Claiming Car Insurance

When you buy a new car, the car dealer would ensure

that you buy car insurance with it. However, it is

essential that you know basics about the car insurance

policy in India. As per the law, it is mandatory to have a

third-party cover only but a comprehensive car insurance

policy provides coverage to you and your car also. While

driving apart from third party your life as well as the lives

of co-passengers and your

vehicle is also at risk. A good

policy would provide you

coverage against all the risk

involved thus encouraging you

to drive tension free. An

important feature of a good car insurance policy is easy

claim process. If the claim process is not well defined

then the insurance turns futile. You must also be aware

of the steps involved in claiming your insurance amount.

How to claim car insurance?

Insurance claim can be of two types:

Third –party: This claim is filed by third party, if they get

injured by your vehicle or their vehicle/property gets

damaged due to your vehicle.

If you hit a vehicle or a person while driving, then ensure

that you report the accident immediately to the police

and to the insurance company. It will save you from the

legal liability as well as help in settling the claim. In case

of third-party claims, FIR is required.

If you are hit by some vehicle while driving then you can

also file insurance claim with the third-party’s insurance

company. In this case too, inform the police, your

insurance company and the third-party’s insurance

company. Immediately take details of the insurance

company of the third-party that hit you. Your insurance

company can also help you settle the claim against the

third-party’s insurance company.

Own Damage: This claim is filed by insured only to

recover expenses for the damage caused to their own

vehicle. Own damage claim is applicable only if you have

taken a comprehensive policy that provides coverage to

your vehicle.

For own damage claim, inform the car insurance

company so that they can sent their surveyor for loss

assessment. For own damage claim, FIR is generally not

required but still ask you insurance provider for the

same. Do not move your vehicle from the accident place

without the consent of your insurance provider. Once

the surveyor assesses the loss and submits the report,

you would receive permission from you insurance

provider to remove the vehicle for repair. If your policy

provides you cashless facility in a network garage then

your car would be sent to that workshop for repair.