Securing a car is becoming difficult by the day. It needs regular maintenance that includes – checking brake fluids, oil changes, examining air filter functions, and more, as even the slightest damage to any of them could contribute to the car malfunctioning. Recently, there have been many instances where a rat bite in a car has led to pricey repairs. A rodent or rat can chew the car wires and cables, which causes damage to the electrical system. You must be wondering how to save your vehicle from a rat bite, is a rat bit covered under car insurance in India, or process for filing a rat bite claim? With this article, we have answered all your questions.
What is Rat Bite Cover in Car Insurance?
Rat Bite in a car is not common, but there have been many cases over the last few years where it has happened. If you have parked your car in one place for an extended period, rodents can hide inside it and even build a nest (engine compartments, car trunks, climate control ducts, and paneling) that is often difficult to find.
Rats can chew on car wiring and cables or scratch various parts of your car, such as the interiors, cables, plastic panels, hoses, and belts, leading to many issues with a motor vehicle. They can even chew through brake lines, which can cause accidents. Therefore, it is best to get a Rat bite cover. It is an insurance policy that covers repair costs of car damage by rats.
If you have purchased a rat bite cover for your car, then your insurance company will pay for the repair cost in case of any damage done to your vehicle by rats. You can find rat bite coverage under the own damage section of the comprehensive car insurance. Rat bite insurance claim is allowed under the own damage section as the damage is caused by accidental and visible external means.
Does Comprehensive Auto Insurance Cover Rodent Damage?
Yes, apart from third-party damages, comprehensive car insurance also cover rat bite damage in India. A car insurance company provides rat bite coverage either under their standard coverage plan or as an optional purchase. Vehicle owners can file for rat bite damage claims, even if it is by an accident or external factors outside of their car, including an animal.
Types of Rat Bite Cover in India
Currently, there are two types of rat bite cover:
- One is where the insurance company pays for repairs if someone else’s pet damages your car.
- The second type is when you have a rat infestation in your home, and they cause damage by chewing through your car wiring or scratching the seats. In this case, the insurance company will bear the repair cost.
How to File for Rat Bite Cover in Car Insurance?
The rat bite cover in car insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for the damage caused by a rat bite. It includes the costs for repairing or replacing the car part, engine, as well as any other damages that occur to it. Vehicle owners can buy this insurance from their car insurance company at the time of purchasing a car.
The rat bite cover is new in India and only a few drivers know about it. So, it is important to find insurance companies that provide rat bite coverage. For this, you need to be aware of the process of how to file a claim. Below mentioned are the steps on how to file for a rat bite claim:
- Get in touch with your car insurance company or visit their website and tell them what happened (i.e., a rat caused damage to your car).
- The next step is to collect evidence by documenting all of the damage. Take photos of your vehicle that show any visible damage caused by the rodents. Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to initiate the claim process.
- After that, the insurance company will either send an investigation officer to your home or come to a pre-approved auto body repair shop for a vehicle inspection.
- When your rat bite claim has been approved and processed, you will be issued a cheque for the cost of repairs (based on the type of policy) or an approved mechanic who will do the necessary repairs.
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy with a high deductible premium, and your vehicle is still in a drivable condition, consider taking your car to a trusted mechanic who will give you an estimated quote on the repairs. If the cost of repairing is less than the premium amount, it may be best to pay for the damage out-of-pocket.
Important Note: Not all comprehensive car insurance policy provides coverage against rat bite damage, so check with your insurance provider to ensure that you are covered under the policy.
How to Prevent Rodent Damage to Your Vehicle?
- Avoid having leftover food or other kinds of waste inside your car that might attract rodents.
- Make sure the place where your car is parked is clean.
- Spray or keep rodent repellent in different parts of the car to keep the rodents away.
- Protect your car engine using wire screens, rat-proof tape on cables/wires, and traps on wheels.
- Change your parking location from time to time, as a car that has been parked in the exact location for a long period can attract rodent infestation.
- If possible, try to park your car inside a garage.
Here are the top five Rat Bite car insurance providers in India
The cost of repairing car damages caused by rats/rodents can be expensive. However, with extensive car insurance plans, vehicle owners do not have to worry about paying high bills for repairing/replacing damages. In India, many insurance companies provide rat bite coverage as part of their Comprehensive car insurance policy, while others offer the service as an add-on cover.
HDFC Ergo Car Insurance
In 2015, after a joint venture HDFC and ERGO came into alliance. The company has over 6700 cashless garages and offers services like overnight vehicle repairs. With a 4.4 customer rating, HDFC Ergo has over 1.5 Crore happy customers. HDFC Ergo provides a 100% claim settlement ratio where 80% of claims are settled within one day.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | HDFC Ergo General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Customers | Over 10 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96.2% |
| Number of claims settled | 3 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 22 days |
| Network of garages | 3,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
United India Car Insurance
Incorporated in February 1938, United India Car Insurance has more than 1.38 crore customers. It provides a variety of insurance products and has a 95% claim settlement ratio. The company excels in achieving the goal of 100% customer satisfaction.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | United India Insurance |
| Headquarters | Kolkata, India |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Customers | Over 15 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95.4% |
| Number of claims settled | 4 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 20 days |
| Network of garages | 3,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
ICICI Lombard Car Insurance
Founded in 2001, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd. offers a comprehensive and wide variety of insurance products. The company has a claim settlement ratio of 93.4% for motor insurance. With a 4.7 customer rating, ICICI Lombard has issued a car insurance policy for over 2.17 crore individuals.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | ICICI Lombard General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Customers | Over 17 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96.3% |
| Number of claims settled | 4.5 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 23 days |
| Network of garages | 4,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
New India Car Assurance
Founded in 1919, New India Car Assurance has a 92% claim settlement ratio. With a huge customer market, the company is providing world-class service both in India and abroad.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | New India Assurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Customers | Over 25 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95.6% |
| Number of claims settled | 6.5 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 25 days |
| Network of garages | 5,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Royal Sundaram Car Insurance
Established in October 2000, Royal Sundaram Car Insurance is trusted by over 28 million Indians. The company has a 99% claim settlement ratio and provides complete protection for your vehicle.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Royal Sundaram General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Chennai, India |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Customers | Over 5 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95% |
| Number of claims settled | 1.2 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 22 days |
| Network of garages | 3,500+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Digit Car Insurance
Established in the year 2016, Digit Insurance is trusted by over 3 crore Indians and has a 96% claim settlement ratio.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Digit General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, India |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Customers | Over 2 million |
| Claim Settlement Ratio | 96% |
| Number of Claims Settled | 1 million |
| Average Claim Settlement Time | 15 days |
| Network of Garages | 1,000+ |
| 24/7 Emergency Assistance | Yes |
Cholamandalam Car Insurance
Founded in 2001, Cholamandalam MS caters to different customer needs. With a 96% claim settlement ratio, the company is highly trusted by customers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Company name | Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited |
| Headquarters | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Parent company | Murugappa Group |
| Japanese partner | Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited |
| Products | Motor insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance, and other general insurance products |
| Website | https://www.cholainsurance.com/ |
| Total customers | 10 million+ |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96% (FY 2021-22) |
Future Generali Car Insurance
Future Generali has been in business since 2006 and has a 96% claim settlement ratio. With over 121 branches across India, the company serves its customers 24*7.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Company name | Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Parent company | Future Group |
| Products | Car insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance, and other general insurance products |
| Customers | Over 10 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95.2% (FY 2021-22) |
| Number of claims settled | 1.2 million (FY 2021-22) |
| Average claim settlement time | 30 days |
| Network of garages | 3,500+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Reliance Car Insurance
Founded in August 2000, Reliance Car Insurance has managed to meet customer expectations with its effortless service. With a 96% claim settlement ratio, the company is popular among customers.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Reliance General Insurance Company Limited |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Parent company | Reliance Industries Limited |
| Products | Car insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance, and other general insurance products |
| Customers | Over 10 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95% (FY 2021-22) |
| Number of claims settled | 1.2 million (FY 2021-22) |
| Average claim settlement time | 30 days |
| Network of garages | 3,500+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Liberty Car Insurance
Founded in 2013, Liberty Car Insurance has over 110 offices across. The company has issued 20 crore policies since 2013 and has a 98% claim settlement ratio.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Liberty General Insurance Limited |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Parent company | Liberty Citystate Holdings Pte. Ltd. |
| Products | Car insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance, and other general insurance products |
| Customers | Over 5 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 95.4% (FY 2021-22) |
| Number of claims settled | 1 million (FY 2021-22) |
| Average claim settlement time | 25 days |
| Network of garages | 2,500+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Kotak Car Insurance
Established in April 2015, Kotak Car Insurance has over 1.1 crore customers. With 4000+ network garages, the company has a 98% claim settlement ratio.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Kotak Mahindra General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Customers | Over 5 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96.8% |
| Number of claims settled | 1.1 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 23 days |
| Network of garages | 3,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance
Founded in 1926, Bajaj Allianz is a customer-centric organization. Bajaj Allianz customers can get 24*7 roadside assistance. With a 99% claim settlement ratio, the company makes sure to provide what its customers need.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Bajaj Allianz General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Customers | Over 10 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96.3% |
| Number of claims settled | 1.5 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 22 days |
| Network of garages | 4,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
Zuno Car Insurance
Established in 2016, Zuno is a trusted insurance provider in India. With a huge customer base, the company has a 98% claim settlement ratio
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Zuno General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Customers | Over 1 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 97% |
| Number of claims settled | 500,000 |
| Average claim settlement time | 15 days |
| Network of garages | 1,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
| Key features |
|
Universal Sompo Car Insurance
In 2008, Universal Sompo General Insurance started its business in India. The company’s PAN India presence provides customers with 24*7 assistance, a quick claim process, and the best insurance deals. Universal Sompo has a 96% claim settlement ratio.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | Zuno General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Customers | Over 1 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 97% |
| Number of claims settled | 500,000 |
| Average claim settlement time | 15 days |
| Network of garages | 1,000+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |
IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance
IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance was founded in the year, 2000, as a joint venture between IFFCO Tokio and Tokio Marine Asia. With a customer rating of 4.8, the company has a 96% claim settlement ratio.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Company name | IFFCO Tokio General Insurance |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Parent company | IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) and Tokio Marine Group |
| Customers | Over 5 million |
| Claim settlement ratio | 96% |
| Number of claims settled | 1.2 million |
| Average claim settlement time | 25 days |
| Network of garages | 2,500+ |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Yes |