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Duplicate Car Insurance Copy Online - Steps, Action Items

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 states that it’s mandatory for all car owners to insure their vehicle under the Third-party Liability policy that provides a cover in case of an accident. Alternatively, you can also opt to invest in a Comprehensive car insurance policy which covers you and your vehicle.

Your car insurance is an important and a legal document which outlines the finer details of the contract between you and the insurance company. It’s essential to keep it safe right through the policy period.

Now, let us assume that your car is involved in an accident, and you want to claim for damages, but then you realise that your policy document is lost. However, all is not lost! You can get a duplicate car insurance copy with ease – you just need to know where to look.

Contents

How to Get Duplicate Car Insurance Papers?
Steps to Get your Lost Car Insurance Policy:
Download Car Insurance Copy:
Apply for a New Car Insurance Policy:
Points to Keep in Mind:
FAQs about Duplicate Car Insurance Document:

How to Get Duplicate Car Insurance Papers?

The process to get a duplicate car insurance policy document is not as difficult as you might think it to be, especially if you have chosen a policy through an online insurance company. Obtaining a copy of your car insurance document is also important if it’s fully or partially destroyed.

To get your duplicate car insurance papers through the traditional method, follow the below steps:

Steps to Get your Lost Car Insurance Policy:

1) Inform Your Insurance Company:

Letting your insurer know about losing your car insurance document should be your first step. You can call the insurance company on their toll-free number or write an email to get a duplicate car insurance policy paper. It’s important you inform about the loss of the policy papers at the earliest so that the insurer can start the process of issuing a duplicate copy of your insurance policy.

2) File a First Information Report (FIR):

In case you’ve lost your car insurance policy papers and unable to trace it, file an FIR with the police. Upon receiving the FIR copy from the police, submit it to your insurance company along with a written application. This will help you to justify your position when you apply for the duplicate copy of your insurance policy.

3) Publish a Newspaper Advertisement:

This is a standard procedure when you apply for duplicate insurance papers. You’ll have to place an advertisement in a state newspaper as the circulation of the ad covers the state in which you lost your policy papers. Keep in mind that you’ll have to bear the cost of the advertisement being published.

4) Submit an Application to Your Insurance Company:

Apart from informing your insurer through a call, you need to send a hard copy of your application requesting to issue a duplicate vehicle insurance policy. You have to mention important details such as your name, insurance policy number, date of issue, type of coverage, etc. Along with these documents, submit the FIR copy with details of how your car insurance policy document was lost.

5) Get an Indemnity Bond:

The final step is to get an indemnity bond to procure the duplicate car insurance papers. This document needs to be acknowledged by a notary. Ensure the indemnity bond includes your full name along with the signatures of two witnesses. Pay the required stamp paper fee to procure the bond. Upon receiving the indemnity bond, submit it to the insurance company to process your request for a copy of your car insurance policy document.

Also, read: Vehicle Scrappage Policy in India

Download Car Insurance Copy:

While the traditional process to procure a duplicate copy of your policy might be lengthy and time-consuming, new-age digital insurers are promoting paperless transactions, making it a hassle-free experience for customers.

You can log in to your account with your credentials such as ID number, policy number, etc. Once you are logged into your account, you can view your policy document, download or take a printout.

This removes the difficult process of getting a duplicate policy document through the offline or traditional method. The online access to your insurance details also lets you perform several other actions such as renewing your car insurance policy.

Apply for a New Car Insurance Policy:

In case you are unable to trace your policy papers and do not know details such as the policy number or the date of procuring the policy, and are unable to get any information from your insurance company, you may consider buying new car insurance online.

With the advent of new technologies, the process to buy car insurance is hassle-free and easy to procure. You can choose from a third-party coverage or you could opt for a comprehensive car insurance policy – which secures you and your vehicle in case of an unfortunate incident.

Also, read: Motor Floater Policy

Points to Keep in Mind:

While driving or riding a vehicle, it’s mandatory to have third-party vehicle insurance, and if you’re caught driving without insurance, it’s considered illegal. So, do not delay in procuring a duplicate copy of your insurance policy in case it is lost.
Ensure the safety of your vehicle-related documents like your car insurance. You can take advantage of mobile apps such as DigiLocker and mParivahan which can store your documents digitally and you need not carry the physical format of the documents.

FAQs about Duplicate Car Insurance Document:

How do I find my car insurance policy number?

If you have purchased your car insurance online, log in to your account to view the policy document which includes the policy number as well. However, if you have chosen an offline mode of buying the insurance, you’ll have to visit the nearest branch of your insurer to obtain the information.

Is the policy number same as group number?

No. A group number is issued when an insurance policy is taken by a company for its employees. However, a policy number is exclusive to you and the policy which you hold.

What are the advantages of buying car insurance online?

Paperless transactions and no physical documentation. These are the two most important advantages of buying a car insurance online. It enables the insurer to process your application for car insurance much faster than conventional insurance companies. Also, the claim settlement is efficient and faster.

What are the required documents needed for a car insurance claim?

Here is a list of documents required for claim settlement:

1. Copy of your insurance policy.

2. Your driver’s license.

3. Duly filled-in claim form.

4. Registration Certificate of your vehicle.

5. PUC or Pollution Under Control certificate.

6. Fitness certificate.

7. Police report or FIR.

8. Original repair bill, cash receipts, etc.

What’s the procedure to raise a car insurance claim?

Call your insurance company and inform the incident as well as the extent of damage to your vehicle. Your insurer will let you know the next course of action to take it forward.

Can I renew my policy if it’s already expired?

Yes, you can renew the policy even after it has lapsed post satisfactory inspection of the vehicle by your insurance company.

I have lost my insurance policy. Can I get a duplicate one?

Yes. If you have availed the insurance policy with an online insurance company, log in to your account, where you can view, download or take a printout for your reference. However, if you have availed the insurance through the offline mode, you may have to visit the nearest branch of the insurer to procure the duplicate copy of your insurance policy.

What are the types of vehicle insurance policies?

There are two main types of vehicle insurance policies in India – liability only and comprehensive policies.

Which are the documents required to be carried while driving a car?

You need to carry documents such as your Driving License, Registration Certificate of your vehicle, Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate and the insurance policy.

Can I register a claim if my vehicle meets with an accident during the grace period?

No. Your insurance policy stands invalid when it expires and you are not covered against any risks during the grace period.

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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