Money

Blazing cars spark new policy interest

By Eric Jou (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-29 07:51

With several high-profile auto fires in the news recently, car drivers are being reminded of the importance of insuring themselves against such a disaster.

Many car owners are not aware that their compulsory insurance package has one extra perk; it covers against damage related to vehicular deterioration.

Reports from outside of Beijing have been detailing the spontaneous combustion of automobiles out on the road due to the recent heat wave that has blanketed much of the country. While cars are constantly "combusting" to move, this type of combustion destroys the whole vehicle when it catches fire.

"This usually happens to older vehicles," said Chen Wei, an auto mechanic. "The car is unkempt and the wires become faulty, when the hot faulty wiring touches oil, it sets off a fire."

When a person buys a new car in China, the owner is prompted to purchase an all-inclusive insurance policy for the vehicle for the first year.

After the first year, the owner can choose to purchase all-inclusive insurance or just the basic accident and damage insurance.

The insurance options include, windshield and glass protection, passenger insurance and natural damage insurance.

Most drivers tend not to purchase the more expensive plans after the first year is over and opt out of the vehicle deterioration insurance.

"I've been driving my car for five years now and I don't see the need for this insurance," said a driver surnamed Zhang, who is a journalist with CCTV. "The problem only happens with older cars that aren't taken care of. I take good care of my vehicle."

Wang Guojun, a professor of Insurance and Risk Management at the University of International Business and Economics, believes that the need for insurance comes down to two factors: the make and model of the car and it's maintenance.

"This kind of insurance isn't necessary for the first two years because your vehicle has the manufacturers' warranty," said Wang.

"But after that, it is something to consider especially if you have an older vehicle."

But there is one problem with such an important insurance policy.

According to Zhang Li, an insurance broker for Ping An Insurance, most insurance companies will not provide vehicle degradation insurance after five years of the vehicle's life.

"When I bought my first car, I canceled the insurance after the first year, and then my car died on me," said Chen Xi, a producer at CCTV.

"After what happened to my first vehicle I decided to always purchase the all-inclusive insurance plan."