GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

A car has become more of a need than a luxury in recent times. It makes commuting and travelling highly convenient. People invest their time, effort and capital while purchasing a car to ensure it is to their liking while meeting their requirements. Many factors influence their purchase, like the model, budget, convenience, features, etc.

Taking care of your vehicle is crucial. You need to ensure that your car is regularly maintained, cleaned and goes for servicing periodically, as instructed. Always use authentic auto spare parts and follow all the service standards recommended by the manufacturer.

There are also chances that many exterior parts might get damaged due to extensive use of the vehicle. The wheels face maximum wear and tear due to constant friction. Practice these care tips to keep your car’s tyres and rims in good condition.

1. Pressure:
It is essential to check the air pressure of your car’s tyres, preferably before you start driving. Suppose the pressure is below the recommended limit, then there is a considerable danger of a blowout that might disbalance your car. This condition can wreak havoc on your driving and risk your safety. In addition to this, low pressure also reduces your vehicle’s efficiency, mileage and affects the life of the tyres.

2. Inspection:
You need to deeply examine your vehicle’s tyres for unusual wear and tears, cuts, punctures or other damages. Get the car checked by an expert for repair or replacement if needed. In case of a puncture, replace the tyre with a spare until you get to a service centre and have it inspected by a mechanic thoroughly. Call a professional if you’re stuck with a damaged tyre in the middle of a long-distance road trip.

3. Rotation:
Maintain a rotational routine of your car tyres to ensure an even balance of tread wear. Ensure proper examination of the tyres by a professional during the rotation procedure. They can help you determine early or late wearing down and find the reason to save you from any further risks.

4. Curbs:
Bumping into or driving close to the curbs can damage or bend the rims. Try practising parallel parking with cones or other items that will not scrape off your rims if you bump into them.

5. Properly clean up:
Use standard quality products and cloth materials to clean the rims of the wheels. You can risk corrosion of the metallic coats and cause damage to the alloys if you use acid-based cleaners. Use a gentle soap and water mixture and rub firmly to make the rims shine.

6. Alignment:
Misaligned wheels can lead them to wear out unevenly. This ultimately causes loss of control, reduces their strength, and amplifies fuel consumption, reducing efficiency. Get your alignment adjusted whenever you get your car inspected by a mechanic.

Other tips to keep tyres and rims in good condition include maintaining good driving practices, avoiding overloading your car, inspecting the tread depth, ensuring that the spare tyre is in perfect state, accurate wheel balance, etc.

We covered one crucial aspect about taking proper care of your car. But to avoid any severe damages and monetary stress due to unprecedented circumstances, it is wise to get your vehicle insured. Purchase car insurance that caters to your needs and safeguards your vehicle from damages and financial loss.

Click HERE to know more about 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.

While YOLO (You Only Live Once) can be the mantra for many of us to enjoy and create beautiful memories, it is also important to remember that accidents come without warning. The slightest of injuries can make your life uncomfortable to an unimaginable extent. You can never be too cautious, and it does not harm to be careful and vigilant about the body against the potential dangers in the surroundings.

This blog is a complete guide on hamstring injuries and the best ways to get relief. If you are someone who has no information about hamstring injuries, their diagnosis, recommended treatments, symptoms, and causes, do not worry. Here we answer all your questions about hamstring injuries right from the meaning. So, without any further delay, let’s get started!

1. What is a hamstring injury:
Often, you might have noticed athletes and people who are into fitness and go to the gym regularly get their muscles pulled. A strain or a tear in the muscles or tendons in the backward portion of your thigh is described as a hamstring injury.
Athletes, gymnasts, and sportspeople who practice long jumps, high jumps, climbing, etc., are usually at risk of these hamstring injuries, which can make movement and daily chores and practice very difficult for them. In some cases, the severity of the damage and the induced pain can lead to getting disqualified from the competition or complete bed rest.

2. Let’s learn a little more about hamstring:
The hamstring joins the bone and the largest thigh muscle in your body and helps the leg bend and stretch easily. When you jump, climb a rope, jump, stretch, run or sprint, your hamstrings are used extensively.
The level of the injury is described by the extent of damage caused to the hamstring. A grade one injury involves a slight muscle pull, whereas a grade two injury indicates a partial muscle tear. The most severe grade three injury occurs when there is a complete muscle tear.

Note: if someone has suffered a hamstring injury, it makes them prone to it in the future if they do not take proper care.

3. How is the hamstring damaged:
The causes include overstretching, lack of rest combined with fatigue after a heavy workout session, a direct hit on your thigh, insufficient warm-up before athletic and sports activities or workouts, lack of a pre-conditioning program, and a history of hamstring injuries.

4. What are the symptoms:
You need to be aware of the symptoms of different grades of hamstring injuries (as discussed in the second point). If you have a grade one injury, you will experience sudden increasing pain in the backward portion of your thigh, leading to difficulty in movement. In this stage, your leg strength will remain unaffected.
If you have a grade two injury, you will experience some inflammation, redness, swelling, soreness, bruise patches, and a decrease in the strength of your leg. A grade three injury will worsen the pain, inflammation, swelling, bruise marks, and tenderness. A popping sensation occurs when you initially injure the hamstring.

5. Best ways to get relief:
The RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation are essential to help you manage the injury and get relief from the pain and the soreness in your hamstring. Avoid excessive movement till the soreness goes away and the swelling goes down. Ice the area at fifteen-minute intervals for the next day or two.
A thigh sleeve (elastic, preferably) or a compression wrap is a wise choice to help support the area during the slightest movement. Subtle exercises like lifting your leg to a comfortable level while sitting on a chair or the edge of the bed help during the icing intervals. Crutches are advised if the movement is unbearably painful.

You must be careful and take the required measures to be watchful about your body. It is also wise to get personal accident insurance to avoid monetary stress in times of difficulty. You can explore all your options and purchase the best personal accident insurance online which suits your requirements.

Click HERE to learn more about buying personal accident 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.

Waking up with a sore throat can be worse than waking up from a nightmare. Every time you gulp your food or cough feels like sheer torture. On most days, the sore throat may vanish if you drink enough warm liquids, but sometimes it can take days to heal.

The pain and itch in the throat can be troublesome enough to distract you from your day’s routine and cause constant discomfort. There can be several causes for a sore throat like viral and bacterial infections, acid reflux, etc. While taking medicine for these illnesses is an effective way of getting rid of soreness, it may still take time to give you some comfort.

Antibiotics can take days to help, and if you have an important meeting to attend, you may be in for some trouble. Worry not; here are a few helpful natural remedies that can give you instant relief from a prolonged sore throat!

1. Saltwater gargles:
Gargling with salt mixed in warm water is one of the best and quickest remedies to relieve a sore throat. If an infection or inflammation causes your sore throat, warm salt water can help kill the bacteria present in the throat and reduce any inflammation.
Mix half a spoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for at least 10 minutes. This will instantly kill any germs present, soothe irritation and calm swelling or inflammation.

2. Honey and Lemon:
Honey has antibacterial properties, which significantly reduces inflammation and soothes your throat. Lemon juice contains vitamin C to boost your immunity, break down the mucus and help you fight your infection. Add one spoon of lemon juice and two spoons of honey to warm water or tea and sip on it as a soothing concoction to get pain relief in a matter of minutes.

3. Chamomile or herbal tea:
Our ancestors have used herbal teas for ages knowing their medicinal properties. Chamomile or herbal tea has antioxidant properties that instantly calm inflammation and kill germs. Drink a cup of hot chamomile tea to soothe your throat from itching. You can add ingredients like turmeric to the tea to boost your immune system.

4. Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is the best way to relieve your blocked sinuses, kill germs present in your nasal and throat cavity and clear the throat. It also helps you expel all the phlegm that may be causing congestion or soreness in your throat. Boil a pot of water and inhale through your nose and mouth to instantly relieve your sinuses. Continue this for a good 15 minutes to calm your irritable throat.

5. Cough syrup and lozenges:
While doctors usually prescribe cough syrups to fight infections, you can also use them to soothe your throat. Cough syrups have soothing anti-inflammatory properties that act not only on the infection but also on the inflammation in the throat.

You can also chew on lozenges containing ingredients like gingers, honey, lemon and peppermint to produce enough saliva that prevents your throat from drying out. This ultimately soothes your sore throat.

While you can simply buy online health insurance and ensure a safe future for you and your family, dealing with constant health ailments can be vexing. These few quick home remedies can give you rapid relief from a common cold or sore throat to make your daily life simpler! Try practising mindful activities like yoga, meditation, and pranayam to keep your body in the best shape possible and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Click HERE to buy online health 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.

Cycling has seen an increased number of enthusiasts over the past couple of years. Fitness lovers found a new way to keep themselves fit by cycling to the public parks as an alternative to the gyms. Cycling is an activity that does not require a lot of skill and techniques. Still, if you want to learn more about cycling as a sport or wish to venture into various terrains on your bicycle, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to make the process easier and more enjoyable.

One of the most challenging parts of cycling is traversing uphill roads. It is both exhausting and time taking. But with the proper techniques, you can easily manoeuvre this route.

Today we will discuss a few ways to make your uphill journey on the bicycle easier.

1. Do not start fast:
Many riders make the mistake of starting fast, right at the bottom of the uphill journey. This can be the first mistake that you make while riding uphill. Depending on the ascend and the steepness of the slope, it is best to distribute your energy and utilise it on the last leg of the peak. The final portion of the rise requires the maximum energy as it is the steepest part of the ascend.

2. Alternate between sitting and standing position:
Alternating between these two positions can help you significantly in manoeuvring the climb. Cover the distance while being seated and as you reach the final climb, stand up to increase the energy and to acquire the desired push. Activate your muscles, lift your body, and apply pressure using your legs to pedal heavily.

3. Finding a rhythm:
For longer climbs, it is best to set a riding pattern. As mentioned above, switching between speeds, positions etc., can help you form a rhythm and help you focus your energy more on riding instead of ascending.
Find a rhythm that works for you. Gasping is a sign of wrong techniques and wasted energy. For more extended periods of time on the ascend, your breathing should be deep constant.

4. Set small milestones:
Conquering the peak in one go can be a daunting task. Instead of looking at it as a mammoth assignment, it is best to set smaller goals instead. While making the climb, take note of the small details on the road. Like a post box, garbage bin or a tree. Setting these small goals can be an incentive for you.
You can associate these goals with rewards, such as after you reach a goal, you can change your pace, try a new method or just stop for a bit. This way, the road becomes a journey and not a task.

5. Don’t fight the wind:
Fighting the wind is probably the worst thing a rider can do. Your overall speed and energy levels are massively affected by the wind and its direction. Fighting against the wind always means using up all your energy which you can use later for your ascend. Instead, go slow if the wind is against your riding direction.

Sparing sometime of your day for such physical activities can help you in the long run. However, excessive cycling can lead to injuries and a weaker immune system. Uphill riding is never an easy venture, and acing it requires fitness and determination.

In the process, you might even face injuries and mishaps. This is why it is essential to strike a balance. In case of an injury, doctors suggest various physiotherapy sessions and other medications. These treatments can burn a hole in your pocket; hence you should consider buying an individual personal accident insurance policy. Individual personal accident insurance policy safeguards you in case of accidents and injuries, and the cost incurred during your treatment.

So, keep your passion for cycling alive, and ride your way to fitness!

Click HERE to know more about individual personal accident 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.

Bringing home your newborn from the hospital is a wonderful yet challenging experience as a parent. The fear of the infant getting sick is a big worry. It takes time to understand typical infant behaviour and gauge abnormalities, which can be challenging.

Detecting initial signs of illness is crucial as it gets difficult for infants to fight off diseases that spread swiftly due to weak immune systems. Comparing family floater plans offered by online health insurance companies is an equally important step to consider to protect your baby.

Additionally, here are some symptoms of newborn illnesses to be aware of.

1. Consistent crying or irritability:
A baby can only communicate its needs by crying, be it hunger, tiredness, loneliness, a change of diaper, or discomfort. At first, you might not understand your baby's cries, but cancel out reasons to identify the cause. Consistent irritability and cries are signs of sickness.

2. Fever:
Bacterial and viral infections, including pneumonia, ear infections, stomach bugs, and urine infections, can cause a fever. Use a digital or mercury-free glass rectal thermometer to take your child's temperature. A temperature of up to 100 degrees is considered normal. For children younger than three months, a temperature of 100 degrees or more, and 101 degrees for children between 3 and 6 months is the threshold, after which you must immediately contact the doctor.

3. Apathy or laziness:
Being tired, dizzy, listless, or excessively sleepy without responding to sounds and sights or reduced appetite are gradual changes you may notice. Lethargy may be a symptom of an infection or other illnesses, like low blood sugar. If your infant shows fatigue or isn't as active as before, consult the doctor.

4. Little appetite:
Most babies eat every three to four hours after the first day, and they will typically express their hunger by sucking on their hands or fingers, screaming, or making yelling gestures with their hands or fingers. Contact your paediatrician if your infant refuses to eat and skips multiple feedings.

5. Vomiting and diarrhoea:
Intestinal, bacterial, or viral infections and obstructions can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Regular examination of your baby's poop can help the doctor identify bacterial infections. The symptoms of viral infections generally go away after about a week without medication.

6. Inconsistent stools:
Your infant may lose excess fluids due to a fever, illness, or heat and have extremely dry stools. Once your baby begins eating solids, excessive consumption may cause constipation and the formation of firm stools due to difficulty in digestion.

7. Urination:
Typically, babies soil a minimum of four diapers daily. Excessive urination could be due to an infection or other urinary tract issues, such as distress while peeing. A pinkish stain on your baby's diaper indicates concentrated urine and is not worrisome—however, blood in its diaper or persisting discomfort requires a doctor's intervention.

Immediate steps of actions:

Caring for an infant is a significant responsibility that requires prior planning. We encourage to-be and new parents to compare infant insurance offered by online health insurance companies and prioritise their child's health.

Once you notice any symptoms persisting for long periods and deviations from typical behaviour, rush to the doctor. Ensure you follow the doctor's advice to nursing your child back to health. Additional preventive measures include:

● Introducing easy-to-digest foods

● Keeping a constant watch on your newborn

● Maintaining a clean environment

Dealing with kids is always a challenging task, especially when it comes to infants. Since they have weaker immune systems and cannot do things for themselves, it is the parent’s responsibility to make prior arrangements to provide the best possible environment for the infant to thrive in. You can start by including your infant in your family insurance plan after carefully considering the alternatives online health insurance companies offer.

Click HERE to buy insurance for infants from online health insurance companies.

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.

Cosmetics have become an integral part of our daily lifestyle. Facial makeup, perfumes, nail polishes, eye makeup, hair colours, etc., all enhance our physical attributes and appearances. The cosmetics market has developed various products for different cultures, skin tones, types, and seasons.

While these products may accentuate your physical features and give you a sense of confidence, they can be harmful in the long run. The high chemical contents present in cosmetics can be toxic to your skin. Often, the side effects of these chemical ingredients are not mentioned on the packaging.

The harsh chemicals in cosmetic products can affect the functioning of your skin's protective barrier, making it significantly easier for pathogens to enter your skin. Regular usage of makeup can hurt your skin's glow.

This article will discuss the long-term side effects of using cosmetics. You need to be aware of these consequences to be vigilant about the ingredients and the usage of cosmetic products.

1. Ageing:
One of the worst things you can do to your skin is to apply makeup without sunscreen. When you expose your skin to the sun, it damages your skin and leads to premature ageing signs like wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines. Also, make sure that you remove your makeup before calling it a night; otherwise, it can get into your pores and break the elastin, thus causing wrinkles.

2. Cancer:
Many cosmetic products like waterproof mascaras, foundations and long-lasting liquid lipsticks contain polyfluoroalkyl substances. These toxic chemicals are proven to cause cancer. When added, they change the properties of surfaces to make them resistant. PFAS are usually not mentioned on the packaging and labels of cosmetic products, making it difficult for consumers to detect their presence.

3. Allergy issues:
Cosmetic products are made with different ingredients. Some are formulated with mild components that don't affect your skin's health. However, products with strong and harsh elements like parabens and SLS-Sodium Laureth Sulfates can trigger your allergies, severely damaging your skin.

4. Acute risks:
Several cosmetic products have ingredients that pose the risk of burns and infections. Hair-straightening products (keratin treatments) contain formaldehyde. Frequent usage of such products can cause blisters, extreme hair fall, rashes, etc.

5. Behavioural issues:
Makeup products consist of eyeliners and lipsticks. Lead (heavy metal) is a component of these makeup essentials. If ingested in small amounts over time, it can have severe consequences like behaviour and cognitive problems, which can be concerning and can disturb your everyday lifestyle.

Now that we have discussed the long-term side effects of using cosmetics, it would be wise of you to consider safeguarding your health in case of unforeseeable circumstances.

Health emergencies bring in a lot of monetary pressure, causing additional stress. You can buy health insurance online to save yourself and your family from the financial load of unprecedented situations. Lastly, act wise, never overuse cosmetics, and use natural products free from harmful chemicals.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy 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.

“Music is the soundtrack of your life” – Dick Clark.
It is unimaginable to have a life without music and the ability to enjoy it. For most of us, music has been a medium that helps us navigate through the daily hustle of our lives. Few of us are blessed with singing ability, while the others are not.

Irrespective of whether we know or don’t know singing, we enjoy it in our solitude limited to our bathrooms or bedrooms. In this article, we will discuss a few ways to improve this craft and support your singing voice while being in the comfort of your home.

1. Warm-up:
People commonly discuss the importance of warming up for a sports activity but conveniently forget the importance of the same during singing. There are various ways to warm up your vocal cords to prepare before singing. Various jaw and muscle exercises such as blowing through your lips and sticking out the tongue can go a long way.
Another way to warm up your vocal cord is by humming tunes. Indian classical musicians use “sa re ga ma”. Using different variations of these notes is an excellent way to practice pitch and voice modulation.

2. Hydrate yourself:
If you are confused about what to drink before the event, then your answer is water. Drinking lukewarm water during rehearsals helps lubricate your vocal cords. Hydrated vocal cords ensure that you put forward your best performance. Another great alternative is herbal tea which has plenty of health benefits for your throat.

3. Take breaks:
Like any other activity, your vocal cords need rest as well. Over exerting your voice can lead to cracks, soreness, and itchiness that can tear your voice while performing. This can also lead to allergies and also aggravate any pre-existing problem. Hence you must avoid practicing on the day of the event. However, if it is mandatory, try not to strain your voice. Instead, try humming.

4. Avoid harmful substances:
Cold and aerated drinks should be avoided entirely for the good health of your vocal cords, as the high content of sugar in aerated drinks are harmful to your vocal cords. Smoking is highly detrimental to your vocal health and can lead to long term damage. When you smoke, you are subjecting your vocal cords to toxic materials—everything you breathe in passes through your throat, which can lead to permanent damage.
You should also be mindful of carrying masks or scarves while travelling through a highly polluted environment. While drinking alcohol has no direct effect on your vocal cord, it is dehydrating and inflammatory, hence not advisable for singers.

5. Do not sing if it hurts:
If you feel a strain on your throat, it is best to avoid singing. Straining your vocal cord can be devastating and can cause cysts in the long run. It is best to give your throat the rest that it needs. However, if the problem persists, visit your doctor.

6. Regular check-ups:
It is wise to visit your ENT specialist regularly. If you are experiencing any trouble, your doctor will examine the underlying problem. The doctor might suggest a few scans and medications that you can take for the speedy recovery of your throat.

These are a few ways to take care of your throat and your singing voice. As mentioned above, consider going to the doctor when you feel any kind of uneasiness associated with your throat. Avoid straining your vocal cords. If you are considering regular checkups, investing in health insurance will be a good idea as it will act as a safety net in case of any expense you might face during your treatment.

Click HERE to know more about health 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.

At-home gatherings are now again in fashion post-pandemic. However, throwing a simple house party requires the right mindset, preparation, and skills to have an epic event. Make sure everyone will enjoy themselves if you're planning to host a dinner party, a modest birthday celebration, or any achievement.

Your gathering will be the party of the year if you follow these easy hosting recommendations.

1. Make a plan:
No matter how big or small, house parties are necessary to celebrate all of life's significant occasions. We've discovered from some of the event experts that preparation is half the pleasure. Prepare the invitee list in advance, deep clean your dining area or living room, and also remember to set up little sanitising stations throughout the gathering.

2. Decor objectives:
The house's decor would be the next thing to be played with. The cushions and upholstery can be changed to suit the occasion. As colour coordination is essential for tying the space together, you may use flowers to fill the day's mood. These simple and quick modifications give the impression that a lot of work was put into them.

3. Play quality music:
Party vibes are incomplete without happening music. Play fantastic playlists to keep the party going, whether it is an afternoon brunch with friends, a baby or bridal shower, or a holiday party. Keep the sound manageable so you can converse with your guests.

4. Proper lighting:
A well-lit space is needed every day, especially when you have company. Make sure all windows are open and provide plenty of natural light for a gathering during the day. In the evening, warm lighting creates a cosy atmosphere. The proper lighting transforms a room instantaneously, bringing out all of your home's lovely nooks and places.

5. Pay attention to the minor details:
Having additional closet space for jackets might be a simple example of this. These thoughtful additions will give guests the impression that you put a lot of consideration into this at-home party.

6. Absolute clarity:
First, ensure your environment is clutter-free, especially the hosting area. This advice is very relevant when young children are present because they frequently leave their playthings in impromptu locations throughout the house. Remember that a clean space feels airy, pleasant, and warm.

7. Understand your guests:
This is essential to mastering the art of entertaining at home. Understanding your visitors' preferences, dislikes, and ideas about what is most enjoyable is necessary. Take advantage of their preferences or encourage them to try new dishes you have prepared for the occasion.

8. Play games frequently:
A basic board game or a deck of cards should always be available if your party turns into a game event. At night's end, these essentials are impressive. Outstanding cuisine, good company, and extraordinary beverages are the ingredients of a successful party.

9. Ask for assistance:
You might want to appear to have it all together. We are here to tell you that just because you are having a party doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. Invite your friends to bring wine, dessert, or other light fare food. A little aid can go a long way.

Nobody wants to feel tense during a party, dinner, or other function. Make everyone feel as though you are happy to have them there.

Also, a home is one of the most important investments you may strive to make throughout your life. However, you need to secure and protect this crucial life investment. House insurance India can help protect your home and your belongings against unanticipated events like burglaries, fires, floods, storms, and explosions. Buy the best house insurance India policy today, and always be prepared to celebrate good times at your dream home.

Click HERE to buy the best house 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.