Car Insurance Claims Process - Reimbursement

Car insurance providers offer two different ways of raising a claim. These are:

Cashless Car Insurance Claims Process

In this type of claim process, the policyholder does not have to pay the bills incurred for repairing the damages suffered by the car.

The insurance company settles the bill amount directly with the garage, which in turn, allows the policyholder to get his car repaired only by paying the car insurance deductible (the amount you agreed to pay per claim when buying the policy).

It is also important to note that cashless claims can only be made if you go to a network garage for a car repair service. So, if you want to raise a cashless claim, make sure that you visit a garage that has tie-ups with your insurance company.

Reimbursement Car Insurance Claims Process

In the reimbursement claim process, the policyholder pays the bills from his pocket and later gets compensation from the insurer. The best part about this type of claim is that you can go to a garage of your choice and still get reimbursement for the expenses incurred.

Let us know more about the reimbursement claim.

As discussed, reimbursement claims in car insurance require the policyholder to pay the repair costs and then raise a claim to get the paid money back.

Thanks to the reimbursement claim option, you are free to use the services of any garage you find suitable. This feature is particularly beneficial for situations where it is not possible to take the car to a network garage immediately.

Besides, you can also get your car repaired as soon as possible as you will not have to wait for the insurance company to settle the bill.

However, to raise a reimbursement claim for your car insurance policy, you have to follow a proper procedure. Below is a step-by-step guide that will help you understand the complete process of filing a claim for reimbursement.

Process to Raise Reimbursement Car Insurance Claims

• Visit your insurer’s website to register your claim.

Here, it is necessary that you file the claim for reimbursement within 48 to 72 hours of the incident. In case you miss registering a claim within this specified limit, you must do this before the maximum time limit (7 days from the incident) passes.

• Go to the claims section and click on “Initiate Claim”.

• Select “Car” from the given options.

• Enter the registered mobile number and click on “Confirm”.

• Enter the OTP sent to your number and select “Confirm”.

• On logging in, the page will display the list of active policies.

• Select the policy for which you want to raise a claim and register your claim.

• On registration of the claim, you will get a registration number. Note down this number for future reference.

• Once the insurance company receives a claim request, it will send a surveyor/inspection officer to verify the authenticity of the claim and the level of damages suffered by your car.

• The surveyor will also check the nature of the claim to determine whether the reason for damage is included in the car insurance policy and prepare an inspection report accordingly.

• After inspection, take the car to a garage of your preference and get your car repaired.

• Once the car gets repaired, pay the repair costs and collect the bills.

• Submit the bills and other necessary documents to the insurance company.

• On receiving the documents, the insurance company will verify the details, and depending on the policy terms, reject or process your claim.

• If your claim is approved, your insurer will initiate the reimbursement and you will receive compensation in your authorised bank account within a few days.

Filing a claim request for reimbursement requires you to fulfil all the conditions specified by the insurance company. There are various documents that need to be submitted to the insurer when filing a claim as they help the insurance company verify and process the claim.

Here is a list of important documents that are required at the time of raising a reimbursement car insurance claim for different situations.

For Claims after an Accident

• A copy of your car insurance policy.

• A copy of your driving licence.

• Registration Certificate (RC) of the car and its original keys.

• Claim form provided by the insurance company.

• First Information Report (FIR) in case of significant injuries and damages.

• Original bills provided by the garage and the payment receipt as proof of payment.

• Clear pictures and videos of the damages sustained by the car.

• Hospital bills if you have opted for personal accident cover in your insurance policy and you are raising a personal accident claim.

For Claims after Theft

• Claim form filled by the policyholder.

• A copy of your driving licence.

• A copy of the RC book/card and car keys.

• A copy of the insurance contract.

• First Information Report (FIR) related to theft details.

• No-trace report given by the police.

• Letter of Subrogation

For Claims for Damages Caused to a Third-Party

• Duly filled and signed claim form.

• A copy of your driving licence.

• A copy of the vehicle Registration Certificate (RC).

• A copy of the car insurance policy.

• A copy of the First Information Report (FIR).

• Summons or legal notices, if received.

Choosing a Garage of Your Choice

This claim option does not mandate that you visit a network garage which permits you to go to any garage in the area. Thus, you can get your four-wheeler repaired at a facility where you find the services superior.

No Delay in Repair

To get your car repaired, you will not have to wait until the insurer makes the payment to the garage. You can pay the repair costs and get reimbursement for the expenses paid in a few days. If you depend on your car for your daily commute, quick repairs can save you from the unnecessary hassle of arranging for an alternate means of transportation.

Seamless Claim Settlement

To get reimbursement, all you need to do is inform the insurance company on time and submit the required documents. Within a few days, your bank account will be credited with the expenses you paid for damage recovery.

The situations in which you can raise a reimbursement claim depend on the type of car insurance policy you have. Here is a brief overview of the instances you can file a claim for:

If You Have a Third-Party Car Insurance Policy

• To cover the expenses incurred for claims made by a third-party for physical injury or death.

• To cover the expenses incurred for damages caused to third-parties’ property.

• To cover the expenses incurred for legal liabilities resulting from injury or death of a third-party in the event of an accident.

If You Have a Standalone Own-Damage Car Insurance Policy

• To cover the repair expenses for damages suffered by your car during a road accident or accidental fire or explosion.

• To cover the financial loss incurred due to total loss or theft of your car.

If You Have a Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy

• To cover the financial loss suffered by a third-party as well as your car in the event of an accident.

• To cover the loss sustained by the car due to riots, fire, theft and natural calamities.

Note: If you opt for add-ons in your car insurance policy, you can get additional coverage and file a reimbursement claim for several other situations.

• Provide all the required documents to the insurer.

• Ensure that the expense for which you are filing the claim is included in your four-wheeler insurance policy.

• File the claim within the specified time limit.

• Always keep the proof of the incident in the form of photos or videos.

• Take your car to the garage for repair only after registering the claim.

• Make sure that your car insurance policy is active.

• Do not raise a false car insurance claim request.

• Disclose even the smallest information about the incident to the insurer.

• Follow the traffic rules, like carrying a valid registration certificate, driving licence and insurance policy with you when driving your car.

• If you have made changes or modifications to your car, inform the insurance company about it.

Damage to your car due to accidents, theft or natural disasters can be expensive to repair. Car insurance helps you cover the cost of repairs or replacement to your vehicle.

Thanks to TATA AIG’s car insurance policies, you can protect your savings by letting us pay for any covered damage that occurs to your car or a third-party due to an unforeseen incident like a road accident.

With us, you can buy car insurance and customise it as per your needs and wants. All due to our special range of add-ons that not only enhance the level of financial protection provided by the policy but also give additional coverage against legal liabilities arising from third-party property damage.

Moreover, if you have any doubt regarding various terms related to car insurance, like the NCB or IDV meaning, you can contact our expert customer care executives over Whatsapp at +91-9136160375 or call our toll-free number 1800-266-7780. For our complete contact information, click here.

Knowing about reimbursement car insurance claims in car insurance is as important as buying a car insurance policy.

Opting for a reimbursement car insurance claim means that you can take your car to the garage you trust and get repair services as per your convenience and get reimbursed later for them.

Using this guide, you can grasp the concept of reimbursement in car insurance claims and learn how to get compensation for expenses you make for car repair.