Steps to Download Your Car Insurance Policy Document

Posted on: Jun 6, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Steps to Download Your Car Insurance Policy Document

A car insurance plan is a major requirement for every four-wheeler owner. You cannot legally drive a car in India unless you have a valid motor insurance plan with you. These days, you can easily buy comprehensive insurance online and have a digital copy of the policy document. However, you also need a physical copy with you in the vehicle and if you are pulled over by a traffic police officer, you need to show the car insurance policy document. This is why it is important to download a copy of the policy and keep it with you in the vehicle. Take a look at this article to know how this can be done and why it is a significant step to complete.

Buying car insurance online

As mentioned above, it is very easy to buy car insurance online these days. You can complete the process in just a few minutes while comfortably sitting at home. The policy will be issued instantly and the policy document will be mailed to you. You can even compare the car insurance price and then make a perfect selection.

It is compulsory for you to get car insurance as it protects your vehicle, and third-party vehicles and also offers protection to you and the others who may ride in your car. It also keeps your finances protected and gives you legal protection. Hence, getting a good car plan is both practical as well as mandatory.

Steps to download

The traffic police department often carries out random checks on cars. When this is done, all the documents need to be shown, along with the motor insurance policy documents. This is why everyone needs to have a hard copy of the policy documents. If you buy the plan offline, you will automatically get the hard copy of the plan then and there.

However, when the purchase is done online, the soft copy is sent to your email id. Many insurance providers also mail you a hard copy of the document. But it takes some time for the documents to reach you via post. In the meanwhile, you can download a copy of your third-party or comprehensive insurance plan by following these simple steps:

1. Visit the website of your insurance provider.

2. Log into your account by entering your personal details like your name, phone number, and password, if needed.

3. Enter your policy number.

4. If you can't remember the policy number, enter your vehicle’s registration number.

5. View the plan and ensure all the details are correct.

6. Download the document and take a printout.

As you can see, it is very easy to download a car insurance plan from the website of your insurer, so go ahead and do it if you don't have the hard copy with you.

How to get a duplicate policy?

It is easy to get a duplicate copy and you can follow the steps mentioned above if you wish to do so. It is important to get a duplicate copy if you have misplaced the original document. Common reasons why people look for a duplicate copy of the policy document include:

1. Damage to the document

After you compare car insurance prices and get the best policy, you need to keep a copy of the documents in your car. If however the documents get damaged for any reason, you should look to get a duplicate copy. The policy documents often get damaged when they are kept folded in a tight folder for many days. The document can also get damaged when your car gets damaged in an accident. Whatever the reason, ensure you get a duplicate copy if you suspect there is any damage to the physical copy of the document.

2. Misplaced document

You may misplace the document due to several reasons. If you can't find the car insurance policy in your vehicle or at home, look to get a duplicate copy. You can do so by visiting the website of your insurance provider and downloading the document and finishing it off by taking a printout.

3. Lost document

If your car insurance policy document is lost, you can get into serious trouble. If the policy comes into the possession of the wrong person, he can misuse it and you may get entangled in some serious problems. Hence, file an FIR and inform your insurance provider at the earliest before you download and take a duplicate copy of your car insurance policy document.

Here’s how you can get a duplicate of the policy:

1. Download Your Car Insurance Policy Online:

• First, you need to go to the official website of HDFC Ergo.

• Click on the Help or Customer Support area.

• Look for the option called "Email Policy Copy" or "Download Policy.

• Fill in your name, policy number, registered mobile number, or email address.

• Complete verification using the OTP sent to your registered contact.

• Once confirmed, you can download car insurance policy as a PDF or get it emailed immediately.

This method works whether you have comprehensive car insurance, which offers extensive coverage, or a third-party car insurance plan, which only covers damages to others.

2. Request a Hard Copy:

If you wish for a hard copy, then check your insurance provider's website and fill in the necessary information to obtain a hard copy, or you can directly contact their customer care for help.

3. In case of lost policy number:

No policy number? Don't worry. Try these steps:

• Check for emails or SMSes from your insurance company.

• Now login to the portal of the insurer with your registered details.

• Use the mParivahan or e-Vahan application of the government for policy information.

No matter what the reason is, in the absence of the original, you need to get a duplicate copy of your policy document and keep it with you in the vehicle. You can also get some photocopies in store at a safe place in your home.

Details Mentioned in a Car Insurance Policy Document

When you purchase a car insurance policy, the document you receive is packed with essential details that outline everything you need to know about your coverage. Let me break it down for you, so you know exactly what to expect when reviewing your policy.

1. Vehicle Information:

Your policy mentions the car's make and model, engine number, chassis number, VIN, and registration number, all of which uniquely identify your vehicle with the policy.

2. Policyholder Information:

Your name, address, date of birth, and occupation will be on it. If others share the policy with you, their names might also be included.

3. Inclusions and Exclusions:

A comprehensive list of what is covered for, like theft or damage and what is not, such as ordinary wear and tear.

4. Policy Coverage Details:

This section outlines whether you’ve opted for a comprehensive car insurance policy or a third party car insurance. It will include your premium amount, any deductibles, discounts applied, and add-ons like roadside assistance or zero-depreciation cover.

5. Policy Term:

It indicates the date when your coverage starts and ends, down to the minute in most cases.

6. Driving Rules:

It mentions the owners and users who are entitled to drive the insured vehicle. For example, only authorized licensed drivers are covered.

7. Terms and Conditions:

This section details all the fine print regarding claims, renewal, and cancellation.

When purchasing car insurance, you’ll also need documents like your vehicle registration certificate, driving licence, and previous insurance policy. Familiarising yourself with these details makes sure you’re never caught off guard and fully understand your coverage!

Conclusion

As you can clearly see from the points mentioned above, there are some very good reasons why you should download your car insurance policy document and keep it in your vehicle at all times. And now that you know how to download car insurance policy, go ahead and get it done at the earliest.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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