Top Things to Keep in Mind When Renewing Car Insurance (2026 Checklist)

Renewing your car insurance before its expiry is the best way to re-evaluate your coverage, save on premiums, and make sure that you are not paying for the coverage you no longer need. While the online renewal is easy and takes a few minutes, there are certain important things you must keep in mind before starting the process. Let's know these tips in detail.Read more

7 Things to Remember While Renewing Car Insurance

Make sure to follow this car insurance renewal checklist before you renew your coverage:

1. Update your Plan

   At the time of renewal, you have a choice to update your plan. You can purchase a third-party liability or a comprehensive plan. Third-party insurance is less expensive, but it only covers the basics. A comprehensive plan, on the other hand, provides you with more coverage, including your car damage coverage, but at a little higher cost. So first, you must identify which policy best suits your needs.

2. Include necessary Add-Ons

   While renewing your car policy, consider adding optional add-on covers to enhance your coverage. These add-ons in car insurance are not mandatory but can serve you better if you include them in your policy. Some basic add-ons are available with your standard policy, like zero depreciation and engine protection cover; these two are generally recommended and a must-have.

3. Check your Car's IDV

   If your car is stolen or damaged, insurance providers will reimburse you up to the current market value of your vehicle, which is referred to as insured declared value (IDV) in insurance terms. So, before renewing your policy, you should check your car's depreciation value, as it helps you to negotiate better with your insurance provider and pay the right amount of premium.

4. Check list of Network Garages

   It is quite difficult and inconvenient to wait for payment from insurance companies. Therefore, you should consult your insurance company for a list of cashless network garages. Their website usually has all the information about the list of network garages. If required, you can also enquire about the insurance providers with whom your preferred/regular garages are affiliated to ensure hassle-free cashless claims.

5. Choose Higher Deductibles

   Deductibles are the parts of claims that you, as the policyholder, are responsible for. These are divided into two categories: mandatory and optional. Mandatory deductibles are the inevitable reductions made by the insurance on each claim. On the other hand, with optional deductibles, a part of the claim is payable from your pocket. Your premium will be decreased if you agree to pay some amount out of your pocket. If you have an excellent driving record, it makes sense to choose higher deductibles.

6. Check your No-Claim Bonus (NCB)

   NCB in car insurance is a reward given by insurers to policyholders if they do not make a claim during the policy year. The claim bonus starts at 20% for the first year and increases to 50% by the fifth year. An NCB discount is offered to the policyholder at the time of the renewal for responsible ownership. NCB is for the owner, not their vehicle, make sure you check your NCB before renewing your car policy even if you are porting plans.

7. Check Insurers' Claims History

   If you are planning to change your insurance plan, an insurer's claims history might allow you to decide whether or not to purchase a policy from a specific insurer. You should opt for a process that is simple and quick. Research online or ask friends and family to ensure that the process is smooth and safe. Also, check if there's any difficulty with the insurer on claims or other concerns.

Car Insurance Renewal Timeline Scenarios

Here are the practical scenarios to help you decide when to renew your car insurance:

Keep These Documents Ready When Renewing Your Car Insurance

Renewing your car insurance is faster when you have the right documents at hand. You will typically require:

• Existing car insurance policy and expiry date
• Your car's make, model, variant, and RTO
• Car registration certificate (RC)
• Previous insurer's name
• Any claim history

If your coverage has lapsed and you want to renew an expired car policy, the insurer may require a vehicle inspection before renewing your coverage. In this case, you can use Policybazaar's app to complete a self-inspection video upload, which speeds up the expired car insurance renewal process.