Steps to Know Before Filing a Car Insurance Claim

by

Dinesh MittalIt has been observed that most car owners though possess a car insurance policy, at the time of damage to the car or while registering a claim, are clueless about the procedure they need to follow. Documentation to be kept handy:Before one decides to file a claim they should have the following documents in place: 1-Original Registration Certificate and Driving license required for verification. 2-Claim form (duly filled in & signed) to be submitted to the repairer/surveyor. 3-Some of the details you will need to fill in the claim form and must know are: – Policy Number – Name of the Insured Person – Name of Driver – Contact Number(s) – Vehicle number – Make and Model of your Car – Date & Time of the Accident – Location of Loss – Brief Description about the IncidentCashless and Reimbursement Claim Settlement While registering a claim, it is important to know that one can either go in for a cashless claim or a reimbursement one. In a cashless claim, one must send the car for repairs to one of the workshops where the insurance company has a tie-up after taking approval. In this case, the insurance company will pay the approved amount to the garage directly, and the insured will only need to pay the part not paid. On the other hand, for the reimbursement settlement, one will need to pay the amount after the repairs are done and post that the amount will be refunded by the insurance company. If there is a networking workshop close by, cashless claim settlement will definitely be more convenient. Things to keep in mind before registering a claim:1-One should read the policy document carefully before filing a claim. If the policy is not available, one can check it on the website of the insurance company.2-For any question or doubt, one must contact the customer support team of the company and get clarifications.3-Also, it must be seen, especially in the case of damages, if the cost of repairs is not too much, a claim must not be filed as that will affect the no claim bonus in the next policy year. No claim bonus is a discount provided to the customer if he has no claims in the policy year.The claim process for each insurance varies a little. Let us discuss each one as follows:Claim Registration for Damage to Own Car1-When there is a damage to your own car, the first and the essential thing to do is to fill in the claim form of the insurance company, and submit it along with all the required documents. You must inform the insurance company before you send the car for repairs to the garage or the workshop. The forms are easily available at all offices of the insurance companies and also on their website.2-A surveyor is sent by the insurance company to assess the loss and the damages. Once the survey is complete, a report is submitted by the surveyor to the insurer.3-If the extent of damage is a lot and urgent action is needed, it is tried that the surveyor reaches the spot of an accident at the earliest.4-As per the report of the surveyor, you can make arrangements for your car repairs.5-Once the repair work is complete, you will need to collect all bills and other necessary documents from the garage and send them to the surveyor, who will then submit a report with an assessment to the insurance company.6-If all documents are submitted as per the requirements and the report of the surveyor is fine, you will get a reimbursement of your expenses.One essential thing to be kept in mind here is that you should be careful to submit all the documents as soon as you get the car after repairs, as most insurance companies will not accept them later.Claim Registration for a Third Party ClaimIf you receive a legal notice from a third party for a claim, you must first inform your insurer and then proceed to reply to the notice. You also must take care and speak to the insurer before you give a commitment for out of court settlement or for a financial settlement. 1-The insurance company will require a copy of the notice, which must be duly submitted.2-You will also need to submit a copy of your driving license, RC book of the car and the First Information Report.3-After verification, the insurer will assess the accident and if they are satisfied, they will help you by appointing a lawyer.4-If as per the decision of the court, you will be required to pay the third party for the damages, the amount will be directly paid by the insurance company.It is essential to know the process to file a claim as if it is done right the first time, there will be no hassles later on.

The author writes about diverse topics in the field of finance and has built his expertise around the

car insurance

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financial developments in India

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