Updated: August 13, 2025 | By Singh Sumit
When it comes to protecting your car, most people settle for a basic policy. Here’s the truth: without the right car insurance add-ons, you still end up paying ₹2–3 lakhs from your own pocket. This can happen after an accident, theft, or breakdown. These optional extras look small in cost but deliver huge benefits.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top 5 car insurance add-ons in India. We will explain how they work. We will share real examples and highlight when they make sense. Add-on #3 is especially important, yet most people ignore it—until it’s too late.
Table of Contents
- Zero Depreciation Cover – The Most Popular Add-On
- Engine Protection Cover – A Must-Have in Monsoon Cities
- Return to Invoice (RTI) Cover – The Hidden Lifesaver
- Roadside Assistance – Your 24/7 Backup
- NCB Protection – Keep Your Discounts Intact
- Quick Comparison Table
- Why These Add-Ons Are Worth It
- How to Choose the Right Combination
- FAQs on Car Insurance Add-Ons
- Final Take: Spend a Little, Save a Lot
1️⃣ Zero Depreciation Cover – The Most Popular Car Insurance Add-On
Ever filed a claim and been shocked at how little you got back? That’s depreciation at work. Without Zero Depreciation Cover, insurers deduct 30–50% of the cost of parts, depending on age and wear. This can mean thousands out of pocket.
With this add-on, the insurer pays the full cost of parts without depreciation cuts.
- Best for cars less than 5 years old
- Huge savings on expensive modern parts like bumpers, headlamps, and alloy wheels
Example: A bumper replacement worth ₹20,000 may give you only ₹12,000 without this cover. With Zero Depreciation, you get the full ₹20,000.
2️⃣ Engine Protection Cover – Essential in Monsoon Cities
Your car’s engine is like its heart—and repairing it can drain your wallet. Standard policies don’t cover damage from floods, hydrostatic lock, or oil leakage. That’s where Engine Protection Cover comes in.
It is ideal if you:
- Live in a flood-prone city like Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata
- Drive a premium car with costly engine parts
Real Case: A driver in Mumbai spent ₹1.8 lakh on engine repairs after monsoon flooding. With Engine Protection Cover, the cost would have been zero.
📖 External resource: Policybazaar on Engine Protection Cover
3️⃣ Return to Invoice (RTI) Cover – The Hidden Car Insurance Add-On That Saves Big 💰
This is the most underrated add-on in Indian car insurance. If your car is stolen or completely damaged, insurers usually pay only the depreciated market value. RTI ensures you get the original invoice value or the latest ex-showroom price.
Best for:
- Brand-new or luxury cars
- People in theft-prone or accident-prone areas
Example: You bought a car for ₹12 lakh two years ago. Today, it’s valued at ₹9 lakh. If stolen:
- Without RTI: You get ₹9 lakh
- With RTI: You get the full ₹12 lakh
📖 External resource: The Economic Times on RTI Cover
4️⃣ Roadside Assistance – A Car Insurance Add-On That Has Your Back Anywhere
Imagine it’s 11 pm, your tyre bursts, and you’re 30 km from home. Who do you call? With Roadside Assistance, you call your insurer, and help arrives quickly.
Services often include towing, tyre replacement, battery jumpstart, fuel delivery, and even taxi arrangements if stranded.
📖 External resource: Times of India on Roadside Assistance
5️⃣ NCB Protection – Keep Your Premium Discounts with This Car Insurance Add-On
Your No Claim Bonus (NCB) can slash your premium by up to 50%. But one claim can wipe it out. With NCB Protection, you can file a limited claim (usually one per year) without losing your accumulated discount.
Example: Over 5 years, keeping your NCB can save ₹25,000–₹40,000 depending on your car.
📌 Internal resource: What Is a No Claim Bonus (NCB) in Car Insurance?
📖 External resource: HDFC ERGO on NCB Protection
🛠 Quick Comparison Table
| Add-On | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Depreciation | New cars (<5 years) | Full repair cost, no depreciation cut |
| Engine Protection | Flood-prone areas | Covers engine damage |
| RTI | New/high-value cars | Full invoice value on total loss |
| Roadside Assistance | All car owners | 24/7 emergency help |
| NCB Protection | Safe drivers | Keeps premium discounts intact |
💡 Why These Add-Ons Are Worth Every Rupee
Skipping add-ons save you a little today, but can cost lakhs tomorrow. Think of them as an investment in peace of mind. Together, they cover risks that standard policies ignore—making your insurance truly comprehensive.
📍 How to Choose the Right Combination
- Car age: Newer cars benefit most from Zero Depreciation, RTI, and Engine Protection.
- Location: Flood-prone cities need Engine Protection. Highway drivers should add Roadside Assistance.
- Budget vs. risk: You don’t need all add-ons, but choose the ones that protect your biggest risks.
📌 Internal resource: Comprehensive vs. Third-Party Car Insurance Explained
❓ FAQs on Car Insurance Add-Ons
Q: Do add-ons make car insurance more expensive?
Yes, but the cost is small compared to the savings during claims.
Q: Can I buy add-ons mid-policy?
Generally no, they must be added during buy or renewal.
Q: Which add-on is most important?
For new cars, start with Zero Depreciation and Engine Protection. For high-value cars, add RTI.
Q: Do these add-ons apply to EVs?
Yes, and insurers are also offering battery protection for electric vehicles.
Q: Is RTI useful after 5 years of ownership?
No, because depreciation is too steep by then to justify the cost.
✅ Final Take: Spend a Little, Save a Lot
A few extra rupees in premium today can protect you from paying ₹2–3 lakhs tomorrow. If you only remember one from this list, make it Return to Invoice (RTI) Cover. It’s the ultimate safety net most people overlook.
💡 Want to compare your premium now? Use our Car Insurance Premium Calculator to check instantly before you buy.
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Last Updated on August 16, 2025 by Singh sumit