More and more people are moving towards environmentally conscious practices by taking public transport over private ones and switching to CNG vehicles.
Further, compressed natural gas is the best alternative to petrol because it is comparatively cheaper than its counterparts. Moreover, the level of carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions is low, which makes it environmentally friendly as well.
If you are exploring a car insurance online plan for your new CNG vehicle, or plan to install a CNG kit, there are a few points that must be taken into consideration. Firstly, having CNG car insurance is mandatory. Further, opting for comprehensive car insurance is always a wise decision regardless of your vehicle’s fuel type.
How to Get CNG Installed in Your Car?
There are two ways in which you can get a CNG-based car:
1. Externally get your CNG installed
This means you can buy a CNG kit for your existing car (which is usually fitted in the trunk of the car)externally. Also, note that since it is a modification on your car, you will need to insure it separately.
2. Purchasing a CNG-fitted Car
You can buy a new car which already has a CNG kit installed by the manufacturer. This means that at the time of purchase of your new insurance policy, the insurance provider is aware of the CNG fitting and offers coverage accordingly.
How to Insure Your Existing Vehicle With Externally-fitted CNG Kit
So, if you have recently installed CNG in your existing car following are the general steps you need to take.
- Provide a copy (which will be modified) of the RC book with the seal of CNG to your insurance provider.
- Then, the insurance company will inspect before they modify your current car insurance policy with CNG car insurance.
- Then, the cost of the addition of CNG to the car insurance premium shall be calculated based on the increased value of the car based on the installation of the CNG kit.
- You will be accordingly informed of the appropriate mode of communication.
How to Insure Your New Vehicle With CNG Kit
So, if you have bought a new car with CNG, then these are the general steps you need to follow-
- The registration of a new car only happens after the CNG kid gets installed, which means the RTO is aware of it and, therefore, will take steps to attach the CNG seal to your CNG-based RC book.
- So, to obtain insurance for your brand-new CNG car, you need to submit a copy of the CNG seal-based RC book to your insurance provider.
- Once the insurance company receives the CNG-based RC book, they will verify all the details and will adjust the cost of the car insurance policy premium according to the cost of the CNG kit with the value of the car.
Difference Between Externally Fitted CNG Car Insurance VS Internally Fitted CNG Auto Car Insurance
| Factors | External CNG Fitted Kit | Internal CNG Fitted Kit |
| Coverage | When you get an external CNG kit installed on your existing car, your existing insurance may need to be revised.
Installations may increase maintenance costs, and repair expenses may also get higher. Therefore, to ensure you have optimum comprehensive coverage, you need to inform your insurer and expand your current policy to include the externally fitted CNG kit. |
Internal CNG kits are factory-fitted, which automatically covers them in the insurance plan for the entire vehicle.
You won’t need separate coverage as the kit is considered an integral part of the original vehicle configuration. |
| Premiums | For external CNG installations, premiums are impacted significantly. There is a fixed liability premium of Rs. 60 (subject to change) for externally fitted CNG cars as per IRDAI.
This includes the premiums for Own Damage, resulting in higher overall insurance costs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. |
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The cost of an internal CNG Kit is less expensive as compared with an externally added kit.
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| Endorsement Requirement | Installing an external CNG kit is an alteration to the vehicle. Therefore, you need to request an endorsement for the CNG kit from your insurer.
Please do so to avoid the rejection of claims related to accidental damage involving the CNG kit. |
Internal CNG kits do not require a separate endorsement as they are part of the original vehicle configuration. |
| Claim Rejection Risk | You may face a risk of claim rejection if you have an external CNG kit that is not endorsed. | With internal CNG installations, there is no specific risk of claim rejection related to the CNG kit, as it is considered a part of the original vehicle configuration. |
Conclusion
When you choose a CNG for your car, it means you are ready to put your money into a green and safe future. All you have to do is make sure that your CNG kit is correctly installed if you are externally installing it. Further, make sure you purchase a car insurance policy and inform your insurance company accordingly, as it is crucial not only for your personal safety but also for your financial safety.
