What to do if a falling tree damages your vehicle during the Mumbai monsoon

A tree uprooted by heavy rain and gusty winds crashes onto a parked car outside Shivaji Park Gymkhana on Sunday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Tree-fall incidents have surged across Mumbai and the MMR this monsoon, damaging several vehicles as heavy rain and strong winds continue to batter the region. As more motorists face the risk of vehicles being crushed by falling trees and branches, retired Regional Transport Office (RTO) official and Principal of the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR), Pune, Sanjay Sasane, says the first few minutes after such an incident can determine both safety and the success of an insurance claim.

If a tree falls on your vehicle follow these four steps first

1.Ensure everyone is safe
2. Photograph and video the damage before anything is moved
3.Inform the police/BMC or disaster control room, if required
4. Notify your insurance company before carrying out repairs

Expert speak

Sanjay Sasane, retired RTO official and principal, IDTR, Pune
‘If a tree or branch falls on your vehicle, first ensure everyone is safe. Do not approach if electric cables have also fallen. Document the scene thoroughly before the vehicle or tree is moved. Take clear photographs and videos of the scene, the registration number, the surrounding area. Also note the exact location, date and approximate time of the incident.'

Dos

Before moving the vehicle
>> Ensure everyone is safe
>> Stay away if power cables are involved
>> Photograph the vehicle, fallen tree or branch and the surroundings
>> Record the registration number, date, time and exact location
>> Inform the police, BMC or disaster control room where required
>> Keep the complaint or reference number

Insurance
>> Inform your insurer immediately or as soon as possible
>> Follow the insurer's survey and documentation process
>> Wait for the survey before starting major repairs
>> Use authorised towing or roadside assistance, if available
>> Keep towing bills, repair estimates and all receipts

While parking
>> Avoid parking beneath old, leaning or heavily overgrown trees
>> Watch for cracked branches, leaning trunks, exposed roots and branches resting on cables

Don'ts

Safety
>> Do not stand near the vehicle if the tree is entangled with power lines
>> Do not climb onto or attempt to remove a large tree or branch yourself

Insurance
>> Do not move the vehicle unless necessary for safety or instructed by authorities
>> Do not start repairs before informing the insurer
>> Do not throw away damaged parts until the survey is complete
>> Do not assume third-party insurance covers damage to your own vehicle

Driving
Do not drive a vehicle with:
>> A cracked windscreen
>> A crushed roof
>> Damaged steering
>> Suspension damage
>> Exposed electrical components
>> Do not repeatedly try to start a badly damaged or waterlogged vehicle
>> Never drive through water above the exhaust pipe
>> If the engine stalls in water, do not crank it again, as water may enter the cylinders and severely damage the engine
>> Do not buy a vehicle that has been submerged in floodwater, even if it appears to be in showroom condition

Insurance explained

Will insurance cover tree-fall damage?
Sasane said: "A falling tree or branch is generally covered under the Own Damage component of a Comprehensive or Standalone Own Damage motor policy, subject to the actual policy terms." He said insurers typically treat tree-fall and falling-object damage as an Own Damage claim.

Before you park

Look for these warning signs
>> Leaning tree
>> Cracked or hanging branches
>> Exposed roots
>> Tree resting on electric cables
>> Heavily overgrown canopy

Check your policy

Policy type: Tree-fall damage to your vehicle
Comprehensive policy: Generally covered
Standalone Own Damage policy: Generally covered
Third-party only policy: Not covered