Motor Insurance and Renewal

In short

Motor insurance has two parts: third party liability, which is compulsory in India and covers injury or damage you cause to others, and own damage, which pays for repairs to your own vehicle. A comprehensive policy is both together.

Overview

The two things that decide a motor claim are the IDV - the insured value of the vehicle - and the add-ons. Setting IDV artificially low to save premium reduces every claim payout and the total loss settlement.

Of the add-ons, zero depreciation is usually worth it on a vehicle under five years old; engine protection matters in flood-prone areas; return to invoice matters on a new car.

What is covered, and what is not

Typically covered

Third party injury, death and property damage - compulsory by law
Own damage from accident, fire, theft and natural calamity
Personal accident cover for the owner-driver
Towing and roadside assistance, where added
Zero depreciation, engine protection and return to invoice, as add-ons

Typically excluded

Normal wear, tear and mechanical breakdown
Driving without a valid licence, or under the influence
Using a private vehicle commercially
Depreciation on parts, unless zero depreciation is added
Consequential damage, such as running an engine after water ingress

Cover and exclusions vary by insurer and by the wording issued for your risk. We confirm the exact terms on the quotation before you buy.

Why buy this through Trust Cover

Insurer-neutral advice

Quotations from several insurers, compared on wording and claims record, not premium alone.

Exclusions explained first

You see what is not covered before you buy, in plain language.

Claims handled by us

We prepare the file, submit it and chase settlement on your behalf.

How a claim works

Ensure everyone is safe; call the police where there is injury or third party damage.
Intimate the insurer immediately and get a claim number before repairs start.
Photograph the vehicle and the scene.
Take the vehicle to a network garage for cashless repair, or keep all bills for reimbursement.
The surveyor inspects before repair begins - do not start work until then.

Documents you will need

Policy copy and claim form
Registration certificate and driving licence
FIR, where there is theft, injury or third party damage
Repair estimate and final invoice
Photographs of the damage

Working with us

We are insurer-neutral. For every enquiry we approach multiple insurers, compare the wordings as well as the premiums, and tell you where they differ on the points that decide a claim.

After the policy is issued we stay involved: endorsements, mid-term changes, renewal reminders that start ninety days before expiry, and claims that we prepare, submit and follow to settlement.

Motor Insurance - frequently asked questions

What is IDV in a motor policy?

Insured Declared Value is the current market value of the vehicle and the maximum the insurer will pay if it is stolen or written off. Reducing IDV lowers the premium but reduces every claim settlement, so it should reflect the real value.

What happens to my no-claim bonus if I let the policy lapse?

No claim bonus is lost if the policy is not renewed within the grace period after expiry, usually 90 days. The vehicle also has to be inspected again before cover restarts.

Is zero depreciation cover worth the extra premium?

On a vehicle up to about five years old, usually yes: without it the insurer deducts depreciation on plastic, rubber and metal parts, which is where most of a repair bill sits.

Is third party insurance enough?

It is the legal minimum and covers what you do to others. It pays nothing towards your own vehicle. For anything other than a very old vehicle, comprehensive cover is the sensible choice.

What do I do immediately after an accident?

Make sure everyone is safe, call the police if there is injury or third party damage, intimate the insurer and get a claim number before any repair starts, and photograph the scene and the damage.