Buying a car is an exhilarating experience. One spends countless hours test-driving various models to pick the right vehicle with the jazziest features and top-notch safety requirements. But between this selection, a critical thing that often gets ignored is the motor insurance policy.

The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 requires all vehicles to have an insurance policy. A motor insurance policy is necessary to legally drive a car, along with your driving license and vehicle registration document. This article is a one-stop guide to buying a car insurance policy and things you need to know.

Car insurance plans are broadly categorized into comprehensive and third-party car insurance. A complete policy provides broad coverage for you, your car, and third-party liabilities. In contrast, a third-party cover offers a limited range of penalties due to third persons. The law makes it compulsory to have a third-party body to ensure the safety of others at its bare minimum. You can purchase 3rd party car insurance; the premiums are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

What falls under the purview of your car insurance policy?

Your policy’s coverage is based on the type of plan you select, i.e., third-party or comprehensive. Events like lightning, earthquake, floods, hurricanes, etc., are covered by a comprehensive cover. It also extends to providing coverage for human-made events like burglary, theft, damage in transit, act of terrorism, etc. While these form part of a comprehensive policy, third-party and personal accident cover are mandatory. Any disability, either temporary or permanent, is covered under this policy, whose coverage extends to ₹15 lakhs. Lastly, a car insurance policy includes mandatory coverage for third-party liabilities. This cover is the minimum requirement that every vehicle owner must have and protects the policyholder against liabilities raised by the third person.

What are things to remember when buying a car insurance plan?

Third-party coverage is the minimum requirement, but you must consider the best possible coverage to ensure your car’s safety. To pick one among the many options, note the following points and decide based on it.

Policy terms: Knowing the policy terms will help make a careful evaluation at the time of purchase. A common oversight by most buyers is that they check for the inclusions but miss the exclusions part. These exclusions can be a deterrent to your buying choice. So, make a prudent decision based on the scope of the policy to make an informed choice.

Add-on covers: Add-ons are insurance riders that enhance the policy coverage. These add-ons help to extend the scope of the insurance plan. So, before you buy car insurance online, understand how these add-ons benefit to avail of maximum coverage based on your requirement.

Claim procedure: It is another critical factor to consider. Knowing the steps of making an insurance claim is essential since it helps to understand how quickly the claim shall be settled and the procedural formalities you should know.

Remember these tips when buying a car insurance policy to ensure comprehensive coverage for your car. Knowing what you are purchasing and clarifying any concerns beforehand is essential.