Car Insurance Claims Process

In case your car meets with any unfortunate incident on the road, you must follow the below-mentioned step-by-step procedure to successfully register a claim with TATA AIG under your comprehensive car insurance policy:

Inform the Insurance Company

The first and most important step in a car accident claim process is to inform the insurance company immediately about the accident. You can contact us at TATA AIG at our toll-free number (1800-266-7780) at any time or use the claim support page to inform us.

Provide us with the details of the accident and obtain all the necessary information about the next steps. We shall provide you with a claim form and ask for some necessary documents and information.

Some of the information that we may require includes the following:

• Engine and chassis information

• The contact number of the insured

• Date and time of the accident

• Location of the accident

• Accident description

• Kilometre reading

• Address for inspecting the vehicle

• After you provide us with all the required information, you will receive a reference number for your claim. Once the claim is registered, you may track its status on our claim support portal.

Inspection of the Vehicle

After you inform us about the accident, we shall send a surveyor from our team to inspect the vehicle and note the damage. The surveyor shall note down all the crucial details of the damage and prepare a detailed report about the same. The report will be sent to us at TATA AIG and to you, the vehicle owner.

Upon successful verification of the report, we will ask you to repair the car at the network garage if you opt for cashless repair. If you opt for the reimbursement method, you can get the repair done at any garage of your choice and later submit the invoice for reimbursement.

Documents Submission

To get a car insurance claim settlement from TATA AIG, you must submit the necessary documents, such as the duly filled claim form, FIR copy, identity proof, address proof, etc. You must keep all the documents ready before filing the claim for the process to be completed smoothly.

Claim Filing

With TATA AIG, you can file a car insurance claim using 2 methods, which are as follows:

Cashless Claim Method

If you opt for the cashless claim method, you must submit the documents as required and after their approval, you must take the car to the one of our network garage. All the repairs will be done at the garage and we will settle the bills directly with the garage. We have a huge network of over 6900 garages spread across the country.

Reimbursement Claim Method

Under the reimbursement claim method, you may have the car repaired at any garage of your choice. You must pay the repair bills to the garage and preserve all the bills and invoices. Once you submit the bills to us, we will reimburse the repair expenses.

However, you must submit the repair bills promptly to our insurance representative to receive reimbursement. A delay in submission may result in non-payment of the claim.

The steps for filing a claim for a third-party car insurance policy with TATA AIG are different from those for comprehensive insurance. Here are the steps that you must follow.

• Inform us immediately if you receive a legal notice from a third party.

• Do not commit to the third party or opt for an informal settlement.

• Submit a copy of the notice to us.

• Submit copies of your vehicle’s RC book, driving licence and FIR.

• We will inquire about the accident and, upon satisfactory verification, appoint a lawyer for you.

When you receive a notice from the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal, you must inform us. As per the notice, we will pay the damage charges directly to the third party.

How to Raise a Claim if A Third-Party Damages Your Car

• There may be a situation where your vehicle suffers damage due to a third party. In such a scenario, you must follow the steps below to receive a claim from the third party.

• File an FIR at a police station and collect the charge sheet.

• Register the charge sheet at the special court known as the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal with the help of a motor claims lawyer.

Note: The case must be filed in a tribunal court in the jurisdiction where the accident took place or where the injured party resides.

• Obtain the details of the third-party insurance company and inform them about the accident.

• The court will hear both parties and pass a verdict as it deems correct.

• If the verdict is in your favour, the court will direct the third-party insurance company to provide you with adequate compensation.

Note that, if the compensation provided by the third-party insurance company is inadequate or less, you cannot raise any claim at your insurance company.

• If your car is stolen, file an FIR at the nearby police station.

• Submit a copy of the FIR lodged at the police station to your insurance company.

• If your car is non-traceable, the police will issue a non-traceable report stamped by the court.

• Submit the non-traceable certificate to the insurer.

• The insurance company will do further investigations before approving the claim.

• Once the investigation is completed to the satisfaction of the insurer, your claim will be approved.

• On claim approval, you must submit the car’s RC book, stolen car keys, and subrogation letter. You must also submit a notarised indemnity to the insurance company.

• After all the paperwork is completed, the company will approve the claim and disburse it. The claim amount will be equal to the vehicle's IDV.

• It is important to understand the IDV meaning in insurance here. It is the market value of the car.

Note: If you opt for our Return to Invoice add-on cover, you will receive the invoice value of the car, without any deductions.

You must consider some factors while filing an insurance claim as they aid in a hassle-free settlement of the claim.

Exclusions

Your insurance policy does not cover every incident and every car part that may need a repair. Hence, you must not claim anything that is excluded from the policy as it can lead to claim rejection.

Depreciation Factor

Depreciation is a very crucial component of an insurance claim. Whether you claim the repair expenses or the value of your car (in case it is completely damaged), the insurance company will only pay the amount after reducing the depreciated value of the parts or car, as the case may be. Thus, you will be responsible for the depreciation loss and any excess repair expenses.

Deductibles

Deductibles are another essential factor that you must consider when raising a claim. The insurance company shall pay the insurance only the excess amount left after you pay the deductible portion of the repair expenses.

Use Add-Ons

Add-ons are an excellent way to enhance your insurance claim in certain situations. For instance, if you have a zero depreciation add-on, you can use it at the time of claim. It will help you to get a higher claim amount as the depreciation loss will not be considered.

NCB Loss

If you do not raise any claim during a policy year, you can enjoy a discounted premium on policy renewal. For every no claim year, your savings continue to increase. Therefore, you must avoid filing claims for smaller amounts. If there are minor repairs, you must manage it out of your pocket to gain higher benefits of no-claim bonus

When you file a claim with your insurance company, there is no guarantee that your claim will be accepted, as it is up to the insurance company to accept or reject the claim. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious while filing a claim to ensure it does not get rejected. Here are some reasons why a claim may get rejected.

• Raising a claim against damage that is not mentioned in the policy.

• Providing incomplete or misleading information.

• Non-disclosure of essential information, such as any modification to the car, etc.

• Getting the car repaired without informing the insurance company.

• Unreasonable delay in raising the claim.

• Raising a claim against an expired policy.

• Driving the car without a valid licence.

• If the insurance is still under the name of the previous car owner (in the case of a second-hand vehicle).

• Raising a false/fraudulent claim.

• Driving the car under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.

• If the accident or damage occurs due to carelessness.

• Raising a claim for reasons which are not mentioned in the policy.

How to Avoid Claim Rejections?

Car insurance claim rejection can be disappointing and cause you financial stress apart from other difficulties. You may follow the tips mentioned below to ensure your claim is not rejected and you receive the due amount.

Drive with a Valid Driving Licence

To avoid a claim rejection, it is essential that you follow all the regulations as per the Motor Vehicles Act. You must possess a valid driving licence when driving the car to receive a claim if any accident takes place. If you are caught driving without a driving licence, the insurance company will reject the claim instantly.

Understand the Policy Terms

When buying a car insurance policy, you must read the terms and conditions of the policy carefully. It is essential to know on what terms your policy operates. It will help you to know if a particular incident is eligible for a claim under the policy, and you will not face any claim rejection.

Follow the Traffic Rules

When behind the wheel, you must be mindful of the traffic rules and adhere to them for your safety and that of other motorists, too. If you adhere to the traffic rules, the insurance company sees you as a responsible driver and will honour the insurance claim.

Know the Claim Process

Before you file an insurance claim, understand the car insurance claim procedure that the insurance company follows. Be aware of the process, the documents required, the information to be given, etc., as it helps to receive the claim without any hassle.

Avoid Drunk Driving

Driving in a drunken state is dangerous not only to your life but to the lives of other motorists too. Besides, if you are found drunk at the time of an accident, your insurance claim will be rejected on the spot.

Read the Policy Documents

To avoid claim rejection, you must read the policy documents carefully. Review the policy from time to time to be aware of the inclusions and exclusions. This way, you will not make any policy violations and your claim will not get rejected.

The car insurance claim procedure is one of the crucial factors that needs consideration while buying an insurance policy. A complicated claim procedure can leave you exhausted and stressed, and it is also time-consuming.

Therefore, at TATA AIG, we offer a hassle-free and simple claim procedure, which consists of a few steps, as mentioned above. Whether you wish to buy car insurance online or renew your existing insurance, our processes are smooth and easy.

Our policies offer a host of benefits and the option to customise your insurance plan with beneficial add-ons. In case of any damage to your vehicle, we offer cashless repair facility at our partner garages to ensure your car gets professional repair.