Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Cover After 5 Years (2024)

As a car ages, the worth of the car starts depreciating due to the wear and tear with passage of time. Simply put, it loses its value. Now, in case of an unfortunate incident, the insurer will only provide compensation on the repair bill after deducting the depreciation amount of the car parts. So, depreciation of a car affects its claim settlement and hence affects your finances to pay for the remaining bill on your own. However, such deduction can also be covered for settlement by opting for zero depreciation car insurance or nil depreciation or bumper to bumper car insurance along with your basic comprehensive cover.

Remember, a zero depreciation add-on cover is only applicable for cars less than five years old. A zero depreciation covers for the cost of your car’s part depreciation during claim settlement and does not cover for your compulsory deductibles while it cannot be opted for cars more than five years of age. Let’s take a look at zero-depreciation add-on cover and its intricacies in detail.

Calculation Of Car Depreciation

Depreciation rates are calculated and fixed by the IRDAI - Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India as below;

Car Parts/ Age

Depreciation Rate in %

Rubber/Plastic/Nylon/Batteries

50

Wooden Parts

5 – 1st year

10 – 2nd year

So, on

Fibre Parts

30

Vehicle age less than 6 months

5

Vehicle age 6 months to one year

15

Vehicle age one to two years

20

Vehicle age two to three years

30

Vehicle age three to four years

40

Vehicle age four to five years

50

Vehicle age more than five years

Not applicable

Metallic parts less than 6 months

Nil

Metallic parts 6 months to one year

5

Metallic parts one to two years

10

Metallic parts two to three years

15

Metallic parts three to four years

25

Metallic parts four to five years

35

Metallic parts five to ten years

40

Metallic parts more than ten years

50

Benefits Of Zero Depreciation Cover

Apart from being advantageous on the finances, zero depreciation cover carries more benefits with your car insurance like;

  • Increase in the claim amount
  • Wear and tear factor eliminated in settlement
  • Affordable Add-on cover
  • Coverage for all cars below five years of age
  • Covers for all repair costs except total loss and consumables cost
  • Peace of mind

A zero-depreciation add-on cover provides additional protection to cars and gives the benefit of increased claim settlement largely depending on the location, age and model of your car. It only eliminates certain repair costs like in case of accident due to drunk driving, under drugs intoxication or mechanical breakdown.

What Happens To Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Cover After Five Years In India?

Generally, the zero-depreciation add-on is no longer applicable after the age of the car passes five years. Though some insurers do offer the benefit for up to the age of seven years. However, there is no general rule fixed on limitation of such cover. It is always based on the insurer, the policy chosen and extension allowed, if any. So, you need to check with your insurance company while opting for a zero-depreciation add-on cover to see its duration, renewal, benefits, limitations, terms and further conditions.

Conclusion

Selecting the zero depreciation add-on coverage can significantly impact three vital aspects of your car insurance policy. Firstly, it enhances the coverage of your car insurance, providing you with broader protection. With this add-on, you won't need to worry about depreciation calculations when filing a claim, which is the second advantage. As a result, you can claim the full amount for repairs, ensuring a hassle-free claim process. Lastly, it's important to note that while the premium may increase with this enhanced coverage, it's a small price to pay for the extensive protection it offers compared to a standard comprehensive car insurance policy.

It's worth mentioning that the zero depreciation add-on is applicable for vehicles up to five years old. Beyond this point, the insured will be responsible for any repair costs that take depreciation into account during the claim settlement process. This add-on can be a game-changer for car owners looking for peace of mind and comprehensive coverage, particularly for newer vehicles.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Let's take a look at some frequent queries on zero depreciation car insurance cover after five years;

Q1. Can zero depreciation car insurance cover be transferred to another owner?

Yes, zero depreciation or nil cover is transferable to any new owner of the car. As the insurance policy is on the car, the car registration number should be valid.

Q2. Is the zero-depreciation add-on cover available only for new cars?

No, the zero-depreciation add-on cover is available for all cars that are less than five years old. Some insurers do have an option to provide this add-on for cars aged slightly more than five years old like till seven years. It all depends on the insurer, policy chosen and facets of the car.

Q3. Is the zero-depreciation add-on cover a better option to comprehensive car insurance?

Yes, a zero-depreciation add-on cover adds benefits to a basic comprehensive car insurance policy. It increases the claim amount by paying for the repair and depreciation costs. However, it is only applicable to cars up to the age of five years.

Q4. Is there a limit on the number of claims for the policy with a zero-depreciation add-on cover?

No, there is no limit to the number of claims for the policy with a zero-depreciation add-on cover. Zero-depreciation add-on cover guarantees that during a claim settlement, you get the whole claim amount without deducting or accounting for the depreciation of your car.

Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Cover After 5 Years (2024)

FAQs

Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Cover After 5 Years? ›

Remember, a zero depreciation add-on cover is only applicable for cars less than five years old. A zero depreciation covers for the cost of your car's part depreciation during claim settlement and does not cover for your compulsory deductibles while it cannot be opted for cars more than five years of age.

How to check zero dep insurance in policy? ›

A zero depreciation add-on cover, also known as Nil Depreciation and Bumper-to-Bumper cover, is a popular car insurance add-on cover under the own damage section of the car insurance policy. Insurance can be checked online from the website Parivahan or mParivahan app which is available on the play store.

Is zero depreciation the same as Bumper to Bumper? ›

Zero depreciation cover, or Bumper to bumper coverage, is a type of coverage add-on that comes along with bike insurance policies. It provides coverage for the damage without considering depreciation cost of the vehicle.

Does own damage cover zero depreciation? ›

Own damage insurance vs zero depreciation car insurance. You can get car insurance coverage for own damage only if you buy a Comprehensive Plan. On the other hand, you need to separately buy the Zero Depreciation car insurance add-on to get coverage against depreciation on the vehicle.

How does car insurance depreciation work? ›

There's no pre-determined rate at which a vehicle will depreciate. Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark. Use our car depreciation calculator to get an idea of how much your car may be worth over six years.

How long can zero dep insurance be claimed? ›

However, such deduction can also be covered for settlement by opting for zero depreciation car insurance or nil depreciation or bumper to bumper car insurance along with your basic comprehensive cover. Remember, a zero depreciation add-on cover is only applicable for cars less than five years old.

How do I add zero DEP insurance to my existing policy? ›

You have to pay an additional premium on your comprehensive car insurance policy to get this add-on. Under zero-dep insurance cover, you can make up to two claims in a policy year. When filing a claim under a zero-depreciation policy, you need to pay the applicable compulsory deductible.

What does zero depreciation cover? ›

Zero depreciation cover is also known as bumper-to-bumper or nil depreciation cover. With zero depreciation coverage, the policyholder does not have to pay the depreciation value of the damaged or replaced parts and can claim the full amount under their comprehensive car insurance.

Is it good to have zero depreciation? ›

Since zero depreciation car insurance offers higher payouts, it keeps your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. This ensures that, in case of a claim, you do not have to use your hard-earned money to cover the cost of part replacements.

Is engine not covered in zero depreciation? ›

A zero depreciation cover does not protect the car from damage to its engine through oil leakage or water ingression. Standard wear and tear to cars and car parts such as clutch plates, tyres, bearings, etc. are not covered under nil depreciation insurance.

Which insurance is best for a car after 5 years? ›

With zero depreciation insurance, car owners are shielded from the financial burden of depreciation-related deductions during claim settlements. This means that even after 5 years of ownership, the policy ensures that the entire cost of repairs, including parts prone to high depreciation, is covered.

Which insurance is best for car zero dep or comprehensive? ›

If you have a brand new car, comprehensive insurance is a better option as it offers a more comprehensive coverage at a lower premium. On the other hand, if your car is more than 5 years old, zero depreciation insurance is a better option as it offers coverage without considering depreciation.

How is zero depreciation calculated? ›

Zero Depreciation is defined as the decline in the price or value of the product over a period of time. In car insurance depreciation cover the depreciation is calculated on the basis of the age of the vehicle and the damaged part.

How much does a car depreciate after 5 years? ›

As noted, a brand new car usually drops about 20% in value after one year. And after five years, it will often be worth about 60% less than what you bought it for. But these numbers are estimates. Several factors determine how much car values fall over time.

How much do cars depreciate per year after 5 years? ›

After two years, your car's value decreases to 69% of the initial value. After three years, your car's value decreases to 58% of the initial value. After four years, your car's value decreases to 49% of the initial value. After five years, your car's value decreases to 40% of the initial value.

Can you claim depreciation on your car after an accident? ›

If the other driver is at fault in your accident and has auto insurance, then you should be entitled to a diminished value claim. However, it is primarily up to you to prove your car's diminished value, and the insurer will likely only pay the claim if you can do so effectively.

How do I know my policy coverage? ›

Contacting the customer service department

You can call the customer service department of your insurance provider to know more about your policy. Share your policy number with them, and they will offer you the information that you need.

How do I get a depreciation check from insurance? ›

If your policy has a recoverable depreciation clause, your insurance payment will arrive in two checks. The first will cover the actual cash value of the insured item. In order to claim the recoverable depreciation cost, you must first actually replace the item and submit the receipts and paperwork to your insurer.

How do I know if I am under insured? ›

Property underinsurance is where the insured value of a property is insufficient to cover the cost of rebuilding or repairing it in the event of a disaster. Contents underinsurance is when the replacement value of personal belongings, such as jewellery, electronics, or artwork, is not accurately assessed and insured.

How do I find hidden insurance policies? ›

Work with a third-party company. There are several third-party companies that might be able to help you find an unclaimed life insurance policy. You can contact the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to find out if you're owed any funds.

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