Month: June 2017

Monsoon is here! And, while you might stay safe inside, your car will be facing the rains head on. Your car needs as much as care as you to be safe during monsoons. The condition of the car will help you get a better resale value and thus lower car insurance premiums. But, the usual maintenance routine won’t do much for your car in monsoons. Especially, if you are planning long drives or commutes on water-clogged roads, be extra vigilant of your car’s condition.

Prevent mechanical breakdown in the monsoons simply with these 8 point check-list

• Oil

  The recommended interval for changing oil is usually after every 4,800 Kms. To be on a safer side, use the dip-stick to check the level and shade of oil, which should be a pleasant shade of amber.

• Air Conditioning
  

  Weak air-conditioning system won’t be able to handle tough rains. Make sure you get it checked by a mechanic. Monsoons means more dirt, don’t forget to get the filters cleaned

• Cooling System

  We would recommend it to be checked, flushed and refilled by a professional every 24 months. Air-conditioning fogs up the windshield whenever there is a high temperature difference in the car cabin and the atmosphere outside.

• Engine

  Engine filters like the fuel, PCV, etc. too need to be cleaned or replaced as required. Check the user’s manual for how often these filters need to be cleaned.

• Tyres

  Tyres should be your foremost concern for safety as there are chance of skidding during the monsoons. Get your tyres checked and rotated on time, usually every 5,000 miles. The tyre inflation should be checked every time you refill the fuel. Other aspects you should look at for tyre-safety would be tread life, uneven wearing and tearing, cupping, and alignment.

• All Fluids
  

  We’ve covered oil, but there are other fluids like the coolant, automatic transmission fluid, power-steering fluid, brake fluid, that need to be checked.
  Most important during the monsoons are the brake fluids. They play an essential role in the wear and tear of your brakes and tyres. Degradation of the brake fluid might result into complete brake failure. Have the brake fluid changed once every 2-3 years.
  Not all cars are equipped with automatic transmission, but if yours is check the owner’s manual to on how to check the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) levels. It might be difficult to check the transmission fluid if it is manual. You can have it checked or if you are a DIY enthusiast, you can crawl under the car and look for yourself by removing the fill plug.
  For optimum performance, the coolant should be changed at least once a year.
  It is important to top off the power -steering fluid which is often overlooked in the regular servicing.

• Windshield Wipers
  

  If you are using the same wipers for the past 1 year, get them changed. A dirty windshield poses a safety hazard during monsoons. Keep enough windshield washer solvent As they say, wipers are cheap insurance.

• Paint

  Rainwater affects car paint adversely. A good session of washing and waxing will do much good for your paint to survive monsoons. During monsoons, whenever possible, park the car under a roof.

There are other little things you need to pay attention to. Check your lights and get the minor repairs done. Never forget a car emergency-kit.

Let’s face it: the last thing you would want is a car breakdown on water-clogged roads. These precautions will save you from the distress of monsoon breakdowns.

Read more about All you need to know about car insurance

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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released a report in June 2016 for road accidents in India. According to the statistics, Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of accidents at 69, 059 cases. Mumbai was the top city in registering accidents at 23, 468. Well, the numbers are not surprising. Whether it is the fast lifestyle or the thrill of speed, road accidents have grown in recent years. Whenever you open the newspaper you would find an accident case staring back at you. Sad, yet true!

While road accidents are increasing, are you, as an aware individual doing your bit to reduce them?

People world over adopt various techniques to reduce the probability of accidents. A very popular concept in Netherlands is Dutch Reach which is practiced by everyone. The Dutch Reach is nothing complicated but a safety habit adopted by the people of Netherlands. According to this habit, the driver reaches out to open the car using the hand which is farther from the door. For instance, if you are sitting on the left seat of your car you should use your right hand to open the door to get out of the car. When you do that, you have to turn around the door for opening it. When you turn around, you can see any passing vehicle and prevent your car door from ramming into any incoming vehicle. This practice thus helps you in avoiding accidents.

Car manufacturers also promote safe driving habits and provide some inbuilt safety features in their cars. Here are 5 such safety features found in many cars.

1. Detachable headrests

Did you know that car manufacturers keep the car’s headrest detachable on purpose? Yes, the headrests are detachable and the spikes at the end are sharp. Moreover, the window glasses are weaker on the inside than on the outside. So, in case of any emergency, you can detach the headrests and use the sharp spikes to break open your window. You can thus, get out of your car in emergencies and easily save yourself.

Also, remember to keep these 10 items to Build your Car Emergency Kit

2. Airbags for passengers

While you knew that cars give airbags for the driver and the co-passenger did you know that airbags were also offered for passengers seated at the back? Car manufacturers are building airbags for the backseats as well and are selling their cars on this USP. Moreover, if you want, you can also opt for airbags in the doors as well to protect your torso in case of a collision. Cool, isn’t it?

3. Hassle-free gear change

Automatic cars are replacing the traditional clutch and gear cars where you are required to frequently change gears. Newer models are increasingly being offered as automatic cars thus reducing the hassles of shifting gears. In automatic cars there are only three gear settings – forward, neutral and reverse. You are free from changing gears depending on acceleration or deceleration. In fact, many cars are also offering dials for gears. Beat that!

4. Child lock

While you may have heard about central locking system where the switches at the driver’s side locks all doors and windows, have you heard about child lock? Child locking is a facility wherein the doors and windows are locked and cannot be opened from the inside. You can open the doors only from the outside. This feature is very helpful if you have children travelling with you. As the doors and windows are locked, a child cannot accidently open the doors when travelling and can avoid becoming a victim to accidents.

5. Parking assist

This feature is commonly present in most cars nowadays. This feature helps you park. There is a rear camera and a collision warning. Moreover, the park assist feature also tells you the safe distance from the curb or the next object which can hit your car’s rear end. Thus, the feature helps you in parking your vehicle safely and correctly.

Were you aware of these features? Car manufacturers are doing their bit to make their cars safer, what about you?

In fact, a feature which is present in international cars, but lacking in their Indian counterparts is Electronic Stability Control. This feature helps your car to stay in control on the road and not swerve uncontrollably. Though Indian cars don’t have this feature currently, they might in the future. Meanwhile you can adopt some safety etiquettes when driving your car and install the above-mentioned safety features. Alternatively, you can also go with a good car insurance policy. After all, prevention is better than cure, isn’t it?

Read more about All you need to know about car insurance

Read more about Benefits of purchasing your car insurance online

Read more about Anatomy of car insurance

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After a hectic week, quality time with loved ones is what you always yearn for. What better rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul, than a long drive closer to nature and away from the bustling city! Long drives are a fun way for family bonding or adventures with friends. You may have already driven to some popular destinations around Mumbai, like Lonavla, Alibaug or Lavasa. Let’s look at 5 unusual but enjoyable getaways from Mumbai that you can go to without a long weekend.

1. Bordi
   Bordi is a beachside on the Dahanu stretch. It is one of the cleanest yet lesser known beaches in the Konkan area. The route from Dahanu to Bordi is a pleasant drive of about 20 km, with beach at one side and row houses on the other. Bordi is just a 3.5-hour drive from Mumbai. It will be advisable to early in the morning and reach before noon. Here’s an extensive list of things you can do at Bordi: https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/treasures/beach/bordi-dahanu
   

2. Kolad
   117 Kms from Mumbai, the Kolad village lies on the banks of river Kundalika. Kolad is famous for the water-sports and has beautiful spots for a nature lover. Kolad hosts scenic dams like the Bhira Dam, Kolad Dam and also the Sutarwadi Lake which will be perfect to beat the summer heat! Don’t forget to carry your sunglasses and a cap though.
   For an extended stay, here’s an detailed guide: https://www.holidify.com/places/kolad/

3. Murud
   A little ahead of Alibaug, lays the beach-side village Murud. It is a little less crowded than the Alibaug beach and is a hub of water-sports. Murud houses the forts Murud-Janjira, Kasa and Korlai. One of the main attractions here is the Phansad Wild-life sanctuary that hosts a rich part of the coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats. If you are in the mood for a quick adventure, this can be a one day trip with around 3.5 hours of driving time each side.
4. Bhandardara
   Bhandardara is home to the highest peak in the Sahyadris – Mount Kalsubai. The Bhandardara Lake is surrounded by trekking ranges and trekkers prefer to camp out near the lake. The area is so full of greenery, the views of all places around it are breath-taking. It is recommended that you leave in the evening for a little over 3-hour drive, camp out near the lake and return in the evening. You can also try the Fireflies camp.
5. Kamshet
   A short 2-hour drive from Mumbai, Kamshet is the ideal place if you are willing to get experiential. It is home to many small villages that are built traditionally with mud, thatch and reeds. A drive to Kamshet will satiate your desire for a village experience. There are many caves, temples and lakes to visit in Kamshet. For the adventurous ones, Kamshet is a fantastic paragliding spot.

If you are planning for an adventurous trip, here is a video you must watch to know about travel insurance policy coverage:

A smooth long drive is also a good exercise to keep your car in top condition. Many weekend getaways and long drive destinations from Mumbai are towards the interiors of Maharashtra and you will need the car to be in a pretty safe state. Don’t let car-breakdowns ruin your fun-time. Fuel up your car and check the inflation. Always have a good to use spare tyre. Keep your cellphone charged and whichever route you take, remember to take down the helpline number. Carry all your car documents including the car insurance.

Read more about 10 items to build your car emergency kit

Read more about 5 safety features in your car you didnt know about

Read more about Anatomy of car insurance

Are there any locations that you think should be a part of this list? Comment below and let us know!