New Car in 2026? 5 Add-Ons Your Policy Needs

More Indians are buying cars and EV insurance this festive season, but basic policies often leave big gaps. Here are the add-on covers that actually protect your money when something goes wrong.

Here's what happened: Car insurance purchases rose sharply during the 2026 festive season, with electric vehicles making up a growing share of new policies being issued across India.. Basic motor insurance — even comprehensive plans — typically excludes full repair costs due to depreciation deductions, leaving policyholders with significant out-of-pocket expenses at claim time.. EV-specific risks like battery damage, charging equipment loss, and roadside assistance in low-network areas are often not covered under standard four-wheeler policies without deliberate add-on selection..

What you should do: Check your current policy document for 'depreciation clauses' — if zero-depreciation cover is missing, add it at next renewal, especially if your car is under 5 years old.. EV owners: call your insurer today and ask specifically whether your battery pack is covered and up to what value — get the answer in writing or on email before assuming you're protected.. Compare add-on bundles (zero-dep + engine protect + roadside assistance) across at least two insurers on IRDAI-registered aggregators before renewal — the price difference for the same covers can be ₹3,000-₹6,000 annually..

If you've filed zero claims for 3+ years, your No Claim Bonus (NCB) can reach 50% — protect it with an NCB protection add-on so one small claim doesn't wipe out years of savings.

For readers weighing their credit and loan options, our personal loan guide and CIBIL score resources put this update in context.