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Buy Car Insurance Policy Online
Car insurance provides financial protection against expenses arising from damage to your vehicle, as well as injury or property damage involving third parties.
Owning a car makes every-day travel more convenient, comfortable, and flexible, be it one’s daily commute or getting around the city. To keep your driving experience worry-free, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected situations like repairs or replacement costs. A car insurance policy helps you manage these expenses efficiently while ensuring financial peace of mind.
What Is Car Insurance?
A car insurance policy is a type of insurance that protects the vehicle-owner against damage to their vehicle and pays for any third-party liability.
As per the Motor Vehicles Act,1988, as may be amended from time to time, third-party liability coverage is a legal requirement for every car in India. Driving a car without the mandatory third-party coverage is a punishable offence. However, if you want to protect your car fully, a comprehensive car insurance plan covers your vehicle’s damages as well as the third-party property or vehicle damage in case of an accident. It also covers damages due to natural calamities, theft, fire, riots, and more, as laid down in the policy wordings.
Different Types of Car Insurance
There are three main types of car insurance policies, each designed to offer a different level of protection. Comprehensive car insurance provides the most extensive coverage by including both third-party liabilities and damage to your own vehicle.
Own damage car insurance focuses only on covering damages to your own vehicle, making it suitable when third-party coverage is already separately in place. Third-party car insurance, on the other hand, covers liabilities arising from injury or property damage caused to others and is mandatory as per law.
| Factors | Comprehensive Car Insurance | Own Damage Car Insurance | Third-Party Car Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Scope | Covers both third-party liabilities and damages to your own vehicle | Covers only damages to your own vehicle | Covers only third-party liabilities |
| Own Vehicle Damage | Covered | Covered | Not Covered |
| Third-Party Liability | Covered | Not Covered | Covered |
| Natural Calamities | Covered (floods, earthquakes, etc.) | Covered | Not Covered |
| Theft & Fire | Covered | Covered | Not Covered |
| Personal Accident Cover | Included | Optional/Not included by default | Included |
| Add-On Availability* | Available | Available | Not Available |
| Legal Requirement | Optional | Optional | Mandatory |
*Add-ons are subject to payment of additional premium. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
Key Features of SBI General Car Insurance Policy
| SBI General Key Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Car insurance premium | Starts at ₹2094* |
| Cashless garages | Over 8700+ network garages# Basic + additional roadside assistance |
| No claim bonus | Up to 50% |
| Add-on covers$ | Over 13 add-ons, including Depreciation Reimbursement, Engine Guard, Consumables Cover, and more. |
| Third-party damage cover | Covers injury/death of any third party and damage to any third-party property |
| Personal accident cover | ₹15 lakh for individual owners ₹2 lakh/passenger for occupants of the vehicle |
| Own damage cover | Covers fire, explosion, accidental damage, natural calamities, theft, riot, strike, malicious activity, etc. |
$Add-ons are subject to payment of additional premium.
#As on May 2026
* Premium may differ as per coverages and other factor opted at time of quotation.
Who Can Buy A Car Insurance Policy?
Individual car owners with a registered vehicle in their name
New car buyers purchasing insurance at the time of vehicle registration
Used car owners looking to insure or renew an existing policy
Companies or businesses owning cars for official or commercial use
Anyone listed as the vehicle owner in the Registration Certificate (RC).
What is IDV in Car Insurance?
Factors that can affect IDV include:
Vehicle’s age and depreciation rate
Make, model and variant of the car
Original manufacturer’s listed price
Fuel type (petrol, diesel, CNG, electric)
Installed accessories
Previous modifications, if any.
What is No Claim Bonus (NCB)?
No Claim Bonus (NCB) is a discount offered by insurers on your car insurance premium for every claim-free policy year. It rewards safe and responsible driving by reducing renewal premiums over time.
The discount increases progressively with consecutive claim-free years, subject to policy terms and can be transferred when switching insurers. However, making a claim may reduce or reset your NCB unless you opt for the NCB protection add-on.
Car Insurance for Electric Vehicles (EVs)
SBI General Insurance offers car insurance solutions for electric vehicles, designed to cover key components such as the battery, motor and charging equipment. In addition to standard third-party and own damage cover, the policy accounts for the higher repair and replacement costs associated with EVs.
With tailored coverage, efficient claims support, and flexible options, SBI General Insurance helps EV owners stay protected against evolving risks while enjoying a seamless insurance experience.
Dos and Don’ts of Buying Car Insurance
| Don't | Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Choose a policy based only on the lowest premium | Compare coverage, benefits, and add-ons* to ensure adequate protection, not just cost savings |
| Ignore add-ons to reduce premium | Select relevant add-ons* like zero depreciation or engine protection based on your driving needs |
| Set a very low IDV to save money | Choose a balanced IDV that reflects your car's market value for better claim settlement |
| Skip reading policy terms and exclusions | Carefully review inclusions, exclusions, deductibles, and claim conditions before buying |
| Forget to transfer NCB | Always transfer your NCB when switching insurers to retain premium discounts |
| Delay policy renewal or let it lapse | Renew your policy on time to maintain continuous coverage and avoid inspections or penalties |
| Provide incorrect vehicle or personal details | Ensure all information is accurate to avoid claim rejection or policy issues later |
| Ignore claim settlement ratio and insurer credibility | Choose a reliable insurer with strong claim support and service track record |
How to Buy a Car Insurance Policy Online?
- Go to SBI General Insurance Website, browse over to 'Products', and then select 'Private Car Insurance Policy'.
- Input your car registration number, mobile number and pin code, and click 'Proceed.'
- Evaluate the covers based on features and add-ons; choose a suitable motor insurance policy for your vehicle.
- Input all the details, such as proposer details, EIA, nominee details, etc.
- Complete your KYC, pay online and get your new car insurance policy right away in your inbox.
Documents Required to Buy Online Insurance for Your Car
To purchase an insurance policy, you may provide your CKYCR (Central KYC Records Registry) number.
If your CKYCR number is unavailable, you will need to submit alternative documents such as:
- Proof of identity and address
- Vehicle registration documents
- Previous insurance details (in case of switching insurers)
- Vehicle inspection report
- Additional documents required to complete the KYC process and issue the policy.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim Online at SBI General Insurance
- Call SBI General Insurance on 1800 102 1111 or email at customer.care@sbigeneral.in and inform the team about your claim with your policy details.your claim with your policy details.
- Once your claim is registered, a customer support executive will provide you with a Claim Reference Number.
- You will be required to submit the relevant documents, including your driving license, RC copy, and FIR copy (as applicable), as per the policy terms and conditions.
- An arrangement will be made by the SBI General Insurance team for an inspection, which will be conducted within 24 hours if a claim is reported on a working day, or the next working day if the claim is reported on a Sunday or a public holiday.
- On cashless facility confirmation, the vehicle can be repaired at a preferred network garage, and payment can be made directly to the garage.
- You will only be required to pay the deductible as mentioned in the policy and the depreciation value, salvage amount, etc., as the surveyor has informed you.
Documents Required to Claim Car Insurance
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Basic Documents | Duly filled and signed claim form |
| RC copy of the insured vehicle | |
| Original estimate of loss (repair estimate) | |
| Original repair invoice and payment receipt | |
| In Case of Cashless Claims | Repair invoice from the network garage |
| Additional Documents (If Applicable) | FIR copy (mandatory in case of theft or major accidents) |
| Car keys (to be submitted in case of theft claims) | |
| Non-traceable certificate (required for theft claims after police verification) |
How to Renew Car Insurance Online?
- Visit the official SBI General Insurance website, then browse over to ‘Renewals’, and then click on ‘Motor Policy’.
- Enter Policy Number and the car’s RC number.
- Enter your policy’s expiry date and whether or not you have filed a claim under it.
- Choose the renewal policy suited for your plan and pick the cover you want to add.(If you have not filed any claim, you can avail of the perks associated with the No Claim Bonus feature.)
- Fill in additional details and proceed towards payment
- Once your identity has been verified, you can pay using your preferred payment method.
- Once you have completed the process, your renewal documents will be sent to your registered address.
FAQs on Car Insurance Policy
Yes, the city of registration & the city in which the vehicle is used are critical factors that affect the premium.
Any modification in the vehicle needs to be duly informed to the respective RTO office & you must also get your RC endorsed. The same needs to be informed to the insurer as the premium may be impacted.
Any change in the vehicle ownership needs to be informed to the insurer immediately in writing.
Yes, the policy must be transferred to the new owner after vehicle ownership transfer. Inform the insurer and submit the required documents.
For a brand-new car & in case of renewal before expiry date, pre-inspection is not required. But, in case of a break-in of the policy, inspection of the vehicle can be a pre-condition for policy issuance.
Yes, at least third-party insurance is mandatory by law for all vehicles.
Private Car Insurance Policy - Package
IRDAN144RP0001V01201920
Private Car Insurance Policy - Package
IRDAN144RP0005V03201112
Bundled Private Car Insurance Policy
IRDAN144RP0006V02201819
The above information is indicative in nature, for more details on complete coverage and terms and conditions, please contact our nearest office and also read the policy document and sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale.
SBI General Insurance and SBI are separate legal entities and SBI is working as Corporate Agent of the company for sourcing of insurance products.
*T&C Apply