Top News

Car Insurance: Make sure to include these 5 add-ons in your car insurance; only then will you get your money's worth..
Shikha Saxena | December 17, 2025 8:15 PM CST

Today, a car is not just a luxury but a necessity. Therefore, car insurance is essential, but simply choosing a policy based on the cheapest premium can often lead to significant losses. It's only when an accident or damage occurs that people realize their coverage was inadequate.

Often, people settle for basic insurance and feel secure, but at the time of a claim, they end up spending thousands of rupees out of pocket. This is why you shouldn't overlook certain essential add-on covers when buying insurance. Let's learn about 5 such add-ons that you should definitely include in your car insurance.

1. Zero Depreciation

The value of a car decreases every year; this is called depreciation. Without this add-on, the insurance company deducts the cost of depreciation from the parts when processing a claim. With Zero Depreciation Cover, you receive the full cost of the car parts. This add-on is considered extremely important for new and expensive cars. It significantly increases the claim amount and reduces out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Engine Protection
If your car is flooded or the engine is damaged, a standard policy doesn't cover it. The Engine Protection add-on is very useful in such cases. Engine damage due to waterlogging during the monsoon or using the wrong fuel is not uncommon. Engine repair costs can run into lakhs of rupees, which this add-on covers.

3. Roadside Assistance
A car breakdown during a journey is one of the most frustrating experiences. With the Roadside Assistance add-on, the company provides immediate help. This includes services like towing, battery jump-start, flat tire assistance, and fuel support. This add-on is very useful on highways or in unfamiliar places.

4. Consumable Cover
After an accident, there are several small expenses, such as engine oil, brake oil, nuts, bolts, and screws. Standard insurance doesn't cover these costs. Taking the Consumables Cover includes these small but recurring expenses in your insurance. This significantly reduces the total cost at the time of a claim.

5- Return to Invoice
If your car is stolen or completely damaged for any reason, a standard policy provides the current market value, which is often much lower. With the Return to Invoice add-on, you can get up to the on-road price of your car. This covers the invoice value of the vehicle, registration, and road tax. This add-on is considered very beneficial for those buying a new car.

How much does the premium increase with add-ons?
Many people think that taking add-ons will make insurance very expensive. The reality is that for a slightly higher premium, you get many times more protection.

Add-on Name                Benefit
Zero Depreciation    Higher claim amount
Engine Protection    Engine repair cover
Roadside Assistance    Assistance during travel
Consumables Cover    Coverage for small expenses
Return to Invoice       Protection for the full price

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK