Car insurance claim: Top tips to claim damage beyond vehicle repair

A car insurance claim has some norms that ensure claim damage beyond repair. These norms include time information to the insurance company, proper documentation which the insurance company and its surveyor needs to support your claim and cooperate with the insurance company. In case of severe damage or burn or fire, the damage may go beyond repair and hence these norms may help you get maximum claim possible under the insurance policy.

Speaking on the ways to claim car insurance Ajitpal Jandoo, Technical Head Network at Digit Insurance said, "Many people whose cars recently got damaged in any incident are being rescued by their car's comprehensive insurance policy. Either people have faced partial damages or total damages i.e. damage beyond repair to the vehicle. During such situations, usually, it is not possible to think of the next steps. You will only want to arrive at a solution to cover the losses you have suffered."

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Asked about the immediate steps that a car insurance holder takes after getting caught in such situations, Ajitpal Jandoo listed out the following steps that one can take immediately, and help himself getting closer to the solution:
 
1] Inform your insurance company immediately – it must definitely be within 48 hours. Speaking on the importance of timely information to the insurance company Jitendra Solanki, a SEBI registered investment expert said that it helps you denial of claim or speculation by insurance surveyor as the incident would be fresh to the sufferer and the eye witness.

2] Support the insurance company with all the necessary documents. In case the vehicle is fully burnt, you may have to submit an FIR,  and an RC copy and if the RC copy is also burnt you’ll need to apply for a duplicate of the same or cancel the RC from the RTO. Additionally, you may require a NOC from your financier (if any), a KYC and a few more documents before the claim money is paid. Also, if you were wise enough to buy an RTI (Return to Invoice) add-on with your comprehensive car insurance policy, you simply get the invoice value of your car without any depreciation which is almost equal to buying the same car all anew.

3] In case of partial burns/damage to your car i.e. it can be repaired, and the cost of repair is below 75% of IDV, you may have to get an inspection of your car done. 

4] You’ll be lucky if your insurance company has a digital claims method like a self-inspection process which can be done through one’s smartphone, within minutes. 
Post that, if the claim is approved, the person gets the claim money directly in their account.