Expired car insurance? Here’s what you can do!

Generally, a car insurance policy has a validity period of one year, post which the owner is required to renew it.

If your car insurance policy is nearing its expiration date, it is of utmost importance that you get it renewed beforehand. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, you cannot drive on Indian roads with an expired policy.

To start with, there are penalties and risks involved when you have a lapsed car insurance policy. Furthermore, your claim request is declined and you are severely penalised if you are caught driving with an expired policy.

Therefore, on-time renewal of your car insurance policy will not only ensure stress-free driving at all times but will also save you from penalties and other risks!

How to renew an expired car insurance policy

The process of renewing a car insurance policy is similar to purchasing a new policy itself. It is easy, fast, and absolutely hassle-free!

A few things that you can do right away!

• Reach out immediately: This can be done easily on PhonePe! Simply enter your car registration number and renew it within a few hours.
• Do not drive: Driving with an expired policy is illegal, so first and foremost, ensure that you are not driving and your car is parked in a safe space where there are minimum chances of damage. Losses incurred on an uninsured vehicle will not be covered!
• Be available for self-inspection: The only additional requirement when renewing an expired car insurance policy is self-inspection.

What is self-inspection & why is it important?

Self-inspection for car insurance renewal is a feature through which you can inspect your car using your smartphone. You are supposed to click pictures of the car. Once your photos are uploaded, you will be notified when your car insurance policy is renewed/issued. This way, there will be no need for an official visit which will save time and effort!

Before understanding the finer points of self-inspection, there are a few things that you must keep in mind

• The timeframe between policy expiry and policy renewal is known as a Break-In period.
• In Break-In insurance cases, insurers prefer inspecting the vehicle.
• Not renewing your car insurance policy even after a 90-day (Expiry) period can reset your No Claim Bonus component to zero.
• Self-inspection via pictures is far easier and less time-consuming to conduct as compared to an official from the insurance company visiting you physically for the quality check.

Benefits of Self-Inspection for Car Insurance Renewal

In case your car insurance policy has expired and is in the Break-In period, you will need to either perform an inspection yourself or the insurance company will do it for you. Here are some points highlighting the benefits of self-inspection for car insurance renewal:

• Quick: A self-inspection is way quicker than waiting for your insurance company to arrange for it. Instead of waiting for an official to visit you and perform the inspection, you can do it yourself in just a few minutes and get the policy renewed!
• Easy: A self-inspection is as easy as clicking a few pictures from your phone. The only thing you should be careful of is taking your car’s pictures in a way that they capture your car entirely. It should be properly visible in the pictures for the insurance company to conduct a thorough verification.
• Convenient: You do not need any special gadgets or equipment to conduct the self-inspection. A smartphone will suffice! Furthermore, you can perform the inspection at any time of the day according to your convenience.

On-time renewal of a car insurance policy is as important as purchasing the insurance since it guarantees the protection of your on-road companion at all times!