How to Raise Car Insurance Claim Without Your Driving Licence or RC?
While it seems intimidating, you can raise a car insurance claim without all the required
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Documents Required to Make a Car Insurance Claim
At the time of making a car insurance claim, you need to submit the following documents:
- Car insurance claim form of your motor insurer
- Copy of policy document
- Copy of valid driving licence
- Copy of valid Registration Certificate (RC)
- Copy of Police FIR (in case of theft, highway accidents and third party claims)
- Original car repair bill by the garage
- Proof of release
- Bill payment receipts
In addition to these documents, you are also required to pay car insurance file charges during claim settlement. Let's understand:
File Charges for Car Insurance Claim
Car insurance claim file charges, also known as the Compulsory Deductible, are the expenses that the insurer incurs during the claim process. These include vehicle inspection costs, administrative fees, and any court-related expenses. This deductible is mandated by the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and is predetermined based on the car's cubic capacity, as follows:
- For cars with a cubic capacity less than or equal to 1500cc: Rs. 1000
- For cars with a cubic capacity of 1500cc and above: Rs. 2000
Car Insurance Claim Without a Driving Licence or RC
There can be instances when you don't have documents, such as your RC and driving licence, with you while making a claim. Imagine your newly purchased car gets damaged even before you receive your car's registration certificate from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Moreover, you don't have a driving licence since you don't know how to drive and were planning to hire a driver. In such situations, making a car insurance claim can be difficult as you don't have your car's RC or driving licence. However, it is not impossible.
Fortunately, it is possible to make a car insurance claim even without a valid driving licence or RC. Car owners without a valid driving licence and their vehicle's RC can make a motor insurance claim with the help of 'Loss of licence or RC add-on.'
What is Loss of Licence or RC Add-On?
Loss of Licence or RC is an add-on cover that enables a car owner to raise a car insurance claim even without a valid driving licence or registration certificate. It allows them to successfully file a claim under their four wheeler insurance policy despite not having a driving licence or the RC. This cover comes in handy in case the car owner has lost his/ her driving licence or car's RC.
Whether you have a temporary or permanent RC of your car, you can raise a claim under the loss of licence or RC cover.
However, to buy the Loss of Licence or RC add-on cover, you need to have comprehensive insurance and not a third party car insurance policy. This is because third party car insurance does not cover own damages and only pays for third party legal liabilities. Moreover, add-ons are not available under third party car insurance.
Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Loss of Licence or RC Cover
Loss of licence or RC cover comes with certain terms and conditions that need to be followed when buying it. Take a look at the things that you should keep in mind while buying a loss of licence of RC cover:
- Loss of licence or RC cover is not available under third party car insurance and can be purchased by people with comprehensive motor insurance policy. This is because the loss of licence or RC is an add-on cover that is only available under comprehensive car insurance.
- Since the loss of licence or RC is an add-on cover, you need to pay an additional amount over and above your motor insurance premium to purchase it.
- At the time of buying this add-on cover, you need to submit your car's engine and chassis number to your motor insurance company.
- It is mandatory to file an FIR with the Police to raise a claim under the loss of licence or RC cover. This add-on cover cannot be applied if you don't submit a copy of the Police FIR to your insurer at the time of claim settlement.
You May Also Read - Car Insurance Claim Process Guide
Benefits of Buying Loss of Licence or RC Cover
Here are some of the benefits of buying loss of licence and RC cover under your car insurance:
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Raise a Claim Without Essential Documents
To file a car insurance claim, every vehicle owner needs to submit a few supporting documents to his/ her motor insurance provider. These documents include a claim form, car's RC, driving licence, car repair bill, etc. If you don't provide all the required documents to your insurer, they may deny your claim and you would end up paying for the car damage repair from your own pocket. But if you have a loss of licence or RC cover, you can successfully raise a claim in the absence of your driving licence or car's RC and get your vehicle damages covered.
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Monetary Compensation
In case your driving licence or the RC of your car has been lost, you will have to obtain its duplicate copy from the RTO. To get a duplicate RC or driving licence made, you may have to incur certain expenses or pay a fee to the concerned authorities. But if you have a Loss of licence or RC cover, you will receive monetary compensation from your insurer to cover the expenses incurred on getting a duplicate RC or driving licence made.
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Cost-Effective
Car damage repairs can be really expensive. By raising a motor insurance claim, you can save yourself from paying for the expensive repair work as your insurer will cover it. However, in the absence of essential documents, such as an RC or driving licence, your insurer can reject your claim. This is where the loss of licence or RC cover comes into play. This cover allows you to raise a car insurance claim even without your car's RC or driving licence on payment of a nominal amount. As a result, it turns out more cost-effective as you have to pay a small amount to buy this cover but prevent yourself from suffering from a major financial loss later.
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Aids Overall Claim Settlement Process
While raising certain kinds of car insurance claims, you may have to file a Police FIR and submit its copy to your insurer. Claims arising out of third party liabilities, accidents on the highway or car theft require a copy of the FIR. With the loss of licence or RC cover, you will never miss filing a Police FIR as it is mandatory to file a Police FIR under this add-on. Thus, this cover comes in handy in the overall claim settlement process.
What to Do If You Lose Your Driving Licence or RC?
Every car needs to have a valid registration certificate and every four wheeler driver needs to have a valid driving licence. You may earn yourself a challan if the traffic police catch you driving without your driving licence or car's RC. Therefore, you must carry your driving licence and RC while travelling in your car at all times.
In case you have lost your driving licence or car's RC, follow the steps given below to obtain a duplicate copy of these documents:
- File a Police FIR at the nearest police station at the earliest
- Visit your RTO and obtain forms to apply for a duplicate RC or driving licence. You can also download the form from the website of 'Parivahan Sewa.'
- If you have a car loan, obtain an NOC from the bank (in case of loss of RC)
- Get an affidavit that includes your car details and the reason for applying for a duplicate RC (in case of loss of RC)
- Submit the filled-in form along with the FIR and other crucial documents to the RTO
- Pay the fee for obtaining a duplicate driving licence or RC
- Collect the acknowledgement slip from the RTO
- You will receive a duplicate copy of your car's RC or driving licence through the post
In a Nutshell
Car insurance is extremely useful in case your car suffers from major damages or losses. The only way to ensure that is to raise a claim with your motor insurance company on time and submit all the required documents to them. Don't lose your chances of raising a car insurance claim with your insurer in case you have lost your RC or driving licence by buying the loss of Licence or RC add-on cover.
