Guide to getting a duplicate copy of your motor insurance policy 30th November 2022
From commuting to the office to planning a road trip with friends, having your vehicle is a worthwhile investment. However, there are certain rules and regulations you should keep in mind when driving a vehicle. A valid driving licence and insurance are essential to driving a vehicle on Indian roads, and vehicles that lack these important documents are subjected to fines and punishments.
But there are times when you can lose your motor insurance policy documents accidentally. What should be the right measure in the situation? While, your insurance company will guide you through the whole procedure, we help you here with all the basic things to keep in mind.
What are the immediate steps to take after losing your insurance papers?
If you've misplaced or lost your insurance papers, then the immediate steps to take are mentioned below:
1. File an FIR at the nearest station:
The First Information Report (FIR) is important for obtaining duplicate insurance papers. Once you have lost your insurance papers, go to the nearest police station and file an FIR. Report all the necessary details to the officer in charge. Once you've done that, get a copy of the report to keep with you.
2. Apply to the insurance company:
The next step involves the submission of the application to your insurance company. You must submit a written application with details like the policyholder's name, policy number, kind of coverage, and date of issuance, among others. You should also mention the reason for the loss of the documents. The application also requires the photocopy of the FIR to be provided with the documents.
While there are no restrictions on claim filing, it may not be a good idea to do so frequently for the reasons mentioned below:
3. Publish an advertisement:
It is also required to publish an advertisement announcing the loss of your insurance papers. It is to be done in a newspaper so that all the details can be covered for a wider reader base. The details to be included are:
● Registration number of the two-wheeler
● Insurance policy number
● Name of the insurance company
● Name of the policyholder
You will cover the cost of it all. Once the newspaper publication is done, attest a copy of the same with the other documents to the insurance company.
4. The signing of the indemnity bond:
The last step is a bit complicated. Through this, you will be asked to sign an indemnity bond. It will be done on a judicial stamp paper and requires your signature. This bond will be your official request to the insurance company for issuing the duplicate policy documents of your insurance. This bond also states that if you find the original policy documents, you will inform the insurer and return the documents. The signing should be done with the presence of two witnesses. All the necessary details should be provided as well.
After the bond is signed, the insurance company will investigate the matter and verify everything. Once everything is done, a duplicate set of insurance papers will be issued to you.
Following these steps will get you the duplicate papers of your motor insurance in case you've misplaced or lost it. Make sure to apply to your concerned motor insurance company in India to avoid further delays. Also, always be alert and keep your insurance papers safe to minimise the risks of theft or misplacing them.
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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.