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My car is on fire, what do I do?

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Published on July 13, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes



A car is a combination of complex mechanical components, electricals, and flammable liquids – in fact, a perfect recipe for fire disaster. While modern cars have safety mechanisms in place to prevent fires, due diligence is required on your part too, to ensure that no untoward incident occurs. Plus, you must make sure that your car insurance policy covers fire damages.

However, no matter how much care you take, there are several instances that can enhance the chances of a fire – collision, fuel leak, tyre bursting, and electrical failure. It could happen to a parked car, or even a moving one, both presenting their own sets of challenges.

But first let’s understand the potential causes of fire in cars.

• Oil spills and leakages

  An oil spill in the engine, mostly when changing the engine oil, can catch fire if the engine temperature increases. It’s advisable to use a funnel while changing the engine oil. A loose filler cap can also result in oil leakage. Other fluids such as the coolants, power steering fluid, etc., can also catch fire due to a leak.

• Mechanical failure

  With several mechanical components producing heat by friction, there’s always a risk of fire in case of any component failure. Low quality materials can further aggravate the problem. Worn out hoses can leak fluids all over the engine, further causing a fire hazard.

• Electrical failure

Apart from mechanical components, a car is home to a complex wiring system that can easily catch fire in case of a malfunction or failure of its components.

What are the warning signs?

Once you know the signs to look out for, you can take timely action and keep yourself and the other occupants safe. So, here they are:

• Firstly, that unmistakable burning smell of rubber or plastic
• Blown fuses are indicative of fires underneath or in the rear of the vehicle
• The exhaust pipe will make loud bangs
• Sudden and unexpected rise in engine temperature
• Rapid drop in fuel and oil levels

Here’s what you must do if your car catches fire:

1. Turn off ignition

   Your focus must be on getting out of the car as quickly as possible. Park your vehicle on the side of the road, unlock all doors and windows, and then turn off the engine. Get out of the car, and then help others get out as well.

2. Maintain distance

   Get away from the car as far as possible and keep a safe distance. A burning car may explode, especially if the fire is near the rear end of the vehicle. Stand away from the main road and alert incoming cars of the potential danger.

3. No personal belongings

   Do not go back to retrieve your personal belongings, as there’s always a risk of explosion. But more importantly, a burning car releases toxic fumes that one must stay away from at all costs.

4. Call for help

   Some cars may have a fire extinguisher, but do not attempt to put out the fire unless you have prior experience in using a fire extinguisher. It’s best to keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher for all types of fires. Do not open the bonnet or the boot as fire feeds on oxygen and opening these compartments can further feed it oxygen, turning a small flame into a large one. Moreover, the panel is likely to be very hot, scalding your hands the moment you touch them. It is advisable to call the fire department and traffic police.

5. Call service centre

   You should also call the authorised service centre and explain to them the situation. They could probably arrange for a tow truck to the service station.

6. Inform insurer

Click pictures of the vehicle, showing damage, if possible, to furnish as proof to your insurer. You might need to wait for the insurance company executive to assess the damage before it is towed away.

Is fire damage covered by insurance?

third-party car insurance policiesdo not cover fire damage to your vehicle. However, a comprehensive car insurance polic covers damages to your vehicle in the event of a fire. You can now purchase car insurance online, and even file claims easily through the insurer’s portal. It’s recommended to click pictures and shoot videos of the incident to submit as proof to the insurer.

In short, if your car catches fire, pull over, unlock the doors and windows, turn off the ignition, get out of the vehicle and call for assistance. And then contact the relevant authorities and your insurance company for further proceedings.

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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