Does Your Car Insurance Policy Cover Flood Damages?

Water lodging can cause severe damage to vehicles, adding additional expenses and affecting the finances. Considering this, people seek car policies online that provide coverage for flood-affected cars.

However, the flood-affected car repair depends on the type of 4-wheeler insurance you have. While third-party insurance is mandatory, it doesn't provide any damage protection to vehicles caused by floods.

But, comprehensive car insurance covers natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes, etc., and man-made disasters such as theft, fire, etc.

The severity of damages caused by downpouring only be understood when you take your vehicle to the garage. After analysing when they hand you the list of repairs that need to be made, the burden it will put on your pockets can be overwhelming. Remember, the decreased value of your vehicle is another reason to take a comprehensive car insurance policy.

Let's see the types of flood damage caused to vehicles.

Gearbox damage: If water has entered into the gearbox of the vehicle, it will cause damage to the interior parts. It can either result in malfunctioning or complete damage.

Upholstery damage: Stagnated water inside the vehicle can cause dampness and severe damage to the car’s seat, carpet, etc.

Engine damage: If the water somehow manages to reach the engine, it can partially or entirely damage it. Many times, cars that enter waterlogged areas have their engines seized. And all car owners understand how expensive repairing the engine can get. Often car 4-wheeler insurance does not cover consequential losses.

Electrical damage: Water ingression can cause short circuits in electrical components causing damage to the warning lights of the vehicle.

Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, etc., are unpredictable events that can happen anytime. So, having a suitable 4-wheeler insurance plan is essential if you reside in a flood-prone area. Many insurance providers compensate for flood damage loss in their comprehensive car insurance policies.

Further, based on their preferences, individuals can extend the coverage by including add-ons like engine protection cover, zero depreciation cover, etc, in their plan. Here are some add-ons that one may choose to include to enhance their policy coverage:

Roadside assistance cover: One of the significant problems car owners face during floods is cars being stranded in flooded areas. Not limited to flooding, roadside assistance can get emergency help in case of flat tyres, empty tanks in the middle of nowhere, and towing services.

Engine protection cover: This add-on cover essentially helps you to repair your engine in case of damage. However, whether it will cover damages caused by flooding will depend on the insurance provider, and one should read the features of this add-on to know more.

Zero depreciation cover: Most of the time, floods cause damage to the car, depreciating its value. With this add-on, at the time of settlement, the actual value of the car repair would be paid without considering the depreciation.

Consumables cover: This add-on pays for replacing consumables such as grease, nuts and bolts, lubricants, tyes, brake pads, and more.

If you have a comprehensive car policy online, you must follow specific steps to claim car insurance for flood damage in India.

• The first thing to do is inform the insurance provider about the damage by contacting their website or calling their support numbers. Tata AIG customers can reach out to us at 1800-266-7780 — our 24/7 toll-free number.

• Further, the insurance company will ask for proof of damages. Having clicked photos and videos of damaged vehicles can help in such a scenario.

• Besides this, collect all the necessary documents such as VIN, policy information, RC, driving licence and more.

• Submit all the necessary documents and information to your insurance company’s portal at the time of raising the claim.

After filing the claim, the insurance company will contact you with a procedure to get timely compensation.

Tata AIG customers can breathe a sigh of relief as our claim settlement process is very simple and hassle-free. We have a team of 650+ claim experts who will assist you in your claim process.

Some safety tips can protect your vehicle during floods.

• If the vehicle is stuck in the water-submerged area, then don't start it in any case. Disconnect the battery as soon as possible and ask for help to get your vehicle towed to the garage.

• If you are driving a car with a low water level, it is best to drive in a lower gear. Also, keep the same speed all along, don't try to speed up.

Another essential thing to do if you reside in an area submerged in water is to check your brakes before taking out your vehicle.

Besides this, having rust-proof coating in advance can protect vehicles from rust caused by water.

The climatic condition can be very unpredictable due to pollution, cutting of trees, etc. Further, unplanned development and inefficient drainage systems also lead to flood-like conditions in many cities. The best action is to take a comprehensive car insurance plan to protect your vehicle from monsoon miseries.

Get onboard with Tata AIG’s comprehensive car insurance policy and experience optimum coverage against natural disasters like floods. Our fully-fledged four-wheeler insurance caters to every individual need.

How do flood-damaged cars do later?

It depends on the car's condition; if the water has entered its interior, it can cause operational issues. Furthermore, due to contact with water, corrosion and rust can affect the car's appearance.

How much does car insurance cover?

Based on the four-wheeler insurance plan, if you own comprehensive car insurance, all the damages incurred due to flood can be covered in the plan. However, we strongly recommend reading the policy document for a better understanding of the coverage.

Does car insurance cover water damage to the engine?

If you have the engine protection cover as an add-on to your comprehensive car insurance policy, it may get covered.