Car Insurance in India — IDV, NCB, Add-ons, and When Not to Claim

## The small claim trap Many car owners claim for every small damage. This is a financial mistake. Every claim resets your NCB to zero. Example: 4 years of NCB = 45% discount. On a ₹12,000 own damage premium, that's ₹5,400 saved per year. If you claim ₹3,000 for a scratch, you lose ₹5,400 × (future years) of NCB savings. Never claim for less than ₹5,000–8,000 — pay out of pocket to protect your NCB. ## IDV optimisation Insurers often quote IDV based on their depreciation tables, which may not match actual market value. For popular models with strong resale, you can negotiate for higher IDV — you'll pay slightly more premium but get better protection. For older vehicles (8+ years), some insurers offer market value coverage instead of IDV — useful if your vehicle has appreciated (classic cars, SUVs in shortage). ## Zero depreciation — do you need it? For vehicles under 5 years: **definitely yes**. Standard policies apply depreciation on parts (50%+ on rubber, glass, fibre). After an accident, you might claim ₹50,000 of repairs but receive only ₹30,000. Zero dep covers full parts cost. For vehicles over 7 years: less critical since IDV itself is low — the add-on cost may not justify the benefit. ## Comparing insurers Beyond premium, check: - Claim settlement ratio (IRDA publishes annually — target 95%+) - Cashless garage network in your area - Online claim filing availability - Customer reviews specifically for claim experience (not just buying experience)