One of the worst things that can happen to your beloved car is damage in a fire. Due to electrical and combustible components, fire can cause extensive damage to your car. Even the thought of something like this happening can cause nightmares. But ultimately you would think about what you can do about it.
Hopefully, you will never face such a situation, but sometimes unfortunate accidents happen without any warning. However, in such cases you can depend on your motor insurance as a safety net against this type of damage.So, if you are wondering whether your motor insurance policy will protect you from fire hazards, reading this article will give you the answer and more.
What are fire damages in motor insurance?
When we talk about fire damage in motor insurance, there is usually any damage or damage to your vehicle due to fire. These damages can be external like to the car body or internal like any damage to the wiring or electrical fittings.
Generally, for car insurance, a “fire” is any kind of visible flames of fireerupting found in a car, so any damage like short-circuiting or overheating is not considered a “real fire”.
What causes a vehicle fire?
Here are a few ways your vehicle can take damage from fire:
Garage fire – If a fire breaks out in your garage, it can spread to the vehicle parked in there.
Engine fire – Fires in your vehicle engine can sometimes be caused by mechanical problems such as wiring failure, overheating, or oil leakage. Fires can spread from the engine and damage other parts of the vehicle.
Accidental fire – Getting caught in a big accident can sometimes lead to fires. However, this is a rare occurrence. But, in the case that it does, especially when it is a multi-vehicle collision, it can cause additional damage.
Vandalism and Arson – This is very rare, but sometimes your vehicle can be set on fire purposely by a specific person. Since this is a criminal act, remember to notify the police immediately.
Riots – When people riot, they often cause damage to property. You may think that this is similar to the it’s basically like destruction, but in general, during a riot, your vehicle is not a specific target.
Does your motor insurance policy cover a fire risk?
Now that you know that there are numerous ways your vehicle can catch fire in your vehicle, you are probably wondering if your bike insurance can help you in such a situation. The answer depends on the type of policy you buy. Some types of insurance policies cover the risks of fires, while others do not. Here are the various types of motor insurance policies and their coverage:
- Basic third-party policy
If your vehicle causes damage to a third-party person or property, the standard third-party policy is intended only to protect you from the liabilities that arise from it. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle, including fire damage. However, under the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory to have at least third-party insurance in India.
- Standaloneown-damage policy
As the name implies the own damage policy specifically covers any damages that your vehicle may incur. Therefore, this means that any damage caused by fire will be covered. However, in order to purchase a damaging policy on your own, keep in mind that you must already have a third-party policy, as this is mandatory by law.
- Comprehensive policy
Comprehensive policy is the perfect motor insurance option. It offers the combination of third-party coverage and own-damage coverage. It gets its name due to the holistic coverage it offers. Since it offers coverage for damage to your car, it means that you will have fire coverage as well.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
