Difference Between Comprehensive Insurance & Bumper-to-Bumper Car Insurance

You might be pretty much familiar with third-party car insurance and comprehensive car insurance. However, you also have a third option to insure your car with Bumper-to-Bumper car insurance. Let us understand more about bumper to bumper alongside the comparison with comprehensive car insurance.

Comprehensive Car Insurance Plan

A Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy is the most popular and preferred car insurance plan in India. It is because along with the mandatory protection towards third party liability it also provides coverage for the insured car against any damage/loss.  

You have an option to even enhance the overall coverage by buying necessary add-on covers to your base plan. The most common add-on covers are personal accident cover for passengers, NCB protection cover, Engine protect cover, etc.

Bumper-to-Bumper Car Insurance

A Bumper-to-Bumper vehicle insurance plan is widely available for all car owners in India. It provides a broader coverage as compared to the basic comprehensive insurance policy. It is most commonly known as 'nil depreciation cover' or 'zero depreciation cover'. 

This comes as an add-on cover with the comprehensive plan and at the time of claim settlement you will not have to bear the depreciation cost 

Comprehensive vs. Bumper-to-Bumper

The usual wear and tear of a four-wheeler is not covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy. Therefore, at the time of claim settlement, the insurer may not be able to compensate for the full damage of the car. The insurer is bound to deduct the depreciation of the car parts from the settlement amount.

However, with a bumper-to-bumper, a 100% claim can be settled as it covered even the small parts of the car such as fiber, rubber, metal, etc. It nullifies the deductions pertaining to the depreciation at the time of claim.

When is it best to Buy Bumper-to-Bumper Insurance?

Following are the cases when you can choose Bumper-to-Bumper Car Insurance over Comprehensive Insurance:

• When you buy a brand new car
• When you require the total coverage for the repair costs 
• When you own a luxury or premium category vehicle
• When you are concerned about even the minor dents in your car
• When you have just started to learn driving
• In case if your car parts are expensive
• When you live in an accident-prone area

Who Should Buy a Comprehensive Insurance Policy?

If you want higher coverage for your car as compared to the third-party mandatory plan, you should go for a comprehensive insurance plan. It provides the best financial security against unforeseen damage to your vehicle.

Following are the factors that make it a must to buy a comprehensive car plan:

• Covers both third party as well as own car damage caused due to an accident
• Covers damages caused due to natural calamities such as cyclones, floods, storms, etc.
• Provides settlement in case of theft
• Covers damages caused due to man-made calamities such as vandalism, riots, etc.
• Covers damages caused due to fire or explosion
• Provides settlement for the damages that are beyond repair 

Conclusion

Both comprehensive car insurance plan bumper to bumper insurance provides benefits. It is just bumper to bumper plan that enhances the overall coverage to protect the vehicle. It is advisable for you to determine your immediate needs and future requirements before buying and customizing a car insurance plan.