As a new owner of a car, one must apply for car insurance as it can guard you financially in case of any accidents. If you have already bought a car insurance policy, you must know the insurance claim works in an emergency since it will help you get out of the difficult situation.
To cut the story short, an insurance claim in a certified appeal that you, as a holder, make to the insurer. The company will compensate for the damage. However, applying for an insurance claim is challenging, so we will try to help you out with a simple process.
What is A Car Insurance Claim?
It is basically a report, filled by you if you find yourself involved in an unfortunate car accident. This can happen if you accidentally hit a car or suffer from any other unfortunate condition. This includes car theft, fire or accidental damage and third-party damage.
Types of Claims
Before you get to know about the claim process, you should look out for the three major types that are given below:
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Third-Party Claim
Third-party claims are reported when the insured car is the cause of injury, damage or death to a third party. This type covers the material damage and medical and other expenses. You, as a policyholder, can also settle the legal expenses if a case is filed against you.
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No-Fault Damage
In this type, you will have the right to claim insurance from their insurance company. A no-fault damage claim states that the other driver accepts the mistake, and their insurer will cover the losses.
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Own Damage Claim
You can make your own damage claim when your car is stolen or damaged accidentally. However, this type of claim requires a comprehensive insurance policy.
Required Documents for Car Insurance Claim
To claim car insurance in Pakistan, the required documents are listed below that you should keep in mind:
- Original Driving Licence
- Verified Documents
- Original CNIC/Smart Card
- Original Slips or Payment Receipts
- FIR’s Copy and Additional Documents
Steps to follow for Car Insurance Claim in Pakistan
When you have insured your car with a company, you will find claiming is straightforward. If you have met an unfortunate car accident and you are not aware of the claiming process in Pakistan, then the following steps will assist you:
Terms and Conditions: Primarily, you need to make sure to read all the terms and conditions. Figure out the things covered if you are to report a claim immediately.
Give a Call: Ensure everyone’s safety first, then reach out to your insurer. If your insurer is one call away from you, then call him immediately after the accident.
Explaining the Situation: Briefly explain the situation to your insurer like how you met an accident and how much you have damaged your car or others’. Tell them your policy number and other required policy information.
Verification: After confirmation, the insurer will help you out of the situation by giving you instructions. You might need to go to their nearest authorised service centre or workshop.
Surveyor: You will receive a surveyor to inspect the situation to understand what exactly happened. The report will include pictures of the damaged parts and the estimated cost.
Settlement: Once you get your car repaired, the company will pay the bills. It is worth noting that you may have to bear some of the repairing costs, based on your policy’s deductibles. You can take possession of your car once you have cleared your dues.
Things to Keep in Mind for Car Insurance Claim
There are multiple things you should keep in mind when claiming your car insurance.
Essential Details
When you inform your company after the accident, you should provide every essential detail. You should inform them about your location and whether your vehicle is in a driveable state or not. This is necessary for you to get timely aid.
First Information Report (FIR)
You should also file a First Information Report (FIR) with the nearby police. Normally, it is needed in hit-and-run and car theft cases. The situation varies from case to case, and the type of insurance policy you have.
Arrange CCTV Footage
If your car is stolen and you want to file a claim, you will have to present CCTV footage to the police.
Inform the Company about Car Repair
It would be best if you did not get your car repaired without briefing the company. It can abolish your car insurance claim. You need the surveyor to make a report to finalise the estimated cost.
Payment method
Insurance organisations in Pakistan usually do transactions through cash, online transfers, bank drafts or cheques. Mainly, it depends on the user to choose the payment mode.
Deadline for a Car Insurance Claim Settlement
The deadline for a claim process can differ significantly from a few days to numerous months. The process speed depends on various factors, and a few are given below just for your clarification:
- The sooner you report your claim, the sooner it will take for an insurer to start the process.
- The minor claims will go under process quickly as compared to the serious claims.
- The more eyewitnesses you have by your side, the more simply the process will go. The eyewitnesses will help you speed up the process.
- If someone challenges you on your claim, it can retard the process.
Bottom Line
A car insurance claim is definitely a daunting subject. However, the right thing is to remain calm and get an understanding of the situation. By going through the basics and steps, you can make sure to make a claim effortlessly.
Remember to get every possible information and be honest in describing the situation to the insurer. The report should have all the shreds of evidence and the witnesses that will help you to make a car insurance claim.
