What is passenger cover in car insurance?
Passenger Cover in Car Insurance is an optional add-on that you can include in your comprehensive car insurance policy .
● Provides financial compensation for passengers injured or killed in a road accident.
● Covers medical expenses, permanent disability, or death of unnamed passengers.
● Applies to family, friends, or colleagues travelling in the insured car.
● Strengthens your insurance policy by ensuring all occupants are safeguarded.
How does passenger cover work?
The Passenger Cover Add-On works in a simple yet effective manner:
● In case of an accident, passengers injured while travelling in your insured car are eligible for compensation.
● Compensation may include reimbursement of medical costs, disability support, or death benefits.
● Coverage limits depend on the sum insured opted for at the time of purchase.
● The cover applies irrespective of the passenger’s identity (unnamed passengers are included).
This ensures everyone seated in your car has a financial safety net, just like the owner-driver.
Scale of compensation under passenger cover
Compensation under Passenger Cover Add-On varies based on the severity of injury or loss. The table below gives an indicative scale:
Incident | Compensation Payable (as % of Sum Insured) |
Death of a passenger | 100% of the sum insured |
Loss of two limbs/eyes | 100% of the sum insured |
Loss of one limb/eye | 50% of the sum insured |
Permanent partial disability | As per policy terms |
Medical expenses (treatment) | Up to actuals or policy sub-limit |
This ensures fair and structured compensation for different scenarios
Benefits of buying passenger cover add-on
Adding Passenger Cover in Car Insurance enhances your policy with the following benefits:
● Comprehensive Protection: Extends financial safety to passengers.
● Peace of Mind: Reduces stress during road trips with loved ones.
● Affordable Add-On: Low extra premium compared to the high benefits.
● Legal Compliance: Meets liability expectations in case of accidents.
● Financial Support: Covers treatment, disability, or dependent support after accidents.
How to buy a passenger cover online?
Purchasing the Passenger Cover Add-On with Zurich Kotak is a quick and seamless process.
Step-by-step process:
Visit the Zurich Kotak Website – Navigate to the Car Insurance section.
Enter Your Vehicle Details – Registration number, make, model, and variant.
Choose a Comprehensive Policy – Passenger Cover is available only with comprehensive or OD policies.
Select Add-ons – From the list of optional covers, tick Passenger Cover Add-On.
Review Premium & Coverage – Check the revised premium and confirm coverage amount for passengers.
Make Secure Payment – Pay using debit/credit cards, UPI, or net banking.
Get Instant Policy Copy – An updated policy with the Passenger Cover add-on will be emailed/SMS’d to you.
Offline Option: You can also opt for this cover through an insurance agent or by visiting Zurich Kotak’s nearest branch.
Buying online often comes with discounts and helps you compare different add-ons more easily.
How to file the passenger cover add-on claim
Filing a claim under the Passenger Cover Add-On is simple, provided you follow the proper steps:
Inform Zurich Kotak immediately – Call the helpline, use the mobile app, or log in to the website.
Provide Basic Details – Policy number, vehicle registration, accident date/time, and passenger details.
Submit Required Documents – Accident report, hospital bills, medical certificates, FIR (if applicable).
Survey/Assessment – A surveyor may verify the claim, especially in cases of severe injuries or fatalities.
Claim Processing – Once validated, Zurich Kotak will process the claim based on the scale of compensation.
Settlement – Compensation is either reimbursed (medical expenses) or disbursed as a lump sum (disability/death).
Note: Quick claim intimation and proper documentation significantly speed up settlement.
Things to remember while filing passenger cover claims
● Ensure the car insurance policy, along with the add-on, is active at the time of the accident.
● The number of passengers should not exceed the seating capacity mentioned in the RC.
● The driving licence of the owner/driver must be valid.
● In case of death/disability, relevant medical certificates or post-mortem reports may be required.
● Intoxication, unlawful activity, or expired policies void claims.
Conclusion
Adding Passenger Cover in Car Insurance ensures that your family, friends, or colleagues travelling with you are equally safeguarded against financial risks. While the owner-driver already has a compulsory personal accident cover, passengers often remain unprotected. This add-on closes that gap by covering treatment costs, permanent disability, or even fatalities of co-passengers.
For a small additional premium, Zurich Kotak’s Passenger Cover Add-On provides big benefits—peace of mind, wider protection, and financial security for everyone in the car. It’s a smart choice for responsible car owners who value both safety and financial preparedness.
