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Does Car Insurance Cover Earthquake Damage?

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

Earthquakes can be dangerous. They can lead to loss of lives and damages worth millions of rupees. Obviously, cars can also get severely damaged in such a catastrophic event. But does car insurance cover earthquake damage? If yes, to what extent? Read ahead for the answers.

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Contents

Does your car insurance cover damages due to earthquake?
Do you need comprehensive car insurance for earthquake coverage?
How to file a cashless car insurance claim for earthquake damage
- Documents required to file a claim
Frequently asked questions

Does your car insurance cover damages due to earthquake?

To determine if your car insurance policy offers earthquake damage, you must first understand the different types of insurance plans available in India. Here are the two main types of car insurance plans offered by Indian insurers.

Third-party Car Insurance

A Third-party Car Insurance Policy is designed to cover third-party liabilities such as injury, property damage, etc.

Comprehensive Car Insurance

Comprehensive Car Insurance Plan allows you to file a claim if your car is damaged due to accidents, natural disasters, fire, and so on. It also covers third-party liabilities.

Resuming our discussion about earthquake car insurance. Only those who have a Comprehensive Car Insurance Plan are eligible to file a claim for earthquake-related damage to their car.

Many insurance providers, like ACKO, provide coverage for earthquake-related car damage via Comprehensive Car Insurance. If you have such a policy, you can file a claim and have your car repaired. In the event of serious damage, i.e., damage beyond repair or total loss, you will be compensated for the car’s Insured Declared Value (IDV).

Do you need comprehensive car insurance for earthquake coverage?

Yes, you need comprehensive insurance for earthquake coverage. As mentioned earlier, only this type of policy covers damage to your car. Thus, for any damage to the car (including from a natural calamity like an earthquake) you must have comprehensive insurance coverage.

How to file a cashless car insurance claim for earthquake damage

If you need to register a cashless car insurance claim with ACKO, adhere to the following steps.

Step 1: Log in to your ACKO account via our website/app.
Step 2: Access your car insurance policy.
Step 3: Click "claim," answer a few questions, upload any required documents, and then click "submit."

We will contact you if we require additional information regarding the claim you have just filed. The claim shall be processed based on the applicable terms and conditions.

Documents required to file a claim

When you choose ACKO insurance, no physical paperwork is required to file a four-wheeler insurance claim. Simply upload soft copies of the necessary papers via our website or mobile app. The following documents may be required for a car insurance claim depending upon the complexities involved with your case.

Driver Licence (DL)
Car’s Registration Certificate (RC)
Car Insurance Policy
First Information Report (FIR), if required
Proof of identification of the policyholder
Fire brigade report (if necessary)
Original car keys
How to choose the right car insurance policy

Here are some suggestions for selecting the best insurance policy for your car.

1. Know your requirements

Depending upon factors like the car's usage, model, location, etc., you may have different requirements from your car insurance plan. In most cases, buying a Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy is the best option, as it covers your car as well as third-party liabilities.

2. Consider purchasing online car insurance

Thanks to digital insurers like ACKO, you can now choose and purchase your car insurance plan without relying on someone else. This also helps avoid commissions, as you buy the plan directly from us, not through a middleman. Thus, buying car insurance online reduces the premium.

3. Choose the correct Insured Declared Value

The Insured Declared Value (IDV) is one of the major factors that has an effect on the car insurance premium. Thus, you must be mindful while setting the IDV of your car. If you set a higher value, then the premium will increase. On the other hand, setting a lower value can lead to losses in case of a total loss (damage beyond repair) claim. The key to setting the right IDV is to research the current market value of your car. You can do this easily online.

4. Compare plans online

Checking car insurance plans from several providers is simple when done online. You can avail of the free car insurance quote from insurers’ websites and compare the coverage, exclusions, costs, and other aspects of the plans easily.

5. Choose the best insurance company

Finally, choosing a trustworthy insurance company will help you a lot. The insurer must provide adequate coverage at a reasonable cost, process claims quickly, and respond to your concerns promptly. These things can be verified using the insurer's social media handles. You can go through the comments and views of existing customers and decide whether you want to purchase the plan from a specific insurance company.

Frequently asked questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about car insurance and claims from earthquake damage.

Is natural disaster coverage included in car insurance?

Damage to your car caused by natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and so on is covered if you have a Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy.

How many days after the incident can I file a car insurance claim?

You must file a car insurance claim as soon as practically possible. Insurers allow some time between the time of the incident and claims in case the policyholder has been injured. But you must immediately file the claim if you are medically fit.

Is it true that earthquake damage affects car insurance rates?

If you raise a claim for earthquake damage you may lose the accumulated No Claim Bonus, and this may lead to an increased premium. This is how an earthquake can affect car insurance rates.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content, and before making any insurance-related decisions.

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