Tuesday 22 January 2019

Car Insurance: It’s Features and Benefits

The Motor Vehicles Act mandates each and every vehicle registered in the country to have a valid insurance policy. While it is true that most people insure their vehicles because of the government mandate, but it also has a lot of benefits that should be given equal importance. Your vehicle insurance policy cannot be compared to other insurance products that offer an assured sum in return on maturity of the policy. General perception of buyers is that, car insurance policy leeches off a certain percentage of the income; whereas in reality, it offers protection against unforeseen circumstances which are often neglected in financial planning.

Here are some of the key benefits of your auto insurance policy:

Covers for road mishaps


Your insurance policy will compensate for the cost of repairs if your vehicle was involved in an accident. In addition to that, it will take care of the medical expenses of the rider, if he/she has sustained severe injuries that require hospitalization. Make sure that you check the capping on medical expenses at the time of purchasing the policy.

Pays for replacement if your vehicle is stolen
You come out of your home with keys in hand and get shocked finding that your car went missing. It definitely is one of the worst feelings to find your favorite possession being stolen away, but with a vehicle insurance cover, you don’t have to panic. So, if you have a comprehensive insurance plan for your car, then you just have to file an FIR with the police and approach your insurer for settlement of claims. Upon verification of the documents provided, your insurer will reimburse the value of the stolen car.

It covers for third party liabilities

Your insurance policy does not only cover you and your car, but it also offers protection from legal liabilities arising due to damages caused to third party. Generally, insurance policies cover third party liabilities such as bodily injury, damage to vehicle, death, and permanent disability.

Covers for damage due to flood

Flood water can cause sufficient damage to your vehicle’s upholstery and even to mechanical components. So if you live in flood prone areas, you should opt for a comprehensive insurance plan that will reimburse for flood damage repairs.

It will pay for damages due to fire

Vehicle fires can occur due to a number of reasons and it will definitely do a lot of damage to the interior as well as exterior. A comprehensive vehicle insurance plan will cover for all damages due to vehicle fire, regardless of what caused it.

No-claim Bonus

Your vehicle insurance policy also offers a no-claim bonus if you do not make any claims during the policy period. The no-claim bonus amount varies from one insurer to another, and it is offered during policy renewals. Some companies provide a discount on the insurance premiums for the year which preceded a non-claim year. Which means, for each year you are insured without making claims, you will earn bonuses for the following year.

Types of coverage offered under vehicle insurance policy

Your vehicle insurance policy offers various types of coverage with each one having different benefits. However, additional features covered under the plan will have a price tag of its own. Given below are some of the common types of coverage offered by an auto-insurance policy:

  •     Liability Coverage
  •     Collision Coverage
  •     Comprehensive Coverage
  •     Personal Injury Protection
  •     Medical Reimbursements

Thursday 17 January 2019

Types of Car Insurance Policies in India

The government of India mandates that auto insurance is a necessity for all vehicles on the road. Car insurance can protect the car owner against financial liabilities caused by an unfortunate vehicular accident or theft. New cars come with a standard insurance policy which has to be renewed after one year. A premium amount has to be paid every year to keep the policy active. There are 2 types of car insurance policies in India; third party insurance and comprehensive insurance package. A car owner should choose the one that best serves his or her needs. The cost of car insurance is determined based on the make and model of the car, the year of manufacture, and the geographical location.

Third-Party Insurance: This type of insurance policy covers the damages to a third party in the event of a vehicular accident. As per the law, all vehicles have to have a third-party insurance policy. The insurance premium is calculated based on the cubic capacity of the car engine. The premium is usually lower compared to a full coverage policy.

Comprehensive Insurance Package: This type of insurance policy covers third party liability and damages to the car in the event of a vehicular accident, natural calamity or theft. The premium is calculated based on the insured declared value of the car. The premium amount for this type of policy is usually high.

The premium of a third party insurance will remain the same but in a comprehensive package, the premium amount may reduce over the years due to the depreciation of a particular model of car. For used cars that are over 5 years old, the insurance premium is determined by a mutual agreement between the car owner and the insurance provider.




Choose the Right Car Insurance Policy

At the time of car insurance policy renewal, car owners get the opportunity to change or update their existing insurance policy. Car owners should determine whether they want a full insurance coverage or minimum coverage for their automobile. There are several websites dedicated to compare car insurance quotes. Listed below are some reputable insurance providers in the industry:

TATA AIG offers many add-on covers, has a Green Channel Settlement facility for making easy claims, and comes with an auto-restore warranty. Other features of a TATA AIG car insurance includes cashless claim settlements at TATA garages and free car pick-ups. The policy claims can be settled in 7 days.

ICICI Lombard offers cashless claim settlements in its network garages across the country, a 24/7 roadside assistance cover, and a daily allowance of Rs.500 when the car is in its garage. ICICI Lombard car insurance can be purchased online via EMIs.

L&T offers coverage for alloy wheels, seat covers, air conditioner, music system and other car accessories. It offers Rs.2 lakhs coverage for 5 passengers in the case of a personal accident. The insured will get Rs.500 discount on installation of anti-theft devices. Another feature of L&T’s comprehensive car insurance includes coverage extending beyond the geographical boundary of India.

BAJAJ Allianz has an app called the Insurance Wallet for customers to view and manage their policy documents, locating a nearby network hospital or garage, and initiating a motor claim from anywhere at any time. Another innovative app called the MobiFuel can be used to manage service records and mileage of the car, and receive alerts for refuel and insurance renewal. Bajaj Allianz also offers towing facility and cashless claim settlements in its network garages.

Future Generali offers several add-on covers with its car insurance policies like the lock and key replacement cover and inconvenience allowance cover for when the car is in its network garage.

Car owners should always compare a list of car insurance quotes before choosing a suitable one. You can purchase customized car insurance policies to better suit your needs.