Does Car Insurance Cover Damages Due to Riots?

Yes, any damage or loss to your car caused by riots is covered only if you have comprehensive car insurance, subject to policy terms. However, the specific coverage varies across insurers. Read on to find out what damages may be covered and what steps to take before filing a claim.Read more

What Types of Riot Damages Can Car Insurance Cover?

Depending on your insurer's terms, you may claim car insurance for the following physical damage to your car during a riot:

• Broken windows or windscreen due to stone-pelting
• Dents and body damage caused by vandalism
• Damage to doors, bonnet, lights or other external parts
• Fire-related damage to the vehicle
• Damage by other violent acts as covered under the policy

The insurer will assess the damage and settle a claim as per the policy terms, applicable deductibles and your car's insured declared value (IDV).

Which Car Insurance Policies Cover Riot Damages?

Understand which types of car insurance cover riot-related damage and what each policy covers:

1. Standalone Own-Damage Insurance: Can cover riot-related damage to your car, as per policy terms and inclusions.
2. Third-Party Car Insurance: Does not cover damages to your own car from riots; it only covers your liabilities for third-party injury, death, or property damage.
3. Comprehensive Insurance: A comprehensive car insurance policy covers both third-party liabilities and own damages, including riot damage under insured events.

What to Do if Your Car Gets Damaged in a Riot?

Riots can quickly get out of control, so prioritise your safety first before checking the car. Once the situation is under control, follow these steps:

• Stay away from your car if the area is unsafe: Do not approach the car until it is safe to do so, especially if it has suffered severe damage.
• Note the incident details: Record the date, time and location of the riot, along with when and where you discovered the car damage.
• Inform the police: Report the incident and obtain an FIR or other relevant documentation, if applicable.
• Document the damage: Take clear photos and videos of your car from different angles without putting yourself at risk.
• Inform your insurer: Raise a car insurance claim as soon as possible and provide the details of the incident to your insurer.
• Do not repair or move the car unnecessarily: Wait for the insurer's surveyor to inspect the car unless moving it is necessary for safety or to prevent further damage.

When Can Your Car Insurance Claim for Riot Damages Be Rejected?

Here are the most common reasons that may lead to car insurance claim rejection for riot damages:

• If your car insurance policy is not valid and has expired
• If you only have a third-party policy
• If you had deliberately damaged your car
• If you have violated any terms and conditions of your car insurance policy
• If you have submitted wrong or incomplete documents
• If any unlawful or illegal activities were carried out from your car

Does Claiming Car Insurance for Riot Damage Affect NCB?

Yes, filing a claim for damage to your car by riots can affect your No Claim Bonus (NCB) in car insurance. The NCB is a discount on your renewal premium if you do not make any own-damage claim during the policy period.

So, it you make even a single claim, you may lose your NCB benefits, unless you have the NCB Protect add-on in your coverage. It helps protect your accumulated NCB even if you make a claim, subject to policy terms.

Documents Required to Claim Car Insurance for Riot Damages

Take a look at the documents that you would need to submit to your insurer when claiming car insurance for a riot damages:

1. Policy Copy: You must submit your car insurance policy number or document to file a riot insurance claim. This helps the insurer to cross-check if your policy covers riot damages.
2. Claim Form: You will also be asked to fill out a claim form and submit it to your insurance provider to file a claim after a riot damaged your car.
3. Police FIR: A copy of the First Information Report or FIR filed at the nearest police station for the vandalism of your car will also be required to be submitted to the insurer. The FIR will help to substantiate your riot damage claim. Thus, you must file an FIR with the police when you learn about the riot damages to your car.
4. Fire Brigade Report: If the riots that damaged your car had occurred on a large scale, there may have been incidents of fire and a fire brigade may have been called. In that case, you must obtain a copy of the fire brigade report and submit it to your insurer.
5. Newspaper Reports: In case the riots were covered by the local newspapers and online news websites, you must save a copy of it. Submit the newspaper cutting and the links to the articles or videos covered by a reliable news channel to your insurance company.
6. Car Repair Bill & Payment Receipt: If you have taken your car for repair at a non-network garage of your motor insurance company, you must submit the car repair bill generated by the garage along with the payment receipts to your insurer. This will help your insurer to estimate the actual cost of repairing your car and will accordingly compensate you.