1. What is a motor insurance claim?
A motor insurance claim is a request made by a policyholder to their insurance company to receive financial compensation for damages or losses incurred due to an accident, theft, or any other covered peril.
2. What types of motor insurance claims are there in India?
In India, motor insurance claims can be broadly categorized into two types: own damage claims (for damage to your vehicle) and third-party claims (for damage or injury to others).
3. How do I report a motor insurance claim?
To report a claim, you should immediately contact your insurance company or agent and provide all the necessary details regarding the incident.
4. What documents do I need to file a motor insurance claim?
Required documents include the claim form, a copy of the policy, a copy of your driver's license, an FIR report (if applicable), and any other documents related to the incident.
5. What should I do at the accident site to facilitate the claim process?
At the accident site, ensure the safety of all parties involved and gather essential information like vehicle details, and contact information of witnesses, and take photographs if possible.
6. Can I choose any repair shop for my vehicle repairs?
Most insurance companies have a network of authorized repair shops. Using these may offer additional benefits, but you can also choose your preferred repair shop.
7. How long does it take for a motor insurance claim to be processed?
The claim processing time can vary depending on the complexity of the claim, but insurance companies usually aim to settle claims within 7 working days after submission of the final Invoice.
8. What is a no-claim bonus (NCB) and how does it affect my claim?
NCB is a discount on your premium for not making a claim. It's unaffected by a claim for third-party damage, but for own-damage claims, it may be reduced or reset.
9. What is a deductible, and how does it apply to my claim?
A deductible is the amount you must pay from your pocket when making a claim. It is deducted from the claim amount. Add-on products will help in lowering your claim deductibles.
10. Can I transfer my NCB if I switch insurance providers?
Yes, you can transfer your NCB when switching insurance providers, provided you do so within 90 days of policy expiry.
11. What is the process for a third-party motor insurance claim?
In the case of a third-party claim, you should report the incident to your insurer, who will then handle the claim process on your behalf.
12. Can I make a claim for damage caused by natural disasters like floods or earthquakes?
Damage caused by natural disasters can be covered under a comprehensive motor insurance policy, subject to policy terms and conditions.
13. How is the claim amount determined for a damaged vehicle?
The claim amount is determined based on the repair cost estimation, deductibles, and depreciation as per the policy terms.
14. What is a cashless claim settlement and how does it work?
A cashless claim settlement allows you to get your vehicle repaired at a network garage without paying upfront, as the insurance company settles the bill directly with the garage.
15. Can I make a claim if my vehicle was stolen?
Yes, you can make a claim for a stolen vehicle, provided you have comprehensive coverage and have filed an FIR report with the police and intimate the claim to the insurance company immediately.
16. Can I make a claim for personal injuries in a motor accident?
Yes, if you have personal accident cover, you can make a claim for partial and permanent disability/Death loss suffered in a motor accident.
17. What is the process for dispute resolution in case of claim rejections or disputes?
In case of disputes, you can approach your intermediary and insurance Ombudsman or file a case in a consumer court for resolution.
18. How does the claim process work in case of a hit-and-run accident?
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you should immediately inform the police and your insurance company.
19. Is there a limit to the number of claims I can make in a year?
Most policies have no limit on the number of claims, but frequent claims may affect your NCB and premium. Add-on products will be subject to varying caps based on the specific product.
20. How can I track the status of my motor insurance claim?
You can track the status of your claim by contacting your Intermediary or insurance company. You can also use the online portal, if available.
21. What is Motor Insurance?
Motor Insurance is a vehicle insurance policy for vehicles like Cars, Bikes, Scooters, Trucks, Taxis, Buses, etc. As per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Motor insurance is mandatory. This policy provides financial protection against physical damage or theft or third-party liabilities or other kinds of damages that could arise from an accident or incident.
22. What are the Types of Motor Insurance in India?
Motor insurance can be classified into the following categories based on the type of vehicle and its usage. The terms & conditions and premium may vary accordingly.
Private Car Insurance Policy
This is a type of motor insurance policy that covers a car used for private or personal use. The policy provides financial coverage against fire, theft, natural calamities, accident, riots, etc. and also covers personal accident & Third-party liability.
Two-Wheeler Insurance Policy
This insurance policy covers two-wheelers like a scooter, bike and other two wheelers. The policy provides financial coverage against fire, theft, natural calamities, accident, riots, etc. and also covers personal accident & Third-party liability.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
The Commercial Vehicle Insurance is coverage for vehicles that are used for commercial purposes and not for private or personal use. This includes but is not limited to trucks, buses, heavy commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles, agricultural vehicles, taxis, ambulances and auto-rickshaws. The policy provides financial coverage against fire, theft, natural calamities, accident, riots, etc. and also covers personal accident & Third-party liability.
23. What are the Types of Motor Insurance Policies in India?
Third-party liability insurance
Called as Liability Only Policy or earlier called as Act Only Liability Policy. This type of insurance policy is mandated by law for all motor vehicles plying on the roads. This insurance provides cover to third-party liability for damages to property of third party as well as for bodily injuries or death of persons.Third-party liability insurance only covers minimal risks as required and is compulsory as per law and it does not protect the policyholder from damage or theft of the insured vehicle.
Comprehensive motor insurance
It is often referred to as a package policy, as it includes third-party liability cover and the expenses incurred by the policyholder in the event of damage or theft of the insured vehicle. The comprehensive insurance policy can be enhanced through add-on covers that offer extended benefits
Standalone Own Damage insurance
It provides protection in the event of damage, accident or theft of the insured vehicle. It does not provide cover to third-party liability for damages to property of third party as well as for bodily injuries. The insurance policy can be enhanced through add-on covers that offer extended benefits.
24. What are the Motor Insurance Policy Add‑ons?
Zero Depreciation
It is also referred as nil depreciation cover or bumper to bumper policy. It offers full claim on the value of parts replaced due to accident without any deduction for depreciation.
Engine Protection Cover
It will cover the consequential damage to the internal parts of the engine arising out of water ingression or out of leakage of lubricating oil due to an accident.
Roadside Assistance
The roadside assistance add-on provides assistance in case the vehicle breaks down in transit. The add-on provides the necessary assistance, be it repairs like battery breakdown, minor repairs, flat tyre, towing the vehicle to a service station, and others.
Consumable Cover
Components that are used in a vehicle such as nuts and bolts, screen washers, engine oil, etc. are collectively referred to as consumables. The insurance company does not bear the cost of these components at the time of a claim, with this add-on cover customer will receive coverage for consumables.
Return to Invoice Cove
In case of a Total Loss / Constructive Total Loss or Theft it covers the gap between the Insured Declared Value and the Invoice Value for purchasing a new vehicle of same make & model along with the registration and other applicable taxes.
Tyre Protect Cover
This cover provides financial protection for repair or replacement of the tyres. In case of any accidental damage, cuts or loss to the tyres.
25. Why Do You Need a Motor Insurance?
As per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Motor insurance is mandatory. Further, it protects the owner of the vehicle against damages to the vehicle and also pays for any liabilities owed by the vehicle owner as per law
26. What are the Numerous Advantages of Motor Insurance in India?
As mandate by Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Third Party insurance is compulsory for any vehicle on Indian roads. However, it is advisable to purchase a comprehensive cover.
The benefits of purchasing a motor insurance policy are as follows:
1. Damage or loss to the insured vehicle
The damages to the vehicle due to the following perils are usually covered under Own Damage (OD) section of the Motor Insurance policy:
- Fire, Explosion, Self- Ignition, Lightning
- Burglary/Housebreaking/Theft
- Riot & Strike
- Earthquake
- Flood, storm, cyclone, hurricane, tempest, inundation, hailstorm, frost
- Accidental external means
- Malicious Act
- While in Transit by Rail / Road, Inland waterways, Lift, Elevator or Air
- Land slide / Rock slide
2. Third Party Liability
This insurance provides cover to third-party liability for damages to property of third party as well as for bodily injuries or death of persons.
3. No Claim Bonus
Customer is eligible for this benefit for every claim-free year. Additional discount as per Indian Motor Tariff is offered on renewals.
4. Personal Accident Cover
It provides protection against permanent total disability and death due to an accident.
5. Legal Protection
As it is mandated by law, not having motor insurance is a violation of traffic laws and is a punishable offence. Therefore, it is important to have a motor insurance policy.
27. What's IDV and how is it determined?
IDV is Insured's Declared Value and is estimated on the basis of the manufacturer's listed selling Price of the model and Variant of the vehicle (and additional accessories) at the commencement of the car insurance policy after adjusting on depreciation for every year. If the car is stolen or totally damaged and beyond repairs in an accident, the claim amount payable is determined on the basis of the IDV. Hence it's very important that the car is insured for correct IDV. IDV = Ex-Showroom price plus sales tax minus depreciation, registration and insurance.
28. What is IMT 23 cover?
IMT 23 is for commercial vehicles. Owing to the distances and wear-and-tear a commercial vehicle faces compared to a private vehicle, coverage for lamps, tubes, tyres and bumpers is generally excluded from the normal insurance policies. However, if one opts for IMT 23, these excluded parts will cover 50%.
29. What is 64VB?
Section 64-VB means payment of premium before commencement of cover; this is as per the Indian Insurance Act 1938.
30. Claim process for personal & Commercial vehicles in case of Accidental loss?
Claim process for Accidental Loss
- At the time of unforeseen event raised with customer, first and foremost intimate the insurance company about the accident on their toll free no/ email at earliest.
- Customer has to submit claim form along with requisite documents to the insurance company and take the vehicle to the workshop and get estimate of the damaged vehicle (If the vehicle is not in drivable condition, the vehicle needs to be towed to avoid any consequential damages*)
- The insurance company will appoint surveyor to assess the damages, the surveyor will assess the loss and give work order to workshop and based on surveyors approval customer can get the car repaired
- After work completion customer has to give final invoice and other require documents to surveyor, who in turn will send it to insurance company along with surveyors report
- If all documents are in place, the insurance company provide a delivery order (DO) in case of cashless and customer can take his vehicle after paying his share of expenses to the workshop as per terms and conditions of the policy.
- In case of reimbursement customer can make the full payment to the workshop and take the vehicle and the amount will be reimbursed in his account basis the terms and conditions of the policy.
List of documents customer should keep ready while making a claim.
For Accident Damages:
- Proof of Insurance - Policy / Cover Note copy
- Copy of Registration Book, Tax Receipt (Original required for verification)
- Copy of Motor Driving License (with original) of the person driving the vehicle at the material time
- Permit (In case commercial vehicle)
- Fitness (In case commercial vehicle)
- Police Panchanama / FIR (In case of third-party property damage/ death / body injury)
- Estimate for repairer, where the vehicle is to be repaired
- Repair bills and payment receipts after the job is completed
- KYC Documents (Like- ID Proof, Address Proof, Pan Card, Etc)
In the case that the car insurance claim is to be paid to repairer submit the following along with the documents mentioned above: - Claims Discharge Cum Satisfaction Voucher signed across a Revenue stamp in this format.
For Total Loss:
Pre-Approval Documents
- Proof of Insurance - Policy / Cover Note copy
- Copy of Registration Book, Tax Receipt (Original required for verification)
- Copy of Motor Driving License (with original) of the person driving the vehicle at the material time
- Permit (In case commercial vehicle)
- Fitness (In case commercial vehicle)
- Police Panchanama / FIR (In case of third-party property damage/ death / body injury)
- Estimate for repairer, where the vehicle is to be repaired
- Loan account statement
- KYC Documents of Customer (Like- ID Proof, Address Proof, Pan Card, Etc)
- Fire brigade report (only In case of Fire Loss) Post Approval Documents/ On Admission of Liability
- Original Registration Book (If vehicle salvage settled with registration)/ Cancelled registration (If vehicle salvage settled without registration)
- Original Permit (In case commercial Vehicle)
- Original Fitness (In case commercial Vehicle)
- All the sets of keys/service booklets/Warranty card
- NOC of the Financer if claim is to be settled in insured's favor
- Form 28, 29 and 30 signed by the insured
- Form 35 signed by the Financer, as the case may be, (undated and blank), on admission of liability of insurers.
31. What is Constructive Total Loss (CTL)?
A vehicle will be considered to be a CTL, where aggregate cost of retrieval and/or repair of the vehicle, subject to terms & conditions of the policy exceed 75% of the Insured Declared Value (IDV).
32. What is process for total theft claim?
- In case of total theft, customer have to file a police complaint immediately in writing (Or dial 100 for police assistance) and inform to insurance company on their respective toll free number and register a claim
- Once the claim registered, the customer support executive provides a claim reference number
- Insurance company registers the claim and appoint an investigator to ascertain the loss
- Investigator collect documents and statements form customer
- Investigator submit his detail report and findings to insurance company
- After 90 days the final report issued by police authority, customer have to submit final court approved report to the insurance company
- Insurance company verify claim file and confirm the admissibility of claim and ask to submit final documents like Indemnity & Subrogation Letter on bond paper, RC book ownership change in the name of Insurance Company, Original Set of Keys, etc.
- Once the formalities completed insurance company will disburse the claim
- Customer receives the claim payment
The following listed documents require to process total theft claim
Pre-Approval Documents
- Original Certificate/Policy Document
- Original Registration Book, with Theft endorsement from concerned RTO, and tax payment receipt
- All the sets of keys/service booklets/Warranty card
- Police Panchanama / FIR and final investigation report/CAFR report
- Acknowledged copy of letter address to RTO intimating theft and making vehicle "NON-USE"
- KYC Documents of Customer (Like- ID Proof, Address Proof, Pan Card, Etc) Post Approval Documents/ On Admission of Liability
- Form 28, 29 and 30 signed by the insured
- Form 35 signed by the Financer, as the case may be, (undated and blank), on admission of liability of insurers.
- Letter of subrogation
- Consent towards agreed claim settlement value from you and Financer
- NOC of the Financer if claim is to be settled in insured's favor.
- Claim Discharge Voucher signed across a Revenue Stamp
33. How to claim in case of third party property damage?
Claim Process for Third Party Claim
- The procedure of claiming third party insurance starts with registering an FIR in a nearby police station followed by collection of charge sheet.
- After that Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, a special court, registers a case, one can register a claim for injury, death or property damage, with the tribunal with jurisdiction over the area where the insured or defendant resides. However there is no limit for claiming on liability for injury or death, on can avail the cover for third-party property damage up to Rs. 7.5 Lakh
- On receipt of legal notice to insured asking for a claim, do not communicate with the party before informing insurance company. Also remember not to make any financial commitments out of court settlement before speaking to insurer first.
- Submit a copy of the notice with insurance company
- Customer has to submit copies of RC book of the vehicle, Driving License, and the FIR.
- The insurance company will verify the documents and assess the accident and if found satisfactory, customer will get a lawyer appointed by them
- If court directs insured to pay the damages to the third party thereafter, the insurance company will directly pay the dues to the third party