Zero depreciation, engine protection and other car insurance add-ons for a new car in Mumbai
By Arjun Ramanarayanan, IndiCar · Published 24 October 2026 · Tips
Zero depreciation adds around 15% to 30% to a comprehensive premium, according to one source. In Mumbai, engine protection matters because standard policies exclude flood engine damage.
For a new car in Mumbai, zero depreciation and engine protection are two add-ons worth a close look. Zero depreciation stops the insurer from cutting depreciation off the cost of eligible parts in an approved own-damage claim. Engine protection covers water damage to the engine, which standard policies exclude. Return to invoice, consumables, roadside assistance and NCB protection are worth pricing next, depending on how you use the car.
Which car insurance add-ons should you buy for a new car in Mumbai?
Look at zero depreciation and engine protection first, then decide on the rest. Add-ons such as zero depreciation and roadside assistance are optional and priced separately, according to Zurich Kotak's guide to IRDAI rules. You choose which ones go on top of the policy.
Each add-on works with a comprehensive policy. None of them gives cover on its own. Tata AIG lists zero depreciation, return to invoice, engine secure, consumables cover and roadside assistance among its add-ons, and separately groups engine secure, additional towing charges and return to invoice together.
| Add-on | What it pays for | Reported cost |
|---|---|---|
| Zero depreciation | Removes depreciation deductions on eligible parts in approved own-damage claims | Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500 a year (PB Partners) |
| Engine protection | Engine, gearbox, transmission or differential loss from water entry or oil leakage after accidental damage | Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 a year (prodriver.site); Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,500 (Autoyugg) |
| Return to invoice | Gap between IDV and original on-road price on theft or total loss | 10 to 15% more on total premium (Upstox) |
What does zero depreciation cover actually pay?
It pays the part of a repair bill that depreciation would otherwise take off. Without it, the insurer deducts depreciation on parts during an own-damage claim, and you pay that share yourself.
Insure24 gives a simple example. If a bumper repair costs Rs 20,000 and depreciation on plastic is 50%, the insurer pays only Rs 10,000. You pay the rest, on top of the compulsory deductible.
Check the exclusions. One insurer's zero depreciation add-on, as listed by InsuranceDekho for New India, covers the whole car except tyres, tubes and batteries, which are still charged at 50% default depreciation. SBI General notes that zero depreciation does not replace a comprehensive policy.
How much does zero depreciation add to the premium?
Reported estimates run from around 15% to 30% over the base comprehensive premium. Separately, PB Partners puts comprehensive cover at Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 a year and the zero depreciation add-on at Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500.
Insure24 puts it differently: it usually raises the own-damage premium by around 15% to 20%. Your real figure depends on the car and the insurer.
Why does engine protection matter in Mumbai?
Because flood damage to the engine is excluded from standard policies. Engine damage from starting a car while it is submerged needs an engine protection add-on, according to Zurich Kotak, which calls it the most important add-on for flood-prone areas.
Insure24 names living in or commuting through a flood-prone city like Mumbai as a reason to buy it. It cites a Mumbai flood case where a Rs 1.3 lakh engine repair was paid in full under the add-on. Set that against a reported cost of Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 a year from one source and Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,500 from another.
The cover is wider than the engine block. Business Standard reports that engine-safe cover includes the gearbox, transmission or differential assembly. It applies to loss from water entering the engine and to lubricating oil leakage after accidental damage.
One condition decides the claim. CarDekho reports that engine protection pays only if you did not restart the car while it was in water. If your car is stuck in a flooded Mumbai street, leave the ignition off.
Electrical damage is a separate question. HDFC ERGO says water seepage into the electrical system is generally not covered by a standard comprehensive policy unless specified. It suggests an electronic and electrical circuit add-on for expensive vehicles.
What do return to invoice, consumables, roadside assistance and NCB protection add?
Each closes a specific gap. Decide on them by how much a gap would cost you.
- Return to invoice: bridges the gap between your car's IDV and its original on-road price after theft or total loss, according to Tata AIG. Upstox says it reimburses the original invoice value plus registration charges and road tax, and raises total premium by 10 to 15%. Under an IRDA add-on filing document, a claim is treated as a constructive total loss if repair and retrieval costs exceed 75% of IDV.
- Consumables cover: reimburses items standard cover does not pay for, such as nuts, bolts, engine oil and coolants, according to Bajaj General.
- Roadside assistance: can include towing to the nearest garage, minor repairs, lockout help, a flat tyre change, emergency fuel and alternative transport, Business Standard reports.
- NCB protection: a flood claim typically resets your no-claim bonus to zero at the next renewal, according to Zurich Kotak. This add-on can prevent that loss.
How does insurance fit into a new car's on-road price?
First-year insurance is one line in the on-road price. Here is the cheapest Mahindra Bolero variant in Mumbai, the B4 Diesel Manual, for individual registration, from IndiCar's price list dated 12 October 2026.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 8,49,001 |
| RTO registration and road tax (Mumbai, individual) | Rs 1,13,447 |
| Insurance (first-year comprehensive) | Rs 57,922 |
| FASTag | Rs 850 |
| On-road price | Rs 10,21,220 |
Everything on top of ex-showroom comes to Rs 1,72,219 on this variant. The Bolero is priced in 4 variant and powertrain combinations, all diesel manual, up to the B8 Diesel Manual at Rs 11,98,614 on-road. The gap from cheapest to most expensive is Rs 1,77,394.
Because return to invoice reimburses registration charges and road tax as well as invoice value, according to Upstox, the RTO line above is part of what it protects. You can run the same breakup for other models with the on-road price calculator.
How to buy a new car with the right add-ons through IndiCar
You book on indicar.in at IndiCar's itemised on-road price, with a refundable reservation. Before you book, IndiCar gives you in writing the stock position, the delivery date and the itemised price.
IndiCar sources the car from partner dealer stock, and the authorised dealer invoices it. IndiCar handles registration, insurance and delivery in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, and you deal only with IndiCar. Start with all new cars with Mumbai on-road prices.
Sources
- IRDAI Car Insurance Rules in India: Latest Guidelines 2026
- Zero Depreciation Car Insurance: Buy/Renew
- Is It Worth It to Get Zero Depreciation Auto Insurance in India?
- New India Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Policy - InsuranceDekho
- What is Zero Depreciation Cover in Car Insurance? Benefits and Cost
- Steps to claim car insurance for flood damage
- Readers' Corner: Will your motor insurance be valid anywhere in India?
- Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Damage From Monsoon Flooding?
- Car Insurance Claim Process India's flood damage in 2026 - prodriver.site
- Monsoon Car Insurance: Why Standard Policies Fail and Which Add-Ons You Need
- Engine Protection Car Insurance 2026: Cover, Cost and Benefits
- Dealing with Mumbai monsoons? Boost your car insurance coverage
- Car Insurance Add-on Covers Explained in Detail
- Which Motor Insurance Riders Are Worth Your Money?
- List of Top Car Insurance Add-On Covers
- List of Motor Add-On covers Proposed to be filed with IRDA
- Car Insurance Add-Ons - Complete Guide
Buying a new car through IndiCar
IndiCar arranges new-car purchases in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. You book a new car on IndiCar at the on-road price shown on its car page, with the full price breakup: ex-showroom, RTO registration, insurance, TCS and FASTag. You book online with a refundable reservation, and IndiCar sources the car from partner dealer stock and handles the registration, insurance, paperwork and delivery.
You deal only with IndiCar from quote to delivery. Your phone number is never passed to a dealer, and you do not need to take the quote to a showroom to negotiate. See on-road prices and book or get a WhatsApp quote on +91 85916 41004.
Frequently asked questions
How much does zero depreciation cost on car insurance?
PB Partners estimates the zero depreciation add-on at Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500 a year. Another figure puts it at around 15% to 30% over the base comprehensive premium. Insure24 says it usually raises the own-damage premium by around 15% to 20%.
Does zero depreciation cover tyres and batteries?
Not always. One insurer's zero depreciation add-on, listed by InsuranceDekho, covers the whole car except tyres, tubes and batteries, which are charged at 50% default depreciation.
Is flood damage to the engine covered by a standard policy?
No. Engine damage from starting a car while it is submerged is excluded from standard policies, according to Zurich Kotak. You need an engine protection add-on, and CarDekho reports it pays only if you did not restart the car while it was in water.
What does return to invoice pay?
It bridges the gap between your car's IDV and its original on-road price after theft or total loss. Upstox says it reimburses the original invoice value plus registration charges and road tax, and raises total premium by 10 to 15%.
Will a flood claim affect my no-claim bonus?
A flood claim typically resets your NCB to zero at the next renewal, according to Zurich Kotak. An NCB protection add-on can prevent that loss.
Can IndiCar tell me which add-ons are in the insurance line before I book?
IndiCar gives you the itemised on-road price in writing before you book, along with the stock position and delivery date. Ask IndiCar directly which add-ons the insurance line includes.
Tags: car insurance, zero depreciation, engine protection, mumbai, new car buying, mahindra bolero