Usually, the car insurance aspect of a new vehicle is handled by the dealership where the car is purchased. Rather than thinking about car insurance on a day-to-day basis, they tend to think about it only during policy renewal or when a claim is being made. It is possible to renew the insurance policy through the dealer, but the only way to resolve a claim is to contact the insurance company directly. Due to this, it is important to understand how the process of settling a claim works. This article is dedicated to explaining how to claim cashless car insurance in India and the steps to follow.
The car insurance policyholder has two options for the settlement of claims: the claim reimbursement process and the cashless claims process. Let's read more about them.
Types of Car Insurance Claims
Claims for car insurance can be classified into two types:
- Cashless Claims
In the event of a cashless car insurance claim, the policyholder cannot be held liable for the repairing cost at the network garage of the insurer. Any repairs that need to be performed will not be billed to them by the garage. On behalf of policyholders, car insurance companies contact the network garages directly. A car insurance renewal cashless claim is only available if the policyholder can demonstrate that the damage is covered under the policy's terms and conditions.
- Reimbursement Claims
Damaging cost to the car is initially the responsibility of the policyholder. A policyholder can always receive reimbursement from their car insurance policy provider if they have made a claim payment request at a later date. However, the amount that can be reimbursed will differ depending on the terms and conditions of the policy.
The policyholder must provide the bills and receipts to claim car insurance reimbursement. The car insurance company will reimburse the expenses after verifying the claim form and required documents.
Claiming Cashless Car Insurance
Some car insurance companies may have different processes for claiming cashless car insurance. Depending on the insurer's technology support and overall strategy, there might be subtle changes in the process. The following is a step-by-step guide to cashless car insurance.
Step 1: Let your insurance company know that you need assistance by calling or emailing them.
Step 2: Ensure you share all the details about the car damage.
Step 3: Follow the steps outlined in the process. Suppose you have been the victim of theft. In that case, you may need to file a First Information Report (FIR), along with other supporting documents that may be needed in the event of a theft investigation.
Step 4: If the surveyor is assessing a claim based on an accident, they may visit the accident spot. A surveyor, however, will look at the vehicle if it is not taken to the network garage, where he will examine the damage.
Step 5: A surveyor and mechanic will guide you through this step, giving you an overview of the repair costs and how they relate to the coverage available under your policy. In this case, you will need to look at the terms and conditions of your policy and the coverage conditions.
Step 6: When the garage has completed the repairs, the vehicle will be returned to the insurance company. If you have to pay the remaining amount (deductibles) to the garage, you are responsible for doing so.
Note: There are cases, which might happen from time to time, where a vehicle is towed, and once it has been repaired, it is delivered back to the customer by the car insurance company.
Do Reimbursement Claims Differ from Cashless Claims?
The cashless or reimbursement process isn't a clear winner if you wonder which is better. Your choice determines the answer. Some might prefer one over the other. Using the reimbursement process allows policyholders to get their car repaired at a friend's garage that is not in the insurance group.
It is essential to note that the cashless process involves the insurer and garage settling the claim. A reimbursement claim must be filed after you have had your car repaired and the garage has settled the bill.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best car insurance company, make sure that they provide instant assistance to their clients regardless of where they are located. When it comes to cashless car insurance claims, insurance companies make direct payments to garages when this occurs. A cashless car insurance claim is an easy process for car owners to use without much hassle.
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