Zero Depreciation Car Insurance

• Protect yourself with third party or comprehensive cover
• Use bumper to bumper policies to reduce your liability
• Enjoy facilities like zero depreciation and roadside assistance covers

Car insurance companies offer you few add-on covers when you purchase car insurance. One of the covers is ‘Zero-Depreciation’. Many of us are not aware of the benefits and the meaning of this cover.Insurance buyers usually say ‘no’ to add-on covers as we think it is simply a tactic for the salesperson to increase our bill amount. But it is not true. The add-on covers are offered for a reason and you will be surprised to know it. Read on:

What is ‘Zero-Depreciation’ Cover’?

A ‘‘Zero-Depreciation’’ is an add-on benefit cover that gives you a full coverage for your vehicle as a whole or part of your vehicle, without deductions of depreciation. This is a huge advantage, because while calculating for compensation or repairs in accidents, all insurers take depreciation value into consideration. It is the difference between the market price of the replaced part and depreciated part. That is the reason why standard plan gives you a claim amount after deduction the depreciation value. If you are buying a new car, opt for this add-on benefit with extra premium because it is a worthwhile investment option.

Key features of Zero Depreciation cover:

If you are buying a second-hand or used car, then you cannot avail this benefit. This is applicable only to new car under a certain age limit of the vehicle. Every insurer will specify an age limit to avail this rider cover, if it is older than that you cannot purchase this policy.

Normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, etc. are not covered under the option. A compulsory excess has to be borne by the owner of the car in case he wants to get these parts repaired.

Every insurer specifies on how much claims you can make in a year. Though the coverage is not 100% as mentioned above, the number of claims will vary from insurer to insurer.

Zero Depreciation and Comprehensive cover:

Depreciation Rates in a Car Insurance:

Since a car is a machine, few parts are more vulnerable to damage than the others like fiber, plastic, rubber, etc. These parts age faster than the actual machine components of the car. Hence the depreciation rate for these are also different for each part. The rate of depreciation applied by each insurer is different. But the IRDA has set some standard rat of percentage on these parts:

The role of Zero Depreciation during claim settlements

When you purchase the policy, please read the terms and conditions clause very carefully. The claim period and premium amount and few of the factors which are not standard according to the government may vary from company to company. If you claim for the damages under comprehensive policy, the settlement amount will be reimbursed to you after deducting the depreciation value of the vehicle. If you claim under zero-depreciation cover, the claim amount will be paid only after deducting few things which are not covered under the policy. For each type of claim there will be certain conditions on how to avail the claim. And most importantly know what is not covered in this add-on because it is not standard with every company. Generally, the following this are the instances when you can and cannot avail:

• This benefit can be availed only twice during the policy term
• If the bike has been in any mishap or accident, then the policyholder must get his bike repaired with the network of garages that have partnered with the insurer.
• If the car is completely wacked, damaged or stolen then this benefit cannot be availed.

How much is the premium payable on zero depreciation cover?

Since the reimbursement value is 100% at the time of claim settlement, it is only natural that the premium paid will also be a little expensive. It usually ranges between 15%-20% on your base policy rate. It is also depends on the history of the driver and the insurance company.

Premium cost of car insurance policy with and without zero depreciation

Listed in the table below is the premium of a car insurance policy with the zero depreciation add-on cover assuming that the cost of the vehicle is Rs.8 lakh:

*The values displayed in the table above are subject to change from one insurer to another.

Benefits of ‘Zero-Depreciation’:

• This add-on cover with your standard policy which offers you full claim amount for value of the parts replaced saving the amount that was deductible for depreciation.
• Mr. X has filed for an insurance claim for his car which had been in a mishap for Rs. 1 lakh. In a standard policy, he will be paid 30% less by his insurer for the damages caused after deducting the depreciation value of his car. Had he purchased this cover, the insurer would paid him full 100% claim amount. This is a huge benefit for the policyholder.
• Depreciation factor will not be considered for claims if you have this add-on cover.
• You would not have to pay for repairs and damages if you opt for this cover. You would only have to pay for labor charges and other minor things from your pocket while getting your vehicle repaired.
• It adds value to your standard policy.
• While settling for claims for the insured parts of the vehicle, depreciation is not taken into consideration.
• You can enjoy a tension free ride with a sense of security and peace of mind.
• This cover can be availed by paying an extra amount or can be included in your standard premiums as this is an additional cover. The premiums for this differs according to vehicle model, location and its age.
• You can save all the hassles by opting for nil depreciation cover. Make sure that you have the best deal, because companies offer huge discounts and benefits if you opt for additional covers.

Zero-Depreciation covers the following damages:

• Damages caused to rubber, fiber parts, fiberglass, and nylon parts. This cover is primarily designed for cars which are new to an age limit specified by the insurer.
• The policyholder can claim only twice during the policy period. Usually depends on the insurance company
• This cover can be availed only by new car owners.

Exclusions from Zero-Depreciation cover:

• Damages caused to normal wear and tear.
• Disfigurement or damages caused due to mechanical work or breakdown.
• Damages to uninsured parts like bi-fuel kit, tyres and gas kits.
• Personal vehicle used for commercial purpose.
• Cars aged above 5 years is not covered under the policy.
• If the driver does not have a valid driving license.
• If the driver is using the car for malicious purpose.
• Driving the car while intoxicated.
• The policy does not cover up for compulsory deductibles.
• Any physical harm caused to the vehicle due to uninsured peril.
• If you do not have in add on cover you can opt for it at the time of renewal. The period of coverage is one year, therefore you have to renew it annually to enjoy its benefits.

Who should buy Zero Depreciation cover?

If you are planning to buy a new car, then opting for this rider add-on benefit is the ideal option for you. Even minor scratches or unfortunate damages caused to your new vehicle because of the fault of the third-party, this add-on benefit can be your rescuer. It might cost you a little extra, but it goes to a long way in saving you from all those extra money spent to repair your car.

For damages caused due to public protests like fire or destruction of the bike, few insurers offer to cover a part of the expense in some cases. If you have further doubts, enquire with your insurance provider so there will be no confusion in the future.

Some of the major insurance providers like Bharti AXA General, ICICI Lombard, Tata IG, Reliance and HDFC Ergo have been offering the ‘Zero-Depreciation’ cover since past two years. And majority of them allow two claims per policy period along with no-claim bonus benefit. IDRA has allowed this benefit in the market since past two years, and it’s time we make use of it. With the road conditions here, the potholes, traffic etc. make it miserable to enjoy your new car and it’s hard to save from some unforeseen damages. So the wiser thing to do is to get this add-on cover so we can ride tension free and also its pocket friendly. Contact your insurance provider today or shop online for best deals.

FAQs:

1. Which are the car insurance providers who offer Zero Depreciation cover in India?

   Bharti AXA General, ICICI Lombard, Tata AIG, Reliance, HDFC Ergo and Royal Sundaram have been offering the ‘Zero-Depreciation’ cover since past two years.

2. What are the factors affecting zero depreciation cover?
   • Age of the vehicle
   • Kilometers driven at the time of purchase of this cover
   • Model of the car
3. Does the policy also cover for theft and robbery of parts in zero depreciation cover?

   This depends on the insurance provider. Usually theft and robbery of any part is not covered under this cover. It can only be availed along with comprehensive policy as an add-on benefit.