Cars are a necessary but expensive financial investment. The cost of purchase of a vehicle along with regular maintenance and upkeep expenses can burn a hole in your monthly outgoings. Taking precautionary steps to prevent serious damage to your car during natural and man-made disasters is crucial. Natural calamities such as cyclones and heavy rainfall, flash floods, etc. are becoming annual occurrences. To hedge against the havoc wrought by these phenomena certain measures can be adopted by car owners to endure any long term damage.
Cyclones in particular cause high wind speeds and torrential rainfall. There are broadly two types of damage that cyclones can cause: (i) damage to the exterior of the car due to free flying debris picked up by heavy winds and (ii) damage to the interior of the car due to water seepage into the vehicle that interference with electrical wiring, engine, battery and brakes.
These are some steps you can take to prevent damage to the car before and after a cyclone.
- Park Your Car in an Open Space
Cars should not be parked in spaces below ground level that are prone to flooding. Base car parks should be avoided completely as should low-lying areas. Another thing to be mindful of is parking cars below large trees. Cyclonic winds can not only cause a branch to break or an entire tree to get uprooted, but it could also send it crashing down on your vehicle causing dents and breakage of windows.
- Check Electrical Wiring
The electrical wiring in a vehicle that controls the AC, lights, power buttons, window switches, etc. may be damaged if water gets into the underside of the bonnet of the car. Damage to the electrical wiring can also cause a short circuit resulting in an explosion.
- Corrosion and Leaks
Water build up causes corrosion and external pressure or weight on the vehicle can trigger fluid leaks. A thorough inspection of the car after a cyclone has occurred by a trained mechanic will help rule out such internal damage that may be imperceptible to an amateur car owner.
- Inspect the Tyres
Ensuring that tyre pressure is consistent and hasn’t been affected due to a leak in the tyre is a must. It may seem counterproductive as the car may not have been used during the time but excessive water and wind could cause a puncture or affect the air pressure in the car tyres.
It is essential to contact your car insurance provider if you foresee damage to your car because you are unable to protect it adequately. A natural disaster is beyond everyone’s control but servicing and maintenance expenses in the aftermath of the cyclone may be covered by your car insurance plan. To arm yourself against such damage to your vehicle, find the best car insurance plan on Finserv MARKETS. By using the car insurance calculator you can discover how much premium you need to pay based on the make and model, age, fuel type, and other details of your car.