To receive compensation from your insurance provider, you need to know how to file an accident claim correctly. If you are going about this procedure for the first time, you might need a bit of help and guidance. So, here is everything you need to know about the car accident claim process.

• Choose the right type of claim

  Insurance companies allow you to raise cashless claims and reimbursement claims. Cashless claims do not require you to pay the mechanic upfront for repairing your vehicle; the insurance company pays on your behalf provided you bear the cost of deductibles. Reimbursement insurance claims require you to pay the mechanic and later submit the repair bill to the insurer. Upon the approval of your claim, the compensation for the repairs will be credited to your linked bank account. Do remember that you can enjoy the benefits of a cashless claim only if you repair your vehicle from the insurance company’s list of partner garages.

• Do not forget to intimate your insurer and file an FIR

  It is particularly important to intimate the insurance company and file an FIR after an accident if you wish to raise a car accident claim. Quite often, instead of calling the police, people indulge in private negotiations after getting into road accidents to clear off the matter but it is not advisable to take that route. Make sure to call up your insurance provider and file an FIR so that your claims get processed smoothly.

• Follow the right process

  You can follow the steps listed below to raise an accident claim:

  • Inform the insurer and the police as quickly as possible after you get into an accident.

  • Record all the details of the accident.

  • Fill up the insurance claim forms provided by the insurer and submit them with all the required documents like the FIR and the evidence of the accident. You can also provide the contact details of the witnesses.

  • The car insurance company will then send a surveyor to assess your vehicle’s damages and suggest a list of network garages. Select the garage and make use of the towing service provided by the insurance company.

  • Once the insurer has approved your car accident insurance claim, pay the voluntary and compulsory deductibles associated with your auto insurance policy. You then either get cashless coverage or need to apply for reimbursement.

  Do remember to call up your insurer and ask them the exact documents that they require. Also, bear in mind that insurance companies usually set a time limit within which you have to report an accident for your claim to be valid.

If you are a vehicle owner, do remember that third–party car insurance is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. Along with this basic level of coverage, you also need to buy a personal accident cover. You can also opt for a comprehensive plan that gives you more coverage for your own damages, natural disasters, and manmade incidents, like theft. Having motor insurance lets you breathe easy out on the roads and also protects you from facing any fines or penalties for driving without coverage.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.