Vehicle fires are one of the scariest things that can happen with anyone. Car fire can be caused by fuel leakages, overheating, short circuits, and accidents among other factors. If your vehicle is comprehensively insured, you may not be badly off. However, people on the spot may click photographs and make videos instead of helping you. What should you do under such circumstances?
Owner/Driver should check the car before driving. Checking the vehicle’s mechanical condition can help to identify disconnections within the engine. When disconnections are observed, the driver should seek assistance from a mechanic. It is important to read odometers while driving. When the arrow shows extreme red, it means that the temperature is high. Thus the driver should stop and let the engine cool by air.
Many car fires start from the engine compartment where most of the working parts are. Accidents can also cause significant car fires when the gas tank or the engine has taken a severe hit, a slight spark or electrical impulse, such as when batteries get ruptured, can cause fire. Find out the cause of fire and prevent it if possible. Stop the car. Once a vehicle's on fire, any number of factors can complicate things.
When you notice your car starting to overheat, pull over. As soon as you notice the temperature gauge getting into the hot territory pull over and turn off the car to allow the engine to cool. If steam comes from the bonnet, stop immediately and keep an eye on your temperature gauge to prevent serious steam from escaping. If you smell something burning, shutting off the engine will stop the flow of fuel and may prevent a full-blown fire. Take the valuables/flammables out of car. If the fire is in the rear of the vehicle near the gas tank, get away quickly.
In case your vehicle catches fire, you should immediately contact your insurer and the police to report the matter. Prompt reporting of the incident to the insurer helps in arranging a spot survey. Spot survey helps in an easy and early claim settlement. The insurance company makes investigations in conjunction with authorities to know whether the incident was genuine. Car fires are always a scary situation and can obviously do a lot of damage. It can occur in a couple of different ways.
Car fires are covered under the comprehensive motor policy which includes self-ignition also. The amount paid depends on the value of the car in terms of purchase amount and its condition. Comprehensive coverage will cover the fire damage to your car regardless of what caused the fire. It is important you purchase the Package cover on your car before the loss occurs.
In case the engine catches fire and the vehicle is completely burnt, then your insurer will pay the vehicle value minus deductible. Your insurers will honor the claim if the loss is due to fire irrespective of it arising due to internal or external means. One more possible scenario may be when cars are set on fire in case of riots. Even these cases are covered under comprehensive car insurance. If your car has been damaged and the potential repair costs exceed the value of the car, your insurance company might consider it a total loss.
However, if the fire ignition is proven intentional from the owner, then the claim will be rejected. An insurance claim may also be rejected if any unauthorized accessory is fitted and the fire is caused due to the same accessory. Therefore, make sure to use authorized accessories only. While car insurance policies do not typically cover mechanical failure, fire is the exception. For example, if you are driving on the highway and the engine becomes engulfed in flames, the loss is payable under your comprehensive car policy.
Car fires don't happen frequently, but when they do, it's a potentially deadly emergency. Your best line of defense is to have these systems checked out at every service call.