Car Stuck In The Road Due To Water Logging? Here Is How Your Car Insurance Can Help

It is that time of the year when the monsoons do not just bring us relief from the heat, but can also leave the roads waterlogged. 

Waterlogging can cause severe damage to your car, especially to the engine and gearbox. Attempting to restart a car submerged in water can cause more damage and worsen the problem. A vehicle may encounter various issues if it is inundated in flood water. 

“People often assume their car is not prone to such issues as they do not live in flood-prone areas. However, urban flooding in India has become a common occurrence and one saw recent visuals of cars in cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Pune, Mumbai and other cities completely submerged after heavy rainfall,” says Vivek Chaturvedi- CMO, Go Digit General Insurance. 

Water inundation can cause damage to the engine of the vehicle. It can also cause corrosion and damage various vehicle parts. It can also cause complete damage to various electrical parts, including display screen, stereo, interior lights, etc. 
 

Taking a comprehensive car insurance policy with appropriate add-ons can help you protect against various flood-related perils. Not only this, if your car gets swept away or goes missing, a comprehensive car insurance policy can come to your rescue too. “Heavy rainfall also causes natural calamities like floods and landslides. A motor Own Damage cover provides your vehicle protection against various natural calamities such as cyclones, floods, earthquakes, storms, etc,” says Chaturvedi.
 

“It is important to have a comprehensive policy with appropriate add-on covers like engine protect /Battery protect (for EV or Hybrid) cars. Claims will be paid for flood losses if the above covers are taken. Equally critical is the immediate reporting of claims,” says SubhasishMazumder, Head- Motor Distribution, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. 
 

This ensures timely assistance and quick resolution of the issue. It is also crucial that customers should not drive through waterlogged areas. “When a car is submerged under water or gets stuck in an inundated place, it is advisable not to try to start the engine, as that aggravates the loss. Instead, customers should immediately call the insurance company or a dealer. This immediate action ensures the vehicle can be towed to the nearest garage,” says Mazumder. 
 

“Additionally, the insurance company may require an inspection and survey of the vehicle to assess the extent of the damage,” says Rakesh Goyal, Director, Probus Insurance, an insurance broker. 

Furthermore, it's important to avoid unauthorised repairs before the insurance company assesses the damage. Providing accurate information when filing a claim is essential. “It's also important to understand your policy's exclusions; for example, some policies exclude damages from natural disasters unless additional coverage is purchased. By adhering to these conditions, you can ensure your insurance covers the damage effectively, making you feel informed and responsible,” adds Mazumder. 

Important Add-ons To Consider 

As mentioned earlier, some add-ons can protect your car more comprehensively if it is stuck in a waterlogged road.  

“An Engine Protect Cover specifically covers damages to the engine caused by water ingress, which is common during waterlogging. A Zero Depreciation Cover ensures that you get the full claim amount without any deduction for depreciation on the parts replaced. A Roadside Assistance Cover provides services like towing, repair on the spot, and assistance in case your car is stuck due to waterlogging,” says Goyal. 

Finally, a Return to Invoice Cover ensures you receive the invoice value of the car instead of the depreciated value in the event of total loss or theft.