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Car Insurance Claim without Driving Licence & RC: Loss of License or RC Add-on
Team AckoJan 17, 2024
There are certain fundamental documents associated with a car’s comprehensive insurance policy. You need these basic documents/details to buy the insurance policy and to raise a claim. For instance, you need the vehicle’s engine number while purchasing a policy and the policy number to raise a claim. However, insurance is all about uncertainties.
Contents
- How to Get Car Insurance Without a Driving Licence?
- Car Insurance Claim without Driving Licence & RC:
- How to Buy Loss of License/RC Add-on for Car Insurance:
- Auto Insurance For Unlicensed Drivers:
- Why Would A Non-Driver Want To Get Auto Insurance?
- Can You Get Insurance With A Suspended Licence?
- Benefits of Loss of License/RC Add-on:
- Private Car Package Insurance Policy Add-on: Loss of License/RC:
- Commercial Car Insurance Policy Add-on – Loss of License/RC/Permit:
- How Do Motor Insurance Policy Add-ons Work?
- Things to Do If You Lost Your Driving Licence/RC/Smart Card:
- Frequently Asked Questions:
There can be incidents where some of the basic documentation requirements might not be met due to extraordinary circumstances. Claims can be raised and settled even in such cases. Also, you can enhance your Comprehensive policy’s cover with the help of Loss of License and RC Add-on. Read ahead to know more.
How to Get Car Insurance Without a Driving Licence?
Buying car insurance without a licence is possible since it is not mandatory to purchase a policy for your car. However, it is one of the most important documents required to file a claim in case of an unfortunate accident. You cannot produce someone else’s driving licence. Insurance companies will approve the claim only if the DL belongs to the person who was driving the insured car at the time of the accident. If it does get approved, the amount will be credited to the policyholder’s account. Also, you may be able to buy car insurance with a suspended licence; however, this is counterintuitive since the insurer will not approve the claim.
Car Insurance Claim without Driving Licence & RC:
Can you raise a car insurance claim without a driving license? The answer is, yes. Can the same be done without an RC? The answer is based on the terms and conditions and the complexities of the situation, but – it can be done. Purchasing a Loss of License or RC Add-on can also prove to be helpful.
A driving license is not needed to purchase a car. The simple reason being you can purchase a car but choose not to drive it – you can hire a driver. But the driver needs to hold a valid driving license and that is needed at the time of a claim. Similarly, there can be a substantial time frame between the purchase of a car and getting it registered. What if something happens to the car?
If you have a comprehensive policy, then things should work out fine. Alternatively, if you have lost crucial documents, an Add-on like Loss of License or RC can be of assistance.
How to Buy Loss of License/RC Add-on for Car Insurance:
Add-ons are cover enhancers. They extend the scope of the insurance policy’s coverage by charging an amount. You will have to pay extra to purchase these Add-ons in exchange for a better cover, enhanced service, or more convenience. For example, consider you buy the Loss of License or RC Add-on and you misplace your smart card driving license. You can raise a claim for it and the insurance company will compensate you monetarily for the loss.
You can buy the Add-on via the online or offline purchase modes if your insurer offers such a cover. In the case the Add-on is unavailable on the website, you can contact the insurance company through email/call/social media and express your desire to purchase the Add-on.
Auto Insurance For Unlicensed Drivers:
You may have several questions such as “Do you need a licence to buy a car?” or “Is there auto insurance for unlicenced drivers?”. The answer is no for the former and yes for the latter. While most insurance companies might not sell you bike insurance or car insurance if you do not have a DL, there are few insurers who are willing to offer a policy. You will have to research extensively about insurance companies and the coverage for a policy to suit your requirement.
You may want one of your family members to drive the car or you may employ a driver to drive you to work. It is essential you do not withhold information from an insurance company. By not revealing that you do not have a licence and want to insure your car, you are setting yourself for denial of the claim in the future. Ask for suggestions from the insurer and then proceed to buy car insurance.
Primary Driver Lives With You
You will have to be excluded as the primary driver of the car and your spouse, children or any of your family members should be able to buy car insurance without your licence. However, some insurance companies may decline coverage. Check with exclusive insurance providers who offer motor insurance policies based on your requirement. This can also be applied to a situation where the primary driver lives with you but is not your family member. You will have to check insurers who offer this option.
Primary Driver Does Not Live With You
You may be able to insure the car. Several insurance companies only allow you to insure your car, which is titled to the policyholder. Ensure you explain the requirement to the insurance company at the time of buying the car insurance.
Also, read: What is No Claim Bonus (NCB) in Car Insurance?
Why Would A Non-Driver Want To Get Auto Insurance?
There are several reasons why a non-driver would want to own a car and insure it. The following are scenarios when you want car insurance without a driving licence:
1. Someone Else Is Driving You
Perhaps you have employed a driver or a chauffeur to drive you to your office or other places. Or, one of your family members might drive the car that you own and you may not drive at all. In this case, you will have to buy car insurance which will cover your driver and the car.
2. You Have A Vintage Car That You Do Not Drive
As a vintage car collector or an enthusiast, you may not drive the car but cherish owning one. While you may not require a licence since you do not drive it, the car does require insurance to protect it from any potential loss.
3. Your Licence is Suspended
You do have a driving licence to drive a four-wheeler; however, it may be suspended for various reasons. While you cannot drive a car, it does not mean you cannot own a car and insure it. Hence, you may want to buy a car, insure it and have it driven by a driver or one of the family members.
Also, Read: Clean Driving Record: How Your Driving Record Affects Car Insurance?
4. Hold A Learner’s Licence (LL)
Perhaps you have a Learner’s Driving Licence which lets you drive a car under the supervision of a person who holds a valid DL and you want to buy a car. If you want to take delivery of the vehicle before you get the DL, you will still need to buy car insurance. Consult with the insurance company and find out if they will be able to insure the car with the LL.
5. Health Issues
It could be due to physical impairment and you need a driver or a caretaker who needs to drive you around. You still need a car which is insured under your name, but you may not be driving it. Check with the insurance provider if they can offer a policy which will insure your car under your name and include the driver’s details.
Can You Get Insurance With A Suspended Licence?
Rarely will the insurance company offer a policy to protect your vehicle in case your licence is suspended. However, you need to find an insurance provider who is ready to offer a high-risk cover for your car. This may cost you more, but you still get to buy a car and insure it. That said, you will have to provide the primary driver details so that it can be verified during claims.
Now, you may ask “How to get my licence reinstated?”. The answer depends on the transport department or authorities about revoking the suspended licence. You need to check with the respective Regional Transport Office (RTO) to find out the procedure to get your suspended DL revoked.
Benefits of Loss of License/RC Add-on:
Here are the prominent features and benefits associated with the Add-on.
Comes at a nominal cost.
You can receive monetary compensation in the case of loss of crucial documents.
Can be purchased easily along with Comprehensive car insurance online.
Can prove helpful in overall claims settlement as this Add-on demands the submission of a First Information Report (FIR).
It is available for private as well as commercial vehicles.
Also, Read: Clean Driving Record: How Your Driving Record Affects Car Insurance?
Private Car Package Insurance Policy Add-on: Loss of License/RC:
This Add-on can be purchased by you for your private car by paying an additional premium. As a part of the cover, the insurance company will compensate you for the loss or theft of the government-issued driving license or registration certificate within the policy period. The payable amount will be as per the agreed terms and conditions.
Special Conditions:
To raise a claim against this Add-on, you will have to submit a First Information Report (FIR) filed at a police station under whose jurisdiction the loss has occurred.
Required Documents:
This Add-on can be purchased with your car’s Comprehensive plan, which needs the vehicle’s engine and chassis number. To raise a claim, you need an active insurance policy and the above-mentioned FIR.
Commercial Car Insurance Policy Add-on – Loss of License/RC/Permit:
This Add-on is also known as Passenger carrying vehicle Add-on. For example, cabs fall under the commercial car category. Note that a private car’s insurance cover will not work for a commercial car. You need to purchase a dedicated commercial car insurance policy. You can buy this Add-on with such a policy provided it is a Comprehensive plan and not merely a Third-party Liability plan.
Special Conditions:
A First Information Report (FIR) is needed for claim settlement against this Add-on.
Required Documents:
Your Comprehensive commercial car insurance policy needs to be active to raise a claim. Also, the above-mentioned FIR is a must for claims settlement.
Also, read: How to Transfer Bike and Car Insurance to New Owner
How Do Motor Insurance Policy Add-ons Work?
Add-on covers in motor insurance can be purchased for a car and a bike insurance policy. They can be purchased to enhance the vehicle’s insurance cover. Add-ons can be bought with a Comprehensive policy, and you need to pay extra premium, which usually is a fraction of the amount paid for the Comprehensive plan.
Add-ons cater to specific requirements. That is why they are not a part of the Comprehensive policy that offers a generic cover. You can buy Add-ons as per your needs and raise a claim against incidents covered by it. You can choose to have such Add-ons for a year, then not have them for another year, and so on – they can be tailored to your needs.
Things to Do If You Lost Your Driving Licence/RC/Smart Card:
A driving license and a registration certificate (RC) are important documents if you want to drive your car or ride a bike on Indian roads legally. These are the documents that the traffic police ask for along with the insurance papers while conducting their routine checks.
Therefore, if you have lost these documents, you need to apply for duplicate documents immediately. Here’s how you can do so.
Step 1 – Approach the nearest police station and lodge a First Information Report (FIR).
Step 2 – Approach the nearest RTO and request for duplicate license/RC forms.
Step 3 – Submit the filled application form and add the FIR and the supporting forms to it. The applicable forms can be downloaded from the Parivahan website.
Step 4 – Pay the applicable fees.
Step 5 – Receive the duplicate document via post.
Also, read: Mistakes to avoid when filing a car insurance claim
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here is a list of questions and answers that are commonly associated with driving license, registration details, and vehicle insurance.
What information does the RC card hold?
The RC card holds the registration details of the vehicle.
Can I purchase the Loss of License/RC Add-on for my private car if I have a Third-party Liability plan?
Whether you want to purchase the Add-on for a private car or a commercial one, it cannot be purchased with a Third-party Liability only policy. You need a Comprehensive policy for that.
How can I check if my preferred insurer offers the Loss of License/RC Add-on?
You can browse the insurer’s website or contact the insurance company via email, call, or social media channels to know if they offer the Add-on or not.
Can I raise a claim against a Comprehensive car insurance policy if I have a temporary RC?
Yes, it can be done subject to the terms and conditions and submission of the necessary documents.
Is it possible to check the RC status online?
Yes, you can do so on the Parivahan website.
How to get my suspended driving licence revoked?
The procedure differs between states in the country. You will have to approach the concerned RTO to find the steps to revoke your suspended DL.
Can I register and insure my car without a driving licence?
Yes, you can buy, register and insure your car. However, the DL is a mandatory document while registering a claim due to an unfortunate accident. The insurance company requires the driver’s DL before they can review and approve the claim.
What is the penalty or fine for driving without a licence?
The Ministry of Transport has hiked the penalty for driving a car without a licence from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000. This may vary between states, hence, check accordingly.
What to do when your licence is suspended?
Suspension of your DL happens when there is a violation(s) of traffic rules and enforcing authorities have the right to cancel your driving licence. You may approach the respective transport authorities (RTO) to check the procedure to revoke your licence.
How to check the status of my driving licence?
The government has launched Parivahan, a platform which offers transport-related services. One among them is the DL Status. You can visit the web portal of the Parivhan and enter the DL number and the date of birth of the licence holder and get the status of your DL.
Can I renew my suspended driving licence?
It depends on the transport authority and the severity of the case. You will have to reach out to the local RTO to find out the procedure to renew your suspended DL.
Will my driving licence be permanently suspended and can I revoke it?
Yes. If you are caught drinking and driving for the second time, you will be issued a challan with a penalty of Rs. 10,000 as per the latest amended Motor Vehicles Act. Also, your licence will be permanently cancelled with no option to revoke or cancel the suspension.
Is it mandatory to have a DL to get car insurance?
It is not mandatory to hold a DL to buy a car or to insure it. However, the DL is mandatory while raising claims. Insurance companies do not honour a claim if the driver does not have a DL.
Should I continue to maintain my car insurance if I don’t have a licence or can’t drive, but someone else will drive the car?
Yes, you need to renew your car insurance to continue enjoying the benefits, especially in case of a claim due to an unfortunate accident. The insurance is for your car and not for individuals. Also, it is a legal requirement to drive a car on public roads in India.
Can I register my car without a licence?
Yes, you can register the car even if you do not have a licence.
| 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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