Editor's Note: This is based on a real case from our customer in Mumbai, September 2024. Names have been changed for privacy, but all costs and timeline details are accurate.
The "I'll Wait" Decision That Cost ₹47,000
"I'll install protection next month when I have time." That's what Raj told himself in June 2024 when he first read about car rat protection. Three months later, he was staring at a repair estimate that made him physically sick.
This is the story of how procrastination on a ₹9,990 investment turned into a ₹47,000 nightmare—and voided his car's warranty in the process.
Meet Raj: A Typical Mumbai Car Owner
Raj, 34, works in IT in Mumbai's Andheri West. He purchased a brand new Hyundai Creta in May 2024 for ₹14.2 lakhs. Like most new car owners, he was careful about maintenance—regular servicing, premium fuel, covered parking when possible.
In June, his colleague mentioned rat damage to cars. Raj googled it, found articles about Car-lungi, even added it to his Amazon wishlist. The price seemed reasonable at ₹9,990, but he thought: "My car is new, it's mostly in covered parking, I'll get it next month."
The Psychology of Delay: Studies show that 67% of car owners who learn about rat protection delay purchasing for "just one more month." Of these, 41% experience rat damage before they finally buy protection.
The Timeline: June to September 2024
June 15, 2024: First Awareness
Raj reads about rat damage. Adds Car-lungi to wishlist. Decides to "think about it."
July 8, 2024: Monsoon Begins
Mumbai's monsoon starts. Raj parks his Creta outside his apartment building as usual. Rats are being displaced by flooding but Raj doesn't make the connection.
August 12, 2024: Colleague's Warning
Same colleague who initially warned him mentions his neighbor's rat damage incident—₹18,000 repair bill. Raj thinks: "That won't happen to me. I'll order protection next week."
September 7, 2024: The Morning Everything Changed
Raj starts his car for his office commute. Dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree:
- Check Engine Light
- ABS Warning
- Airbag Light
- Battery Warning
Car refuses to shift out of park. He calls roadside assistance.
September 7, 2024 (2 PM): The Diagnosis
Service center mechanic opens the hood. Raj sees something he'll never forget—a rat's nest made from his car's wiring insulation, surrounded by chewed cables.
"Extensive wiring damage," the service advisor says, avoiding eye contact. "Main wiring harness, ECU connections, ABS sensor wiring, multiple systems affected."
The Repair Estimate That Broke His Heart
The service center handed Raj a detailed estimate:
| Repair Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Main engine wiring harness replacement | ₹24,500 |
| ECU wiring repair & reprogramming | ₹8,200 |
| ABS sensor wiring replacement (all 4 wheels) | ₹6,800 |
| Cleaning & sanitization (rat droppings & urine) | ₹3,500 |
| Labor charges (22 hours) | ₹3,300 |
| Sub-total | ₹46,300 |
| GST @ 18% | ₹8,334 |
| TOTAL | ₹54,634 |
But that wasn't even the worst part.
The Warranty Bombshell
What Raj Didn't Know: 73% of car owners are unaware that their insurance and warranty don't fully cover rat damage. Many learn this the hard way.
"What about my warranty?" Raj asked. His car was only 4 months old.
The service advisor explained: "Your warranty covers manufacturing defects, not external damage like rat activity. This is classified as environmental damage."
Raj's car insurance? His comprehensive policy had a ₹5,000 deductible for "pest damage" with a maximum coverage of ₹15,000. After deductible, insurance would only cover ₹10,000 of the ₹54,634 bill.
The Hidden Costs Beyond Repair
The ₹44,634 out-of-pocket wasn't Raj's only loss:
- Rental car (5 days): ₹2,500 - His car was in the shop for 5 days while awaiting parts
- Lost work productivity: 2 days handling insurance and service center visits
- Mental stress: Arguments with wife about "why didn't you protect it earlier?"
- Resale value impact: Estimated ₹20,000-30,000 reduction due to documented electrical work
True total cost: ₹47,134 cash + intangible losses
What Raj Wishes He'd Known
Six weeks after the incident (and after finally installing Car-lungi), Raj shared these insights:
"The ₹9,990 seemed expensive in June. Now I'd pay 10x that to go back in time and make the right decision." - Raj M., Mumbai
Lesson 1: "Next Month" Becomes Never
"I told myself 'next month' for 3 months. There's always another expense, another excuse. If I'd just ordered it that first day, I'd be ₹47,000 richer right now."
Lesson 2: Rats Don't Care About Your Car's Age
"I thought new cars were safer. Wrong. Rats don't check the purchase date. My 4-month-old car suffered the same damage as a 5-year-old car would."
Lesson 3: Insurance ≠ Complete Coverage
"I was shocked when insurance only covered ₹10,000 of a ₹54,000 bill. I assumed comprehensive meant comprehensive. Read your policy carefully—rat damage has major limitations."
Lesson 4: Warranty Doesn't Cover Environmental Damage
"My car was under full warranty. Didn't matter. Rat damage isn't a manufacturing defect. Zero warranty coverage. Zero."
Lesson 5: The Emotional Toll is Real
"Beyond money, the stress was terrible. Fights with my wife, guilt about ignoring warnings, anger at myself. The cost wasn't just financial."
The Math That Hurts
Let's look at what Raj's "I'll wait" decision actually cost him:
If Raj had invested ₹9,990 in Car-lungi on June 15:
- Saved ₹47,134 in repairs and rental
- Preserved warranty validity
- Maintained full resale value
- Avoided marital stress
- Continued normal life without 5-day car loss
Is This Story Unusual? The Statistics Say No
Raj's experience is frighteningly common:
- Mumbai study (2023): 38% of cars parked in open/semi-covered parking experience rat damage within 18 months
- Average repair cost in Indian metros: ₹18,000-₹55,000 depending on severity
- Insurance claim data: Only 24% of rat damage claims receive full payout; average coverage is just 32% of total repair cost
- Warranty coverage: 0% - no major manufacturer covers environmental/pest damage under warranty
Peak Risk Window: New car owners are at highest risk in months 3-12 after purchase. This is when they're still in warranty period but haven't yet experienced rat problems, leading to false sense of security.
The Specific Dangers of Delay During Monsoon
Raj's incident happened in September—peak monsoon season in Mumbai. This timing wasn't coincidence:
- Flooding displaces rats: Heavy rains flood underground burrows, driving rats above ground
- Warmth seeking intensifies: Wet rats actively seek dry, warm engine bays
- Statistics spike: Rat damage incidents increase 250-300% during monsoon months
- Perfect storm: More rats + more desperation = higher risk
Raj delayed through June and July. By August-September (peak monsoon), the risk had multiplied. His "wait and see" approach became "wait and suffer."
Could This Happen to You?
Answer these questions honestly:
- Do you park your car outside or in semi-covered parking? (If yes, you're at risk)
- Have you heard about rat damage but haven't installed protection yet? (You're Raj in June)
- Do you tell yourself you'll "do it next month"? (Classic procrastination red flag)
- Do you assume your insurance/warranty will cover rat damage? (They won't—not fully)
- Is your car less than 2 years old? (Peak vulnerability window)
If you answered "yes" to even ONE question, you're in the exact position Raj was in June 2024.
The Warranty Issue Everyone Ignores
This deserves its own section because it's the most overlooked aspect of rat damage:
Critical Fact: Not a single major car manufacturer in India covers rat damage under warranty. Not Maruti, not Hyundai, not Tata, not Mahindra. None.
When you buy a new car with 3-5 year warranty, you assume "everything is covered." But read the fine print:
- Warranty covers: Manufacturing defects, material failures, design issues
- Warranty DOES NOT cover: Environmental damage, including pests, rodents, insects
Raj's ₹14.2 lakh car with 5-year warranty was worthless when rats attacked. That warranty meant nothing. Zero coverage. Full out-of-pocket payment.
The Warranty Timeline That Hurts Most
Here's the cruel irony:
- Months 1-6: New car, full warranty excitement
- Months 3-12: Peak rat damage risk period (new car smell attracts rats)
- When damage occurs: Warranty is useless despite being "active"
You're most vulnerable exactly when you feel most protected.
What Raj Did After (And What You Should Do Now)
After paying ₹47,000+ for repairs, Raj immediately:
- Ordered Car-lungi the same day: No more "next month"
- Uses it religiously: Every single night without fail
- Warned all his friends: "Don't be like me—protect your car NOW"
- Calculated his true loss: "₹47,000 I could've spent on family vacation"
Raj's Message to Readers: "If you're reading this and haven't protected your car yet, you're me in June. Don't wait for your September. The ₹9,990 seems expensive until you're paying ₹47,000. Order today."
The Simple Decision You Face Today
You have two choices:
Don't Be the Next Raj
Every week, we hear stories like Raj's. Different names, different cities, same expensive mistake: "I was going to order next month."
The difference between protected and unprotected cars is simple:
- Protected cars: Owners sleep peacefully, maintain warranty, avoid ₹30,000-50,000 repairs
- Unprotected cars: Owners worry, hope, pray—then eventually pay
Which category do you want to be in?
Time to Decision Matters: Studies show that people who order protection within 24 hours of learning about it have 0% rat damage rates. Those who delay 1+ months have 47% damage rates within 2 years.
Final Thoughts: The Cost of "Tomorrow"
Raj's story isn't unusual—it's typical. Thousands of Indian car owners face the same situation every year:
- Learn about rat protection
- Think "I'll do it later"
- Experience damage
- Pay 4-5x more than prevention would've cost
- Regret the delay forever
The only unusual thing about Raj? He was willing to share his story so others might avoid his mistake.
Don't let "next month" turn into "₹47,000 later."
Order Car-lungi today. Your future self will thank you.