Wednesday 30 November 2016

Myths about Car Insurance


It is imperative to thoroughly understand the insurance policy you are buying, no matter what type of insurance it is. When looking for a car insurance people are hindered by numerous misconceptions. Let’s go through those myths which people still carry while buying car insurance.
If your car meets with an accident while being driven by a third person the car insurance policy may not work in such a case. If above is the case, the claim will be paid off through your own policy and not through the policy of that third person who drives the car. However, sometimes the car insurance covers the damage to the car in case of an accident only, and only when the car is driven by the owner or policyholder while in case of an accident.
It is strongly seen that people think that the colour of the car always affects their car insurance premium. The Red colour of the car bears higher premium than normal. This is not true. Colour of the vehicle has no impact on your insurance premium. Rather, your car insurance premium depends on several other important aspects such as the age of the car, past records of accidents with claims, chassis, make, engine and the size of the car.
Buyers are observed to avoid comprehensive car insurance stating that they are good drivers and don’t require a comprehensive policy. This justification is baseless since even expert drivers could have accidents. A comprehensive insurance policy protects you from other liabilities as well, apart from the accident itself. It safeguards your car from any loss or damage out of theft or natural and man-made calamities.
Your private car insurance will not cover your car if you are using it for business or office use. Private car insurance will only cover your vehicle when used for personal use. To extend the cover of your car insurance, you need to take passenger car insurance. Also, your comprehensive car insurance does not cover your personal belongings left in the car. You need to extend your cover to cover your personal belongings as well.
Your credit score does count. It does affect your car insurance premium. Insurance companies believe that there is good correlation between claim filing history and credit score. Those with a good credit score are less likely to file a claim. Hence, some insurance companies may offer you a discount if you have a good credit score.
Most of the people think that they already have car insurance for their old car so they don’t have to buy one for their new car. Wrong! Your old car insurance won’t cover the damages or any harm to your new car. So, one needs to purchase new car insurance for a new car.
Solitaire Honda Insurance Services in Mumbai will also perform overall health checks on your vehicle and if there is other work that needs attention or other parts that need changing they will communicate this with you in advance to make sure you are aware of what additional work is required and whether any further costs may be incurred.


TO BOOK HONDA CAR INSURANCE SERVICES IN MUMBAI CONTACT SOLITAIRE HONDA AT 022 67385555 OR EMAIL US AT INFO@SOLITAIREHONDA.COM

Tuesday 22 November 2016

7 tips to keep your car ready for road-trips


Imagine yourself, buried under the files, struggling to meet the steep targets your boss has set for this quarter. It is your quarterly review today and you see your boss walking up to you. Dollops of sweat are perched on your brow and a chill runs down your spine. You follow him silently to the meeting room, anticipating a barrage of bullets waiting to pierce your tired soul.
Your boss has seen you toiling for the last three months, striving incessantly to achieve the monstrous targets that were set. Though you couldn’t get them all, your boss is very impressed. Your next task is a road-trip – a week long all paid holiday a birthday gift from your company.
Well, this does not happen even in movies! And plus a fertile imagination can play tricks on you like this. But with good roads, better cars and an adventurous trait, road-trip plans materialise out of thin air. All you need then, is your car to be roadworthy and fit so that all you have to worry about is how long you would be travelling.
We have a few tips put together to ensure that you and your car always stays fit and reliable and also to ensure your safety and comfort as well as others on the road.
  1. Service your car regularly as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you find anything amiss between the service intervals, get it checked. In case you have a road trip planned in advance, get your car serviced a couple of days before you leave to let the changes settle down.

  2. Keep an eye on all the fluids levels - engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, windshield cleaning fluid and get them topped up whenever needed. Also have a glance under the vehicle once in a while you would certainly know if something is leaking and needs to be checked

  3. Keep a regular check on electricals – headlamps, tail-lamps, indicators and the horn. It is better to know where the fuse-box of your car is located. Always keep a couple spare – in case of a blow-out, it is the fuse which will be the first casualty. Also keep an eye out for any warning lights on your dashboard – especially the engine check. If it starts flashing, you have to look for the nearest service centre.

  4. Keep a track of the condition of the wiper blades – a clean windshield is imperative for a safe drive. Properly clean your windshield and rear-view mirrors before starting your journey and also in between regularly.

  5. A regular check of tyre pressures and tread condition (including the stepney) will help you avert punctures or tyre bursts. Do rotate your tyres as recommended to ensure their longevity. It is advised to change all tyres when you opt for new and get a uniform wear pattern for all of them. Learn to change tyres (a lot of people don’t know) and how to jack your car up to avoid getting stuck at remote locations.

  6. Driving is a tiring task. Get sufficient rest before you begin. Keep yourself hydrated and take regular breaks during the journey. It is always better to have at least one back-up driver in case you need a break. If ever you feel sleepy while driving, stop immediately and freshen up. If that too doesn’t work, never take it on yourself to continue further – a small mistake may turn out to be disastrous.

  7. Drive at a speed you are comfortable with and avoid speeding. You tend to get more tired when you are speeding while the actual time you save is not worth the risk. Avoid taking risky manoeuvres or overtakes, you always have a long road ahead to make a move and avoid overtaking from the left on a dual carriageway. Remember to flash and/or honk before you make a move to warn the other driver of your intentions.
Ultimately, cars are machines and they do tend to break down once a while. But if you follow these tips, the chances of remembering those journeys with all the good memories will certainly by sky high.




TO BOOK HONDA CAR INSURANCE SERVICES IN MUMBAI CONTACT SOLITAIRE HONDA AT 022 67385555 OR EMAIL US AT INFO@SOLITAIREHONDA.COM

Tuesday 8 November 2016

No Claim Bonus - How to save on your insurance premiums!


NCB is the short form of No Claim Bonus; it is rewarded to the owner of the vehicle who is also the policy holder for No Claim / Claims reported in the previous policy year. It can be accumulated over a period of time.
Do you know you can save as much as 50% on your new car’s insurance? You can transfer a No Claim Bonus (NCB) from your old car. One can transfer the NCB from your old car to reduce the cost of insurance for your New car.
NCB rewards you for being a good driver and helps you save on your motor insurance.
Most Indian car buyers negotiate on financing, dealer discounts and freebies but forget about the insurance component.
How to use the NCB to save on your insurance premium
  • When you sell your old car: The biggest mistake people make is transferring the insurance lock stock and barrel when selling a car. Ensure that ownership is transferred and make a photocopy of the new entry in the RC book for insurance purposes.

  • Obtain the NCB certificate: Forward a copy of the delivery note to your insurance company and ask for the NCB certificate or holding letter. This letter is valid for three years; you may find it easiest to go to your insurer's local office to pick it up in person.

  • Use the NCB: Forward the NCB letter to your new car's dealer. Voila! You have just transferred the NCB to your new car insurance and saved a bundle.
Remember to shop around; manufacturers’ insurance schemes are much cheaper than regular insurers’.
Another process, if you are happy with your existing insurance company, is to go to the insurer with your new car invoice and chassis number. The agent should use your NCB to offer a reduced premium and give you a cover note on the spot. The dealership will need this cover note to register your car with traffic authorities.
Insurance Tip: If you are buying a premium car, it would be wise to opt for Zero Depreciation Add-on car insurance policy. After all, premium cars are equipped with premium-priced parts.
Some Points to remember:
  • A No Claim Bonus means just that – no damage claims on your car. Drive carefully, take security measures to protect your car and claim judiciously.
  • NCB follows the fortune of the customer and not the vehicle
  • NCB can be transferred to the new vehicle in case of substitution of vehicle of the same class
  • Validity - 90 days from the date of expiry of the policy
  • NCB can be utilized within 3 years (where the existing vehicle is sold and a new vehicle is purchased)
  • NCB recovery can be done in case of a name transfer
  • It sometimes makes sense not to make small claims. Ideally, whenever your vehicle is damaged, get an estimate for the repairs. If the No Claim Bonus you stand to exceeds the estimate, it makes sense not to raise a claim and instead pay for the damage yourself.
  • You can transfer full benefits of No Claim Bonus when you shift your policy from another company to another insurance company.


TO BOOK HONDA CAR INSURANCE SERVICES IN MUMBAI CONTACT SOLITAIRE HONDA AT 022 67385555 OR EMAIL US AT INFO@SOLITAIREHONDA.COM