Third-Party Car Insurance – Buy Third-Party Insurance Policies

What is third party car insurance?

Third-party insurance for a car is a cover to protect you from any major liability occurring during your own car accident, such as injuries or damage to third party property. Your insurance company will compensate you for the repair and hospitalization costs of a third party. Hence, you can get a financial cushion for repair work on the third party car.

How does third party car insurance work?

When you have invested in a 3rd party car insurance policy for your car, you are secured against third party liabilities that you might face if your car is responsible for third-party financial losses. If your car causes third party death, physical injury or property damage and your car are found to be responsible for such contingencies, you would incur a legal liability against the third party. You would have to pay the financial damages suffered by the third party. The third-party vehicle insurance policy covers these financial liabilities that you face. The policy would pay for the financial damages that the third party has suffered due to your insured car.

Features of third party car insurance

Here are some of the salient features of a 3rd party car insurance cover that you should know about –

• In the case of new cars, the cover should be taken for a long term period of 3 years. For older cars, however, coverage is available on an annual basis.
• The premium of 3rd party car insurance is determined and reviewed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. The premium can change every financial year.
• The car third party insurance price depends on the engine capacity of the car.
• You can opt for a personal accident cover for the driver/owner of the car with the mandatory third party cover.
• In the case of third party claims, you would have to file a police FIR.

Why do you need four-wheeler third party insurance?

If you own a car, you would need a four-wheeler third party insurance policy to drive the car in India. It is simply because of the fact that the policy has been made mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. As per the Act, every car has to necessarily carry a valid four wheeler third party insurance cover to legally run on Indian roads. If you are found without a valid third party cover, you would face legal consequences. So, for complying with the basic legal mandate, you need a 3rd party car insurance policy.

Benefits and importance of third party car insurance plans

Here are some of the key benefits and importance of third party car insurance plans that make them a must-buy –

• Freedom from legal fines and penalties 

  The main benefit of having third party coverage is an escape from legal fines and penalties. If you are caught driving without third party coverage, you are liable to pay hefty fines. Moreover, in the case of serious accidents, lack of coverage might also lead to imprisonment or other legal consequences. So, a third party cover is recommended to avoid such legal hassles.

• Financial compensation

  The third-party car insurance coverage shoulders the financial burden that you might incur in case of third party losses. As such, it provides you with financial security and saves your finances from being threatened by unforeseen emergencies.

• Cost-effective

  The car third party insurance price is low and affordable. As such, it is quite cost-effective compared to the coverage that it offers.

• Ease of purchase

  You can invest in a suitable policy of third party car insurance online. The process is easy and convenient. Moreover, third party car insurance online offers instantaneous coverage.

• Good scope of coverage

  Third-party bodily injuries and deaths are covered without any upper limit. The financial liability decided by the motor accidents claims tribunal is paid by the third party policy. As such, you can avail of unlimited coverage for third party bodily injuries. In the case of property damage, however, coverage is allowed for up to INR 7.5 lakhs which is a considerable amount.

Third-party policy for commercial vehicles

Even commercial vehicles in India are required to be insured under a third party plan. Thus, you can find third party policies for commercial vehicles too. Such policies are also offered by insurance companies where the premiums are different from the car third party insurance price. All types of commercial vehicles can be covered under a third party policy.

Third-party premiums

As stated earlier, the car third party insurance price is fixed by the IRDAI. For the financial year 2021-21, IRDAI has proposed third party premium rates for cars. Here are the proposed rates for private cars in India 

In the case of electric vehicles, both private and commercial, IRDAI has proposed a discount of 15% on third party premiums. For hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, a discount of 7.5% has been proposed. 

Add-ons under third party car insurance

Though the third party car insurance policy provides the basic mandatory cover, it also offers you the option of customizing your policy with a few add-ons. The add-ons that are available with 3rd party car insurance plans include the following –

• Add-on for personal accident cover for owner/driver for a value of INR 15 lakhs
• Add-on for personal accident cover for co-passengers for a value of INR 2 lakhs
• Add-on for personal accident cover for paid or hired driver of the car

Third-party v/s comprehensive car insurance plans

Besides third party coverage, car insurance plans are also offered as comprehensive plans. Comprehensive plans are those that cover third party liabilities as well as damages suffered by your own car. 

Here are the major differences between the third party and comprehensive car insurance plans –

Drawbacks of third party car insurance 

Though a third party car insurance policy provides the mandatory cover, it is better to opt for a comprehensive car insurance plan. This is simply because of the fact that third party plans do not cover the damages that your car suffers. So, if in an accident, your car also suffers considerable damages or if your car is stolen, the financial loss that you suffer would not be covered by the 3rd party car insurance policy. You would have to shoulder the financial costs yourself. Since such costs can be considerable, comprehensive coverage is recommended if you use your car frequently.

Points to keep In mind while raising a third party car insurance claim 

Unless you are aware of the basics, raising insurance claims can be a stressful process. However, if you stay informed about the details of the process, you will be able to handle any issues that may arise. The points to keep in mind while raising a third party car insurance claim are-

1. Lodge an FIR report in case of an accident, along with which you will also need to inform the insurance company. Without these two steps, a claim settlement process won’t initiate.
2. The third-party needs to provide valid proof to prove the mistake of the other party.
3. It is advised to settle small losses and minor damages outside court, otherwise, it takes up a lot of time in proceedings.
4. There is no set limit on the coverage of personal damage faced by the third party, while for property damages, the maximum coverage is INR 7.5 lakhs.

How to make third party car insurance claims

To make a claim in your 3rd party car insurance policy, you would have to follow specific steps. These steps are given below –

• Informing the insurer

  The first step is to immediately inform your insurance company whenever you suffer a third party claim. This helps you to avail of claim assistance services from the insurer. Moreover, your claim is also registered with the company and you get a claim reference number for tracking your claim status.

• Filing a police FIR

  Then, you should file an FIR with the police authorities of the area where the claim has occurred. A police FIR is a mandatory document for third party claims.

• Claim handled by the motor accidents tribunal

  Third-party claims are transferred to the motor accidents claim tribunal that assesses the claim and then passes a judgement regarding the financial liability that you face. It might take time for the tribunal to pass its judgement and your claim would be settled only after the tribunal’s proceedings are done.

• Claim settlement by the insurer

  Once the tribunal passes its judgement, you would have to inform the insurance company of the same. The insurance company would, then, pay the claim directly to the third party. You would also have to fill up and submit a claim form along with various documents that include the following –

  • Policy bond
  • Driving license
  • Identity proof
  • Ruling by the tribunal mentioned on a court document
  • Medical bills and reports, in original, in the case of third party injuries
  • Any other document as needed by the insurer

Once all the steps are followed, the third-party claim would be settled and closed.

You can also take Turtlemint’s assistance for third party car insurance claims. Just visit https://www.turtlemint.com/raise-claim/ and click on ‘Raise a Claim’. Choose the type of policy under which you want to raise your claim, the name of the insurance company, policy number, your mobile number, and the details of the claims. Submit these details and Turtlemint’s claim department would help you get your claim settled within the shortest possible time.

How to buy third-party car insurance online? 

1. Visit the website of Turtlemint. 
2. Go to the website and click on ‘Find Car Insurance Plans’. Then enter the car registration number or click on ‘I don’t have a registration number’, after which you’ll be prompted to enter your registration area.
3. Then fill in your personal information. Complete the remaining fields on the website as directed. 
4. Several plans will pop up on your screen. Choose the plan most suitable for you and pay the premium. All major credit/debit cards, as well as net banking, are accepted for payment. 
5. Then you will receive a soft copy of your third-party car insurance policy through email almost immediately. You may either print and file this or simply access it through your email at any time