Natural calamities come unannounced and the aftermath of a major disaster usually has unpleasant ramifications. Your car being caught in a massive, unexpected flood is one such predicament. The only solace that you will have is the presence of a comprehensive car insurance cover with an engine protect add-on.
Puzzled about how a comprehensive car insurance policy will come to your rescue in these dire straits? Read on to find out!
What is the Difference Between a Third Party and Comprehensive Car Insurance?
| Third Party Insurance Policy | Comprehensive Insurance Policy |
|---|---|
|
|
The eventualities covered under the policy are only for third-party–
| The comprehensive policy offers coverage for eventualities such as –
|
| The premium, as determined by the IRDAI, is one of the lowest amongst the different kinds of car insurance policies available in the market. | The premium is higher than third-party car insurance. |
| There is no scope for customisation as it is a basic cover. | There is scope for customisations in the form of additional options such as Engine Protect, Road Assistance, NCB Protect, etc. |
| It is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. | It is not mandatory. |
What are the Steps to Claim Insurance for a Flood Damaged Car?
A detailed step-by-step guide about the car insurance claim process is as follows –
- Contact the insurer on the toll-free number to inform them about the details of the incident that has occurred and enquire about the Claim Intimation Number at the earliest. Make a note of the number that is provided by the insurance company.
- The insurance company will assist in moving the vehicle to a garage.
- Submit a claim form along with requested "proof of loss" documents in the correct format to the insurance company.
- A surveyor will be appointed to inspect the car and assess the damage caused.
- Payment will be made by the insurer directly to the workshop or the cashless garage in case you have opted in for a cashless claim settlement process, but the policyholder will have to make the payment and the amount will be reimbursed by the insurance provider in case it is a reimbursement claim.
- All bills, receipts, and documents (in original) have to be submitted to the car insurance company itself.
- The insurer will reimburse the amount spent to the insured, if the claim is accepted, within a stipulated period in case it is a reimbursement claim process. If not, the amount will be settled directly with the cashless garage.
Tips to Follow If Your Car is Submerged in Water
- Turn off the air conditioning as having it on might increase the splash of water while the car is stuck in stagnant water.
- Avoid central locking as this can prove to be dangerous for oneself and passengers inside.
- Do not turn the ignition if the water level is around the passenger seat.
- Do not crank up the car in case it breaks down as it might result in water ingress. Also, this might lead to the rejection of claims in case any damage is caused due to water ingress by your negligence.
- Do check around the wheels and tyres before attempting to move the vehicle. Ensure that you carefully look for debris lodged around the wheels, brakes, and underbody. Set the parking brake before checking the wheels.
- Call roadside assistance to get the car towed in a systematic manner.
- In circumstances where you see droplets of water in the dipstick or the air filter has water in it or when the level of the oil is high, do not try to start the engine. It is best to call in a mechanic that can clear out the water and change the fluids.
- The clutch, the brake, the car’s power steering, and the coolant reservoirs must be checked for any kind of contamination due to the presence of water.
Conclusion
The hazards that your car has to face at the time of floods is multi-fold – there is fear of engine damage, dents due to accompanying hail storms, and trees falling on the car. It is valuable to invest in a comprehensive car insurance cover that will help you tide over difficult times.
