Car Insurance Important During Monsoon Time?

Monsoon is one of the best seasons in India. Rains bring joy and relief from the prolonged summer heat. But this joy and relief is good only for you, not for your car. Due to the poor road conditions, non-maintained highways, and severe potholes, tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 cities across the country are subject to flooding every year. Buying a comprehensive car insurance policy before the monsoon is a necessity in India.

Unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather conditions make it even more difficult and expensive to maintain motor vehicles, especially four-wheelers. In a city like Mumbai, which is flooded every year, you need to service your car thoroughly right before and after the monsoons. Servicing before the rains will keep your car well-prepared for the monsoon season while servicing after the rains will determine the extent of damages that your car has suffered during the monsoon season if any.

To help you understand better, let us look at the nature of damages that can occur to your vehicle during the monsoon and how you can avoid them.

The first one is waterlogging and flooding. This phenomenon has been occurring every season for the last 25 years! The poor civic amenities make it even more difficult for car owners to drive peacefully and safely. Potholes, by default, cause a lot of damage. In times of a flood, you have to be extra cautious as the pothole is not easily visible. It is essential that you get your engine, exhaust pipe, motor oil, and fuel filter checked properly at your registered service centre. Such components are more likely to get damaged by water going inside your four-wheeler.
Due to uneven and poorly maintained roads, driving a car becomes stressful for some car owners. Check the condition of your tyres before the rainy season begins. Also, make sure your extra tyre is in good condition. Slippery roads can only be conquered by adequate tyres. Make sure that your tyres have sufficient air, and the treads are deep enough to maneuver on narrow flooded roads.

Check all the essential components of your four-wheeler, such as headlights, taillights, parking lights, emergency lights, and indicators. Last but not least, get a thorough check-up of your car brakes. This will assist you in parking, power-steering, and efficient handling. Check if your windshield and wipers are functioning properly.

Tips to Drive Safely During the Monsoon

Here are a few tips and tricks that you must follow during the rainy season if you plan on taking your car for a ride.

Do not venture into a waterlogged road at any cost. You may never know the actual depth, and a sudden pothole will make your car go down even lower. Due to this, water will enter the engine through the exhaust pipe, and your car will malfunction in the middle of the waterlogged roadway. Look for an alternate route, if possible.

Keep a hand cloth to clean the inside of the windscreen. During times of sudden and heavy rainfall, the moisture starts to clog the inside of the windshield. You can utilize the cloth for clearing the moisture from the windshield.

While driving on a waterlogged road, always run your car in the first gear, and accelerate slowly. This will prevent blocks in the silencer and will clean the same.

Keep your fog lights on and maintain 1 meter or more distance between your and another vehicle at all times. This will prevent you from bumping into another car in case either one of you pulls the emergency brake.

Ensure that your wipers are functioning properly, and there is adequate fuel in your car.

Check your tyres regularly, as well as the emergency/spare tyre.

Do not try to start your car if it is stuck in a waterlogged area. It will only make the condition of the engine worse.

Essential Car Insurance Cover for Monsoon

You can enhance your existing car insurance policy's overall protection with the help of the following rider options.

Engine Protection Rider Option - Your comprehensive car insurance plan might cover many things, but it does not cover your engine. This is why you need to buy an engine protection rider at the cost of an additional premium. An engine protection rider will payout monetary compensation in case anything were to happen to the engine of your motor vehicle due to waterlogging or other calamities. You should definitely go for this rider as your car's engine is a critical and expensive component.

Roadside Assistance Rider Option - There are many instances in which your car might completely breakdown in the middle of the road. This is where a roadside assistance rider option will come in handy. As per this rider, if your car breaks down in the middle of the road, your insurer will provide you assistance with respect to towing and servicing your vehicle to the nearest garage. This is ideal for the monsoon seasons, where the possibility of flooding is greater.

Hydrostatic Lock Rider Option - Hydrostatic lock is a condition that occurs when water goes inside your car engine, and the car goes into a state of the stationery lock. The water damages not only the engine but also other crucial components such as carburetor, exhaust pipe, electrical parts, batteries, and much more. A hydrostatic lock rider cover will provide protection against damages arising due to hydrostatic lock.

Consumables Rider Option - Consumables include small components of your vehicle such as nuts, bolts, screws, engine oils, lubricants, ball bearings, and much more. Although these components are small, they are crucial as they hold the car's entire body together. Plus, consumables are not covered under a regular car insurance policy. Under this rider option, the cost of replacing the consumables mentioned above will be reimbursed to you, upto a certain amount.

Zero Depreciation Rider Option - Monsoon occurs every year. Your car will be subject to depreciation regularly. In case any of your car parts have undergone depreciation due to the rains, the price of this is deducted from the car insurance policy cover amount based on the age of the four-wheeler. This is why you need to purchase a zero depreciation cover or bumper to bumper cover. Under this rider option, you will be entitled to a full compensation amount for any car part that has been exposed to depreciation, normal wear and tear.

No Claim Bonus Protection Rider Option - Even the best of cars require maintenance during the monsoon season. This is why you need an NCB protection rider. When you make a claim, you will no longer be entitled to a no claim bonus. But with NCB protection cover, you can make up to two claims in a year without losing your NCB.

In Simple Words,

Monsoon is one of the most challenging seasons for a vehicle owner. Protecting your car against the perils of a flooded road is imperative and necessary. That is why we at Coverfox specialize in providing insurance plans online. Get complete detail on our website for free.