Steps To Make A Car Insurance Claim After An Accident

One of the many reasons for buying a car insurance policy is to receive compensation on the damages sustained by your car due to an accident. Contrary to popular notion, filing a claim is a very easy process and in this article we are going to tell you how you can make a car insurance claim after an accident. 

Types of Car Insurance Claims

A car owner can file two types of claims after meeting with an accident. It can be a third party claim or an own damage claim depending upon the nature of the accident. Registering claims for both scenarios is easy. Read on to find out how you can file a claim for these two instances. 

• Third Party Claim

You can file a third party claim against another car owner where the damage to your car has been caused by another one. In such cases, you can also file compensation for medical expenses, property damage and loss of earring if you are not able to earn after that accident. 

Contrarily, if it is your car that has hit another one, you can also file claims to your insurer for paying your damages and liabilities caused by you to third party. 

• Own Damage Claim

You can file an own damage claim in case of a loss or damage to your car due to an accident as well. You are eligible for this claim only if you have a comprehensive insurance policy and the damages will have to be authenticated by you for receiving just compensation. 

Steps To Make A Car Insurance Claim After An Accident

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to make a car insurance claim -

• Obtain the insurance details of the car that has caused the damage to you and vice versa 
• Calling your insurance company immediately and informing them about the damages.
• Submitting a third party claim or own damage claim application if you are the victim
• Informing the police and obtaining an FIR. 
• Recording the details of your car, the driver and witnesses in the FIR.
• Filing a case to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal within the jurisdiction where the accident took place

Once you have intimated the car insurance company about the claim , you need to file a claim with the help of some supporting documents, the list of which can be found below. 

Documents Required For Making A Car Insurance Claim

The following list of documents will have to be submitted by you to your car insurance provider barring which your claims, whether third party or own damage are liable to not being processed. These documents include - 

• Copy of your insurance policy 
• Copy of FIR 
• Duly filled in Claims Form 
• Copy of the Registration Certificate of your car 
• Copy of driving license 
• Estimates repairs 
• Medical documents in case of bodily injuries 
• Original documents of other expenses incurred 

Take Away

These are the steps by which you can make a claim on your car insurance provider after an accident. Whether third party damage or own damage claim, the procedure has to be corroborated with the right information and supporting documents for the claim to be processed. Accidents can occur anywhere and everywhere and so it is extremely important to secure your car with a car insurance policy, to save yourself and your vehicle from unforeseen damages such as these at any point of time.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.