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.