How to Use the Here App to View PUC Details and Car Insurance Validity?
How to Use the Here App to View PUC Details and Car Insurance Validity?
Buying a car comes with a list of prerequisites that one must pay attention to, for staying out of legal and financial trouble. In India, these mandates come in the form of car insurance, a pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and the like. Since these documents are issued with a validity period, it is essential to renew these on time to avoid penalties.
Now, checking the validity of your car insurance and PUC certificate is easy with Here App. You don't have to go through the hassle of finding all these documents and inspecting each one.
Car Insurance
Car insurance offers financial protection if the insured vehicle gets stolen, involved in an accident, or damaged due to natural or man-made disasters. The type of policy you purchase dictates the coverage you get. Below are the primary car insurance policy types in India:
- Third-party insurance
Third partycar insurance is made mandatory by the Motor Vehicles Act. It protects the policyholder against the financial liabilities arising from injuries/deaths of third parties or damage to their property caused by an accident involving the insured vehicle.
- Own damage insurance
Own damage insurance covers damages caused to the insured vehicle due to accidents, human-made disasters, natural disasters, theft, fire, and the like. An own damage cover is optional but helpful.
- Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive car insurance offers the benefits of both third-party and own damage insurance. It financially protects the policyholder against third-party liabilities and damages caused to the insured vehicle due to accidents, human-made disasters (like riots and terrorist acts), natural disasters (like earthquakes and cyclones), thefts, fire, and other unforeseen events.
Validity of Car Insurance
Car Insurance policies usually has a validity of a minimum of one year. However, according to the new Motor Vehicle Rule, the owner should purchase car insurance with three years of validity for newly bought cars. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India mandates that car insurance must be renewed before its expiry date to avoid any legal actions. Most insurance companies also provide a grace period of 15-30 days post-expiry for the renewal of the policy.
It is necessary to check the car insurance policy expiry date to renew it timely, thus keeping it valid.
How to Check Car Insurance Validity on Here App?
To check your car insurance validity on the Here app, follow the below steps after downloading the app:
- Log in using your mobile number
- Go to the Auto tab at the bottom of the page
- Enter your vehicle registration number
- The app will fetch and display the details of your car like RC details, chassis number, etc.
- Click on the Insurance option on that page, and the car insurance validity will be displayed
If your insurance has expired, along with that information, there will be an option to ‘buy insurance’. To renew your car insurance:
- Click on the ‘buy insurance’ option, HDFC ERGO insurance page will appear
- Enter your vehicle registration number and click on ‘View Quotes’
- You can then select the insurance cover: Comprehensive or Third party
- You will be asked to select your previous policy status from the following options
• Not expired: You will get the policy instantly
• Expired less than 45 days: Pre-inspection of the vehicle may be required
• Expired between 45 to 90 days: Pre-inspection required
• Expired more than 90 days: Pre-inspection required and NCB discount not applicable
• Now, a question will appear asking if you have claimed in the previous year. Choose yes or no.
• Select the NCB mentioned in the last policy from the options given
• A pop-up asking to fill in your details will appear
• Fill in the required details and click on view quote
• The premium amount will be displayed
PUC Certificate
The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 mandates a PUC certificate proving the carbon emissions of a car are within the permissible levels set by the government. You will have to obtain this certificate to legally drive your vehicle. There are authorised emission testing centres across India that issue this certificate.
Validity of PUC Certificate
Typically, car dealers give a PUC certificate with a one-year validity when they sell a new car. However, upon its expiry, you must get a new certificate, and the validity for that is 6 months.
Checking the Validity of PUC Certificate on Here App
After downloading the Here app, all you have to do is:
- Log in using your mobile number
- Enter your vehicle registration number if you are using the app for the first time and the vehicle is not added in the Here app.
- The page will show the details of your car
- Click on the PUC option on that page to view the validity of your PUC certificate
- If your car is already added, after logging in, click on PUC Status option or the Auto tab on the home page.
- The vehicle details along with the options for PUC, Challan, and Insurance will appear
- Choose PUC to see the status
If your PUC has expired, get a new pollution certificate. You can find an emission testing centre near your house by clicking the ‘find nearby PUC centres’ option under the PUC tab. The app will display the nearby centres after accessing your location.
How to Obtain a New PUC Certificate?
- Take your four-wheeler to the nearest emission testing centre.
- Wait for the testing centre operator to analyse the exhaust emission by putting the testing device inside the vehicle exhaust pipe.
- They will generate a PUC certificate with the emission readings
- Pay the applicable fees and collect the PUC certificate
You can get a new PUC certificate at:
- Fuel stations with emission testing centres
- Licenced standalone emission testing centres
- Authorised emission testing centres using computerised testing equipment
Penalty For Not Carrying a Valid Car Insurance or PUC Certificate
Carrying a valid car insurance policy document and PUC certificate is mandatory while driving in India. Not doing so attracts penalties as stated below:
| Document type | Offence type | Penalty |
| Insurance policy | First time | Rs. 2,000 and/or 3-month imprisonment |
| Second time | Rs. 4,000 | |
| PUC certificate | First time | Rs. 1,000 |
| Second time | Rs. 2,000 |
These penalties can vary by the state. The traffic police would give you a challan, which you can clear online or by visiting the nearest traffic police station.
Features of Here App
The Here app makes it easier to deal with everything related to your vehicle documents. Some of the beneficial features of this app are
• It allows you to purchase or renew an insurance policy
• Get reminders about insurance policy expiry
• View existing vehicle challans
• Get notifications about new challans
• Manage your PUC status and set reminders about its renewal
• You can also view daily fuel prices
• Avail SOS services (like towing and garage access) if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere
• Locate EV charging stations
In short, Here app is a one-stop solution for all your vehicle-related needs, be it documents or car maintenance assistance.
Conclusion
Having a valid car insurance policy and PUC certificate can go a long way in helping you use your car without attracting any legal action. So, don’t delay their purchase/renewal any longer!
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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