Statistics show that 40% of collisions occur when it is dark outside. This is despite the fact that there is much less traffic on the road.

There are a few reasons for this. The most common cause of accidents at night is people falling asleep behind the wheel, and reduced visibility plays a part.

If you want to ensure that you are safe when you are driving at night, there are a few things that you can do.

Share the driving

RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recommends that if you need to drive at night, you share the driving with someone. This means that nobody has to drive for too long and that everyone is well-rested.

In addition to this, having someone else in the car when you are on monotonous roads such as highways for long periods can help keep you more focused and alert because talking helps keep your mind active.

Plan your route

If you’re going to be driving at night, try to avoid driving at the times when you would usually be asleep; otherwise, you run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

It’s also a good idea to plan your journey so that there are plenty of stops for you to get out and stretch your legs and so that you have somewhere to stop and sleep overnight if needed.

Wear driving glasses

Something that a lot of people struggle with when they are driving at night is the glare from other cars’ headlights. The lights from oncoming traffic can make it difficult to see, which makes driving less safe.

It’s possible to get driving glasses to help combat this. Driving glasses are designed to minimize glare from cars and help make it easier to see when driving at night. They have yellow-tinted lenses, which filter out some of the blue light, which causes glare.

You can buy driving glasses online at just-glasses.co.uk in a variety of different styles.

Have regular eye checks

If your prescription isn’t quite right, it can mean that you can’t read road signs as well as you otherwise might or spot hazards as early as you could.

When your eyesight changes, it’s usually quite gradual, so you may not notice that you can’t see as well as you did previously. This is one of the reasons it’s important to attend regular eye exams. Regular eye exams can also detect any underlying medical conditions early, making treatment easier.

Keep your windscreen and windows clean

Dirty windows are more prone to steaming up, and they can increase the glare from lights outside and other vehicles.

If you want to be safe when you’re driving at night, it’s important to keep your windows and windscreen as clean as possible.

Switch off interior lights

If you have the interior lights of your car switched on at night, this can be a distraction for other drivers, and it can increase reflections. This makes it more difficult for you to see and increases your risk of having an accident.

If you have decided to insure your bike using a comprehensive policy, congratulations! You have taken a step in the right direction in safeguarding your bike. Without purchasing an insurance policy, you cannot be a hundred percent sure of not having to incur expenses for repairs or damages. However safe you ride, there are other vehicles that cannot be guaranteed to be driven with the same level of safety. This where a bike insurance policy comes into picture to save you from burning a hole in your pocket. Moreover a comprehensive policy benefits by providing coverage for own damage apart from the basic policy cover for third-party liabilities only.

Although not all damages are covered by a comprehensive bike insurance plan, one such exception is depreciation on your bike. At the time of the claim, the insurance company deducts the depreciation of your vehicle to settle the claim amount. While it is a standard practice to account for depreciation, it substantially reduces the claim amount. However, you can avoid this reduction of claim amount by purchasing a zero depreciation add-on.

What is a zero depreciation add-on?

Zero depreciation add-on is an optional coverage available for comprehensive two-wheeler insurance plans. With this additional coverage, you can be sure that you receive the entire amount of spares that are required in the repair of your bike. Although that doesn’t imply you shall receive the entire cost of repairs. You will still be required to pay the mandatory deductible as per the terms of the policy.

Why is it important to purchase a zero depreciation add-on?

Depreciation is the phenomenon that all motor vehicles are subject to and it reduces their value over time. At the time of repairs, the insurers deduct this depreciation from its payout. Some insurers offer zero depreciation included in its standard comprehensive policy. On opting for this additional cover, you can be rest assured that the entire amount of spares required for replacement shall be paid by the insurer.

Benefits of zero depreciation cover vis-a-vis its cost

This depreciation waiver by using a zero depreciation add-on benefits by reducing the out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum, if not entirely zero. The savings in payment at the time of claim make up for the cost of additional coverage. Moreover, these add-on covers do not require you to shell out a lot of money, but are highly affordable. Just for a fraction of your premium amount, you can opt for this additional coverage and avail maximum payout at the time of settlement. If you don’t have one at present, buying one at the time of two wheeler insurance renewal will definitely benefit in the long run.

Apart from zero depreciation add-on, there are quite a few add-ons that can be added to your policy coverage. This will help to enhance the bike insurance coverage significantly. If budget is something that you are worried about, using a two wheeler insurance premium calculator can help you consider the right set of add-ons to combine with the zero depreciation cover. To conclude, do not miss buying a zero-depreciation add-on with your comprehensive plan as it significantly enhance the scope of the policy for a marginal increase in premium.

Cashless insurance was first introduced in the health insurance sector where it started to gain popularity. This led the general insurance companies to bring this concept into other areas like car and bike insurance, home insurance, etc. The Motor Vehicles Act makes it mandatory to have an insurance policy for all car owners. While a third-party car insurance is a minimum requirement, you can upgrade your coverage to a comprehensive policy.

Now coming to insurance payouts, there are two methods – cashless or reimbursement. This article elaborates on the cashless facility available for car insurance plans.

What is cashless insurance?

Insurance companies have tie-ups with service centres for hassle-free repairs to your vehicle. Here, you need not worry about arranging funds for the cost of repairs and damages at insurance claim. Thus, the convenience scales above all benefits to rank higher.

An understanding of cashless insurance cover

When you are searching for car insurance online, make sure you purchase a policy with a cashless facility where the insurance company takes care of the repair costs. Barring a few expenses like the deductible, you need not pay for the repairs.

How does cashless claim work?

To raise a claim using the cashless facility, you need to take your vehicle at one of the listed network garages. These network garages are affiliated with the insurer where a cashless facility can be availed. For other service stations, you might be required to pay from your own pocket at first and then claim a reimbursement. Since you choose to repair your vehicle at a network garage, the insurance claim process is faster with lesser need for documentation.

Step by step process to make a claim using the cashless facility

Here is a detailed step by step process for you to understand how to make a claim using the cashless insurance facility.

Step 1: In the event of an accident or damage, the first step is to intimate the insurance company, and if need be, file an FIR with the police station of that jurisdiction.

Step 2: The insurance company will arrange an inspection at the spot by a surveyor and tow your vehicle to the nearest network garage.

Step 3: On assessment of the damage at the network garage, the estimated cost of repairs shall be sent for approval to the insurance company. Only after the approval, the repairs shall be commenced. Any repairs that do not fall in the scope of your policy shall be required to be paid from your own pocket.

Step 4: On completion of the repairs, all invoices shall be sent to the insurance company. At this stage, you shall be required to pay for the mandatory deductibles and other expenses that do not fall in the purview of your policy while your insurer settles the balance amount directly with the network garage. In case your vehicle is damaged beyond repair, the insurer shall pay the IDV of your vehicle as compensation.

Note the above benefits and the easy steps that make using a cashless insurance facility a breeze. While you select from myriad choices, make use of a car insurance premium calculator that can assist not only your first purchase, but also car insurance renewal.