Does an Older Car Need Comprehensive Car Insurance? (2024)

In India, the following three types of car insurance coverages are available: Third-Party(TP) car insurance, comprehensive car insurance and own damage coverages. When one buys a new car, purchasing a Third-Party (TP) insurance policy is mandatory. While Third-Party insurance protects one from liabilities due to damages to the third-party's vehicle,comprehensive coverage protects the policy holders arising from the own damage and third-party liabilities.

Even though owners of brand-new cars are more inclined to get comprehensive car insurance, it is just as important for older cars. In this article, we discuss why and how one can avail of comprehensive car insurance for their older car.

Every insurance policy comes with a period of coverage that expires sometime in the future. The insured should renew the policy for the next coverage period and avoid the risk associated by using an expired policy. This process continues even when one's car becomes older because old vehicles are equally prone to accidental damage. A detailed guidance on the advantages of having a comprehensive car insurance policy for older cars is explained here for better understanding.

Why is a Comprehensive Car Insurance Necessary for Older Cars?

One may wonder: "Is it worth purchasing comprehensive insurance for an old car?" This article will clear the doubts and help in choosing the right insurance for older cars. Comprehensive car insurance provides better coverage for older vehicles. Whether one has bought a new or used car, it is better to purchase comprehensive car insurance instead of just a third-party policy. This is because buying comprehensive insurance for an old car online provides coverage for accidental damages along with the third-party liabilities. Similar to various other insurance policies, this insurance also provides several benefits and features.

Key Features of Shriram Car Insurance

The following features of Shriram Car Insurance will clarify the importance of comprehensive car insurance coverage.

  • Cashless Repairs

By having this feature, an individual no longer has to pay for car repairs when their vehicle breaks down. They can opt for repairs from our network garages and there is no need to pay for them as the cost is covered by the policy. T&C* apply.

  • Digital Process

Choosing the right policy, comparing the premiums and purchasing the insurance online becomes convenient with the end-to-end digital platform.

  • Super-Fast Claims

With minimal documentation, quick assistance and 24x7 claim notifications, one can easily file, track and get the claims settled on-time.

Also Read: Importance Of Car Insurance and Its Features

Comprehensive Car Insurance Add-Ons (Riders)

Apart from the above-mentioned features, Shriram Car Insurance also provides an individual with certain benefits and the following add-on covers:

  • Zero Depreciation Cover

Depreciation represents the gradual devaluation of a car caused by various factors such as wear and tear, vehicle age and obsolescence. The car’s value cost is generally high during purchase. Various parts of a vehicle are made up of plastic, glass or metal and they may have different depreciation values.

If a vehicle is damaged because of an accident, one may not be able to recover the expenses incurred due to depreciation. With this add-on, one will receive a replacement of the damaged parts after deducting the depreciation cost.

  • Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance cover comes in handy when one's vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road. It may involve minor repairs, flat tires, towing service, battery breakdown, fuel delivery and several other minor issues.

  • Daily Reimbursem*nt

After an accident, one may need to send their car to the garage for a few days. In the meanwhile, this add-on feature provides the daily expenses for the everyday travel of the policy holder. Purchase Shriram Car Insurance policy to get the facility of daily reimbursem*nt.

  • Return to Invoice

If one's car is stolen or the accident damage is irreparable, this feature allows one to receive the entire purchase value of the car, as mentioned in the invoice. They can opt for the return to invoice add-on to receive benefits amounting to the invoice value of their car. If the total loss is declared, insurers will pay the required amount as confirmed on the invoice.

  • Emergency Transport and Hotel Expenses Reimbursem*nt

With this add-on cover, one will get compensated for emergency transport and hotel expenses that might be incurred following a car accident in a risk-prone area. While buying car insurance, one can purchase the emergency transport and hotel expenses add-on.

  • Key Replacement

Keys might get misplaced or stolen often. Shriram Key Replacement add-on allows one to get a key replacement without spending out-of-pocket.

Insure Now with Shriram Car Insurance to enjoy the aforementioned benefits and be protected against car-related liabilities.

How to Buy Shriram Car Insurance Online?

Get your Shriram Car Insurance in 3 Simple Steps

You can instantly purchase a Shriram Car Insurance Policy onlinevia 3 simple steps on our website/MySGI App/call our Toll-Free number (1800-300-30000) at your convenience

Step 1: Enter the basic details of the new car to estimate the premium payable

  • Car Registration Number and Mobile Number
  • Details of Car Manufacturer, Model and Variant
  • Date of Registration

Step 2: Provide the details of the vehicle owner and choose the suitable policy/add-on covers of your choice

  • Kindly enter the basic details such as your Name, Email ID, Address, etc.
  • Choose the policy that fits your requirements along with the necessary add-ons

Step 3: Complete your online payment and get instant car insurance

Kindly complete the online payment by selecting the preferred payment method (Debit Card, Credit Card and Net Banking) on the go and get your Shriram Car Insurance

Understanding the Important Terminologies

While buying car insurance, it’s good for one to know about the terminologies associated with it.

  • No Claim Bonus

A "No Claim Bonus," or NCB, is offered to insured people who have not made any claim during the policy period. If one has not filed a claim during the policy term, they are eligible to receive NCB. The No Claim Bonus keeps increasing with every consecutive claim-free period until they reach up to 50%. Insurers offer this as an acknowledgement of the policy owner's cautious and safe driving throughout the policy period.

  • Insured Declared Value

IDV is the current market value of a vehicle, which starts depreciating once the car is purchased and taken out of the showroom. IDV is the fixed value calculated by considering the manufacturer’s listed selling price (vehicle and any accessories) after deducting the depreciation for each year as specified in the schedule by the erstwhile Indian Motor Tariff.

  • Break-in Period

A break-in period is a gap between the expiry date of the car insurance and the date on which one renews the policy. The car insurance policy remains inactive during this period and if it faces any damage during this period, it will not be covered under this policy.

Don’t want to visit our office to buy insurance? You can now calculate premium payments and buy a car insurance policy online.

Take Away

The cost of insuring an old car is significantly lesser than the cost of recovery from an unforeseen accident. It is therefore wise not to overlook insuring an older car with a comprehensive insurance policy. Protect personal belongings, depreciation costs and other unforeseen accidental liabilities by insuring old cars with the necessary add-ons. With Shriram Car Insurance, safety comes first. Insure now.

Key Highlights

  • Comprehensive car insurance covers own damage and third-party damages. Compulsory Personal Accident cover is associated with this policy at an additional cost.
  • Comprehensive car insurance is a better choice for old cars because it safeguards the owner against liabilities originating from accidental damages and theft.
  • Renewing car insurance on time is always a good idea; when one misses a renewal, they will lose the No Claim Bonus on their car insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Which insurance is preferred for older cars?

An individual can get Shriram Car Insurance and safeguard themselves from the financial consequences of an accident or unfortunate incidents.

2) Which insurance is suitable for a 10-year-old car?

Whether one has used their car for 10 years or bought a used car that is 10 years old, one must insure it. The features of Shriram Car Insurance make it a suitable choice for any car.

3) Does an older car cost more to insure?

The old cars have a lowerInsured Declared Value (IDV) compared to new cars. This contributes to lesser car insurance premiums.

Does an Older Car Need Comprehensive Car Insurance? (2024)

FAQs

Does an Older Car Need Comprehensive Car Insurance? ›

There is no requirement to carry comprehensive or collision insurance. If you can't afford to pay to repair or replace your car, physical damage coverage is usually worth it. But if you have an older car that's not worth much, the cost of comprehensive and collision insurance may be more than the value of the car.

Is it worth having comprehensive insurance on an old car? ›

It's financially smart to keep car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision coverages on vehicles that are younger than a decade. The cost of insuring a 5-year-old car equates to 27% of the car's value. After 10 years, the annual cost of car insurance represents 35% of a typical car's value.

Is it worth having full coverage on a 10 year old car? ›

According to ValuePenguin, if your vehicle is 10 years old or older, you may be paying too much for insurance if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. The average cost of comprehensive coverage is $134 per year, and the average cost of collision insurance is $290 per year.

Is it okay to not have comprehensive insurance? ›

While comprehensive coverage is typically more affordable than collision coverage, there may be instances when it's not worth carrying, including: Your vehicle holds a low value: As with collision, consider dropping comprehensive coverage if your vehicle's market value is lower than a few thousand dollars.

What is the best insurance for old cars? ›

Hagerty, Grundy, American Collectors, American Modern and Heaco*ck provide the best car insurance for old cars. These companies are the best options for classic car insurance because of their fair rates, accessibility and experience in the industry.

At what point is full coverage not worth it? ›

For example, you might want to drop comprehensive coverage if: You park your car in the garage and protect it from animals, falling objects, and severe weather. You plan to replace your car next time it needs big repairs. Your car is worth less than the deductible on your comprehensive coverage.

Is it better to have collision or comprehensive? ›

Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle that are the result of a collision with another vehicle or a road hazard. Comprehensive coverage pays for other damages to your vehicle such as theft, vandalism, animal damage, falling tree branches and other environmental damage.

Why is my insurance so high for an old car? ›

For one, if you're in an accident, repair costs for an older car tend to be higher because the parts are more scarce. That's one major reason your insurance company might charge a higher premium anticipating higher repair costs in the event of an accident.

What year of car should have full coverage? ›

As your vehicle ages, its value drops. The general rule of thumb is that once your car is more than 10 years old, it is not worth purchasing full coverage insurance. To decide if you should purchase full coverage insurance, calculate the value of your vehicle and compare this amount against your expected premiums.

Is it cheaper to insure an older car? ›

In general, auto insurance for older cars may be cheaper than insuring newer vehicles of the same make and model if the used car is cheaper to repair or replace.

Do I need a comprehensive policy? ›

Is comprehensive insurance required? Comprehensive coverage is not required by law in any state, but it's usually required by lenders if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. If you own your vehicle outright, you can decide whether comprehensive coverage is worthwhile.

Is collision worth it on an older car? ›

Older vehicles that are still drivable, but have lost a huge chunk of their value through depreciation, have their own calculus. When insuring these vehicles, it makes sense to drop one or both of these coverages.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000? ›

If you're more likely to get into an accident, you won't want to pay out a higher deductible. However, if you're generally a safer driver, your car insurance premiums will be lower with a $1,000 deductible.

What year car is the cheapest to insure? ›

Generally speaking, the newer the car the cheaper it will be to insure. Cars aged 5 years and less are cheaper to insure than cars aged between 5 and 10 years and beyond. This is because more modern cars are often cheaper to repair, and mechanics are more likely to be able to find parts.

What age is car insurance most expensive? ›

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that teen drivers are four times more likely to get into a car crash than drivers 20 and older. As a result, car insurance companies view young drivers as the most risky to insure. Drivers ages 16 to 24 tend to face the highest premiums compared to other age groups.

How does insurance work on older cars? ›

Older cars are typically worth less, as their value depreciates over time. You may also be able to drop comprehensive coverage or collision coverage from your policy if your car is paid off. If you drop coverage and your older car is damaged in an accident, however, your policy won't pay for the damage.

Is it more expensive to insure an old car? ›

The older a car gets, the harder it may be to source these parts for repair, which can also drive up the cost of car insurance for older cars. Additionally, older cars may not have as many safety features as newer cars, which might increase the cost of auto insurance and reduce available discounts.

Is a 15 year old car too old? ›

Cars older than eight to 10 years will be a riskier option, depending on the driving and maintenance history, while vehicles over 15 to 20 are usually nearing the end of their service lives.

Is it important to have comprehensive car insurance? ›

Comprehensive coverage helps repair or replace your car after something other than a collision with another car. Things like theft, fire, hail damage or hitting an animal. It's optional if you own your car outright—but since these situations can happen to any driver, it's recommended to help with costly repairs.

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