Author: Ronit Khopkar

My friend Vinay was a very methodical person. He always did his things on time without fail. That is why when it came to renewing his car insurance policy, I was surprised to find that he had a procrastinating nature. Over a cup of coffee one day, he mentioned how he was on a business trip overseas when his car insurance policy lapsed. He had a harrowing time getting the policy renewed. I heard him narrate his experience when a thought struck me. How many of us do timely renewals of our car insurance policies?

A car insurance plan is a quintessential part of our car as it is mandated by law. All car insurance policies come with a term of one year after which they require renewals. It is at the time of renewals that most of us dilly-dally. This dilly-dallying is not wise. On-time renewal of car insurance policies is important. Here’s why:

• Expired car insurance policy is a legal offence

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 has mandated every vehicle to have an active insurance cover if it is being driven on Indian roads. As such, when your car insurance policy expires, the cover becomes inactive. Driving a car without a valid insurance cover is a legal offence. If you are caught violating the law you would face heavy penalties. So, to avoid being entangled in legal violations, your car should have a valid insurance cover at all times.

• You shoulder the financial risk of any damages caused or suffered

Your car insurance policy covers you against any financial liability you incur when your car causes bodily injury to any third party or damages any third party property. Moreover, any injuries suffered by you or any damages faced by your car are also covered under a comprehensive car insurance plan. Thus, you are free from any financial obligation which might arise out of possible accidents and mishaps. If your car insurance policy expires, the coverage ceases. In that case, you would be financially liable to pay for any damages caused to third parties or any damages suffered by you. These financial liabilities are considerable. So, to protect your pockets from such heavy financial liabilities, on-time renewals are insisted upon.

Read more 5 consequences of driving without car insurance

• You have to take the hassle of getting the vehicle inspected

In case of renewal of expired car insurance policies, insurance companies insist on inspection of the vehicle before the new policy is issued. This inspection involves a surveyor visiting your place, carrying out your car’s inspection, submitting the inspection report, scrutiny of the report and issuance of a fresh policy if the report is satisfactory. All this inspection not only takes time, it is also inconvenient. Inspection can, thus, be avoided if you continue the insurance cover without a break.

• The subsequent premiums might be higher

Whenever you renew your car insurance policy, you are always asked whether your earlier policy has expired or not. This question is asked to determine your premium. Policies which are renewed timely have lower premiums than policies which are not. That is why, when you mention that your existing policy has lapsed, you might be required to part with higher premiums.

Read more to understand car insurance terminologies

• There is a fear of losing out on the accumulated NCB discount

Each year, when you do not make any claim in your car insurance plan, you get a No Claim Bonus discount in the next year’s renewal premium. This discount is cumulative in nature. It increases every consecutive year if no claim is made. After the first claim-free year you get a discount of 20%. After the second year it increases to 25%, then to 35% and so on. If you do not make a claim for 5 successive years you get a discount of 50%. This discount can be earned if your policy is renewed on time. In case your policy has expired and you do not renew it within 90 days from the date of expiry, you lose the entire accumulated NCB discount. As such, you not only pay a higher premium for renewing a lapsed policy, you also lose out on the discount.

Read more about No claim bonus in car insurance

On-time renewals, therefore, are necessary both from the legal and financial point of view. They are legally necessary and financially rewarding too. So, be punctual. Don’t let your car insurance policy lapse. Renew it on time and enjoy the benefits. Here are some tips on car insurance renewals.

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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.

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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

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

Ever wondered, why new lovers prefer to ride off into the sunset?

It’s probably because they want to avoid being roasted alive inside their car under the sweltering summer sun! They’d surely start out on their journey together much earlier in the day, if only they knew how simple it was to keep their car comfortably cool in the summers.

Here’s a quick look at the 8 hacks that can help you and your car beat the heat this summer:

To keep your car from reaching scorching temperatures:

1. Park in the shade

When a car is parked in the sun for an extended period, its interior starts to heat up. In the direct sunlight, things like the steering wheel, leather seats, and the exposed metal in the seat-belts can get hot enough to burn the skin! Keep the temperature inside your car down by parking it in a shaded area or garage.

2. Use sunshades

Since glass does not absorb heat very well, sunlight easily pours into the car from the windows and windshields and the heat builds up, unable to escape. Use sunshades or visors for the windows and the windshield to prevent the interior of your car from heating up like a sauna on four wheels.

3. Leave the windows open

Even on cool days, cars can heat up by more than 40 degrees within an hour. Avoid the hot car problem by rolling down the windows just an inch to provide some ventilation. Pair this hack with an inexpensive solar-powered fan for best results.

4. Drape the seats

For a cooler interior, place cloth covers on the car seats. Use lighter colors as they absorb less heat from the sun than the dark colors do. Draping the seats with wet towels also works well.

5. Slam the door

Roll down a car window while you open and close the door opposite from it. Since hot air rises above cooler air, it’ll be expelled from the car and replaced with air of ambient temperature.

6. Sprinkle some water

Place a few drops of water on the hot surfaces of the car that you need to touch. Alternatively, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth. The water will absorb the surrounding heat and evaporate, making the hot surfaces like the steering wheel less painful to touch.

7. Use the bottom vents

When you get in your car, resist the urge to turn on the upper circulation vents to get the air flowing. Use the bottom vents to push out all the trapped hot air up and out of the windows. Also, ensure that your car’s air conditioner is set to draw fresh air from outside and not to re-circulate the hot stale air.

8. Check the coolant

If your car doesn’t cool down after 7-10 minutes, it could be a sign of overheating. The car engine runs the risk of overheating if there isn’t enough coolant (antifreeze). To determine whether the coolant level is low, check the coolant reservoir under the hood, but remember to wait for the engine to cool down before you top it up.

Summertime is truly magical. Have appropriate car insurance riders in place to save yourself from sticky situations and ruin fun time. If it weren’t for the blistering heat, going for a drive during this time could prove to be a really wonderful and worthy experience.

Remember, once the summer is done with, your car will need a different type of care.  Yes, you need to gear up for monsoons too. Until then, follow the above hacks this summer to keep your car from turning into an oven and to get the most out of its time under the sun.

Read more about Anatomy of a car insurance plan

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Imagine cruising down the road in your car at a high speed, and suddenly realizing that the brakes are not working! This potentially life-threatening situation is every driver’s worst nightmare. While we hope you never have to undergo the harrowing experience of having your brakes go out, it is important that you be adequately prepared for such an eventuality.

Learn the correct way to cope with brake failure by familiarizing yourself with these 9 critical steps:

1. Remain calm

Try not to let panic get a hold of you. Keeping a level head will allow you respond with alertness and perform the steps that follow with confidence. At such a time, resort to defensive driving.

2. Reduce your speed

Keep your foot off the accelerator and downshift to lower gears to slow the car. Don’t downshift too quickly, however, or the car will start to skid.

3. Reassess your brakes

Check whether something is stuck under the brake pedal that’s rendering it ineffective. Clear the pedal’s path by kicking any obstruction out of the way. If the pedal feels soft and goes to the floor instead, you might need to rebuild braking pressure by pumping the brakes. In case your car has an anti-lock brake system (ABS), instead of pumping, just firmly press the brake pedal. But be careful not to slam the brakes too hard if your car is going downhill as this can cause brakes to fail, if they haven’t already. Instead, use downshift and engine brake while descending a slope.

4. Alert other drivers

Turn your hazard lights on and honk the horn to caution other drivers and pedestrians so they’ll know to give you plenty of room.

5. Ease out of the traffic

Use your turn signals and cautiously manoeuvre the car out of heavy traffic and into the left lane, which is usually slower.

6. Use emergency brake

Once you’re out of the traffic, stop the car using the emergency/parking brake by pulling it slowly. Tugging it too fast might lock the rear wheels and cause you to lose control of the car.

7. Scrub off speed

If the emergency brake doesn’t work, use friction to reduce the speed of your car. Rub the wheels against the curb or drive through gravel and light shrubbery. If you’re on the highway, steer the car sharply from side to side, but don’t attempt this at high speeds.

8. Find a soft landing

If your car still hasn’t slowed down enough for you to pull over, look for a safe spot to crash. Keep the engine running until you reach a complete stop. Turning off the ignition before can cause the steering wheel to lock in place.

9. Call a repair shop

Keep the hazard lights on and avoid standing next to your stopped car. Call for roadside assistance and have your car towed for inspection and repair. Check if your car insurance policy has a roadside assistance cover add-on, if not; make sure you get it added from the insurer. Find out and compare prices for roadside assistance cover on Turtlemint.

These steps can help you take control of the situation and get your car (and yourself) to safety. But don’t forget, prevention is better than cure! To cut down the chances of brake failure, take your car for routine maintenance, and have the brake pads inspected regularly.

Read more about Anatomy of a car insurance

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You can compare and buy car insurance policies on our site.

Summers are here, and it’s not just you who is getting scorched in the heat. Your car needs as much as care as you to be safe in the rising temperatures. 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 the summers. Especially, if you are planning a road trip during the vacation, be extra vigilant of your car’s condition.

Read more about Tips on maximizing the resale value of your car

Prevent mechanical breakdown in the summers simply with these 8 point checklist:

1. Oil:
   The recommended interval for changing oil is usually after every 3,000 miles. To be on a safer side, before summers begin, you can use the dipstick to check the level and shade of oil, which should be a pleasant shade of amber.
2. Air Conditioning:
   Weak air-conditioning system won’t be able to handle the tough heat. Make sure you get it check by a mechanic. Summers also means more dust, don’t forget to get the filters cleaned too.
3. Cooling System:
   Overheating is a major reason for summer breakdowns. We would recommend it to be checked, flushes and refilled by a professional every 24 months.
4. 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.
5. Tyres:
   Tyres should be your foremost concern for safety. 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.
6. All Fluids:
   Fluids are the key to surviving summers in India for you as well as your car. We’ve covered oil, but there are other fluids like the coolant, automatic transmission fluid, power-steering fluid, brake fluid, etc.
   Not all cars are equipped with automatic transmission, but if yours is, check the owner’s manual on how to check the 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 would be best to do it before the summers every year.
   It is important to top off the power -steering fluid which is often overlooked in the regular servicing.
   Brake fluids 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.
7. Windshield Wipers:
   Though you are not going to use the wipers much in this heat, the rubber is the reason you should get them renewed with proper summer wipers. Unlike monsoon wipers, summer wipers are designed to bear higher temperatures. Also, a dirty windshield poses a safety hazard. Keep enough windshield washer solvent stacked. As they say, wipers are cheap insurance.
8. Paint:
   A good session of washing and waxing will do much good for your paint to survive one summer. During the summers, park the car in shade and avoid direct light.

There are other little things you need to pay attention at. 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 in scorching heat. These precautions will save you from the distress of summertime breakdowns.

Also Read: 5 Things that Impact your Car Insurance Premiums

Read more about Car insurance terminologies you should know

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You can calculate your car insurance premium by visiting our site.

All parents know that it’s a tedious task to make kids comfortable in the car, especially when they are between 1 to 8 years old. Let’s face it, kids need attention and this distracts the parents while driving. As if keeping the kids from befuddling you is not enough, you also need to make sure that they are fine and all of this in a confined moving space.

If you don’t have kids, you might probably brush this off as an exaggeration. But if you are planning on having one, we have some of the best tips for keeping your kids safe in car.

Here’s a list of simple measures you can take for a stress-free and quality drive with your kid.

• Child Safety Seat

  This is a prerequisite, so it comes first undoubtedly. Normal car seats and car belts are not made for kids. They are not ideal for a kid’s safety as the size is too big. In the case of mishap, these belts won’t hold the child, whereas the airbag will only prove too big to make things worse.
  Having a booster seat within proper safety standards will ensure that the child is comfortable. The view out of the window is better from the seat. So, at least the seat won’t be a reason for your kid’s tantrums. Also, with a separate child safety seat, there’s one extra seat in the car. Such a win-win!

• Kids on the backseat
  

  Even if your kid is too grown up to sit in the Child Safety seat but is less than 13-14 years old, you should make him/her sit in the backseat. Backseats are safer in general.

• Childproof door locks
  

  Childproof car door locks will prevent the kid from opening up the door in a moving car.

• Keep all loose items in the glove box
  

  Kids tend to fidget around with tiny things. However unimportant those things might be, there is a chance they put them in their mouth or somewhere they don’t belong. Always keep the loose items in the glove box.

• Safe distractions
  

  Not for you though. Have some fluffy toys, snacks or music and audio books in the car to distract your kid from discomfort and crankiness.

• Take stops at intervals
  

  Kids are less likely to come through on a longer ride. Take breaks to get out of the car every 3 hours at least. Change of place and movement makes kids feel fresh and thus less irritable.

• Heat Check
  

  Plenty of cases have been reported in the past on kids losing their life due to hypothermia or heatstroke. Kids don’t adapt to temperatures as well as adults do. Keep a check on your kid’s body temperature with a thermometer. Moreover, don’t leave them alone in the car, irrespective of the time you are going to take to come back.

• Additional Insurance Cover
  

  There is an option of adding optional personal accident covers to your Personal Accident Cover. The optional additional cover can cover the passengers, i.e. your family and friends, also your driver. You can add this cover for your child in the car insurance policy.

To know about how Personal Accident cover works you can consult us at support@turtlemint.com, call us at 1800-266-0101 or ask the Turtlemint chatbot.Hope you have a happy and relaxed journey!

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