GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

As we progress, we are moving towards better options in all aspects of life. Advancements in medical science over the last few decades have resulted in ground-breaking discoveries and the latest med-tech developments. The constantly evolving world of medicine has resulted in innovation in the dental industry. This discovery came in the form of clear aligners, which are the latest trend. Orthodontists globally suggest them as they are better suited for many reasons, making them preferred over traditional braces. But why are they so popular? What makes them different? We will discuss them all in this article.

Clear aligners are still an upcoming trend that many may not know. Due to this, we will help you walk through these unique orthodontic devices and how they straighten your teeth. Regardless of your dental problems, you should always have the best health insurance policy in India to cover all your medical expenses. Now, let's understand the benefits of clear aligners.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners can fix misaligned or unorganised teeth placements. After conducting an intraoral scan, orthodontists can determine the problem with your teeth and possible solutions. Made with cutting-edge 3D technology, each aligner is customised according to the patient's needs. The aligners move the teeth into place gradually without causing pain. The time taken to do so depends on the unique condition of every individual.

What are the benefits of clear aligners?

1. Maintains oral hygiene:
With clear aligners, you can maintain your dental hygiene without any hassles. You can remove them as per your will and then brush your teeth meticulously without fear. On the other hand, you need to clean carefully when you have your braces on. Braces can cause dental problems as you cannot brush your teeth well. It can lead to other oral problems like bad breath and cavities.

2. Freedom to eat or drink anything:
Braces bring several dietary restrictions and place constant pressure on your teeth. However, you will feel nothing with aligners, as they are removable. You can eat or drink to your liking.

3. Practically invisible:
It is very difficult to spot clear aligners. They are almost entirely invisible. This means that you need not inform anyone about your orthodontic treatment. In stark contrast, metal braces are easy to notice. This can be a matter of embarrassment for many adults and teens.

4. No operational hassles:
The whole process of getting metal braces done can be tedious. It requires regular monitoring and tightening to keep you comfortable. If any wire is left unopened, it can lead to ulcers in your mouth. With clear aligners, this is not a problem. It does not require any tightening during doctor appointments.

5. No obstruction to teeth whitening:
Metal braces can force you to compromise on your dental hygiene. This can lead to the loss of a pearl-white smile. You may also notice plaque formation as a result of bacteria growth. If left untreated, you may have decayed teeth, bleeding gums, and other problems. To avoid this, switch to clear aligners, which pose no threat to your white teeth in any way. You can brush them whenever you want and not fear being cautious around metal wires.

Clear aligners are the future of dental science. They are highly effective, consume less time for fitting, and show results sooner than metal braces. With advancing times, most people will switch towards clear aligners to treat their teeth. In any medical situation, purchasing the best health insurance policy in India may help you cover the procedure's cost.

Click HERE to invest in 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.

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.

Honking while driving on the road is a serious topic and a primary source of noise pollution. Persistent noise from honking can lead to stress, annoyance, depression, and hearing impairment. It also causes road accidents due to sudden distractions. If you are wondering why people honk so much, you should understand the psychology behind it.

Reasons why people honk their horns so much.

Generally, it would be best to use a horn to avoid collisions, when necessary. However, drivers also honk for other reasons, such as

1. Honking by habit:
Most Indian drivers honk just because they feel like it, even if it is unnecessary. You may find honkers honking at turns, at blind corners, and at pedestrians walking or crossing the roads. Drivers also honk recklessly during a traffic jam to move the traffic. In this behaviour, the driver needs to show more awareness and patience.

2. Honking as a way to communicate:
In India, drivers use horn honking to communicate without words with other drivers on the road. Drivers use several horn-honking patterns, each with a different meaning. For instance, drivers use single honking when waiting outside their friend's house or when someone is in front of their vehicle, which means "I'm here".
The double horn means, "please don't be dumb", and the triple horn means, "I am upset that traffic has not moved". Some aggressive drivers use the repeater triple horn to tell other drivers that they are more important and ask them to get out of their way.
Another form of aggressive horn honking used by large vehicles is the big blast, meaning "I can do whatever I want because I am mighty".

3. Continuously honking at high speeds:
You may have seen a reckless driver going forward and constantly honking, leaving everyone behind. Such drivers are always in a hurry to arrive on time for work, meetings, or other events. However, irresponsible driving habits are dangerous and can cause more havoc on traffic.
You should avoid driving in a hurry or using a horn unnecessarily. While talking about safety, buying online motor insurance is essential to protect your vehicle from damages.

How to reduce unnecessary honking while driving:

● Most people need to learn the severity of unnecessary honking and its disadvantages. You should spread awareness about honking and noise pollution to your friends, family, and neighbours.

● Take driving lessons from renowned driving schools to learn the basics of honking etiquette, like avoiding honking at no-honking zones, near hospitals, schools, forest areas, etc.

● Unnecessary honking can also lead you to pay a ticket (challan). You should learn about when and where you should not honk.

● The government should impose strict laws against unnecessary honking and a maximum dB limit for large vehicles.

There are many reasons why drivers and riders like to honk so much. If you are like most drivers in India, you should learn the reasons behind drivers honking their horns and ways to reduce them. Once you understand the basics of honking etiquette, you should tell others to spread awareness.

In addition to honking etiquette, it is also essential for drivers to have motor insurance to protect them from fines and damage costs in the future. You can get online motor insurance quickly with minimum documentation and without the hassle of physically visiting the insurance company's office or paying a commission to an agent.

Click HERE to buy new 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.

An important choice to make is whether to lease or buy a car. Before making a purchase, consumers should explore the options available in various models. The level of safety in a car is paramount. According to a study, sixty-five percent of buyers said safety is essential when purchasing a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle. Modern cars have more safety features than ever before, but not all are created equal when protecting their owners in an accident. Consumers now have easy access to reliable information through car safety ratings.

What factors influence car safety ratings?

Various government safety agencies and car crash test organizations publish their safety ratings based on controlled safety trials each year. They are mainly categorised as:

● The ability of a car to avoid a collision, in general, is known as accident avoidance. The effectiveness of several individual components is reflected in an accident-avoidance rating.

● Cars equipped with airbags are pre-programmed to deploy the airbags automatically in the case of a collision. They act as a buffer between the rider or passenger and the car itself, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic harm. Typically, front, knee and side airbags are standard in top-tier safety-rated cars.

● Anti-lock braking systems save lives by preventing the wheel from locking up when the brakes are applied. The car's traction is improved, and skidding is prevented. In areas of the country that get a lot of snow and ice, anti-lock brakes come in especially handy.

● A driver equipped with electronic stability control can quickly swerve the car without losing control to avoid an obstacle.

● Protecting your head, neck, and back from the painful consequences of a rear-end crash. Rear-end crashes aren't usually fatal but can cause serious harm. During rear-end collision testing, head restraints play a significant role. Safety professionals simulate these impacts to determine how well head restraints prevent whiplash and other neck and spinal cord injuries.

● Anti-rollover protection: Pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs are more likely to roll over than shorter cars because of their greater centre of gravity. Safety agencies also examine the anti-rollover protection capacity of a vehicle in their safety trials.

Buying decisions influenced by crash-safety ratings.

Crash-safety ratings show the typical outcomes from accident data and inform drivers about their and other cars' safety. Customers who are not car experts should read up on buyers' guidelines and all the specifics regarding the car they are considering, such as its crash test ratings, safety features, tools, and accessories. As the car is a long-term investment, every prospective buyer should pay close attention to crash test results.

Be a responsible buyer and never settle for less. Prioritise safety and consider it to be the most significant advantage as a driver. To sum up, crash safety concerns the danger of death or severe harm to the driver and passengers of the car in the case of a crash. Therefore, it is essential to have car insurance.

Overall, modern cars are safer for their buyers. Still, several aspects, such as the state of the vehicle, the surrounding terrain, and the driver's actions, have a role. Regardless of the safety features of the cars, whether you're shopping for a new or used car, buy car insurance online should be your top priority to ensure an extra layer of protection.

Click HERE to buy car 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.

Recent studies indicate that over 50% of vehicles on Indian roads are uninsured, of which two-wheelers make the majority. This is alarming considering the lack of safety features in two-wheelers and poorly maintained Indian roads, which lead to the ever-increasing number of road fatalities.

Despite making two wheeler insurance India mandatory, a vast majority continue to undermine its importance. This may be attributed to the financial product's complexity and uncertainties concerning the claim settlement process. While two wheeler insurance India protects against financial losses and damages from riding accidents, it is contingent on the claim's approval. Insurance providers have recognised the fear of potential policy buyers and have further simplified the process of raising a claim to increase penetration rates in the country.

Follow these tips to ensure the successful two wheeler insurance claim settlement.

How to raise successful claims?

This may come as no surprise, but the best way to raise a successful claim is to follow the insurance company's claim settlement process correctly. It is ideal for complying with the settlement procedure stated on the insurer's website to ensure favourable results. Most insurers have similar processes, which are reasonably straightforward to follow.

However, here are some tips to make sure that your claims are viewed favourably and settled at the earliest.

1. Early reporting:
Inform your insurer immediately after the accident. If you delay the process, you may forget the essential details required to validate your claim. Visit the insurer's website or call their toll-free number to raise a claim. If not possible, initiate the process within a week of the accident.

2. Proper surveying:
It is understood that an accident is a traumatic event to witness or be a victim of, irrespective of its scale. However, to successfully receive a complete settlement, you need valid and comprehensive proof to support your account. While details like the number plate of the other vehicle, pictures showing the damage, etc., are essential, any minute details can help solidify your stance.

3. Maintain precise post-accident records:
The most commonly accepted record by insurance companies is an FIR filed at the nearest police station to the accident site. Any medical expenses or bike servicing costs should also be recorded and submitted to the insurer for compensation.

4. Gather proof of following standard driving protocol:
An accident is an unfortunate event that cannot be entirely blamed on either party. While insurance companies look at the overall picture before passing a judgement on the case, you must ensure that you followed appropriate driving guidelines at the time of the accident. Here are a few reasons that can get your claim rejected:

● Riding without a valid driver's licence

● Riding with a lapsed two-wheeler insurance policy

● Riding under the influence of substances

● Reckless riding

● Use of two-wheeler for commercial or unauthorised use

5. Check your policy's inclusions:
Raising a claim requires knowing your policy's coverage to avoid rejection. You must know essential details like the authorised geographical region, active policy period, etc. Before raising the claim, ensure that you do not fall under any exclusions. Do not make false claims that you cannot support with evidence, as it automatically leads to rejection.

6. Provide all the requisite documents:
In case of incomplete submission of documents, you will have to duplicate efforts and submit the records until you satisfy the insurer's requirement. Usually, the list includes

● Copy of valid two wheeler insurance India

● Contact details of the policyholder

● Copy of FIR filed with the nearest police station

● Claim settlement form

● Copy of driver's licence and registration documents

● Original bills as proof of medical expenses and repairs

Two wheeler insurance India is a prudent mechanism to ensure protection against financial losses and damages to third parties due to your two-wheeler. Despite the general notion of the tedious nature of the claim settlement process, you can raise claims successfully by following above tips and simply complying with the insurer's requirements!

Click HERE to purchase hassle-free two wheeler 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.

Are you fascinated with the ever-changing and beautiful jewellery designs that keep coming every second day in the fancy showrooms, and go and buy a lot of them? If yes, you must buy a good home insurance policy as soon as possible and safeguard your treasure against any perils.

As you might be stacking a lot of that jewellery in your home cupboards, the policy will protect your home and your most valuable possession.

In this article, let us discuss how home insurance can help protect your jewellery.

1. Go for a comprehensive home insurance policy:

A comprehensive home insurance policy provides umbrella insurance coverage to your house, its contents, or both. Hence, opt for a comprehensive home insurance policy that will protect you and your precious jewellery if ever your home is looted. Even if your house is damaged or destroyed due to natural calamities such as floods, fire, or earthquake, this policy will reimburse you for your house and its contents, including your jewellery. The policy also protects other valuables, such as expensive art pieces, antiques, etc.

2. Insurance valuation services:
A home insurance policy provides protection and coverage for your expensive jewellery after proper inspection and valuation. The insurance company provides accurate valuations of your jewellery, including gold, silver, or diamond ornaments and gold and silver coins.
An insurer covering jewellery expects you to take proper precautionary measures at your house to prevent it from being stolen or getting damaged. Although the size of the jewellery may be minuscule, its value could be in lakhs and even crores. There should be no scope for wrong valuation and interpretation issues between you and the insurance company when a mishap occurs. You expect a swift resolution from the insurance company, for which there should be no room for confusion.

3. Premium amount:
The premium amount varies with the amount of insurance coverage you are seeking. This will depend upon the valuation of your jewellery from a certified valuer of the insurance company. Also, insurance companies now cover up to 100% cost of your jewellery and charge you premium accordingly.
You should compare the premium amount of standalone jewellery insurance with comprehensive house insurance. Also, check the policies of several insurance companies, compare the premium amount of their respective coverage and choose the best among them.

4. Exclusions:
You should also be aware of the few exclusions in your home insurance policy that will not provide coverage for your jewellery.
Wilful negligence –
An insurer will not process your claim for jewellery that has been wilfully mishandled or recklessly handled and damaged by you.
Sale and replacement –
The insurance company will not cover jewellery sold and replaced by a new one. The insurance policy does not automatically apply to a new piece of jewellery. You will have to inform the insurer first, get it valued and complete the required formalities for taking coverage.
Non-payment of premium –
Your home insurance policy will cease to protect your jewellery in the event of non-payment of the due premium by you against the insurance policy.

Jewellery is a great investment for most of us. It is expensive and has good resale value as well. Moreover, there are a lot of emotions attached to them, if they are a part of our family heirloom or have been purchased by us for our dear ones on some special occasion. Hence, it is essential for you to buy home insurance and get them insured.

You should compare the policies and premiums of several home insurance policies and opt for the best home insurance in India. Going for the best will keep you stress free, and you will be assured of the safety of your house and its contents at any point of day or night.

Click HERE to buy the best home 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.

Seller credibility is a crucial factor that affects buying decisions. This is especially noticed in high-value assets and financial products. Since these are transactions involving large numbers and significant interest, it is a must to check the insurer's reliability, which becomes a greater priority in the case of insurance products.

Insurance is a critical product; therefore, before purchasing such policies, checking the insurer's past performance and customer satisfaction is essential to ensure that you choose the best policy.

*For your understanding, we’ll be talking in reference to purchasing a health insurance policy.

The insurer's persistency ratio measures customer satisfaction, making it an important factor when comparing policies offered by various online health insurance companies.

What is the persistency ratio?

The persistency ratio depicts brand loyalty and the continued interest of policyholders in availing of the insurer's services. It is the number of policies renewed compared to the policies issued by the insurer. This ratio may be calculated for a financial year or a continuous period.

Calculation of the persistency ratio.
This is a relatively easy ratio to derive through two methods. It is determined using the annual premiums paid or the number of renewed policies. For newly issued policies, it is calculated in the thirteenth month, after one year for which the insurance plan is valid.

What does the persistency ratio indicate?

A high persistency ratio indicates a favourable position for an insurance company. Apart from showing the number of renewed policies, it offers multiple takeaways, including

1. Customer satisfaction:
The clearest inference from the ratio is the rate of client satisfaction. It indicates the emphasis health insurance companies place on valuing their customer's needs and assessing circumstances when claims are raised. It is an effective way to measure the insurer's performance and ability to facilitate a seamless insurance experience from the enquiry stage up to after-sales services. With the broad range of insurance providers available, customers can choose amongst them based on each insurer's transparency, overall quality of services, and customer gratification.

2. Solvency position:
A business's perpetual functioning depends on its ability to generate and expand revenue streams. The primary revenue stream for online health insurance companies is through the sale of insurance policies. Insurance companies need lower liabilities and higher revenues to maintain a prudent solvency position as regulated by the IRDAI. The higher the persistency ratio, the better the cash inflow and the more favourable the solvency position.

3. Claim settlement position:
If policyholders feel content with the insurer's services, they are more likely to become loyal customers who renew their policies annually. This becomes more likely when the insurer has a high claim settlement rate, which indicates that the company makes the claim settlement process more accessible and resolves claims sooner. Claim settlement rate, persistency rate, and renewals are interlinked, resulting in reduced risk for the insurer and more significant funds at their disposal to settle claims.

Why insurers may have a low persistency ratio?

Like all other ratios that serve as a barometer of online health insurance companies' performance, potential consumers need to understand the possible causes behind the result, irrespective of a favourable or unfavourable ratio. This becomes especially important in case of a negative ratio, which may be caused by the following:

1. Poor after-sales and administration services offered by the insurer.

2. A low claim settlement ratio deters potential buyers from purchasing a policy since the possibility of getting compensated is low.

3. Lack of innovation puts the insurer's products at a disadvantage against other evolved products aligned with consumer demands.

The persistency ratio of online health insurance companies is ultimately a reflection of their ability to retain customers. It is an essential parameter that potential buyers must consider before purchasing their health insurance to ensure that a reliable insurer protects them with a sound claim settlement system and customer satisfaction rate.

Click HERE to buy health insurance that suits your needs.

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.

Two-wheelers are extremely convenient modes of conveyance. Being easy to control and manoeuvre makes them a popular choice, resulting in the continued exponential growth of the Indian two-wheeler market.

While it is known that bikes are relatively unsafe compared to cars, an experienced rider doesn't face safety issues when following general driving rules. The additional cover provided by bike insurance enhances the safety quotient for riders and protects them from contingent financial losses resulting from accidents.

However, if you choose to borrow a bike, it becomes essential to run some quick checks to assess its condition before taking it for a ride. Whether you borrow it from a friend or rent one from a bike rental, here is a list of basic checks before riding a borrowed bike.

1. Inspect the tyres:
A bike's tyres are essential components that can cause or prevent an accident. Before you turn on the ignition system, ensure that the tyres are in good shape. Borrowed bikes have the possibility of having worn-out tyres, which you need to inspect thoroughly before you ride them. This is to ensure that no issues arise while you're on the road that may leave you stranded.
While a quick look can help identify any significant problems, such as deep treads or punctures, it is ideal to use your hand or kick the tyres to check the air pressure. The tyres' ideal PSI is listed on the body of the bike in case you need to fill up air in the tyres.

2. Don’t miss out on the brakes:
Well-functioning brakes are just as important as tyres to ensure the rider's safety. Depending on the type of two-wheeler, you may not have a foot brake to test. In the case of bikes, engage the foot brake and gauge the force required to engage the brake. Also, check the brake levers near the handlebars to test how much pressure is needed to apply the brakes. Even if you skip some of the other steps on this checklist, this is a non-negotiable inspection.

3. Did you check the side mirrors:
Every rider adjusts their side mirrors as per their convenience. While they may not seem important, they are essential for ensuring complete visibility of the rear traffic to make appropriate judgements on the road. If you have trouble setting them right, use this trick- adjust the mirrors such that the inward corners of the mirrors show your shoulder line on each side respectively. This way, you can have an optimal view of the vehicles behind your bike.

4. Indicators:
Poor indication habits while switching lanes and taking turns are leading causes of accidental grazing of vehicles, which sometimes escalate into massive accidents. This can be avoided by simply locating and checking the functioning of the turn signal controls, also called indicators and testing them before riding the borrowed bike.

5. Gear shifts:
What makes bikes difficult compared to scooters is the need to shift gears. If you have borrowed a manual transmission bike, check its gear shift mechanism to efficiently and effectively switch between gears while riding.

6. Valid driver's licence:
For bike insurance to cover any unfortunate accident while you ride a borrowed vehicle, you must hold a valid driver's licence and not drive under the influence of any substance.

*pro-tip
It is legally required to purchase bike insurance for every bike before it hits the road. While the policy can be purchased by either the owner or the short-term user, having valid bike insurance proof is essential. Check if the owner has already purchased a policy. If not, buy one for the short term in case of a rental to avoid legal troubles.

While your friend may have lent you a bike in good faith, it is necessary to check these aspects to ensure your safety. Additionally, inspect the bike's throttle, clutch, display, and the validity of bike insurance to avoid any mishaps and getting involved in unnecessary trouble due to poor maintenance of the borrowed bike.

Click HERE to buy a robust bike 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.