Beginners Guide to Car Spare Parts Insurance

Several accessories combine to make a car. These accessories are categorised as follows:

Electric Car Parts: Every accessory in the car that requires an electric connection to function falls under this category. Head and tail lights, fog lights, stereo systems, air conditioners, etc., all fall under this classification.

Non-Electric Car Parts: Elements that don’t require any electrical equipment to function fall under this category. For example, seat covers, door handles, armrests, etc.

As each of these parts comes at a cost, car owners may rightly wonder whether spare parts for car insurance can be obtained to secure your vehicle appropriately. But before we understand what is spare parts coverage, let’s understand how long each of these lasts.

Every vehicle owner must have basic information about the critical spare parts so they can promptly maintain each component with the right care and avoid expensive repairs and replacements. The following list comprises essential car spare parts and how long they typically last:

Air Filter: The air filter in your car is responsible for filtering out dust and pollution so the engine can breathe freely. When this air filter becomes dirty and clogged, it damages other car parts. Therefore, it is important to ensure the timely replacement of the air filter. Ideally, the air filter should be replaced annually or every 20,000 kilometres.

Tyres: Not only are healthy tyres essential for a smooth-running car, but not doing so can be highly dangerous. Tyres are also the parts that suffer the most wear and tear, so vehicle owners need to check the tread of their car tyres at regular intervals. Generally, it is advised that the tyres of the car be changed every 5-6 years.

Air Conditioner: People often complain of poor cooling from their car’s air conditioner, and this is the simplest indicator that your vehicle’s air conditioner might need a maintenance check. Your car’s air conditioner needs to be serviced annually, and when you feel that the cooling is not optimal.

Airbags: A crucial safety feature of the car, the airbag may not require regular maintenance like the other components. However, if you have been using your car for more than 10 years, your airbags might need to be replaced.

Seatbelt: Just like airbags, seatbelts may not require maintenance but might need to be replaced if there is noticeable wear and tear impairing their functionality.

Clutch: The health of the clutch heavily relies on driving style. As the frequent use of the clutch can cause extensive wear and tear, drivers need to pay special attention to ensure that their clutch is in optimal health. A clutch plate usually functions for more than 100,000 kilometres, but depending on the driving style, it can wear off much sooner.

Battery: Regardless of how much your car has been driven, your battery will need to be replaced every four years.

Brake Pads: Just as with the clutch, the health of the brakes also depends on the driver. Frequent drivers must replace the brake pads every 50,000 kilometres. Alternatively, the brake pads must be replaced every three years.

Having understood the critical car spare parts and their life span, it is also important to note that your comprehensive four-wheeler insurance does not cover these components. So, if individuals wish to protect these parts, they will have to additionally secure spare parts for car insurance with add-on coverage. This is because, under comprehensive 4-wheeler insurance, the insurer only compensates the policyholder for the cost of “reasonable repairs.” As spare parts don’t belong under this category, the policyholder's cost for their repairs has to be borne from their pocket.

However, paying for the repairs and replacements of spare parts can also dent your savings. This is especially the case with expensive luxury vehicles, as their spare parts can be even costlier to replace or repair. To help bear these expensive costs, insurance providers offer spare parts coverage through add-on covers.

However, before buying these covers, policyholders must check their four-wheeler insurance policy document to know which parts are covered in car insurance. You can do this conveniently and quickly when you buy your car policy online.

Your comprehensive 4-wheeler insurance will only cover the cost of repairs and replacements of the spare parts if they have been damaged in an accident or because of a natural disaster. In any situation aside from this, the policyholder will have to pay for the repairs from their pocket. However, if you wish to fortify your financial security to include the coverage of critical car spare parts, here are the add-ons that are recommended:

Tyre Protection: With this add-on coverage, the policyholder is reimbursed for the cost of repairs or replacements of damaged or worn-out car tyres. These damages include punctures, tyre bursts, cuts in the tyres, etc.

Key Replacement: It is easy to lose your car keys, and you will be surprised at how much the original key would cost. However, with the key replacement cover, the policyholder needn’t worry about the expenses of key replacement as these would be covered by the insurer.

Engine Protection: This add-on cover protects the most expensive and essential component of your car, i.e., the engine. With the engine protection cover, the car engine and its components are all covered so they can be efficiently maintained.

Zero-Depreciation: When you raise a claim against your four-wheeler insurance, your insurance provider deducts the cost of depreciation on the car and its spare parts and pays the balance. However, with the zero-depreciation add-on, the policyholder is compensated for the full amount without deducting the car depreciation rate.

The 4-wheeler insurance by Tata AIG comes with a choice of 12 unique add-ons to enhance the protection of your car by securing it against a host of unpleasant scenarios. When you buy a car policy online, you will be able to easily compare different plans to find the insurance coverage that is most suited for your needs.

For a smooth and efficient functioning car, it is essential to ensure that all the car spare parts are well maintained. Every car owner needs to promptly undertake repairs, replacements, and maintenance. And to help bear the costs, they can buy a car policy online with appropriate spare parts coverage.