Compensation for vehicles burnt in fire in Jhandewalan, New Delhi will depend on the insurance policy, parking owner or building management. Compensation for loss is possible if there is comprehensive insurance. Compensation can be obtained through legal action if parking negligence is proved.
If the cars parked in the parking catch fire, will the owner of the parking also be responsible for compensation? Will the company managing the building in which the parking is located also be held responsible for this? Such questions came to people’s mind after a fire broke out in a shopping complex in Jhandewalan, New Delhi on Tuesday. The shopping complex where the fire broke out belonged to the DDA, so will the DDA compensate the loss of those car owners?
To know the answers to these questions, News18 spoke to Gurdeep Singh Batra of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. He told that who is to be held responsible in such cases depends on many factors. These factors include the victim’s insurance policy and possible negligence etc. Let us understand these in detail.
1. Personal Vehicle Insurance (Motor Insurance Policy)
Comprehensive Insurance: If the vehicle owner has comprehensive motor insurance, then the damage caused by fire will be compensated under the “Fire” section. For this, the vehicle owner will have to file a claim with the insurance company.
Third-Party Insurance: If the vehicle owner has only third-party insurance, then the damage caused by the fire will not be compensated because third-party insurance does not cover the own damage to the vehicle.
2. Responsibility of the property owner or parking provider
If the fire is caused due to negligence of the parking (eg, faulty electrical system, not following fire safety rules), then the vehicle owner can seek compensation by taking legal action. If the parking owner has public liability insurance or property insurance, then it can compensate for the damage to the vehicles, but it will depend on the legal process and admission of fault.
3. Building’s fire insurance policy
If the fire breaks out in a building, then the fire insurance policy of that building will only cover the structure and contents of the building, but damage to the vehicles is not included in it. Damage to the vehicle will be covered only if it is specifically mentioned in the policy.
What should the victim do?
If your vehicle is burnt, first of all check your insurance policy. If you have comprehensive insurance, you can make a claim. If the fire is caused due to carelessness in parking, then the option of legal action is open. But if there is only third-party insurance, then you will not get any compensation from the insurance company.
