With the monsoon season approaching, your car is bound to face damage. Read on to know how you can brave the rains and ride your way through the city.
Monsoons are here, and it is beyond doubt that they come as a relief after the scorching summer heat. But if you drive a car, you would also know the hell heavy rains can let loose on daily travellers!
- The agony of driving through waterlogged roads.
- The struggle to ensure that your car is not parked in an area prone to flooding and waterlogging.
Waterlogged streets can cause serious damage to your car, including the engine and electrical parts that are vulnerable to water damage. Now, you cannot stop Mother Nature, can you?
But there are things you can do to prevent your car from getting damaged this Monsoon.
The best way—make sure your car is appropriately insured before you head out this monsoon.
Since there’s more to protecting your car than just insurance also, read on to know more.
Indian Monsoon: Downpour and Breakdown
Indian cities like Mumbai and Chennai have been dealing with the havoc of monsoons for almost a century! How can one forget the Mumbai floods of July 2005, or the 2015 Chennai floods or in June 2018, 20 Cars getting buried as the Wall of a South Mumbai Complex crashed for that matter?
Floods and downpours have caused significant vehicular damage over the years, costing millions of repair costs. Here are a few incidents in recent years where cars were heavily affected due to heavy downpours, floods or cyclones:
| Location & Year of Heavy Rainfall/Floods | Damage Details |
|---|---|
| Mangaluru (Jun 2018) | An estimated 400 cars were either fully or partially damaged when water entered their engines after sustained heavy rainfall. |
| Kochi (Aug 2018) | Nearly 300 vehicles (including cars and two-wheelers) were reported damaged, resulting in hundreds of insurance claims. |
| Greater Noida / Noida (2023) | Over 350 cars belonging to an Ola cab dumpyard were submerged when the Hindon River overflowed. |
| Kolkata (May 2024, Cyclone Remal) | More than 600 cars were damaged due to severe waterlogging and storm effects during the cyclone. |
| Vijayawada (Sept 2024) | Approximately 300 cars, including brand-new ones at a showroom and service centre, were submerged due to flash floods. |
| Chennai (Oct 2024) | Around 120 high-end cars were stranded on waterlogged roads; many required special recovery due to sensor and ECU damage. |
Disclaimer: The number of cars is just an estimate according to reports and not the exact number.
Be Monsoon-Ready by Insuring your Car
We have no control over natural calamities, and there is little we can do when the disaster strikes. Today it could be just heavy showers and floods that could submerge your car causing damage. Tomorrow, it could be trees uprooted by strong winds falling over your brand new car. In future, hailstones of tennis-ball size may fall from the sky, destroying your car and endangering your life.
Why do you want to take the risk of not having car insurance?
A small amount of preparation for the unforeseen event can help you deal with the crisis.
With a comprehensive car insurance cover, you can claim your insured declared value for irreparable (total) damage or a refund for repairs in case of partial damage. Addition of a few important and essential add-on covers like Zero or Nil Depreciation, Engine Protection, Roadside Assistance, Return to Invoice, No Claim Bonus Protection at a nominal additional premium can enhance the comprehensive car insurance even more.
Stuck in Monsoon Waters – What to Do?
You cannot avoid potholes and puddles during the monsoon. But, driving at a cautious speed in waterlogged areas makes sense if you want to avoid the engine from getting stalled. If at all your car is stuck in water and there is no hope, here are some must-know tricks!
- Avoid keeping the AC on as it may increase the splash of water while your car is stagnant in the water.
- If the car breaks down, avoid cranking it as it may damage the system after the water ingress. (If you still do that, chances of receiving claim will be turned down by your insurer as they wouldn’t be able to gauge whether the damage was caused by inundation or subsequent cranking)
- Avoid using the central locking for closing the car doors.
- If the water level has reached the passenger compartment, DO NOT turn the ignition ON.
- Call roadside assistance and get the car towed, as it requires a systematic approach
Which Add-ons Help During Monsoon?
Add-ons provide enhanced protection in your car insurance policy. Following add-ons are your safety net solution, especially during monsoon:
Roadside Assistance Add-on During Monsoon
If you get stuck during the rains, because your car gives out on you, you will be in great trouble. To make sure you reach home safe – opt for Roadside Assistance Cover. This add-on ensures that you are not left stranded if your car breaks down, especially in the rain. Make a quick call to your insurer and have your backup arrive as soon as possible.
Zero Depreciation Add-on During Monsoon
Having a Zero-depreciation add-on during heavy downpours is a great relief – as your car may require repairs during the season of rains. If you do not have this add-on, the cost of repairs and reimbursement will mismatch (Due to depreciation). Zero depreciation makes sure your car components that are insured are valued at the new price rather than the depreciated one.
Engine Protection Cover During Monsoon
Having car insurance during monsoon is important – but if you do not have engine protection cover, the car insurance might not be fruitful. One of the most vulnerable parts of the car during the rains is the engine of the car, and is generally not covered under car insurance unless you have an engine protection add-on. To ensure your car is completely safe, opt for engine protection cover.
Keep a Digital Copy of Insurance in Your E-Mailbox
In the midst of chaos, when your physical assets, including your car, are being damaged, you may misplace numerous things – one being your motor insurance papers. In fact, the papers may also get drenched like the rest of the things in your car.
How should you prepare for a scenario like this? Ensure you keep a digital copy of your car insurance policy in your emails. As simple as that!
And if you have insured your car with Coverfox.com, you can be assured of viewing and managing your policy online without any hassles through your Coverfox Account. So, in times of crisis, rather than worrying about protecting your insurance papers, you can focus on your most important priority in life – family!
How Coverfox Can Help You
It’s raining cats and dogs and your car breaks down… What to do? Well, if you have insured your car with Coverfox and have opted for the roadside assistance add-on available with your insurer, they will help you out in your time of need.
God forbid, but if at all your car gets damaged, Coverfox can assist you with making car insurance claims with your insurer.
- Drop in a mail to help@coverfox.com
- You can also call up on our toll free number 1800-209-9970 to get in touch with our service management team
- We would require your name, mobile number, policy number, and current year policy document.
If you have already registered the claim, then you will be asked for the claim number. After verifying your details, the claim settlement process begins right away.
Conclusion
Car insurance is your backup when the rain is not on your side. Natural calamities can befall any moment and dampen the sunshine in your life. Don’t let it play spoilsport with your financial health. This monsoon, fearlessly battle the stormy weather and heavy showers by taking all precautions, including – Having the right car insurance!
Explore More:
Step by Step Guide to Insurance Claims for Flood-Damaged Cars
Car Insurance Important During Monsoon Time?
5 Things you must have in your car this Monsoon
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is car insurance important during the monsoon?
Car insurance is essential for every car owner, especially during the monsoon where accidents, mishaps and repairs are frequent.
How can car insurance protect my car during the monsoon?
During monsoons, floods, waterlogging, and accidents frequently occur, and damages from such events can be covered by car insurance.
Which add-on protects your car during monsoon?
Return to invoice, zero-depreciation, roadside assistance and engine protection cover are the most beneficial add-ons during monsoon.
What are the risks of not buying car insurance?
Not having car insurance can land you in legal trouble, financial trouble and having to bear any expenses that will be generally covered by car insurance.
Why do you need to stop trying to rev the engine if you are completely stuck in the water?
If any damage is caused to the car stuck in a waterlogged area, it will be covered under car insurance, but if you try to fix the car in a situation where it cannot be fixed, you may face claim rejections as the insurer cannot determine the damage was caused by you or the weather.
