Is it essential to opt for Hydrostatic Lock Cover when buying or renewing your car insurance?

Posted on: Feb 16, 2019 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is it essential to opt for Hydrostatic Lock Cover when buying or renewing your car insurance?

Driving back home on a bright sunny day or travelling across your dream destination is a blissful experience. However, Indian weather is quite unpredictable, incessant rains or snow fall may interrupt with the smooth functioning of your car. Especially during monsoons, driving across water puddles or parking car at a low lying area may cause severe risks to the engine. Due to excessive flooding, water might seep inside your car’s air valve and block the engine, resulting in Hydrostatic Lock.

How does a hydrostatic lock occur?

In case of heavy rains or floods, the water can enter a parked car. It not only causes damages to the interior but also the mechanical and electrical parts of the car. Water seepage affects the engine and other electrical components of the car.

A hydrostatic lock will only occur if the engine is running. It does not damage the engine as much if the water has entered when the engine is not running. But, you still have to get a professional to check the engine and get the water removed. However, if water enters the engine and it is in motion, then the pistons will try to compress the water instead of air and the opposing force is so heavy that they can bend and damage.

You should not try to start a car without professional guidance especially if the car has passed through a waterlogged area or has suffered visible damage from a natural calamity. There is possibility that water is still present in the engine and must be removed manually.

Impacts of Hydrostatic Lock

Hydrostatic Lock causes vehicle breakdown and constant attempts by the driver to ignite the engine may cause significant damage to the cylinder wall, piston and the connecting rod. Nevertheless, engine repair or part replacement involves significant labour and material costs. This will leave you stranded with a huge dilemma and exorbitant repair costs, as hydrostatic lock cover is not covered under a normal motor insurance policy . Therefore, it’s always advisable to opt for an add-on engine and gearbox protection cover for total security.

Is there a need to purchase a hydrostatic lock cover in car insurance?

A hydrostatic lock cover in car insurance is to get coverage for the car’s engine against costs related to repairs or replacement in case of a hydrostatic lock. You need to look at the car insurance policy to find the type of plan you have. There are two kinds of car insurance plans — Third-party Car Insurance and Comprehensive Car Insurance. You can get a hydrostatic lock cover only if you have a Comprehensive Car Insurance policy. This is because the former type of plan does not cover your car with insurance.

For a Comprehensive car insurance policy, you can choose to buy the Engine Protect add-on where you will get coverage for the hydrostatic lock. While a basic Comprehensive Policy covers the car against different types of damages, it does not cover the expenses related to the engine damage. So, buying the add-on is necessary if you are looking for wide-ranging coverage.

How HDFC ERGO Car Insurance is the Right Choice to secure your Car

HDFC ERGO Car Insurance policy offers complete peace of mind, while driving your beloved vehicle. Thanks to engine and gearbox protection cover that acts as a saviour by helping in quick servicing and bearing the massive repair costs. Any vehicle up to the age of 5 years is eligible for this Engine and Gearbox add-on cover. A quick call to our toll free number is all that you need to make a spot survey. The entire repair as well as labour costs gets covered under this add-on subject to necessary excess/deductibles as pre the terms & conditions

This engine protector cover is the right way to secure your car and you can easily opt for this protection while buying or renewing your car insurance policy.

Engine and Gearbox protection add-on cover by HDFC ERGO is indeed the best option to cover the hydrostatic lock for your car during heavy floods to ensure the safety of your vehicle and a happy driving experience.

Conclusion

In case of a hydrostatic lock, it is beneficial to have a Comprehensive Car Insurance policy with the Engine Protect add-on so that your plan covers such expenses. Buying and renewing the policy in time is equally important.

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

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