GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

COVID-19 vaccines strengthen our immune system, and help it recognize and combat the coronavirus. The type and frequency of doses vary for different vaccines, however, beneficiaries are advised to take two shots of vaccines currently available in the country. Post vaccination, it generally takes a minimum of two weeks for anyone to build immunity against the virus.

Key Information and COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory:

• From 1st April 2021, all individuals over the age of 45 (irrespective of co-morbidities or pre-medical conditions) are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Beneficiaries are requested to complete all prescribed doses of the vaccine.
• As per medical experts, post-vaccination effects (nausea, mild fever being the most common) are normal.
• Even after vaccination, all safety measures for COVID-19 are to be strictly followed at all times, including social distancing and wearing masks.
• The duration for which the COVID-19 vaccines are effective and its efficacy against the new strains of the virus is still unknown. Hence, it is absolutely essential to not let our guards down.
• We urge you to not be misled by fake vaccine marketing / promotions, as it is not available in open markets yet.
• Do not attend a vaccination appointment if you are self-isolating, or awaiting COVID-19 test results, or are unwell.
• Research efforts are ongoing for knowing how many people should get vaccinated to attain herd immunity (which means enough people being vaccinated making it tough for coronavirus to spread from person to person). Hence, rumors about herd immunity being already attained, should strictly be ignored.
• To know more about the vaccines, please download the CoWIN App, or log on to www.cowin.gov.in. You can also visit the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) website (www.mohfw.gov.in) for regular updates about COVID-19.
• For any queries, call the Government helpline number 1075 or +91 11-23978046.

Cost and Availability of COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Vaccines are available at different government hospitals for free and at private hospitals at a price of INR 250 per dose.
• The COVID-19 vaccination providers cannot deny any individual above the age of 45 to get themselves vaccinated, except for reasons best known to medical practitioners.
• The government is currently working on making the vaccines widely available for everyone at no cost in the coming months.

Several factors need to be considered while finalising your holiday destination. You need to think about the budget, hotels, amenities, safety, etc. But one of the essential elements which determine your vacation destination is food.

Street food has a huge fandom. People of all ages love the culture of street food and local cuisine. You not only get varieties of food, but street food is quite pocket-friendly and on-the-go. If you are a food enthusiast, then different street food tours in our country will give you an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

In this blog, we will be discussing five popular street food tours in India.

1. Street food crawl in Varanasi:
A food tasting tour of Varanasi's old town helps you explore the food culture, which still hints at the ancient palette of the city's long history. A part of this walking, street food tour is visiting the oldest shop in Kashi and seeing how the most famous delicacies are prepared and tasting them after a quick demonstration.

2. Food and Heritage walk in Old Delhi:
While New Delhi has seen fast-paced growth and development and is still advancing with time, Old Delhi holds the culture together and keeps it alive. It brings the generations together with heritage and food.
Mixing heritage walk with food in Old Delhi immerse you in the places from cultural depths and taste the local cuisines that carry the original flavours from the legacies of the Mughal Dynasty. Old Delhi is a tasty retreat especially for non-veg lovers to enjoy a few unique and mouth-watering delicacies at every stall.

3. The food lanes of Kolkata:
A food tour in Kolkata begins with a bit of street vendors and leads to exploring one spot followed by another. During your time in Kolkata, you will get to taste jumbo prawns in coconut milk curry, onion bhajis, a range of chicken curries, and different varieties of authentic Bengali sweets like rasgulla and cham-cham that will melt your heart.
The tour has the perfect ending- coffee at one of the oldest colonial coffee houses in Kolkata. You can explore many Bengali delicacies and drinks during your exploration of Kolkata food streets.

4. Explore Jaipur food trail:
A food tour of Jaipur offers you the experience of the culture of Jaipur through its food palette. In just a few hours during your trip around Hawa Mahal, you can taste the famous and authentic delicacies of Jaipur. You will get the opportunity to explore the traditional and historical places, eat Rajasthani dishes and shop in the street markets.

5. Eat where locals go in Old Mumbai:
This food adventure in Mumbai gets you to explore three different districts that offer distinct delicacies like curries with crispy papads, Chowpatty's chaat, snacks, kebabs, hand-churned ice creams, and much more. All this food paired with stories about the vibrant Old Bombay will make your visit a memorable one.

After the delicious discussion about these popular street food tours in India, you also need to understand the importance of your safety during the trip. These tours will take you through crowded streets and congested spaces. It would be wise to explore different insurance plans of the best general insurance company to ensure the safety of you and your belongings while travelling.

Click HERE to know more about the general insurance company and the plans that you can invest into.

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.

Having a car helps you manage your personal and professional lives with convenience and independence. While the whole process of purchasing a vehicle can be pretty extensive, it is equally important to take care of your vehicle to maintain its efficiency. Hence, it would be best to get it serviced regularly. Ensure that all the damages are repaired and replaced according to need.

But how do you ensure that your car stays up and running? There are several parts that require regular inspection. One of them is the gearbox. How can you detect and rectify problems with your gearbox? What happens if you don't get them checked by an expert?

This blog will discuss significant pointers about problems and the ways to resolve them.

1. Unexpected noise:
If you feel that your car is shaking, moving roughly, jerking or making grinding noises while operating, this indicates some underlying problem. And if you notice these noises when you shift the gear, it is an issue with the gearbox.

2. Laggy acceleration:
If you notice a slight delay (more than a second) in your vehicle's acceleration while you shift gears, this could suggest a problem with the gearbox. It could also be due to a faulty clutch part that finds it challenging to engage and disengage completely. Get this issue examined by an expert car mechanic to ensure proper repair and maintenance of the gearbox before the situation worsens.

3. Gear slipping:
The gearbox heavily depends on your actions and how you operate it unless it is automatic. Gear slipping is a phenomenon in which the car jerks and the gear shifts back when you accelerate. There are possibilities that it might change into neutral at times. And jumping to neutral gear while in motion can be risky and invite accidents as your car will halt suddenly.

4. Spilling of fuel:
The gearbox of your car is a crucial mechanical component. Since it moves in a rotational pattern, it needs fuel for lubrication. It is likely a transmission fluid leak if you detect bright orange-coloured liquid drops under your car. Get it fixed to avoid the gear from drying out.

5. Smell:
Overheating of the transmission fluid can cause improper gear shifts and a burning smell. Transmission fluid is essential in reducing the heat and cooling down the gearbox components.

Now that we have listed specific gearbox problems to look out for, the next question is how to resolve them. You can monitor the transmission fluid periodically, keep a check on the gears, make sure that the cooling system works efficiently, get your car serviced at regular intervals, drive with care and watch out for the signs we discussed above.

Another way to ensure that your car stays in good shape is to get it insured against unprecedented damages. You can safeguard your vehicle by purchasing the best car insurance in India and be relieved from the monetary stress involved in car maintenance and repair.

Click HERE to know more about how you can buy 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.

No experience in life can compare to the adrenaline rush of riding a motorcycle. However, it is crucial to note the importance of maintaining your two-wheeler. Regularly changing the engine oil in your bike's motor is a vital part of keeping it functioning and operating smoothly. Without frequent oil changes, it overheats, the friction between its internal components increases, and overall performance suffers. As a bike owner, you must ensure that your bike's oil is changed regularly.

Yet another way to keep your bike safe is to cover it against any unexpected incident, such as damage, robbery, loss, or natural calamities, with the help of ideal 2 wheeler insurance.

Here are some important steps to change a bike's engine oil.

1. Start your engine:
It's a lot simpler to replace your oil while your engine is warm, so make sure you run it for at least 30 minutes before starting to change the oil. Remember, do not start a motorcycle and leave it idle. You will face the risk of causing damage to your bike.

2. Removal of old oil:
The next step is to dispose of the leftover oil by gently emptying it into a drain pan. The pipes from which the motorcycle oil is to be unloaded are positioned differently on various models, so be sure about the correct pipe before you begin.
Bend the motorcycle at a 45-degree angle and maintain it there for a few minutes. With a wrench, release the drain bolt and allow the oil to drain. Don't stop until you are confident there is no more oil left inside.

3. Install a new oil filter:
Be cautious while removing the old oil filter since there may be some spills. Before changing it, apply a little fresh oil to the new filter. This will guarantee that it runs smoothly into the engine and is readily withdrawn during the new oil filter replacement. Screw-in the fresh oil filter by hand, and be careful not to over tighten it.

4. Fill in the fresh motor oil:
Using the repair instructions manual that comes with your bike, measure out the exact quantity of oil required in a beaker. Remove the engine oil valve nut and insert a funnel to help the oil flow. Then, add the carefully measured oil to the engine.
Start the engine without revving it and let the fresh oil flow. With the completion of this step, you have successfully finished the procedure of changing the engine oil of your bike.

5. Finishing adjustments:
There are still some things remaining after the procedure. Ensure that there are no leaks and double-check all the bolts to assure they are snug. Wipe off any residual oil from the bike's surface using a cloth.

Bike owners have a close affection for their two-wheelers. As a result, they are not hesitant to get their hands dirty if it means keeping their bike in top condition. While an oil change ensures more remarkable performance, it does not protect from external causes or physical damages. Hence, responsible bike owners must invest in 2 wheeler insurance for the assured safety of their bike and good financial coverage if they incur loss due to accident or theft.

Click HERE to buy two-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.