Car Damaged in Bengaluru Floods? How Insurance Can Help You Cover Damages

Bengaluru experienced devastating floods in September this year. An unusually heavy monsoon season coupled with poor urban planning left several areas of Bengaluru inundated. Social media was flooded with visuals of flooded basements of apartment buildings, cars floating around in the streets, and water entering homes. 

With things slowly returning to normal, residents of Bengaluru are finally coming to terms with all the financial losses they have suffered. If your car has been damaged in the Bengaluru floods,the one question on your mind would be if insurance will cover the cost of getting your flood-damaged vehicle fixed. Well, this will primarily depend on the type of insurance you own, and to help you understand this better, we will walk you through the types of auto insurance policies and what they cover.

Does Every Insurance Policy Cover Damage from Flooding? 

Not every motor insurance policy covers flooding damage. The law states that every vehicle in the country needs to have at least third-party insurance. These insurance policies, however, only protect you from financial liabilities that may arise from any damage to a third party. This can cause damage to the third party's vehicle or property or lead to bodily injuries. To cover yourself in the unfortunate event of a natural disaster, you must opt for Comprehensive Insurance. 

Comprehensive Insurance - Your Safety Net Against Flooding Damage

Comprehensive insurance is a step up from a third-party insurance policy. As mentioned earlier, third-party insurance coverage only covers damages to a third party. On the other hand, comprehensive insurance policies can also cover the cost of damages to your vehicle. The benefits of a comprehensive policy don't just stop here. These policies also have you covered in case your vehicle is stolen and in case of natural disasters such as fire, earthquakes, and flooding.

In case you do not have comprehensive insurance at the moment, don't fret. ACKO has brilliant, comprehensive plans that ensure you are never left unprotected in the future. While a comprehensive insurance plan does cover the high cost of fixing your vehicle after being damaged by a flood, there are a few things that a comprehensive insurance plan doesn't cover. These gaps in coverage can be fixed by opting for certain add-ons. 

Protect Yourself Further with Add-Ons to Your Comprehensive Insurance Policy

Flooding damage can be extensive and expensive to fix. Vehicles that have been submerged during floods can sustain major damage to the engine, the gearbox, and its electricals and can ruin the interiors of a vehicle. Opting in for specific add-ons can ensure that every aspect of the repair and replacement of vehicle parts is covered. Some will ensure you do not lose money even if your vehicle is written off. 

Here are a few add-ons that ACKO provides that can help you save a lot of money in the event your vehicle sustains damage due to flooding: 

Zero Depreciation Cover

A Zero-Depreciation cover is also referred to as a bumper-to-bumper cover or a nil depreciation cover. If you choose this add-on and file a claim, you will be compensated for the total damage or loss, with no deductions for depreciation. Simply put, the depreciation value of the damaged components will not be deducted from your claim amount. This can be very beneficial in case of flooding-related claims. 

Engine Protection Cover

Engines are the heart of any vehicle and can be quite expensive to repair or replace. Car engines are generally not covered by basic comprehensive plans. Choosing Engine Protection Cover, however, will ensure you get complete coverage for repairing or replacing your flood-damaged vehicle. It's important to note that this is subject to certain conditions as per the policy. 

Return to Invoice Cover

The Return to Invoice Cover can be extremely beneficial in case of flooding damages. Even if your vehicle is written off, you are eligible to claim the entire amount as per the vehicle's invoice value. 

Consumables Cover

In the event of flooding damage, every mechanical component of the vehicle must be drained out, dried, inspected, fixed and then topped up with fresh lubricants, which, when put together, can cost a pretty penny.  The Consumables Cover gives you the benefit of covering costs of consumables such as engine oil, gearbox oil, brake fluids, and other lubricants which are generally not covered under insurance.

Roadside Assistance Cover

The Roadside Assistance Cover is a 24x7 towing service that can help you out in case of emergency breakdowns. This can greatly benefit you if you have to get your flood-damaged vehicle back in the garage. It is important to note that all these add-on covers do increase your insurance premiums. However, if you consider their benefits, they are definitely worth their weight in gold. 

How Can You Register a Claim for Your Flood-Damaged Car?

You can register a claim for a car damaged in the Bengaluru floods by following the steps given below:

• The first step to initiating a claim is to contact ACKO as soon as you notice the damage. You can contact us via email or phone or by visiting our website. This will help us understand the situation better, and we can walk you through the claim process.

• Click plenty of photographs and take a few videos as evidence.

• Keep all the necessary documentation required for the claim handy. These include:

  • The Registration Certificate of the Vehicle

  • The Policy Document

  • Your Driving License

  • All the evidence was gathered in the form of photographs and videos.

• The final step is to log in to your ACKO account through the app or our website and raise a claim. You will just have to answer a few queries and submit the necessary documents. 

Once we have everything we need, our support team will get back to you to walk you through the rest of the process. 

A Few Points to Note to Prevent Damaging Your Flood-Affected Vehicle Further

Here are a few points to keep in mind that can help you save whatever is possible during a flood:

• Do not try to start your vehicle even if the water levels have come down. 

• If it is evident that your vehicle has a good chance of getting flooded, disconnect the battery immediately. Doing so can prevent your electricals from short-circuiting. 

• Ensure all the windows are up and all doors are shut securely. Any water ingress into the cabin can severely damage the seats. 

• If you have a choice, park your vehicle at the highest point possible. 

We have no control over nature's fury, but what little you can do might save you from further damage to your vehicles. 

Summing it Up

A car is a huge investment for most of us, and watching it get destroyed can be heartbreaking. It also causes a huge financial toll on those dependent on their cars to make a living. If your car was damaged in the Bengaluru floods,use this article as your guide when you file a claim.  If you don't have a comprehensive insurance policy from ACKO yet, now would be the time to upgrade to it. Natural disasters don't come with a warning, so it's best to be proactive and prepared for the worst. 

Frequently asked questions

In this section, we will answer questions on the car damaged in Bengaluru floods.

Does third-party insurance cover flooding damage?

Third-party insurance policies do not cover flooding damages. You will need at least a basic comprehensive insurance plan to protect yourself from floods.

What are the other benefits of a comprehensive insurance plan?

Apart from flooding, a comprehensive insurance plan also protects you from man-made disasters like fire damage and vehicle theft.

It also covers damages to your vehicle in the unfortunate event of an accident.

Can I switch to a comprehensive insurance plan at any time? 

Yes, with ACKO, you can upgrade your existing third-party insurance policy anytime.

How long does it take for a claim to be settled? 

Time taken to settle claims vary based on the extent of the damage. ACKO offers instant claim settlement for minor claims, and in certain cities, we try to close all claims within three working days.

Will my claim be settled if my car was damaged while driving it during the floods?

Driving a vehicle during a flood is classified as contributory negligence. Such claims will not be covered.

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