How to Claim Motor Insurance Due to Cyclone Damage?

Natural disasters may strike at any moment, wreaking devastation on your possessions when you least expect it. Nature's fury might be as scary as a massive bomb going off. Automobiles are undeniably one of our most valuable possessions. As a result, it's vital to ensure that our cars and other belongings are safe in the event of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and storms.

How to File a Claim for Car Damage Caused by a Natural Disaster?

If natural catastrophes have damaged your car or motorbike, you may quickly file a claim with your insurance if you have individual damage or comprehensive coverage. The insurance industry is shifting online as a result of the pandemic, so you may make your claim directly on the insurer's website. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has mandated that insurers hire nodal personnel to assist in claim receipt, processing, and payment. If your car is damaged, follow these steps:

1. Notify the Insurance company Straight Away

Resist the urge to chop down a tree or a post that has fallen on your automobile. Instead, call your insurance company as soon as possible—preferably within 48 hours—and provide them with details about your vehicle and policy number.

2. Please do not Start your Vehicle

If your automobile is flooded, don't try to start it. Attempting to start a flooded vehicle's engine will almost always result in insurance coverage being denied.

3. Take Photos of the Evidence

The insurer will ask you to share or submit images of the damaged vehicle in order to assess your claim. Take as many pictures as you can to show the damage clearly and completely. Remember, once the car is taken to a neighboring garage, these images will be the only documentation you have. As a result, taking as many images of the damage as possible and keeping them safe until the claim is fully processed is a smart idea.

4. Allow Enough time for Assistance to Arrive

Across the country, insurance firms have partnered with garages. They will assign service workers from the garage to tow your car away and inspect it once they have been notified. Before alerting the insurance provider, the garage will assess the damage and expenditures. The payments will be reimbursed based on your insurance coverage and the amount of the claim. It goes without saying that if certain components are destroyed that aren't covered by the policy, the owner is liable for the expenses of repair.

5. It's Possible that a Surveyor will be Necessary

To evaluate the damage to a huge SUV, luxury car, or motorcycle, a surveyor may be brought in. It is typically done when the claim is worth more than Rs 50,000. The vehicle is deemed a total loss if the damage expenditures exceed 75% of the Insured Declared Value, and the IDV is calculated using the car's depreciation. Even if the settlement sum is less than what you would have paid for the car, it will still be less. To collect the whole amount you paid for the vehicle, you may add an invoice cover to your regular car or motorbike insurance policy. This is especially true if your car is brand new.

Take Away

While insurance is essentially a preventative financial safety net, you can only profit from it if you follow the rules. Storms are expected to grow more regularly in the future, and insurance claims may eventually be entirely digital. While these extreme weather events may suck up a lot of your time, it's vital to understand how to get the most out of your car or motorbike insurance to avoid further financial damage. While you stay safe at home, make informed judgments about your vehicle insurance policy and obtain comprehensive coverage to protect yourself from such risks.