Car Insurance- Knowledge Sharing

Car insurance or four wheeler insurance is an agreement between a car owner and the car insurance provider that offers protection for four-wheelers in the case of financial losses due to unforeseen events like accidents and natural calamities. This paper financially protects your four wheeler in case of damage or loss through an accident. When you’re on the road, no matter how careful, there are chances that you might meet with an accident & you can end up with hefty repair bills.

Well, there are different kinds of four wheeler insurance such as third party car insurance which protects you from financial implications when the insured car accidentally causes damage to third-party vehicle/property or injuries to a third-party or person. This third-party car insurance or liability only cover policy, does not cover damages caused to the insured car. In India, as per the Motor Vehicle Act, it is compulsory to have a valid third-party insurance policy if you want to take your car on the road.

Another type of car insurance policy is comprehensive car insurance policy that protects not only against any third-party liability but also against any financial damage to the car that may be caused due to accidents, theft, fire & natural disasters such as lightening, storm, flood, cyclone etc. or damages which are man-made like vandalism, riots etc. Not only that! You can also avail a Personal Accident Cover which will cover for injuries or God Forbid, any severe physical damage, incurred in an accident!

Once you buy online car insurance, you can choose between a third party car insurance or a comprehensive car insurance or even a stand-alone damage policy, as per your needs. You can further enhance the comprehensive car insurance coverage with various car insurance add-ons. Fill in your car details and check quote to find the car insurance policy that is ideal for your four-wheeler!

Key Features of Car Insurance

Savings & Affordable Premiums – Save up to 75% on car insurance premiums by buying your policy online

Claim Assistance – Claim experts across India ensure an easy and quick claim process for you

Cashless Repairs – A network of garages ensures cashless services for your car repairs

Damages to third-party – Damages to a third party or third-party property are covered

Own Damage Cover – With our Own Damage cover for your car, we can cover damages from accidents, man-made disasters, and natural disasters

Customisable with Add-ons – Various add-ons to protect your four-wheeler with an all-round car insurance policy

No Claim Bonus (NCB) – Up to 50% discount on car insurance premiums

Buy/Renew Car insurance Online – Quick renewal of your car insurance with an easy 3-step process

Why Car Insurance?

Car insurance or a four-wheeler policy is necessary to protect your car and you from various situations and scenarios that lead to financial damages. Here are some of the reasons why you need to have a third-party or comprehensive four-wheeler insurance policy:

Compliance with the law

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, having a third-party car insurance policy is compulsory by law. Therefore, every car plying on Indian roads must be covered at least by 3rd party insurance. Without a valid policy, you could end up getting into trouble with the law and would have to pay hefty traffic fines.

Protection from third-party liability

Third-party liability arises when the insured four-wheeler causes accidental damage to a third-party vehicle or property or injuries to a third-party person. Third-party car insurance or even a comprehensive car insurance policy covers these third-party liabilities and protects the policyholder of the insured car from financial damages.

Cover against theft

If your four-wheeler or the car parts are stolen, then your car insurance policy can cover the financial damages and compensate you for the loss of the car or the replacement or repair of the car parts. In case of total loss (damage beyond repair) or theft of your car, Insurance Company ensures a quick and convenient settlement process to provide you with the sum insured of your car.

Protection against financial losses

If there is a bump or deep scratch on your car due to an accidental collision or an act of vandalism can lead to financial damages. Here, an Own Damage cover or comprehensive car insurance is useful as they offer complete protection to the insured vehicle from various kinds of damages, right from theft and accidents to damage due to natural disaster and more.

Cover against natural calamities

In case of floods, cyclones, storms, earthquakes or other natural calamities, your car can face significant damages and the extent of repairs can get costly. The financial plan provided by your four-wheeler insurance cover helps take care of these damages so that your car is safe and in good condition even in harsh weather.

Personal Accident Cover

With a car insurance policy, you can avail of a personal accident cover of up to ₹15 lakhs, as per guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, in the event of bodily injuries, disability or even death of the policyholder or the owner-driver of the vehicle.

Points To Consider While Choosing Car Insurance

The process of buying car insurance is simple but takes time and quite a bit of research. Below are some points you should consider when you buy car insurance:

Decide Insurance Type

While choosing four wheeler insurance, you can choose between a basic third party liability cover and a comprehensive insurance cover. While having a basic third-party insurance cover is a legal compulsion and covers damages caused only to a third party individual or property, a comprehensive car four-wheeler policy offers more extensive cover that offers protection against accidental damage, damages due to loss and theft, natural and man-made disasters and also offers a personal accident cover.

Check Policy Coverage

The policy coverage of your car insurance policy will depend mainly on your needs and your budget. Apart from that, your car’s make and model, the area you live in and other factors will affect the policy coverage. While choosing a suitable insurance policy, you can use the car insurance calculator to calculate and compare the coverage of various policies before making an informed decision.

Availability of Add-ons

While you buy car insurance online or renew your policy, you can consider extending or enhancing your policy cover with the help of appropriate add-ons. A set of various unique add-ons such as Key Replacement, Return to Invoice, Engine Secure and more, that meet various situations outside the scope of your car insurance policy are available. A selection of the appropriate add-ons in your car insurance policy can provide an all-round protection to your four wheeler.

Check Insured Declared Value

The IDV or Insured Declared Value of the car is its current market value. When calculating your car insurance, the IDV is important as it is the amount your car is insured for. In case of “total loss” – complete damage or theft of the car – the policyholder receives the Insured Declared Value when the claim is settled. Always select the IDV carefully as a lower IDV means insufficient compensation in the event of total loss, even though it means lower policy premiums. On the other hand, a higher IDV could mean paying more expensive premiums.

Network of Cashless Garages

If you want to repair your car in case of minor or major damages, then you could visit your insurance provider’s network garages to have the damages repaired. By doing so, you can avail of the cashless claims, wherein, the insurer will directly pay the cost of repairs to the garage, and you won’t have to splurge exorbitant amounts on your repairs!

Compare Quotes

Online Car Insurance Calculator makes it easy for you to compare different four-wheeler insurance policies online. Depending on your budget and requirements, you can choose the insurance amount, the add-ons and then compare different plans to find the appropriate one to protect your car.

Check Claim Settlement Ratio, review, and service offered

The claim settlement ratio of a company is an important factor to be considered while purchasing your car insurance. If your insurer’s claim settlement ratio is high, it indicates a better chance of your claims being settled on time. Similarly, the service offered by the insurance company directly affects customer loyalty and should be checked before you buy a four-wheeler insurance policy from the company.

Types of Car Insurance Policies

There are various types of car insurance policies, each designed to address the varying needs of car owners and the coverage they need:

Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy

The comprehensive car insurance policy offers extensive coverage as compared to a basic third party four wheeler insurance and offers protection against third-party liabilities as well as damage due to accidents, loss of the car, natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclones, etc. and man-made disasters. However, damages due to driving under the influence of substances and driving outside of the designated geographical area are not covered under a comprehensive four wheeler insurance policy.

Stand Alone Own Damage Car Insurance Policy

If the insured car, bought after September 2018, suffers a financial loss as a result of accidental damage, the own damage cover takes care of the damages caused only to the insured car. This policy does not cover losses incurred by third parties and also is only applicable to cars bought after September 2018.

Stand Alone Third Party Car Insurance Policy

The standalone third-party car insurance policy is a basic but legally mandatory car insurance policy. It protects you from the legal and financial liabilities that arise from damages caused to a third-party person or property by your insured car. However, this policy does not cover any damages to the insured car.

Third-party vs Comprehensive Car Insurance

Two primary types of car insurance available in India are – comprehensive car insurance & third-party car insurance. To choose the right policy for your needs, you need to understand the difference between third-party and comprehensive insurance policies. Here is a comparative study to help you make a decision:

Particular	Comprehensive	Third Party
Meaning	Comprehensive car insurance is an all-round coverage that protects your car and third parties from any financial loss incurred due to damage to any parties involved, i.e. you, your car, a third party, or third party property.	A third-party car insurance policy is a basic coverage policy that protects you and your car from third party liabilities.
Coverage	This policy provides coverage for third-party liability, damages to your car, incidents of theft, accidents and damages caused by natural calamities or man-made disasters.	This policy takes care of third-party damages such as injury to a 3rd party, death of a third party or damages to third party property.
Legality	No, it is not legally required.	Yes, it is legally mandated to carry as per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Costing	Due to the extent of coverage, comprehensive car insurance is more expensive as compared to third party car insurance policy.	As it provides basic coverage, it is not expensive.
Exclusion	Damage to your car from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, damages from driving outside the designated geographical location, and wear & tear of the vehicle.	Damage to you or your vehicle is not covered in third party car insurance.
Add-on covers	You can choose from various add-ons such as roadside assistance, no claim bonus, consumables coverage, etc.	You cannot enhance the insurance with add-ons.

Not Covered In Car Insurance Policy?

• Damages suffered after driving without a proper license
• If the vehicle is used outside the geographical area i.e. outside India
• Damages caused due to driving under influence of alcohol or drugs
• Ordinary wear and tear due to regular usage and depreciation
• Costs insured towards general maintenance of the vehicle
• Damages caused due to negligence of the driver
• Using a private vehicle for commercial usage
• Damages caused due to speed racing, crash testing, etc.
• Damages caused due to war or war-like situations in the country, and nuclear peril
• Damages covered under a specific add-on when the add-on is not included
• Reimbursement of only 50% cost for the replacement of consumables due to wear and tear

Car Insurance Add-on Covers

Add-on covers are additional benefits you can add to your car insurance or four wheeler insurance to enhance the protection offered by your policy.

No Claim Bonus Protection

The No Claim Bonus or NCB Protection cover enables the policyholder to file a certain number of car insurance claims during the policy year while retaining the NCB discount. This add-on is useful if you want to file a claim and also protect your NCB discount. However, there is a limit on the number of claims that can be raised with this add-on. The NCB Protection is available only with a comprehensive car insurance policy.

Roadside Assistance

The road-side assistance is an add on that provides round-the-clock breakdown assistance to your insured car and you if the car breaks down in a remote location with no aid nearby. Your insurance provider will send a team to refuel or tow or offer a mechanic’s services in an emergency when contacted.

Repair of Glass Fiber and Plastic Parts

This add on lets you have the damaged glass, fiber and plastic parts repaired from the garage and then raise a claim for the damages without affecting your No Claim Bonus discount. However, for each policy year, only one repair claim is allowed against your comprehensive four wheeler insurance policy.

Daily Allowance

If your car meets with an accident and has to stay in the garage for a long time, the Daily Allowance add-on provides you with an amount for your travels without your car. The amount is payable for 10-15 days, subject to the cause of the four-wheeler insurance claim.

Emergency Transport and Hotel Expenses

Should your car meet with an accident and you’re unable to reach your destination, this add-on pays your overnight accommodation expenses in a hotel and the travel charges to go back home or to the city closest to your destination.

Key Replacement

The key replacement add on covers the cost of replacing your lost car keys in case of the car’s or key’s theft.

Engine Secure

The Engine Secure cover is among the useful add-ons as it protects one of the most expensive parts of your car – the car’s engine. If you stay in a flood-prone area, this add-on helps you file a claim for repairing or replacing the engine without incurring an extra cost. The comprehensive four wheeler insurance policy does not cover your engine’s protection. This add-on is not effective for old car engines that have undergone extensive wear and tear.

Tyre Secure

With this add on, you can cover the repair or replacement of a damaged tyre or the tube. However, this add-on can only protect the financial losses in case of loss or damage to the tyres and tubes in an accident.

Consumables Expenses

With this add-on, we cover the cost of the consumables in your insured car that are lost and have to be replaced due to an accident. Consumables include air conditioner gas, engine oil, gearbox oil, nut & bolt, oil filter and so on. However, the cost of fuel cannot be covered with this add on.

Loss of Personal Belongings

In case of an accident, this add-on helps cover the loss or damage of personal belongings such as clothes, video tapes, audio tapes and CDs. The add on does not cover the loss or damage of belongings such as debit and credit cards, jewellery, money, watches, etc.

Return to Invoice

When you file a claim for the total loss of your car due to theft or complete damage, this add-on helps cover the difference (due to depreciation) in the cost between the purchase price and the compensation amount. Also, if there is a new car of the same make and model in the market, they will reimburse the difference between the claim amount and the cost of the new model. They will also pay for the registration charges and the road tax you have spent on the car.

Zero Depreciation

When you file a claim for damages, zero depreciation or nil depreciation add-on enables you to be reimbursed for the deducted cost of depreciation on your car’s parts. Hence, you can receive the complete sum insured without the deduction of the depreciation. However, you can avail of this benefit only for the first two claims that are filed. This add on is only applicable for your own-damage car insurance policy or comprehensive car insurance policy.

Factors Affecting Car Insurance Premium

Most car insurance policy purchases are decided on the cost of the four-wheeler insurance policy. Owner-drivers compare car insurance policies based on the premium to be paid and generally choose the lowest priced one. Therefore, if you wish to choose a cost-effective car insurance plan, you need to know the factors affecting the premium. Here they are:

Insured Declared Value (IDV)

Insured Declared Value (IDV) is the current market value of the car after accounting for depreciation. IDV is the maximum amount you can claim if your four-wheeler is stolen or has suffered a total loss. Your car insurance is directly proportionate to your IDV, meaning higher IDV results in higher car insurance premiums.

Age of the Car

The age of the car affects the premium of a four-wheeler insurance policy. Insurance premiums are more expensive for brand new cars and cheaper for older ones. Since the value of your vehicle depreciates every year, the IDV/Insured declared value falls and along with the policy premium.

Insurance Coverage

The type of policy you purchase for your car decides the cost of the car insurance policy premium. A policy such as third-party insurance would cover only the third party liabilities, which will come at cheaper premiums. Meanwhile, a comprehensive car insurance policy will cost more as it would cover all parties involved – you, your car, third-party and third party property. Meanwhile, our other types of insurance such as stand alone own damage policy provide a gamut of options in cover, which in turn delivers options in premium amounts.

Add-ons

Your car insurance premium will increase when you opt for add-ons with your policy. Different add-ons provide different types of additional cover for your four wheeler, and your premium will depend on the number and types of add-ons you have chosen.

Engine Capacity

The size of the engine will influence your car insurance premium. Cars with higher cubic capacity engines will attract higher premiums for a car insurance policy than cars with lower engine capacity. Additionally, the IRDAI declares the annual third-party car insurance premium rates based on the engine cubic capacity of the vehicle.

Deductible

Deductibles denote the percentage of claim amount paid by the policyholder from their own pockets. A higher voluntary deductible means a lower premium as the proportion of the insurer’s liability goes down. However, a higher deductible also means a higher proportion of the claim that needs to be paid by you. So choose welll.

Claims History

Car owners who have not made claims in a given year can avail of a No Claim Bonus (NCB) from the insurer. NCB is a progressive discount on the renewal premium for a car insurance policy, which goes up with each claim-free year. Five consecutive no-claim years can fetch you a decent discount of 50% on the car insurance renewal premium.

Other Factors

Some other factors that affect the premium of a car insurance plan are the age of the owner, location where the vehicle is registered, make, model and variant of the car, any modifications made to the vehicle and if the car has additional security features. These factors can decrease or increase the premium you have to pay for your car insurance policy.

Calculation of Car Insurance Premium

The car insurance premium drives the choice of a four-wheeler insurance policy by individuals. As seen in the above section, there are many factors that affect this premium. But do you know how you can calculate the exact premium for your choice of car insurance policy? Below are the popular methods of calculating your four-wheeler insurance premium:

Online premium calculator

A car insurance premium calculator is an online tool provided by insurance companies to help you calculate your premium in a jiffy. Simply enter the required information, select the policy coverage and add-ons and click on Get Price. The calculator will display the total premium you need to pay to buy the four-wheeler insurance coverage you need.

Calculating Own Damage Insurance Premium

The premium for an own damage insurance policy is calculated as follows:

(Insured Declared Value*Premium Tariff as decided by Insurer) + Add-ons – (Discounts like NCB)

Calculating IDV of a vehicle

The IDV for a vehicle is calculated as follows:

[List price of the vehicle as per manufacturer – depreciation deduction] + [Cost of vehicle accessories which are not a part of list price – depreciation deduction of accessories]

Calculating Third Party Car Insurance Premium

As per the notification issued by IRDAI for the financial year 2019-2020, the premium rates that apply to Motor Third Party Liability Insurance for Private Cars effective from 16th June 2019 are as follows:

Engine Cubic Capacity – IRDAI Notified Premium

Not exceeding 1000 cc – Rs. 2,072

Exceeding 1000 cc but not exceeding 1500 cc – Rs. 3,221

Exceeding 1500 cc – Rs. 7,890

How To Reduce Car Insurance Premium?

The car insurance premium is one of the most important factors people consider when buying a policy. Owners-drivers are always looking out to get extensive coverage at affordable premiums. Here are a few tips that will help you reduce your car insurance premium:”1

Additional Security Measures

If you choose to install additional security devices in your vehicles, such as parking sensors and anti-theft apparatus, you effectively reduce the risk associated with your vehicle. A reduced liability risk leads to lower premiums for your car insurance.

No-Claim Bonus

When you renew your policy after a claim-free year, you get a discount on the premium you have to pay. This discount can go up to 50% for five consecutive claim-free years. However, even a single claim will reset the NCB back to zero. Avoid making claims against your policy for minor damages to keep your NCB from lapsing.

Insured Declared Value

When you get a car insurance policy, the company runs an assessment to establish the highest claim value for your vehicle, known as the Insured Declared Value (IDV). However, you can reduce the vehicle’s IDV in exchange for a reduced cost of the premium. But remember that lower IDV entails a lower reimbursement in case of theft or total damage to the car.

Increase Voluntary Deductibles

A voluntary deductible is a choice by the policyholders to pay a proportion of the claim amount while the insurance company pays the rest. When you raise a claim, the insurer will deduct this amount and settle the difference. By opting for higher deductibles, you can substantially reduce the cost of your car insurance premium.

Buy/Renew Car Insurance Online

Step 1 – Input the Car Registration Number and select Get Price (new policy) or Renew.

Step 2 – Fill up the car and personal details as prompted by the screen. Also, select the policy coverage and add-ons of your choice.

Step 3 – You will get an instant car insurance premium quote. If you are satisfied with the quote, you can proceed to pay the premium online.

Why To Buy/Renew Car Insurance Online?

When it comes to buying a car insurance policy, here are some of the important reasons why you should get your four wheeler insurance policy online:

Instant Quote

While purchasing your car insurance policy online, you also research the policy’s coverage. This deep-dive ensures that the policy type you pick is best suited for your car’s needs and matches your budget. With an online car insurance calculator, you can check for different policies, the coverage they offer, add suitable add ons or add on covers and get an instant quote for your four-wheeler insurance cover.

Easy Comparison

The online car insurance calculator also makes it easy for you to compare car insurance policies and find the policy that fits your requirement. It is always recommended to compare a few plans before you make a final call. The policy comparison online is swifter and easier than the offline mode. You can also compare different plans online while renewing your car insurance policy.

Paperless and Quick

Purchasing or renewing your four wheeler insurance online eliminates the need for paper as well as paperwork. Excessive documentation, waiting in queues, and the use of papers for your insurance documents are not part of the quick and easy online process. The online application forms only need a few details, after which you can get insurance quotes as per your requirements.

Save Money

Buying or renewing your four wheeler insurance policy online does not involve the overhead costs. These costs are passed on to the customers in discounts and benefits on the premium payments. Hence, while purchasing or renewing your car insurance policy online, you can avail yourself of these benefits.

Customisable

The various add-on covers that insurance providers offer on their policies can be easily added or removed while purchasing or renewing the car insurance. Hence, making it easy for you to customise your car insurance plan online.

Safe and Secure Process

Not only is the process of comparing car insurance policies online quicker, but it is also safer. Along with your personal details, your payment details and payment transactions are safe. The payment gateways are made secure with online security protocols to avoid the risk of fraud.

How To Renew Expired Car Insurance Online?

In case you fail to renew your four wheeler insurance before it expires, do not fret. When there is a break in the policy, you can buy fresh cover for your vehicle; however, Insurer might need to send an inspector or surveyor to inspect your vehicle before the policy is issued. Need more? If you purchase an expired car insurance from us within 90 days from the expiry of your previous policy, you may be allowed to keep your No Claim Bonus (NCB).

Here is how you can renew an expired car insurance policy:
Step 1 – Go to the Insurer car insurance renewal page.
Step 2 – Input your car registration number. Click on ‘Renew.’
Step 3 – Provide the details as prompted by the screen. Choose from the list of add-ons, such as:

• Zero Depreciation Cover
• Roadside Assistance Cover
• Return to Invoice Cover
• Engine Secure
• Tyre Secure
• No Claim Bonus (NCB) protection, etc

Step 4 – Also, keep at hand information about any claims made in the previous policy tenure and date of expiry of the policy. Additionally, you will need details of the car’s make and model and your personal information.
Step 5 – After you submit all the details, your car insurance premium is generated and displayed on the screen.
Step 6 – Complete your car insurance premium payment online, and your expired policy is renewed!
Once renewed, the car insurance policy will be emailed to your authorised email ID. Always carry a copy of your insurance policy when driving your car.

How To File A Four Wheeler Insurance Claim?

A claim against your car insurance policy can either be cashless or in the form of reimbursement of costs. Here is what you need to file a claim against your policy

Documents Required For Filing Car Insurance Claim

While filing a claim, the owner is required to have the following documents:

Factors Impacting IDV

The Insured Declared Value is the approximate market value of your four wheeler and the maximum amount of reimbursement your four wheeler insurance provider can give you in case of your car’s total loss.

One of the major factors that impact the IDV is the age of the car. The older the car, the lower the IDV will be. As a result, the sum insured of the four-wheeler insurance policy will also be lower.

As the car ages, the parts undergo some depreciation due to the usage and resultant wear and tear. While calculating the IDV, the rate of depreciation is taken into account to get to the sum insured. For example, for the first six months, the car’s depreciation rate is at 5% and then increases each year. Once the car is 5 years old, its rate of depreciation is 50% and remains so as the car ages further.

The other factor that influences the IDV of the car is the make and model of the car. Hence, the IDV of an expensive car will be higher than that of a more affordable four-wheeler.

Yet another factor that affects the IDV is the city or state where the car was registered. The IDV of cars in metropolitan cities is different from the IDV of cars registered in smaller towns in the country.

Age Of The Vehicle VS % Of Depreciation For Fixing IDV

Not exceeding 6 months – 5%

Exceeding 6 months but not exceeding 1 year – 15%

Exceeding 1 year but not exceeding 2 years – 20%

Exceeding 2 years but not exceeding 3 Years – 30%

Exceeding 3 years but not exceeding 4 Years – 40%

Exceeding 4 years but not exceeding 5 Years – 50%

Car Insurance Terminology

Premium

This refers to the amount of money that the policyholder pays to the car insurance provider on a yearly basis to get the benefits of the car insurance policy.

Coverage

The coverage is the amount of risk that is covered for an individual through an insurance policy. It includes all the risk factors that the individual or the car (in car insurance) need to be protected against.

IDV

The Insured Declared Value or the IDV is the maximum financial amount which a policyholder can receive from the insurance company in the event of the car’s total loss – complete damage or theft.

No Claim Bonus

The No Claim Bonus is the discount on premium offered to the policyholder from the car insurance company for responsible driving and not filing damage claims during the preceding policy year.

Zero Depreciation

The Zero Depreciation Cover is an add on which helps car insurance policyholders avoid the deduction of the depreciation amount from their sum insured. Without the Zero Depreciation, car insurance companies subtract the depreciation on the car’s parts while settling the claim amount.

Own Damage

Own Damage refers to the damages caused to the insured vehicle and the Own Damage cover helps cover the financial losses incurred by the policyholder due to the damage to their insured car.

Personal Accident Insurance

This type of cover in a third party or comprehensive car insurance policy offers compensation to a policyholder in the event of disability due to a car accident, with the insured car involved. In case of the accidental death involving the insured vehicle of the policyholder, the compensation is given to the policyholder’s family.

Voluntary Deductible

The voluntary deductible is the part of the claim that is paid by the car insurance policyholder and is determined at the time of the policy’s purchase. If the deductible is higher, then the premiums will be lower.

Consumables

The parts of the car that cannot be reused after being used or consumed, such as the brake oil, nuts and bolts, fuel filter and more, are called consumables.

Cashless Claims

If you get your damaged car repaired at the network garages of your insurance provider, then the cost of the repair is directly sent to the garage by the insurer. Since the policyholder does not have to handle this expense from their own pocket, this facility is called a cashless claim.