While protecting your car with an insurance policy is one of the best decisions that you can make for your car, you should also know how to claim car insurance. Filing a claim incorrectly or not providing all required documents at the time of claim form submission can result in your claim being rejected.

Let's dive into the do’s and don’ts that you have to take into account when filing a car insurance claim.

Do’s for Filing a Car Insurance Claim

Inform Us Immediately

Contact us within 24 hours of the incident to notify us about the motor insurance claim. You can call us at our paid number - +91 22 48903009 to inform us.

Verify Your Policy​

To file a claim after a car accident, you have to provide us with your vehicle number or policy number to initiate your claim.

File an FIR

Apart from informing us, you must make sure that a report of the incident is made to the Police and file an FIR. Whether your car gets stolen or you want to make a car crash insurance claim, you will need to provide us with a copy of the FIR report.

Collect Evidence to Support Your Claim

One of the best ways to support your car insurance claim is to take pictures of the site of the incident. Attaching these photos as evidence at the time of filing a car insurance claim form will act as proof.

Additionally, you can note down the names and contact details of the eyewitnesses so that your investigation process speeds up and your claim is settled at a faster rate.

Visit Our Authorised Garage for Repair

The next step in knowing how to file a car insurance claim is to visit our authorised network garage (for cashless claims) to repair your damaged car. You can take your damaged car to one that is nearest to your location.

You also have the option to take your car to a non-network garage if you intent to file a reimbursement claim instead.

Provide Necessary Documents to the Garage

To make a car accident insurance claim, you have to provide the garage with the following documents:

• Copy of the car driver’s licence.
• Completed and signed Claim Form.
• RC Book’s self-attested copy.
• Copy of FIR (if required)
• Copy of Policy Certificate 

Also read: Mandatory Documents for Claims

Make Payment

You have to pay the difference in amount at the cashless garage and take your vehicle’s delivery.

In case you opt for a garage that we do not authorise, you will have to pay the entire amount, and reimbursement will be provided for the same after you send us the receipt and bills. Re-inspection will take place for a repair amount that exceeds ₹20,000.

Don’ts for Filing a Car Insurance Claim

Leave Your Car Unattended

While it is only natural to be excited after an incident takes place, you must stay calm and ensure that your car is locked. You must also stay close to your vehicle to prevent theft of car accessories or parts, as we will not be liable for such a loss.

Lose Your Cool

Another emotion that comes as a natural reaction is anger, but you must instead keep your cool and ask if anyone from the other party needs any help or not. Inform the Police and your insurer and tell them about the entire incident in detail.

Make On-the-spot Settlement

When understanding how to claim accident car insurance, you must know that there is a possibility that the other party will offer money for an on-the-spot settlement. However, the amount is generally lower than the actual cost of repair. Therefore, it is best to ask the third party about their policy details instead so that you can raise a claim.

Miss the Timelines

Under no circumstance should you miss the car insurance claim time limit. Generally, timelines are set so that there is no consequential loss because of driving a damaged vehicle.

However, if you are seriously injured and have to be hospitalised due to the accident, your timelines may be revoked.

Drive your Vehicle After the Accident

It is not advisable to drive a damaged car, especially if oil or coolant is leaking due to damage. The policy will not cover any extension of damage in such situations.

Be Dishonest About Your Claim

Only genuine claims are settled, and if you are found to have been dishonest about your claim, it will ruin your track record. Be honest about what genuinely happened that caused the incident.

Try to Repair the Car on Your Own

Do not start any repair work before claiming insurance for car damage. Starting repair work without inspection or survey by our official can lead to consequences that may not favour you at the time of filing your claim.

Reliance General Insurance Offers Easy and Smooth Claim Settlement

We ensure that claims under our car insurance plans are settled quickly. With a 100% claim settlement ratio (FY 2023 - 24) and more than 3 Crore policyholders financially protected, you can rely on our services. We strive to settle your claim as fairly and quickly as possible. 

We provide multiple types of motor insurance plans with the option of customisation according to your needs. We offer Long-Term Car Insurance for new car owners, along with comprehensive car plans, OD car cover and third-party car insurance.

Conclusion

Following these dos and don’ts can help facilitate a smooth and easy claim settlement.

However, you need to read your policy wording carefully to understand the exclusions and inclusions when it comes to settling claims. This will ensure that your claims are admissible and have a high chance of being settled promptly by your insurer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim car insurance if I visit an unregistered garage for repair?

It is best not to get your car repaired at an unregistered garage as they cannot provide you with a GST bill, which can lead to your claim being denied.

Will my claim be settled if I was driving under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident?

No. If you were driving under the influence, not only will your claim be rejected, but you will have to face legal consequences as well.

If I don’t have ownership over a second-hand car I recently bought, can I file a claim?

No. Without your name as the owner of the vehicle, it is not possible to file a claim. The car insurance policy must be under your name for the claim to be admissible.