June 2022

A car is one of the most important assets for any household. But a huge percentage of car owners don’t treat the car the way it should be.

Look, we love our cars and spend a lot of money buying them. There is no second thought about that for sure. But what are the things we do to protect our car against possible damage? Of course, car insurance is a great way to make sure your car has legal protection against theft, etc. But let me tell you that holding a car insurance policy is just not enough.

When it comes to your expensive car, you don’t want to be dependent on convectional insurance. There is something more a car owner needs. Yes, you guessed it right – a car cover.

What is a Car cover

The car cover is that large fabric covering used to cover the car, which you can make out by the name itself. In other words, a car cover is a protective gear or add-on car owners can buy for their vehicles, such as trucks, SUVs, and even the RVs (recreational vehicles), etc., to protect them from external factors.

The car cover is indeed an important accessory every car owner should have on their car. Although, most of them don’t bother to purchase a dedicated car cover due to its expensive rates. If you are one of them, you might not know the reasons behind owning a car owner.

We have answered your question as to why you need a car cover even before you buy a car. Here is an overview.

• Prevent sun damage

A car cover is definitely a must product for your vehicle if you don’t have a dedicated garage or parking space. Why?

Parking your car outside in the open is what we all look for. After all, you don’t need to make necessary adjustments and turn steering a hundred times, unlike garage parking. However, parking outside means a direct contact of ultraviolet rays with the upper layer of the car. Hence, car cover!

• Protect from debris

Nobody wants to take their car to the washing center once a weekend. Not only is car washing a time-consuming task, but it can also have a huge impact on your pocket.

Drivers are often left with no option but to car wash due to the presence of unwanted debris such as leaves, grime, mud, dust, and whatnot.

A car cover can help you avoid all these, including animal and bird droppings. Just cover your car, and that’s it!

• No more scratch 

None of the car owners love to scratch and dents on their car, isn’t it? The bad feeling when we just find out the dent or ugly scratch on the vehicle is something that can’t be described in words.

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to avoid them except by driving cautiously. So, is there a way to avoid minor scratches? Car cover can help in this case too. Cover usually consists of more than two-three layers of fabric coating which acts as scratch resistant as well. So, no more dents or scratches.

Now that you know some of the few reasons why car covers are crucial take a look at the things you must know before you purchase a car cover.

Car cover buying guide

Buying a car cover isn’t that difficult; purchasing the right one is! That is why it is important for the owners to know a few things before they search for the best car cover.

• Look for a water-resistant cover

A water-resistant cover is an ultimate way to provide protection to your car from water or any other liquid (such as oil or chemicals). This type of cover is made from hydrophobic fabrics and materials that make it a perfect product to endure water.

Not just that, but it also gives you protection against all types of weather conditions and UV rays.

• Know your brand and product

There are hundreds of car cover manufacturers on the market. However, we recommend you buy car covers from a reputed brand that uses the best of the best material and provides a durable product.

To know your brand and product, consider the reviews as well as feedback from other customers. Focus on the material the brand uses. It’s best to buy from a reputed manufacturer that also provides other benefits such as a warranty.

• What do you need? 

Before you get into the market searching for the best car cover, you must first know what you need. Finding out your requirements and the type of cover you are looking for helps you choose the right one.

Additionally, buyers should determine the car size and dimension to get the right size of the cover. After all, you don’t want a cover that does not even fit well on your car.

Opening the door of your brand new sleek and stunning car can give you happiness undefined. Nothing beats the feeling of driving your gorgeous vehicle as the light illuminates through its lustrous exterior. You might want to save the car from every minute scratch and always keep it glossy; but cars losing their shine and aesthetics due to the natural wear and tear caused by external elements is inevitable. 

Is there any way you can prevent it or restore the condition of your car? There certainly is! Let’s dive into world of paint protection. If you have been trying to keep your car in a stellar condition and have been researching, then you might have heard of this term before. You must have stumbled upon the two alternatives; Paint protection films and Ceramic coating.

Both works to enhance the quality of your car. Before we proceed to figure out which one is better, let’s skim through what the two offer.

Paint Protection Films 

Also called as clear bra; these films protect your car from scratches and rock chips, caused by fine debris, dirt, stones, bird droppings, leaves, or bug splatters. A good quality film like ProShield PPF is light, transparent, and easily malleable thereby protecting your car without taking away its overall aesthetics and showroom finish! They additionally have the unique ability to self heal and are resistant to water spots, mineral marks from rain, oxidation from UV rays, and chemical stains.

Ceramic Coating 

Ceramic coatings when applied on your car’s exterior, bond with its factory paint to form a semi-permanent layer. They have hydrophobic properties and offer enhanced chemical resistance and UV protection which amplifies the lustre.

Differences in their efficiency 

PPF is thicker than CC and also has self-healing properties, making it more resistant and offering a better level of protection. PPF also has greater durability, which makes it last for about 7 to 10 years contrary to CC, which will last only for 2 to 5 years. CC reigns supreme when it comes to hydrophobicity, gloss factor and UV rays’ protection. Lastly; when it comes to cost; PPF is more expensive but considering its long-lasting nature, it’s a one-time investment.

What is better PPF or CC ultimately depends on your needs, how long you will keep the car and your budget. We have compiled all the information that will assist you to decide! 

 

Even an experienced driver may face accident that is fatal or suffer from lifelong disability. As per the IRDA mandate every car owner must have a Personal Accident cover that safeguards the finances of the family incase of death or permanent disability of the car owner or driver. But what happens if the passengers are victim to the accident? To address this issue car owners can buy add-on cover to provide coverage to the family of the passenger. Read on to know more.

What Does Car Insurance Cover?

Primarily, there are two types of car insurance- third-party insurance and comprehensive insurance.

Third-party Insurance

Third-party insurance provides cover against third-party liabilities. The insurer can pay to cover expenses caused to a third-party property by the policyholder in case of an accident. 

Third-party insurance also covers expenses arising due to injuries or the death of a policyholder. However, people should keep in mind that third-party car insurance doesn’t cover own damage.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance provides enhanced financial protection. It offers cover against third-party liabilities as well as own damage. Therefore, expenses arising due to damages caused to the policyholder’s car are also covered in this insurance. Comprehensive insurance also covers natural and man-made calamities like earthquake, flood, lightning, theft, burglary, riot, etc.

One of the most important benefits that car insurance in India provides is driver and passenger cover. This cover provides financial assistance to pay for expenses arising due to medical bills and disability liability.

What is Driver and Passenger Cover?

It’s necessary for the owner-driver to get personal accident insurance. However, there are different methods to get insurance for a passenger or any paid driver who uses the policyholder’s car.

• Personal Accident Insurance

Every car owner must get personal accident cover. It provides financial support in case the policyholder dies or suffers from temporary or total disability. The insured person or his/her successors are eligible to receive the claim amount. Any other person isn’t allowed to file a claim for this cover.

• Passenger Personal Accident Cover

The personal accident cover for passengers is an add-on that covers the passengers in the policyholder’s vehicle. Therefore, in case of an accident, the insurer will also provide cover for passengers in the car. Generally, the number of passengers that can be covered in this add-on depends on the seating capacity of the vehicle.

• Personal Accident Insurance for Paid Drivers

This add-on must be considered by people who have a driver for their vehicle. By purchasing this add-on, a person can get cover for his/her driver. The cover amount will be provided to the person indicated as the paid driver. Any other person can’t claim this benefit.

The Importance of Driver and Passenger Cover

Car insurance in India can cover own damage. Therefore, it provides financial assistance to repair the vehicle. 

It can also cover the insured person. Thus, if the policyholder dies or suffers from permanent or temporary disability due to an accident, then the insurer can pay the sum insured amount. However, car insurance doesn’t cover passengers and paid drivers in case of accidents. Therefore, it’s recommended to get cover for them. Hence, it’s wise for policyholders to buy personal accident insurance for paid drivers and passengers.