How To Claim Scooty Insurance - Step by Step Guide

Owning two-wheelers has grown popular in India in the past decade, and scooties are now favorites for short-distance travel. While these vehicles have become common in our lifestyles, it is important to acknowledge that India records massive road accidents every year and it makes having insurance crucial. This article will guide you in filing a claim if you find yourself in an unfortunate incident. 

In this article, we’ll help you with a quick guide on the claim settlement process of a motor insurance policy.  Before that let’s understand the types of claim settlement. 

Types Of Scooter Insurance Claim Settlement Process

Listed below are two ways through which you can claim your two-wheeler insurance policy.  

• Cashless Settlement of Claim:

Scooty insurance cashless claim settlement is the process in which the insured doesn’t have to pay money from their own pocket to settle the claim. However, it is only possible if you have taken the services from the network garage of the insurance company.

• Reimbursement Settlement of Claim: 

In this case, you can get your bike repaired at the garage of your choice. You will need to pay for the expenses of the damages caused and afterwards register your claim with the insurance company. 

How to File A Scooty Insurance Claim in Case of An Accident? 

Whenever there is an accident, victims are in an immense state of panic and trauma. In such a fearful state, it is important to ensure the victims get the necessary attention before being concerned about a claim. After ensuring that the victims are taken care of, we move towards taking care of the damage incurred by the vehicles and that is when the insurance comes. 

The first step to filing a claim is to inform the insurer at the earliest. Informing the insurer as soon as possible enables trust and ensures a smooth claim process. For the damages incurred by your scooty, you can get either an own damage claim or a third-party claim depending on who was at fault.

If the accident happened due to your fault, you have to file for own damage claim and a third-party claim will not help you in this case. It is important to keep in mind that there are certain specific cases where the insurer does not approve the own damage claim like riding without a license or riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

On the other hand, if your scooty is damaged due to a proven mistake of the other vehicle, then you are eligible to file a third-party claim by filing an FIR and then going through the hearing at MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal). Ensure that you take the vehicle and insurance details of the vehicle driver guilty of the accident. Also, file an FIR and take photos at the accident site to keep a record of the damages sustained by your scooty or even to your body as it is also covered under the third-party claim.

What Are The Rules and Regulations For The Scooty Insurance Claim Process?

Here are some rules and regulations to file a claim with your insurer for a claim covering the damages sustained by your scooty. Ensure that you keep these points in check to avoid your claim getting rejected. 

1. Timely Notification: You should notify your insurer as soon as possible after observing the damage and ideally must be done within 48 hours. A long unjustifiable delay in informing the insurer can get your claim rejected.

2. File an FIR: In cases of accidents, filing an FIR at the nearest police station is of utmost important. A copy of the FIR and charge sheet are essential documents to be submitted to the insurer in order to file a claim.

3. Documentation: You must provide the documents as per the insurers' requirements. The most common documents required are: 

     • Insurance policy

     • Driving license

     • Vehicle registration certificate

     • FIR copy (if applicable)

     • Repair estimates

4. Inspection: Inspection is an important part of the process before the vehicle is taken to the garage for repair. On the basis of the inspection, a repair estimate is calculated and the claim is approved. Hence if you get your vehicle repaired before the inspection, your claim will be rejected.

5. Deductibles: Deductibles are a pre-agreed amount that you have to pay while the insurer provides the sum insured. Deductibles are specified in your policy documents. This amount is the money you have to pay to get your car repaired and the repair amount on top of that is paid by the insurer.

6. Policy Exclusions: Go through the policy documents to understand the exclusions in your insurance policy. Most of the exclusions are based on willful misconduct or negligence like driving without a license or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  

Claim Settlement Process in Different Conditions 

An insurance company provides coverage for third-party, own-damage, and protection against theft. Therefore, the policyholder will require a unique set of documents and would have to follow different sets of instructions to settle their scooter claim insurance in each case. Let’s dive into the details! 

• Third-Party Damages Claim Settlement Process

Any damage to a third party or their property that occurred by your scooter will be covered by your third-party motor insurance policy. The process for filing a claim under a third-party insurance policy is mentioned below. 

Documents Required

Following is the list of documents you will need to file a claim against accidental damages: 

1. Self-attested claim form with complete details. 
2. Copy of police FIR and driving license. Copy of registration certificate of the scooter. 
3. All the necessary insurance documents. 

Steps To Register Claim 

Following are the steps that you need to follow for filing a claim against third-party damages:

1. Inform the authorities and your insurance company right away if there is an accident or if your bike collides with the other party's vehicle.
2. The insurer will submit it to the motor insurance claim Tribunal court proceeding for a decision. 
3. The Tribunal court will decide the compensation amount after verifying the case. 

• Own-Damage Claim Settlement Process

The standalone own damage insurance policy and the comprehensive policy both provide coverage for any damage to the insured's vehicle. Here is how to file a claim in case you are involved in an accident.

Documents Required

Following is the list of the documents you require to file a claim against standalone own damages: 

1. Valid two-wheeler insurance policy. 
2. Duplicate copies of the tax receipt, registration book, and FIR. 
3. Driving license 
4. Invoice of repair and payment receipt from the authorized garage. 

Steps To Register Claim 

1. Within a specified period, inform the insurance company about the damage caused to the vehicle or its theft.  However, in case of accidents, you will also have to file an FIR. 
2. The insurance company will investigate the case and verify all the details provided by you. Thereafter the approvals, the claim will be processed and your vehicle will be sent to the network garage for repair. 
3. The insurer will settle the bill directly if you have chosen a cashless claim settlement process. However, in case of reimbursement of the claim, first, you’ll have to spend the money and then avail of the claim. 

• Theft Claim Settlement Process

Considering the rising rate of thefts and burglaries in India, insurance companies bring mental peace in such circumstances by providing protection against these activities. Therefore, the process to file a claim in case of theft is as follows: 

Documents Required

1. Claim form with complete details. 
2. Original vehicle registration certificate and policy documents. 
3. Copy of FIR complaint of the theft. 
4. Copy of an acknowledgement letter issued by the RTO. 
5. Form 28/29/30 was signed by the policyholder. 
6. NOC and signature of the financier on form 35 if you’ve bought the vehicle on loan. 

Steps To Register Claim 

1. File an FIR at  the nearest police station and update the insurer about the happening. 
2. Submit all the documents along with the original scooter keys. 
3. In case, the police are not able to track your vehicle within a specified period, they will issue a non-traceable certificate. 
4. Under the total loss category, the insurance company will settle the claim and will pay upto the IDV amount. 

Conclusion 

It is mandatory to inform the insurance company in any circumstance within a specific time period to avoid claim rejections. Despite the advancement in technology, the claim settlement process for motor insurance often gets tedious. The above-mentioned claim settlement process is followed to ensure that no fraud or crimes are committed by the policyholders. 

FAQs

Q1: What should I do immediately after a scooty accident?

Ans: Firstly check for injuries to your body and seek medical assistance. Then take photos and videos of damages sustained by your vehicle. If the third party is guilty of the accident, note the details of the driver and vehicle. Also if it's convenient, gather contact information of witnesses at the site and reach out to your insurer within 48 hours.

Q2: Can I get my scooty repaired before the insurance company inspects it?

Ans: If you get your scooty repaired before inspection, then your claim is most likely to be rejected as it creates scope for fraud. Many insurers might approve the claim in case of minor damages or an emergency repair. 

Q3: What if the accident was the other driver's fault? Do I still use my insurance?

Ans: If the third party involved is guilty of the accident, you have the right to file for a third-party claim and the MACT will hear your case for approval. However, if you wish, you can claim your comprehensive car insurance which will be a quicker process but will exhaust your No Claim Bonus. 

Q4: Will making a claim affect my No-Claim Bonus (NCB)?

Ans: Yes, making a claim will exhaust your NCB and will restart from zero discount upon renewal.

Q5: What if my claim is rejected? Can I appeal?

Ans: Yes. If your insurer wrongly rejects your claim you can appeal by reaching out to the grievance redressal and your case will be reviewed. In case the grievance redressal is unable to be resolved, then you can reach out to the insurance ombudsman to look over your case.

Also Read: 

Benefits of bike insurance for female riders

5 Ways In Which Your Bike Will Impact Its Insurance Cover