Car Insurance In Kolkata

The city of Joy, Kolkata, is also one of the busiest cities in India. Like other Tier A cities, Kolkata also witnesses heavy traffic, road accidents, vehicle thefts, and other unforeseen contingencies. Thus, it becomes imperative to invest in a car insurance policy to get financial coverage in case you meet with any of these emergencies.

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Stats About Kolkata Traffic

• The number of road accidents across the Indian state of West Bengal in 2022 was 13,000.
• Kolkata stands in 6th place in most vehicle thefts in India.
• The number of fatalities between 2019 and 2022 in West Bengal was 6022, with the leading culprit being speeding.

Why Should You Buy Car Insurance in Kolkata?

To avoid traffic rule violations, it is mandatory, as per the motor laws, to own four-wheeler insurance in Kolkata. Besides being compulsory, there are several other reasons to buy car insurance in the city. Take a look:

• Occurrence of Cyclone: Occurrences of natural calamities like cyclones are common in Kolkata. So, covering your car if it sustains damages due to such natural calamities is very important. A comprehensive motor insurance policy will compensate for damages sustained by your vehicle due to cyclones or other natural calamities while driving in Kolkata.
• Coverage for Theft: Since Kolkata is a busy city, the streets and roads encounter heavy traffic thus giving rise to cases of vehicle theft. With a comprehensive car insurance plan, you can also get covered for theft or burglary that may cause losses to your four-wheeler.
• Poor Condition of Roads: The roads of Kolkata are poor and extremely uneven, making it difficult for car owners to drive properly. Wide and deep potholes, worn-out roads, etc, increase the chances of road accidents in the city. To get compensated for damages under such accidents, it is crucial to have a car insurance policy in Kolkata. Otherwise, you will end up paying heavy repair expenses out of pocket.
• Personal Accident Cover: Road accidents can also lead to the death or disability of the owner/driver of the insured car. By purchasing a Personal Accident Cover with your car insurance policy, you can also get covered in case the owner/driver of the car dies or suffers injuries in an unfortunate accident.

Types of Car Insurance Policies in Kolkata

Three major types of four-wheeler insurance policies offered in Kolkata are:

1. Third-Party Insurance

   A third-party or liability only car insurance policy offers compensation if the insured car meets with a third-party accident. Under this policy, financial compensation is offered in case of third-party property damage, death and bodily injuries. Third-party insurance is the least mandatory coverage that one must have to drive legally in India.

2. Comprehensive Insurance

   A comprehensive car insurance policy compensates the policyholder if his/her car suffers damages due to unanticipated incidents. These incidents include road accidents, collisions, natural calamities, theft, fire, manmade acts, etc.

   The coverage of a comprehensive car insurance policy can also be enhanced by purchasing additional covers with the policy.

3. Standalone Own Damage Insurance

   This motor insurance policy can be purchased if you have an existing third-party bundled policy. It compensates a policyholder if his/her car sustains damages due to unanticipated incidents like accidents, natural calamities, man made calamities, fire, theft, etc. This policy does not cover third-party liabilities and only the damages the car sustains.

Coverage Offered Under Car Insurance in Kolkata

A car insurance policy in Kolkata offers the following coverage:

Inclusions

A car insurance policy in Kolkata offers the following coverage:

• Third-party liabilities include third-party death, property damages, and disability.
• Damages to the insured car due to earthquakes, floods, cyclones or any other natural calamity
• Damages due to manmade acts like strikes, riots, etc.
• Partial or total loss arising out of theft or burglary of the insured car
• Losses to the insured vehicle due to fire, explosion or self-ignition
• Accidental damages to the insured four-wheeler while it was in transit.

Exclusions

A four-wheeler insurance policy does not offer coverage for these damages:

• Damages to the insured vehicle when being driven under the influence of alcohol
• Damages sustained by the insured car when the driver was not carrying a valid driving licence
• Contractual liabilities of the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• Claims cannot be raised for damages sustained outside the specified geographical location
• Damages due to nuclear or civil war are also not covered.

How Much Car Insurance Coverage you Need in Kolkata?

Kolkata is a crowded city where road accidents are common. Your car can sustain damages, leading to heavy repairs from your pocket. In such situations, only having third-party insurance is not enough, as it will not cover accidental damages to your car.

Thus, covering your car with comprehensive car insurance will be the best choice. A comprehensive policy will compensate you for third-party and own damages.

On the other hand, if you have an old car and do not want to invest much in car insurance premium, you can only go for the mandatory third-party insurance policy.

How to Buy Car Insurance Online in Kolkata?

Here is an easy step-by-step guide on purchasing car insurance in Kolkata online:

• Visit Policybazaar.com and select the “Car Insurance” tab from the homepage
• On the given form, enter your car number or select the “Brand New Car” option
• Now, choose your car’s RTO, make, model, variant, and registration year
• Fill in the given registration form
• From the given quotes, choose the car insurance plan that you wish to purchase
• Select additional covers if required
• Once decided, pay the final premium amount via online payment modes
• After successful payment, your four-wheeler insurance policy documents will be mailed to you.

Traffic Do's and Don'ts in Kolkata

Here are some traffic do’s and don’ts that a car owner in Kolkata should follow:

• Adhere to permitted speed limits.
• Don't drive under the influence of alcohol.
• Always carry mandatory documents like a driving license, insurance documents, PUC and car registration certificate while driving in Kolkata.
• Use indicator or hand signals while changing lanes
• Avoid sudden braking and harsh acceleration on the roads of Kolkata