Accidents or unexpected events like theft or damage to your car may lead to many challenges, but having a reliable car insurance policy with ample coverage protects you financially in such cases. A car insurance policy allows you to make a claim and cover the cost (subject to the terms and conditions of your policy) of damages to your vehicle from the insurance company.
Filing a car insurance claim is a predetermined process, and you must provide some documents and information to the insurer when filing a claim. Now, suppose you are making a Tata AIG car insurance claim, and suddenly, you realise an important document like your Registration Certificate (RC) is missing. Can you still file a car insurance claim without it?
Let us explore further about it and get the answer in this article.
What is Registration Certificate (RC)?
A Registration Certificate or RC is a legal document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where your vehicle is registered. It establishes ownership and provides details about your vehicle, such as:
- Car Make
- Car Model
- Engine Number
- Chassis Number
- And Registration Number.
A vehicle RC acts as proof that your vehicle is registered with the government and is an essential document for various purposes, including filing insurance claims.
Can You File a Car Insurance Claim Without the RC?
Yes, you may file a claim even if you have lost your Registration Certificate (RC). Although your car’s RC is one of the most important documents required in the claim process, the claim process does not solely depend on it.
There may be a situation where you lose your car’s RC, or it gets damaged in a car accident. Moreover, it may have been stolen along with your car in the case of a theft. Thus, you can still file a claim against your car policy under such genuine situations with an alternative document.
Alternate Documents to File a Claim Without the RC
- FIR (First Information Report): FIR is an official record that establishes incident details required while making claims for accidents or theft.
- Driving License: It serves as legal driving proof to identify you and your connection to the vehicle.
- Car Insurance Policy Copy: It is one of the essential documents with the coverage details required to proceed with the claim process.
- Claim Form: It is required by most insurers in which the policyholder fills out the incident and damage details.
- Photos and Evidence: Supporting evidence like accident photos and witness statements.
Steps to Take When Filing a Claim Without the RC
- First, immediately notify your car insurance company about the situation.
- Follow their guidelines and keep the documents ready that are needed to file a claim without the RC.
- Collect all the relevant evidence, including photographs and videos, to establish your connection to the vehicle.
- Fill out the claim form accurately and provide all the required details about the incident, damages, and parties involved.
- Cooperate with the insurance company during the investigation and provide any additional information they might require.
- Stay in regular contact with your insurance company to track the progress of your claim.
Can I Claim For Four-Wheeler Insurance If the Car is Not Registered?
You can not file an insurance claim if your car is not registered. The insurance is a legal contract between you and the insurance company, which requires strong proof that your car is not illegal.
Therefore, before binding the contract with you, they asked you for the Registration Certificate that proves your identity, your connection with the vehicle, and its legal status.
So, if your car still needs to be registered, complete the registration process and obtain the necessary online car insurance coverage before taking it out on the road.
Ways to Prevent Issues with the RC
Accidents are unexpected, but as a rational person, we can take a proactive approach to prevent such issues. It will help you to avoid the complexities while filing a claim. Here is what you can do:
- Maintain photocopies of every document required in the claim process in a safe place.
- Keep all your documents secure and organised, where you can easily find them in case of an emergency.
- You can maintain the digital records of every document, communication, important pictures, and video on cloud storage like your mail. Also, you can save it on your mobile phone in one place. It can serve as a backup in case physical documents are lost.
Final Thoughts
Policyholders face some challenges in filing insurance claims without an RC, but it does not necessarily prevent them from filing a car insurance claim. Ultimately, it depends on the insurance company’s policies and your ability to provide enough evidence to compensate for the need for RC.
It is always advisable to maintain proper documents and records and follow proper claim procedures to ensure a smooth claim experience.
