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Exercise Caution While Filing Claim

Rolling your car on to the roads without an insurance coverage is a strict no-no in India. The general insurance companies offer coverage to car against an yearly premium. As the number of vehicle increase in the country and travelling becomes riskier, the need for insurance cannot be ruled out.
The general insurance companies take great car to asses the damages on a car through their in house surveyor and pay compensation as decided by the company. Here the insured has the right to only claim for the damages. The car insurers have several stories to tell where they have been underpaid for not filing a proper insurance claim.

Especially, after the new de-tariffing regime, introduced this year, every past claim will be held against you in present circumstances. It is important to maintain a clean slate, so that nothing hampers a good coverage when it is actually needed. Also, it is important to keep note of some important things before filing for a claim.

Here are some tips to follow before filing an insurance claim:

1. Asses every situation based on merit. Insurance companies keep a record of every claim or expression of possibility of claim. More number of claims filed in the past can put you in danger. You should not become a victim to your past claims and get a poor compensation. The best way is to assess every situation independently and take a decision based on the seriousness of damages on the car. If the damage is minimal and can be borne by you, do not file a claim with the company. Severe damages will be covered by the company anyhow.

2. It is best to file a claim as soon as possible with the insurance company. This will give them a chance to get first hand report, damages suffered and the detail on how the accident occurred. If it is found that you were an innocent victim, it can strengthen your case and help you get the money released as early as possible. In case of hospitalisation after the accident, get your relatives or friends to pursue the matter with the insurance company.

3. Prepare a list of damages you want to file claim for. This will help keep a track of the real damages incurred by you and the compensation paid. Prepare a document for all damages suffered and keep a track with the insurance company. Try and find out if the third party can help you strengthen you case in front of the insurance company.

4. Make sure that you give a clear picture to both insurance companies and surveyors. Be careful when you receive a call from an agent of the other insurance company asking you to give your version of the accident. Do not forget to record the speech with the agent so that no fact is twisted against you.

5. One of the basic requirements for an insurance claim in event of damages to car is the repair bill. If you have already given the car for repair, the insurance company will send a surveyor to asses the damages. They will pay the final compensation amount after taking repair charges, replacement charges and bodily injuries into account. However, this process is time consuming and tedious.

People in India are known to file for claims everytime they suffer a minor damage. But with the new rules in place the game has changed in favour of the insurance companies.  Filing a claim will acquire more seriousness than every before.