Some products and services have insurance covers most buyers don't know about. The best part is, usually, these are free or quite cheap.

For example, there are covers given along with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, up to a whopping ₹ 40 lakh in case of loss of life or damage to property due to cylinder explosions.

Though there are a number of LPG cylinder explosions, causing loss to life and property, no one seems to be aware of an insurance cover available for LPG consumers in such cases.

Here's what the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) website says: All registered HP gas consumers are insured against the outcome of an accident at their registered premises due to LPG. Details are available with all the distributors and the customer service cell. HPCL has also taken a public liability insurance policy. All other oil marketing companies (OMCs) have purchased these covers for their customers.

But dealers do not bother to inform customers. It is a group cover bought by OMCs for LPG customers," said a Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) spokesperson.

Dealers have to pay the premium to insurance companies. Consumers don't have to pay for the insurance cover at all. The BPCL spokesperson said as and when accidents were reported, the process of providing insurance claim was undertaken. But experts say the number of claims filed every year is minuscule. The scheme provided personal- accident cover to third parties and customers and also covered property damage at customer premises, according to the policy, the spokesperson added.

To claim this insurance, one has to contact the distributor and file a claim. Within 30 days of the insurance company completing its survey, the money will be paid. However, one has to keep certain things in mind. For instance, if you do not use accessories (gas pipes, regulator, etc) with ISI marks, you may be denied the claim amount. Request your gas dealer for a maintenance check on an annual basis. You will lose the claim money if a maintenance check hasn't been conducted. Also, keep the maintenance check receipt as proof.

Protecting buyers

White- good manufacturers offer insurance protection against the risk of loss or damage to domestic appliance(s) one buys. The cover is provided against electrical or mechanical breakdown and comes under the purview of home appliance insurance. One can get this on single appliances, too. These covers are common during festive seasons. Though these are made to look free, the appliance cost includes apercentage of insurance cost, around ₹ 100- 200.

Otherwise, these are offered selectively and sometimes openly charged for, too. Some feel instead of buying a policy for one or two products from the manufacturer, shopping for a householder's policy on your own will secure a higher cover for less.

Also, one has to be careful with the cover provided by the manufacturer.

Some plans allow you to choose any service centre, while others may allow only select ones. And, some plans allow an individual to choose his/ her own replacement unit, while others allow one to choose from a list of units provided by them.

Third party liability for travelling

As third- party motor insurance is mandatory for all private and commercial vehicle owners,

All commercial vehicles own third- party liability covers for commercial vehicles. If passengers on any of these vehicles die or are injured, claims can be made under the commercial third- party cover. According to experts, passengers are covered for ₹ 5- 10 lakh each. Till 2008, Indian Railways also provided a separate cover for passengers.

Since then, the Railways hasn't bought insurance. It had a passenger insurance scheme, through which ₹ 4 lakh was provided in case of death. In injuries resulting from train accidents or any untoward incident, passengers were given ₹ 32,000- 4 lakh.