File a Car Insurance Claim in Just 7 Steps

Today, filing a car insurance claim is much easier. You don’t need to visit your insurance provider’s office and manually complete tons of paperwork. Instead, you can claim your car insurance online through your smartphone or car workshop without any hassle. 

However, you must follow a process to ensure your claim is settled in time without any hassle. So, join us as we walk you through the car insurance claim process.

Steps to Claim Car Insurance

The exact process to claim car insurance varies depending on whether you claim third-party liabilities or own damages. Moreover, you also have two options to get a claim settlement – cashless and reimbursement claim. So, the process also varies based on the type of settlement you opt for. 

Let’s have a look at the step-by-step process to file a claim based on the type of insurance and claim settlement.

Reimbursement Claims

In this type of claim settlement, you opt to bear the financial burden upfront, be it repairs or hospitalisation expenses. Once you raise a claim and provide receipts of damages, the insurer reimburses you for the expenses. 

# Steps to Claim Third-Party Car Insurance

Here’s how you can raise a reimbursement claim for third-party car insurance:

Step 1. Photograph the evidence of the accident and collect details of the third party. 

Step 2. Inform your insurer about the accident, including the extent of the damage. 

Step 3. Register an FIR at the local police station.

Step 4. Fill out the claim form provided by your insurer and attach necessary documents, such as evidence of damages, the RC of your car, and a copy of the FIR or legal notice sent by the third party. 

Step 5. The insurer will review your claim request and assess if damages fall under the purview of your policy. If satisfied, the insurer will assign a lawyer to plead your case in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.

Step 6. If the tribunal finds you guilty, it will order you to compensate the third party for damages. Since this is a reimbursement claim, you must pay the third party out of your own pocket.

Step 7. Once you’ve paid the third party, provide proof of fund transfer to your insurer, who will reimburse you for the amount. 

# Steps to Claim Own Damages

If your car suffers accidental damages, you must claim your own damages cover. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Inform your insurance company about the accident and damages.

Step 2. File an FIR with the police.

Step 3. Complete the claim form and submit it to your insurer, along with photographic evidence of damages. Also, share documents like a copy of the FIR and your vehicle’s RC. 

Step 4. Let the insurer conduct a review of damages.

Step 5. Take your car to a repair shop and pay for the expenses incurred.

Step 6. Provide the receipts from the mechanic with a list of repairs made and costs incurred to the insurer. 

Step 7. The insurance provider will review the receipts and reimburse you for the cost of repairs. 

Cashless Claims

You don’t need to pay for damages out of your pocket in cashless claims. Instead, your insurance company settles the liabilities with the associated parties, be they a garage or a third party. 

# Process to Claim Third-Party Car Insurance

The process of making a cashless claim with third-party car insurance is very similar to reimbursement claims. The only difference is how the claim gets settled after the Moto Accident Claims Tribunal’s judgement. If the tribunal finds you liable to pay damages, your insurer will pay the third party directly. 

# Process to Claim Own Damages

Filing cashless claims in case of own damages is also similar to filing a reimbursement claim. But there are some differences:

• First, you must get your vehicle repaired at a network garage, i.e., a workshop that operates in partnership with your insurer. 
• Second, you don’t need to pay for expenses out of your pocket. Simply get your vehicle repaired and share the receipts with your insurer, who will then pay the garage.

Documents Needed to Claim Car Insurance

Thanks to online services and mobile apps, filing an insurance claim has never been easier. However, proper documentation is still essential to ensure a hassle-free car insurance claim process. 

Here is a list of documents you must have when filing a car insurance claim:

Cashless Car Insurance Claim 

• Duly filled and signed claim form.
• Policy certificate.
• Copy of FIR. (In case of theft and TP claim)
• Copy of Driver’s License (DL) and Registration Certificate (RC)
• Receipts of repairs.

Reimbursement-Based Car Insurance Claim 

• Filled and signed claim form.
• Policy certificate.
• Copy of FIR.
• Copy of DL and RC.
• Estimate or receipt of repairs.

Third-Party Car Insurance Claim 

• Filled and signed claim form.
• Insurance policy certificate.
• Copy of FIR and legal notice.
• Copy of DL and RC.

Things To Take Care of While Claiming Car Insurance

• When filing claims, consider the deductible charged by the insurer. It is the compulsory payment you must make towards settling liabilities in part before the insurer pays the rest. 
• Avoid raising claims for minor damages with minimal repair costs to save your No-Claim Bonus (NCB). You can utilize this bonus as a discount on the premium at renewal or policy transfer. 
• For claims including parts repair and replacement, insurers deduct the cost of depreciation before settling claims. So, beware of how depreciation impacts the claim amount.
• To avoid rejection of your claim, make sure to review inclusions and exclusions from your policy. Damage due to regular wear and tear, drunk driving, traffic violations, damage to engine and tyres, etc., can’t be claimed under car insurance.
• If your policy includes add-ons, you can maximize your benefits during the claim process. These extra benefits generally include zero depreciation charges, retention of the car’s original price, engine protection, consumables cover, etc., and can be purchased by paying an extra premium. 

Key Takeaways

Completing the due diligence and following the car insurance claim process is important to avoid rejection of your claims. The key is to always inform the insurer, reveal all necessary information, and keep all the documents ready. Bookmark this blog post for reference the next time you file a claim and consider platforms like PhonePe for a seamless insurance purchase experience.