Car Insurance tips to protect your vehicle in monsoon

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It’s that time of the year when citizens across the country are inconvenienced by water-logged areas in the city. Coincidently, it’s that period where car insurance claims are at its highest as a result of cars being damaged due to flooding. While the mandatory third-party insurance policy will be of no help in this scenario, it is important that car owners avail a comprehensive car insurance policy to protect any possible damages that can be caused to the car during the monsoon season. A comprehensive car insurance policy not only offers coverage for the damages caused to both the cars (of the first party and the third party) following an accident, it offers coverage for damages arising from floods, and any other sort of natural calamity. In addition, to ensure one’s claim to cover the damages of their car is not rejected by the insurance company, one should think of buying add-on covers - that enhance the car’s protection against any sort of damage. Let’s focus on a few tips that you need to keep in mind if you’re using your car during the rainy or the monsoon season.

What you should do to avoid your car insurance claim being rejected

The best thing that a car owner should do is to purchase add-on covers along with a comprehensive car insurance policy, to ensure their car is protected and the damages will be covered come what may. We’ve listed a few add-on covers one can purchase along with the comprehensive car insurance policy that will give your car complete protection:

• Engine protect add-on cover

Though the comprehensive car insurance policy will offer protection against basic damages caused to your car, an engine protect add-on cover will save you a lot of money if your engine fails as a result of flooding. If in case water gets logged in the engine, or there is an oil leak or a gearbox failure, the engine protect add-on cover will kick in to cover the damages.

• Zero-depreciation add-on cover

When a policyholder files a car insurance claim, the maximum amount one will receive to cover the damages will depend on the depreciation factor of the car. With the zero-depreciation add-on cover, the depreciation factor is negated and the claim amount will be significantly higher.

• Roadside assistance add-on cover

As you would have probably heard, it is inadvisable for someone to crank the engine of their car if it is stalled in a flood or submerged in water. If such a case happens, calling for a tow truck is the best option, as trying to move your car might result in a consequential loss - leading to a claim rejection. By having this cover, the insurance your company will take care of the towing charges - taking the burden off your shoulder.

• Windscreen cover

If the windscreen is cracked or damaged as a result of hailstones, then the windscreen add-on cover will cover the costs of the replacement of your windscreen.

What to keep in mind if you’re driving in the monsoons

Keeping in mind the below-listed tips will prevent your car from being damaged:

• As much as possible, avoid driving through a water-logged road.
• If you do happen to drive past a flooded road, shift to the first gear and keep your leg in contact with the accelerator at all times. This will prevent water from entering the exhaust. If you let go of the accelerator, water will seep into the engine of your car.
• Keep distance from vehicles during rains. This will prevent you bumping into them and causing any sort of damage.
• If your car is damaged, call the insurance company right away. You can call them for roadside assistance as well. Having them move the car will prevent you damaging the car further - leading to a consequential loss.

Note that the car insurance company will cover ‘own damages’ and will reject claims resulting from consequential damages. For example, if you have tried to start your car in a water-logged spot leading to water seeping into the engine, this will be regarded as a consequential loss. In addition, the car insurance company will cover damages if it is not under the exclusion list. Lastly, ensure you have paid your premiums if you wish to make a claim, and you can choose to purchase the aforementioned add-on covers when either purchasing or renewing the policy.