All you need to know while claiming your motor insurance

If your own vehicle is damaged due to an accident, you must inform the insurer and the police about it, before giving the vehicle for repair. The insurer typically has tie-ups with motor garages for a cashless facility and will pay the bills directly to the garage. However, if the vehicle is serviced in a garage outside the purview of the insurer’s network, then the insured can claim for a reimbursement of the bill.

Intimation

Call the customer-service centre of the insurer or their representative. Give them details such as policy number, vehicle number, date, time and description of the accident, nature of loss, nature of personal injury, if any. Note the claim registration number for future reference.

Documents

Submit the duly signed claim form along with the copies of the registration certificate of the vehicle, driving licence, policy document (first two pages), FIR, any additional documents, if required.

Inspection

The insurance surveyor will inspect the damage at the garage/workshop within one working day and give the approval after assessment of the damage and costs of repair.

Cashless settlement

After repair, the vehicle will be handed over to the insured after confirmation that it has been repaired.

Reimbursement
The insured must submit the original repair invoice and payment receipt to the insurer. The amount approved as per the surveyor’s report will be reimbursed within seven working days.

Points to note
> The insured must lodge an FIR in case of major damage, third-party property damage, third-party injury, damage due to riot, strike and malicious act.

> The surveyor will inform the garage about the approved claim amount and deductions on account of depreciation etc. The excess amount payable, if any, will have to be borne by the insured.


The content is courtesy Centre for Investment Education and Learning (CIEL). Contributions by Girija Gadre, Arti Bhargava and Labdhi Mehta.