Monsoon in India is beautiful—but it brings its own set of struggles with it for vehicle owners. And while we carry umbrellas & raincoats for ourselves, many forget that our cars need protection, too. That’s where car insurance comes in, providing the essential safety for our four-wheelers during the unpredictable monsoon.

However, one crucial thing often overlooked is whether your car insurance policy is prepared for the rain. This article will help you understand what your car insurance should cover, especially during the monsoon, to make sure that your vehicle remains safe & protected.

Why Car Insurance Claims Rise During Monsoons?

During monsoons, there’s a major surge in car insurance claims in India, which is primarily due to:

• Waterlogged roads that cause engine damages
• Fallen trees or electric poles damaging parked cars
• Short circuits due to moisture entering electrical systems
• Hidden potholes ruining suspension and causing dents & underbody scrapes
• Accidents due to brake failures and skids due to reduced traction & visibility

Note: A basic car insurance policy won’t always cover these monsoon-specific damages—unless you’ve got the right add-on covers.

What Your Car Insurance Should Cover During Monsoons?

Let’s break this down. A standard third-party car insurance policy only covers damages you cause to others. It won’t help if your own car is damaged by water, treefall, or electrical issues.

To truly protect your car during monsoon, you’ll require:

●       Comprehensive Coverage

A comprehensive car insurance policy covers damages to your own vehicle arising from natural calamities like floods, landslides, and lightning—essential for monsoon.

●       Engine Protect Add-On Cover

Most four wheeler insurance policies exclude engine damage caused by water ingression. However, the engine protection add-on in car insurance will make sure that your insurer pays for engine repair or part replacements if it sustains damages due to water ingress.

●       Zero Depreciation Cover

Usually, you get reduced payouts when you make a car insurance claim. It is because of ‘depreciation’ on your car & its components. With the zero depreciation add-on, also known as bumper to bumper cover, your insurer will pay the complete cost of replaced parts, like rain-damaged bumpers or door panels.

●       Roadside Assistance

In case your car breaks down in the middle of a waterlogged street, the roadside assistance add-on in your car policy will arrange for towing, battery jumpstart, mechanical support, or even fuel delivery.

●       Return to Invoice Cover

In an unfortunate case where your car gets declared as a total loss (due to being submerged in a flood), the Return to Invoice (RTI) cover will make sure that you’re paid the original invoice value of your car—without factoring in its depreciation.

Are These Car Insurance Add-Ons Worth It?

Yes. Car insurance add-ons are especially worth buying in monsoon-prone regions and cities with poor drainage. For just a nominal extra premium, you could save a lot during a claim.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Engine Protect may cost Rs. 1,000– 1,500 but saves you over Rs. 50,000 in repairs
• Roadside Assistance costs Rs. 300–500 per year
• Zero Depreciation can raise premium amounts by around 15–20% but gives the complete value back

Car insurance add-ons are optional until it pours, and then they’re priceless.

What You Should Never Do During Monsoon?

Besides having the right car insurance coverage, here is what not to do during monsoon to keep your car protected:

• Do not start your car if it’s stalled in water, it worsens the damage
• Never ignore small dents or leaks
• Don’t wait till the last day to renew car insurance
• Never assume ‘it’ll be covered in your car insurance’ without checking the policy document

Tips to Keep Your Car Insurance Monsoon-Ready

Here are some tips to follow to make sure that your car remains protected during monsoon:

1. Avoid flooded roads, even if your vehicle is an SUV.
2. Keep your car insurance documents handy, or saved in DigiLocker.
3. Review your policy coverage—check if you have engine protection and RSA.
4. Set a reminder for your car insurance renewal, especially before peak rains.

Car Insurance Online: Why Does it Make Complete Sense Now?

If your car insurance is close to expiry or you’ve never upgraded it beyond basic coverage, now’s the time. Thanks to digital platforms, car insurance online is now quick, paperless, and smarter. Here’s what to keep in mind when buying it online:

●       Compare Before You Buy

Online aggregators let you compare policies from top insurers based on premiums, coverage, and claim experience. No agent bias.

●       Customize Add-Ons

Monsoon riders like Engine Protect, Return to Invoice, and RSA can be added in seconds. These are often missing in agent-sold offline plans.

●       Instant Policy in Email/WhatsApp

Once you pay online, your e-policy arrives immediately. It’s legal, valid, and accepted by traffic cops—even in DigiLocker format.

How to Buy Car Insurance Online in 5 Easy Steps?

Follow this straightforward process to buy or renew car insurance online in just a few minutes:

Step 1: Visit a Trusted Platform: Use the insurer’s official website or a licensed aggregator.

Step 2: Enter Vehicle Details: Type in your registration number, location, and policy type (new/renewal).

Step 3: Compare Plans and Review by:

• Coverage type (Third-party vs Comprehensive)
• Add-ons (Zero depreciation, Engine Protect, etc.)
• Premiums and claim settlement ratios

Step 4: Choose and Pay: Select your plan and pay using UPI, card, or net banking.

Step 5: Download the Policy: You’ll receive a soft copy via email or WhatsApp instantly. It’s legally valid—no physical copy required.

Things to Keep in Mind When You Buy Car Insurance Online

When you buy car insurance online, make sure you look for these important details:

1.     Choose the Right IDV

IDV (Insured Declared Value) is the current market value of your car. It determines your claim amount in case of total loss. Lowering IDV to save premium may backfire during claims.

2.     Don’t Skip Add-Ons Blindly

Add-ons like Zero Depreciation, NCB Protect, and Roadside Assistance may slightly raise your premium but can save thousands during claims.

3.     Look for Claim Settlement Ratio

A cheap motor policy is no good if claims aren’t honoured. Check the insurer’s CSR (Claim Settlement Ratio) before buying.

4.     Check Insurer’s Reviews

Spend five minutes on Google or App stores to check user feedback on the car insurance company. Real stories speak volumes.

Final Word

Monsoons bring unpredictable roads. If you’ve invested lakhs into your car, a few minutes of planning today can save you thousands tomorrow.

So, before the next downpour, ask yourself:

Is my car insurance monsoon-ready?

If the answer is no, simply visit Policybazaar.com, compare car insurance online, choose add-ons—and drive confidently.