Here’s how you can make your car monsoon-ready this season

If you are planning for your next vacation, don’t forget to get your car insured to avoid financial damage due to any unexpected circumstances this monsoon season.

The onset of monsoon brings along much-needed relief from the blazing summer. Rains tend to amplify the beauty of any locale and inspire everyone from a solo backpacker to a family traveler to plan a holiday between the months of June to September.

A downpour can make anyone think of going for a long drive or sip on a hot cup of coffee, but the thought of getting an insurance policy is rather unlikely. But the season which comes with so much hope also has its own set of challenges and with every passing year, the havoc created by rains has been having an alarming impact on our assets.

If you are planning to hit the backwaters or hill stations for your vacation, you can’t miss out on the safety precautions to be taken while visiting either the beaches or the hilly areas during the rainy season since such places are more prone to natural calamity.

For most car drivers, the rainy season is no less than a nightmare. The last thing a car owner might think of is their car breaking down in the middle of the road and other cars splashing your windshield with dirt. So, unless you have fully prepared your car for this season, there are chances your car might have to suffer the wrath of the monsoon season.

Here’s a checklist to prepare your car before taking it out in the monsoon rains for a trouble-free drive.

1. Check the tyres: Tyres are one of the most overlooked parts of the car yet are extremely important as they have a major impact on the way a car drives.
2. Battery and wiring: Poor visibility due to heavy rains, landslides or fog at some places, might lead to more use of your wipers and lights which in turn would cause more strain on your car battery. Keep a check on if it needs to be replaced beforehand, to avoid the occurrence of any crisis.
3. Car lights: Ensure all the lights including the parking lamps, headlamps, tail lamps, brake lights, fog lights, number plate lights and indicators are functioning properly before heading out for a drive.
4. Brakes: Water can damage the internal parts of a vehicle and have an adverse impact on the braking distance of a car. No matter the circumstances or weather, properly functioning brakes are a necessity. However, worn out brakes could further increase braking distances, and there is also a chance of a failure.
5. Wiper Blades: Driving during a rainfall, makes the windshield glass dirty thus affecting visibility. Also, driving through dense clouds or misty weather increases the chances of accidents. Make sure the wiper blades are working properly. You can also carry an extra microfiber cloth to clean the windshield.
   
6. Keep your car covered: Besides the internal damage, monsoon rains can create enormous damage to the exterior of your car, if not properly covered. It’s advisable to keep the car covered at all times to save the time of cleaning the windshield glass repeatedly.
7. Check for leaks and rusting: Considering the climate prevalent through most parts of India, check for any signs of moisture around the windows, sunroof, door sills and carpets. Cars are more prone to rusting during the rainy season, given the higher levels of moisture and variations in temperature.
8. Pre-monsoon service: An ideal approach to keep your car monsoon-ready is to get it professionally cleaned and polished, before the onset of monsoon.
9. Buy comprehensive car insurance policy: A motor insurance policy with suitable add-ons can come in handy for car owners during the monsoon season. Now that monsoons are on a phase-out, it is imperative for vehicle owners to understand the need to safeguard assets against risks of rain.

Third-party liability insurance, mandatory under Motor Vehicles Act 1988, does not provide protection against conditions arising out of heavy rainfall. To protect your car from problems like engine damage due to water clogging, tyre burst, car breakdown, or any other natural calamities, consider buying:

• Engine Protection Cover: The engine is one of the most expensive parts of your car, and engine maintenance may be pricey. Chances of engine damage in a water-clogged road are higher in cars with lower ground clearance. Your car can break down due to engine failure, making this add-on cover almost a necessity.
• 24 hours Roadside Assistance Cover: Just a phone call to the insurer can bail you with this add-on cover if your car is stuck in the middle of the road.
• EMI Protection Cover: If your vehicle is undergoing repairs in one of the insurer's network garages for over 21 days, you can get the EMI charges covered that you are ought to pay. This will only be possible if the EMI payment is due in the time frame beyond 21 days. Example - 21 days - 1 EMI, 42 days - 2 EMIs. This add-on is only applicable for up to 3 EMIs.
• NCB Retention Cover: After accumulating your No Claim Bonus (NCB) percentage over the years, if you make a claim, the percentage drops to nil and you have to start over. When you opt for this add on and make your first claim, your NCB percentage will remain unaffected.
• Zero Depreciation Cover: The value of your car reduces as it ages, which may have an impact on your claims. If your car is involved in an accident and you file a claim for it, you may not be able to recover the full cost of the replacement parts because the value of the parts being replaced has depreciated over time. Zero or Nil Depreciation add-on cover prevents the value from depreciating, so you can recover the maximum amount possible from the claim.

Different types of car insurance plans to choose from:

• Own Damage Car Insurance
• Third Party Car Insurance
• Comprehensive Car Insurance

Car insurance covers losses caused due to road accidents, parking mishaps, or anything that may cause damage to your car. Reliance General Car Insurance can protect you under such circumstances, with the benefits offered under the policy, which vary depending on whether you opt for Third Party, Own damage or Comprehensive plan. To know more about these plans, click here.