GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Road accidents continue to be the leading cause of death in India. In the metro cities, the need to ride at a blistering speed is overwhelming. In this process, you tend to slip the clutch while struggling to switch off the motorcycle. As the phrase goes, "Haste makes waste", it can't be more accurate. You not only risk jolting forward but also the likelihood of accidents is concerning.

As per the World Bank report, "India tops the world in road crash deaths and injuries. Around 11 per cent of all road crash deaths are witnessed in India, which corresponds to 53 accidents every hour; taking one life every 4 minutes".

By this point, you all must be wondering what can be an efficient way to eliminate this problem. The ideal solution is a kill switch to wind down a motorcycle.

This blog is a comprehensive guide to understanding the purpose of a kill switch.

With this emergency stop, you can rapidly turn off the bike without withdrawing your hand from the handle to reach for the key. To turn off the power, you just have to use your thumb. In short, this safety mechanism can save your life in an accident.

Turning off the motorcycle instantly seems like an unusual idea. But in general, while doing so, we put the bike’s mechanism at risk. The kill switch is designed in a way to mitigate this problem. It swiftly breaks the contact with the ignition coil. This is a very straightforward mechanism to shut the engine off. It is also convenient, considering how by keeping your hands on the handlebars, you can engage the kill switch more immediately during an emergency.

All in all, this is a simple, direct emergency shut-off switch that clicks the device off. It is an essential safety feature that enables the rider to turn off the motorcycle when it is impossible to do so manually.

All you have to do is press the red button. If you're a new rider, you probably spotted a scarylooking red switch on your bike's right-side handlebar. So, you now know how a kill switch looks.

In a heavier bike, the rumbling engine is silenced with this mechanism's help. It also aids in handling emergency situations without disturbing the bike's stability. You won't need to glance down to find it because it will be easy to operate after some experience. It is also a quick method to halt your bike for a brief period, to give directions, or in traffic.

Numerous motorcycles are designing advanced technologies to eliminate road accidents. While this is one way to make you feel secure, you should consider other options. In India, it is almost necessary to take insurance for your motorcycle. If it expires, you can apply for an online motor insurance renewal. It is another way to drive safely without worrying about financial losses against insured vehicles, including extensive damages and liabilities. Always keep your insurance policy up-to-date to avoid it from lapsing.

We hope the above information explains the importance of kill switch and online motor insurance renewal. It is always best to have complete knowledge about your vehicle, its parts and their use. This information can help you better understand your bike and stay protected during unfortunate events.

Click HERE to get online motor insurance renewal.

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.

Electric vehicles are all the rage right now. India will significantly switch from fuel-based to electric-based vehicles in the upcoming years. Countries like the USA have seen a significant chunk of their population switch to electric cars. Even in India, people drive electric scooters in metropolitan cities. Like every other vehicle, electric vehicles also require maintenance. Plus, you would need to ensure that you make the energy of your electric vehicle efficient and increase the capacity of the engines to give your vehicle a prolonged life.

Now, let's discuss the techniques and tips that can increase the range of your electric vehicle. Doing this will help you improve your car's battery life in the long run. So, let's get started.

1. Drive properly:
Sudden jerks and an increase in acceleration can adversely affect your battery as the increment would put pressure and end up draining the battery. Experimenting with your vehicle's torques and testing the high speeds sure seem very lucrative, but it will impact your battery negatively over time. You also need to ensure that you drive smoothly and operate your vehicle carefully to increase the battery's longevity and the overall functioning of your two-wheeler or fourwheeler.

2. Go easy on the air conditioners:
The usage of air-conditioners does impact the battery. Prolonged use of air conditioning depletes the battery power at a fast rate. But there are places and times when you cannot live without the air conditioner. How do you go about this issue? You can switch on the fan instead of amping up the compressor. This will help you conserve power and regulate the cool air inside the car. You can open the windows, but this slightly affects the car's aerodynamics, functioning, and operations.

3. Be careful on those brakes:
Your electric vehicle's regenerative braking helps you recover the energy lost during the sudden braking process. So, use that whenever there is a necessity for brakes. And make sure to avoid unnecessary braking as it stresses the battery into bringing the vehicle to a halt or lowering the speed out of the blue. So, take it a little easy on the brakes whenever you are driving. Also, ensure that you use the maximum regenerative setting of your car during the deceleration process. This option will help conserve all the extra power by directing it back to the battery and increasing its life.

4. Be mindful about charging your vehicle:
It would be best if you carefully charge your electric vehicle. Keeping it plugged in all the time while your car is idle in the garage is of no use. Instead, it will negatively affect the battery as it starts to self-discharge once it gets fully charged. Timing the charging of your electric vehicle's battery helps you to attain those few miles once your vehicle is fully charged and plugged out at the right time. Timing the battery charge also helps conserve electricity and increases your battery's longevity. So, it's easier on the pocket and the environment.

Some other ways to increase the range of your electric vehicle include figuring out an efficient route to your destination, packing and travelling light, keeping your tyres in check, etc.

Unprecedented circumstances indicate the level of uncertainties around our lives and possessions and how we must be careful and take mandatory steps to prepare for these situations in advance.

This is why you need to purchase motor insurance from the best motor insurance company to safeguard your vehicle in times of distress. Explore your options carefully and buy insurance from the motor insurance company, which promises to cater to your needs in the best ways possible.

Click HERE to know more about the insurance benefits provided by 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.

There are many instances when people overload their cars. It might be a fun road trip, a once-in-a-lifetime hike, or helping a relative or friend move. From clothes, shoes, and other accessories to the amenities like bicycles, coolers, mattresses, and more, it seems necessary to pack our whole house up before leaving for a road trip.

Similarly, when moving or helping a friend move, you try to take more and more stuff on one trip to reduce the number of rounds taken, often leading to overloading your car unnecessarily. This may result in car accidents and injuries, sometimes fatal for the passengers.

This blog tries to give you an argument against overloading your vehicle in the future.

1. Stress on the suspension:
When steering an overloaded vehicle, there's a high possibility of the weakest point giving out, thus resulting in a crash that endangers the passenger's lives and those with them on the road. It becomes increasingly difficult to steer the car in the right direction and turn safely on bends due to overloading. Your vehicle might face serious suspension issues, resulting in an unpleasant driving experience, especially on bad roads.

2. Instability:
Every vehicle is unique in how it reacts to excess weight. However, most vehicles become highly unstable as a result of excess weight. It becomes difficult to steer, and the stopping distance increases drastically, which can hamper the smooth running of your car. Sudden steering or manoeuvring is highly discouraged when a car is overloaded because it can result in a spinout.

3. Chance of blowing a tyre:
One of the biggest concerns while driving an overloaded car is that the tyres heat and blow up when they come across high degrees of pressure. There are increased chances of bursting, and at the very least, there will be increased wear and tear on the tyres, bringing maintenance issues.

4. Penalties:
You might be fined solely for the safety and well-being of fellow drivers and vehicles. After increased accidents in India due to overloading, stringent laws are being applied all across the country, and hefty fines are being imposed.

5. Compromised safety:
With an increased number of people and items in the car, it is improbable that any of the passengers will be able to put their seatbelts on. This is highly dangerous and can result in the compromised safety of everyone in the vehicle, especially if the car meets an accident.

6. Harder to apply brakes:
Brakes will take longer to stop an overloaded vehicle than a regular vehicle. This, in turn, makes it harder for the driver to react in case of emergencies and makes it highly unsafe for passengers due to the possibility of car crashes

7. Acceleration loss:
Acceleration is highly compromised when a car is burdened beyond its carrying capacity. It makes it harder for these cars to move smoothly between vehicles on a busy road, which can result in mishaps.

8. Reduced visibility:
Your rear vision will be impaired if items are packed on top of each other in the backseat. This reduces driver control and can lead to hefty fines if caught. Also, the cramped space that comes with riding with so many passengers aboard can severely hamper driver control.

9. More petrol consumption:
The engine demands more consumption of petrol to generate the power to drive the load in the car. While this may not seem like a high cost, it adds up to be a lump sum with time.

10. Discomfort:
Driving with such heavy equipment increases discomfort, and there's a high probability of a heavy object hitting your head if you apply the brakes too hard.

Although insurance rarely covers damages resulting from overloading a vehicle, it's best to research the best car insurance in India to be safe from heavy expenses if your car faces damages due to an accident. We advise you to avoid overloading your car in any case. It is not worth damaging your valuable asset and putting your life at risk for saving time and stuffing your car with excessive items. Safety should be your top priority. Therefore adapt to healthy driving practices to keep yourself protected throughout your journey.

Click HERE to know more about the best car 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.

Crowded places are a feast for pickpockets. They can easily pick our pockets while we move in cramped surroundings such as a busy market amidst the constant crowd nagging of people around us. Pickpockets do this so skillfully and swiftly that we are left unnoticed and outwitted. Losing our wallet can be frustrating, especially when it is loaded with important documents such as the driving licence, Aadhar card, voter id card, and even credit or debit cards. Moreover, the loss of money can be very harsh and painful for most of us.

So how can we deal with such situations? Here are some tips for outwitting pickpockets and staying safe in crowded places.

1. Move your wallet to your front pocket:
Never keep your wallet in the back pocket in crowded surroundings. Pickpockets can easily pick your back pocket, and you will hardly know it amidst the crowd. Therefore, use the front pocket of your trousers to keep your wallet. Outwit the pickpocket by keeping only those articles in the back pocket that are not very valuable.

2. Multiple wallets and pockets:
You can keep two wallets/handbags rather than just one. Keep your valuables and documents in a wallet in your front pocket or a handbag that you can keep close to you. Keep the lesser valuable products in the 2nd wallet in your back pocket. The pickpocket will be outwitted when he finds that he has taken away some useless items from your back pocket while your valuables are safe. Also, you can use multiple pockets in your bag to hide your valuables and divide your risk.

3. Do not show off:
Do not flash your expensive laptop, phone, jewellery, cash, camera, etc., in a crowded public place. Take them out only when it is necessary.

4. Lock your bags:
Carry small locks with you and lock your bag while moving in a crowded place. The pickpocket will not be able to open it in the middle of the crowd, and you will be safe.

5. Hidden pockets:
Nothing better than a hidden pocket in the front of your trousers or jeans. Pickpockets cannot reach there, no matter how much they try. Also, buy goodquality backpacks and purses with multiple hidden pockets and good build quality. The pickpocket will not be able to determine which pocket carries your valuables.

6. Disguise and hide:
Use smart hacks and disguises to outwit the pickpocket. If you need to carry valuable jewellery while going through a crowded place, hide them in your bag inside a small cardboard box. A ring can go inside a matchstick box. You can take a used burger box if you need a bigger box! Moreover, you can use a file folder to hide your laptop.

7. Carry your backpack facing the front:
While going through a crowded area or using local transport, pull the front portion of the backpack with the chain facing the front. This way, the pickpocket cannot open it from behind you.

These were some hacks you can use to outwit a pickpocket in a crowded place. Apart from these, simply go the digital way! Carry minimum possible documents with you in hard copy. Rather, carry them in soft copy format on your phone or laptop.

In case a pickpocket picks up your wallet, you lose all the important documents along with it. Do not let this happen to your bike insurance policy. Ditch those lengthy insurance papers. Buy the best bike insurance online and save yourself a fortune. You will save money on agent commissions and have a soft copy of the policy on your mobile phone. Overall, it’s a win-win situation for you and us as the insurance provider. The only loser, in this case, will be the pickpocket!

Click HERE to buy bike 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.