Motor insurance, also known as auto/vehicle insurance, provides coverage against damage or theft of a vehicle, as well as third-party liabilities. All vehicles must have at least third-party motor insurance at the time of purchase or registration. Read about the different types of motor insurance policies available and their features and benefits. Also, check the coverage details of these different types of motor insurance policies.
Features and benefits of motor insurance
Motor insurance policies provide several benefits to the policyholder, including:
- Coverage against damage or loss of the vehicle due to accident or theft
- Coverage against third-party liability for property damage or bodily injury
- Personal accident insurance cover for the owner/driver of the vehicle
- Flexibility to choose the level of coverage and premium based on the vehicle type and usage
- Cashless claim settlement at network garages
Types of motor insurance policies
There are three main types of motor insurance policies, tailored to the different vehicle types:
Car insurance:
Car insurance is a type of motor insurance policy designed specifically for cars, including private cars, sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. This policy provides coverage against damage or loss of the car due to accidents, theft, or natural disasters. It also covers third-party liability for property damage or bodily injury.
Two-wheeler insurance:
Two-wheeler insurance secures two-wheelers like scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds against damage or loss due to accidents or theft. It also covers third-party liability for property damage or bodily injury. The policyholder can choose from different levels of coverage, including third-party only, third-party with fire and theft, and comprehensive coverage.
Commercial vehicle insurance:
Commercial vehicle insurance is a type of motor insurance policy designed for commercial vehicles like trucks, buses, and vans. Like the above insurance policies, this too provides coverage against damage or loss to the vehicle due to accident, theft, or natural disasters, as well as third-party liability.
Different types of coverage under motor insurance
Know about the different coverage types of motor insurance policies in detail.
Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive insurance provides coverage against damage or loss to the vehicle due to accident, theft, or natural disasters, as well as third-party liability. It also covers personal accidents and injury to the policyholder and passengers. Additionally, it covers damages caused by riots and theft. You can also opt for add-on covers to enhance your vehicle insurance.
Third-party insurance: Third-party insurance is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act. It provides coverage only against third-party liability for property damage or bodily injury. If the policyholder causes an accident resulting in damage to third-party property or bodily harm, the third-party insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs or medical expenses.
Own damage insurance: Own damage insurance covers the damages or losses caused to the insured vehicle only. It does not cover third-party liability. It covers damages caused by accidents, theft, fire, riots, or any other natural or manmade disasters.
Personal accident insurance: Personal accident insurance provides coverage for the owner/ driver of the vehicle in case of injury or death due to an accident. As per IRDAI, insurance companies must provide personal accident cover up to Rs. 15 lakh on the chosen vehicle insurance. It covers medical expenses and provides compensation in case of disability or death.