Does Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters
Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters
I’m sure my cat just knocked over my entire bookshelf (she’s very proud of her antics). But what happens if something worse happens to my car, like a tornado? That’s when I started thinking about whether car insurance covers natural disasters. We’ll see!
Natural disasters are devastating and cause unimaginable damage every time. Some people lose their families; others lose their property. This is a disaster that can damage safe homes and well-protected families.
We all insure our lives with life insurance, so why don’t we do the same with our vehicles with car insurance?
While we can’t change what Mother Nature has in store for us, the least we can do is plan and prepare for such an eventuality by purchasing car insurance online. This way, if a natural disaster does occur, a lack of money shouldn’t be a barrier to getting your car repaired again.
How Can You Make An Insurance Claim In The Event Of A Natural Disaster?
If the vehicle has been damaged due to a natural disaster, a specific procedure must be followed to file a claim and obtain full coverage. The process is as follows:
Step 1: First, inform the insurance company about the damage and how it occurred. This must be done as quickly as possible.
Step 2: The person must file an insurance claim for the damage caused. When filing the claim, full details must be provided about how the damage occurred and its extent.
Step 3: Next, the person has to pay the previously outstanding amount (agreed amount).
Step 4: Once a person makes the pending payment and completes all the requirements and other formalities, the insurance company will issue the payment.
Step 5: The insurance company will finally assign you the expert for the respective claim. He or she is responsible for calculating the amount of damage. He or she will also take photos.
This is the complete process for filing a natural disaster insurance claim, just make sure you follow each step in detail.
Advantages Of Car Insurance In The Event Of Natural Disasters
Choosing comprehensive car insurance is an investment that will help you through difficult times. Here are some of the benefits of having comprehensive natural disaster coverage:
Advantages Of Cashless Claims
One of the most significant benefits of having car insurance in case of a natural disaster is the ability to avail cashless compensation. If your car is damaged due to a cyclone, you can approach your car insurance company and apply for a cashless claim. The insurer will arrange for your damaged car to be towed to the nearest garage and the bills will be paid.
No-Claim Bonus Provision (NCB)
You can use the no-claims bonus if you have opted for comprehensive car insurance. This gives you a discount on premium extensions if you do not have to make any claims during the insurance term. You can also transfer your existing no-claims bonus to a new policy.
Hassle-Free Inspection
Another benefit of a comprehensive online car insurance plan is hassle-free inspection and claim settlement. There is no need to panic if your insured car is damaged due to a natural disaster. If you opt for a comprehensive plan, you can benefit from hassle-free inspection with quality services.
How Do I File A Car Insurance Claim For Damages Caused By Natural Disasters?
You can file a claim under your comprehensive insurance policy if a natural disaster damages your vehicle. Follow these steps to file a claim with your car insurance company:
- First, collect all evidence in the form of photos and videos of the damaged car from all angles and published news articles about natural disasters.
- Do not move your vehicle from the scene, and note the timeline of the natural disaster, including the date and time it occurred in your area.
- Contact your insurer and inform them about the damage caused to your car by the natural disaster
- Your insurer will appoint an expert to inspect and assess the damage to your insured vehicle. The expert will examine the matter and send the inspection report to the insurer. Your claim will then be approved.
- The insurer will help you take your car to a garage for repairs.
- Submit all documents required for claim settlement to your insurer.
- Once your car is repaired, you can pick it up from the workshop.
- At a workshop with cashless claims processing, your insurer pays the repair bill directly.
- In case of a claim for reimbursement, you will need to pay the repair bill and submit the invoice and payment receipts to your car insurer. Your insurer will then review the documents and pay you the claim amount.
Does Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?
There is no special coverage, additional or otherwise, called national catastrophe auto insurance. This is part of comprehensive car insurance. The personal injury section of the comprehensive plan covers it. Therefore, your car is automatically covered against natural disasters if you opt for a comprehensive plan.
You cannot take advantage of this benefit if you only take out the minimalist liability insurance. The liability plan is mandatory but does not include self-damage insurance and does not cover natural disasters. A fully comprehensive plan consists of this required insurance coverage and thus expands its scope.
How Do You Protect Your Car From Natural Disasters?
Now that we’ve covered the topic of financial protection for your car let’s focus on ways you can physically protect it from natural disasters.
Safe Shelter
Stay Informed
Insurance Coverage
Secure Loose Items
Emergency kit
Maintenance
Conclusion
When natural disasters occur, it is always advisable to take precautions. It is even more inevitable when it comes to valuable possessions like cars. Therefore, it is best to protect your vehicle against natural disasters by using car insurance. Moreover, online car insurance has made it easy to avail of these services.
FAQ
Yes, car insurance can cover damage caused by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Own Damage (OD) coverage within comprehensive insurance typically includes coverage for events other than collision, including natural disasters.
If you have comprehensive insurance, which is optional coverage, your car insurance policy will only cover flood damage. However, if you have liability insurance, you will not receive financial protection against flood damage to your insured car.
Natural disasters are catastrophic events that result from a natural phenomenon on Earth. These can range from floods and hurricanes to tsunamis and earthquakes. The Earth has experienced many natural disasters throughout its 4.54 billion-year history.
