Consumables in Car Insurance

If you are a car owner, you know the importance of having a good insurance policy that covers your car completely; however, is your comprehensive car insurance policy truly comprehensive? The consumable parts of your four-wheeler might not be covered under it!

So, taking good maintenance of your car will help you in the long run as it will improve its lifespan. This practice includes taking care of consumables in the car like checking the air pressure in the tyres, changing the oil sometimes, regular inspections and checks, installing anti-theft devices. 

Now all these small car parts or consumables are not covered under a typical insurance policy, but car insurance add-on covers like consumable coverage may help you. Let’s see how!

With every great possession comes great responsibilities! So, if you’ve just bought yourself a swanky new car, you know that there’s a lot of maintenance involved. We’re not talking about fuel – we mean the constant expenditure of getting air conditioner gas, brake oil, engine oil, and so on. These are all examples of ‘consumables’.

Basically, consumables cover in car insurance meaning refers to those materials of your car that serve a specific purpose – like fuel-filter, nuts-bolts, screws, grease and oils, air conditioner gas, etc. – that once used cannot be used again. Consumables are things that, therefore, have to be replaced or refilled frequently because of continuous wear and tear or usage.

Unfortunately, the answer is no! Most car insurance policies do not cover the cost of consumables.

But like in most cases, the solution is – you guessed it – simple! You can always purchase a separate car insurance add-on cover in addition to the comprehensive insurance policy. By paying an extra amount, you can make sure your car insurance policy covers your consumables as well and cut down on those small – but significant – car maintenance costs.

To understand how car insurance consumables cover works, let us take an example.

Suppose that you were going on a drive and, unfortunately, your car met with an accident and needs repairs. Now suppose the cost of the repairs comes out to be ₹15,000, but when you file a claim for the same with your insurance company, the ‘own damage’ component of your comprehensive car insurance policy reimburses you with only ₹13,000. 

This is because without a Consumables add-on cover you are supposed to pay the remaining ₹2,000 for repairing or refiling various consumables such as engine oil, nuts and bolts.

However, if you had car insurance consumables cover, your insurance policy would have covered the entire bill of ₹15,000 and you wouldn’t need to spend a penny out of your pocket. Therefore, a consumable add-on reduces your consumable expenses in car insurance. 

Buying consumables add-on in car insurance will help reduce out-of-pocket expenses incurred on consumables items.

• Help Saves Money: In case of an accident, if you have a consumable add-on cover then it will cover you financially if any consumable gets damaged, which you would otherwise have to pay out-of-pocket, thus, saving your hard-earned money.
• Enhanced Coverage: Consumable cover in car insurance also provides an extra layer of protection by covering small things or consumables in a car such as nuts, bolts, filters, etc., which often go ignored and then later become a financial burden, if damaged. 
• Peace of Mind: Since with this add-on, you will be financially covered for all the car consumables, you can drive your car with utmost peace of mind.

You can travel with peace of mind knowing that your car insurance policy covers all expenses.

Everything that your car uses constantly in order to run – which, once used, cannot be repurposed again is included under consumables in car insurance. This includes the replacement costs of:

• Car oils and lubricants including brake oil, engine oil, power steering oil, radiator coolants, AC gas, etc.
• Filters including the AC filter
• Screws, grease, washers, nuts, bolts, etc.

For instance, say your car was involved in a minor accident, and the radiator was damaged. Your comprehensive insurance will cover the radiator, but not the coolant that leaked away because of the damage. It is one of the consumables that cost around ₹3000- ₹5000, which you have to spend from your own pocket. But if you get consumables cover addon, it will take care of that expense as well.

An insurer may deny filing a claim under the consumables add-on cover in any of the following conditions:

• If the driver was driving without a valid driving licence at the time of failure of any consumable. 
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
• A private car was being used for a commercial purpose.
• The insurance company was not immediately informed about the repair or replacement of consumable items. 
• Electrical or mechanical breakdown of the insured car.
• Normal fuel replenishment is also not covered.

For raising a claim against car insurance consumables cover, you must inform your insurer about the accident or damage to car consumables, as soon as possible. 

There are two types of claim can be raised under consumables cover - Cashless Claims and Reimbursement Claims.

• Cashless Claims: Under this type of claim, the car is taken to any network garage for cashless claim services, where an insurance executive inspects the damage, and the car is repaired. After that the repair bill is paid by the insurance company.
• Reimbursement Claims: Under reimbursement claim the car can be repaired at any garage; however, if it is a non-network garage then the insurer must be informed first. After the car is repaired, the repair bill is sent to the insurance company to get it reimbursed. 

Here are the steps to file a claim with Digit:

• Step 1: Download the Digit app and go to ‘File Motor Claim’ option. 
• Step 2: Provide all the required details related to accident and damage. 
• Step 3: Enter your personal details and click on ‘Register Claim’ button.  
• Step 4: That's it! Your claim has been registered successfully, and you will receive the next steps on your email and WhatsApp.  

When you file a claim on your car insurance policy with consumable cover, you need to furnish the following documents:

• Duly filled and signed claim form 
• All receipts and repair bills
• Valid driving licence
• Car insurance policy document
• Registration Certificate

Since a consumables cover departs from the norm of what’s normally covered in a comprehensive insurance, there are some specific conditions that apply. While these can differ for every insurance provider, here are some things that are common:

• For every consumables cover claim, you have to make sure the claim comes under the ‘Own Damage’ section of your comprehensive insurance – which basically covers damages to your car due to accidents on the road, or theft. This means that third-party liabilities are not eligible for claim under this add-on.
• The Consumables cover add-on usually only covers cars less than 5 years old. Older cars may not get the benefit of this security blanket!
• The Consumables cover in car insurance also doesn’t apply to consequential damage or wear and tear and is subject to car insurance depreciation – like all other things in life.
• Your claim might be rejected if you do not repair or replace your damaged consumable items within 3 days of the accident.

If you’ve got a vehicle that’s not older than 60 months – and if you want to cut down on spending for small repairs and maintenances – a consumables cover is perfect for you!

Also, if you want to stay worry-free and cut down the expenses of minor repairs and replacements at the time of claim, go for the consumables cover.

Just remember to read your car insurance policy carefully and make your claim at the earliest– the odds are, your car insurance will come through for you. 😊