GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Technological advancements are visible in a country like India, where economic developments are happening rapidly. These changes are accelerating the growth in all sectors, including the automobile sector. The car industry is an essential growth driver of the Indian economy, and a lot is yet to be done in this field.

Additionally, the Indian economy is set to grow by 7.4% in the coming years. This will significantly impact the automotive industry as well. Car sales in the country have grown by 50% in the last few years, and it is set to record more in the coming years. Automobile ownership will take a giant leap and be a convenient option for most commuters.

However, with such growth, the risks also increase. This also leads many fraudsters to take different ways and means to hack and steal. As the existing state of motor security in India is inadequate, every motor insurance company in India is trying to protect people against such crimes.

All next-generation cars must follow more security regulations to address these challenges. Let's have a detailed look at them.

What is the current scenario of vehicle security in India?

Like everything else, the car security statistics of India are not satisfactory. Every year, more advanced means of theft are discovered. Car theft, hijacking, and robbery are common matters these days. The cars are also more prone to theft because there aren't enough safe parking spaces, which makes them easy targets for carjackers.

What is car hacking?

The automotive industry is under the radar of cyber criminals every day. As the technology is being developed, the risk increases. Vehicles are more connected and automated than ever. This allows cybercriminals to hack into the system and steal valuable data.

They make use of malware to get into the vehicle's system and gain access to all the connected devices as well. These mischievous minds can use this to steal financial data, personal information, and the car.
They make use of malware to get into the vehicle's system and gain access to all the connected devices as well. These mischievous minds can use this to steal financial data, personal information, and the car.

What can be done to prevent it?

After the car theft crime rate is increasing rapidly, the Indian government initiated various guidelines for the automobile industry. These security regulations need to be thoroughly followed by all future vehicles. These rules will keep drivers safe and expect to reduce the crime rate. These are

1. Security standards:
The government is trying hard to elevate the safety standards of vehicles. This means that all vehicles need to be equipped with GPS trackers in the future. Additionally, an anti-theft device should be placed too.

2. Using a High-Security Regulation plate:
HSRPs come with a non-removable snap-on lock which is irreplaceable. All the vehicle details, like chassis and engine numbers, can be collected and stored in a secure database using HSRP. These unique number plates will bring uniformity by eliminating the use of fancy plates. This can also aid authorities in easily tracking your vehicle's registration number.

3. Update all software:
It is crucial to regularly update all security patches of your vehicle's firmware and other IoT software to eliminate any possibility of hacking or breaches. Another advanced solution for connected vehicles includes public-key infrastructure (PKI) that ensures a superior level of security.

4. Awareness:
Regular awareness drives and car security campaigns are mapped out for all car owners so that they can be prevented from theft. This also includes educating them about tracking devices, hacking, etc.

5. Accessible public transportation:
The government is creating a massive public transportation infrastructure for the general public's convenience. Buses and metros are being developed every day, and more cities are being included in the list of metros. This will reduce the dependence on private vehicles.

The future of next-generation cars relies on technology. GPS trackers, Bluetooth connectivity, and anti-theft devices are the future of the automotive industry. They will be mandatory in the future. Every motor insurance company is considering them while planning out their insurance policies.

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

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.

You're familiar with that feeling when you're on the verge of becoming ill. You feel worn out, like something is wrong, and you're colder than usual. And at that point, you start to wonder just what is happening. Is it the cold, the flu, or the RSV? Or might it just be allergies?

When you first start to get sick, it can be hard to tell the difference between these illnesses. Surprisingly, they have identical symptoms. Find out in the following article what might be causing your flu-like symptoms and when you should visit a doctor.

What are the symptoms of flu?

● Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea

● Muscle aches and pains

● Sore throat, running nose, or cough

● Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

● Fever

What other conditions are like the flu?

1. Cold:
Most people have experienced many episodes of the common cold. A wide variety of viruses brings it on. Symptoms of a cold include a running or stuffy nose, a sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headaches or body aches, and fever. Since there is no way to tell if you have a cold, most treatments are meant to ease the symptoms.

2. COVID:
The symptoms of COVID and the flu sometimes coincide. In its early stage, COVID symptoms are more like those of a cold than of the flu. Breathing difficulties and loss of taste or smell are two symptoms that are more prevalent with COVID.

3. Pneumonia:
Both viruses and bacteria can cause pneumonia. Cough, fever, shortness of breath, and exhaustion are the primary signs of pneumonia. It's also crucial to remember that pneumonia can develop from the flu, COVID, or a simple cold. This is only sometimes the case, though. Finding out if you have pneumonia requires a chest X-ray.

4. Bronchitis:
A lower respiratory infection or inflammation is referred to as "bronchitis." It is caused by a virus that affects the lungs, but the symptoms can last even after the infection is gone. It may be caused by persistent inflammation. Your symptoms and other medical issues typically determine your course of treatment. Steroids and inhalers are helpful for some people.

5. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV):
RSV is a widespread virus that manifests as flu-like symptoms. In grownups, it frequently resembles and feels like the common cold. But it can hurt the lungs and cause breathing problems in young children, especially those under 6 months old. Infants with RSV have fast breathing and apparent behavioural abnormalities. They could have difficulties in eating or seem more worn out than usual. A hospital stay may be necessary for oxygen and constant monitoring during treatment.

When should you go to the doctor if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms?

● People with severe lung or heart diseases

● Very young children

● Older adults over 65

● Women who are pregnant or within two weeks of birth

● People with neurologic abnormalities, such as a history of seizures

If you experience any of the following, get medical care right away:

● Dizziness

● Pressure in the chest or stomach

● Extreme muscle tenderness

● Dehydration and inability to retain food

● Difficulty breathing or fast breathing

● No improvement in symptoms after 3 to 5 days

A healthcare professional can test you for many diseases you might have and ensure you get the right treatments. Mainly due to change in seasons, flu-like symptoms are frequent. It could be hard to tell the difference between the flu and other diseases like COVID, the common cold, or strep throat. If you have the flu but aren't sure, see your doctor for a check-up.

You can speak with your physician about receiving a flu shot if you fall into one of the high-risk categories. Your medical bills, pharmaceutical charges, hospitalisation costs, and other expenses are all covered by health insurance. Health insurance in India is now more than just a choice—it's necessary to get the best medical care without worrying about how it will affect your finances.

Click HERE to buy the best health 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.

Have you thought of your insurance claim getting rejected? Scary is’nt it?

Any individual taking an insurance policy would never think about their claim not being approved, but there have been numerous incidents of insurance claim rejection. Some of the reasons could be due to negligence on the part of the policyholder, but sometimes, it could also be because of choosing the wrong policy provider who looks for loopholes to avoid paying claims.

Claim settlement becomes especially important in the case of life insurance policy, where an entire family’s short-term sustenance may depend upon the claim amount.

What is Claim Settlement Ratio?

As the name suggests, the Claim Settlement Ratio is the number of claims the insurance provider has settled up until now. For instance, if the company has a claim settlement ratio of 80%, then that means that the particular company has settled 80 out of every 100 claims that were filed by policyholders.

Magma HDI has maintained an exceptional CSR of 94.1% in FY 17-18 compared to the industry average of 87.2%. With our convenient and efficient claim settlement process, we were able to ensure less than 30-day claim settlement for almost 87.17% of the total claims made in the year. 

Why is the claim settlement ratio important?

It is essential to consider every aspect so you can take an informed decision before picking the right insurance provider and signing the policy papers. This becomes particularly important when taking life insurance, as, in the event of your untimely device, you will leave behind a financial security cushion for your dependents to fall back on.

The Claim Settlement Ratio is an indication of the likelihood of the policy provider to pay the claim. Companies that have a higher claim settlement ratio are automatically trusted higher as compared to companies with a lower ratio.

Few reasons for claim rejection:

• Withholding critical information at the time of taking the policy can seriously impact the likelihood of your claim getting settled as it affects the risk assessment – Can be written as tell the truth always! no matter what
• Not understanding or being unaware of the company’s terms and conditions could lead to complications or incorrect/incomplete information that could then lead to rejection. Therefore, make sure you understand the clauses and use the free-look period to ensure that you’ve made the right selection
• Faltering during the claim filing process is one of the key reasons for claim rejection. Therefore, you must thoroughly follow the process before filing your claim

Now that you know all about the Claim Settlement Ratio and how it impacts your chances of claim settlement, you can make an informed decision and choose the right provider. 

It is hard to name a single businessman who hasn’t taken risks, but you will know many brave ones who trusted luck and risked everything. Truth be told, as a responsible business owner and citizen, one needs to be prepared with and Magma HDI Genaral Insurance Company offers a wide range of liability insurance policies that give you

1. Compensation for damage/loss of property or human injury

2. Covers your legal liabilities towards damage to any third party, along with the legal costs and expenses incurred by the insured.

3. It applies to both industrial and non-industrial establishments.

4. Compensation for damage/loss of property or a human injury caused due to defects in product manufacturing

5. Even after ensuring the highest quality standards and assessment parameters, a manufacturing defect in products is still possible and can cause mishaps.In such instances, Magma HDI Liability Insurance covers the liability to a third party.

6. Compensation for damage caused due to human negligence

Be it any professional– doctor, engineer or lawyer – involuntary errors and omissions could seriously impact their customers’ health, well-being, or financial stature. Liability insurance will take care of any liabilities that may arise due to negligence while executing your responsibilities.

Smart and trusted businesses quickly compensates loss or damage that might occur during the regular course of business as they are backed by their Liability Insurance policies and so can you CLICK HERE for buying Magma HDI’s liability insurance Policy.