GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Cycling is a fun exercise with many benefits for everyone. The younger generation is fascinated with cycling adventure, and they usually ride their bicycles in their vicinity and even plan passionate cycling tours to thrilling destinations. But did you know that cycling also benefits and excites older adults? It is an excellent way of keeping older adults fit, healthy, and engaged without putting too much pressure on their bodies.

*Pro-tip
If you want your parents to be protected from the possibilities of heart diseases and cancer, make them indulge in cycling as it helps reduce the risk of these adverse medical conditions. Another great way to ensure a healthy lifestyle for your ageing parents is to buy the best health insurance in India and provide vital financial support during medical emergencies.

Now, let's see some interesting health benefits elders can enjoy by cycling regularly.

1. Boost the immune system:
Elders have a weak immune system; as they grow old, they produce fewer T-cells, essential to fight against diseases. Cycling helps maintain the production of T-cells in older people, which boosts their immune system. It also helps older adults to preserve their strength and muscle mass to stay energetic throughout the day and feel less lethargic in doing any activity.

2. Good for the heart and body:
Cycling is excellent for the cardiovascular health of the elderly. It reduces the risk of severe health conditions due to heart disease by 45%. The elders who ride bikes regularly get their cardiovascular health increased by 3 to 7%. Riding a bicycle for 30 minutes also helps reduce the risk of several other medical conditions, like kidney disease, diabetes, and colorectal and lung cancer.

3. Slower ageing:
According to a study, high intensity cycling or other exercises can result in slower ageing. Older adults can enjoy the anti-ageing benefits by setting up a daily cycling routine. It is essential to maintain mitochondrial capacity as its decline can lead to physical deterioration. Cycling is excellent for increasing mitochondrial capacity.

4. Deal with fat:
Excessive accumulation of fat due to lack of physical activity can increase the risk of health problems like stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart attack in the elderly. As they grow older, exercising to lose weight becomes a little complicated. But cycling doesn't put much pressure on the body. Elders can easily lose fat and weight with regular cycling with less effort and maximum benefits.

5. A good stressbuster:
Stress is a general issue that bothers younger and older adults for several reasons. This stress becomes the underlying cause of several other health complications. Hence, it becomes crucial to control stress to improve an individual's mental and physical well-being. Group activities like cycling are enjoyable as cyclists can meet new people with similar interests. It helps elders find companionship and keep themselves cheerful.

6. Good for joints:
Walking and running become challenging as people get older. Seniors usually suffer from injured joints, and putting too much pressure can worsen their condition. Cycling is ideal for elders as it puts less stress on their joints. According to a study, cycling improves the condition of knee pain and osteoarthritis in older adults.

7. Build strength and stamina:
Cycling helps seniors build knee muscles and improve their stamina. It is a whole-body workout that helps older adults maintain their strength and endurance. It also enhances the mobility of individuals and helps them keep their bodies in the best shape.

Once you understand the significance of cycling, encourage your elderly to get involved in this activity. It helps elders meet new people, essential to improving their mood, and gives them a new direction to live their retirement life with enthusiasm.

Indeed, cycling improves the health condition of elders and provides them with the reward of a fitter lifestyle. Gift the elderly with the additional coverage of the best health insurance in India. Insurance supports financially by covering the diagnosis, hospitalisation, medical, and ambulance fees, releasing massive stress from older adults to deal with their health complications.

Click HERE to buy reliable health insurance in India for elders.

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.

Abdominal pain is a prevalent issue of concern worldwide. The common causes of abdominal pain are gas, indigestion, and constipation. They don’t require urgent medical care, and you can get relief in a few hours. However, there may be more serious causes of abdominal pain, like urinary tract infections, kidney stones or infections, and even appendicitis which can be serious.

These are some causes for which you must seek immediate medical help. If the cause for your lower abdominal pain is an inflamed appendix, more often than not, you may have to undergo appendix surgery. The surgery cost is high, making it essential to buy health insurance online. While health insurance covers medical expenses, taking precautionary measures and being aware of its symptoms is necessary.

Let us understand lower abdominal pain caused because of appendicitis more clearly.

What is appendicitis?

Our large intestine has a pouch-like structure at its beginning, known as the appendix. The appendix sometimes becomes inflamed and fills with pus, causing immense pain. This situation is called appendicitis. It is treated with antibiotics and must be removed through surgery.

You should not ignore severe and persistent lower abdominal pain as it may be a sign of appendicitis. It can be dangerous and result in a ruptured appendix that can cause severe infection when ignored.

What are some common symptoms of appendicitis?

If you regularly suffer pain in your right lower abdomen area for a prolonged period, it is time for you to visit a good doctor. Also, the severity of pain eventually increases if not diagnosed early. Other symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite.

What are the associated risks of appendicitis?

When the appendix becomes blocked and inflamed, bacteria multiply in it. The appendix can start swelling, along with pus formation. This causes painful pressure in the lower abdomen. It can also block blood flow. Not only does appendicitis cause immense pain and trouble, but bacteria can spill into the abdominal cavity with the bursting of the appendix. This can result in developing life-threatening infections.

The pain caused by appendicitis is usually so severe that it can even wake us from sleep. It can worsen within just a few hours and may require immediate hospitalisation.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

There is no specific test to diagnose appendicitis. The doctor first understands the symptoms and your medical history. He will physically check for swelling or rigidity of the lower right part of the abdomen. He may also perform a digital rectal examination.

The doctor may ask you to get a few more tests done to ascertain the occurrence of appendicitis. This may include blood tests, urine tests, and abdominal imaging tests.

How to prevent appendicitis?

There is no way by which we can fully prevent appendicitis and the subsequent pain that it causes in the lower abdomen. But having a high-fibre diet can help reduce the chances of appendicitis. Additionally, increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, lentils, beans and other legumes, split peas, brown rice, whole wheat, oatmeal, and whole grains. Consider the intake of some fibre supplements with the approval of your general physician to ensure a well-balanced diet.

One should never ignore lower abdominal pain as it can be a sign of appendicitis. The pain and uneasiness can lead to fatal infections. Since such ailments are beyond control, one should focus on safeguarding their health. Buy health insurance online with comprehensive protection to cover the costs of treating appendicitis without feeling a pinch on one’s wallet.

Click HERE to buy health insurance online 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.

With globalisation, the world has become a closely-knit village. It isn't easy to imagine a life without an international supply of goods and services that provide both convenience and luxury. However, while the flow of capital and ideas has been facilitated with the ease of internet transmission, transporting goods and services continues to take time and money.

With the expansion of international trade and travel, there is great emphasis on transporting goods most cost-effectively in the least amount of time. In such a backdrop, freight companies have seen an increased demand for overseas cargo shipments. They pay great care to ensure that your cargo reaches its destination safely by taking adequate measures to minimise risks.

On an individual level, you can ensure that the cargo is protected against any incidental damages by following the tips given below.

1. Proper packaging:
For an international shipment, the most significant issue is the risk of damage while in transit. It is best to take preventive methods while packing the goods instead of blaming the freight company after the loss has been faced. It is essential to choose the right packing supplies and ensure they are securely packed.
Also, consider the handling of the cargo while packing. Since it is known that goods are stacked on top of one another and moved using transporting vehicles like forklifts, ensure that your packaging is resistant to rough handling and is stackable. Keeping these in mind will ensure that your goods remain safe and your packages are easy to deliver.

2. Attention to fragile items:
No matter how much emphasis is placed on fragile items, it is inevitable to discover minimal damage to such delicate goods. While there is no way to eliminate the risk, proper packaging can minimise such losses.
Ensure that the package indicates the delicateness of items inside so that it is handled with care and cushion using adequate protective supplies. Consider purchasing insurance for fragile items offered by freight companies, similar to buying a fire or marine insurance India.

3. Internal cushioning:
It is known that freight companies transport large volumes of cargo daily. With such large numbers, it is difficult to ensure that each package is transported without damage. Therefore, customers should take preventive measures at the packing stage to minimise damages by providing adequate internal cushioning to the goods using bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and extra supplies to ensure the structural safety of the package.

4. Weight limitations:
Transportation charges are based on the weight of your cargo. Ensure you are not penalised by weighing your packages appropriately while filling out documents. A wooden crate may add to the weight of your parcel and increase shipping charges, but it ensures that your goods reach their destination securely.

5. Customs and Duties:
Each country has its own set of rules regarding imports. Ensure that your cargo fulfils the criteria of the destination country, the necessary documentation is filed in the proper order, and prescribed fees are paid.

6. Mode of transportation:
Factor in the cargo's nature, fragility, perishability, and delivery due date before selecting a suitable mode of transport for the goods to be delivered. For example, shipping by sea, although takes longer but is a cheaper option. By considering such factors, it is necessary to determine the best route of transport.

7. Proper insurance:
Since your cargo is set to travel long distances in uncertain conditions, it is best to purchase an insurance policy for your shipment to prevent shouldering any loss of goods in transit. Irrespective of the mode of transport, several policies like air cargo insurance and marine insurance India can minimise such losses.

International transport of goods has become an inevitable part of the modern supply chain. While freight companies are considered risky, however, with mechanisms like marine insurance India, you can share such risk with the insurer and safeguard your finances. Keep the above tips in mind, purchase the right insurance, and get ready to send your cargo overseas.

Click HERE to buy the reliable marine insurance India 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.

The foremost priority for any parent is to make their children financially secure by the time they turn eighteen and are ready to take on the world. In the growing years, your children may even decide to start up some business of their own for which they will require funds too. Also, you must consider the high living costs if your child decides to study or work in big cities like the metros. It is crucial to allocate funds to aid your child's education at foreign universities, considering the boost in international education opportunities.

Efficient financial planning is the key to being future-ready and meeting all expenditures to secure your child's future. We have designed our guide to help you plan your finances in the most appropriate way to ensure your child's bright future.

1. Start early and set your goals:
The first tip is to start as early as possible and set realistic and achievable goals. You should decide how much funds you will require to satisfy your child's aspirations. It need not be an exact amount; a close estimate will do. Calculate how much money you can save and put aside every month for your child from your current income.

2. Investing:
Investing your savings will make them grow; hence, you must decide where to invest this money. Ideally, your investment should be more in equity and less in safe-haven assets such as debt funds, fixed deposits, and gold, considering your long-term goals. Equity has the power to give you compounding returns over the years and grow your money exponentially. However, it is associated with risk.
Fixed deposits and debt funds will give you relatively lower returns, but they will be steady and safe. You must make smart decisions while investing your capital into these investment instruments.

3. Choosing the best schemes:
You will need some money for your child in the short term to meet her schooling and living expenses and more money in the long term for meeting her higher education expenditure. Allocate your investment between different asset classes accordingly and choose the best possible schemes available for the same. Invest in avenues that allow withdrawals without a long lock-in period to meet your short-term needs.
You can take the mutual funds route to invest in equity if you are not comfortable with investing in the stock market directly. Equity comes with many options, such as investing in different economic sectors, market capitalisation per your time horizon, etc. You can also buy government bonds and gold directly from outside sources.

4. Appropriate insurance coverage:
Insurance keeps your family secure in case you or your member meets with an accident. Hence, invest in a good insurance policy as per your individual need. What will happen to your child's future if something happens to you? Take a general insurance cover so that your children get fruitful benefits. Similarly, go for a mediclaim or comprehensive health insurance policy from the best health insurance company in India with a full family cover so that you are under no financial stress if anyone from your family meets with an emergency and requires hospitalisation.

5. Nominee appointment:
Never miss out on filling in the name of a nominee while investing anywhere. Fill in your spouse's name or a reliable third person, but do not leave the field blank. Only the nominee will have legal access to your investments in case of your sudden demise.

6. Regular review:
Review your investments regularly. If your investment is not performing as expected, change it to other investment options with higher returns. Similarly, keep checking your mutual funds' scheme performance and change it if it underperforms for a long time.

Proper financial planning will help you to secure your child's future. The above tips will keep you stress-free, and you will have a sufficient corpus ready by the time your child goes for her higher studies or is ready to start a venture. Reliable insurance coverage from the best health insurance company in India and good investments will be the perfect formula to turn your child's dreams into reality while being in their best state of health and well-being.

Click HERE to buy insurance from the best health insurance company 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.