GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Road trips with family members, friends, or companions are a pleasant experience to enjoy. You are jamming to your favourite songs, catching updates about one another's personal life, enjoying the views of the route, and are just taking a much-needed break from your hectic work life. All this sounds amazing, comfortable, and convenient. But what would happen if something suddenly goes downhill and you land in a chaotic situation you did not expect?

You must know and be aware of the practical solutions before you end up in a chaotic situation. This blog will discuss the driver and the co-passenger aspects of car insurance. So, here's all you need to know about car insurance's driver and passenger cover. Let's get started!

1. In accidents, passengers get severely injured along with the drivers. As a mitigation measure to avoid financial stress during unfortunate circumstances, getting a passenger's insurance would help to protect their life.

2. The policy covers up to two lacs of hospital and medical bills and permanent or short-term disability liability. In case of the passenger's death, the financial support will go to the nominees or the person to whom the policyholder assigned the money and the responsibility.

3. Personal accident insurance is mandatory for the owner and the driver of the designated vehicle. Passenger insurance is separately entitled insurance unrelated to personal accident insurance. Although, do not mistakenly assume that the lack of enforcement to get a passenger's insurance is something you can be careless about. Secure everyone's lives-whoever is travelling in your car.

4. There are various types of car insurance coverages for both the drivers and the passengers. These include (owner-driver) personal accident insurance, paid drivers' accident coverage, and unnamed passenger personal accident insurance, to name a few. The paid drivers' personal accident coverage ensures that whoever you hire to drive your car is enlisted in that insurance as a paid driver. You can get this add-on benefit in exchange for a small amount. This tends to be a massive plus in the long run, especially during sudden accidents or risks. The individual registered under the title of the paid driver is only eligible for the amount the insurance is supposed to cover.

Unnamed passenger personal accident insurance can be bought as an add-on to protect the life of the passengers travelling in your insured car. You can select the add-ons according to the number of passengers your vehicle can have. And it is mandatory that during sudden situations where you might land in an accident, or something unfortunate happens, this benefit will be only applicable if there are not more than the legally permitted number of passengers (according to your car model and government and companies' instructions).
As the owner of the car and someone who owns a driving licence, you must have owner-driver personal accident insurance under your auto insurance. The insurance amount would be passed on to your legal and enlisted heirs in case of physical disabilities or death due to a vehicle under your name.

5. The owner-driver and the passenger cover under auto insurance act as a secondary safety net for you and your fellow passengers. Usually, standard insurance policies do not offer you such benefits. In the case of the owner-driver personal accident insurance, the insurance company will ensure that the amount reaches the nominee of your insurance in case of any death or tragic circumstances.

As we are already discussing insurance, you must also consider your car's security. Your car is your asset, and you must protect it under comprehensive car insurance. You can also save a considerable cost by avoiding intermediaries' involvement. Buy online car insurance and eliminate the unnecessary stress of the cumbersome process, long waiting time, and commissions to agents.

Click HERE to know more about online car 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.

Mental health has been a stigmatised topic in India for many decades. While in the cases of most physical illnesses, people are willing to consult a health professional as soon as they detect a disease, they find it challenging to do so in the case of mental health issues.

This is because of the widespread false notion that if you have a mental illness, it makes you a weak person or there's something wrong with you. It is not usually as easy to detect, so it often goes untreated. However, the recent interest in individuals' overall health and well-being has increased interest in purchasing the best health insurance policy in India, which also offers coverage for mental illnesses.

Ignoring your mental well-being can have several adverse impacts. Read the full article to understand the importance of mental health consultation for complete wellness.

1. Mental health affects your physical well-being
Mental health is often seen as something completely separate from physical health. However, we need to realise that the brain is the most essential part of the body. When it gets affected, it ends up affecting the whole body. If this seems too far-fetched, consider that poor sleep and insomnia are caused most widely by stress and anxiety. So are heart palpitations. In a way, the reverse is also true. Since problems in physical health can also cause mental health issues, people with chronic or life-threatening physical illnesses should be constantly monitored for mental health issues.

Trauma, such as head injuries, is the most common example of this. In these cases, it's best to consult a mental health professional immediately and buy the best health insurance policy in India that also covers mental illnesses.

2. Early detection makes a huge difference
As with any disease, early detection makes a world of difference. Symptoms worsen with time, and like physical illnesses, treating a mental health issue is easier when the symptoms are mild. Also, chronic mental issues significantly impact patients' daily lives and make regular routine seem more daunting. It may also cause strained relationships with family, friends, and co-workers, which is undesirable. Early treatment can avoid these complications.
 

Signs you might need to consult a mental health professional

● Sluggish feelings and declining physical health
Physical health is one of the most significant mental health indicators. Depression and anxiety cause many problems in the body, including headaches, fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and muscle aches. They also affect the endocrine and immune systems, affecting physical health adversely.

● Losing interest in hobbies
Depression and other mental issues can make you feel increasingly alienated from the hobbies and activities you previously enjoyed, whether gardening, a sport, or simply socialising.

● Withdrawal from previously fulfilling relationships
Isolation is one of the prevalent methods people use to deal with declining mental health. This can take a toll on your existing relationships and cause them to deteriorate, alienating the ailing person even further. A psychologist can be very helpful in these situations, as they can reinforce social skills and help you practise making healthy relationships again.

● Adverse impact on work performance
A decrease in work performance indicates declining mental health. When you start finding work extremely hard to do and feel lethargic all the time, it is essential to consult a mental health professional immediately.

There is no shame in seeking help when you need it. Taking care of your health's physical and mental aspects is of utmost importance. While consultations can help as a preventive measure, buying the best health insurance policy in India is an excellent way to protect yourself from rising medical costs.

Click HERE to know more about the best health 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.

As someone who owns a motorcycle, you will know the thrill of long road trips with friends or the calm of solitary rides at night. A bike can give you many new adventures, all of which you must experience in your lifetime. Owning a motorcycle is a matter of pride and honour. Still, it also brings many responsibilities like regular maintenance, proper servicing, and owning the best 2 wheeler insurance. However, this article will discuss another safety feature, i.e., headlights.

If you are looking to upgrade your headlights, or want to know the nitty-gritty of the kinds of headlights, then look no further. This article is here to help you understand all your motorcycle headlight-related needs.

Before looking at the types of headlights, let's understand why it is essential to have a fully functioning and a good-quality headlight on our motor vehicles.

1. Safety:

We have heard of accidents on the roads and highways at night. In most cases, the driver is incapable of navigating dark streets due to a lack of visibility. It is imperative to have a good headlight, to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Not only does it help you in seeing others, but it also allows others to notice you.

2. Driving through fog or rain:

Your vision is significantly compromised when you drive through dense fogs or heavy rains. A good quality headlight can pierce through rains and fog and help you with better visibility.

Now, let's understand the different types of headlights that are available in the market for you.

1. Halogen:

The most commonly available lighting in headlights is the halogen reflectors or filaments. These lights share the same characteristics as the yellow-hued filament bulb used in houses. These bulbs are cheaper and easily accessible by consumers; however, these lights are not as bright as the others available in the market.

2. Xenon bulbs:

These are produced majorly for projectors and other directional purposes of light. They give out a very sharp, bright light stream that can easily cut through the darkness and give better visibility of the road ahead. However, one con of these bulbs is that since they are intense beams of light, they tend to reflect from surfaces. So, while driving, you might not be able to see the directions and street signs, as these lights can reflect strongly into your eyes.

3. LEDs:

The light-emitting diode or the LED emits bright white light and is primarily found in newer models. They consume less energy and have high efficiency. They are also safe and durable and emit a bright stream of light that can easily cut through dense fogs and rains.

These are some of the significant kinds of bulbs used in your headlights. It is crucial to keep your bike and its parts working to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Besides the headlights, it is a good practice to take note of your vehicle's tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, and fog lights to ensure maximum safety.

Before upgrading to a newer headlight, it would be wise to check if the bike's battery can handle the extra load from a new headlight. If the batteries fail to handle the change, your bike can stop working. To bypass this issue, it is best to talk to a mechanic who will be able to guide you with the battery requirements for your headlights. An upgraded battery and a headlight system would keep your bike and the new headlight safe.

An efficient headlight is paramount to driving safely on the roads, specifically at night. Always ride with proper safety gear, carry the essential documents, and keep your 2 wheeler insurance up-to-date. Ride with responsibility and stay safe on the road!

Click HERE to buy 2 wheeler 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.

Driving is a task that entrusts the driver with the responsibility of passengers, pedestrians, and vehicles in their hands. This overwhelms most drivers, especially beginners learning how to drive.

In the beginning, when you take your grown-up child for driving lessons, you may find them nervous and frightened. This fear makes them attempt fundamental mistakes, like applying brakes while keeping their feet on the accelerator. You may get frustrated and scold your child for such silly mistakes. However, your actions can result in a loss of confidence and develop a greater fear of driving. Thus, it would be best if you become supportive of your child.

Making your child follow the traffic rules and scolding them to drive slowly will not make them great drivers. It would help if you built some qualities within yourself for your child to learn to drive. In addition to it, ensure that you buy new car insurance as a preventive measure.

Follow these tips to be a supportive instructor and a cheerleader by their side!

1. Make them drive
Your child wants freedom, primarily because they ask for a licence. You can make your child drive the vehicle during an outing at safer locations, especially in the daytime. Or you can make them your co-driver, so they get some experience. Moreover, encourage them to look at the mirrors and the incoming traffic and read the signs on the boards. It will enhance your child's understanding of driving.

2. Stay patient and calm
To teach your child to drive, you need to develop patience. Your child may get nervous while learning to drive, and shouting could worsen their practice. So, staying at ease and unstressed will make their learning experience enjoyable. Further, try to avoid conflict situations and take them to learn to drive when you are in a good mood. While you may get irritated with their learning practices, keep calm, and avoid disagreements.

3. Take the learner driver's insurance
Though you may have been driving for many years, ensure you abide by traffic rules before giving vehicles to your child. You are responsible for ensuring you have insurance covering your teenager's learning. Mistakes can happen at any time while your child is learning to drive. So, it is better to have insurance covering all mishappenings costs.

4. Become their mentor driver
Children often copy the driving habits of their parents. These include talking on the phone or drinking coffee while driving. Your children see you and will hold you accountable for such habits later in life. It will help if you become a role model for them in driving. They stay focused and try to avoid doing other things while driving. Therefore, developing such practices within you will be helpful for your kids.

5. Check that your child is prepared to learn
Even if your child has crossed the legal driving age, it doesn't mean they are ready to drive. Acknowledge your child's maturity and help them to handle pressure situations gradually. Also, assess the thinking and acting capacity to react to rough possibilities. Further, ensure your child is emotionally ready to take control of a vehicle at a certain speed. It will enhance your child's learning experience and show their willingness to learn.

Your child needs your maximum support when they learn anything. Driving is one of the most important activities your child should do calmly. Also, while teaching your child traffic rules and signs, ensure that you follow them correctly. Always buy new car insurance before your child starts learning to drive. It will ensure stress-free learning and make your child a great driver.

Click HERE to buy new car insurance policy.

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.

There are various covers that the insurance companies provide depending upon factors such as the location, the type of car, the engine model, the engine capacity, etc. These car insurance covers are provided for various situations such as natural calamities, theft, accident, etc. One such protection that always seems ambiguous is the insurance against vandalism. If you are contemplating whether to take a vandalism cover or not, this article might help you by giving you a better insight into destruction, the claim, the benefits, and the demerits of the same.

The first thing to understand is that vandalism covers can be costly. As the severity of vandalism cannot be estimated beforehand, and the likeliness cannot be predicted, the covers can charge extra.

You can claim vandalism only if you have a comprehensive cover. Now, what is a comprehensive cover? Let’s understand the two main kinds of covers provided by insurance companies.

1. A third-party plan:

This policy is a safety net for the policyholder against any liabilities that may arise due to an accident or collision resulting in an accident of a third person or damage to their property.
If in case of death of the third person, the insurance company covers the compensation for the same. The premium on these is lower compared to a comprehensive car insurance plan.

2. A comprehensive plan:

Not only does it include third-party coverage, but it also takes care of personal damage. Comprehensive car insurance protects against any legal obligations arising from third-party interference and covers any damage caused to your car.
This cover also has the added covers on natural and human disasters such as riots and vandalism. With these things in mind, you can rest assured that your car will be fully taken care of by the insurance company.

Let’s first understand what vandalism is:
Vandalism is an act of destruction performed intentionally and with the intent of malice. In this case, we are talking about vandalism against vehicles, which can have different forms.

1. Damage to the car body:

Spray paint, scratches, and graffiti are a few ways to damage the car’s body that can be considered vandalism. More noticeable scratches and damage will require a new paint job and other repairs.

2. Broken parts:

Broken windows, glass panels, or lights must be changed entirely, costing tens of thousands in damage.

3. Slashed tyres and stolen parts:

Parts of your car, such as the side-view mirror, company logo, tyres, wiper blades, etc., can cost significant money. People steal these and sell them for the original prices, which are relatively more expensive than the knock-off goods.

Vandalism claims can be time-consuming and challenging to process as there is rarely a proof. So, it is best to inform your insurers as soon as possible and start the process. But remember that vandalism claims are only valid if there were relevant covers in your policy.

As discussed above, car insurances pay for vandalism only if you have comprehensive coverage added to collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage does not include any stolen goods or personal items from within the car, but it can cover the expenses for the damages incurred.

Sometimes, a police intervention might be needed as vandalism is considered a crime. Filing a complaint with your insurer increases the chances of damage recovery through the claim. If a police officer does not visit the crime scene, then the chances are that they will call you to give a detailed report of the crime. Do not forget to miss out on any points, as the better the details of the crime; the better are your chances of claiming your insurance.

Now you know why investing in a comprehensive car insurance policy is best. You can get the best protection against calamities, human-induced hazards or otherwise.

Click HERE to find out more about comprehensive car insurance plans.

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.

When your headlights give you a difficult time by going off, the instant reaction is to contact a mechanic. And why would you not? A broken headlight makes it feel like you are driving with one eye closed, causing night drives riskier. Also, what if a vigilant police officer stops you on the road? That generally means heavy fines, especially if a few things are wonky in your car. Additionally, the car now looks way less sleek than before. However, going to the mechanic proves to be costly and time-taking, which makes you delay the job unless there is a looming fine.

A one-stop solution to all these problems is just fixing the headlight yourself. This surprisingly easy task takes a few minutes to accomplish. It could be a fun DIY project which you undertake this season! This blog gives you the basics of replacing your car headlights at home!

Tool list: You might need the following tools to fix the headlights, so keep them handy: Screwdriver set, socket set, pliers.

Safety first!
There's nothing more important than your safety. Wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself, as you might have to reach some tight spots. Additionally, you'll hold sensitive bulbs throughout the process, which warrants protection.

Caution!
As a precautionary method to ward off DIY enthusiasts, most car insurance companies do not allow significant self-modifications to the vehicle's interiors or exteriors. While checking new car insurance rates, read the policy fine print to check if it permits such changes.

Step-by-step process on how to replace your car's headlights:

1. Check your owner's manual
This is to get specific instructions on replacing your vehicle's headlights and what kind of bulbs you should get (HID or LED). The general instructions are similar, but you may need specific tweaks to suit your car.

2. Power the car down
Turn off your car, let it cool, and park it in a clean area on your driveway.

3. Access the bulbs
This may be a tricky step. Sometimes, you may need to remove the battery to access the bulbs better. Or, you can pop the hood and locate the headlight holder near the front of the car.

4. Detach the headlight connector and disconnect the bulb
The base of the lightbulb is connected by three wires. Disconnect the plug that supplies power to it. Once you open the headlight, changing the bulb is child's play. However, be careful while unlocking the locked bulb out of its place. Try not to break the clips used in locking the bulb, as those are not easily fixable.

5. Screw the new light bulb in
Wearing gloves, carefully screw the new bulb without touching the glass of the bulb, as it may burst. Close the hood of your car, and the job is done! If one headlight is off, it's almost certain the other will go off in a few weeks. So, when replacing one, take some time and replace the other one too.

Headlights going off is a common problem. While it is usually from old age, there can be other reasons, such as extreme heat or cold, which affects the bulb's filament, causing it to go off. It can also be due to oxidation, common in modern-day halogen bulbs. Unfortunately, you might have to replace the whole headlight, not just the bulbs. In this case, taking the vehicle to a mechanic is best, as meddling with it too much might do more harm than good. To make this more pocket friendly, research new car insurance rates that also undertake your car's repair and maintenance costs.

Click HERE to know more about new car insurance rates.

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.

Disasters have many faces and can strike anytime, anywhere; they can be seen in the form of quakes, floods, gas leaks, explosions, etc. and one of the most commonly known faces of disaster is fire. Damage felt after a partial or full-blown fire mishap is quite painful and nearly unrecoverable. However, if you have your house insured with ironclad insurance from a well-reputed fire insurance company, then your hassles can be reduced to a minimum.

A fire insurance policy plays an essential role in dealing with the losses and damages incurred due to fire. It is highly recommended to purchase fire insurance to safeguard your homes from any future calamity that a sudden fire or smoke can cause.

Here are some of the tips you can follow if you face damage from fire or smoke in your homes.

• Ask for an advance against your claim: -  Right after the house has been gutted to fire, you might be forced to evacuate the house, considering the dangerous situation because of the smoke. In this case, you are eligible to get an advance from your insurance company so that you can buy your daily essentials. Inform your insurance company and ask it to issue a cheque and bring it to wherever you are staying. It will help you in this dire need and will be enough for your survival until your claim gets accepted.
• Checking for the extent of losses: - Once the fire tragedy is controlled, the first act of the homeowner is to calculate or check for the damage extent of personal belongings and property loss in the fire. Once the total loss is measured and counted, it will be easier for you to negotiate with officials handling the claim process.
• Having your receipts documented: - After facing a disastrous house fire, you may be forced to live in a temporary dwelling like a hotel or guesthouse close to your vicinity. It would be ideal to secure all the receipts, document all the costs and expenses carefully. Once you receive the claim for the house fire, you may also get a compensated amount you incurred on your living expenses.
• Check bank statements if you don’t have a receipt: - People tend to be careless when it comes to saving receipts for every new thing that they buy. While we might save receipts of the electronic items for warranty or claiming a refund, it’s not easy to keep those long bills every time you go for grocery shopping. However, your every online transaction would bring a huge relief; hence look for credit card statements and bank statements to prove the value of items.
• Back up your vocal claims with evidence: - After the fire tragedy, some items are destroyed or damaged to such an extent that for the insurer, it could be challenging to identify for assigning the claim. So, as a responsible party, you ought to click as many pictures and shoot videos as possible of the damaged, smoked rooms to show the physical evidence of the actual damage before it gets wiped by a restoration company.

Fire insurance is a contractual agreement between the policyholder and the insurer wherein the insurer in return for consideration or premium agrees to indemnify the policyholder or the insured person for the financial loss that he/she may suffer due to destruction of or damage to property or goods by fire during a specific period. You can buy as well as renew a fire insurance policy in India by online as well as offline ways.

The purchase of fire insurance helps to cover the cost of replacement, repair or reconstruction of the property, but fire insurance is generally not valid in case of war, nuclear risk or any such similar peril. Buying fire insurance is always a good idea because your property is your investment and buying a fire insurance policy will help you recover the damage and loss caused due to fire on your property.

Most of the policies offered by the different insurance providers cover the physical damage caused to your property by the following perils: -

• Fire
• Lightning
• Riot and Strike
• Earthquake, wind and storm
• Explosion
• Smoke damage
• Sprinkler Damage
• Damage due to aircraft
• Bush fire
• Subsidence, rockslides or landslides
• Impact damage which may occur due to the impact of road vehicles or animals or rails.

There are various types of fire insurance policies that are available in India, depending on the coverage requirement of the individual. The type of fire insurance policy in India you may choose also depends on whether the asset which is being insured is a fixed asset or a non-fixed asset. Depending on the type of asset being insured, insurance providers have different types of fire insurance policies available. The types of policies for fixed assets such as homes are: -

• Replacement Value Policy - The asset which has been insured is replaced if it is damaged by fire wherein the insurance company pays the replacement value of the damaged property.
• Reinstatement Value Policy - This is almost similar to the Replacement Value Policy but with an added clause that the insurance company will replace the damaged property to its original condition before the occurrence of the peril. This policy applies to fixed assets like buildings.

There are many different types of policies for non-fixed assets, such as: -

• Specific Policy - This policy covers the loss up to a specific amount which is less than the real value of the property.
• Comprehensive Policy - Also called ‘All in One’ policy, this policy covers loss due to fire, theft, burglary as well as other third-party damages.
• Valued Policy - Under this policy, the insured person can recover a fixed amount which was agreed to at the time the policy was bought.
• Floating Policy - This policy covers loss due to fire to property belonging to the same person but at different places.
• Valuable Policy - The sum insured is not decided at the time of buying the policy but instead, the claim amount is calculated at the time of loss.
• Consequential Loss Policy - This policy covers the loss in profit caused due to disruption of the business by damage due to fire.

Buying a fire insurance policy for your house or your goods is always a good decision, but you must buy a policy which covers the risk that you face and understand the nature of the asset that you want to insure and then buy an insurance policy accordingly.