How to claim insurance for a car buried in a landslide and cannot be inspected?

Having a comprehensive car insurance policy is an important element of owning a car. Even though the law mandates third-party liability coverage as the minimum, it is crucial that you buy comprehensive coverage to better protect your car. A well-designed car insurance policy can provide you with a financial relief in the event of your car getting damaged. This is even more vital if you reside in an area that is prone to natural calamities, such as floods, cyclones, storms, earthquakes, and so on. You can raise a claim with your insurance provider if your car gets damaged due to such a situation and receive compensation. However, in some cases, such as a landslide, the car may be buried, lost, or cannot be retrieved. What is the car insurance claim process in this scenario? Read on to know more.

Understanding car insurance claims when the car is buried in a landslide 

First, such a situation is quite rare. In most cases, the relevant authority in the region will be able to help retrieve your car, if it is stuck under a landslide. If the landslide or the following event were very severe and the car is unretrievable, the process to raise the vehicle insurance claim may be a bit different from the usual one. The kind of damage coverage that may be required differs from insurer to insurer and the policy wordings. There may be two scenarios in this situation:

1. If the car cannot be retrieved at all

   - Here, the car may be deemed a total loss and you may receive the IDV or the Insured Declared Value of the vehicle.

2. If the car is retrieved

   - Here, the claim inspection and settlement process depends on the kind of damage the car has incurred.

* Standard T&C Apply Regardless of the scenario, if your car is comprehensively insured, then you can raise a claim and receive the compensation that is due to you after the formalities are complete.

How to raise a car insurance claim? 

You can raise a vehicle insurance claim in the following few steps:

1. Inform the insurer and let them know what has occurred.
2. If the car has been retrieved but is in a vulnerable condition, then it is advisable to let the car be in a safe spot rather than taking it to a garage.
3. Gather all the relevant documents pertaining to your car insurance policy and evidence that can support your claim.
4. Let the surveyor sent by the car insurance company inspect the situation. Even if the car is unretrievable, it is likely the insurer may send a representative to get a better understanding of where things stand.
5. If the car is retrieved, the insurer will inspect the car accordingly and send it for repairs if they feel the need.
6. Depending on the damage incurred/loss suffered, you receive compensation.

* Standard T&C Apply By ‘evidence’, what one means is photographs or videos that support what you are trying to say. So, you can take a video of the surrounding event or a photograph that shows the car sliding under the landslide. This can help your cause indefinitely. These days, one can also self-inspect their car when raising a car insurance claim. However, this is not recommended for a complex situation such as the one mentioned here. If the car is buried in a landslide due to an accident involving someone, then there may be a need for a third party car insurance claim.

Points to keep in mind to deal with such a situation 

• Do not engage in dangerous behaviour to retrieve the car. It is important that you and your loved ones are safe before you start the claim process.
• Ensure that you renew your policy on time. The car insurance renewal process can be carried out online. You may miss out on any benefits if your policy is lapsed or expired.
• You must choose a good IDV amount at the start. Many people select a lower IDV to evade a high premium. However, an unfortunate situation, such as a landslide, can occur without any warning. One must always secure their finances in case of a total loss of their car with a high IDV in their car insurance

* Standard T&C Apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.