Defining the Depreciation Waiver
- - What does depreciation on my vehicle repair mean?
- - An example of Depreciation:
- - How often does it occur? When does it apply?
- - How can I protect myself from depreciation cost?
- - Purchase our new value-added coverage “The Depreciation Waiver”
What does depreciation on my vehicle repair mean?
Depreciation is the decline in a car's value over the course of its useful life. Certain parts on your vehicle have a "life expectancy" so the value of the part being repaired is currently less than the new replacement part. Insurance companies in Hong Kong normally take this into consideration.
Once the insurance company repairs the vehicle, they state that they are reinstating it to a better condition than before the accident; this approach is accepted practice in the Hong Kong legal system. To account for this improved condition, there needs to be a depreciation adjustment.
For example, Motor Vehicle Insurance companies in Hong Kong will include policy terms stating that they are not liable for the following clauses in the event of Vehicle Own-Damage:
- depreciation (betterment), wear and tear, mechanical or electrical breakdown, failure or breakage;
- damage to tyres unless damage is caused to other parts of the vehicle at the same time; and
- any excess applicable in the accident.
A five year old vehicle was partially damaged in an accident. The agreed repair cost was determined to be $50,000 by the garage and the insurance company’s appointed surveyor. The amount of depreciation was assessed to be 30% on the price of the replaced parts or $15,000. The $15,000 depreciation was based on the vehicle’s age (five years old), the conditions of the car (some wear and tear) and the mileages. This adjustment reflects the ‘improved part’ put on the vehicle during the repair. The claim payment is the agreed repair amount $50,000, less the depreciation $15,000, less all applicable excesses. How often does it occur? When does it apply?
If your vehicle is less than One year old then it may or may not be subject to depreciation in the event of a total loss. Some motor policies have ‘new for old’ cover if a vehicle is less than one year old and the claim is a total loss. However, depreciation is normally applied in partial loss/damage situations by the motor vehicle insurance companies regardless of the age.
The amount of depreciation applied will depend on the age and pre-accident condition of the vehicle, as well as the mileages. How can I protect myself from depreciation cost?
- You might protect yourself from depreciation by keeping your vehicle in the best possible condition. However, doing this will not protect you from all depreciation charges.
- You can accept your car being repaired with second hand parts of a similar age and condition. Unfortunately these are not always available.
- You can fully protect yourself by adding a depreciation protection on to your insurance policy. Then there will be no depreciation adjustment to your vehicle’s repair quote in case of a partial loss/damage.
Kwiksure’s ‘Depreciation Waiver’ is the first in Hong Kong. For an additional premium we can add this endorsement to your motor insurance policy, ensuring that any depreciation expenses will be waived in the event of a partial loss/damage claim.
Please ask our customer service representative for the details of this waiver; our advisors will be happy to help you learn about the additional cost to add the depreciation wavier on to your Motor Vehicle Insurance policy.
Should you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service hotline at: 3113 2112.