Fire at Fire Station Sparks Remarks from Damaged Vehicle Owners
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, a fire at a local service station has resulted in substantial damage to several vehicles, leaving their owners facing unexpected financial burdens.
Baptibay Sultanbayev, a car owner and taxi driver, recently purchased a foreign seven-seater "Minivan" for two million tenge. When he brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance to replace the brake pads, he never expected it to be destroyed by the fire.
"I bought this car to support my family. I have no other job. The bank said they required timely monthly installments; regardless of whether my car is burned down or not, it's not their concern," Sultanbayev shared.
Eleven more car owners share the same predicament. Today, they collected statements and obtained a preliminary estimate of the damages. All the cars were insured, yet the incident is not covered under standard insurance policies.
Insurance consultant Marina Shipovalova explains, "Since these cars were stored in a hangar and not involved in traffic, the mandatory insurance won't cover this particular case."
It appears that while there is an option to secure an extended insurance policy that protects vehicles from theft or fire, many Almaty residents only insure against accidents, putting themselves at financial risk.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the expert's report will be submitted to the Police Department for further action. It's essential to note that while mandatory third-party insurance is required in the country, comprehensive insurance is highly advised to compensate for any loss or damage to the vehicle.
While the financial implications of not insuring a car against theft or fire have not been discussed, it's worth mentioning that mandatory third-party insurance does not cover damages to one's own vehicle. Without comprehensive insurance, car owners would be solely responsible for the out-of-pocket cost of repairs or replacement, should their vehicle get stolen or damaged by fire.
- Despite the mandatory insurance being required in the country, the recent fire at a service station in Almaty has highlighted the need for comprehensive insurance to compensate for losses or damages to vehicles, as the standard insurance policies do not cover such incidents.
- Car owners in Almaty, including Baptibay Sultanbayev, who recently purchased a foreign seven-seater Minivan for two million tenge, find themselves in a precarious financial situation after their vehicles were destroyed in a fire, as their insurance does not cover fire damages.
- The unfortunate incident involving the vehicles at the Almaty service station serves as a stark reminder of the importance of personal-finance management, especially when it comes to car-accidents and other unforeseen events.
- Marina Shipovalova, an insurance consultant, advises that general-news reports suggesting car-accidents may lead some to believe that comprehensive insurance is unnecessary, but the aftermath of the fire indicates otherwise, as it reveals the financial risks associated with not securing an extended insurance policy.
