HOW MANY CLAIMS CAN YOU MAKE UNDER YOUR CAR INSURANCE POLICY

Introduction

A car insurance is there to protect you and secure you providing financial backing in case something happens to your car, it is damaged in an accident or even stolen. Thankfully you can claim to get a reimbursement for any damages or repairs that need to be made to your vehicle.

However, at times one may get confused as to when to make a claim. You may wonder, are there any restrictions on the number of claims that can be made to your car insurance plan? Let's take a detailed look to understand it better.

Limit on number of car insurance claims

In general, there are no limitations or restrictions on the number of claims you can make under your car insurance policy. It means that you can file as many claims as you need to in case of any damage to your vehicle due to an accident or theft.

However, in the case of some add-on covers like the Zero Depreciation or the Roadside Assistance cover, there may be a limit to the number of times you can claim in your policy period. Furthermore, in case of recurrent claims, your insurer might add a clause in your policy to restrict such occurrences at the time of renewal. However, these restrictions and limitations differ from insurer to insurer. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of your insurance plan carefully, even upon renewal.

 

Multiple car insurance claims

Though there are no limitations on the number of claims you can make, in the event of multiple car insurance claims raised by you, your car insurance policy can get affected in many ways. These factors include;

• Making multiple claims will make you lose out on the No claim bonus benefits. In case you make no claims during your policy period, you get a discount on your premium amount.
• By filing multiple claims during the policy period might show the insurer that you pose a higher risk, and thus, to cover this, the insurer might increase your premium upon renewal.
• In case you have a zero-depreciation add-on cover, your insurer will not consider the depreciation of your car and its parts while calculating your claim settlement amount for repairs or replacement. Plus, there may be a limitation to how many claims you can make under the cover. Once the limit is reached, the cover will not be functional, and your car's depreciation will get considered at the time of the next claim.

 

To make or not to make a car insurance claim

While there are no limitations on the number of car insurance claims that you can make during the policy period, frequent claims can affect your policy and its premium amount. Thus, it is better to know when is the right time to make a claim and in which situations it can be missed.

When to not make a claim;

• In case the claim amount is lower than the deductible, or if the cost of repair is less than or equal to the deductible, it is not significant to make a claim.
• If the NCB is higher than the claim amount, which means when the discount offered by your No Claim Bonus benefit is higher than the total repair cost, it is not sensible to file a claim, as it will result in you losing your NCB benefit.
• If the damages to the car are very minor, like small dents, scratches, or broken mirrors, it may be more cost-effective to clear the repairs yourself.

 

When to consider making a claim;

• In case the damages to your car are severe that require a considerable amount of repair or replacement, you should go ahead and file a claim.
• If your car has been stolen or gone missing, you must file a claim to recover its cost.
• In case the claim amount is high, especially when compared to the total IDV of the vehicle, you need to consider making a claim.
• In case you have been in an accident, and the other driver was at fault, you will be able to file a claim under Third-party insurance claims. But in such a case, keep in mind that you need not file a claim under your own car insurance policy.

 

Conclusion

A car insurance plan gives you protection against accidents or theft of your vehicle, and making a claim when the cost becomes high is ideal. Remember, though there are no restrictions on the number of car insurance claims you can make during your policy period, be mindful while filing claims to avoid missing out on many benefits of limited claims.

 

FAQs – Frequently asked questions

Let's take a look at some frequent queries on the number of claims you make under your car insurance policy;

 

Q1. When my car is damaged due to an accident or natural calamity, should I file a car insurance claim?

Yes, in case the cost of repairs or replacement of parts ends up setting you back financially, you can file a claim to become stress-free and get protected against financial loss.

 

Q2. Can I make too many claims against my car insurance?

Yes, there is no limit to the number of claims you can make, but making multiple claims can lead to your insurer increasing your amount of premium when you renew your car insurance policy. Furthermore, you may lose no claim bonus that you had accumulated till then.

Q4. Can a car insurance company cancel my insurance policy for making multiple claims?

No, a car insurance company cannot cancel your policy for making multiple claims. However, the insurer can increase the amount of premium when you renew the policy.

Q5. Can I raise a claim if my car has a dented bumper or a broken mirror?

Yes, you can raise a claim for a dented bumper or broken mirror against your car insurance policy, but it is advisable to avoid filing minor cost claims as you lose on your NCB benefit.