What happens if I renew my car insurance after expiry?

If you renew your car insurance after expiry, your policy will have lapsed, leaving you legally and financially unprotected during that gap. You may lose your accumulated No Claim Bonus (NCB), your vehicle will likely require an inspection before renewal, and driving an uninsured car can attract legal penalties, including fines of ₹2,000 - ₹4,000 or imprisonment.

What are the benefits of on time renewal of car insurance policy?

Renewing your car insurance policy on time ensures uninterrupted coverage, completely avoids legal penalties and premium hikes, allows you to retain your earned No Claim Bonus (NCB) discount, and eliminates the need for any vehicle inspection.

Is there a grace period for policy renewal?

Yes, there is usually a grace period of 15–30 days for policy renewal depending on terms, but insurance claims cannot be filed for any incidents occurring during this period.

Can I buy add-on covers with Third party car insurance?

No. Add-on covers like zero depreciation, engine protection, or roadside assistance are typically only available with comprehensive policies or standalone own-damage policies. Third-party policies do not cover your own vehicle's damage, so add-ons cannot be attached to them.

What is zero depreciation in car insurance?

Zero depreciation cover is an add-on that helps protect your car against physical damages without factoring in depreciation. Instead of subtracting depreciation costs before paying out a claim like standard insurance policies do, this add-on pays out the full repair/replacement claim amount without any depreciation deductions.

What is NCB, and how does it work?

No Claim Bonus (NCB) is a reward discount on your own-damage premium given when you complete a policy year without making any claims. It increases with each consecutive claim-free year and can reach up to 50%. Raising a claim will reduce your NCB, but the bonus can be carried forward if you switch insurance providers.

What factors impact Insured Declared Value (IDV)?

IDV represents the market value of your vehicle and is the maximum sum payable if the car is stolen or totaled. It is impacted by the car type (SUVs generally have higher values than hatchbacks), the specific car variant, the purchase location, age-based depreciation, and any insured accessories.

What is a cashless claim, and how does it work?

A cashless claim means you don't have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Instead, the insurance provider directly settles the bill with an authorized network garage. Zurich Kotak resolves cashless claims directly at its network of 6,500+ garages, typically within 2–3 days.

What are the common reasons a car insurance claim can be rejected?

Car insurance claims can be rejected if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, if the policy had lapsed, if incorrect details were entered into the claim form, or if a private vehicle was being used for commercial purposes.

Is the car insurance price for a diesel car different from a petrol car in India?

Yes, the car insurance price is often higher for diesel cars. This is because diesel vehicles are generally more expensive to repair and their spare parts carry a higher cost than petrol cars, which increases the overall risk evaluated by the insurer.

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Car Insurance

Name: Car Insurance
Brand: Zurich Kotak General Insurance
Rating: 4.5 (1310 reviews)

Car insurance price starting at just ₹2,094*

Instant policy with zero paper-work

Quick and hassle-free claim process

4.5/5

We take your safety seriously

5700+

Cashless garages

Jet-speed

claims

Upto 50%

No claim bonus

24/7

Around the clock assistance

Note: The above data is till 1st April, 2025

Benefits of car insurance

Car insurance is a financial protection policy that covers repair, replacement, and legal-liability costs when your vehicle is damaged by accident, fire, theft, or natural events like floods. Third-party liability cover is legally mandatory for every vehicle in India under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, while a comprehensive plan adds own-damage protection for your own car. When comparing the best car insurance in India, weigh four factors that decide real value beyond premium price: claim-settlement ratio, cashless-garage network, add-on range, and online renewal experience.

When you buy a policy or go for a car insurance renewal, choosing a comprehensive plan gives you wider coverage for both third-party liabilities and damage to your own car. Under the current GST structure in India, motor insurance premiums continue to include 18% GST. With transparent pricing and the right coverage, you can drive with confidence knowing that both you and your car are financially protected.

With Zurich Kotak, you can buy or renew car insurance online with ease and benefit from a high claim-settlement ratio, a network of 5,700+ cashless garages across India, and an INR 15 lakh Compulsory Personal Accident (CPA) cover for the owner-driver. Competitive premiums and a fully digital process help ensure that you stay protected on every journey.

Key features of Zurich Kotak’s Car Insurance

Experience hassle-free coverage with these standout features:

Wide Network of Cashless Garages

Get repairs at 5700+ authorised garages nationwide without paying upfront.

High Claim Settlement Ratio

Enjoy peace of mind with a high claim settlement ratio ensuring quick approvals.

No Claim Bonus (NCB)

Save up to 50% on your car insurance premium with NCB benefits for claim-free years.

How to Buy or Renew Car Insurance Online with Zurich Kotak

Best site to buy car insurance? Visit the Zurich Kotak website lets you buy or renew car insurance online in minutes with instant quotes, secure payments, and immediate policy issuance:

Instant Policy Issuance & Download

Complete your purchase or renewal, make payment, and receive your policy document via email instantly. No waiting for printed copies or branch appointments - download and start using your policy immediately.

Quote by Vehicle Registration Number

Enter your vehicle's registration number to generate an instant, customized quote without providing extensive personal information upfront. Compare coverage options and premiums in real-time before purchase.

Seamless Online Renewal

Renew using your policy number, customer ID, or registration number. The entire process is paperless, takes fewer than 10 minutes, and your renewed policy is issued instantly.

Secure Payment & Data Protection

Pay securely via multiple online gateways (credit card, debit card, UPI). Your information is encrypted and protected by IRDAI-compliant security protocols.

Flexible Coverage Customization

Choose from comprehensive plans, third-party liability, standalone own-damage cover, and add-ons (zero depreciation, engine protect, roadside assistance) all configured in real-time with price updates.

No Documentation Hassles

Complete the process with minimal paperwork. You'll need only your RC, driving license, and personal details - no need to visit a branch or arrange documents in advance.

Why do you need car insurance?

Car insurance is your safety net on the roads. Explore more why you need it

Mandated by Law

4 wheeler insurance is required by the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, to drive your vehicle on public roads, ensuring legal compliance.

Coverage against man-made events and natural calamities

Safeguards your car from events like accidents, floods, earthquakes, and more.

Theft cover

Provides compensation if your car is stolen, helping you recover from financial loss.

Add-on covers

Allows customisation of your policy with additional benefits like engine protect, depreciation cover and more.

Compensation for financial loss

Helps cover repair or replacement costs for your vehicle after an accident or damage.

Personal accident cover

Offers financial assistance in case of injury to the driver during an accident.

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What's covered/not covered under Car Insurance Policy

Accidental Damage

Your car insurance policy covers repair or replacement costs due to unexpected collisions or impact-related damages.

Fire, Explosion & Self-Ignition

Protects your vehicle from losses due to fire, explosion, or spontaneous ignition incidents.

Theft & Total Loss

Compensation up to the Insured Declared Value (IDV) if your car is stolen or declared a total loss.

Natural Calamities

Covers damage from floods, storms, cyclones, earthquakes, and other natural disasters as defined in your four-wheeler insurance policy.

Third-Party Liabilities

Legally required cover for third-party injury, death, or property damage caused by your insured vehicle

Personal Accident Cover

Compensation for injury or death of the owner-driver (up to specified sum assured) under comprehensive policy.

Mechanical & Electrical Failures

Claims for pure mechanical or electrical breakdown and general wear and tear are excluded.

Consumables & Labour

Regular consumables (like oil, nuts, bolts) and excessive labour charges are not covered under standard base policy coverage

Driving Without Licence / Under Influence

Claims are rejected if the driver lacks a valid licence or is under the influence of alcohol/drugs

Racing or Unauthorized Commercial Use

Vehicle use in racing events or for commercial purposes like ride-share/delivery is not covered.

War, War-like Scenarios & Nuclear Risks

Excludes damage from war, mutiny, terrorism escalation (besides terrorism), or nuclear risks.

Intentional or Deliberate Damage

Any willful damage or fraudulent claims are voided.

Normal Wear and Tear

Regular deterioration of vehicle parts over time.

Unauthorized Usage

Use in racing, commercial activities, or other excluded scenarios.

Out-of-Territory Accidents

Accidents occurring beyond the policy’s geographical limits.

Zurich Kotak car insurance add–on covers

Enhance your car insurance policy by opting for add-ons that provide additional financial protection.

Depreciation Cover add-on

The Depreciation Cover add-on ensures full claim payout for replaced parts without depreciation deductions, maximizing your settlement for approved claims.

Roadside Assistance add-on

The Roadside Assistance add-on provides 24×7 help: towing, battery jump-starts, emergency fuel, flat-tyre assistance, and minor on-spot repairs nationwide.

Engine Protect add-on

The Engine Protect add-on covers repair or replacement costs for engine and gearbox damage caused by water ingression, oil leakage, or sudden failures.

Consumables add-on

The Consumables add-on covers small parts and expendables—nuts, bolts, lubricants, filters and similar items—used during claim-related repairs, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

What are factors affecting car insurance premium?

Premiums are calculated based on various risk factors. Some key determinants include:

Vehicle Age and Model

Older cars with lower market value often have reduced premiums, while newer or high-end models attract higher costs due to expensive repair and replacement requirements.

Insured's Declared Value (IDV)

A higher IDV increases the car insurance premium but ensures better coverage; a lower IDV reduces premium but risks under insurance during claim settlement.

No-Claim Bonus (NCB)

Discounts for claim-free years can lower renewal premiums.

Product	UIN No.
Car Secure	IRDAN152RP0006V04201516

Written By : Zurich Kotak General Insurance - Last updated: 04th May, 2026