Car Insurance: Car insurance is mandatory so choose a plan wisely. You can now save money, get discounts and find the best deal through PolicyBazaar. Compare various plans and buy hassle-free.
Car Insurance or motor insurance covers for losses that you might incur if your car gets damaged or stolen. The premium amount of your car insurance is decided on the basis of Insured Declared Value or IDV of the vehicle. If you increase the IDV, the premium rises and if you lower it, the premium reduces. It is important for any policyholder to compare various auto insurance options before going for a car insurance renewal or buying a new policy.
Car insurance plan offers following benefits:
Why is it necessary to Compare Auto Insurance Policies?It is necessary to compare the auto insurance policies as it can save a substantial amount of money and give you better coverage options. However, comparing the policies manually can be a daunting task. Policy Bazaar makes it fairly easy for you. When you compare quotes here you can save upto 55% on auto insurance premiums along with getting add-ons like riders and benefits on your plan. Make an informed purchase. Compare online and know your auto insurance plan properly before buying.
Shortlist the Requirement for Your Coverage: Before digging into comparing different auto insurance plans, ascertain the kind of coverage you need. A liability policy is inexpensive than the comprehensive auto insurance policy but only if you are ready to compromise on some benefits because the facilities offered by the later is the best undoubtedly.
Compared the coverage Option: The coverage offered in liability policy differs from the comprehensive policy. While liability plan only covers third party liability, the comprehensive one covers you for the damages to the vehicle and the owner which is called as Personal Accident Cover. The limit varies from plans to plan. Moreover, additional add-on benefits are also offered by some auto insurance plans. So, it is necessary to check and compare this trait to decide the personal accidental cover along with the additional coverage, if any under the same auto insurance plan.
Compare the Insured Declare Value: The varied rate of IDV's reflects different rates of premiums. Insured Declared Value, abbreviated as IDV, is the current value of the car after being adjusted for appropriate reduction. The rate of depreciation depends on the age of your car. Older the car, higher would be the depreciation and lowered would be your IDV. And it affects the Sum Assured. Hence, compare the IDV quoted offered by different car insurance plans is a must.
Compare Insurer's Claim Settlement Practice: Claim settlement is the most crucial part of an insurance policy. Every buyer expects a hassle free claim process and easiness of any car insurance policy which he is planning to invest in. Each insurance company has its own procedure. Hereby, it is essential to compare the claim settlement process of each auto insurance plan which is in your preference list to find out which type of rules best suits you and would enable a faster claim settlement.
There are primarily 3 types of Car Insurance -
Third Party car insurance provides cover against any legal liability to a third party caused when you are at-fault driver. It covers damage/injury caused by you to another person/property. A Third Party Liability cover is legally mandatory in India under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Collision coverage protects the insured financially against damage of their own car. It pays the insured for damage caused by collision which is usually an accident. Damage or loss due to theft or vandalism is not included in collision coverage.
A comprehensive coverage is extensive and includes damage of car, theft of vehicle, third party legal liability and personal accident cover. The policy coverage can be further extended by opting for add-ons like accessories cover, engine protector, zero depreciation cover, medical expenses, etc. This type of coverage is the most popular as it offers end-to-end coverage and thus less stress for the policyholder.
Get More Info on Car Insurance Coverage
For every claim free year, the insured is rewarded with discount on the renewal premium. This discount is called - No Claim Bonus (NCB). It is cumulative and increases, every year. It usually ranges from 10% to 50% and can save a substantial amount of money on the premium payable for your auto insurance. Let's take an example, if a policyholder doesn't make a claim during the tenure of his auto insurance policy, he becomes eligible for No Claim Bonus, on the basis of which, a certain rebate is offered on the payable premium.
Read More About No Claim Bonus
Personal Accident Rider is an optional add-on benefit that can be added to the comprehensive auto insurance by paying an extra premium. This rider provides the policyholder with the coverage of medical expenses due to a damage, personal injury or disability caused due to an accident.
By simply opting for separate add-on policy, you can avail the coverage for your car accessories, which a normal car insurance policy may not cover. Such additions may increase the premium, but it is always beneficial and cost-effective rather fitting a new car accessory.
A policyholder can save by paying higher deductibles. At the time of filing a claim, if you choose to pay higher deductibles against your claim, your auto insurance provider manages to give you some discount on premium later on.
Following features are usually not covered in car insurance:
Getting a car insured requires minimal documentation. For a new policy, you must submit the filled up proposal form and copy of the Registration Certificate (RC). For renewals, you will need copy of the RC (Registration Certificate) along with the copy of previous insurance policy.
Carefully fill in your complete details. This is an important step and will save you a lot of hassle during claim time.
On PolicyBazaar you have to fill a few simple details like make of the car, model, variant, year of manufacture, etc. You will then get quotes from various insurance providers. To get better discounts you must fill the form carefully. This way you will get customized quotes, one which saves money (upto 55%) on premiums and is also the best fit as per your needs.
You must be familiar with the following terms while filling the form:
This information is critical to calculate base premium. Luxurious, powerful and expensive car will attract more premiums. For e.g. a SUV car will always have a higher premium than a family car.
The manufacture year of your car lets the insurance company assess its Insured Declared Value (IDV) that facilitates the underwriter to decide the annual premium for your car.
Being more vulnerable to combustion, a CNG fitted car is usually insured at a slightly higher premium than a plain petrol/diesel car.
You need to mention whether you do or do not want to get a cover on electrical and non-electrical accessories fitted in your car. Most insurers provide a cover for your car accessories at an additional premium of 4% on its value.
Step 1: Log in to www.policybazaar.com and click on the product icon.
Step 2: If you want a fresh comparison of four wheeler insurance plans, click on ‘Begin your comparison’. In case you have searched before, you can retrieve your previous searches and continue from where you left off by clicking on ‘Get previous searches’.
Step 3: Before you start the comparison, keep a few details handy such as the city of your car’s registration, make and model, fuel type, and the car’s variant.
Step 4: To get new insurance quotes, key in all the above-mentioned details in the form and click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 5: On the next page, fill in your personal information such as your full name, email address, and mobile number. Click on ‘View Quotes’ to proceed.
Step 6: In the quotes section, you’ll have a list of different auto insurers with discounted price, add-ons, and final price. You can view each plan details and compare it with other plans well.
Step 7: To get a discount on the premium, click on the ‘Get Discount’ button on the left side of the page. After clicking the button, a form will appear where you have to fill in your details. After completing the form, click on ‘Apply Discount’.
Step 8: Click on ‘Select add-ons’ to tick the list of added extras in your car such as 24*7 roadside assistance, No claim Bonus (NCB) protector, engine protector, key and lock replacement, and consumables.
Step 9: If you want to include passengers under the plan, click on ‘Passenger/driver cover’.
Step 10: To find the nearby motor garage, click on the ‘Garage locator’ on the bottom left of the page.
Fill in these details carefully then sit back and relax for a while. You will be presented with a list of insurance plans that suits your requirement at best possible rates.
A smart customer is in a constant hunt for discounts which will reduce the burden on his pocket. If you are one among them then here are a few tips that will help you get discount and save money on premium value of your car insurance.
Voluntary deductible is the minimum amount that you declare to bear at the time of claim. The higher deductible you opt for, the lower will be your premium. Simply put it means that the financial burden on the insurance provider is less and you will also chip in when an accident or car damage happens.
In case your car is fitted with an ARAI approved anti theft device, your insurer will offer additional discount (2.5% on the OD Premium). This discount is provided for the simple reason that an anti-theft device will make your car less liable to theft.
Members of the Automobile Association and some Professionals (Defense Personnel, Doctors and Govt. Employees) are entitled to get additional discount on their premium. So, never miss out to mention the same while searching for a quote.
While getting quotes for your vehicle at Policy Bazaar, you might see for yourself how changing even minor details make a huge difference to the final calculated premium. For example, take the case of Dr. Gupta. He's a doctor by profession and needs car insurance for his brand new Renault Duster. His car is fitted with an ARAI approved anti-theft kit. While getting a car insurance quote, he neither mentions his profession nor the fact that his car is fitted with an anti-theft kit. Thus he ends up paying a higher premium. On the contrary, if he did mention about these then, needless to say, his premium could have been lower by 25%.
Always fill in your correct and complete details while getting comparative Quotes from Policy Bazaar.
Buy and compare car insurance quotes online easily here at PolicyBazaar. Whether you want to buy a new policy for your car or renew your policy, get it right here in a few clicks.
Looking for car insurance comparison? PolicyBazaar provides you an innovative interface to compare car insurance policies by best car insurers in India. Check out details on each insurer and select the one that suits your needs.
| Insurer | Third Party Cover | Cashless Network Garages | Add On Covers | Special Features | Exceptions |
 Bajaj Allianz car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 4000 and more |
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 Bharti AXA Car Plan | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 2300 and more |
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 HDFC Ergo Car Insurance Plan | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 3000 and more |
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 Future Generali Car Insurance Plan | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 1000 and more |
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 IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance Plans | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 2000 and more |
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 L&T Car Plans | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 2000 and more |
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 Liberty Videocon Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 1900 and more |
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 New India Assurance Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | Your local branch will help you with claim settlement |
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 Reliance General Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 2300 and more |
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 Royal Sundaram Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 3300 and more |
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 Tata AIG Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 1500 and more |
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 Universal Sompo Car Insurance | Upto 7.5L for third party property damage | 1100 and more |
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What is motor insurance?
A motor insurance is purchased for cars, trucks, motorcycles and commercial road vehicles. It is an agreement between the insurer and insured, wherein insurer agrees to give financial coverage to the vehicle and the insured in return agrees to pay premium annually.
Is it important to have a motor insurance?
According to Motor Vehicle Act, it is mandatory that every motor vehicle plying on the road should be insured with ‘liability only cover’. It ensures that any damage done by your vehicle to another person’s property will be covered in a claim. By buying motor insurance, you can protect your vehicle from natural disasters or theft. When an insurance policy is giving you ample benefits and coverage, we don’t find any reason of not buying it.
What is a no claim bonus (NCB)?
No claim bonus (NCB) is a discount in premium offered by insurance companies if the owner of a vehicle has not made a single claim throughout the motor insurance policy term.
What is a cover note?
A cover note is a temporary insurance proof which is issued to a policyholder before the issuance of actual insurance document. A cover note is valid for 60 days from the date of its issuance and is replaced by an original insurance document.
What information do I need to submit to buy motor insurance online?
For buying a policy online no documentation is required whatsoever. However, it is advisable to keep the previous insurance policy and RC handy at the time of buying the policy so that all information can be updated correctly in the policy form.
Is there any specific exclusion in motor policy?
Motor insurance policy doesn’t offer coverage in following situations-
Damage caused due to nuclear fission, war invasion
What is IDV (insured declared value)?
IDV (insured declared value) is the maximum amount to be paid by an insurer at the time of a claim if the vehicle is a total loss or stolen. It is the sum insured and is fixed at the commencement of the policy period for each insured vehicle.
How IDV is calculated?
An IDV is calculated on the basis of the manufacturer’s listed selling price of the brand and model, which will include local duties/taxes, excluding registration and insurance.
Different depreciation slabs for arriving at IDV are detailed below:
|
Age of the vehicle |
Depreciation value in % |
|
Not more than 6 months |
5 |
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More than 6 months but below 1 year |
15 |
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More than 1 year but below 2 years |
20 |
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More than 2 years but below 3 years |
30 |
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More than 3 years but below 4 years |
40 |
|
More than 4 years but below 5 years |
50 |
For those vehicles which are obsolete or aged over 5 years, the depreciation applied varies from one insurer to another.
What is compulsory excess?
A compulsory excess is an amount that your insurance company has decided that you will pay at the time of claim settlement. The amount varies on the basis of cubic capacity of the vehicle. For sub 1500 cc vehicles, it is Rs 1000, for vehicles above 1500CC it is Rs 2000.
Is it possible to pay premium for the auto insurance in installments?
No, Insurance Act 1938 does not allow you to pay premium for the auto insurance in installments. If you buy online, you can use credit card to make the entire payment and then payback it to the credit card company in installments.
How do I change the registration address or vehicle information on the insurance policy?
For any change in registration address or vehicle information, you need to submit RC copy along with a request letter. Any change will be done by an endorsement by the insurance company. For some endorsements, a policyholder may need to pay additional premium.
What documents do I need to submit at the time of claim?
You may need to submit duly filled claim form along with following documents-
If the insurance company’s share is more than 75% of IDV, it is called total loss. You may need to submit additional documents to initiate claim proceedings at the time of total loss-
Letter of indemnity on judicial stamp paper
What is total loss of a vehicle?
Total loss means accidental damage to a vehicle where insurance company’s share is more than 75% of the IDV.
What is voluntary deductible?
Voluntary deductible is the minimum amount that you agree to pay at the time of claim. For instance, if your total claim amount is Rs 10,000 and you agree to pay Rs 5000 of your claim in addition to compulsory deductible, then it is called voluntary deductible.
How can I add/delete hypothecation in my motor insurance policy?
Hypothecation is used for creating charges against the security of movable assets. The possession of goods remains with borrower. For instance, in car loan, vehicle remains with the borrower but the ownership is hypothecated to the bank. It means bank has a right to sell the vehicle if there is any default in repaying car loan.
In case of a hypothecated vehicle, it is important to obtain NOC from the financer if the payment has to be obtained by the insured. Otherwise claim amount will be paid to the financer for losses other than theft.
If my NCB has been earned in a foreign country, will it still be applicable in India?
Yes, it will be applicable in India. However, the policy must be issued by a reputed foreign insurance company and a proof of the same is required to submit with the new insurance company.
What are the risks covered by the comprehensive insurance policy?
Your comprehensive insurance policy covers-
Burglary, theft or housebreaking
Am I eligible to get NCB on expired policy?
You will be entitled to get NCB on expired policy if you will renew it within 90 days of the expiration.
What is cashless facility?
Cashless facility means you don’t need to pay anything for repair work and your insurance company will directly pay it to the garage. If you have signed up for the cashless facility, all you have to do is take your vehicle to the preferred workshop of the insurance company. The workshop will contact the insurer and settle the claim.
What to do if the insured vehicle meets with an accident outside the city, area or state from where the policy is issued?
You should immediately inform the insurance company. If you don’t know the contact number then you should search for the local office of the company. If there is a local office then intimate the claim to the company. If somehow you are unable to contact the company or trace its local office, you should click pictures of the accident spot and vehicle. If the loss is major and involves third party damage, lodge FIR immediately.
What documents do I need to submit as a proof of no claim benefits (NCB) at the time of policy transfer?
You are required to submit a renewal notice from your previous insurer. If this doesn’t state your (NCB) entitlement or if it is not given to you by the company then call your insurer and request confirmation of your (NCB). Alternatively, you can submit your previous insurance papers and declaration that you are entitled to receive (NCB). However, if you are not eligible for NCB and wrongly claimed for it then the insurance contract is void ab initio and the insurance company reserves all rights to reject your claim.
What is break in renewal policy?
Break in renewal policy is one of the simplest options available in the market to renew your lapsed policy. It means you can renew your expired policy without any inspection and documentation. It is not only hassle free but also a great money saver technique.
Why should one have a comprehensive insurance policy when law mandates insurance only for 3rd party injury, death or property loss?
Although law mandates insurance policy for 3rd party only but it is strongly advised to buy a comprehensive insurance policy that protects your vehicle from man-made or natural calamities. With comprehensive cover, you can claim from your insurer for accidents or damages caused to your vehicle. In the absence of comprehensive cover, you need to foot the entire bill on your own.
Thus, with comprehensive insurance policy on your side, you get complete peace of mind that whatever happens to your vehicle on the road, your insurance company will share your financial losses.
Under what circumstances, an endorsement is issued?
An endorsement is a written proof of an agreed change to a policy wording. If a customer wants to make any changes to the policy, he needs to approach the insurance company to make it effective. This is done by an endorsement.
Insurance company may also issue an endorsement at the time of policy issuance to provide additional coverage or to impose restrictions. An endorsement may also be issued subsequently to record changes like change in name, address, etc.
What are types of endorsements and what are the different documents that are required for each endorsement?
Below are some common types of endorsements issued by an insurance company along with documents required for them.
|
Endorsement |
Situations Covered |
Additional Premium |
Requisite documents |
|
Premium bearing endorsement |
Transfer of ownership |
Yes |
· Copy of Registration Certificate (RC), Form 29 & 30 along with seller’s request letter for ownership transfer · Duly filled proposal form and signed by new owner along with the original policy copy · Request letter signed by new owner for changing ownership |
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Addition of electrical & non electrical items |
Yes |
· Copy of RC · Invoice copy of all accessories · Request letter for the addition of accessories |
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Addition of LPG/CNG kit |
Yes |
· Copy of RC · Invoice copy of kit · Request letter for the addition of kit |
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Change of RTO location |
If applicable |
· Copy of RC · Request letter for changing RTO location |
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Non-premium bearing endorsement |
Correction in chassis/engine/registration number |
No |
· Copy of RC · Request letter for making changes |
Does place of residence affect premium amount?
Yes, your place of residence affects premium rates. The Indian Motor Tariff Act has categorized cities into different zones and each zone has different premium rates. Below is the zone-wise categorization for vehicles:
If your residence falls in Zone A then you need to shell out more bucks to buy insurance.
What costs do I have to bear at the time of insurance claim?
The costs that you have to bear are salvage value, depreciation cost, compulsory deductibles and cost of consumables. Let’s know more about these costs-
Cost of consumables= It includes items like lubricants, grease, engine oil, fuel filter, break oil, nut, bolts, screws, washers, etc.
Are there any special discounts available for handicapped people?
Companies give 50% discount on the own damage premium for handicapped people, provided the vehicle has been modified for their use.
What’s my liability if someone else is driving my vehicle at the time of accident?
Legally, anyone driving a vehicle should hold a valid driving license for that category. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that those with a valid driving license are driving your vehicle. Also ensure that no one (including you) drives the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If the driver is intoxicated at the time of an accident then insurance company is not liable to compensate the policyholder.
Can I submit bills at the end of the year and claim for all small repairs carried out on my car?
No, a claim needs to be lodged immediately with the insurance company and will not be payable if it is delayed beyond a reasonable time period.
What comes out of your pocket when claiming for car insurance
