ITV

Tag: monsoon

  • Essential Car Insurance Terms to Understand Before the Monsoon

    Essential Car Insurance Terms to Understand Before the Monsoon

    The Indian monsoon season is generally accompanied by torrential rainfall, floods, landslides, hailstorms and high humidity. All these can seriously damage your car, causing corrosion, engine failure, water ingress, short circuit and sudden breakdown. Having a clear understanding of your car insurance terms can help you avoid expensive surprises during claim registration. Buying car insurance online during the monsoon season makes it easy to check what different plans offer in terms of coverage and claim settlement, review premiums from multiple insurers, compare add-ons and purchase policies without any delay.

    Introduction

    Rain after the sweltering summer months is very refreshing and calming. However, they also come with unique challenges for car owners, especially those living in flood-prone areas. Potholes, water-logged streets, unexpected floods, storms and stalled engines are common during this season, and they can turn your daily travel into a costly nightmare almost instantly. 

    Your repair cost can spike, and insurance claims may not go through if your policy isn’t clear enough or updated. That’s why getting the right car insurance online and understanding its terms can make all the difference. This guide breaks down important insurance terms and offers clear explanations, so you are sufficiently prepared before the skies burst open.

    Car Insurance Terms You Need to Know Before the Monsoon

    Knowing what your car insurance covers, what it doesn’t and how to upgrade it for monsoon-prone areas can help you make the best decision during renewal.

    1.  Types of Coverages

    Third-Party Car Insurance: This plan financially and legally covers the damages your vehicle causes to other individuals or their property. The third-party car insurance is mandatory by law under the Motor Act, 1988, but it doesn’t protect your vehicle from monsoon damage.

    Comprehensive Insurance: It is a complete and customisable plan that covers both third-party liabilities and own car damages. This broader protection is beneficial during the monsoon season when your vehicle faces multiple risks simultaneously, including floods and fire from a short circuit.

    Personal Accident Cover: This cover offers financial protection if you suffer injuries in an accident. It pays ambulance charges and medical expenses and provides compensation for permanent disability or death.

    2.  Insurance Declared Value (IDV)

    IDV is your car’s current market value as determined by your insurance company. It is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay if your car is completely damaged or stolen.  
    Your IDV decreases each year due to depreciation – a new car’s IDV is about 95% of its showroom price. Note that choosing a higher IDV means paying higher premiums, but it also means better compensation during claims.

    3.  Add-Ons for Riders for the Monsoons

    Here are a few useful add-ons you must consider if you live in a heavy monsoon-prone area:

    Engine Protection Cover: This add-on protects your engine from water damage. Standard comprehensive policies don’t cover a hydrostatic lock, where water enters your engine cylinders.

    Zero Depreciation Cover: This cover ensures you receive the full claim amount without depreciation deductions. 

    Roadside Assistance: It provides emergency services like towing, battery jump-start and flat tyre replacement if you are stranded in a waterlogged area. This cover is valuable for people living in remote areas or hill stations.

    Consumables Cover: This useful add-on pays for items like engine oil, nuts, bolts, coolant and brake fluid, which often need replacement after water damage. These costs, usually not covered in standard comprehensive car insurance policies, can add up significantly during claims.

    You can only top up your comprehensive insurance with these add-ons and not third-party or personal cover. Riders can be added at the time of policy purchase or renewal.

    4. Deductibles

    Deductibles are the amount you pay from your pocket before the insurer covers the rest during a claim settlement. This amount is decided when you renew or buy the policy.

    Lower deductibles mean higher premiums, but you’ll pay less during claims. There are two types of deductibles:

    .  Compulsory deductible: This amount is fixed by the insurer based on your claim history and car make and model. 

    .  Voluntary deductible: It is a higher out-of-pocket amount you choose in exchange for a lower premium.

    Know your deductible amount so you are not surprised during claims, especially if there are chances of making multiple claims. In addition, consider your financial capacity when deciding on the voluntary deductible.

    Tips to Protect Your Car Insurance During Monsoon

    Use these steps to make sure your insurance helps you when you need it most.

    1. Document Car Condition: Take photographs of existing scratches, dents and mechanical issues before the monsoon begins. This will help during claim settlement. 

    2. Check Your Current Insurance Policy: Make sure it’s comprehensive and has monsoon-related add-ons and terms. For example, many policies exclude damage from driving through flooded areas despite official warnings. 

    3. Avoid High-Water Areas: Do not drive through waterlogged areas. Even with an engine protection cover, your claim can get rejected if driving through the region was deliberate. Also, prevention is better than time-consuming repairs. 

    4. Service Your Car Before Monsoon Starts: A well-maintained vehicle has fewer chances of suffering damage and wouldn’t face claim rejections. 

    5. Don’t Delay Renewal: If your vehicle’s car insurance policy is expiring just before the monsoon hits, don’t delay renewal, thinking that you wouldn’t be taking your car out. Even parked vehicles can be damaged and need proper insurance coverage.

    Key Takeaway

    The monsoon season doesn’t have to be a nightmare for car owners. With a well-understood and active policy, you can manage risks and avoid unnecessary repair costs. Buy or renew your car insurance online after checking what’s covered and what else you need. Make sure your car is protected against engine damage, electrical issues, breakdowns and more.

    Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

  • Companies pin hopes on monsoon season to lift the ‘Covid-gloom’

    Companies pin hopes on monsoon season to lift the ‘Covid-gloom’

    MUMBAI: Monsoons are critical for the revival of consumer demand in our agri-dependent country, both in rural and urban regions. In a market already marred by the pandemic, how’s the sentiment this monsoon season? To gauge the marketing mood in this season of renewed hope, IndianTelevision.com spoke to a few marketers and industry stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges during the season in the backdrop of the pandemic, the marketing strategy adopted by brands to reach out to customers, and more.

    The outbreak of the pandemic and the subsequent turn of events has not only crippled daily life but also hit industries and the economy hard. After the long, harsh summer, companies are now exuding hope of business gaining momentum from the second quarter of 2021-22 with the onset of monsoon. The steady decline in Covid cases and the relaxation in lockdown restrictions in some states has led to some cautious optimism in the consumer market.

    “Our efforts are to revamp the market sentiment, which has been affected due to the deadly second wave, and in doing so we stand strong. Catering to over 18,000 pin codes and having 550 service centres across India, we have worked on a robust supply chain and logistics to ensure that there are no seasonal factors that impact our operations and the overall consumer experience of the brand,” says Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd (SPPL) – the Indian licensee for French Electronics’ brand Thomson – CEO Avneet Singh Marwah.

    Last June the company announced it would invest Rs 1,000 crore in the next five years to expand its manufacturing capacity and strengthen its presence in the consumer electronics and appliances segment. The firm is also making a foray into the home appliances segment with washing machines and cooling product categories under brand Thomson, as part of its expansion plans. As part of its strategy, the company said it would continue to focus on affordability with aggressive pricing and harness the potentials of e-commerce channels.

    “At Thomson, our commitment is to provide ‘Friendly Technology’ to the discreet online shopper, who wants ‘global technology at competitive prices. Our e-shoppers can benefit and avail various bank offers and discounts this monsoon season too, as we put out offers every season on Flipkart,” says Marwah, adding that it would always remain a D2C brand, with a consumer-centric approach.”

    FMCG has traditionally been among the sectors that tend to benefit from a good monsoon. With IMD’s forecast of a normal monsoon, there are indications of salvaging the sector from the pandemic’s impact.

    Consumer confidence for urban Indians has also shown mild recovery in June 2021 with a slight uptick of 1.4 percentage points, over the previous month, according to the monthly Refinitiv-Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI). It had shown a steep drop in May due to the aggressive second wave impact.

    Backed by positive consumer sentiment, Oil processing company Modi Naturals Ltd CMO Shardul Bist says, ”Typically, during the monsoon, consumption for most food and cooking brands goes up. These are the crucial months for edible oil brands like us to build volumes and reach out to consumers. We had already planned our marketing calendar, which had to be revised due to the pandemic for the second consecutive year. We have planned it in three phases – Critical, Recovery, and Stabilizing to match the mood of the consumers as we move through the year.”

    According to Bist, consumers’ preferences generally move towards fried food during the rains, and thus the usage of oil increases. “We have to plan our media strategy keeping the pandemic into consideration. We are bullish on our marketing spends and have planned a strong 360-degree marketing campaign during Q2 which includes TV, Print, and Digital with our brands, Oleev and Pipo. Along with the media, we are planning to diversify into healthy food categories and are planning to launch new products in Q2,” he says.

    Unsurprisingly, the demand for Health and immunity boosters has also shot up. “In the last few months, the demand for multivitamin and mineral supplements has seen an upward growth”, says Mankind Pharma’s Joy Chatterjee. “We changed our strategy at the right time and ‘Health OK’ was shifted into the OTC category. This has generated demand, need, and revenue for us. We are growing in double digits, and we give a lot of stress upon building brand equity as well. With strong brand equity, one can enjoy all benefits of the value chain. Going further, we expect the percentage to increase.”

    Chatterjee says that the Pharma brand’s marketing strategy remains the same, which is basically to make people aware of the product and its benefits. “We are taking on a 360-degree approach to reach our target audience, we can’t just rely on one medium- because our product is such that it caters to different age groups. So, we decided to be available across marketing channels- whether it is TV, print media and even focusing on regional newspapers. However, TV is still our number one choice because of its reach and impact.”

    The brand recently released a TVC featuring Health Ok tablets brand ambassadors Anil Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. “Other than this, we are highly active on social media platforms too and collaborating with popular influencers from different speaking markets. We are also increasing our budget on digital to capture the attention of the audience in the digital space,” he added.

    dentsumcgarrybowen India EVP & head- planning & strategy, Vishal Nicholas says that apart from health, a few other categories that do get activated during the monsoons are Tyres, Auto Insurance, and Food-delivery apps. Talking about how marketers can leverage it he says, “This category (tyres & auto insurance) sees a lot of traction during monsoons as roads get slippery. This time around though, many vehicles would have been lying unused, and hence, with the unlock process beginning across the country, the tyres would be more susceptible to under-performing in the monsoons. Tyre brands and even auto insurance brands can sensitise consumers to these potential concerns and even direct them to the nearest place of redressal.”

    On how brands can indulge the spike in food cravings during this season he says, “Food-delivery brands can use the first-party data creatively here as well as their own real estate. They can use location data and intersect it with weather data to highlight geographies and customers where it is raining. Once identified, push notifications on their own platform can nudge the consumer to order his cravings.”

    DViO Digital founder & CEO Sowmya Iyer agrees that the pandemic has certainly changed the overall marketing landscape and that monsoon campaigns are no exception. “Nevertheless, the brands don’t want to let go of that sense of normalcy and marketers are putting in efforts to appreciate the beauty that lies in the weather while being mindful of the safety concerns and sensitive towards the current situation,” she says, adding that the pleasant, nostalgic and romanticised setup of the season is often leveraged by brands for promoting product features. Sharing about the success of a recent digital promotional campaign that the agency curated for Universal Music’s VYRLOriginals, Iyer says it is a testament that immersive and creative campaigns have excellent engagement on digital and social.

    A looming threat of a possible third wave, however, means that we are not out of the woods yet, and treading with caution will need to be the key.

  • Monsoon Filmfest: NFDC launches weekly radio programme

    NEW DELHI: In a new initiative to reach out to the people to see meaningful cinema, the National Film Development Corporation has launched a weekly Film Aaj Kal in association with 92.7 Big FM to coincide with its summer Festival of of NFDC Classics.

    The Ground-Activation event – Film Aaj Kal Screenings and Conversations from 15 July to 15 August is aimed at building film communities and empower the viewer.

    92.7 Big FM in ‘Film Aaj Kal’ is aimed at Cinema Education and Awareness programme which has the filmmakers discuss movie classics bringing these films back to the fore.

    The exhibition partners are Harkat Studios in Aram Nagar and G5A Centre for Contemporary Culture at Lower Parel (both, in Mumbai) and the online booking partner is 1018mb.

    Film Aaj Kal is not just about exploring alternative audiences. It’s also about exploring alternate spaces, alternate distribution platforms, and booking and communication platforms.

    The radio show which has already aired six episodes as of 3 July 2017 plays on Sundays on 92.7 Big FM from 4pm to 6pm is hosted by a hugely popular star RJ and cinephile, Siddharth Mishra, and is designed as a series of conversations between filmmakers discussing about the NFDC classics evoking a renewed interest in the films.

    One of the episodes showcased ‘Gaman & Taxi No. 9211’ as films that look at Mumbai through the eyes of a cab driver – both from different eras, in varied styles, addressing different class issues as well – but with an underlying subtext of the immigrant. Another episode was around Salaam Bombay and Chameli – Mira Nair and Sudhir Mishra chatted about the way they approached the Brothel and the Underbelly story.

    ​The programmes broadcast so far:

    1. 28th May – Gaman and Taxi No.9211. Speakers – Muzaffar Ali (telephonic) and Milan Luthria
    2. 4th June – Gandhi and Hey Ram. Speakers – Alyque Padamsee (telephonic) and Kamal Haasan (telephonic)
    3. 11th June – Salaam Bombay and Chameli. Speakers – Mira Nair (telephonic) and Sudhir Mishra
    4. 18th June – Raghu Romeo and Phas Gaye re Obama. Speakers – Rajat Kapoor and Subhash Kapoor
    5. 25th June – Dharavi and Slumdog Millionaire. Speakers – Sudhir Mishra and Saurabh Shukla
    6. 2nd July – Pestonjee and Being Cyrus. Speakers – Vijaya Mehta and Homi Adajania

    This idea is to bring together the community to watch films together and then talk cinema over a glass of Nimbu paani, a cup of tea/coffee or those chutney sandwiches. Film Aaj Kal Screenings and Conversations gives not just the viewers but also the discerning filmmaker and cineastes an opportunity to explore alternate film destinations and also actively engage in conversations around cinema – and not just limit those discussions to a Master-Class or a workshop.

    The current schedule for the event is:

    Venue – Harkat Studios
    ·​15 July​, Sat ​- 7.00 pm – Opening Session & Screening of Om Dar-B-Dar
    ·16 July, Sun – 4.00 PM – Mammo
    ·21 July – Fri – 7.00 PM – Dharavi
    ·22 July – Sat – 12.00 PM – Salaam Bombay
    ·22 July – Sat – 4.00 PM – Gaman
    ·22 July – Sat – 7.30 PM – Mirch Masala
    ·23 July – Sun – 4.00 PM – Jaane bhi do yaaron
    ·30 July – Sun – 12.00 PM – Raghu Romeo

    ​Venue – G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture
    29· July – 4.00 PM – ​Inauguration of the Saeed Akhtar Mirza Retrospective and ​screening of the Opening Film
    ​30· July – 12.00 PM – Arvind Desai ki ajeeb dastaan
    30· July – 4.00 PM – Naseem
    30· July – 6.00 PM – Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro

    NFDC took care to choose alternate exhibition spaces – not the traditional theatres with the hugely expensive box office: HARKAT studios in Aram Nagar for the Suburbian Junta and G5A Centre for Contemporary Culture in Lower Parel for the Townies.

    Harkat Studios is a boutique arts studio and a co-working space in the bustling area of Aram Nagar, Andheri West. Harkat has collaborated with numerous brands including Unilever, Walt Disney, UTV, Fox Star Studio (to name a few) to create innovative video content. The studio also hosts live performances, screenings, workshops etc. and has been a popular center for arts and artists coming from the indie space.

    When the quirky Bungalow is not hosting events, the place doubles as a co-working space for independent professionals looking for an Office space. The work and vibe of Harkat Studios suits perfectly with the community building nature and Indie spirit that Film Aaj Kal Screenings and Conversations is seeking to promote for cinephiles.

    G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture is a not-for profit organisation which houses a Blackbox and hosts a range of events and programmes including but not limited to Screenings, Theatre performances, exhibitions and Launch Events. G5A has endeavored to and has slowly emerged as important alternate venue in the Town area of Mumbai as a community space for artists and professionals to work around. G5A. last year, was the venue for the Mumbai chapter of the New York Indian Film Festival which screened curated films followed by discussions with the filmmakers.

    1018mb.com portal evolved from the phenomenon of ‘Four-eyed Monsters’, a 2005 US film which became a financial success and a cult-classic by its innovative distribution strategy of an audience demanding a screening. A film gets screened at a certain city if enough audience pledge viewership for the film. A trick, films like Paranormal Activity have used to great effect. Plus, it’s a revolutionary community building exercise for like-minded cinephiles and geeks.

    Keeping with the concept of community-based screenings and keeping with the times technologically, 1018mb.com is an online ticket booking portal which enables users to create and schedule screenings of films of their choice from the site’s extensive catalogue of films and make available to other like-minded audience to attend.

  • worldoo.com partners with Universal Picture International for Despicable Me 2

    worldoo.com partners with Universal Picture International for Despicable Me 2

    MUMBAI: This monsoon, Gru‘s faithful Minions will land themselves in another sticky situation and this time not only with the super-villain. worldoo.com has announced their partnership with Universal Picture International to create Despicable Me 2 inspired themes and avataars in the first of its kind ever-evolving online ecosystem for kids featuring the unpredictably hilarious Minions.

    The users of worldoo.com can watch the trailer of Despicable Me 2 in the DOO TV, users can choose Despicable Me 2 avatars and design their homes with specially designed themes based on the animation flick on the Doo Store.

    “We‘re excited to introduce Despicable Me 2 avatars, themes and contest on worldoo.com as it will add a bit of playful flair to any home. As audiences gear up for the release on July 5th, new Despicable Me 2 avatars and themes will make it easy and fun for fans everywhere to use their creativity. It also gives consumers a simple, convenient way to access and enjoy the trailor of the film through India‘s first online ecosystem for Kids,” said worldoo.com head experience & brand Harsh Wardhan Dave.

    Commenting on this partnership, Universal Picture International marketing head Jacinto Fernandes said, “India is a priority market for us so our partnership is a win-win for both Universal and worldoo.com. The alliance expands the distribution of the movie and this association will leverage worldoo.com‘s enviable network of promotional channels of the movie. I am sure that we will enjoy some of the highest game-plays and web traffic in the region coming from India through worldoo.com and we look forward to welcoming even more players to meet the characters of Despicable Me 2 on the worldoo.com which is the innovative way to reach out to kids.”

    worldoo.com got a tremendous response from kids on the digital platform, within the launch of two months the website attracted 19,500 plus kids. worldoo.com has got around 113,000 unique visitors and over 2.5 million page views till now. Kids are loving worldoo.com – as a result, average time spent is close to nine minutes and 11 page views are happening per visit, which is very encouraging for the platform.