Car insurance claims require specific documents to be submitted for verification and assessment by the insurer. This applies whether you purchased your car insurance online or offline. These documents help confirm policy validity, vehicle details, driver information, and repair-related costs. Having clarity on the required paperwork ensures that the claim process moves forward without unnecessary back-and-forth.
This article outlines the complete set of documents generally required during a car insurance claim, presented in a clear and structured manner for easy reference.Claim Form
The claim form is the insurer's official record of the incident and the request for settlement. It usually captures accident particulars, the nature of damage, driver details, and the chosen route for settlement. In the cashless claim process, it also authorises coordination between the insurer, surveyor, and network garage. Accurate, consistent entries reduce clarification calls and prevent delays at the assessment stage.
Copy of Car Insurance Policy
A copy of the policy schedule helps confirm the insured vehicle, the policy period, deductibles, and any add-ons that affect settlement. It is also used to verify declared values and special terms, if any. A clear policy copy reduces mismatches between vehicle records and insurance details. It also supports a clean reading of policy benefits when the insurer assesses payable items.
Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
The RC is used to validate ownership and key vehicle identifiers, including registration and chassis details. These are matched with the policy to confirm that the inspected vehicle is the one insured. If the RC reflects financing arrangements, the insurer may also check whether any payment instructions need to align with those records. An updated RC copy helps when details have changed since the policy was issued.
Driving License of the Driver
A driving licence is required to confirm that the driver is authorised for the relevant vehicle category. Insurers typically verify validity, licence class, and basic issuance details. A readable copy helps the verification team complete checks without repeated requests. If someone else was driving at the time of loss, their licence details are assessed in the same way.
FIR Copy (Where Required)
An FIR or equivalent police record may be requested when the incident needs formal reporting or when liability must be examined. This documentation can also support timelines and occurrence details for claims linked to third party car insurance. If additional police papers are issued, they should be shared along with the FIR record, where applicable, to keep the file complete for review.
Photographs of Vehicle Damage
Photographs support the claim by recording the visible damage before repairs start. Clear images that allow identification of the vehicle and the damaged areas can help the surveyor validate findings and reduce disputes about the condition at the time of reporting. Where the vehicle is moved before inspection, timely photographs can still assist the initial assessment and keep the approval cycle moving.
Repair Estimate From Garage
A repair estimate is an advanced cost sheet that explains the work proposed by the garage and the likely charges. For cashless claims, it helps the insurer and surveyor evaluate whether the scope of repair aligns with policy terms. For reimbursement, it offers an early view of expected costs before payment is made. Estimates should carry vehicle identifiers and be issued on the garage's official documentation.
Original Repair Bills and Invoices
For reimbursement claims, original invoices are the primary proof of repairs completed and the amounts charged. Itemised bills help the insurer apply deductions that may arise under policy rules, including depreciation and deductibles. The final invoice should align with the approved scope and surveyor observations. If parts are replaced, the insurer may ask for confirmation that replacement was necessary, based on inspection records.
Payment Proof
Payment proof supports reimbursement by showing that the billed amount has been paid to the garage. It should clearly reflect the date, amount, and payee and match the final invoice totals. If payments were made in more than one transaction, the documents should still reconcile to the same final figure. Keeping the records clear reduces the chance of queries during settlement processing.
Surveyor Report
The surveyor's report records the inspection findings and the insurer's assessment basis. It typically notes damage observations, recommended repairs, and the payable amount as per policy terms. During this stage, additional documents or clarifications may be requested, and timely submission helps avoid pauses in approval. For larger repairs, a follow-up inspection may be carried out before final settlement is processed.
Conclusion
A claim becomes easier to process when documents reach the insurer in a complete and consistent set. Keeping the claim form, policy copy, RC, licence, FIR where applicable, repair estimate, original invoices, payment proof, and survey records organised helps reduce rework and speeds up decisions. Regular updates during car insurance renewal online also support smoother claims, because policy and vehicle details stay aligned when an incident is reported.
