Is an FIR Required for Car Insurance Claims? Find Out Now
Unfortunate events like road accidents, theft and damage to the insured car may occur at any time.
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When Should a Car Owner File an FIR?
Car owners can file a First Information Report (FIR) at their nearest police station in any of these scenarios:
- Theft: If your car has been stolen, you can file an FIR at your nearest police station and inform your car insurance provider. If the police cannot trace your car, they will issue an untraceable certificate. Upon receipt of this certificate, you must submit it to your car insurance provider for claim settlement.
- Road Accident: If your car has been involved in a road accident and has caused property damage, injuries, or death, then you must file an FIR. Your car insurance provider will need legal documentation of the incident to process your claim. Accidents where third-party liabilities are involved need claim evaluation and accident investigation.
Relevance of an FIR in Car Insurance
If you are involved in a car accident that has caused serious injury, property damage, or death. Your car insurance provider needs an FIR to assess the claim and verify the circumstances of the accident. As the FIR is a legal document, the details mentioned in it, such as the location, time, and date of the incident, provide authentication to the claim.
Car insurance providers make the FIR mandatory in the claim process to minimise fraudulent claim applications.
Documents Required to Submit a Claim in Case of Theft/Accident
Car insurance providers usually require their customers to submit the following documents while filing a claim:
- Claim Form: Duly filled and signed by the insured.
- FIR: A verified FIR copy must be submitted along with the claim form.
- RC: A copy of the vehicle's RC.
- Licence: A copy of the driver's driving licence.
- Policy Documents: A copy of the car insurance policy documents.
- Evidence: Photographs of the accident.
- Bills: Repair bills and receipts for reimbursement.
Note: Some car insurance providers may also require the insured to submit additional documents for claim processing in addition to these standard documents.
Key Points to Remember When Filing an FIR for Your Car Insurance Claim
When filing an FIR for your car insurance claim, there are some things that you must follow to ensure quick claim processing.
Things to Do:
- File an FIR at your nearest police station at the earliest.
- Gather the necessary documents to be submitted along with the claim application.
- Inform your insurance provider of the incident.
- Gather any extra evidence, such as photographs of the incident, to support your insurance claim.
Things to Avoid:
- Read the claim documents carefully before signing.
- Do not hide any information about the incident from your car insurance provider. Maintaining complete transparency ensures smooth claim processing.
- Do not flee from the scene of the incident. Instead, gather as much evidence as you can to support your claim.
- Do not make a settlement with the aggrieved party if you are submitting an insurance claim, as it is illegal. Such settlements may lead to the cancellation of your insurance claim.
Conclusion
Insured car owners must follow their insurance provider's guidelines while filing a claim. You must file an FIR at your nearest police station if your car has been stolen or if it has been involved in a road accident. An FIR, being a legal document, allows the car insurance provider to verify the details of the claim and ensures faster claim processing. Therefore, an FIR is a vital part of the claim processing requirement in the case of vehicle theft or a car accident.
