In recent events, the monsoon rains in India have brought much-needed relief from the heatwaves in the northern states but have also resulted in significant challenges, including floods in various regions, particularly Delhi. On June 28, Delhi experienced its highest single-day rainfall in 88 years, leading to flooding in low-lying areas, traffic disruptions, power outages, and waterlogging, causing damage to cars and their interiors.
Water ingress can lead to serious problems such as engine failure, damage to electrical and electronic systems, rust, odor, and malfunction of the gearbox. It can also damage a car’s interior, such as the seats and panels. These issues can have immediate and long-term consequences.
While comprehensive car insurance policies provide coverage for flood-related damages, subject to depreciation, it’s essential to choose the right policy. A comprehensive policy covers damages due to fire, flood, and theft. However, a standalone comprehensive car insurance policy may not protect against all flood-related damages.
Insurance companies can refuse to reimburse for flood damage if the damage was due to the driver’s intentional action. For example, if a car is parked in a basement and gets flooded, and the owner reports the damage to the insurance company immediately, there will be no problem. However, if the owner tries to start the car after it was flooded, the engine may suffer hydrostatic lock, and the insurance company may not cover the engine failure because it is a result of an intentional action.
When buying a car insurance cover, it’s advisable to consider additional add-on covers such as zero depreciation and engine protection cover. A zero depreciation add-on cover ensures that the insured gets the full cost of replacement of the parts without any depreciation. An engine protection cover can protect against damage to the engine due to water ingression. Other add-ons include roadside assistance, key and lock cover, and loss of personal belongings.
When stuck in a waterlogged area, it’s best not to start the engine as water can get blocked and damaged the engine. If one takes an add-on cover for engine failure, they can claim a significant amount of repair expenses. It’s crucial to keep in mind the rising instances of heavy downpours and flooding when buying a car insurance cover.
