Does a broken car battery count as vehicle damage insurance?
4 Answers
If the car battery is damaged during a collision with another vehicle, it counts as vehicle damage insurance, and you should promptly report to the police. If it is damaged due to other reasons, it does not count as vehicle damage insurance. Definition of vehicle damage insurance: Vehicle damage insurance refers to a type of commercial auto insurance where the insurance company compensates within a reasonable range when the insured or their permitted driver causes damage to the insured vehicle during an insurance-covered accident while using the vehicle. Precautions for vehicle damage insurance: If the vehicle is driven into deep water and the engine stalls, and the driver forcibly attempts to restart it causing damage, this is considered improper operation and is not covered by the insurance; insurance companies typically stipulate that partial theft or damage to vehicle components or accessories, rather than the entire vehicle, is excluded from coverage.
Vehicle damage insurance typically covers sudden accidental losses, such as vehicle damage caused by collisions or natural disasters. However, a car battery failure is mostly the result of natural aging or daily wear and tear, which falls under the category of normal wear and is not within the scope of vehicle damage insurance. The policy terms clearly state that routine maintenance costs, such as battery replacement and tire wear, are not covered. Think about it—a battery's lifespan is only about 3 years, and it can easily fail due to long periods of parking or infrequent charging. As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I recommend regularly checking the battery's condition, keeping the terminals clean, and avoiding complete discharge. This not only saves money and hassle but is also more reliable than relying on insurance. If a problem does arise, promptly replace the battery at your own expense—it only costs a few hundred yuan. Otherwise, if the battery fails, it’s too late to think about insurance.
My car battery suddenly died the other day, which gave me quite a headache. After calling my insurance company, I finally understood: comprehensive car insurance only covers sudden incidents like collisions or fire damage. Natural wear and tear like a battery dying from old age isn't included. Many beginners mistakenly think any problem can be claimed, but that's a misconception. Battery issues usually develop over time, like voltage instability or not charging it promptly. Paying out of pocket for a new one is straightforward, otherwise going through the claims process is troublesome and might even increase your premiums. Regular vehicle maintenance is key - like checking electrolyte levels every other month and preventing rust - to effectively avoid problems. Remember, insurance is for covering major losses; it's wiser to handle minor repairs yourself.
A dead battery is not covered under auto damage insurance as it falls under normal wear and aging. In daily driving, battery lifespan is greatly affected by usage habits: frequent short trips can lead to deep discharge and accelerated damage. Insurance is designed to cover unexpected events, such as accident damage, not routine wear and tear. To extend battery life, cultivate good habits: avoid using high-power electronics after turning off the engine, and regularly clean the electrodes. Prevention is far more important than filing a claim. Replacing a new battery only costs a few hundred yuan, but waiting for an insurance claim wastes time and may still be denied.
