Car got into a ditch

JustCause · 1st November 2010, 19:41

My Alto met with its first accident yesterday when the front wheels got into a ditch at night on a poorly lit road.

I have checked the underbody, but, no damage is apparent.The clutch has taken quite a beating while trying to reverse out of it & I suspect it has gone bad.Also, the front wheels are a little bit turned to the right, as it happened while negotiating a right turn & consequently, the car pulls to the right.

My question is, are any of the repairs which might arise from, covered under insurance?

I asked my local MASS and they said that I'd have to pay for the clutch, which will cost 5K, and is NOT under insurance.

guptavis · 1st November 2010, 23:23

Dont know about other parts but Clutch is not covered under insurance.its counted as comsumable (wear and tear) part like brake pad, etc.

rjstyles69 · 1st November 2010, 23:29

justcause the clutch is not covered by insurance but is generally covered under warranty. But that again only if its a manufacturing defect and not something that is caused by our driving styles.

edit : My older cars clutch was replaced under warranty by MUL.

idea · 2nd November 2010, 01:15

I am bit confused on this. No doubt it is a accident - unintentional. And if clutch damage is due to accident, why it cant be covered in insurance (due to wear and tear?).

I must say i was not aware of this. Need to check with my insurance company.

JustCause · 2nd November 2010, 07:51

@all
Thanks for the replies, I will call my insurance co. to ascertain if this job can be done in warranty.

I recall there was an amply loud rubbing sound while reversing, which I initially thought as spinning wheels, and the smell of rubber was due to the wheel fouling with the boundary of the ditch. But, as I now know, neither front tyre is 'eaten', and the rubber burning was my clutch.

It also isn't slipping per se, I checked top speed in 1st gear and it coincides with 41.5 kmph (mentioned in manual) and that is where the rev limiter cuts in. Also, the engine stalls immediately on doing the clutch test.

What's happened is, that the car is a lot easier to stall in first gear and the clutching action is not uniform, so, it could be uneven wear.

JustCause · 6th November 2010, 18:38

The clutch indeed has worn, but not enough to warrant a replacement, given my low running. Wheel alignment & balancing was done. Total bill for repairs amounted to 4K. I paid 1K odd from my pocket & rest was through insurance.

Goodbye NCB!
here are the pics.

SirAlec · 6th November 2010, 22:33

please post the screen shot of the bill.

BTW alto clutch+pressure plate does not cost that much (5k).

1st November 2010, 19:41	#1
JustCause BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Currently, New Delhi Posts: 422 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	Car got into a ditch My Alto met with its first accident yesterday when the front wheels got into a ditch at night on a poorly lit road. I have checked the underbody, but, no damage is apparent.The clutch has taken quite a beating while trying to reverse out of it & I suspect it has gone bad.Also, the front wheels are a little bit turned to the right, as it happened while negotiating a right turn & consequently, the car pulls to the right. My question is, are any of the repairs which might arise from, covered under insurance? I asked my local MASS and they said that I'd have to pay for the clutch, which will cost 5K, and is NOT under insurance.
	() Thanks

1st November 2010, 23:23	#2
guptavis BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: chandigarh Posts: 339 Thanked: 66 Times	Dont know about other parts but Clutch is not covered under insurance.its counted as comsumable (wear and tear) part like brake pad, etc.
	() Thanks

1st November 2010, 23:29	#3
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,344 Thanked: 845 Times View My Garage	justcause the clutch is not covered by insurance but is generally covered under warranty. But that again only if its a manufacturing defect and not something that is caused by our driving styles. edit : My older cars clutch was replaced under warranty by MUL. Last edited by rjstyles69 : 1st November 2010 at 23:35.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2010, 01:15	#4
idea BANNED Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 195 Thanked: 32 Times	I am bit confused on this. No doubt it is a accident - unintentional. And if clutch damage is due to accident, why it cant be covered in insurance (due to wear and tear?). I must say i was not aware of this. Need to check with my insurance company.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2010, 07:51	#5
JustCause BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Currently, New Delhi Posts: 422 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	@all Thanks for the replies, I will call my insurance co. to ascertain if this job can be done in warranty. I recall there was an amply loud rubbing sound while reversing, which I initially thought as spinning wheels, and the smell of rubber was due to the wheel fouling with the boundary of the ditch. But, as I now know, neither front tyre is 'eaten', and the rubber burning was my clutch. It also isn't slipping per se, I checked top speed in 1st gear and it coincides with 41.5 kmph (mentioned in manual) and that is where the rev limiter cuts in. Also, the engine stalls immediately on doing the clutch test. What's happened is, that the car is a lot easier to stall in first gear and the clutching action is not uniform, so, it could be uneven wear. Last edited by Dippy : 2nd November 2010 at 19:21. Reason: Editing on request
	() Thanks

6th November 2010, 18:38	#6
JustCause BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Currently, New Delhi Posts: 422 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	The clutch indeed has worn, but not enough to warrant a replacement, given my low running. Wheel alignment & balancing was done. Total bill for repairs amounted to 4K. I paid 1K odd from my pocket & rest was through insurance. Goodbye NCB! here are the pics.
	() Thanks

6th November 2010, 22:33	#7
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	please post the screen shot of the bill. BTW alto clutch+pressure plate does not cost that much (5k).
	() Thanks