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List of Car Insurance Add-On Covers, their Meaning and Benefits
We know the importance of a healthy balanced diet! It not only helps us be healthy and fit but also keeps us physically sound so our energy levels last longer!
Well, what if you could find the perfect healthy diet for your car too? With the right Add-ons, you can craft just that right mix for your car that keeps it running for the longest time!
While most of us are more than happy with our ‘premium insurance package’ - Comprehensive Car Insurance for our beloved car, many of us are unaware of special surprises that can be ‘Added on’ to your basic ‘premium insurance package’, to instantly transform it to an ‘uber-premium package’😊! That’s exactly what ‘Add on’ covers do!
You have the liberty to choose and pick the ‘Add on’ that entices you the most. So, let’s not keep you waiting. Here is the list of ‘Add on’ covers that you can choose with your car insurance policy. Go ahead, take your pick!
What is Add-On Coverage in Car Insurance?
Though comprehensive car insurance seems enough to protect your car in unfortunate times, it might not cover you in certain situations, such as it will not cover your car tyre’s replacement. In such cases, add-ons cover your back.
Thus, an add-on in car insurance is the optional coverage that you can purchase along with your standard car insurance policy. These add-ons provide additional protection and can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses depending upon the chosen add-on.
For example, a Zero Depreciation add-on will increase your payout by not considering depreciation amount at the time of claim, a feature which is not included in any standard car insurance plan.
Types of Add-ons in Car Insurance by Digit
Here is the list of important add-ons in car insurance offered by Digit:
In the majority of cases, it is the car owner who pays for the depreciation and replacement of new spare parts, after an accident. However, if one wants this expenditure to be covered by the insurance company, one needs to buy the Nil or Zero Depreciation add-on to avail the benefits of this cover along with the existing insurance plan. The Nil or Zero depreciation plan covers repair and replacement costs of rubber, plastic and fibre components of the vehicle.
At the time of claims, usually consumables like oil, nuts and bolts etc., are not covered under insurance. With consumables in car insurance add-on, you can save on all those consumables that will be covered however small they might be! This add-on covers expenses for consumables which are unfit for further use, arising out of damage due to an accident.
This is probably a motorist’s worst nightmare- when your car is destroyed beyond repair! In other words, totaled in an unimaginable mishap. Thankfully there’s some conciliation in such extreme cases. Insurance companies will refund the complete value/amount mentioned on the invoice. Read more about RTI in Car Insurance.
Roadside assistance add-on assists you in situations where you need help on the road with your car. The service offers many benefits from getting your set of wheels fixed on the spot to towing or taxi service to help you reach your destination. Roadside Assistance is usually provided to anyone who is stranded anywhere within the radius of 500km from the middle of the city.
In a standard car insurance policy, only damage that occurred during the accident is covered. However, many times your engine could have consequential damage too, after the accident. Engine and Gear-box Protection add-on helps you protect from damage caused due to that. Such as for the damage that could arise due to leakage of lubricating oil or times when water enters the engine due to natural calamities.
Tyres are the shoes of your set of wheels and endure immense torture, more so considering the road conditions in India. So, getting tyre protection cover makes complete sense, for modern day tyres don’t come cheap. In fact, a single run flat tyre that comes on top end cars can cos you 1+ lac rupees! And tyre damage can occur when we least expect it and can least afford it.
In case, you need to get the lockset of the four-wheeler replaced or fixed or accidentally lose the keys of the vehicle, Key and Lock Protect add-on cover comes in handy. The cost incurred by you for fixing or replacement of the same will be reimbursed by the insurer.
If the vehicle is damaged badly and it takes time for it to be fixed, it can cause a lot of difficulty when it comes to daily commuting. In that regard, the Daily Conveyance Benefit add-on comes as a relief because the insurer will pay a fixed allowance for every day commute or provide coupons from well-known taxi operators equivalent to the per day fixed allowance or arrange for a standby vehicle.
The insurer will indemnify against any physical damage to personal belongings in the insured vehicle if you have Loss to Personal Belongings add-on cover. The cover is only applicable to the immediate family which comprises of your spouse, children, parents/parents-in-law, and grandparents.
PAYD add-on cover makes you eligible to avail discount on the premium of Own Damage plan of the base policy opted for four-wheeler. It also offers you the option to top-up kilometres under the base policy by paying an additional premium.
This EV Shield add-on cover for electric cars in India will protect you and your vehicle against any loss or damage to the electrical panel for the vehicle charging point, vehicle charger including charging cable, and offer roadside assistance services specific to EVs.
Benefits of Car Insurance Add-ons
Here’s why you should buy car insurance add-on covers with your comprehensive plan:
Customisation
With car insurance add-ons you can tailor your car insurance policy to suit your specific needs and driving habits. For example, if you frequently travel long distances, you can opt for roadside assistance add-on that will cover in case of any car breakdown.
Cover Depreciation
At the time of claims, the insurance company deducts the depreciation amount on your car parts, leaving you to pay the remaining expenses from your pocket. However, with zero dep add-on, you can avoid the depreciation cost and get a higher claim amount.
Emergency Roadside Assistance
One of the add-ons of the same name covers you in case of an emergency such as a vehicle breakdown. With Roadside Assistance add-on cover you are protected no matter your location or time, a feature which is not offered in standard insurance policy.
Engine Protection
Generally, standard comprehensive car insurance plan does not cover any damage to the car’s engine and consumables (engine oil, gearbox oil, lubricants, nut and bolt, screw). However, specific add-ons cover the cost to repair or replace them.
Peace of Mind
Opting for all the appropriate add-ons ensures that you are covered above and beyond the standard coverage. Thus, it offers you financial security in unfortunate events and eventually gives you peace of mind.
How to Buy/Renew Car Insurance Policy with Digit?
Step 1
On the Digit app or website, enter car’s registration number and mobile number, and click on ‘View Prices’.
Step 2
Select the plan, add-ons and IDV, and click on ‘Continue.’
Step 3
Enter your personal, nominee and vehicle details and click on ‘Pay Now.’
Step 4
Complete the payment and mandatory KYC verification process.
Step 5
You’re done! You’ll receive the policy document via email, SMS and WhatsApp. Also, you can access it 24X7 on the Digit App.
How to Choose the Best Car Insurance Add-on for You?
Choose the most suitable types of add-ons in car insurance after considering the following things:
Determine Your Needs
Consider the risks associated with your car, and your driving habits and the city you drive in. For example, if you live in an accident-prone area or where the vehicle theft rate is high, add-ons like engine protection or roadside assistance might be beneficial.
Consider Your Budget
While add-ons provide extra protection, they also come at an additional cost. So, consider only the add-ons you really want and those within your budget before opting for them.
Compare Insurance Quotes
Another important thing is to compare car insurance add-ons quotes online offered by different insurers. This will help you choose the best plan that suits your needs.
Read Terms and Conditions
Always read the policy terms and conditions carefully beforehand for each add-on to understand what is covered and what is not covered to avoid any discrepancies at the time of claim.
FAQs about Car Insurance Add-ons
What is an add-on in car insurance?
Car insurance add-on covers are additional protections that help enhance the standard coverage of your car insurance policy.
Are add-on covers available for all types of car insurance policies?
No, add-on covers are available only with comprehensive car insurance or standalone own-damage car insurance plans. They are not available with third-party car insurance policies.
What are some important add-ons in car insurance?
Some popular car insurance add-on covers include Zero Depreciation, Roadside Assistance, Engine Protection, Key Loss Protection, Passenger Support, Tyre Protection, Return to Invoice, and more.
What are the advantages of opting for car insurance add-on covers?
Car insurance add-on covers offer several benefits, including coverage for depreciation, breakdown assistance, engine protection, accident coverage, and retention of a No Claim Bonus (NCB) discount, enhancing the overall protection for insured vehicles.
How do add-on covers impact car insurance premiums?
Add-on covers are available at a minimal extra cost, which increases the car insurance premium. Therefore, to opt for car insurance add-ons, you need to pay an extra amount.
Can I purchase a car insurance add-on with a third-party policy?
No, car insurance add-ons cannot be purchased with a third-party policy. They can only be bought along with comprehensive and standalone own-damage car insurance plans.
What is the purpose of a Zero Depreciation cover in car insurance?
The Zero Depreciation add-on cover ensures that the depreciation cost is not considered at the time of claim settlements, implying that you receive a higher payout.
Are car insurance add-ons available for free of cost?
No, car insurance add-ons are not available for free; they come at an additional premium, which varies based on the type of add-on in car insurance you choose.
Can I buy car insurance add-on online?
Yes, you can easily purchase car insurance add-ons online during the policy renewal or purchase process through your insurance provider's website or a third-party comparison platform.
Is there a limit to the number of add-ons I can buy?
Generally, there is no strict limit to the number of add-ons that you can buy with standard insurance policy, however, it depends varying on the insurer.
Can I buy add-on covers separately from my main insurance policy?
No, add-on covers can only be purchased along with your main car insurance policy as these are additional coverages which enhance the coverage of the main policy.