Hypothecation in Car Insurance
Hypothecation in Car Insurance
Everyone aspires to buy a car they can call their own. However, the financial investment in a car purchase is not small, increasing the demand for loans to fulfil these dreams. In a car loan, equal monthly instalments or EMIs are deducted automatically from the buyer's account.
The loan procedure helps reduce the burden of one-time payments for car purchases. However, during the car loan process, the borrower often comes across the term hypothecation.
Hypothecation refers to pledging an asset to the bank as collateral in exchange for a loan. It is the same for vehicle hypothecation, where the lender remains the hypothetical owner of the vehicle until the borrower repays the loan.
In this blog, we will explore the meaning of hypothecation in insurance, how to add hypothecation in insurance, tips to complete hypothecation removal, and where to find vehicle hypothecation details.
What is Hypothecation of a Vehicle?
When you purchase a car using a car loan from a bank, the bank becomes a hypothetical owner of the car until you repay the loan. It is deposited as collateral security in lieu of taking a bank loan.
The registration certificate or RC of your car, as well as the car insurance policy, will mention the vehicle hypothecation details. After paying off the car loan completely, you are required to complete HP removal from RC, car insurance and other car papers.
Initially, the car will be registered in the owner's name at the local Regional Transport Office (RTO). But, if the car is bought and financed by a bank loan, then the RTO will make a record in the Registration Certificate (RC) that the respective bank has hypothecated the car.
The insurer will also keep a record of the loan on the policy paperwork until the policyholder regains full ownership of the car. It is important to remember that vehicle hypothecation does not allow you to sell or transfer your vehicle. You have to retain complete ownership of the vehicle in order to transfer it to other states or sell it.
How to Add Hypothecation in Insurance?
To add hypothecation to your car insurance, you must get it added to your vehicle registration certificate. Once the vehicle hypothecation details are available on the RC, the insurance provider adds it to the car insurance policy document.
Here is how you can add hypothecation to your insurance.
The insurer will ask the policyholder a series of questions, including whether you purchased the car through self-financing or a bank loan.
Generally, when you submit the RC details to the insurer, they get all the information about your car. The RC itself mentions hypothecation if you have purchased a new car through a bank loan.
You may be asked these questions when buying a new car insurance policy for a second-hand car. Additionally, these questions can also be assessed at the time of policy renewals. Before issuing the car insurance policy, insurance firms also inquire about some other documents. Find the compiled list below.
Required Documents to Add Hypothecation in Insurance
One needs to have the following documents in hand at the time of adding vehicle hypothecation in the car policy.
The application for hypothecation endorsement or Form 34
Online registration certificate
Attested copy of the car owner’s PAN card
Car owner’s address proof
Authentic car insurance (if it is being renewed)
PUCC or Pollution under control certificate
The last receipt of the charges or fee paid at the time of endorsement of hypothecation by RTO
How to Complete HP Removal from RC and Insurance?
Once you have paid off the entire bank loan, you should get the hypothecation removal process done. Both the regional transport office (RTO) and the respective bank (from which the loan is being taken) will be involved in this hypothecation removal process.
First, you need to get the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective bank. Then, submit the NOC to the insurance provider to remove car hypothecation from the car insurance policy.
Cancel Out Your Vehicle Hypothecation
For cancelling out the vehicle hypothecation, you need to pay the entire loan amount. It doesn’t matter how many EMIs are left. You can pay it in one go as well. Once you pay the entire loan amount, collect all the necessary documents from your lending bank. These documents will testify that you have paid off the entire loan and require the hypothecation removal process.
Submit Documents to the RTO
The NOC needs to be submitted to the RTO along with other documents, such as Form 35, a valid vehicle insurance policy, a no-objection certificate, and PUCC. Without an NOC, hypothecation details cannot be removed as it is the primary document to be submitted as proof to request cancellation.
Submit HP Removal for RC Application Request
After submitting these documents, you must submit the hypothecation removal application to the RTO. Here, you have to pay the applicable RTO charges for the hypothecation removal procedure. In most states, the hypothecation cancellation fee is ₹100. Once the payment is received, RTO will cancel the hypothecation on RC, giving you complete ownership of your car.
**Required Documents For Removing Hypothecation on RC and Insurance?
No objection certificate
Valid car insurance policy
Application Form 35 (ask at the RTO or download the same from the Parivahan website.)
Pollution under control certificate
Vehicle owner address proof
Vehicle owner's PAN card
Vehicle registration certificate
Check Hypothecation Termination Status
To check and verify the hypothecation termination and removal status, you can consult the concerned RTO. You can also visit the RTO’s official website to check the progress of your application. For most states, you can access services through the Parivahan online portal, a national transport service portal.
Why Remove Hypothecation from Car Insurance Policy
Often, policyholders delay HC removal from RC and insurance even after paying their entire loan amount. However, it is recommended to get it terminated as soon as you clear your loan payment for the following reasons.
It helps simplify car ownership and gives you complete vehicle ownership without any hassle.
In some cases, the removal of hypothecation can lead to lower premiums as the bank does not have any ownership of your car. However, please note that this is not guaranteed and can vary from insurer to insurer.
You also benefit from complete freedom regarding car modifications, ownership transfers, and other necessary car-related decisions without any bank approval.
Role of Car Insurance Policy from Tata AIG
Removing vehicle hypothecation is crucial to gaining ownership of your vehicle. However, to do so, you require a valid car insurance policy. While the law only mandates a third-party car insurance policy, choosing comprehensive car insurance can help you with all-around protection.
With comprehensive plans from Tata AIG, you get ample coverage for any loss or damage incurred by your car. The financial safety net provided to the policyholders allows them to benefit from high customisation flexibility with a range of 13 different add-ons, such as engine protection, key replacement, personal accident cover, etc.
Furthermore, along with a wide range of add-ons to cater to individuals' specific needs, we also offer maximum convenience to our customers with easy-to-follow online processes for all requirements. Whether buying or renewing car insurance or filing a car insurance claim, our website is well-equipped with all processes for quick solutions.
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.