Car Insurance Claim: It's not the insurance company, but these 7 mistakes of yours that are causing your insurance claim to get stuck..

The biggest relief after a car accident comes when the insurance claim is settled quickly, and the car is repaired without any hassle. However, sometimes car insurance claims get stuck or are unnecessarily delayed. People often blame the insurance company for this, but experts say that in more than 70 percent of cases, the delay is due to our own small mistakes. If you understand these mistakes and follow the correct procedure, the claim can be settled much faster.

Major Reasons for Car Insurance Claim Delays

1. Delayed Notification
Delaying notification to the insurance company after an accident is the most common reason for claim rejection. Most insurance companies require notification within 24 to 48 hours of the incident. A delay can raise suspicion with the company, causing the claim to get stuck.

2. Incomplete or Incorrect Documents
A small mistake in the claim form, not having a copy of the FIR, or missing essential documents like the driving license and RC (Registration Certificate), slows down the claim process. In such cases, the insurance company re-verifies every detail, which takes time.

3. Not Filing an FIR
In cases of third-party damage, vehicle theft, or a major accident, filing an FIR is legally mandatory. Without a copy of the FIR, the insurance company will not process the claim, which can lead to delays.

4. Driving Under the Influence or Breaking Traffic Rules
If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, or if a major traffic rule was violated, the insurance company can directly reject the claim.

5. Not Understanding Policy Terms
Many people file claims without reading their policy. If the damage falls under the policy's exclusions list, the claim will be rejected. Therefore, it is essential to understand what your policy covers and what it doesn't.

Easy Ways to Get Your Car Insurance Claim Quickly
Notify on Time
Inform the insurance company within 24-48 hours of the accident. Keep your policy number and complete incident details ready beforehand.

Gather all documents in advance.
Keep the FIR copy (if required), driving license, RC, policy copy, and claim form together to avoid any delays.

Take photos and videos.
Take photos and videos of the accident site, vehicle damage, and the surrounding area from multiple angles. If there are any witnesses, note down their names and contact numbers.

Choose the online claim option.
Many companies like HDFC Ergo and ICICI Lombard offer online claim facilities. This method is faster and involves less paperwork.

Think carefully before claiming for minor damages.
If the damage is minor, think before filing a claim. Filing a claim may result in the loss of your no-claim bonus, which will increase your premium next time.

Keep track of your claim status.
After filing the claim, regularly check its status on the company's website or app.

What the rules say
According to IRDAI rules, the insurance company must settle the claim within 30 days of receiving all necessary documents. If the claim is not settled within the stipulated time or there is an unreasonable delay, you can file a complaint on the IRDAI grievance portal, 'Bima Bharosa'.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.