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What Documents are Required for a Car Insurance Claim?

Q: Will filing a claim affect my No Claim Bonus (NCB)?

Will filing a claim affect my No Claim Bonus (NCB)?Yes. If you make an own-damage claim, it usually results in your No Claim Bonus being reset or lowered, which can lead to your next renewal premium going up by a big margin. If the damage is very small and the cost comes pretty close to or is even lower than the sum of your deductible plus the NCB discount, then you might be better off paying the amount from your own pocket without filing a claim. As for third-party liability, your NCB is not impacted in most cases.

May 15, 2026

To make a claim for car insurance, you will normally require: details of your insurance policy, i.e. your policy number and ID card, your driver's license, the police/accident report, photos of the damage, the other driver's information (if any), vehicle registration, repair quotes, and records of medical treatment (in case of injury claims). The documents you provide will serve as evidence that your insurer depends on to confirm the details of the accident, evaluate who is at fault, measure the level of damage, and figure out the amount to be paid.

What Documents are Required for a Car Insurance Claim.webp

Contents

List of Documents Needed for Car Insurance Claims
Documents Required by Claim Type
Third-Party Claim Documents
Personal Injury Claim Documents
Total Loss & Write-Off Claim Documents
Common Documentation Mistakes That Delay or Deny Claims
Frequently Asked Question on Documents Required for a Car Insurance Claim

List of Documents Needed for Car Insurance Claims

Any insurer will require this minimum set of documents before they can proceed with your claim, no matter what kind of claim you are filing - collision, theft, liability, or natural disaster.

Document / Item	Description
Insurance Policy Card & Number	Your policy ID card issued by the insurer. It not only verifies that your coverage is active but also acts as the first step when you file a claim.
Valid Driver's License	The driver's license at the time of the incident. Should be valid and unexpired; both sides might be necessary.
Vehicle Registration Certificate	Proof that a vehicle is legally registered in your name, or at least in the household's name, serves as verification of vehicle ownership and is also necessary for insurance purposes.
Accident / Incident Report	A detailed description of the accident, specifying date, time, place, and the individuals involved.
Police Report (FIR)	It is required if the accident results in an injury, severe damage, or a conflict of opinions. It is the police or other law enforcement officials who issue it.
Photographs & Video Evidence	Photos or videos with the exact time of the vehicle, accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any apparent injuries.
Witness Contact Information	Independent witnesses' names, phone numbers, and statements for forming your evidence.
Dashcam or CCTV Footage	If video evidence is available, it can be a decisive factor in disputed cases. Preserve and submit such evidence.

Documents Required by Claim Type

In addition to the universal documents above, each type of claim requires specific additional paperwork. Here is a comprehensive breakdown:

Claim Type	Additional Required Documents
Own Damage (Collision)	Repair estimate from workshop, surveyor's inspection report(if asked Loss above 50%), vehicle RC, Driving License
Theft Claim	FIR + NTC (Non traceable certificate), all sets of vehicle keys, RC, NOC from RTO, Form 29/30/35, loan NOC (if applicable)
Fire Damage	FIR, investigation report, fire brigade report, surveyor's report, photographs of burnt vehicle, loan NOC (if applicable)
Natural Disaster (Flood, Storm)	Surveyor's report (loss above 50k),spot photos, diagnosis report,and repair estimate
Third-Party Liability	Third party's claim notice, mandatory court summons (if any), other party's injury/damage proof
Personal Injury	Medical records, hospital bills, doctor's reports, prescription receipts, disability certificate (if applicable)
Total Loss / CTL (Constructive Total Loss)	Consent letter from customer, NOC from financier(If loan), original RC, original key.

Third-Party Claim Documents

Once you get into an accident caused by another driver, and you decide to file a third-party liability claim against that driver's insurer, here's what you will need from both parties:

Details of the other driver's insurance, name of insurer, policy number, and contact information for their claims department
Vehicle registration of the other driver, complete plate number and the RC document copy if accessible
License details of the other driver, full name, DL number, and expiry date
A police report highlighting the other driver's fault, the official document that proves the other driver's negligence
Repair quotes and bills, from a legitimate garage, to know the exact damage to your vehicle
Documents related to court or legal notice, in case the matter is taken to a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT)

Also read: Your Guide to Claiming Third-Party Car Insurance

Personal Injury Claim Documents

Car accident personal injury claims usually need the most detailed paperwork. Each medical cost and the earnings lost due to the accident must be backed by up-to-date documentation.

Document	Description
Emergency Room / Hospital Records	Admission notes, diagnosis, treatment plans, and discharge summaries should be provided from all treating facilities.
All Medical Bills	Detailed bills from hospitals, medical specialists, pharmacies, physiotherapy clinics, and other healthcare providers.
Doctor’s Written Report	Physician’s report linking injuries to the accident, including severity and expected recovery timeline.
Prescription Receipts	Receipts for all medications, including ongoing prescriptions related to the injury.
Disability / Impairment Certificate	Required when claiming for partial or permanent disability caused by the accident.
Employer Letter (Loss of Income)	Employer-issued letter confirming salary, missed workdays, and income loss due to injury.
Physiotherapy / Rehabilitation Records	Ongoing treatment records showing the long-term impact of injuries on daily functioning.
Psychological Evaluation	Report from a licensed psychologist if the accident caused PTSD or psychological trauma.

Total Loss & Write-Off Claim Documents

Declaring a vehicle a total loss means the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's insured declared value (IDV). At this point, to complete ownership transfer and other related formalities, additional documents are required.

Original Registration Certificate (RC) - The insurer might keep the original RC to deregister the vehicle or to transfer the salvage vehicle
Form 29 & Form 30 - Transfer of ownership notice and application for ownership transfer (this is a requirement in India and some other jurisdictions)
Form 35 (loan vehicle) - NOC/loan clearance certificate from your financer (bank or NBFC)
All sets of vehicle keys- Both master and spare keys must be handed over
Subrogation letter- A declarative statement signed by you, transferring salvage rights to the insurer
Indemnity bond- A risk undertaking that the vehicle will not be used post-settlement
NOC from RTO - In some states/countries, it is a requirement for deregistration confirmation of the total loss of the vehicle

Common Documentation Mistakes That Delay or Deny Claims

Here are the common documentation mistakes that delay claims

Mistake	Why It Hurts Your Claim	How to Avoid It
Not filing a police report	An FIR is essential for the insurer to verify the accident officially.	Always file a police report if the case is out of hand or if there are major accidents
Delayed claim notification	Most policies require a 24-72-hour notice.	Call your insurer immediately after the accident
Incomplete photo documentation	Damage scope is not verifiable, resulting in the underestimation of costs	Photograph from multiple angles; include context shots
Repairing the car before surveyor visits	In the absence of an independent assessment of the damage, the claim might be invalidated.	Wait for the insurer's surveyor before authorising any repairs
Providing inconsistent statements	Fraud investigations and prolonged delays result from discrepancies	Be consistent, accurate, and honest in all communications
Missing vehicle registration / ownership docs	The insurer is unable to verify the existence of an insurable interest	Keep digital copies of all vehicle documents in cloud storage
Not preserving dashcam footage	Footage can be overwritten, and important evidence is lost	Back up dashcam footage to your phone immediately post-accident

Frequently Asked Question on Documents Required for a Car Insurance Claim

Do I need a police report to file a car insurance claim?

Yes, but in some cases it is not required. Minor accidents without injuries that both drivers agree upon may not require a police report depending on your insurance company's procedures. However, it's highly recommended that you file a report with any accident that results in injuries or if there's any disagreement about who is at fault or the extent of damages over $1,000. Without a report, your insurance company only has your word.

If I don't have the other driver's insurance information, what do I do?

Try to obtain it at the scene of the accident. If the other driver refuses or it's a hit-and-run, call the police immediately and write down the other car's license plate. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company may pay for the damages. A police report is very important if it's a hit-and-run.

How long does it take to process a car insurance claim?

Typically, straightforward own-damage claims with all paperwork completed will be settled within 7–14 days. Complicated injury or total loss claims, as well as those which become disputed, may take 30–90 days to settle. A third-party liability claim, which goes all the way to a tribunal, can take 1–3 years. Providing detailed, accurate documentation within deadlines is the element you have the most control over.

Will filing a claim affect my No Claim Bonus (NCB)?

Yes. If you make an own-damage claim, it usually results in your No Claim Bonus being reset or lowered, which can lead to your next renewal premium going up by a big margin. If the damage is very small and the cost comes pretty close to or is even lower than the sum of your deductible plus the NCB discount, then you might be better off paying the amount from your own pocket without filing a claim. As for third-party liability, your NCB is not impacted in most cases.

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