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Zero Depreciation Car Insurance

 

What is Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Cover?

You file a car insurance claim, the workshop gives you a repair estimate, and you assume the policy will cover most of it. Then the settlement comes in, and the payout is lower. But what happened? Depreciation. Every car part loses value over time, and when your insurer calculates the claim, that lost value gets deducted from what they pay you. The older the part, the bigger the deduction.

Zero dep insurance is an add-on that helps close that gap. When covered parts need to be repaired or replaced after an accident or another covered event, depreciation deductions on those parts are reduced or removed, as per the policy terms.

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What are the Benefits of Zero Depreciation Cover in Car Insurance?

Here is what zero depreciation car insurance actually changes when a claim is made:

You End Up Paying Less from Your Own Pocket

Under a standard policy, depreciation on replaced parts is deducted from the claim. With this add-on, that deduction is reduced significantly. The difference between what the insurer pays and what the workshop charges becomes much smaller.

The Settlement Actually Reflects the Repair Cost

A standard policy approves the claim, but the final payment can still feel short. Zero dep insurance keeps the settlement closer to what repairs actually cost, so the cover feels like it is doing its job.

It Makes More Sense for Newer Cars

The newer your car, the more its parts are worth, and the more depreciation stings when those parts need replacing. If your car is relatively new, zero depreciation cover can make a meaningful difference to what you receive at claim time.

No Unpleasant Surprises When You Claim

Finding out that depreciation has quietly reduced your payout is one of the more frustrating parts of an insurance claim. This add-on makes it less likely to catch you off guard.

More Useful When Damage Goes Beyond the Surface

Minor scratches are manageable. But when parts need replacing after serious damage, costs can rise quickly. That is when zero depreciation car insurance earns its place in your policy.

Should You Opt for Zero Depreciation Insurance?

You drive home happy after buying a new car. Then one day, a scratch, a dent, or something worse happens. You file a claim expecting the full repair cost to be covered. The payout arrives, and it is lower than the garage bill.

That is depreciation at work.

Your insurer deducts the depreciated value of every replaced part before settling the claim. The older the part, the less you get back. The remaining amount? That comes out of your pocket. On a newer car, that gap adds up faster.

Zero depreciation insurance makes the most sense if you drive a new car, a premium vehicle, or deal with bumper-to-bumper city traffic every day. It comes down to one simple question: how much of that gap are you comfortable covering yourself?

When Does a Zero Depreciation Add-On in Car Insurance Come Into Play?

The way the zero depreciation add-on works is simple. If your car is damaged in an accident, flood, earthquake, riot, vandalism, or even during transit, your insurer pays the full repair or replacement cost, subject to policy terms and conditions. No deductions for depreciation.

That said, the add-on does not cover everything, like:

  • Regular wear and tear

  • Engine failure from oil leakage or water ingress

  • Consumables

  • Situations where the driver was unlicensed or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Also, most policies allow up to two zero dep insurance claims in a policy year. Once this limit is reached, any further claims are still processed, but without this add-on benefit.

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How to Get Zero Dep
Car Insurance Online?

Buying zero dep car insurance online takes only a few minutes:

1

Enter your vehicle registration number to generate a quote

2

Select a comprehensive policy

3

Choose zero depreciation cover from the add-ons section

4

Proceed to payment

5

Your policy is issued instantly and sent to your registered email

Zero Depreciation Cover vs Comprehensive Car Insurance

Basis Comprehensive Car Insurance Zero Depreciation Cover (Add-on)
What it covers Covers accidents, theft, third-party liability, and natural/man-made calamities Offers zero depreciation on replaced parts
Depreciation deduction Depreciation is deducted on parts at the time of claim No depreciation deduction on covered parts
Claim payout Lower payout due to depreciation costs borne by you Higher payout as depreciation cost is not deducted
Parts coverage impact Plastic, rubber, and fibreglass parts attract up to 50% and 30% depreciation These parts are covered without depreciation cuts
Premium Lower premium Slightly higher premium due to added benefit
Out-of-pocket expense Higher, as you pay for depreciation Lower, as insurer covers full cost (as per terms)
Best suited for Older vehicles or budget-focused buyers New or high-value cars where repair costs can be significant

A comprehensive car insurance policy gives you wide protection, but a zero depreciation add-on ensures you do not lose money on part replacements during claims.

What is Depreciation?

Depreciation is the drop in value insurers apply to individual parts when settling a repair or replacement bill. Older parts are paid out at a lower rate than new ones. Zero dep insurance removes this deduction, so a part's age no longer affects what you receive at claim time.

How is Depreciation Calculated in Car Insurance?

Depreciation is calculated component-wise:

  • Rubber, plastic, nylon parts, tyres, tubes, batteries, airbags: 50%
  • Fibreglass parts: 30%
  • Glass: Nil

Vehicle-level depreciation increases with age. For example:

  • 4 to 5 years: 35%
  • 5 to 10 years: 40%

These rates reduce your claim payout in a standard policy. With zero depreciation in car insurance, these deductions are removed.

Note: Tyres, tubes, and batteries may still have partial depreciation depending on the insurer.

What is the Role of a Zero Depreciation Cover During Claim Settlement?

Let’s break it down with a simple example.

Consider a bumper repair costing INR. 5,000.

  • Without zero depreciation cover:
  • With zero depreciation cover:
  • Repair cost: INR 5,000

  • Deductible: INR 1,000

  • Depreciation applied (50%)

  • Insurer pays: INR 1,500

  • You pay: INR 3,500

  • Repair cost: INR 5,000

  • Deductible: INR 1,000

  • No depreciation deduction

  • Insurer pays: INR 4,000

  • You pay: INR 1,000

The difference is clear. This is where a zero dep insurance claim delivers value.

How to Renew Zero Depreciation Insurance Online?

To renew zero dep insurance online:

  • 1
    Visit the car insurance renewal page
  • 2
    Enter your vehicle registration number or mobile number
  • 3
    Confirm zero depreciation cover is included in your renewal
  • 4
    Complete your zero depreciation insurance renewal through the secure payment gateway

Aim to renew some days before the expiry date. If your policy lapses, a vehicle inspection may be needed before it can be reinstated.

Things to Remember

Things to Remember About Zero Depreciation in Car Insurance

Zero dep is only available for cars up to five years old. After that, the option is no longer available. A few more conditions worth knowing:

  • Generally, a maximum of two zero dep claims is permitted per policy year. Further damage is settled under standard depreciation terms

  • The compulsory deductible applies to every claim, regardless of whether zero dep is active

  • Engine damage from water ingress or oil leakage, consumables, and mechanical failures are not covered. A separate engine protection add-on handles those.

Read your policy document carefully to understand the zero dep cover conditions.

What Factors Influence Your Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Premium?

  • Your car's age carries the most weight. Older, eligible cars are a higher claim risk, and that shows up in the zero-dep insurance price you pay.

  • Make and model come next. Luxury vehicles have parts that cost significantly more to replace, which pushes zero depreciation car insurance pricing further.

  • Your registered city also plays a role. Metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru see more accidents in dense traffic, and insurers price that in.

  • Claims history at renewal can shift the final figure, too.

Car Depreciation Rates Approved by IRDAI

The following IRDAI depreciation rates apply during claim settlement:

Age of Car Without Zero Dep Cover With Zero Dep Cover
Under 6 months Nil 0%
6 months to 1 year 5% 0%
1 to 2 years 10% 0%
2 to 3 years 15% 0%
3 to 4 years 25% 0%
4 to 5 years 35% 0%
5 to 10 years 40% 0%
Above 10 years 50% 0%
Part Type Without Zero Dep Cover With Zero Dep Cover
Rubber, plastic, nylon, tyres, tubes, batteries, airbags 50% 0%
Fiberglass 30% 0%
Glass 0% 0%

How is Zero Depreciation Car Insurance Premium Calculated?

  • Your car's IDV, make, model, fuel type, and registration city form the base of the calculation. The zero dep insurance premium is then added on top as an extra charge over the base own-damage premium.
  • Cars with costly parts or higher accident exposure attract proportionally higher zero depreciation car insurance pricing.
  • A clean claims record at renewal generally works in your favour.
Documents Required for Filing a Bike Insurance Claim

Key Features of the Zero Depreciation Add-On for Car Insurance

The zero depreciation car insurance add-on covers rubber, plastic, nylon, fibreglass, metal, and glass parts at full replacement cost, with no depreciation applied.

Key zero dep insurance features include:

  • Six-month repair quality assurance at authorised network garages
  • Instant policy issuance
  • Direct garage settlement by the insurer

The add-on must be purchased alongside a comprehensive or standalone own-damage policy and applies only to cars up to five years old.

Claim Settlement with Zero Depreciation Car Insurance

When damage occurs, inform your insurer as soon as possible to raise a zero dep claim. A surveyor visits to assess the damage, and the car is sent to an authorised network garage for repairs.

Documents you will need:

1

Policy document

2

Registration certificate

3

Driving licence

4

Signed claim form

5

Repair estimates

Once repairs are done, the insurer pays the garage directly. You only pay the compulsory deductible. That is how zero depreciation claim settlement works, exactly as it should.

Steps To Renew Bike Insurance Online

Advantages of Buying Nil Depreciation Add-On Cover with
ICICI Lombard

A new car comes with high parts costs. And when something goes wrong, a standard policy quietly deducts depreciation before settling your claim. That gap between the actual repair bill and what you receive is exactly what the nil depreciation add-on cover with ICICI Lombard eliminates.

Here is what you get when you add it to your policy:

  • Your claim payout reflects what repairs actually cost, with no depreciation deducted

  • ICICI Lombard settles directly with the network garage, so there is no upfront payment from you

  • Six-month repair quality assurance at authorised network garages gives you peace of mind after every repair

  • Issuance and renewal are fully online, making the entire process straightforward and easy

  • The cover delivers the most value in the early years of ownership, when parts costs are high, and the depreciation gap is at its widest

Why Choose ICICI Lombard Bike Insurance?

The earlier you add it, the more you save when it matters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy zero depreciation car insurance?

If you want to avoid paying extra from your pocket during a claim, this add-on is worth considering. It is especially useful for newer cars, where part replacement costs can be high. If keeping your repair bills predictable matters to you, this can make a real difference.

What is the premium for zero depreciation car insurance?

The zero dep premium varies by your car's age, make, model, and registered city, and sits on top of your base own-damage premium.

Is bumper-to-bumper and zero dep insurance the same?

Yes. Bumper-to-bumper, nil depreciation, and zero depreciation are all different names for the same add-on cover.

Do I get No Claim Bonus in a zero-dep car insurance policy? The No Claim Bonus (NCB) builds

The No Claim Bonus (NCB) builds up for every claim-free year and comes off your insurance premium at renewal.

What is the Insured Declared Value (IDV) in a nil depreciation car insurance policy?

The IDV is what your insurer pays out if your car is stolen or totalled. Zero depreciation cover has no effect on that figure.

Which factors affect the zero depreciation car insurance premium?

Your car's age, make, model, registered city, and claims history all influence the zero dep premium. Luxury vehicles and cars in metro cities generally attract higher rates.

How can I check if my car insurance includes zero dep cover?

Open the add-ons or endorsements section of your policy schedule and look for the zero depreciation add-on to confirm it is active.

Is zero dep available after 5 years?

Zero dep cover is usually available for cars up to five years old.

Should I buy zero dep insurance after 7 years?

The zero depreciation add-on does not apply to cars older than five years. A standard comprehensive policy is the right call at that stage.

Can I transfer the zero depreciation insurance to another owner?

Yes. The policy, add-ons included, can usually be transferred as long as the insurer is informed within the required timeframe.

How do I know if my car insurance policy has zero dep cover?

Open the add-ons section of your policy and look for zero depreciation, nil depreciation, or bumper-to-bumper add-ons.

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