The world has seen unprecedented calamity befall it in the shape of COVID-19. COVID-19 continues to ravage the world and has bought the entire world to a standstill.
Entire India has been under lockdown since mid-March, with no everyday commutation to work and private vehicles being strictly controlled. Due to this, your cars would be idling in your garage.
However, it can have serious repercussions if you don’t follow the right practises when not driving your car. Some of the issues your car could be subjected to during the lockdown are:
Theft of Vehicle – If you haven’t parked your vehicle in a safe location, such as your home or a designated parking area, then there is a higher probability of your car being stolen. Unmanned vehicles parked in roadside areas are more at risk.
Natural Calamities – If there is one thing that coronavirus cannot stop, it is the unrelenting fury of Mother Nature. India has seen the likes of cyclones, heavy rains and floods happening across the country during this lockdown. There is no guarantee that it will not reoccur in the coming months. Falling trees, hails, cyclones, and floods can seriously damage parts of your car.
Earthquakes – We have seen the news from different parts of the world wherein countries were rocked by high-magnitude earthquakes. This could happen in India as well. Earthquakes can create serious damage to lives and properties.
Accidents – On rare occasions, you go out for emergencies and run errands, but you could still land in an accident. Another vehicle could also hit your car.
Riots and attacks– It would be unfortunate if your car gets damaged in the crossfire of a protest or riot. Often, we have seen protests turn violent, with people setting fire to nearby vehicles. Such scenarios can completely destroy your vehicle.
One-stop solution to these problems – One of the easiest ways to mitigate the problems above is to buy car insurance online.
You might already have a car insurance policy, or your insurance policy is nearing the expiry date. If you don’t have an insurance policy, it is highly important to get one now or do a car insurance renewal.
Here is why it is important to have a valid car insurance policy during this lockdown, even if you are not driving your car as much:
- A valid car insurance policy will reimburse you the IDV amount when your vehicle gets stolen. Insured Declared Value (IDV) is the amount for which you have insured your car. In the event of theft, your insurer will reimburse the IDV. If your policy has expired, you will not be able to claim the amount.
- A valid comprehensive car insurance policy will protect you against natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, etc. You can claim the policy if your car gets damaged due to natural calamities. Your insurer will reimburse you for the IDV amount.
- If you ever get into an accident and your car is damaged, you will not have to worry about the expense of repairing it since the insurance policy will cover it. You can file a claim with your insurance company immediately after an accident. Once your vehicle is assessed for damage, the insurer will either reimburse the claim amount or pay on your behalf at the cashless garage facility. Also, if you have a zero-dep car insurance policy, the depreciation on the damaged parts will not be considered, and you will save more money.
- Comprehensive car insurance policies also cover damage caused by riots and attacks. Such man-made disasters are also covered under a Comprehensive Insurance policy.
How can you renew your policy while maintaining social distancing?
You can easily renew your car insurance or buy a new one online. It would only take a matter of minutes, and you can do it within the comforts of your home. You can either use a mobile phone or a laptop to do this.
Log in to your insurer’s website and provide them with your policy details. You will then be redirected to a renewal page, where you will be given the option to choose your insurance policy.
After this, you can complete the payment online. The renewed document details will be sent to your e-mail address. Thus, there will be zero contact with anyone from outside. Protect your car and protect yourself during this pandemic by renewing your insurance policy online.
Why is it important to renew your policy on time?
It is important to renew your policy on time for the following reasons:
No Claim Bonus will lapse – NCB is the bonus in the premium you pay for all the years you haven’t filed a claim. The longer you go without claiming, the higher the NCB is. But if you don’t renew your policy within the stipulated time, your NCB benefit will be lost. You will have to start from zero bonus again.
Safeguard against unexpected disasters- Without a valid insurance policy, you will not be able to claim your insurance amount in case your car is damaged in an accident, natural calamities, or if it gets stolen.
Save money in the long run – If you decide against renewing your policy now and getting a policy once the lockdown is over, you will have to pay a higher premium. A break in your policy tenure might prompt insurers to bump the premium.
Submit vehicle for inspection – If there is a break in the policy, you must submit your vehicle for inspection before you can renew or buy a new policy. This will be all the more of a hassle during this pandemic. You will have to take your vehicle out to submit it for inspection, and with fewer staff members, the process could take longer than usual.
Discounts and offers – Insurance companies have come up with attractive offers and discounts on premiums to lure in more customers during this pandemic period. This would be a great time to seize and use those offers to your advantage.
Note: This article has been written by Ms. T. N. Arya.
