India, with its diverse climatic conditions, often faces the challenge of heavy rainfall and floods, like recently in Chennai and the adjoining areas due to the Cyclone Michaung. Additionally, understanding the fate of flood damaged cars in India can provide valuable insights into the aftermath. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do with your cars during floods and the fate of flood damaged cars in India.
Preventive Measures During Floods
- Early Evacuation: When flood warnings are issued, prioritise moving your vehicle to higher ground or a secure location.
- Seal the Car: Ensure all windows and doors are tightly sealed to prevent water from entering the vehicle. Use waterproof covers if available.
- Disconnect the Battery: Disconnect the car battery to prevent electrical damage.
- Use Sandbags: Placing sandbags around your car can help divert or absorb water, providing an additional layer of protection.
Post Flood Inspection
- Wait for Clearance: Avoid attempting to start the car immediately after the flood. Wait until the water has receded and the area is safe.
- Check Fluid Levels: Inspect oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant for contamination. If any fluids appear muddy or discoloured, seek professional assistance.
- Inspect the Interior: Check the interior for water damage, including the carpet, seats, and electrical components. Mould and mildew can develop if the interior is not thoroughly dried.
- Engage Professionals: If in doubt, consult a qualified mechanic or the car manufacturer for a thorough inspection.
Insurance Claims for Flood Damaged Cars
- Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive insurance typically covers flood damage.
- Insurance Inspection: An insurance representative will inspect the vehicle and assess the damage. Based on their findings, they will determine the compensation for repairs or declare the car a total loss.
- Salvage Title: If the car is declared a total loss, it may receive a salvage title.
Fate of Flood Damaged Cars in India
- Auction and Salvage Yards: Flood damaged cars that are deemed irreparable are often sold at salvage auctions or to salvage yards. These vehicles may be stripped for parts or rebuilt for resale.
- Scrap and Recycling: Some flood damaged cars end up being scrapped for metal and other materials.
- Illegal Resale: Unfortunately, a portion of flood damaged cars may enter the market through illegal channels.
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are bracing for massive impact, as Cyclone Michaunghas started to make landfall in AP. Approximately 9,450 people have been evacuated from the affected coastal areas as the cyclone wreaks havoc upon daily lives. Earlier in Chennai, we saw several cars turn into boats and floating while getting flood damaged due to the heavy flow of water.
Here are some quick last minute steps you can take to protect your vehicles if you live in areas projected to be affected by the cyclone.
Strategic Parking for Heightened Protection
Parking your car on higher ground is a fundamental step in flood preparedness.
Invest in a Quality Car Cover or Tarp
Shielding your vehicle with a car cover or tarp provides an additional layer of defense against floodwaters. Choose a durable and waterproof option to prevent water from seeping into vulnerable areas.
Cabin and Fabric Protection
Floodwaters can be particularly harsh on the interior of your car. Elevate the seats, if possible, and consider using water-resistant seat covers to minimise potential damage.
Avoid Starting the Car When Submerged
Attempting to start your car while it is submerged can lead to severe damage to the engine and other critical components. Exercise caution and wait until the floodwaters recede before attempting to start the engine.
Choose the Right Insurance Coverage
A comprehensive insurance policy is your financial safety net during unexpected events like floods. Ensure your insurance coverage includes protection against flood damage. Review and update your policy to guarantee adequate coverage for potential repairs or replacement.
Optimal Driving Techniques in Flooded Areas
When navigating through flooded areas, it's essential to adopt optimal driving techniques. Stick to first gear and keep the engine revving to prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe. As climate patterns continue to evolve, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including floods, are on the rise. For vehicle owners, protecting their valuable asset during floods is a top priority. One fundamental yet often overlooked strategy is choosing the right parking spot.
Recognizing the risks is the first step in adopting proactive measures
1. The Significance of Elevated Parking
Parking your vehicle on higher ground serves as a crucial preventive measure during floods.
2. Elevating Cars with Low Ground Clearance
For vehicles with low ground clearance, additional steps can be taken to elevate them further above potential floodwaters. Placing bricks strategically under the tires can provide the necessary lift, offering an extra layer of protection against submergence.
3. Assessing the Surroundings
When seeking higher ground for parking, it's essential to assess the surroundings carefully. Look for elevated surfaces away from drainage areas, ensuring that your chosen spot is less susceptible to pooling water.
4. Utilising Covered Parking
While seeking higher ground is crucial, utilising covered parking spaces adds an extra layer of protection. Covered parking shields your vehicle from direct exposure to rain and potential debris, reducing the risk of damage during heavy rainfall that often precedes or accompanies floods.
5. The Role of Informed Decision-Making
Informed decision-making plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your vehicle during floods.
6. Community Awareness and Coordination
Encouraging community awareness and coordination can amplify the effectiveness of strategic parking during floods. Collaborate with neighbors and local authorities to identify designated elevated parking areas.
Monsoon has covered nearly all parts of India, and the internet is flooded with images of swelling rivers, waterlogged roads, landslides, and broken bridges. All these incidents can be highly detrimental to your car, and bring hefty repair costs, which might not get covered in a standard comprehensive car insurance. In such cases, a car insurance add-on can be of great help for car owners. For those who see insurance add-ons as extravagant spending, they must understand that a comprehensive car insurance policy may only cover some of the damages and leave people with a hefty repair bill. Therefore, it is crucial to opt for car insurance add-on covers. “In mountainous regions, landslides cause heavy damage to vehicles. Sometimes, this damage could also be total loss damage (i.e., the car cannot be repaired). Furthermore, damage such as a tree falling on the vehicle due to heavy rains is another common occurrence for which policyholders must opt for motor insurance add-ons.
It is not necessary to buy all the add-ons and car owners can opt for those which suit their needs and are required the most as per their location of residence. It is not necessary to buy all the add-ons and car owners can opt for those which suit their needs and are required the most as per their location of residence.
Types of car insurance add-ons required during monsoon
1.Engine Protection Cover: The car’s most crucial part is its engine, which means it requires extra protection against damages, especially during monsoon. “People who live in areas prone to floods or water-logging must opt for this add-on. Engine protection add-on safeguards the policyholder from financial hardships due to damages like liquid/water ingression, an engine malfunction, hydrostatic lock or leakage of engine oil, etc.
2. 24x7 Roadside Assistance Cover: At times, people face vehicle breakdowns in the middle of highways amid heavy rainfall. In such cases, 24x7 roadside assistance cover can be a rescue for insurers. This insurance helps vehicle owners get professional help on time so that the problem is fixed at an affordable cost.
3. Zero Depreciation Cover: This add-on protects the policyholder from nearly all kinds of vehicle damage. It protects all the vehicle components. Whereas, there is 50 per cent coverage for tyres, tubes, and batteries.
4. Daily Allowance Cover: There is another rider option that compensates the policyholder for the cost of hiring an alternative vehicle for a few days up to a fixed daily limit when the car is not in a condition to run at all and has gone.
5. Emergency Hotel Accommodation Cover: A suitable insurance option for those who are planning a car road trip this monsoon. Under this cover, policyholders will get an allowance towards hotel room rent, in case of emergency lodging required due to an accident involving the car.
6. Consumables Cover: Under this add-on, policyholders can claim the repair of their nuts, bolts, gears, etc. At times, nuts, bolts, gears, etc, get rusted if the vehicle is driven on pothole-filled roads. “While it might not cost much to replace/repair an individual item, the combined cost can be a few thousand. A consumable cover can protect you against such expenses, in case of accidental damage," says Rakesh Jain, CEO, Reliance General Insurance.
7. Tyre Protect Cover: Tyres face a lot of wear and tear during monsoon season. Having such an add-on helps in financial assistance on full labour charges and tire replacement costs.
8. EMI Protection Cover: “If you have an EMI on your car, and if the vehicle is in a garage for more than 21 consecutive days for reparation of damage due to rain, and you cannot use the car, then this add-on will cover the car's EMIs and pays them to the financer," explains Jain.
Factors to consider while buying car insurance add-ons
Rakesh Jain explains that car owners must evaluate the needs and risks of their car based on factors like age and condition of their car. before taking an add-on. Owners should also consider the frequency and distance of driving and the climatic condition of their area. They must also compare different options before adding on a cover. They must compare options available with various insurers, such as features, benefits, exclusions, limitations, and costs. At last, he advises car owners to read all the terms and conditions carefully to avoid any confusion later. They must go through important points like terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, exclusions, and limitations, claim process, and documentation requirements of the covers.