Car Inspection - Need & Types

Being a car owner can be challenging. There are a lot of responsibilities and expenses that come with a car. Purchasing four-wheeler insurance and complying with standard procedures that go into the buying process is one aspect of it.

A car inspection is required when the insurance company must ascertain the car's current condition to maintain its insurance policy. Furthermore, four-wheeler insurance is mandatory for all car owners in India.

So every time you contact an insurance provider to purchase an insurance plan, the insurance company usually carries out an inspection first. This applies to a car policy bought online as well.

The primary purpose of an inspection is to rule out any risks associated with your vehicle based on its condition.

Here are instances where an insurance provider must issue a car inspection before allowing the purchase of an insurance policy.

When The Insurance Policy Has Expired: You need to undergo a vehicle inspection if your insurance policy has expired or needs to be renewed. An inspection is also necessary if there's a gap between the policy expiration and renewal dates.

Change Is The Car's Ownership:If you are buying a car second-hand, then it is absolutely necessary to undergo a car inspection if you want to maintain your current car insurance plan.

Switching From A Basic To An Advanced Plan: The most basic insurance plans, i.e. third-party insurance plans, often don't require a car inspection. However, if you are upgrading to a comprehensive car insurance plan, then it is mandatory to undergo an inspection process.

Incorporating Additional Accessories Or Bi-Fuel Kits Into The Car:If your car gets a bi-fuel kit installed or if you've made any modifications to your vehicle, then it needs to be inspected by your insurance provider if you wish to continue with your current policy.

When The Car Has Been Involved In An Accident:If your car was involved in an accident, it's compulsory to get it inspected by the surveyor sent by the insurance company before getting it repaired at a garage. This is necessary if you wish to file a claim to cover repair costs. The insurance company will also perform a post-repair inspection to assess the condition of your car.

There are two main methods of inspection - a self-inspection or a third-party inspection. As the name suggests, a self-inspection is done by the car owner by sharing images of the car's condition with the insurance provider. This is the most common inspection most insurance companies in India opt for.

A third-party car inspection is conducted by someone from the insurance company or by an inspection agency that offers car inspection services on behalf of the insurance provider.

Here are the different types of vehicle inspections that can be done to assess the condition of a vehicle.

1. Courtesy Inspection

It's a visual inspection of the car's basic components, like lights, wipers, tyres, oil, etc. This type of inspection usually occurs during a tyre or oil change.

2. Insurance Inspection

This type of inspection is mandatory for vehicles that are 10 years or older in most provinces in India. This inspection will examine the condition of the vehicle's most essential components - like its brakes, exhaust, suspension, engine, etc.

3. 12-Point Inspection

• This is the most thorough type of vehicle inspection. The insurance provider will check the following components of your car to assess its condition:

• The insurance provider will check and rotate your tyres to ensure maximum tread life. They also check for debris, tears, bulges, or cracks to measure tread depth.

• They will check if your tyres are properly balanced and aligned.

• The interior and exterior lights will be checked. Additionally, belts, hoses, shocks and struts will also be checked.

• Your car's fluid levels will be checked. This includes brake fluid, anti-freeze, and windshield washer fluid, to ensure adequate fluid quantities.

• Your windshield will be checked for cracks or chips, and your wipers will also be checked to ensure they are in proper working condition.

• Your car's engine, battery, brake system, timing belt and cabin system will be checked to ensure they are functioning correctly or need to be replaced.

A car inspection is mandatory for almost every car owner, but there are times when an inspection is unnecessary. For instance, if you only purchase third-party four-wheeler insurance, a vehicle inspection isn't mandatory.

Another instance is if you regularly renew your insurance policy and there are no gaps between your policy expiration or renewal times. The insurance provider will not inspect your vehicle. This is because when you renew your policy on time, it will not lapse, so no inspection is needed

A car inspection process is a critical process conducted by the insurance company to assess if your vehicle is in proper working condition and to rule out any associated risks. It is highly recommended for anyone buying their cars second-hand. It gives the new owner a glimpse into the vehicle's history and evaluates whether all its components are in working order.

If you're looking to buy a car policy online from Tata AIG, consider the comprehensive insurance plans, as these will give you all-around coverage and protection by combining the features of a third-party plan and an own-damage cover. You also get access to add-ons to cover specific vehicle damages