Let’s say you’ve bought car insurance. Good job! You’re now covered against damage, accidents, and all those unexpected roadside surprises. But then one day, you have a minor accident and head over to the garage. They hand you a bill—everything looks alright until you notice a separate cost for tiny things like engine oil, nuts, bolts, brake fluid, grease, and even a washer that looks smaller than your thumbnail. And guess what? Your standard policy doesn’t pay for them.
Wait… what?
Yep. That’s where Consumable Cover comes in. If you’re wondering, “What is Consumable Cover in Car Insurance?”, you’re not alone. Most people don’t even know it exists until they have to pay for it themselves.
Let’s break it down, plain and simple.
First Off—What Does “Consumables” Mean?
We promise this isn’t a science class. In car insurance terms, consumables are the parts and items in your vehicle that are used up over time and need replacement after a repair. They’re not permanent parts like your engine or bumper. They’re more like background workers—doing their job quietly and getting replaced more often.
Think of:
- Engine oil
- Gearbox oil
- Brake oil
- Coolant
- Nuts and bolts
- Screws
- Grease
- Lubricants
- Washers
- AC gas (yep, that too)
These might seem like small things. But they can add up real quick on a garage bill.
What is Consumable Cover in Car Insurance?
Alright, now the big question. What is Consumable Cover in Car Insurance? It’s an add-on you can include in your main insurance policy. It helps you get reimbursed for the cost of consumables used during the repair of your car after an accident.
It’s like adding fries to your burger meal. Not necessary, but once you’ve tried it, you won’t go back.
Most comprehensive car insurance plans don’t cover these items by default. So, if you don’t have this add-on, you’ll be paying out of your own pocket—even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Why Should I Even Bother?
Good question. A lot of people think, “Meh, how much can a few bolts and oils cost?” That’s until they see a garage bill of ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 just for consumables.
Also, newer cars, especially the high-end ones or those with turbo engines, use expensive lubricants. Even something as small as AC gas can pinch your wallet.
Getting consumable cover:
- Keeps your repair costs low
- Makes sure you’re not shocked at the garage
- Gives peace of mind, especially if your car is new or less than 5 years old
- So yeah, not having it is like saying no to a warranty on a phone that costs ₹1 lakh. Risky business.
What’s Covered Under Consumable Cover?
Let’s be more specific. This add-on usually includes:
- Engine oil
- Brake oil
- Power steering oil
- Radiator coolant
- Gearbox oil
- Grease
- Lubricants
- Screws, nuts, bolts
- Washers
- Air conditioner refrigerant
These are reimbursed only if they’re used during a repair caused by an accident. So if your mechanic is just topping up oil during routine service, don’t expect your insurer to pay for it.
Also, check with your insurer once. Some might include AC gas, others might not. Because, you know… variety is the spice of insurance.
What’s Not Covered?
Let’s not get too excited—this cover doesn’t work like a magic wand. There are a few situations where it won’t help.
Here’s when consumable cover won’t apply:
- Normal wear and tear (aka routine servicing)
- Mechanical breakdowns
- Repairs that aren’t related to accidents
- If the car is too old (some insurers only give this add-on for cars under 5 years)
- Basically, if your mechanic is doing a regular oil change, this cover takes the day off.
Who Should Get This Add-On?
You, if:
- You drive a new car (especially under 5 years old)
- You own a Maruti, Hyundai, Honda, or similar vehicle that’s your daily ride
- You want to save on small but annoying costs after an accident
- You don’t want surprise bills at the garage
Let’s be honest—we all get annoyed when a ₹200 screw shows up on a bill. Why not pass that to the insurer?
How Much Does Consumable Cover Cost?
Good news—it’s not expensive. The cost of adding this cover depends on your car model and insurer, but it’s usually between ₹300 to ₹1,000 a year.
Yes, that’s about the same as a weekend pizza bill. And unlike that pizza, this add-on actually saves money in the long run.
Claim Process: Is It Complicated?
Not really. You follow the regular claim process through your insurance company or aggregator (like Insuremile), and submit the bills for consumables separately.
Your insurer will check whether the parts were needed due to the accident, and if yes, reimburse you accordingly.
Just don’t forget to:
- Keep the itemized bill
- Get the garage to mention clearly what consumables were used
- Inform your insurer at the time of repair
- Simple stuff. No drama.
- Is It Worth It?
Let’s end with the obvious question—is Consumable Cover worth getting?
If you’ve read this far, then yes. It makes sense if:
- You want complete protection
- You hate surprise charges
You’re already investing in a good insurance policy, so why leave out the small bits?
It’s a small add-on with a big benefit, especially when life decides to throw a little fender-bender your way.