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Consumables cover: the small print that saves you at claim time
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Introduction
Consumables cover pays for the engine oil, coolant, nuts, bolts, grease, and similar materials used during a repair, costs that a standard Own Damage policy excludes by default. These are small line items on a garage bill, but they add up on a full repair job. This optional cover ensures they are included in the claim settlement rather than left with you to pay.
In this blog, we are going to cover what this cover is called and what all its names mean, exactly what counts as a consumable, why the standard Own Damage (OD) policy excludes these items, what consumables cover adds back, when it pays and when it does not, and who benefits most from holding it.
Keep in mind
Consumables cover pays for materials used up during a repair, such as engine oil, coolant, and AC gas, which a standard Own Damage policy excludes
It only pays alongside a claimable Own Damage event, never for routine servicing on its own
The cover works alongside Zero Depreciation rather than replacing it, since each addresses a different part of the same repair bill
The compulsory deductible still applies to the underlying claim regardless of whether this cover is active
Newer cars using higher-specification fluids tend to get more value from this cover than older, basic hatchbacks
What this cover is called, and what all the names mean
This optional cover appears under several names across policy documents, comparison platforms, and insurer websites. All refer to the same product.
Consumables cover
The standard name for cover that pays for consumable materials used during repairs, which are normally excluded from the standard OD policy.
Consumables add-on
Another term for the same optional cover, commonly used on comparison platforms.
Consumable cover
A singular variation of the same term. It refers to the same cover as 'consumables cover'.
When any of these terms appear on a quote, a renewal notice, or a policy document, they refer to the same optional cover.
What counts as a consumable in car insurance
A consumable is any material used up during a repair rather than a discrete part, meaning a separate car component that can be removed and replaced, such as a bumper or headlight.
The standard list of consumables covered under this optional cover includes:
Engine oil
Drained and replaced as part of almost any engine-related repair. Even a simple engine component replacement requires the oil to be drained first and fresh oil added after
Coolant
Replaced whenever the cooling system is opened, after radiator repairs, water pump replacement, or thermostat work
Nuts, bolts, and fasteners
Replaced rather than reused after disassembly in many repair jobs, particularly where torque specifications require fresh fasteners for safety
Grease and lubricants
Applied to joints, bearings, and moving parts during assembly, consumed in the process and not reusable
Air conditioning gas
Recharged whenever the AC system is opened or has leaked. A minor AC component repair typically requires a full gas recharge, which is a meaningful cost on many cars
Brake fluid
Replaced when the brake system is opened, after calliper replacement, brake line repair, or master cylinder work
Gear oil and differential oil
Replaced when the gearbox or differential is opened for internal repairs
Distilled water
Used in battery maintenance work and cooling system top-ups during repairs
What the standard OD policy does with consumables, and why
A standard comprehensive Own Damage (OD) policy covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged car parts after a covered event, but it generally does not cover consumables.
The reason is the principle of indemnity. Insurance is meant to restore you to your position before the loss, not cover routine maintenance. Consumables such as engine oil and coolant would need to be replaced periodically even without an accident. So, their replacement is generally treated as a maintenance cost.
As a result, after a covered accident, the insurer may pay for the damaged parts and labour but leave the cost of consumables with the car owner. These costs can add up to ₹2,000-₹5,000 or more depending on the repair and car.
Consumables cover removes this gap. If the cover is active, the insurer pays for eligible consumables used during a covered repair, along with the parts and labour, subject to the policy terms.
What consumables cover actually pays for
With consumables cover active on your comprehensive policy, the insurer pays for eligible consumable materials used during a repair resulting from a covered OD event.
The cover pays for:
- Engine oil replaced as part of an engine repair
- Coolant replaced as part of a cooling system repair
- AC gas recharged after an AC component is repaired or a refrigerant leak is fixed
- Brake fluid replaced after brake system work
- Nuts, bolts, and fasteners replaced during disassembly and reassembly
- Grease and lubricants applied during repair
- Gear oil or differential oil replaced during gearbox or drivetrain work
The cover is applied as part of the standard OD claim, so you do not need to raise a separate claim for consumables. The garage includes these costs in the repair invoice, subject to the policy terms.
When consumables cover pays, and when it does not
Consumables cover applies when a covered Own Damage event causes damage that requires a repair and consumables are used during that repair.
It pays when:
A covered event, such as an accident, fire or flood, causes damage that requires repair at a garage. The consumables used for that repair can then be covered under the add-on, subject to the policy terms.
It does not pay when:
Routine servicing
Consumables replaced as part of scheduled servicing or general maintenance are not covered.
Standalone consumable replacement
You cannot raise a claim only to recover the cost of consumables. They must be part of an eligible OD repair.
Wear-related replacement
Consumables replaced because of normal wear or usage are not covered.
The compulsory deductible
The deductible applicable to the OD claim still has to be paid. Consumables cover does not waive it.
A quick way to decide if it is worth adding
Ask yourself 3 questions before adding this to your renewal.
Does your car use premium or synthetic fluids, the kind a dealership service centre would fit rather than a generic local garage? If yes, the consumables line on any repair bill is likely to be larger in absolute terms, which makes the cover more worthwhile.
Do you tend to raise Own Damage claims when something happens, rather than paying out of pocket to protect your No Claim Bonus? The cover only pays inside a claim, so if you rarely raise one, it rarely gets used.
Do you already hold Zero Depreciation on the policy? The 2 covers complement each other well, since one handles the parts and the other handles what surrounds them, and together they leave only the compulsory deductible for you to pay.
If these factors apply to you, compare the cost of the add-on with the potential savings on consumables during a claim to decide whether it is worth adding.
What Kiwi Insurance does differently
Consumables cover can reduce your out-of-pocket costs when an eligible repair claim is settled. But for minor damage, you may not always want to raise an OD claim, especially when protecting your NCB is a consideration.
Kiwi Flexi Repair
For eligible minor damage, you can get the repair done without raising a full OD claim. This means no formal claim process or NCB impact, helping you keep your discount for future renewals.
Dedicated Claims Specialist
If the damage requires a full OD claim, Kiwi assigns a dedicated Claims Specialist who remains your point of contact from registration through completion.
A clear process for both
Flexi Repair handles eligible minor repairs without an OD claim, while the Claims Specialist guides you through the process when a full claim is needed.
The Claims Specialist is assigned after you register a claim, not when you buy the policy.
Conclusion
Consumables cover pays for the engine oil, coolant, AC gas, nuts, bolts, and other materials used during a repair that a standard OD policy excludes by default. It does not pay for routine servicing, it applies only when an OD claim also triggers a repair. The cover is most valuable on newer, higher-value cars where repair consumables are more expensive and for drivers with a higher probability of raising an OD claim.
With Kiwi Insurance, Kiwi Flexi Repair addresses the minor damage situations where raising a full claim is not the right call, and a dedicated Claims Specialist is there for everything that needs one.
Want to make sure the small costs on your next repair bill are covered too?
Head to Kiwi Insurance to review your car insurance optional covers and add consumables cover at your next renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Consumables cover is an optional cover that pays for eligible consumable items used during repairs following a covered Own Damage claim. These may include engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, grease, nuts, bolts and AC gas, depending on the policy terms. Standard OD cover generally excludes these costs.