Car insurance
Car insurance, also referred as Motor or Four-wheeler insurance, is a type of agreement between a car owner and an insurance provider. This contract provides financial protection to the vehicle if the vehicle suffers any damage or loss due to expected events like accidents & natural disasters. A motor insurance holds more significance than just being a piece of paper to keep in the car’s dashboard and show traffic officials when necessary. This insurance policy gives financial protection to the damages of your vehicle caused in an accident or theft. No matter how careful you are while driving, accidents can happen, and repair costs can be substantial. Car insurance policies are of various types. First type is third-party car insurance. This cover protects you from financial damages if your insured vehicle unintentionally damages a third party’s vehicle or property or injures a third party. It excludes the damages caused to the insured car. As per the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, it is mandatory for all the cars to have a third-party insurance cover. Second type is the comprehensive car insurance policy. This coverage offers financial protection for your car against damage caused by accidents, theft, fires, and natural events like lightning, storms, floods, and cyclones, as well as man-made damages like vandalism and riots. It also covers third-party insurance. You also have the option to add Personal Accident Cover to your policy to cover any injuries or serious physical damage caused due to accidents. If you’re looking to buy a car insurance policy online & insure your car, InsuranceDekho offers it all. You can choose between 3rd party insurance cover, comprehensive car insurance, and stand-alone damage policy, depending on your budget & car’s specific needs. A comprehensive car insurance policy also provides protection against damages caused to your own car. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 makes it mandatory for every car owner to insure his car with a third-party insurance policy.
Types of Car Insurance
At InsuranceDekho, you can buy three different types of car insurance policies such as third-party insurance, comprehensive insurance, and standalone own-damage insurance. Scroll through the section below to learn more about these plans:
- Comprehensive Car Insurance This type of insurance policy is the most preferred cover by the car owners. It provides financial support to pay for the damages caused to the own vehicle & the third-party. As the name suggests, this type of insurance provides comprehensive cover. This policy is also applicable to the damages occurred due to natural calamities, man-made disasters, self-ignition or lightning, explosion, fire, theft, etc.
- Third-party Car Insurance Third-party four-wheeler insurance policy is a mandatory requirement for driving a car in India. Under this cover, the insurance company is liable to pay for the injuries, permanent disability, temporary disability, and death of the third party caused by an accident involving the insured car. This plan also provides coverage for property damage incurred by the third party up to Rs. 7.5 Lakh.
- Own Damage Car Insurance In September 2019, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) introduced the Standalone Own-Damage car insurance policy. Under this plan, the insured gets insurance coverage only for the damages sustained by their four-wheeler/car in a road accident, natural/man-made calamity, fire, explosion, theft or any other mishap.
Third-party vs Comprehensive Car Insurance
| Point of Difference | Comprehensive Insurance | Third-party Insurance |
| Definition | A comprehensive coverage provides complete protection for your car as well as third-party liabilities | A third-party insurance provides protection only if a third-party is damaged due to the insured vehicle |
| Coverage | It covers the financial loss to the insured car and a third-party | It provides financial compensation if there is a damage to a third-party |
| Legal Requirement | No, this type of policy is not legally required | As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, this type of policy is a mandatory requirement |
| Cost | As it offers more coverage, it is generally costlier | It is more affordable as compared to a comprehensive plan |
| Exclusions | Any damage to the insured car or a third-party is not covered if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | Any damage to the vehicle is not covered |
| Add-ons | A number of add-ons can be included in a comprehensive plan | You can include add-ons in a a third-party insurance |
Key Highlights of Four-Wheeler Insurance Policy
Given below are salient highlights of a four-wheeler insurance policy:
| Highlights | Benefits |
| Third-Party Cover | Coverage for third-party injury and property damage |
| Own Damage Cover | Covers the damage and loss incurred by the insured four-wheeler |
| Personal Accident Cover | Available up to 15 lakh |
| Add-on Covers | Various add-ons are available based on the policy such as zero depreciation cover, return to invoice cover, roadside assistance, etc. |
| Cashless Claim | Available at the network garages of the insurer |
| No Claim Bonus | Up to 50% |
What Is Covered Under Car Insurance Policy?
Third Party Bodily Injuries
All bodily Injuries caused to someone else by your car in an accident will be compensated for by your insurance provider
Third Party Disability
If an accident caused by your car results in a disability of a third party, then the compensation for the same will be provided
Third party Death
Compensation will be provided in case an accident caused by your car results in a demise of a third party.
Third Party Property Damage
Damages caused to a third party’s property will be covered up to Rs. 7.5 Lakh.
Road Accidents
Damages caused to your car in accidents or collisions will be covered.
Natural Calamities
Damages sustained by your car in natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, etc will be covered.
Man-made Disasters
Damages incurred by your car in man-made disasters like riots, strikes, terrorsism, vandalism, etc will be covered.