All you need to know about Engine Protection Cover in Car Insurance

25 May 2019

For the average, common man, buying a car is a huge financial investment. The joy of bringing home your first car is unparalleled to everything else. But in your enthusiasm of purchasing your dream car, you should not forget about buying car insurance. While the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 dictates that all car owners should hold third party liability insurance at the very least, common sense suggests that it is better to invest in a good, comprehensive car insurance policy with various types of add-ons. One of the most popular add-on riders you need to consider while purchasing car insurance is the engine protection add-on cover. Here’s all you need to know about engine protection in car insurance.

What is engine protect in car insurance?

As the name suggest, an engine protect cover is a type of add-on rider in insurance policies that covers the cost of repairs or damage if the engine, the heart of your car, is damaged. Engine protect cover is regarded as an add-on rider since a basic, comprehensive car insurance policy typically does not offer coverage against damages incurred on the engine of the car or other important parts such as the cylinder, crankshaft, pins, piston and gearbox and so on.

What’s included in the engine protection insurance cover?Your car insurance policy with engine protection add-on typically provides protections in the following scenarios:

• If your car’s engine is damaged owing to leakage of lubricating oil
• If your car’s engine is damaged owing to gear box malfunction i.e. engine and gearbox cover
• If your car’s engine is damaged owing to ingression of water
• If the hydrostatic lock is damaged due to water logging

Reasons for claim rejections

Even if you own engine-protect insurance, your claim could be rejected if:

• You try to force-start the car while it is submerged in water while the engine is wet. Remember that car engines are typically designed to shut down completely so that water does not enter it. Trying to start the engine forcibly can result in water entering in it and cause excessive damage and thereby result in your insurance claim being rejected.
• You attempt to drive a car when the bonnet is damaged. In doing so, the lubricating oil can enter the engine which is considered as deliberate damage caused to the car. Since this damage is not a result of an accident, the claim can be rejected.
• You make a second claim for engine damage. You can encash this add-on only once. Also, you can buy this add-on only if your car is up-to 5 years old.

Who should purchase engine protection cover?

While it is advised that every car owner should opt for engine protect in insurance, there are some groups of people who need this add on cover more than others. These include people living in flood prone areas or those working near water bodies. Also, if you live in a city where monsoons are harsh and streets are logged with water most of the time, it is in your best interest to opt for this add-on since there is a risk that water could enter your car’s engine and damage it. Also, people owning high-end cars can end up spending a whooping amount of money if their car’s engine is damaged as opposed to those who own a regular car. Such people should also consider engine protection insurance as it protects their financial interests.

Final Word

Remember that different insurance providers have different rules regarding what is and isn’t covered under the engine protection add-on cover which is why it is important to read the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy thoroughly. The cost of repairing a standard car’s engine could set you back by approximately ₹150,000, excluding the cost of plastic and metal parts which may possibly cost a few more thousands. All this is not covered under a basic comprehensive car insurance policy and the costs need to be borne by the policy holder. However, if you opt for engine-protect insurance, you do not have to worry about these costs.