Is Your Auto Insurance ready for monsoon

We look forward to the rainy season, for it brings not just respite from the sapping heat but also as a boost to our agrarian economy. Rains also post a set of challenges to vehicle owners. Pot-holes, floods, and slippery roads are the enemies of our vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to breakdowns. But with auto insurance, some of these challenges can be surmounted.

Need for comprehensive auto insurance We spend massive amounts on buying and accessorising our cars, but we cut corners on its insurance. Bad idea. If you are also selecting your car insurance based on the smallness of its premium, you're taking a great risk.

The countless people trapped in the floods of Mumbai and Chennai will testify to the fact that a monsoon-related emergency can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. Therefore compromising on your insurance and not loading up on add-ons compounds your risk.

In this article, we will take a look at the monsoon readiness of your auto insurance and ensure the rains don’t ruin your ride. Here are some add-ons you should consider to give your car additional protection for the monsoon.

Check for engine and electronic circuit cover The engine and the associated electric components are the lifeline of a car. You may be paying your insurance premiums regularly but unless you have opted for an engine and electronic circuit add-on cover, your insurance may not cover any loss to the sophisticated electronic components of your car.

Trying to start your car in the rainy season or when the car stops after passing through a puddle of water in the rains can impact the electronic components directly. Without an electronic component cover add-on, whatever you may be saving in lower premiums can be wiped out in engine repair expenses. Do not ignore quick road assistance Imagine you are driving in the heavy rains and getting stuck on the highway or in a remote location with no help. You may have taken car insurance but without a quick road assistance add-on, there is no way you can reach to a safe location along with your car. With a quick road assistance add-on, you can get 24/7 assistance should you ever get stuck in such a situation. Any taxi charges, accommodation, or fuel assistance benefits are added advantages of a quick road assistance add-on.

Return to invoice add-on can be of great help If you have a new car, a return to invoice add-on cover should be in your must-have list. When you buy a car, you not only pay the ex-showroom price but also pay road tax, logistic charges, MCD parking fees, etc. pushing up your final expense.

If you are stuck in the rains leading to a total loss of your car, with standard insurance in place, you will get only the ex-showroom cost minus five per cent for depreciation as insurance benefit. With a return to invoice add-on, your claims will include the entire cost of ownership of your vehicle.

Consider a ‘no depreciation” cover: If your car gets damaged due to rains or any other eventuality, you may expect to get full claim for your repair expenses. The fact is that unless you have a no depreciation add-on cover, you will only get a certain percentage of your incurred costs after accounting for depreciation.

The deduction for some parts like rubber, plastic, and fiber may be as high as 50 per cent, so you will get only half of what you spent for repair. With rains likely to damage rubber parts and associated components, opting for a no depreciation cover is a good way to have a watertight insurance against rains. The writer is the CEO of BankBazaar.com Tips to avoid car damage during rains Here are some tips to avoid any severe damage to your vehicle which may lead to possible claim denials. Driving deliberately in waterlogged areas can lead to claim denial.

Drive with your AC turned off as AC vents can bring water into the car.

If water enters your car engine,attempting to crank the engine can lead to claim denial.

If your car is parked in a flooded area, get it towed instead of attempting to start the car.

Use the above tips to make your car insurance monsoon-ready with a comprehensive cover while enjoying those long drives in the rain.