Invest in these EV Add-on Covers during Monsoon

Posted on: Jul 19, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Invest in these EV Add-on Covers during Monsoon

The monsoon season begins in June and lasts till September; although the downpour offers relief from the scorching heat, it poses some risks to vehicle owners. The rains may lead to water logging of the road, hinder vision, especially at night and may lead to accidents and or total destruction of vehicles. This is a crucial time of the year for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) since they require additional measures to be taken. In this blog, we share about electric vehicle safety during monsoons and electric vehicle insurance that one should not do without.

General safety measures protecting electric vehicles during the monsoon season

Here are some EV tips to ensure trouble-free and safe driving of their vehicles in the rainy season:

1. Battery

The battery is one of the key areas to check in an EV due to its critical role in the vehicle’s operation.

2. Electricals

Just like the battery, the EV’s electricals are also an important component to look at in an electric car.

3. Charging Infrastructure

This is another crucial aspect to consider when inspecting an electric car since the charging infrastructure is the primary way through which an electric car obtains its power.

Before the onset of the monsoon, the battery and electrical fittings, and the overall charging setup of your EV should be checked. There should be no exposure of connectors or any wetness, and the connector should not be damaged in any way. In harsh environments, water seepage can cause a short circuit and this affects the battery and other electrical parts.

4. Keep it clean

Ensure that the exteriors and interiors of your EV are washed in case of a rain drive and before the event as well. Dirty vehicles often scratch the paint and soil the interiors. In electronic systems, moisture and contaminants are also other factors that pose a major threat.

5. Inspect wipers and headlights

Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season is another effect that will affect visibility on the roads. Make certain that your EV has proper cleaning and lighting systems. Wiper blades, washer fluids, and the alignment of headlights should also not be overlooked occasionally. Bald wipers are really dangerous to use because they hinder the driver’s vision to an extreme level.

6. Watch the range

Safety risks leading to lower mileage and range are worse during rainy weather conditions by default. Do not rely heavily on the range readings, and be sure not to go beyond the safe operating distance. They may get stranded during monsoons due to over-reliance on battery power, which is commonly referred to as range anxiety.

7. Drive slow and carefully

The thumb rule is to reduce the overall speed and provide additional space for braking. Slush and water clogging influence the brakes, tyres, and road conditions. It is important not to drive aggressively by swerving or jerking the car abruptly, either to accelerate or apply the brakes. Switch on hazards in case of poor visibility or when the car is stationary in areas with torrential rain.

8. Inspect tyres

Tyre conditions also significantly impact control and stability on wet surfaces. It is recommended that one frequently check the treads and the degree of inflation. It is also important to look at the areas where these parts have been cut, the presence of bubbles, or the evenness of wear and tear. Bald tyres increase the likelihood of hydroplaning and skidding even more when one is driving on the road.

9. Service regularly

Your EV should be serviced before monsoon in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions as provided in the owner’s manual. These are safety systems and lights, wipers, brakes etc. should be checked. This means that all services and repairs that are needed to avoid major issues during the rainy season should be done before it begins.

10. Practice regenerative braking

Make maximal use of the regenerative braking which is useful to recharge batteries when slowing down the vehicle. It can extend the maximum range by between 6 and 10 percent in wet conditions. Increase the distance necessary to come to a complete stop and take gentle pressure on the brake pedal to slowly decelerate.

11. Handle flooded roads carefully

During the rain, avoid walking or driving through flooded roads or low bridges. The depth of water is challenging to determine, and the water level poses a significant risk of damaging the electrical systems when approaching it through water. Become a pedestrian if you find yourself in one and leave the vehicle quickly.

Thus, if you have no pressing need to do so, do not use your EV during severe rains such as cyclones, storms or floods. The likelihood of the occurrence of accidents and destruction of vehicles increases severely.

Insurance coverage required for electric vehicles

Besides the above-mentioned protective measures, comprehensive insurance is a necessity during the dangerous monsoon period. An EV insurance policy involves coverage of one's own vehicle against natural calamities, accidents, etc., but for further protection, additional/extensive cover can also be taken on the basis of requirements.

1. Engine protector

This includes electrical or mechanical failure of internal parts like battery, motor, charger, controller and other parts which may develop faults due to water ingress or voltage spikes. It is insurance beyond the manufacturer’s warranty period.

2. Zero Depreciation Cover

This add-on eliminates the right of depreciation on parts replaced when making claims. These are usually given on a scale of 40-50 per cent depending on the age of the cars. The zero depreciation cover add-on will also ensure that more than one per cent of the expenditure is catered for.

3. Consumable expenses

These are things like nuts, bolts, screws, grease, oils etc which, over a period of time and due to usage, are depleted and, when replaced, are not claimable under insurance. This cover takes care of the cost of replacing or repairing items that may be claimed during an incident.

4. Daily Allowance

Insurance policies address the cost of repairs on the vehicle but do not take into consideration the congestion at the workshop. It is purely fixed towards bearing the actual hire charges for procuring an alternative vehicle on a rental basis during the repair duration.

5. Roadside assistance

This offers support in instances of mechanical failure or accidents such as flat tyres, lost keys, completely drained rechargeable batteries etc. with the help of linked service providers. Emergency Assistance cover also covers the cost of labour or towing the vehicle to the garage. Especially when it rains since the chances of being stuck in a traffic jam are fairly high.

6. Hydrostatic lock cover

When water finds its way into a place like the engine cylinder or the transmission, the result is a hydrostatic lock which is serious. Expenditures that relate to the repair of the same are also catered for under this add-on.

7. Tyre replacement

It compensates for any puncture or cuts on the tyres as a result of sharp objects on roads, bumps/potholes, or flooding. Service providers also complete even charges like wheel balancing or alignment expenses. Saves a huge amount of money which would otherwise be spent on repairing damaged tyres during the monsoons.

8. Key replacement

When keys are lost or damaged in the rains, expenses incurred in replacing both keys and door locks, are covered if this option is available.

9. Consumables plus

In addition to the standard wear and tear, this cover also includes the cost of replacement of such parts as wheel rims, and airbags among other costly panels in cases where the car gets damaged. This increases the general security as mentioned below.

10. NCB Protection

In a similar manner, the No Claim Bonus (NCB) accumulated over the policy periods is lost whenever the policyholder makes their own damage claim. This add-on helps to keep the NCB undamaged at the subsequent renewal, even if claims have been filed. Beneficial since it can assist in maintaining bonuses in the long run.

Conclusion

During the monsoon season, the probability of accidents happening, the number of vehicles damaged, and claims increase. Thus, as for maintenance costs, it is known that electric vehicle safety requires less money to be spent on their upkeep than fuel-powered cars, but when it comes to damages or replacement of some of the car’s parts, the costs might be quite high for an EV. Thus, sensible driving and the appropriate car insurance add ons mentioned above can help the owners of electric vehicles be protected from financial losses and have only positive experiences in driving such cars.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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