Comprehensive car insurance online offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for car owners.
You can purchase comprehensive car insurance online in just a few minutes, and often at a lower cost than traditional insurance agencies.
One of the main benefits of online car insurance is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to choose your coverage limits, deductibles, and add-ons to suit your needs.
This flexibility also means you can customize your policy to include specific add-ons, such as roadside assistance or rental car coverage.
Online car insurance providers often offer discounts for bundling multiple policies or for being a loyal customer.
Some online car insurance providers also offer 24/7 customer support and online claims filing, making it easier to get help when you need it.
What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance is a type of insurance that covers damage to your car from causes other than a collision. It's like having a safety net that protects your vehicle from unexpected events.
Comprehensive insurance will cover your vehicle if it's destroyed by a tornado, dented by a run-in with a deer, or damaged by a break-in. This type of coverage is essential if you live in an area prone to natural disasters or have a history of vandalism in your neighborhood.
Comprehensive coverage can protect your car from things that are out of your control, such as car theft, vandalism, or damage caused by falling trees or objects. If you're not sure what's covered under your policy, check the "Specified Perils" section.
Here are some examples of what comprehensive coverage can cover:
- Car theft/attempted theft
- Vandalism
- Damage caused from falling trees or objects
- Damage caused by an animal
- Weather-related damage from lightning, windstorms, hail, rising water, earthquakes, or fire
Just remember to contact your insurance provider to get a better idea of what's included in your specific policy.
Types of Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive car insurance is a type of insurance that covers you for both standalone own damage and third-party car insurance.
Comprehensive car insurance provides financial and legal protection from damage done to third-party property, injury, or death of a third-party.
It's a good idea to choose a comprehensive car insurance policy, as it covers you for both your own car's damage and any damage you might cause to others.
Here are the different types of comprehensive car insurance policies:
- Comprehensive car insurance covers you for both standalone own damage and third-party car insurance.
- Third-party car insurance is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 and covers you for legal or financial liabilities arising due to an injury caused to a third-party or damage to their property or vehicle.
- Standalone own damage car insurance gives you legal and financial protection to your car from any damage caused due to accident or natural and manmade calamities.
Types of
Comprehensive car insurance is a type of insurance that covers you for both standalone own damage and third-party car insurance. It provides financial and legal protection from damage done to third-party property, injury, or death of a third-party.
A key benefit of comprehensive car insurance is that it covers you for damage caused to your own vehicle, including accidents, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism or vandalism. This means you can have peace of mind knowing you're protected in case of an unexpected event.
Comprehensive car insurance also covers the cost incurred in covering for the loss of life of a third-party, making it a more comprehensive option compared to third-party car insurance.
Here's a breakdown of the different types of comprehensive car insurance:
It's worth noting that comprehensive car insurance is often recommended over third-party car insurance due to its more comprehensive coverage.
Plan Comparisons
Comparing different car insurance plans is crucial to find the best fit for your needs. Start by identifying the coverage limits and deductibles of each plan, as seen in the comparison table in Example 1.
To ensure a fair comparison, make sure all the offers have the same coverage limits and deductibles. Check for optional features, too, such as roadside assistance or accident forgiveness, as mentioned in Example 2.
When comparing car insurance quotes, pay attention to the coverage included, as illustrated in the car insurance quote comparison example in Example 3. This example shows how Geico, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers offer different coverage options, including declining deductibles and accident forgiveness.
To help you make an informed decision, consider the company's rating, complaints, and discounts. For instance, according to the NerdWallet research in Example 3, Travelers has a 5.0-star rating, fewer consumer complaints, and great discounts.
Here's a comparison of the three companies:
Driver
When you have a paid driver, you'll want to consider a specific type of cover for them. This is known as a Driver Cover.
This cover provides personal accident cover for your paid driver, which means they'll receive medical expenses in case of injuries due to an accident.
Comprehensive Car Insurance Plans
Comprehensive Car Insurance Plans offer a wide range of benefits, including unlimited comprehensive claims.
You can choose from various car insurance plans, each with its own set of features. For example, one plan has 3,100 cashless garages, 95% claims settlement, and unlimited comprehensive claims.
Some comprehensive car insurance plans also provide additional benefits such as towing assistance, coverage outside India, and PSU provider status.
Top Plans
When choosing a comprehensive car insurance plan, it's essential to consider the number of cashless garages available.
There are plans that offer over 8000 cashless garages, making it convenient for policyholders to get their vehicles repaired.
Some plans have a more limited network of cashless garages, with around 3100 options available.
Quick claim settlement is a crucial aspect of any insurance plan, and some providers offer a 100% claims settlement ratio.
Other plans may not be as efficient, settling only 95% of claims.
If you're looking for a plan that offers comprehensive claims, there are options available with unlimited comprehensive claims.
Here's a comparison of some top plans:
Why Choose Dekho?
Choosing the right insurance provider can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to car insurance. Here are some compelling reasons to choose InsuranceDekho for your car insurance needs.
You can get your car insurance online in just 5 minutes with their easy, quick, and paperless policy issuance process.
Their dedicated customer support team is available 7 days a week, providing assistance with policy purchase or claim settlement.
InsuranceDekho has won the love and confidence of over 45 Lakh happy customers, thanks to their transparent and quick process, availability of top-rated four-wheeler insurance, and excellent customer service.
Partner Companies
Our partner companies offer a range of comprehensive car insurance plans that cater to different needs and budgets.
HDFC ERGO Car Insurance, for instance, provides extensive coverage for damages, theft, and third-party liabilities.
United India Car Insurance offers a variety of add-ons to enhance the policy's benefits.
ICICI Lombard Car Insurance has a strong network of garages and service providers, making it convenient for policyholders to get their vehicles repaired.
New India Car Insurance offers a 24/7 helpline for policyholders to report claims and seek assistance.
Here are some of our partner companies that offer comprehensive car insurance plans:
- HDFC ERGO Car Insurance
- United India Car Insurance
- ICICI Lombard Car Insurance
- New India Car Insurance
- Royal Sundaram Car Insurance
- Future Generali Car Insurance
- Reliance Car Insurance
- Liberty Car Insurance
- Kotak Car Insurance
- Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance
- Zuno Car Insurance
- Universal Sompo Car Insurance
- IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance
- Cholamandalam Car Insurance
- Digit Car Insurance
- Navi Car Insurance
- Acko Car Insurance
- DHFL Car Insurance
- National Car Insurance
- Oriental Car Insurance
- Sbi Car Insurance
- Magma Car Insurance
- Shriram Car Insurance
- Raheja QBE Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance Add-ons
Comprehensive car insurance add-ons can be a game-changer for car owners. They offer extra protection and peace of mind, but they also come with an added cost.
Adding tyre protection cover to your policy can cover accidental loss, damage, or cuts on tires, including the cost of labour required to repair them. This add-on is a must-have for drivers who frequently drive on rough roads.
Consumable cover is another essential add-on that covers the charges of consumables like engine oil, brake oil, and fuel filter. This can be a significant cost-saver in the long run, especially for drivers who change their oil frequently.
Add-ons
Add-ons can be a game-changer for your car insurance policy, extending the overall protection of your car.
Add-ons come with a price, so every added add-on increases your premium.
You can cover non-electrical accessories like seats, leather-seat upholstery, and interior fittings with the Non-electrical Accessory Cover.
This add-on protects against damages to these items, giving you peace of mind when driving.
The Engine Protection Cover covers the repair or replacement of your engine when required, including damage due to car breakdown.
This is especially beneficial for people living in areas prone to water logging or flood alerts during the monsoon season.
The Tyre Protection Cover covers accidental loss, damage, or cuts on tires, including the cost of labour required to repair them.
You can also opt for the Consumable Cover, which covers the charges of consumables like engine oil, brake oil, and fuel filter.
Lock Replacement
If you're prone to losing your car keys or damaging the lockset, consider adding the Key and Lock Replacement Cover to your comprehensive car insurance policy. This add-on covers the cost of repairing or replacing the keys and lockset of your car.
A damaged lockset can be a real hassle, but with this add-on, you'll be covered for lost keys, damaged keys, and damaged locksets.
Comprehensive Car Insurance Benefits
Buying comprehensive car insurance online comes with numerous benefits. You can save time by handling everything on-the-go at your own pace, avoiding lengthy calls with insurance agents.
One of the most significant advantages is the 24/7 availability of online insurance platforms. This means you can renew policies at your convenience anytime, nights, weekends, or holidays without having to wait for business hours.
Online comparison tools allow you to easily compare multiple insurers and plans side-by-side, review customer feedback, and choose the policy that suits you best.
Benefits of Buying/Renewing
Buying or renewing car insurance online can be a game-changer. You can avoid lengthy calls with insurance agents and save time by handling everything on-the-go at your own pace.
Online car insurance platforms are available 24/7, so you can renew policies at your convenience anytime, nights, weekends, or holidays without having to wait for business hours.
Renewing online makes it easy to compare multiple insurers and plans side-by-side, review customer feedback, and choose the policy that suits you best.
You'll also receive digital policy documents immediately, eliminating delays in mailing and leaving you unprotected.
Buying online often offers lower premiums and exclusive discounts that you don’t get when buying through insurance agents.
You can complete transactions easily through a payment method of your choosing, making it a secure and hassle-free experience.
Renewing online also helps you stay on top of policy renewals with automated alerts, preventing policy lapses that leave you uninsured.
What Is Not?
What Is Not Covered Under Comprehensive Car Insurance?
Ageing and wear & tear of your car are not covered under car insurance policies. This means that as your car gets older, you'll need to budget for maintenance and repairs out of pocket.
Breakdowns, whether mechanical or electrical, are also not covered. So, if your car breaks down on the side of the road, you'll need to arrange for alternative transportation and cover the costs of repairs yourself.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense and will not be covered by your insurance policy. This includes any damages caused while driving in this state.
Driving without a valid driving license is also not covered, so make sure you're always licensed and insured to drive.
Any loss that is consequential is not covered, which means that if an event occurs that leads to a chain of further events, you'll need to cover the costs of those subsequent events.
Any loss or damage caused due to war or nuclear risk is also not covered under comprehensive car insurance policies.
Here are some key exclusions to keep in mind:
- Ageing and wear & tear of your car
- Breakdowns (mechanical and electrical)
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving without a valid driving license
- Consequential losses
- War or nuclear risk
Comprehensive Car Insurance Process
To renew your car insurance online, start by visiting the official InsuranceDekho website and clicking on "Support". From there, select "Renew Policy" to proceed with the process. You'll then enter your mobile number and receive an OTP to log in to your dashboard.
Once you're logged in, you'll see all your policies on the dashboard, so select the one you want to renew. Next, click on the "Renew" button to proceed with payment for renewal. You can make the payment using various modes, including EMI, credit card, debit card, or digital payment applications.
It's worth noting that if your policy has expired, you'll get a grace period between 30-60 days depending on the insurer. Renewing within this period will ensure you don't lose any benefits like No Claim Bonus (NCB) or approval without inspection. However, if you renew after the grace period, you may lose your NCB, face a higher premium, or even require an inspection.
The claim settlement process for comprehensive car insurance also has two types: cashless and reimbursement. In a cashless claim, the insurer pays the repair amount directly to the garage, while in a reimbursement claim, you pay for the repairs and then get reimbursed by the insurer.
Comprehensive Car Insurance Settlement
Comprehensive car insurance settlement is a straightforward process if you know what to expect. There are two types of claim settlement processes: cashless claim process and reimbursement claim process.
A cashless claim process is a convenient option where the insurer directly pays the garage for repairs, and you don't have to pay anything upfront. This process is available at cashless garages.
In a reimbursement claim process, you get your car repaired at a garage of your choice and then submit the billing amount to the insurer for reimbursement. You'll need to provide the garage estimate and repair invoice to support your claim.
To ensure a smooth claim settlement, it's essential to have all the required documents ready. Here are the documents you'll need:
- Original claim form with NEFT mandate form
- Copy of registration certificate (RC)
- Copy of the driving licence of the person driving the vehicle at the time of accident
- Copy of policy
- Certified copy of one officially valid document & PAN card/form 60
- FIR or police report (depending on loss type)
- Garage estimate
- Repair invoice
- Cancelled cheque (in case of non-cashless settlement)
To avoid claim settlement issues, it's crucial to understand your policy, keep documentation handy, notify your insurer promptly, follow the process, and use authorized service centres.
Sources
- https://www.insurancedekho.com/car-insurance
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/insurance/car-insurance
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/estimate-car-insurance
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/comprehensive-insurance.asp
- https://www.tdinsurance.com/products-services/auto-car-insurance/tips-advice/comprehensive-car-insurance
Featured Images: pexels.com