How to Claim Car Insurance After an Accident For Own Damage?

A car insurance for own damage claim helps you seek compensation from your insurer for repairs after accidents, collisions, natural disasters, fire, theft, or other insured events.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, road accidents continue to be a major concern in India, with over 1.8 lakh occurring annually. As repair costs and spare part prices continue to rise in 2026, understanding how to claim car insurance after an accident has become essential for every vehicle owner.

A smooth claim process can help reduce financial stress and get your vehicle back on the road faster.

சொந்த சேதத்திற்காக கார் காப்பீட்டை எவ்வாறு கோருவது?

If your vehicle suffers damage due to an accident, you can raise an own damage claim under your car insurance policy. Understanding how to claim car insurance after an accident can help you avoid delays and ensure a smoother settlement process. Here is the detailed process:

காப்பீட்டு வழங்குநரிடம் தெரிவிக்கவும்

விபத்து ஏற்பட்டவுடன், உங்கள் காப்பீட்டு வழங்குநரிடம் அதைப் பற்றி தெரிவிப்பது உங்கள் பொறுப்பாகும். இரண்டு தொடர்பு புள்ளிகள் மூலம் உங்கள் காப்பீட்டு வழங்குநரை நீங்கள் அணுகலாம்:

1. Their claims helpline number

2. The claims section on their website

காவல்துறையிடம் தெரிவிக்கவும்

After the accident has taken place, you are required to inform the police about the accident. If the damage is minor, there is no need to file an FIR. However, if major damage has been caused by a third party, you are required to file a claim. Most insurance companies require a copy of the FIR, so make sure to clear this with your insurer.

ஆதாரத்தை கேப்சர் செய்யவும்

உங்கள் வாகனத்திற்கு ஏற்பட்ட சேதத்தின் புகைப்படங்கள் மற்றும் வீடியோக்களை எடுக்கவும். கோரல் சரிபார்ப்பு செயல்முறையின் போது உங்கள் காப்பீட்டு வழங்குநருக்கு இது தேவைப்படுவது மட்டுமல்லாமல், இது உங்கள் காப்பீட்டு வழங்குநரிடம் உங்கள் வழக்கையும் வலுப்படுத்துகிறது.

Submit the required documents

After reporting the incident, you need to submit supporting documents for verification. The exact requirements may vary slightly between insurers, but generally include:

1. Policy document copy

2. பதிவு சான்றிதழ் (ஆர்சி)

3. Driving licence

4. FIR copy, if applicable

5. Repair estimates

6. Photos and videos of the accident

Incomplete documentation is one of the common reasons for claim delays. So, while learning how to claim car insurance after an accident, keeping documents ready is equally important.

உங்கள் வாகனத்தை ஆய்வு செய்யுங்கள்

Your insurer will send a surveyor to inspect the damage caused to your car. They will check if the damages match the ones mentioned in your claim. They might collect additional information, which would then be provided to your insurer.

உங்கள் வாகனத்தை பழுதுபார்க்கவும்

If the insurer verifies the surveyor’s details and finds your claim genuine, they will compensate you. Here are the two options to claim this compensation:

1. Reimbursement Claim: You can repair your car at a garage of your choice, pay the expenses upfront, and later submit bills to the insurer for reimbursement.

2. Cashless Claim: You can repair your vehicle at a network garage, and the insurer directly settles the approved amount with the garage.

மேலும் படிக்க: How to Claim Car Insurance After an Accident in India

What are the Different Types of Claim Settlement?

Understanding the claim type is equally important when learning how to claim car insurance after an accident. Here is a detailed guide:

Third-Party Claim Settlement

This type of claim compensates the third party for injuries or damages caused by your vehicle. It does not cover damage to your own car.

Own Damage Claim Settlement

An own damage claim covers repair expenses for your insured vehicle due to accidents, fire, floods, vandalism, or other covered risks.

Comprehensive Claim Settlement

A comprehensive policy combines third-party liability and own-damage protection under a single policy.

Things to Consider While Filing a Car Insurance Claim

When filing a claim, certain precautions can help avoid rejection or unnecessary complications. Here is a detailed understanding of what are the factors to keep in mind while filing a car insurance claim:

1. Be transparent about the details you provide to your insurer when it comes to the damage caused to the vehicle

2. File your claim within the period allotted by your insurer to avoid rejection*

3. Do not fabricate evidence or receipts to get extra money

4. Avoid filing claims for minor damages such as scratches and dents

மேலும் படிக்க: Return to Invoice Cover in Car Insurance

முடிவுரை

Knowing how to claim car insurance after an accident can make a significant difference during stressful situations. With rising vehicle repair costs and increasing road risks in 2026, having the right car insurance cover is more important than ever.

If you are looking to buy motor insurance online, choosing a policy with efficient digital claims support and cashless repair facilities can offer added convenience and peace of mind.

You can explore ஸ்டாண்ட்அலோன் ஓன் டேமேஜ் காப்பீடு for Private Car from Bajaj General Insurance for wider protection. It helps cover repair expenses arising from accidents, natural disasters, fire, theft, and other insured events, while offering a convenient, digital-first claims experience.

அடிக்கடி கேட்கப்படும் கேள்விகள்

Can I drive without my own damage insurance?

Yes, you can legally drive with only third-party insurance in India. However, without your own damage cover, you must bear repair expenses for your own vehicle after accidents, theft, fire, or natural disasters.

Is it required to file an FIR for own damage insurance?

Usually, you do not need to file an FIR for minor damages. However, insurers may ask for it in cases involving theft, major accidents, third-party injuries, or significant vehicle damage.

What are the exclusions in an own-damage car insurance plan?

Own damage insurance generally does not cover normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, driving under the influence, invalid licence use, or damage occurring outside the policy terms and conditions.

*Standard T&C apply. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.

பொறுப்புத்துறப்பு: இந்த பக்கத்தில் உள்ள உள்ளடக்கம் பொதுவானது மற்றும் தகவல் மற்றும் விளக்க நோக்கங்களுக்காக மட்டுமே பகிரப்படுகிறது. இது இணையத்தில் உள்ள பல இரண்டாம் நிலை ஆதாரங்களை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டது மற்றும் மாற்றங்களுக்கு உட்பட்டது. எந்தவொரு தொடர்புடைய முடிவுகளையும் எடுப்பதற்கு முன்னர் ஒரு நிபுணரை கலந்தாலோசிக்கவும்.

காப்பீடு என்பது தேவையின் பொருள். நன்மைகள், விலக்குகள், வரம்புகள், விதிமுறைகள் மற்றும் நிபந்தனைகள் பற்றிய மேலும் விவரங்களுக்கு, விற்பனையை முடிப்பதற்கு முன்னர் விற்பனை சிற்றேடு/பாலிசி விதிமுறைகளை கவனமாக படிக்கவும்.