If you are a car owner, you must be familiar with the importance of a car insurance policy. The unfortunate thing with driving is, no matter how careful you are, there’s still a chance of getting into an accident. As such, it is crucial to not only have a comprehensive insurance policy but to also have the knowledge of filing a claim. In this blog, we have given a step-by-step guide on how you can file a car insurance claim with your insurance provider.
Types of car insurance claims
There are two types of insurance claims –
- Cashless claim: Cashless claims mean exactly what the name suggests. You can get your car repaired in one of your insurance provider’s network garages without paying anything. Your insurance will directly pay for the garage. This facility is only available in network garages and will help you save time and effort.
- Reimbursement claim: Under this, you are free to get your car repaired at the garage of your choice. After your car is repaired, you have to collect all the invoices and bills and submit them to the insurance company. The insurance company will reimburse you the amount according to your policy terms and conditions. This type of claim requires more time and effort than a cashless claim.
Step-by-step process of filing a car insurance claim
There are different types of scenarios under which you can file a claim. We have discussed the three most likely scenarios here.
For own damage
If you have standalone or comprehensive insurance, you can claim damages to your vehicle. Here are the steps you should follow in such a case.
- Inform the insurance company: The first and most important step is to inform your insurance as soon as possible. Do not get your car repaired without informing your insurance company. Submit the claim form along with the required documents. You can fill out the claim form online or by visiting your insurance company’s nearest branch.
- Inspection: The insurance company will send a surveyor upon receiving your claim form. The surveyor will document the damage to the vehicle, prepare a report, and submit it to the insurance company.
- Documents submission: After inspection, you have to give the surveyor repair and payment invoice along with other documents. The surveyor will further submit them to the insurance company.
In case of a cashless claim
If you are availing of the cashless claim facility, you can send your car to a network garage after the inspection by the surveyor. Your insurance company will directly settle the amount with the garage.
In case of a reimbursement claim
If you have a reimbursement claim, then you can send your car to any garage and get it repaired by paying the bill on your own. Once done, you have to submit all the invoices to the insurance company, which will reimburse you after verification.
For third-party damage
In case of damage to the third-party vehicle, the third party may send you a notice for a claim. In this case, follow these steps.
- Inform your insurance company of the claim notice and submit a copy.
- Submit other documents, such as your driving license, copy of FIR, etc.
- The insurance company will verify the documents and provide you with a lawyer.
- Once the legal process is done, your insurance company will directly provide the amount to the third party.
For theft
In case you have a standalone or comprehensive insurance policy, you can also claim for stolen cars. Here are the steps you should follow.
- File an FIR with the police.
- Submit a copy of the FIR to your insurance company.
- After you receive the final report from the police stating your car is untraceable, submit a copy of the report to the insurance company.
- The insurance company may send an investigator for further investigation. Upon successful investigation, your claim will be approved.
- Submit the necessary documents, including the RC book of your car, duplicate keys, and a subrogation letter.
- The insurance company will disburse the claim amount equivalent to the IDV of your car.
Documents required for different types of car insurance claim
Let us take a look at the document required for different types of claims.
For own damage
- Your driving license
- Duly filled claim form
- Copy of the RC of the car
- Proof of damage (pictures or videos of the damage)
- Original repair bills and payment receipt (for reimbursement claims)
For third-party damage
- Driver’s driving license
- Duly filled claim form
- FIR
- RC of the vehicle
- Proof of damage to the vehicle
For theft
- FIR
- A duly filled claims form
- Driving license
- Non-traceable certificate from the police
- Cancelled cheque
For accident
- Driving license
- Duly filled claim form
- FIR
- RC of the vehicle
- Proof of damage to the vehicle
- Cancelled cheque
- Original repair bills and payment receipts (for reimbursement claims)
Can your claim be rejected?
Your claim may not necessarily be accepted. There are several reasons why the insurance company may reject your claim. Here are some of the things you should avoid to not get your claim rejected.
- Misrepresent information while filing for a claim
- Claim for damage that is not covered under your policy
- Getting your car repaired without informing your insurance provider
- Drive the car without a valid driving license
- Drive under the influence of a substance
- Delay raising the claim request
- Hide crucial information, such as major modifications to the insured vehicle
- Let your car insurance expire and then raise a claim
- Damage to the car is because of your carelessness
- Raise a claim for damage due to reasons other than the ones mentioned in the policy
There you go! Now that you know the process of filing a claim against your car insurance policy, you can stay at peace. It doesn’t matter whether you have standalone or comprehensive insurance, the process looks similar to what we have mentioned. However, it is important to remember that the claim process and document requirements may vary from insurer to insurer.
Disclaimer – The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.