of some medical emergency. Your health insurance provider reimburses these medical bills.

With the development of the internet, the entire buying, renewal, and maintenance of your insurance policy has shifted online and has become more streamlined and convenient. Further, the advent of technological development has also favored cashless modes of premium payment.

In this article, we will walk you through all the basics that you need to know about health insurance. This way, you can easily navigate through different policies and come across the best Health Insurance in India, to match your needs. Let’s get started…

Major Factors to Consider Before Buying a Health Insurance:

● The policy holder’s requirements (size of the family, members of the family, specific allergies, ailments, and diseases)

● Policy limits (possible advantages, disadvantages)

● Type of plan (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)

● Market credentials of the insurance provider

● Whether or not the insurance has a cashless network

Basics of Health Insurance

A health insurance doesn't cover all the costs, it only covers what it calls the ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses. These policies are formulated in such a way that it shares costs. After reaching the out-of-pocket limit, the insurance pays the entire cost.

Ways of Cost Sharing Between the Policy Holder and the Health Insurance

There are several ways in which an insurance company shares costs. Each way constitutes a different type of insurance policy. Here are some features of your policy that you should know about:

● The out of pocket limit

● The deductible

● The co-insurance

● The co-payment

Did you know that a cashless claim settlement brings in more money, when compared to other modes of payment? It is useful to keep these little tips in mind before buying and selecting a health insurance policy.

Other Things to Keep in Mind:

● Crucial benefits that are offered to each policyholder

● Should be affordable as per your income

● Certain government-mandated federal standards

● Consumer protection laws

Who Should Purchase Medical Insurance and Why?

Everyone should have health insurance. Medical emergencies and problems are often unforeseen and it is highly unlikely that an average person has a substantial amount of money saved up at all times. Moreover, medical costs are too high, and one usually cannot cover it by themselves. These bills are also directly linked to several financial problems.

Various groups that should invest in health insurance:

● Students: Students can avail their parents’ health insurance till the age of 26. Universities often offer the right health insurance plans. Students who go away to college in a different state should avail of this insurance since their parents’ insurance might not work in another state.

● People with families: Family plans usually have individual as well as family deductibles for each member. The insurance comes into force only after the deductibles have been met.

● People who fall in the lower income slab: Health insurance policies are the best way to cover your costs, without burning a hole in your pocket. People who fall in the lower income slab should consider using this tool to prevent financial losses.

● People who are pregnant: All health insurance policies cover pregnancy and certain prenatal as well as postnatal procedures. Childbirth and maternity care count as essential benefits, and everyone who is pregnant should get a chance to avail of it.

● Senior citizens: All senior citizens, i.e. people of the age 60 and above qualify for the government-mandated health insurance plans.

● People in the military: All active military officers get their health care and their family’s health care subsidized by the government.

● Married people without children: These couples could purchase individual insurance plans instead of a complete family plan. One could also depend on their spouse’s employer’s insurance plan if such a situation exists.

Conclusion

Having health insurance offers loads of benefits. From the above guide, we hope that your doubts about health insurance are solved. Secure yourself today by getting health insurance. Moreover, as you age, health insurance becomes even more important.

Health Cover, is it an option or luxury? Well, it’s a necessity! Having a financial tool that covers your medical bills & saves you from a hole in the pocket is a must.

To begin with, what's a health cover?

Insurance policies are oriented towards your fitness and give coverage to your medical bills and expenses on a payable premium. These health covers are the best ways of saving your big hospital bills, and with passing times, it's turned into more of a necessity.

If you haven't invested in a medical cover, it isn't too late to buy health insurance online. >And if you don't have enough reasons to reflect on why you need one, let's quickly run into some of the essential reasons:

1. Covers All Your Medical Bills:

Here's the top reason why health covers are looked up to by most individuals, it covers all of your unexpected hospital bills. Whether you're pregnant or are considering getting operated on, you no longer need to deal with sky-high hospital bills. It also helps plan your savings better, since you won't have to dig out large medical expenses.
Further, considering some of the best insurance policies that cover hospital bills and other additional expenses oriented with your checkups post-surgery, bills spent on medications, therapy sessions, and much more; it gives you an outstanding deal. It is also believed as the most profitable way of administering your health and fitness, and further keeping it under check.

2. Compare & Choose The Best:

With a wide array of insurance policies facilitated by different providers, you've got comprehensive plans to choose from. Every single policy offered by each provider varies so incredibly that you might want to take your time considering each segment or option that relates to your requirements. Another advantage is that you can also alter or modify a policy as per your needs. Likewise, the premium payable and coverage extended would differ depending on the categories of medical conditions, illnesses, etc., laid down by your health cover.

3. Best Form Of Investment:

If you haven't known this yet, a health cover is a form of medical investment that's sure to bear you excellent and reliable returns in the form of the coverage amount. The market for investments is so broad and prospering, yet medical insurance turns out to form such an inevitable part of it. If you're someone seeking to buy Health Insurance online, you will come across many distinct policies offered even by the same provider. The potential market that it has taken up, proves its ability to benefit you immensely.

4. Tax Benefits:

Talking about how a health cover can benefit you, it isn't just limited to the fulfillment of free medical bills but extends to more leveraged advantages. Have you thought about the amount of money you can save on compliances like tax obligations with your health covers?
Well, you can consider it now! With tax benefits, you can invest in health cover and enjoy the dual benefits of coverage over medical bills and savings made on tax payments. Under the legal compliances, you can get up to Rs. 25,000 as an insurance benefit. This implies if you apply for medal insurance for your entire family of 5, it can reduce your tax obligation by Rs. 1,25,000.

5. Other Benefits:

If you're under the impression that free medical treatment and tax waivers are the only benefits that health covers extend, you’re wrong. While there are numerous policies and providers, their claims, coverage, premium, and other features differ substantially. Some policies cover charges for the ambulance services, expenses post-medical treatment, lower or no limits on the bonus, or discounts implied on your coverage. All of these benefits brought together, make for the ideal health insurance plan.

Conclusion

One can't quite emphasize the need to take a health cover, without giving much attention to your fitness. After all, your well-being is the epicenter of all your day-to-day activities.

Quick Tips before you buy health cover:

● Check the limits and sub-limits.

● Have a look at the options available.

● See if you can get discounts.

● Compare the different quotes by different insurance companies.