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Car Insurance is a type of vehicle insurance policy that protects your car & car owner from any risks & damages that may lead to financial losses. Car Insurance Policy is a contract between the car insurance company & a car owner that provides on-road protection against any loss or damages arising due to an accident. A car insurance policy provides financial coverage to the beneficiary of the car policy against any loss or damages arising out of road accidents, third party liabilities, theft, man made calamities, fire or natural disaster.
Buying a four wheeler insurance policy is mandatory in India for all cars as per the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. Vehicle insurance companies compensate for the loss or damage caused to the insured vehicle and a third-party from the insured four-wheeler. Here are some of the reasons to buy a new car insurance policy in India:
Moreover, the premium amount of your car insurance is decided based on the 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 car insurance plans before going for 4-wheeler insurance renewal or buying a new policy. Compare various car insurance plans online on Policybazaar and buy the one that fulfils your expectations hassle-free:
There are three types of car insurance policies that are available in India
A comprehensive insurance policy provides coverage for third party liability as well as damages caused to your own car. In comparison with third party liability insurance, a comprehensive four wheeler insurance policy offers extensive coverage, more benefits and covers the damages caused to the insured car in case of an accident, collision, theft, etc.
A comprehensive policy 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.
Third party insurance safeguards you from any legal liability due to your own car’s involvement in an accident. Your insurance provider will compensate you for death, disability, injury, or property damage to any third-party. Therefore, you are protected from the financial liability towards the third-party.
Third-party liability car insurance prices are a mandate in India under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
| Engine Capacity | Third-party Liability Car Insurance Price Effective June 16, 2019 (Rs.) |
| Less than 1000 CC | 2,072 |
| More than 1000 CC & less than 1500 CC | 3,221 |
| More than 1500 CC | 7,890 |
Also known as usage-based motor insurance, this insurance policy allows the insured to pay the insurance premiums as per the kilometres driven. This newly introduced product likely to be helpful for those with multiple cars not all of which are used so frequently. As per the IRDA guidelines under the Sandbox project, a few insurers such as Bharti AXA, Bajaj Allianz have started offering Pay As You Drive insurance policy. The policy offers comprehensive coverage for own damage and third-party liability on a pilot basis for a term of one year. The policy seeker will have to declare the distance he/she expects to travel during a policy year and based on that premiums for Pay As You Drive policy will be decided. However, the insurers have come up with 3 slabs for distance covered -Rs 2,500 km, 5,000 km and 7,500 km.
The following table shows the complete list of the best car insurance policy in India with their personal accident cover and the number of network garages offered by the car insurers:
| Car Insurance Companies | Network Garages | PA Cover Owner/ Driver |
| Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance | 4000+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Bharti AXA Car Insurance | 5200+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Chola MS Car Insurance | 6900+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Digit Car Insurance | 1400+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Edelweiss Car Insurance | 1000+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Future Generali Car Insurance | 2500+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance | 4300+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Kotak Mahindra Car Insurance | 1000+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Liberty Car Insurance | 4300+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| National Car Insurance | N/A | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| New India Assurance Car Insurance | 1100+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Oriental Car Insurance | N/A | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Reliance Car Insurance | 3700+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Royal Sundaram Car Insurance | 4600+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| SBI Car Insurance | 5400+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Shriram Car Insurance | 1500+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Tata AIG Car Insurance | N/A | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| United India Car Insurance | 700+ | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
| Universal Sompo Car Insurance | N/A | Up to Rs. 15 lakhs |
The four wheeler insurance policy covers the following:
Add-on covers are the additional covers or protection that you include in your 4 wheeler insurance plan to keep your car safe from any damages or total loss. The add-on covers need to be purchased on payment of an extra premium amount. Following are some of the add-on covers - No Claim Bonus Protection cover, Zero Depreciation cover, Engine Protection cover, Key protection cover, etc.
For every claim-free year, the insured is rewarded with a 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. With No-claim-bonus protection cover you can retain your NCB even after registering a claim during the policy term. The terms and conditions vary from one insurer to another.
An engine is one of the most important parts of a car. And engine protection cover compensates the cost of fixing the indirect damages that are caused to the engine due to lubricating oil leakage and water ingression. It covers the Gear Box Parts, Engine Parts, and DifferentialParts.
This additional feature offers compensation even for the depreciating value of your car. With this feature, you will not have to pay for the depreciation value of your vehicle’s parts. It is mostly valid on private cars and is subjected to a specific number of claims during the policy period. Compulsory and voluntary deductibles (as per the case) will be applicable despite zero depreciation cover. You can check with the insurance company for any terms and conditions before making the purchase.
Sometimes, a bunch of unforeseen expenses can drain all your savings. Consumables Cover. Includes all the expenses incurred on consumable items for any perils that are covered under the policy. Consumable items include screws, nuts and bolts, washers, AC gas, grease, lubricants, bearings, clips, engine oil, distilled water, oil filter, brake oil, and fuel filter are mostly covered.
There are certain terms and conditions that are applicable to this add-on cover that varies from one insurance provider to another. It is mostly valid on private cars and is subjected to a particular number of claims during the policy period. You can check with the insurance company before making the purchase.
Once in a lifetime everyone would have lost or misplaced their car keys. In such cases, the insurer can offer you the financial help by covering the costs incurred on replacement and repair of your car keys. Here’s was Key Protect Coverwill offers.
In case of accidental damage, you might have to leave your car in the workshop and travel on your own. This add-on cover comes to your rescue when your vehicle is parked in the garage after an accident for repair. If you have this add-on cover the insurer will provide you daily travel allowance if the vehicle requires has to be in the garage for more than 3 days (varies from insurer to another).
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 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 4 wheeler 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.
Deductibles are a certain percentage of the claim amount that the insured has to pay from this own pockets. 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.
A comprehensive car policy not only provides third-party cover but as well as offers cover against personal accident. In personal accident cover, you get a pre-defined amount against death because of the accident and permanent total disability. In addition to this, one can purchase this cover for co-passengers as well even on an unnamed basis, which will be maximum as per the seating capacity of the vehicle. However, the amount of coverage is pre-determined even in this case.
A comprehensive car policy provides coverage against damage or loss to your car. Reasons for damage like fire, accident, or self-ignition are covered in this plan. In addition to this, if the car faces losses because of theft, burglary, terrorism, riots, then also an insurance policy covers it. Moreover, it also covers loss or damage occurred due to transit via train, air, road, inland waterways, or lift.
Most of the motor insurance providers have a wide range of network garages that are spread across the country. This feature ensures that you can get the service of your car anywhere in India.
If your car meets with an accident and causes loss or damage to the property of a third-party, then do not worry as it is covered under four wheeler insurance policy. Moreover, if you come across any legal liabilities because of an accident by your car like death or injury to any person or property, then do not worry, your car policy provides you coverage for the same.
Following features are usually not covered in a 4 wheeler insurance policy:
Car insurance price is decided based on several factors. It is also easy to find out the four wheeler insurance premium using an online car insurance calculator. However, the insurance provider takes into consideration the following parameters before fixing the car insurance price:
Car's IDV Calculation Formula:
IDV = Car's Showroom price + Accessories cost – depreciation value
Thus, the formula to calculate OD premium amount is:
Own Damage premium calculation formula:
Insured Declared Value X [Car Premium as per the insurer)] + [ Optional Benefits] – [NCB/Discount etc.]
It's mandatory to renew your car insurance to avail of the policy benefits without a break. Therefore, you should ensure your car policy before it gets expired. Follow the steps given below for online car policy renewal.
You will receive the policy document for your renewed 4 wheeler insurance on your registered email id. You can also download a copy of the policy document and get a printout anytime you want.
Buying an online car insurance policy is a common practice today. With the buying of 4 wheeler insurance policy online, you can insure your car against any damage due to an accident, theft, fire etc within 2 minutes. If you are wondering why most people prefer to purchase four wheeler insurance online, check out its benefits below:
Offline purchase of insurance policies involve agents who try to sell their own product rather than suggesting you a better policy from another insurance provider. Purchase of new car insurance policy online will eliminate such agents and you can buy the best policy after comparing various plans offered by different insurance companies.
Another benefit of buying four wheeler insurance policy online is zero paperwork. Contrary to the offline mode which requires you to fill multiple forms, the online mode allows you to fill up all the forms online. You can also upload the required documents online making the application process digital and free of any paperwork.
As compared to the offline modes, buying 4 wheeler insurance online is very convenient. You don’t have to visit a branch of the insurance company or take out time to meet the agent. You can get your car insured from the comforts of your home, hence, saving a lot of time and efforts.
Missing policy payments or renewals can cost you a great deal. Not only will you lose out on the renewal discounts but also have a break in policy. But if you purchase your car policy online, you will receive timely reminders ahead of your due date ensuring that you do not miss out on the payments.
Buying 4 wheeler insurance online offers cashless facility and involves zero cash transaction. You can make payment of your insurance premium online through online modes such as debit card, credit card and internet banking.
With the online purchase of four wheeler insurance, you can easily compare the plans offered by different companies. Online aggregators allow you to compare the coverage and the premium quotes provided in different plans before selecting an ideal insurance policy for your car.
Buying an insurance policy online is more economical as you save a lot of in-between costs. Your premium reduces due to elimination of agents, zero paperwork and you get discounts that further reduce the amount of premium you pay.
Endorsement refers to any changes in the information provided in the policy document. in case of online endorsements, you just have to give a self-declaration as opposed to the filling up the endorsement form manually and submitting all the documents.
Another benefit of applying for car insurance online is that you have a soft copy of your policy document in your email. This makes it easy for you to access it from any place without the need to carry a hard copy with you.
All the car owners, at some point in time, need to file an insurance claim for a certain loss or damage. To avoid any confusion while filing a 4 wheeler insurance claim, here are a few points that you need to consider:
Keep the following documents ready while registering a claim with the Insurer-
The insurer will settle your claim within a week from the date of submission of all the required documents.
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 car insurance prices from various insurance providers. This way you will get customized quotes, one which saves money on premiums and is also the best fit as per your needs.
You must be familiar with the following terms while filling the form:
Car Make, Model and Variant
This information is critical to calculating the base premium. A luxurious, powerful and expensive car will attract more premiums. For e.g. an SUV car will always have a higher premium than a family car.
Year of Manufacture
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.
CNG Fitted Car
Being more vulnerable to combustion, a CNG fitted car is usually insured at a slightly higher premium than a plain petrol/diesel car.
Additional Covers
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.
| Age of the vehicle | Depreciation value in % |
| Not more than 6 months | 5 |
| More than 6 months but below 1 year | 15 |
| More than 1 year but below 2 years | 20 |
| More than 2 years but below 3 years | 30 |
| 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.
You can also download the copy of your online policy from your insurer’s website by providing the required details.
Besides, four wheeler insurance shields your vehicle from unforeseen damages or losses arising out of incidents, such as fire, third party liabilities, natural calamities, theft, accident and manmade disasters.
However, you cannot cancel any third party liability claims with your insurer where you are at fault for causing accidental third party loss or damages.
