Protect your car this monsoon with these motor insurance riders

Before the onset of rains, car owners get their vehicles monsoon ready by checking the engine, oil, tyres, etc. Along with these safety checks, one can also consider some add-on motor insurance riders that can help if your vehicle is stranded due to engine fault or if water enters the engine and damages it.

Common monsoon-related problems

A general problem that motorists face during the monsoons is getting stuck in a waterlogged area. These situations can lead to water seepage into the engine causing a hydrostatic lock.

“Depending on the level of water motorists can follow simple tips that will help them ensure minimal damage to the vehicle. If you are forced to drive through a complete waterlogged area, where the water level reaches above the height of the tyre, it is advisable to stop driving to avoid any further damage and call for help immediately. Avoid trials to restart the stalled vehicle by cranking or pushing it, as it may damage the engine and the electrical system as this will damage them further,’’ said Sasikumar Adidamu, chief technical officer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.

Skidding on slippery roads is another common problem. Motorists should keep a check on their speed as well as keep their vehicle tyres in good condition, added Mahesh Balasubramanian, MD and CEO, Kotak General Insurance.

Common riders to protect your car

In order to protect your vehicle in monsoon, one can purchase add-on covers. Let's discuss the most important covers especially keeping the monsoons in mind.

Engine protection cover: A standard motor insurance policy does not cover damages to the engine by water intake. Hence, if you stay in an area that is prone to flooding during monsoon, this add-on cover is a must for your car. This cover provides coverage against damage to the car’s engine due to water ingression leading to hydrostatic lock. It also covers cases like leakage of lubricating oil and damage to the gearbox.

Roadside assistance: This is another important add-on that should not be missed especially during the rains. This rider becomes the most useful if you are stranded due to a break-down of your car in the middle of the road. The insurer will provide you with emergency roadside assistance services like help in changing flat tyres and other minor spot repair services, alternative travel arrangements, emergency fuel refilling, towing facility on a 24 x 7 basis.

Zero or nil depreciation: This rider offers complete coverage against the depreciation in the value of car parts. In case of any claim, the entire value of parts like plastic, fibre, rubber and glass is paid without taking into account any depreciation. This saves the car owner a lot of money in case the car gets damaged by paying the entire cost. It is also called depreciation shield and ensures that the age of the vehicle would not affect the claim amount paid for spare parts.

“Typically, under any comprehensive policy, the insured receives an amount that is subject to depreciation and therefore receives an amount lower than the actual repair expense. With depreciation cover, the insured receives the depreciation amount deducted on the value of the parts replaced for up to two admissible claims. Most insurers offer this add-on cover for vehicles that are up to five years old, said Adidamu.

Accessories cover: This cover is useful in case the vehicle is submerged in water or there is water ingression in the cabin leading to damage of car equipment and accessories like LCD, TV, car seat covers and other luxurious car accessories. This add-on cover will help in covering the cost of the same.

Return to invoice: This add-on is useful in case the car is damaged fully and beyond repair, for instance, in case of a tree-fall. This add-on will reimburse the difference between the ex-showroom price and the IDV (Insured Declared Value) of the car along with the registration fees, road tax, and insurance amount in the event of a total loss or theft. This add-on is useful if the vehicle is declared unfit for further repairs and usage.

Common exclusion

The most common condition during the monsoons where an insurer refuses to pay the claim amount is for engine failure or hydrostatic lock or damage to car’s engine. This is also the most disputed claim, as it becomes difficult to ascertain whether adequate steps were taken to avert such a situation or not.

“Suppose, a person is driving the vehicle through a water-logged area and water enters the engine from the air intake system, seizing it which leads to a hydrostatic lock. The insurer might consider this case as an accident and pay the claim amount. However, consider another case where a car is parked and gets submerged due to heavy rains. Here, the owner tries to start it multiple times which leads to water ingression and damage to the engine. Under such a case, the insurer might outright reject the claim as it was an act of complete negligence on the part of the car owner. It becomes extremely difficult for the insurer to ascertain which is which. The best that a consumer can do is park the vehicle at a safe location without starting it and call up the insurer and inform them about it and follow the procedure as laid down by them,’’ explained Devendra Rane, founder & CTO - Coverfox.com, an online insurance broker.