Motor insurance is one of the smartest ways to take care of your vehicle.
As per IPC stats, there were 233727 motor theft cases from 2018 to 2020 – this accounted for 4.6% of the total crimes. And the number of road accidents was 135051 – this accounted for 2.8% of the total crimes. Looking at the statistics of theft and accidental cases in the country, it is extremely crucial that you purchase an insurance plan for your vehicle. And the government, too, has made it mandatory for every person who owns a motor vehicle to buy a third-party motor insurance policy – so it is really a matter of law.
Let’s learn in detail about motor insurance – its benefits, types, categories, and more – in this article.
As the name suggests, motor insurance is insurance for motor vehicles. It offers financial protection against loss or damages caused to the motor vehicle because of an accident, theft, a natural calamity, etc. It provides cover to you, the insured vehicle, a third-party person, and property.
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory to purchase a third-party motor insurance. Driving a motor vehicle without insurance in a public place is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Irrespective of whether you’re purchasing the motor insurance online or offline, it is important that you purchase it from a company authorised by the Insurance and Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI).
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, driving a motor vehicle without insurance in a public place is a punishable offence. The fine for driving without insurance starts from Rs 2000 for the first offence and Rs 4000 for the subsequent offence. It could also lead to imprisonment for 3 months within the law's discretion.
Not only is the cost of purchasing a vehicle high, but the cost of repairing the vehicle in case of severe damage is also very expensive. A motor insurance policy provides financial protection to you against any unforeseen events like accidents, theft, or any other serious damage to your motor vehicle.
A motor insurance plan offers protection against a variety of risks. From thefts to accidents, from manmade disasters to natural calamities - it covers a lot of risks. Further, it won’t just provide protection to your own vehicle, you will also be protected against any legal liabilities owing to damages or financial losses caused to a third party person or property.
Here are some benefits of purchasing a motor insurance policy online –
The buying process is simpler. You don’t need to go through the hassles of submitting documents or filling out forms.
You can easily research, and compare the various options available - and then make an informed decision.
You can avail discounts and special offers on the premium amount.
The policy can be purchased and renewed from anywhere, anytime - and in just a few clicks.
The policy issuance, too, is quick. You don’t need to wait for days or weeks to receive the policy papers.
You will come across various types of Motor Insurance policies in the market, such as –
As the name suggests, it gives you complete, enhanced insurance coverage. This type of insurance policy covers the third-party liability as well as the damages caused to your own vehicle. The best of both worlds!
This is the most basic vehicle insurance and a statutory requirement. Without this policy, it is illegal to drive your motor vehicle in India. This policy covers any injury/losses caused to a third party individual or property by your insured vehicle.
This covers the damages caused to your own vehicle due to fire, rain, theft, etc. You can raise a claim under this policy to get compensation for the expenses incurred for repairing your vehicle.
You will come across various types of Motor Insurance policies in the market, such as –
This insurance covers motor vehicles that are used for private or personal purposes against mishaps like burglary, accidents, man-made disasters, natural calamities, etc.
As the name suggests, this insurance covers two-wheelers, like bikes, scooters, etc., and offers protection against accidents and other mishaps such as fire, theft, etc.
This insurance policy covers all types of vehicles that are used for commercial purposes - and not for personal purposes. Examples include buses, cabs, auto-rickshaws, trucks, agricultural vehicles, ambulances, etc.
The motor insurance comes with certain add-ons in case you want extra protection for your vehicle.
With time, the value of your vehicle depreciates. If your motor vehicle gets damaged following a collision, and you have this add-on in your policy, you can claim the total cost of wear and tear of any of its body parts. The depreciation value of your vehicle won’t be deducted from your claim amount. This cover is applied to vehicles that are less than 5-year-old.
This covers you against the damages caused to the engine due to water seeping into the vehicle, leakage of lubricating oils, differential parts, or gearbox/engine failure.
This add-on provides you with compensation equal to the car's invoice value i.e., the original value of the car when you bought it. The claim applies when a car is stolen or when it is beyond repair.
NCB means “No Claim Bonus”, which is a discount that is offered on the premium if there is no claim made in the previous policy tenure. You can get a maximum discount of 50% if you don’t make a claim for 5 consecutive years. However, if you do make a claim, the NCB will reset to 0%. This add-on cover helps in avoiding this - meaning, even if you were to make a claim, your discount would stay intact.
With this add-on, the insurance coverage is expanded to the consumable parts of your vehicle, such as engine oil, coolant, grease, nuts, bolts, etc.
This add-on is a blessing. If your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road, leaving you stranded, this cover helps you get roadside assistance. All you need to do is contact the insurance company’s toll-free.
The motor insurance comes with certain add-ons in case you want extra protection for your vehicle.
This add-on cover provides coverage for the repair and replacement cost of the vehicle’s tyres. It also covers the labour charges incurred during the process.
If your vehicle key is lost, damaged, or stolen, this cover comes to your rescue. It gives financial compensation for the costs incurred while replacing or repairing the key and lock-set.
This add-on provides financial coverage for any damage caused to any of your personal belongings or possessions kept inside the insured vehicle.
This add-on provides financial coverage for any damage caused to any of your personal belongings or possessions kept inside the insured vehicle.
This add-on cover provides financial protection against death, permanent total, and permanent partial disability caused due to an accident. There are three types of personal accident covers available -
This offers the owner-driver protection against any accidental disability or accidental death.
This provides protection to the passengers travelling against any disability or death caused due to an accident.
In case the vehicle is driven by a paid driver, then taking this cover will provide protection to the driver of the vehicle against any accidental disability or death.
As you can see, there is something for everyone. Motor Insurance is unique and important. You need to buy this insurance, even if your vehicle is off-road. Whenever you buy a new vehicle, take out some time, read the vehicle insurance details thoroughly, and invest in the cover that fits your needs the best.
When you go to a bookstore, you can see that the books are segregated based on whether they’re fiction or nonfiction, their genre, the reading ages, etc. This gives you a variety of options and also makes the job of picking one easier. You can compare them and make the choice that is right for you!
Similarly, you can choose your motor insurance plan from a variety of options. Every individual’s needs differ. Some may find comprehensive motor insurance beneficial, but others may find the plan unsuitable for their needs. There are diverse types of motor insurance policies and add-ons for you to choose from. You can select the type of motor insurance according to your preferences and requirements.
According to the IRDAI, third-party insurance is mandatory for all Indian registered vehicles. The third-party liability insurance shields you from any financial losses that may arise as a consequence of bodily injury, death, and property damage to a third party.
Third-party liability covers damage done to another person and their property in an accident involving your vehicle. The maximum compensation for property damage is limited to Rs.7.5 lakh and there is no limit to the compensation amount in case of death or disability.
The damage to be paid by the insurance company both in case of damage to third party property as well as person is decided by the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal.
Own Damage Insurance is designed to protect your vehicle in case of an unexpected mishap. This policy covers the damages incurred by your vehicle resulting from any kind of loss or damage due to accidents amongst many other reasons like fire, natural calamities, etc.
A standard policy will pay the cost of repair after deducting depreciation for the age of the car, cost of consumables, and a standard deduction called compulsory deductible.
For example – Rahim purchased a Own Damage Cover for his car with an IDV of Rs 5 Lakhs. After a few months, while driving, another driver swerved and bumped into his car. This collision severely damaged his car, and the repair costs are estimated to be Rs 1.5 lakhs. The repair costs will be covered and paid subject to the terms of the policy.
The purpose of comprehensive car insurance is to provide coverage for loss and damage incurred by both parties involved in the accident. If an unpredictable event results in any loss or damage, this policy will help you get monetary assistance from your motor insurance company.
The policy includes comprehensive coverage for damages your vehicle sustained, as well as liability coverage for third parties.
The risks involved in driving in India are well known. Furthermore, an increase in private vehicles can increase the likelihood of road accidents and the violation of traffic laws. Even with the increased protocols taken, accidents continue to occur. It is important that you choose a policy that provides adequate coverage so that you are protected physically and financially.
Now that you are aware of the various types of motor insurance policies available, we’re sure you can go ahead and decide which policy serves your needs the best.
You save for years to buy the car you have always dreamt of. Then, when you finally purchase it, you do everything you can to keep the car in good condition. You pay attention to the way you drive because aggressive driving, urgent braking, etc. can make your car wear out early. You park it in the shade whenever possible to protect its paint and interior from the damaging effects of the sun. You wash it regularly to keep it clean.
Don’t you think you should put the same amount of effort into selecting an insurance plan to protect your car? A sudden accident, breakdown, natural calamity, man-made disaster, and other unexpected contingencies could damage your vehicle within minutes. And a motor insurance policy is a small price to pay for immeasurable peace of mind. Not to mention that it is mandatory to purchase an insurance plan for your vehicle. Driving without an active insurance plan can lead to legal repercussions, and financial ones too – if your vehicle happens to face any damage.
What you should know, though, is not all types of risks are covered under a motor insurance policy. The policy will provide insurance coverage against specific hazards subject to certain terms and conditions.
In this article, let’s learn about all the risks that are covered under a motor insurance policy.
Please note: This is just an indicative list. The types of risks covered under motor insurance may vary across insurance companies. Ensure you read all the relevant policy documents so you’re well-informed before making the purchase.
Insurance companies have to compulsorily offer personal accident cover in motor insurance policies. This cover offers protection to the owner of the vehicle in case they get injured in an accident.
For instance, Aman’s friend Jay recently visited him. Aman is driving Jay around and suddenly his car meets with an accident and the both of them get severely injured and succumb to their injuries. Here the insurance company will provide compensation to Aman’s family but not Jay’s.
Insurance companies also allow you to opt for a personal accident cover for the passengers as well.
So, in the above example, if Aman had opted for a personal accident cover for passengers at the time of buying the motor insurance plan, the insurance company would have provided the compensation to Jay’s family as well.
A motor insurance policy also provides a third-party liability cover. It offers protection to the insured against legal liabilities that may occur due to the loss/damage caused by them to a third party.
Basically, it covers the vehicle owner’s legal liability to pay compensation for –
For instance, say Sachit buys a motor insurance policy that also offers coverage for third-party legal liability. A few days after taking the policy, Sachit while driving his vehicle, meets with an accident that damages Mr. Rai’s scooter. The motor insurance cover purchased by Sachit will cover the repair costs for the damage caused to Mr. Rai’s scooter.
Let’s take Sachit’s example again. Say Sachit had caused damage worth Rs. 10 lakhs to Mr. Rai’s shop. In this case, Mr. Rai will only be compensated for Rs. 7.5 lakhs.
So, these are some of the things covered under a motor insurance policy. A motor insurance plan offers protection against the financial expenses of the damages caused to the insured vehicle, the policyholder, or to a third party.
While it is important to understand what a motor insurance policy will cover, it is also important to educate yourself about the situations it won’t cover. Generally, mechanical or electrical breakdowns of the vehicle, wear and tear of the vehicle’s tyres or tubes, damage to the engine due to oil leakage are some of the situations not covered under a motor insurance policy. We have written a detailed article on this. You can check it out here.
Apart from these core coverages, a Motor Insurance policy will also offer multiple customizations in the form of customizations, add-ons, or riders. These are covered here.
When you go to a bookstore, you can see that the books are segregated based on whether they’re fiction or nonfiction, their genre, the reading ages, etc. This gives you a variety of options and also makes the job of picking one easier. You can compare them and make the choice that is right for you!
Similarly, you can choose your motor insurance plan from a variety of options. Every individual’s needs differ. Some may find comprehensive motor insurance beneficial, but others may find the plan unsuitable for their needs. There are diverse types of motor insurance policies and add-ons for you to choose from. You can select the type of motor insurance according to your preferences and requirements.
Let’s have a look!
The Insured Declared Value is the value assigned to the car. It is the amount of coverage you will receive for your vehicle in case of irreparable damage or theft.
Premium rates are determined based on IDV. The insurance premium is directly proportional to the IDV of your vehicle, When your vehicle’s IDV value increases, your premium shall also increase. When your IDV decreases, your premium shall also decrease.
Insured Declared Value is calculated based on the following parameters –
Make, model and variant of the car. Of course, the car’s value will be based on its manufacturer, make, model like a BMW has a higher value than a Maruti Swift Dzire. The IDV will hence also differ for different types of cars (sedan, hatchback, SUV, etc.) For instance, Maruti’s IDV will be different from a BMW’s.
Maruti Dzire will have different IDVs as compared to Maruti Celerio. Maruti Dzire LXI will have a different IDV as compared to Maruti Dzire ZXI.
To calculate the Insured Declared Value, the formula used is –
(Manufacturer’s listed price – depreciation) + (Cost of accessories not included in the listed price – a depreciation of these parts, if any.)
All vehicles depreciate over time. In fact, depreciation begins as soon as you take the vehicle out of the showroom. This happens because of the age, wear and tear of the vehicle.
For example – Rahul and his brother Rohan own the same Honda City model. Rahul bought his car in 2018, whereas Rohan bought his in 2019. Even though the make and model of both vehicles are the same, Rahul’s car will be more depreciated as compared to Rohan’s. This is because his car is older.
The depreciation is computed based on the age of the vehicle and is decided by each insurer as per its own methods. Here is an indicative example of how depreciation would be calculated by an insurer –
Age of the car | Depreciation % for IDV |
---|---|
Up to 6 months | 5% |
6 months to 1 Year | 15% |
1 year to 2 years | 20% |
2 years to 3 years | 30% |
3 years to 4 years | 40% |
4 years to 5 years | 50% |
Beyond 5 years | To be negotiated |
Note: The IDV and other values can vary from insurer to insurer. Do read the policy wordings before purchasing it.
Harsh purchased a luxury car worth Rs. 30 lakhs. His driving style is safe, and he follows all traffic laws. Due to that, he has an impeccable driving record and no claims against him. After two years, as per the depreciation chart, the car’s value declined by 30%, and now the IDV of the vehicle is Rs 21 lakhs.
Scenario 1: While renewing his car insurance, Harsh set the IDV to be Rs. 12 lakhs to save up on premiums. Unfortunately, a few months later, his car gets stolen. Now, when he raises a claim, he will be eligible to receive only Rs 12 lakhs instead of the IDV he should have set, i.e, Rs 21 lakhs. While he saved some money on the premiums, he will face a huge loss of approximately Rs 9 lakhs.
Scenario 2: Now, Harsh did a simple market analysis before renewing the policy and discovered that a used car of the same manufacturing year and model is being sold for approx Rs. 22 lakhs currently. Considering the depreciation factor, Based on the market analysis, he estimated the IDV to be around Rs 21,00,000. He can claim this amount in the event that his car is stolen or completely damaged.
Imagine you and your neighbour own the same model of a vehicle. And recently, both of you purchased motor insurance plans for your vehicles from the same insurance company, too. Your neighbour’s motor insurance premium amount, however, is lower than yours.
Wondering why?
Because besides the model of the vehicle, there are many other factors that affect the premium of a motor insurance policy – such as the add-on covers you opt for, the age of your vehicle, your claims history, the deductible opted under the policy, apart from your geographical location.
Let’s dive deeper into the factors that affect motor insurance premiums – in this article.
The make, model, and engine capacity of your vehicle is one of the most important factors that affect your motor insurance premiums. Premiums of a sports car will be higher than standard cars. Similarly, vehicles with bigger engine sizes are more prone to accidents. Hence, the premiums, too, will be higher.
For example – The premium of an insurance policy for a Honda City will be more than that of a Maruti Swift. On the other hand, the premiums of an insurance policy for Maruti Swift ZXi will be more than that of a Maruti Swift LXi.
Motor insurance premiums will be higher if your car is registered in an area that experiences dense traffic, or has higher cases of vandalism, etc.
The age of the motor vehicle is another important determining factor when it comes to calculating motor insurance premiums. The older the vehicle, the higher will be the depreciation (reduction in the value of your vehicle). This means that the premiums will be less if you insure an old vehicle and more if you insure a new vehicle.
Insurance companies may look at whether you have made any claims in the past. If you have, your policy will not be eligible for an NCB, which is why the premiums will increase – and vice versa.
The type of fuel also affects the motor insurance premiums. For instance, if you own a petrol or a diesel car, the premiums will be relatively lower than a CNG car – because the cost of maintenance of CNG cars is higher.
IDV represents the estimated market value of the vehicle. It is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay in case a claim under the policy arises.
IDV = Showroom price of the car + Cost of accessories (if any) – Depreciation value as per IRDAI
IDV is exclusively used for comprehensive motor insurance policies, and the higher the IDV, the higher will be the premium amount of the policy.
Insurers offer you the option to voluntarily opt for a deductible and as a result, reduce your premium amount. Deductible is the amount you will have to pay before the insurance company starts paying up.
For instance, you buy a motor insurance plan and opt for a deductible of Rs. 2500 and you get a discount of Rs. 750 on the own damage premium. A few weeks later you file a claim for Rs 10,000. In this case, you will have to pay the Rs. 2500 of the cost along with the compulsory deductibles out of your pocket every time you make a claim.
Voluntary deductible is one of the measures used to control premiums of a motor insurance policy. Generally, the motor insurance premium will be lower if you opt for a higher deductible and vice versa.
The premium will also be affected based on the coverage, add-ons, etc. you opt for. The more covers you opt for with your base motor insurance plan, the higher will be the premium amount.
Yes, premiums for the same car value, with same customizations, add-on coverages etc can be different from platform to platform, agent to agent. There can be intermediaries who are able to negotiate better rates for their customers, and there can be intermediaries who may charge more so that they can make more commissions.
Damages caused to the insured vehicle because of an earthquake, storm, fire, accident, etc. are covered under the own damage cover. The premiums for this type of cover will vary across insurers.
A third-party insurance policy, too, has been made mandatory for every vehicle owner in India, as per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It offers you financial protection against legal liabilities that occur due to the loss/damage caused to a third party individual or property. The premiums of a third-party liability cover are decided after taking into consideration the cubic capacity of your vehicle engine.
Looking at the increase in cases of road accidents, the government has made it mandatory for vehicle owners to purchase a personal accident insurance cover. This cover provides financial protection against death, permanent total, and permanent partial disability caused as a result of an accident.
Riders are ready-made extensions that provide an extra cushion under specific situations. There are several add-ons you can buy with a motor insurance policy like zero depreciation cover, engine cover, lock and key replacement cover, no claim bonus protection cover, etc. The premiums will be higher if you opt for more add-ons and vice versa.
Other than the above mentioned components, several discounts will also affect your motor insurance premiums. These will include the discounts you get for -
Insurance companies offer a discount on premium if you don’t make a claim under the motor insurance policy in the previous policy year. You can earn a discount of around 20% to 50% in 5 years if there are no claims made.
Installing anti-theft devices on your vehicles can help you fetch discounts from the insurance company too. Anti-theft devices help prevent and stop theft. For example, a thief will obviously try to steal a car that doesn’t have any security rather than stealing a car with a tyre lock. Anti-theft devices use multiple technologies that enhance the security of your vehicle.
Imagine you and your neighbour own the same model of a vehicle. And recently, both of you purchased motor insurance plans for your vehicles from the same insurance company, too. Your neighbour’s motor insurance premium amount, however, is lower than yours.
Wondering why?
Because besides the model of the vehicle, there are many other factors that affect the premium of a motor insurance policy – such as the add-on covers you opt for, the age of your vehicle, your claims history, the deductible opted under the policy, apart from your geographical location.
Let’s dive deeper into the factors that affect motor insurance premiums – in this article.
If your vehicle happens to undergo an unfortunate event like an accident, theft, or any similar mishap – you need to file a claim in order to get the cover amount to take care of the costs.
If your vehicle has sustained any loss or damage, you need to contact your insurance company immediately and inform them about the situation to initiate the claim settlement process.
The insurance company will require necessary documents during this process like the vehicle registration certificate, your driving licence, payment receipt, etc. The list of documents differs for different types of claims. So, make sure your motor insurance company gives you a list of documents at the time of policy purchase to avoid any trouble during the claim settlement process.
Making a claim involves certain steps. The steps vary, based on the type of damage caused.
(1) Own Damage Claim Process
It is crucial to notify the insurer as early as possible – within a span of 48 hours or as soon as possible after the damage is caused. You should contact your insurance company and provide a detailed description of the extent of the damage caused to your vehicle. Be sure to not withhold any information from your insurer since this may hinder the settlement of your claim.
It is necessary to file an FIR to substantiate your claim if you suspect your vehicle has been stolen, if there was an accidental death or if there was any third-party involvement. The FIR will contain all the essential information about the driver, the vehicle, passengers, witnesses, etc.
After you inform your insurance company, they shall send a surveyor to the location to inspect the vehicle and the intensity of the damage. Once the evaluation is conducted by the surveyor, the reports are sent to the insurance company for the further processes of the claim. An open and transparent procedure is maintained by the insurance company to ensure a streamlined claim settlement process.
Here are the documents you will need to submit while filing an own damage claim.
Duly filled and signed claim form
Copy of the insurance policy
Tax payment receipt
Estimate vehicle repairs cost from the repairer where the vehicle is to be repaired. This should be signed and stamped by the garage.
Original repair invoice and payment receipt – signed and stamped by the garage. In case of a cashless claim, only a repair invoice will have to be submitted.
Claims discharge cum satisfaction voucher signed across a revenue stamp
Vehicle inspection address details if you have not taken the vehicle to the nearest garage
Licence copy of the driver driving the vehicle when the accident occurred – a verified photocopy to the surveyor along with the original
Registration certificate – a verified photocopy to the surveyor along with the original
Pan Card
Aadhar Card
Pollution Under Control Certificate – a photocopy
Cancelled Cheque/ Passbook – in case of a reimbursement claim
Please Note: This is just an indicative list. The documents that you may need to submit while filing an own damage claim may vary across insurance companies.
After inspecting the damage, the service provider shall issue the estimated cost for repair. On receiving the cost, the insurance company will give its approval for the repair of the vehicle.
According to the coverage chosen, you may have to pay deductibles and depreciation charges for the parts when making a claim. A deductible is part of the claim amount that you need to pay from your own pocket. You can refer to our article on Deductibles for more information.
(2) Third-party Liability Claim Process
When making a claim, keep all mandatory documents at hand and provide them to the insurer.
Here’s a list of documents you will need to submit in case of a third-party liability claim –
Please Note: The documents that need to be submitted in case of a third-party liability claim may vary across insurance companies. This is just an indicative list.
All third-party liability claims are settled in the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).
File a claim –
The tribunal authority shall examine the entire situation before determining the course of action.
If the third party has faced any loss or damage as a result of the incident, the maximum amount you shall receive to compensate for any property damage is Rs 7.5 lakhs. Any expenses above this amount will be your responsibility. However, in the event of an injury or death, there is no limit to the claim amount.
(3) Theft Claim Process
Report the theft by filing an FIR at the nearest police station with information about the vehicle, such as the chassis number, the registration number, the model, the colour, scratches, dents, etc. so the investigation can be conducted.
You should inform your insurance company of the theft by filing a claim. Disclose the entire situation to them without hiding any details.
The next thing you need to do is inform the Road Transportation Office (RTO) about the theft of your vehicle. The RTO is the authority responsible for vehicle ownership transfer, and the sooner you inform them the lesser the chances of any unauthorised change in ownership by the person who has stolen your vehicle.
Here are the documents you will need to submit in case of a theft claim.
Please Note: The documents that need to be submitted in case of a theft claim may vary across insurance companies. This is just an indicative list.
Once you have informed the police about the theft, the police department will try to locate the stolen vehicle with all your furnished details. In case your vehicle cannot be traced even after six months from the date of the complaint, you are entitled to receive a No-Trace Report from the police station.
You must show the No-Trace Report to your insurer for the approval of your claim. After that, the registration certificate of the stolen vehicle will be transferred to the insurance company.
The process for submitting a claim, as well as the documents needed, varies across insurance companies. So, when buying a motor insurance policy, make sure you ask the insurance company about the claim process as well as the paperwork you will need to submit to receive the claim amount to avoid any hiccups during claim settlement. Following the steps mentioned above systematically will ensure a smooth claim process.
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