Standard comprehensive car insurance protects your vehicle against accidental damage, theft, and natural disasters. However, it does not cover 'consequential losses'—damages that arise from a chain of events triggered by the driver. The most common consequential loss is engine seizure due to cranking the car in flooded streets.
Driving Through Monsoons
During a heavy monsoon downpour, a driver tried to cross a water-logged underpass. The water level reached the bumper, and the engine stalled. The driver immediately attempted to restart the car multiple times. The starter motor forced the pistons against water that had entered the cylinder head, bending the connecting rods and cracking the engine block.
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Why the Claim was Rejected
The repair estimate for a new engine block was ₹2.2 Lakhs. The insurer rejected the claim. The surveyor's report confirmed that water ingress caused a 'hydrostatic lock' and the mechanical damage occurred because the driver tried to restart a stalled car in water. This is classified as driver negligence and a consequential loss. Without an active 'Engine Protection' add-on cover, the claim was not admissible, leaving the owner with a massive repair bill.
- Never attempt to restart your vehicle if it stalls in water-logged areas or deep water.
- Buy an 'Engine Protection' add-on cover if you live in flood-prone cities or low-lying areas.
- Engine protection covers mechanical damage to internal parts, connecting rods, pistons, and gearbox due to water ingress.
- Keep emergency roadside assistance contact numbers saved to tow the car safely out of water.
