Pink Wheels urge lady drivers to protect themselves better

MANILA, Philippines - Photos of automobiles submerged in flood water or deep in mud sent out some of the most vivid and strongest images of the tragedy that was Tropical Storm Ondoy.

In times like these, car owners would wish they forked up those extra pesos to pay for Acts of God (AOG) coverages. AOG covers natural disasters like flood, typhoons, hurricane, volcanic eruption and earthquake.

Mia Yabut, general manager of Pink Wheels, the only car insurance company in the country that exclusively caters to the female consumer market, explains that while most Filipinos prefer the standard coverage of comprehensive insurance, recent developments brought about by tropical storm Ondoy have opened the eyes of car owners to really understand their insurance policies to the letter, and get better coverages to protect themselves.

‘’The standard coverage of comprehensive insurance includes own damage, theft, third party liability, bodily injury and property damage. This does not cover AOGs like the recent typhoon,’’ she says.

Yabut adds that additional AOG cover costs about 0.5 to 0.7 percent of the sum insured, a little amount indeed to compare with about P150,000, the estimated cost of having a flood-submerged car fixed.

A P1-million brand new car, for instance, would require an additional P5,000 to 7,000 for AOG coverage, over and above the P25,000 to 30,000 comprehensive insurance, Yabut estimates. She adds that all insurable cars, not older than 10 years old, may be covered by AOG.

Pink Wheels, a subsidiary of UCPB, advises lady drivers to equip themselves in eventualities like Ondoy.

‘’More than anyone else, lady drivers should get AOG coverages. It will save them the physical and emotional trouble. Read your policies every well and don’t be shy to ask questions. We would also advise them to keep their rescue contact numbers with them. In case of Pink Wheels, its 751-PINK,’’ Yabut advises.

But more than anything, lady drivers must take preventive precautions. ‘’Listen to the weather news. Arm yourself with the geographic knowledge of which roads are flood-prone and which are not. Learn alternative routes,’’ Yabut adds.