HDFC Ergo Private Car Insurance

What is car insurance?
Car insurance is a type of insurance policy required to provide protection to your vehicle against any damage which might result into a financial loss. In addition to it, any third party liability which has arisen due to use of your vehicle is covered under car insurance. As per the Motor Vehicle Act, it is mandatory to buy a liability only policy without which one cannot use the vehicle on road.

What is a comprehensive insurance policy?
A comprehensive insurance policy provides protection to your vehicle due to any impact damage, fire, theft, earthquake etc. In addition to this, it provides cover against any third party liability in term of death, bodily injury and third party property damage.

Should I buy a comprehensive or a third party car insurance cover?
As per law, only third party liability only policy is required without which one cannot use the vehicle on road. However, under third party liability only policy, any damage to your vehicle due to fire, theft, earthquake, terrorism etc is not covered and it could result into a huge financial loss. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a comprehensive cover as it provides financial protection along with protection from third party liability.

What are the various types of car insurance policies?
There are two type of car insurance policies – comprehensive and liability only policy

What are the various long term policies available for car insurance?
As per the Supreme Court directive, with effect from 1st Sept, 2018, every brand new car owner has to buy a long term policy. You may choose from the following long term policies for your prized possession:
1.    Liability only policy for 3 years policy duration
2.    Package policy for 3 years policy duration
3.    Bundled policy with 3 years liability cover and 1 year cover for own damage

Is car insurance policy mandatory?
Yes, the Motor Vehicle Act states that every motor vehicle plying on the road has to be insured with a Liability Only policy at the very least.

What is Zero depreciation cover or bumper to bumper coverage?
Zero depreciation is an add-on cover and has to be purchased by paying additional premium. It offers complete coverage to your vehicle without factoring into depreciation. For instance, if your vehicle is badly damaged, then you don’t need to pay for any depreciation charges and will be eligible for full claim amount subject to terms and conditions of the policy.

How does emergency assistance programme work?
Emergency assistance is an add-on cover and has to be purchased by paying additional premium. It has multiple benefits like assistance in case of breakdown, tyre replacement, towing, fuel replacement etc which can be availed during the policy duration. Customers need to call up the customer care number mentioned on the policy for availing these benefits.

What is No Claim Bonus?
Quite simply, it's a discount in the Own Damage Premium payable when renewing your policy after a claim-free year. It is an incentive for driving carefully and avoiding accidents.

All types of Vehicles    % of Discount on Own Damage premium
No claim made or pending during the preceding full year of insurance    20%
No claim made or pending during the preceding 2 consecutive years of insurance    25%
No claim made or pending during the preceding 3 consecutive years of insurance    35%
No claim made or pending during the preceding 4 consecutive years of insurance    45%
No claim made or pending during the preceding 5 consecutive years of insurance    50%

What happens when I wish to renew my expired policy?
You can easily renew your expired policy online. You need to download Self Inspection application and upload the documents, once the documents are approved by HDFC ERGO, a payment link would be sent and you may make the payment to renew the policy. Once the payment is made, you will receive the policy copy.

What happens to my No Claim Bonus while renewing an expired policy?
No Claim Bonus is valid up to 90 days from the previous policy expiry date. If the policy is not renewed within 90 days, No Claim Bonus will become 0% and no benefit shall be passed on to the renewed policy.

What is IDV? What are the factors deciding IDV?
The Insured’s Declared Value (IDV) of the vehicle will be deemed to be the ‘SUM INSURED’ and it will be fixed at the commencement of each policy period for each insured vehicle.

The IDV of the vehicle is to be fixed on the basis of the manufacturer’s listed selling price of the brand and the model of the vehicle proposed for insurance at the commencement of insurance /renewal and adjusted for depreciation (as per schedule specified below). The IDV of the side car(s) and / or accessories, if any, fitted to the vehicle but not included in the manufacturer’s listed selling price of the vehicle is also likewise to be fixed.
AGE OF THE VEHICLE    % OF DEPRECIATION FOR FIXING IDV
Not exceeding 6 months    5%
Exceeding 6 months but not exceeding 1 year    15%
Exceeding 1 year but not exceeding 2 years    20%
Exceeding 2 years but not exceeding 3 years    30%
Exceeding 3 years but not exceeding 4 years    40%
Exceeding 4 years but not exceeding 5 years    50%

What are the benefits of buying car insurance online?
No paperwork and physical documentation are required and you will get your policy instantly.

What will happen when you sell your car?
Existing insurance policy can be transferred in the name of buyer by passing an endorsement. Supporting documents like sale deed/form 29/30/NOC of seller/NCB recovery shall be required to pass an endorsement under the existing policy.

or

You may cancel the existing policy. Supporting documents like sale deed/form 29/30 shall be required to cancel the policy.

How can I transfer my No Claim Bonus to a new vehicle?
Existing vehicle has to be sold off on the basis of which an NCB reserving letter would be issued by the existing insurer. On the basis of the NCB reserving letter, this benefit can be transferred to the new vehicle

What is the procedure to transfer my insurance?
You need to approach the insurer with supporting documents for transfer of insurance. Supporting documents would include sale deed/form 29/30/NOC of seller, Old RC copy, Transferred RC copy and NCB recovery amount.

How do I renew my expired car insurance policy?
You can easily renew your expired policy online. You need to download HDFC ERGO Self Inspection application and upload the documents, once the documents are approved by HDFC ERGO, a payment link would be sent and you may make the payment to renew the policy. Once the payment is made, you will receive the policy copy.

How can I register a claim if I have a HDFC ERGO Car Insurance policy?
You may register a claim either on HDFC ERGO’s website or through its call centre or HDFC ERGO’s mobile app

What is the procedure to register a new claim?
You may register a claim either on HDFC ERGO’s website or through its call centre or HDFC ERGO’s mobile app

How much time will it take to repair minor damages?
With Overnight Repair Facility, repair of minor damages shall be completed overnight. Facility is available only for private cars and taxis. Process for overnight repair facility is mentioned below

1. Claim needs to be intimated through the call center or HDFC ERGO mobile application (IPO).
2. Our team will reach out to the customer and request for vehicle damage photos.
3. Damages limited to 3 panels will be accepted under this service.
4. Vehicle may not be repaired immediately post intimation as the workshop appointment and pick-up is subject to vehicle part and slot availability.
5. Customer saves on the time they have to spend on driving to and back from the garage.
6. Currently this service is available in 13 selected cities which are Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

Why do I need car insurance?
Car insurance is a mandatory in India. Moreover, you need a protection shield for your priced possession so that any financial loss/damage is covered as a consequence of accident. In case of such incident you damage is taken care by the insurance company.

What are the benefits of buying car insurance online?
One of the biggest advantages of buying car insurance online is that it involves zero documentation and paperwork. You can also choose between multiple payment options.

How quickly I can buy car insurance online?
Buying Car is a matter of few minutes. All you have to do is fill in the details and precede the payment. Your car insurance policy is sent to your email address instantly.

Do I need to have a valid insurance policy to get my new vehicle registered?
Yes, you need to valid third party car insurance policy for registration of your vehicle. Even a TP (third party) car insurance policy will also help in same at RTO.

Are offline and online car insurance policy same?
Yes, both are same. The only difference is that in online, once the payment is done, we send you policy on your registered email address and residential address.

In case of my job and place change, what happens to my motor policy?
In case of a location change, the policy will remain more or less the same. However, the premium may change depending on the city you have shifted. It is because the insurance rates differ based on the registration zone of the car. Once you shift to the new location, you must update your new address, which you can do online by visiting the insurer's website.

What happens to the 4 wheeler insurance policy, if I sell my car?
The insurance policy has to be transferred from your name to the new owner. Supporting documents like sale deed/form 29/30/NOC of seller/NCB recovery amount are required for this. However, you can transfer the No Claim Bonus accumulated in your policy to your name which can be used for your new vehicle. You also have the option to cancel the existing policy at the time of selling.

How do I get a copy of my car insurance policy online? Will the printout of the softcopy serve as the original document?
You can get a copy of your car insurance policy online by going through the following steps:
Step 1- Visit the HDFC ERGO website and select the option to download an e-copy of your policy.
Step 2 - Enter your policy number and registered mobile number. An OTP will be sent to that number for verification.
Step 3 - Enter the OTP and provide your registered email ID.
Step 4 - A copy of your car insurance policy will be sent to your mail ID in PDF format. You can then download the policy and print it.
You can use the printout of the soft copy as the original document. "

What are the different modes of payment accepted online? Are there different schemes?
You can pay the premium through a credit card, debit card, or a net banking facility. The premium has to be paid in a lump sum. The installment scheme is not available.

Am I eligible for a car insurance discount if I install anti-theft alarm and locking system?
Yes. If you add an additional layer of protection, it will lower the risk for the insurer in case of a theft, and so, you will be rewarded with a discount.

What is bumper to bumper car insurance?
Bumper to bumper insurance is an add on cover in car insurance that protects the vehicle's depreciation value. You can opt for this cover along with your comprehensive car insurance policy. With the help of this add on cover, you can get the complete claim amount from the insurer without deduction of the vehicular part depreciation.

How can I change/modify my car insurance policy details?
If you have a car insurance policy with us, you can call on the HDFC ERGO Customer Care number-18002700700. Our call centre executives will help you modify or update your car insurance policy details.

Does HDFC ERGO resolve claims beyond city limits?
During intimation to HDFC when filing for the claim, you must have the following 3 documents ready for reference:

• RC book

• Driving license

• Policy number along with policy copy

At the time of an accident, take down the number of the other car involved and try to take sufficient pictures and Video of the accident spot with the vehicle and objects involved. This step will help you to explain the incident while claiming and also in case you want to file an FIR in the police station.

Once you have taken these initial steps, just relax, take it easy and give a call on the HDFC ERGO Customer Care number-18002700700 or simply log on to WWW.HDFCERGO.COM to register your claim. Post claim Intimation you will receive the Claim Number via SMS and in case of Call Center Intimation the executive on call will provide you with the reference claim number. In the event of theft of the insured vehicle, the company will hire a private investigator to track the same and for this purpose all associated documents will be collected from the police. In this case, the claim settlement process may take up to 60 days.

What is the meaning of Depreciation in car insurance?
Most assets, like our cars, see wear and tear over a period of usage, leading to a dip in the total value of the asset. This is called depreciation. While raising a claim against vehicular damage, the insurer considers the depreciation value while making the final payout. It is, therefore, advisable to opt for a zero depreciation policy.

Zero Depreciation insurance means that despite the value of your car going down with time, you get complete coverage on expenses incurred in case of damage. Have a relevant zero dep car insurance plan, or simply top up your comprehensive car insurance plan with the bumper-to-bumper HDFC ERGO add-on!

Once the inspection request is logged online, how long does it take to get the car policy?
It depends on the insurer. You may get it in a day or two, or the process can take a week.

Am I eligible for a discount if I am a member of Automobile Association of India?
Yes. Most car insurance companies in India offer decent discounts on the premium if the policyholder is a member of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

What are electrical and non-electrical accessories? How do you calculate their value?
Electrical accessories in a car usually include music system, ACs, lights, etc. The non-electrical accessories are the interior fittings in the car, like seat covers and alloy wheels. Their value is calculated according to their initial market value and then the depreciation rate is applied.

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘legal liability of the paid driver’?
It means that if the car owner has hired a driver and if the latter meets with an accident while driving your car, then the insurance company will provide compensation for his injury/ loss of life.

Where can I view the list of cashless garages in my city?
Usually, the list is available on the insurer’s website. You can also check with your insurance agent or call the customer care number if you can’t locate it.   

What is an ARAI-approved car-theft device? What are the benefits of installing the same?
Ranging from high-end locks to alarms, anti-theft devices are gadgets that protect your car. You need to get one certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) if you wish to avail the anti-theft discount on the car insurance premium.

How much fine do I have to pay in case I do not have car Insurance?
As per the Motor Vehicles Act 2019, the fine for driving without insurance is Rs 2,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months for the first time. For subsequent offence, the penalty is Rs 4,000 and/or jail term of up to 3 months.

What are the different types of Motor or Car Insurance Policies and what does it cover?
The different types of car insurance plans are:
Liability only policy: The Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, makes it is compulsory for car owners to have a valid third party insurance policy, and non-compliance of the rule can lead to heavy penalties. This policy covers bodily injury (or death) or property damages done to any third party in case of an accident caused by the insured party, on the condition that it wasn’t a deliberate act or done under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
Comprehensive plan: Buying this policy is optional, but it is highly recommended by experts. It covers damage done to your own vehicle as well as that done to a third party. Apart from accidents, it also covers thefts and damages done to the vehicle by natural calamities like flood, lightning, earthquakes, etc. or malicious acts like riots, strikes, and terrorist activity. This plan can be bought for a single year or for long term.
Standalone Own Damage Car Insurance: This offers exclusive protection to your car that may get damaged due to accidents, calamities, fire or loss due to theft. It doesn’t cover treatment for injuries of the driver, or any damage done to the third party, unlike a comprehensive plan.   
Other plans are also available depending upon the type of car i.e. Private Car Insurance and Commercial Vehicle Insurance.

Benefits of renewing from the same insurer?
If you didn’t make a claim during the policy period, you get No Claim Bonus. Apart from a discount on your insurance premium, your insurer is most likely to offer additional benefits when you renew the policy. These rewards might include a sizeable decrease in deductibles or an accident forgiveness option, which means zero increase in premium even after an accident.

Disclaimer:

​​​​​​​^based on NL reports for FY22 - Settlement Ratio in FY22 for motor OD Claims - 100% Count of OD Claims Paid in FY22(excludes repudiation & zero) - 4,35,626 Amount of claims paid in FY22 - Rs. 1,12,044 (amount in lacs) or Rs.11,20,44,00,000 Formula used for Settlement Ratio - (Claims Settled + Claims Repudiated + Claims Closed) / (Claims Reported) ¯Over-night motor repair service for minor damages made available to HDFC Ergo Policyholders, subject to extent of damage, bandwidth of the motor garages empanelled especially for the services in selected 16 cities and the requirement to appoint surveyor, etc. The Company shall be liable to settle the claim basis of the terms and conditions of the policy document for the concerned vehicle (Up to 3 panels or Rs.20,000 - whichever is higher. Available across 16 cities - Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Kanpur, Madurai, Coimbatore) ˇas on 1st Oct 2023 - 7721 active cashless garages . °°Additional premium will be charged for add on cover *The above mentioned third party premium of 1 year is for Cubic capacity < 1000 CC as on 1st June 2022 and may vary depending on the cubic capacity of the vehicle ~*Personal Accident Cover for vehicle OWNER DRIVER @1.55 crores+ active customers as on November 2021