Own damage cover pays for the applicable repair and replacement of the insured car. To claim it, you must notify the insurer, get through the vehicle inspection and complete the paperwork. Own damage in car insurance can be claimed via cashless or reimbursement methods. The procedure requires submission of essential documents like a copy of the insurance policy, vehicle RC and driving licence.
Introduction
Own damage is an important component of motor insurance policies. It covers the damages sustained by the insured vehicle due to any insurable peril. Be it a minor dent in bumper-to-bumper traffic or the loss of a vehicle due to theft, you can claim it under the car insurance own damage cover.
Understanding the insurance claim procedure for own damages is crucial to ensure a seamless experience. It helps fix the damage promptly, so you can get back on the road in no time. In this guide, we share a detailed step-by-step guide explaining how to claim car insurance for own damage.
What is Own Damage in Car Insurance?
Own damage (OD) cover in car insurance offers financial compensation against any damage or loss suffered by the insured vehicle due to an insurable peril. It is available with standalone own damage and comprehensive car insurance online or offline plans.
The own damage cover in car insurance secures the insured vehicle against damages or losses caused by unforeseen events, such as accidents, fire, theft, natural calamities and man-made hazards. It pays for the necessary repairs and replacements, lightening the financial burden on your pocket. Unlike the third-party liability insurance, the own damage cover is optional but highly recommended.
For example, suppose you are driving normally in your lane. Another car hits your vehicle whilst trying to overtake and runs away. In such cases, you are left with a hefty repair bill to fix the damage to your car. With your own damage car insurance, you can raise a claim against it and get coverage for the repair costs.
How to File an Own Damage Car Insurance Claim?
To file an own damage insurance claim, you need to immediately inform the insurer, get the damages assessed, complete the necessary paperwork, and await the approval. Approved claims will be settled according to their claim type.
Notifying the insurer for claim intimation is the first step under “How to claim car insurance for own damage?” You can contact the provider via their official toll-free number, app or website. Then, the insurer will arrange for a surveyor or offer an app-based digital inspection option to assess the damage to the car.
You need to complete the full paperwork and submit it to the insurer’s authorised portal alongside the necessary supporting documents. After the request is processed and approved, you will be notified, and the claim will be settled accordingly.
In case of an incident of vehicle theft, you must file an FIR at the local police station and notify the insurer and the RTO. If the vehicle is not recovered, you can complete the necessary paperwork with the insurer for the vehicle theft claim. Upon approval, they will pay you the Insured Declared Value (IDV) of the car. Here are some additional tips on how to file a car insurance claim in general.
What are the Types of Own Damage Car Insurance Claims?
There are two types of own damage claims under standalone own damage and comprehensive car insurance plans. One is the cashless claim, and the other is the reimbursement claim.
In a cashless own damage insurance claim, the damages to the insured vehicle are repaired at a network garage upon claim approval. After that, the insurer directly settles the bill with the garage, given that the insured covers the applicable out-of-pocket expenses.
In a reimbursement claim, the damages to the insured vehicle are repaired at a garage of the insured’s choice. They settle the full cost with the garage from their own pocket and submit the original invoices and bills to the insurer. The provider then issues a refund to the insured.
For example, if your vehicle suffers accidental damage, filing for a cashless claim reduces your upfront out-of-pocket expenses. On the other hand, if you want to get it fixed from a garage of your choice, which is not under the insurer’s network, filing for a reimbursement claim will be ideal.
What Documents are Required to File an Own Damage Claim?
The standard documents that you need to submit when filing an own damage insurance claim may vary depending on the type of claim. Generally, papers like the original insurance policy, vehicle RC, FIR copy and driving licence are required.
When filing an OD car insurance online or offline claim, the insurer shares a detailed checklist of documents you need to submit. Generally, for accidental own damage insurance claims, you need to submit a copy of the original insurance, vehicle RC, PUCC, claim form, driving licence, fitness certificate, repair estimate, final repair bill, KYC papers and police FIR copy (if a third-party was involved).
For theft claims, additional paperwork like the invoice and tax receipt, transfer papers, indemnity bond, subrogation letter, RTO intimation letter, non-traceable report, and original set of vehicle keys is needed.
What Happens If I Repair the Damages Before Insurance Survey?
The insurer requires a mandatory survey in order to verify the cause and assess the extent of the damage. It is vital in case of both cashless and reimbursement claims. After claim intimation, if you get your car repaired before the appointed surveyors inspect it, it can lead to claim rejection.
This is because the car insurance company is unable to make its assessment, as the evidence of the accident, which is the damage, has been modified or removed.
In Case of Minor Dents, Can I File an Own Damage Claim?
Car insurance pays for repairs and replacement for any damage, including minor dents, to your vehicle due to an insurable peril. However, raising any claim can reset your No Claim Bonus (NCB) benefits. So, it is generally recommended to handle minor dents on your own and use the insurance for major claims.
However, if you have the No Claim Bonus protection add-on, you can protect your NCB despite raising a claim. Car insurance companies in India, like Generali Central, offer add-ons like NCB protection with their car policies.
Expert Note
This information is based on standard motor insurance guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and commonly followed industry practices. Policy coverage and conditions may vary by insurer.
FAQs
1. Do I need to submit an FIR copy for all own damage claims?
No. Generally, in case of theft-related claims and accidental claims involving a third-party person or property, you need to submit a copy of the FIR to the insurer.
2. What is the total number of own damage claims I can make in a year?
Usually, there is no fixed number of total own damage claims you can file in a year. You can file claims as necessary, but note that raising multiple claims can affect the policy premium and NCB.
3. Will own damage cover take care of any third-party liabilities?
No. The own damage component only covers damages caused to the insured vehicle. Third-party liabilities are covered under the third-party component of the car insurance.
4. Can I raise own damage car insurance claim online?
Yes. You can raise an insurance claim for own damage online via the car insurance company’s official app or website.
5. Will own damage car insurance claim cover consumables cost?
No. It is a general exclusion under the standard own damage coverage. However, with the consumables cover add-on, you can get coverage for consumable items, like grease, bolts and washers.
