• Car Insurance
• Acts of God Insurance Coverage: What It is and Why You Need One

Acts of God Insurance Coverage: What It is and Why You Need One

The Philippines is no stranger to violent weather conditions and natural calamities. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, thousands of people have recently been evacuated from the Taal Volcano danger zone after Alert Level 3 was raised.^[1]

Last year’s Taal volcano eruption caused ashfall in Luzon, affecting dealership plants and manufacturing networks in the southern parts of the island. The ashfall also gravely impacted vehicles, with drivers, passengers, and those tasked to clean them exposed to health risks. 

Natural disasters happen all the time. And sometimes, no matter the precaution and preparation, things can still get out of hand. Even so, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Protect yourself from costly repairs when your vehicle is damaged in a natural disaster. If you’re getting car insurance, make sure you have acts of nature or acts of God insurance coverage.

What is Acts of God in Car Insurance?

Acts of God is a type of car insurance coverage that shields your vehicle from the dangers of non-human and non-mechanical damage risks caused by natural phenomena.

It assumes the cost of damages and repairs when vehicles are compromised due to natural disasters. Although all acts of God are uncontrollable, not all insurance policies offer this type of coverage. 

The concept of the cover traces back to the Hammurabi Code, one of the first written laws. The code allowed a debtor to be saved from having to pay back borrowed money in the event of an uncontrollable personal catastrophe. These events include natural disasters, the same way that an acts of nature cover protects a car owner in the event of damage incurred due to storms and other calamities.

What is Covered in Acts of God Insurance in the Philippines?

Insurance providers have different terms and conditions when it comes to approving acts of God insurance claims. Your car may or may not be covered because the coverage comes with specific conditions depending on your policy. Here are some natural disasters covered by acts of God insurance in the Philippines and what you need to know before claiming damages:

1. Typhoon

The Philippines’ geographic location makes it prone to typhoons. Sudden heavy rains can cause flooding in minutes, especially in flood-prone areas. But experiencing typhoons doesn’t automatically entitle you to acts of God insurance claims. 

The validity of damages due to typhoons is based on the official announcements from government agencies like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). These agencies will issue a tropical typhoon advisory indicating the intensity of the weather disturbances. 

If the PAGASA has already issued a public storm signal and made other precautionary announcements, taking the risks despite the warnings will potentially invalidate your car insurance claim. 

For instance, a Public Storm Signal #3 was already issued, but you still decided to travel to a flood- or landslide-prone area. This will be considered negligence on your part and may not qualify you for an acts of nature insurance claim. 

Keep yourself informed on weather advisories. If possible, reschedule your travel plans and just stay at home. This way, you’ll avoid the meticulous process of submitting an insurance claim. You won’t need to take your car to the repair shop due to typhoon damages as well. 

2. Flooding

An acts of God car insurance claim for flooding is usually bundled with the typhoon occurrence. Again, there needs to be an advisory issued by authorized government agencies before you can file a claim. 

You’ll also need to prove that your car was damaged because the rising of the water level was unexpected and unavoidable, not because of your negligence. 

Steer away from flood-prone areas in Metro Manila. Avoid flooded car problems like damaged electrical systems, engine malfunctions, corrosion, and contaminated fluids, which are quite costly. 

3. Volcanic Eruption

There are 300 volcanoes in the Philippines, and 24 of these are active.^[2] Currently, Taal Volcano is on Alert Level 3 because of magmatic unrest, which means magma extruding from the volcano’s main crater could trigger an “explosive eruption.”^[3]

Any act of God insurance claim for volcanic eruption is valid if the coverage is included in your policy. Again, you need to make sure that there’s no negligence on your part in terms of protecting your vehicle.In the case of the Taal Volcano ashfall reaching as far as Quezon City, the event can be considered unavoidable and unexpected and will validate any claims for damages. 

There are many harmful effects of volcanic eruptions. Aside from the devastating effects on the environment, volcanic ash can also be very dangerous to your vehicle.

Avoid the Taal Volcano danger zone and other affected areas.  If you can’t and there’s volcanic activity taking place such as ashfall, keep your speed below 35 kph. Do not run your vehicle’s air-conditioning system. You may also need to put additional air filtering to ensure your vehicle’s efficiency.

Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Considered an Act of God?

The pandemic may not belong to any other commonly known acts of God insurance coverage, like flooding, typhoons, landslides, and earthquakes. However, according to Thomson and Reuters, the consensus appears to hold that COVID-19 has natural origins.^[4] Thus, it can be considered as an act of nature or an act of God. 

Why Should I Get Acts of God Coverage?

Comprehensive insurance in the Philippines doesn’t automatically cover acts of nature or acts of God. Although some insurance companies offer special policies with acts of God insurance, you may still avail of it as a car insurance add-on. This could mean a more expensive policy, but a few thousand pesos wouldn’t hurt, especially if you enjoy the following benefits:

1. Reimbursements for Repairs

If  your vehicle sustains  damages caused by natural disasters, like a clogged air-filtration system because of an ashfall, your car insurance company will take care of the repairs by reimbursing you for the expenses. 

2. Payment for Totally Damaged Vehicles

Insurers will meticulously investigate your claim because an acts of God insurance coverage entitles you to receive cash in exchange for your damaged car. Do note that the payment will be equal to your car’s current market value and not its original purchase price. 

3. Peace of Mind

Having car insurance gives you peace of mind that your insurer will help cover the costs when your vehicle gets damaged or lost. When you know  that your car is secured, you can focus more on your family’s safety when a natural disaster occurs.

How Can I Get Acts of God Insurance Coverage?

When getting a car insurance quote, ask your agent if your premium already includes acts of God coverage. Ask about the specific inclusions and how much they would cost you. If you compare car insurance quotes with Moneymax, acts of nature coverage is free and already part of the premium.

Tips on Getting An Act of God Insurance Coverage

The forces of nature are beyond your control. But you can always mitigate the impacts of natural disasters by getting a car insurance policy. If you think the Taal Volcano’s recent eruption can potentially harm your car, consider paying for add-ons to protect your investment. Don’t forget these tips before buying that car insurance policy:

1. Be Honest

Talk to your agent about your situation. Be honest when asked about your address or current location. Knowing your risks will help your car insurance agent come up with a package that will best suit your needs. 

2. Understand Your Policy

Ask about your car insurance policy’s inclusions and add-ons, as well as the terms of coverage. Although insurer’s offers come with limits, check if your costs can be lowered if you avail of a few add-ons. 

3. Never Assume Anything

Don’t assume that your current plan will automatically cover your vehicle’s damages due to a natural disaster. Insurers use different terminologies, so asking and clarifying will remove the guesswork. It will also help you employ preventive measures in times of natural disasters. 

4. Shop for Car Insurance Plans

It helps to shop around and compare car insurance rates to find the best package that suits your needs and budget. See if they can lower your car insurance premiums if you purchase in bulk or if you purchase other types of insurance products. 

Read more: The Higher Costs of Lower Premiums

Final Thoughts

Nothing can stop natural disasters from happening. But you can always do something to reduce the damage they could bring to your vehicles. A car insurance plan with acts of nature coverage is a great protection from the worst impacts of these natural events. 

Get a Free Car Insurance Quote!

Looking for car insurance? Below is a list of top car insurance companies and their features. Compare your options and get a free car insurance quote from Moneymax!

Car Insurance Company	Features
MAPFRE Insular	10 years of casa eligibility 366 accredited repair shops PHP 5,000,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 3,000 Towing - Yes, up to PHP 5,000 Vehicle removal crane services - Yes, up to PHP 10,000
Malayan Insurance	3 years of casa eligibility 58 casa repair shops PHP 7,500,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 1,000 Towing - Yes, up to PHP 4,000 Vehicle removal crane services - Yes, up to PHP 8,000
New India Assurance	10 years of casa eligibility 30 accredited repair shops PHP 3,500,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 1,500 Towing - Yes, up to PHP 4,000 Vehicle removal crane services - Yes, up to PHP 10,000
Prudential Guarantee	10 years of casa eligibility PHP 3,000,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 2,000 Towing - Yes, up to PHP 5,500 Vehicle removal crane services - Yes, up to PHP 15,000
SGI Philippines	5 years of casa eligibility 36 accredited repair shops PHP 5,000,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 2,000 Towing amount - Yes, up to PHP 5,000 Vehicle removal crane services - PHP 10,000
Stronghold Insurance	10 years of casa eligibility 167 accredited repair shops PHP 3,000,000 maximum total sum insured
The Mercantile Insurance Corporation	10 years of casa eligibility 77 accredited repair shops PHP 5,000,000 maximum total sum insured Overnight accommodation - Yes, up to PHP 2,000 Towing - Yes, up to PHP 5,000 Vehicle removal crane services - Yes, up to PHP 10,000

Sources:

• ^[1] Over 14,000 evacuated in Batangas after Taal Volcano placed under Alert Level 3 (Rappler, June 2021)
• ^[2] Active Volcanoes in the Philippines, (Phivolcs-DOST)
• ^[3] Taal Volcano remains restless; Alert Level 3 stays — Phivolcs (Inquirer.net, June 2021)
• ^[4] Is COVID-19 an act of God? (Thomson Reuters Westlaw Journal, June 2020)

Moneymax

With a goal to help Filipinos lead healthier financial lives, Moneymax regularly publishes tips and tricks on personal finance and lifestyle, among many other topics. For more finance-related news and articles, follow Moneymax on Linkedin.