Why Buy Zero Depreciation Cover for 7-Year-Old Car?

Updated on Jan 01, 2024

Depreciation is the silent financial predator that eats up the value of your car over a period of time. It not only deteriorates the vehicle but has a financial implication at the time of claim settlement. To avoid paying for car depreciation from your pocket, you can buy a zero-depreciation car insurance add-on.  

It is quite normal for a car to suffer wear and tear with time, which leads to depreciation of the vehicle. A standard car insurance policy will not cover your car against depreciation; you can, however, cover it through a zero-depreciation car add-on coverage. In this post, we will discuss the zero depreciation cover of a car as old as 7 years.

What is a Zero-Depreciation Car Insurance Cover? 

Like many other car insurance add-ons, zero depreciation insurance means an add-on coverage that can be purchased with a car insurance policy. This add-on is mainly used to get coverage on the depreciation that your car goes through. You can buy this add-on by paying an extra charge or premium to avoid depreciation charges from your pocket. Motor insurance companies generally do not offer zero dep insurance after 5 years in India. However, some insurance companies allow zero depreciation coverage for up to 7 years.

A 7-year coverage against the depreciation of your car will ensure that you don’t have to pay any depreciation amount incurred by your vehicle for up to 7 years of buying your car. The depreciation expenses on the parts of your vehicle typically levied on the insured will be incurred by your vehicle insurer at the time of claim settlement if you have a zero-depreciation cover.

How to calculate the rate of depreciation of your car?

The IRDAI or the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has set certain rates to determine the depreciation rate of your four-wheeler. So, when you buy zero-depreciation coverage for your car, your car insurance company will use the rates fixed by IRDAI to determine the rate of depreciation of your vehicle.

For example, 40% is the rate of depreciation set for 5 to 10 years old cars. So, if you are buying a zero-dep cover for your 7-year-old vehicle, you will be able to avail 40% of the depreciation percentage while making a claim.

What is not covered under your 7-year Zero Depreciation cover?

A zero-dep cover doesn’t offer coverage on your car’s entire body parts. There are some exclusions of a zero-depreciation cover as mentioned below:

• If a mechanical breakdown causes your car depreciation, it is not covered under the plan
• You don’t get coverage for unused parts, replacement of tires, consumables, etc.
• If your car incurs damages caused by situations like nuclear attack, war, etc., it is not covered
• In case of total loss or car theft, it is excluded from your zero-dep cover

What are the factors that affect the Zero-Depreciation premium on your car?

The premium of a zero-depreciation cover of a car depends on the following factors:

1. Car Age:

The age of your car has a significant influence on the price of your zero-dep insurance premium. So, if your vehicle is 7 years old, the premium charged would be higher as compared to a car that is less than 7 years of age. Hence, the older your vehicle is, the higher the premium is.

2. Car Model:

The premium of zero-dep insurance also depends on the model of your vehicle. Some specific models of cars may not be covered under the plan. So, it is better to get clarity from the insurance company before planning to buy the zero-dep add-on.

3. Your location (Place of Buying the Insurance):

The cost of a zero-dep premium also depends on your location. So, the city/town you are based in is also a deciding factor for the rate of premium you pay for your zero-dep car insurance add-on.

Which insurance providers allow Zero Depreciation cover for 7 years?

In India, two motor insurance companies offer the add-on of zero depreciation insurance for cars that are over 7 years old. These insurance companies namely; Royal Sundaram General Insurance Company and IFFCO Tokio Insurance Company provide coverage for cars as old as 7 years.

Royal Sundaram Car Insurance, a part of the Royal Sundaram General Insurance Company, provides zero depreciation add-ons for cars that are not more than 10 years old. IFFCO Tokio Insurance Company also offers the zero-dep add-on for cars up to the age of 10 years.

On the other hand, other insurers in India offer zero-dep insurance coverage for cars up to 5 years. Most insurers exclude cars that are over 7 years old from the zero-dep cover. To see if an insurer offers zero-dep coverage for 7+ years cars, you have to check the car insurance policy document to understand the terms and conditions.

Is it worthwhile to buy a Zero-Depreciation cover for 7 years?

Since the zero-dep cover is an add-on coverage, it depends on the insured if they want to avail of this rider or not. Here are some reasons to choose a zero-dep insurance cover for 7 years:

• New car owners should go for this cover as the new car value depreciates quickly and, in such cases, the car owner has to bear significant costs from their pocket while raising a claim. This can be avoided by buying a zero-depreciation cover
• The cost of repairing luxury cars is usually high and incurs huge expenses on the policyholder while raising claims. So, to avoid your own-pocket expenses you can buy a zero-dep add-on
• New drivers should also buy a cover with zero depreciation because they are more likely to cause damage to their cars while on the road. This might require them to replace certain car parts, which can be managed through a zero-depreciation cover

Popular Motor Insurance Companies India, 2024

To Conclude 

Depreciation in machines like your car is something you can’t avoid. After all, your car is sure to go through regular wear and tear over the years. However, if you buy zero-depreciation car insurance for 7 years, you can avoid the depreciation borne by your car during claims. Simply remember to compare different zero-depreciation car insurance policies to buy the best 7-year-old zero-dep plan for your four-wheeler.

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