Stay Safe on Indian Roads With These Tips

India has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with over 1,50,000 deaths and more than 4,50,000 injuries reported each year. The situation is alarming and demands immediate attention. Road safety is a crucial issue that affects every individual, whether you're a driver, a pedestrian, or a passenger. Accidents not only lead to loss of life and limb, but also cause emotional and financial trauma to the victims and their families. Therefore, it's essential to take every possible measure to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. In this article, we will discuss five tips that can help you stay safe on Indian roads and protect yourself and your family from accidents. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and enjoy a safe and secure journey.

1. Ensure Your Vehicle is Insured

The first step to safety on Indian roads is to ensure that your vehicle is insured. Vehicle insurance, also known as motor insurance, is mandatory in India under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. It provides financial protection against damages caused to the vehicle, third-party liabilities, and injuries sustained by the driver and passengers. Thus, it is of primary importance that you have a valid motor insurance policy. Moreover, a motor insurance plan helps to stay on the right side of the law saving you from hefty fines and penalties.

2. Understand the Types of Motor Insurance

Vehicle insurance comes in three types – Third-Party Liability, Comprehensive, and Standalone Own Damage policies. A third-party liability plan covers damages caused to a third person’s property, injury or even death of a third-party individual. Comprehensive insurance covers both, third-party liabilities and damages, to your vehicle due to accidents, theft, fire, natural calamities, and other perils. A standalone own-damage plan provides coverage for the damages to your vehicle. However, only having a standalone own-damage cover is not enough. It must be bought with a third-party policy to ensure the minimum legal requirement is met. * While different policies have different premiums, it can be confusing to know how much your policy might cost you. In that situation, you can use a motor insurance premium calculator to determine the premium you need to pay based on your vehicle's make, model, and year of manufacture.

3. Follow Traffic Rules

One of the most crucial aspects of staying safe on Indian roads is following traffic rules. This includes wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler, wearing seat belts while driving a car, and following traffic signals and speed limits. It is also essential to avoid using mobile phones while driving, as it can lead to distractions and accidents.

4. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Accidents can happen at any time, and it is essential to be prepared for them. Keep a first-aid kit in your vehicle, along with emergency contact numbers, including the police, ambulance, and your insurance provider's helpline.

5. Know How to Claim Motor Insurance

In case of an accident, it is crucial you know how to raise a motor insurance claim with your insurer. The first step is to inform your insurance provider immediately and provide them with all the necessary details, including the location, time, and extent of damages. You also need to provide them with a copy of the police FIR and your driving license. Evidencing your claim with photographs and videos helps. Your insurance provider will then send a surveyor to assess the damages and provide an estimate of the repair costs. Once the claim is approved, you can get your vehicle repaired at a network garage, and your insurance provider will settle the repair costs directly with the garage in case of cashless claims. For reimbursement claims, once the surveyor has completed their assessment, you can get your vehicle repaired at your desired service garage. This service garage need not be a part of your insurer’s network garage. *

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, road safety is a significant concern that requires collective efforts from all stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and road users. As individuals, we can contribute to road safety by following traffic rules, being cautious, and taking necessary precautions. By ensuring that our vehicles are insured, understanding the different types of motor insurance , being prepared for emergencies, and knowing how to claim motor insurance, we can protect ourselves and our families from the financial impact of accidents. However, we must also realise that accidents can have severe consequences, and prevention is always better than cure. It's our responsibility to be vigilant, cautious, and responsible while on the road to ensure that we, as well as other road users, are safe from accidents. By working together and adopting a safety-first approach, we can reduce the number of accidents and make our roads safer for everyone. Remember, safety is not just a slogan; it's a way of life!   * Standard T&C Apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.