No matter how much confidence you have on your driving, the monsoon is the real test of your driving skills. This rainfall can cause deceit even an experienced driver, so you can easily think of the situation of a person who drives occasionally! Adding to that, waterlogged roads and potholes do everything to disrupt our journey.
Further, thesituation can become more worrisome if you are driving at night. So, instead of pressing the panic button, let me take you through some tips to ease your journey during monsoon. So, let’s drive (i.e., start)
- Maintain safe distance= As braking distance increases in wet conditions, make sure to keep a safe distance from the other vehicle ahead of you. As in most of the situations, rain is followed by huge traffic where you will not be able to go above 15-20 km/hr, however, in spite of that, it is necessary to maintain a largergap than what you would have done in the dry situation.
- Keep things smooth= During rain, it is imperative to be smooth with your car’s control— neither accelerate frequently nor make hasty steering inputs. Always accelerate smoothly and anticipate turns in advance by using technology like Google Map, etc. Also, stay away from sudden inputs otherwise your car can lose traction and can also spin— a situation which you will definitelydon’twant to face!
- Light up your presence= As visibility falls drastically during monsoon, it’s time to get visible on the road by switching on your car’s headlights. In case the traffic is moving at a snail’s pace, switch on the hazard lights to warn the vehicles following you. Note, always use low beams as high beams reflect back and pose trouble for other vehicle users on the road.
- Halt your journey= If it is heavily raining, ‘apply’ brake on your journey, park your car by the side of the road and switch on the hazard lights. Wait till the rain dwindles and visibility increases.
- Drive cautiously= When it is common to ‘meet’ potholes and manholes during normal weather conditions, it should not come as a surprise to youif you see accumulated water and open manholes there in monsoon too. So, avoid those roads where the accumulated rain water has reached a high level. In case you can’t avoid going through standing or flowing water, keep your car’s engine revved up and slowly drive through such area to avoid water entering into your car’s engine.
A Useful Tip to Mitigate Loss= Buy Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy in India
Sometimes even after driving cautiously, accidents do happen not because of your fault, but because of the other person behind the steering act carelessly. Do you know, over 200 claims, including car insurance, were received by general insurance companies from Tamil Nadu when the flood hit the state in 2015?
While the predicaments that you would have to face from the annoying traffic jam that heaped after rain, have to be suffered by you, it is feasible to get the compensation for the damages caused to your car from your car insurer, provided losses or damages are not caused due to willful negligence.
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, you can approach your insurer who will recoup the financial loss that you would otherwise have to bear yourself in the absence of a motor insurance policy.
Moreover, most of the car insurance companies in India offer roadside assistance (RSA) programme under which you can avail numerous services to deal with unforeseensituations that can arise during monsoon, like a flattyre, no fuel, vehicle breakdown, etc.
If you have a roadside assistance cover, you will only need to call your car insurance company who would provide immediate assistance to ease your worries. Here are some of the services covered under RSA.
- Breakdown support over phone
- Battery jump start
- Minor repairs
- Flat tyre change
- Towing service in case of breakdown or accident
- Arrangement/supply of fuel
- Message relay
- Arrangement of accommodation
Keep your car insurance policy details and insurer’s toll-free number handy where you need to call to register your claim. In thecase of any accident, call up the insurer who will guide you to the nearest cashless garage centre, where the repair expenses will be settled between the insurer and the garage centre and your involvement is not required.
Monsoon is the time which will stay here for a few days or weeks, so enjoy the season fullest without worrying about your car, which I am sure will be in good condition if you follow my above tips!