How Long does a Comprehensive Claim Stay on Car Insurance?

A comprehensive insurance claim usually remains on your car insurance record for three to five years. In India, whenever you claim this type, it appears in your insurance record. This allows the insurers to analyse your risk profile and determine your premium at the time of renewal.

Knowing how long a claim is on your record is essential. It may inform you of whether or not it is worth fighting a small claim or if it is more cost-efficient to handle the cost yourself. So, let us dive deeper into this subject and understand the car insurance claim time limit in detail.

A comprehensive claim refers to a request for coverage for damage to your vehicle that is not the result of a collision. Unlike collision insurance, which covers accident-related damages, comprehensive insurance includes a wider range of risks, such as:

In India, comprehensive car insurance is optional but widely recommended. According to IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), over 70% of private car owners in urban areas opt for comprehensive coverage, especially those living in flood-prone cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Guwahati.

A comprehensive claim generally stays on your insurance record for 3 to 5 years. The exact duration, however, varies from one insurer to another and the rules of your state. During this time, if you have multiple claims, your premium might be affected. However, 

Yes, full-coverage claims will affect your premium, though not as dramatically as collision or third-party claims.

Here is the way it works:

Let us look at an example.

Suppose your car insurance premium is ₹15,000 annually with a 20% NCB (₹3,000 discount). Once you make a claim, you may lose the discount, raising your premium to ₹18,000.

No, it is not possible to remove a comprehensive claim from the insurance record before the end of standard tenure. Once you complete filing a claim, the time limit for car insurance claim settlement is 3 to 5 years. 

Insurance companies consider this information for assessing risks and deciding premium amounts. However, the claim impact might reduce over time if there are no further claim filings in the future. 

Filing a comprehensive claim for your car can be stressful if done at a later stage. Here are some tips to follow for a successful claim process:

Yes, if there is a delay in filing a claim, it leads to rejection. Insurance policies usually mention a timeframe for reporting a claim. Failing to abide by this timeline prompts insurers to reject the claim immediately. Moreover, on-time reporting enables proper investigation and preserves necessary evidence, complying with policy terms. To prevent rejection, make sure to file claims on time following the policy’s requirements. 

A comprehensive claim may not always lead to a steep premium hike, but it does affect your insurance record for up to five years. For Indian car owners, being strategic with claims, especially minor ones, can help maintain a clean record and reduce long-term insurance costs.
Read your policy document carefully, understand your insurer’s stance on claims, and always drive safely. Avoiding frequent claims and ensuring timely renewals are some of the most effective ways to keep premiums low.