How is IDV (Insured Declared Value) calculated for my car? IDV is the approximate current market value of your car, calculated as manufacturer’s listed selling price minus depreciation based on vehicle age. For a car over 5 years old, depreciation can be negotiated. The IDV directly affects your claim payout — if your car is totalled or stolen, you receive the IDV amount. Setting IDV too low saves a few hundred rupees in premium but costs lakhs at claim time.
Can I carry forward my NCB (No Claim Bonus) if I switch insurers? Yes. NCB belongs to you, not the car. You carry it forward to your new insurer with a No Claim Bonus certificate from your previous insurer. NCB ranges from 20% (1 claim-free year) to 50% (5 claim-free years). If you made a claim, you lose the NCB for that renewal cycle. We verify NCB carry-forward before every renewal.
Is zero depreciation (zero dep) car insurance worth buying? Zero dep add-on means the insurer pays the full cost of replaced parts without deducting depreciation. Without it, plastic and rubber parts are depreciated at 30–50%, and older metal parts also get depreciation cuts. Zero dep is strongly recommended for cars under 5 years old. For cars older than 7 years, most insurers don’t offer it, or the premium is not justified.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Chennai? Step 1: Don’t move the car. Take photos and a video of the damage, position, other vehicle, and surroundings. Step 2: Call your insurer or agent (us — 7448324068) the same day. Step 3: Note the other driver’s vehicle number, insurance details, and contact number. Step 4: Go to an authorised network garage for cashless claims (or any garage for reimbursement). Step 5: Keep a written record of what happened.
Can I renew car insurance after it has lapsed? Yes, but after a lapse (even 1 day), the insurer may require a fresh vehicle inspection before issuing a renewal policy. If the car had an accident during the lapse period, that may not be covered. You also lose NCB continuity in some cases. Renewing even 2 weeks before expiry avoids all these complications. Call us and we handle the renewal same-day.
What is the difference between comprehensive and third-party car insurance? Third-party (TP) covers only damage or injury to the other person/vehicle. It is mandatory by law but covers nothing for your own car. Comprehensive covers TP liability plus your own car damage from accident, theft, fire, flood, etc. Almost all car owners in Chennai should have comprehensive cover — the premium difference is usually ₹3,000–10,000 per year depending on car value.
