Planning to buy a car? Do check the ultimate car buying checklist 2021

Congratulations on your decision to buy a car! Now that you have decided you want to buy one, make sure to prepare yourself to get the best possible deal. If you have already purchased a car in the past, you would perhaps know the drill and how strenuous the entire process can be, but things are changing, and if you are equipped with the right knowledge, this could very well be a cakewalk. There are many factors that come into play when you buy a car. Should you go for a mid-sized sedan or the hot-selling compact SUV? If depreciation is on your mind, then would a used car make more sense? Should you opt for a loan or get it by paying cash? How much importance do you need to give to safety if you are on a budget? And the good old dilemma about insurance - where to get one of those? Answering all these queries and much more - here are some golden tips for you to follow.New car or an old carThis age-old dilemma has made a lot of prospective car buyers put their dream of burning some rubber on the backburner. This is one of the first hurdles you have to cross before deciding on other important factors. Buying a new car is all about the experience. Sitting and driving in a brand new car is an unmatched, fulfilling experience you’d probably want to get at least once. But when you look at it from a financial perspective, you’d see it from a completely different point of view. We all know that a car is a depreciating asset. A brand new car would lose 10-15% of its value within the first year of it being on the road. By the time a car has spent around 6-8 years on the road, its value would depreciate by half. When you compare this with a used car, getting a good deal is relatively easier but you have to scout to find a car that suits your needs.Basically, it all depends on what you want from your car - if you are planning to buy a new car and give your family a comfortable ride, then it is advisable to use the new car for a long period of time. But if you want to save money, then you should go for a used car. BudgetNew or Old - every car in the market comes at a price. Depending upon your wallet, you can go for a decent mid-spec brand new compact SUV or a used luxury car. Yes, buying an old car may be easy on the pocket at first, but maintenance costs can set you back, which you must keep in mind. In case you are planning to get a new car, which segment should you go for? With competitive pricing and an ever-rising demand for cars, nowadays, a premium hatchback, a compact SUV and a mid-sized sedan can cost the same. The smart way to go about is by looking at who will be riding it the most? If you have a senior citizen in the family, you must look at options where ingress and egress are easy. Also, ensure that seat height is not too low or too high. If you are a frequent traveller, make sure the boot is adequately sized, and if you are using it for your daily commute to work then fuel efficiency should be your priority. Moreover, when you are at the dealer, get a test drive of the car you want to buy and when you go for a test drive, your focus should be on the driving dynamics of the car. But you must also look at other factors too, such as rear-seat space, NBH levels etc. SafetyAnother point for you to consider before finalizing a car is - safety. Irrespective of the budget you may have, you must not compromise on safety. What’s interesting is that the Govt of India has also put forth certain must-haves in cars to make the passengers feel safe. Features like Anti-locking Brake Systems (ABS) & Airbags are standard in Indian cars, even the entry-level models have them. On the manufacturer's side, many opt to go for the strict Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) test, informing the general public about the safety standard of their products.Motor InsuranceWhen it comes to safety, another important aspect is motor insurance. An insurance policy protects you against losses incurred if your car gets damaged from unforeseen events like an accident, theft, natural or man-made disaster. When you purchase a new car, it is usually the car dealer who offers motor insurance. The key takeaway here is that you must always look into the details of the insurance that provides you with a comprehensive cover.The Govt of India has made it mandatory for every vehicle on-road to have motor insurance. And there are plenty of options available in the market but don’t just go for the cheapest option. Car insurance with a higher IDV done at zero depreciation may seem a lot at first glance, but it’ll provide you with mental peace when you take it out for a spin. Get an insurance cover that provides a bumper-to-bumper cover and takes care of all the possible risks, including losing a car key. Nowadays, a new car key means a straight-up dent of upwards of Rs.15k. The same goes for car alloys which are also very expensive these days. So, where to get one that takes care of all these factors into consideration?When it comes to motor insurance, Reliance General Insurance has stood out from the rest with its reliable insurance policies and impressive add-ons. Apart from the usual offerings of motor insurance, RGI has now introduced add-ons, which, depending on your needs, can be adjusted to give you the best possible motor insurance. Protecting your keys & tyres, RGI has addons like the Key Protect Cover, Rim Protector & Tyre Protector. If you are a petrolhead, then the Engine Protector add-on from RGI is ideal for you to get paid for repair and replacement expenses or damage to internal parts of the engine; Gear Box, Transmission or Differential Assembly.Additionally, in case of a mishap, RGI addons like Hospital Cash Cover & Loss Of Personal Belongings can come in handy. In the event of an accident and/or theft of the insured vehicle, the Emergency Hotel Accommodation add-on can provide for the allowance for hotel accommodation.Apart from this, there are many other add-ons offered by RGI for its motor insurance such as Consumable Expenses, NCB Retention Cover, Additional Limit Of TPPD & Return To Invoice.You can read about all of them in detail here.The Dealer-Discount DanceThis is where you get to decide whether to buy the car in cash or get it financed. Depending on your pocket, you could opt for either. Also, this is where your persuasive skills will come in handy, to get the best deal possible. So, make sure to ask the dealer for all the offers. From corporate discounts to year-end discounts to free accessories, there is a lot you can get from the car dealer, you just need to know how and what to ask!Finally, the day you get your car!You crossed every hurdle of buying a car. From selecting the perfect car for you and your family to getting the best possible deal on accessories and other offers. Now, one more point to keep in mind is to check the PDI or Pre Delivery Inspection. This inspection checklist will ensure your car has been safely delivered to the car dealer, and there are no scratches or dents that occurred during this process. Also, before you drive off into the sunset, make sure to check that all the documents are in place. With all the right knowledge shared above, you sure can get maximum benefits for that sweet new ride of yours- get set to zip zap zoom!Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of RGI by Times Internet's Spotlight Team.