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Car Insurance Terms Explained No Claims Bonus

A no-claims bonus (NCB) is a discount on an auto insurance premium that is earned by not making any claims on your insurance policy. The amount of discount varies for different insurance companies. A NCB of five years can potentially be worth a 60 – 70 % discount on car insurance premiums. For every year that a driver has auto insurance and does not make a claim, they earn a year on their NCB. The maximum is usually five years though some companies continue to offer discounts for six to eight years. When shopping for new car insurance, it is essential to find out more about the no-claims bonus.

It is very important to understand that the no-claims bonus is not a no blame or a no-fault bonus. The NCB will be denied irrespective of who was to blame. Even if your car gets stolen, the no-claims bonus is lost. Any claim you make will cause you to lose the NCB. Some insurers offer NCB protection; for a small additional fee you can protect and keep your no-claims bonus even if make a claim during the year. This NCB protection is relatively new and is treated differently by different insurers. The protection may keep your NCB intact or it may move it back two or three years. The special coverage may be good for only one claim and the costs will vary depending on your policy and insurance carrier. If you are looking to change insurance companies and are shopping for new car insurance, your no-claims bonus can usually be transferred to your new company.

The NCB is only one of the factors that determine your insurance cost when calculating your premium price. Most insurance carriers have a list of questions they ask when applying for new car insurance. These questions are used as part of a complex calculation to determine your final insurance cost. The discount for the NCB is not applied at the end of this calculation; it is applied somewhere in the middle. Dont expect your premium cost to be reduced by 60- 70 % as the reduction will take place somewhere during the underwriting process. However, though you will not see your insurance premiums cut by more than half, the no-claims bonus provides you with substantial savings and should be considered when shopping for auto insurance.

The NCB is important to lowering your insurance costs. Protect by driving safely, securing your vehicle, maintaining your car, and following the rules of the road. Having earned the NCB will make shopping for new car insurance a more rewarding and less costly experience.

Reduce Car Insurance Premium With No Claim Bonus

Ask any expert as to how to reduce car insurance premium, the advise is drive safely, avail NCB. No claim bonus or NCB is one of the major factors affecting car insurance premium. It is a discount that the vehicle owner gets if he doesnt make a claim the whole year. Percentage of bonus increases for every claim free year.

How is NCB Calculated

NCB can be availed for every claim free year of the vehicle. It is calculated on the own damage part of the insurance premium and not the third party insurance. Own damage (OD) premium forms a major component of comprehensive car insurance. One can get up to 50% discount on it.

For no claim during the previous year one gets 20% discount on OD, For no claim during two previous years discount is 25%, For no claim in three preceding years discount is 35%, for no claim during four previous years, discount is 35% and for four or more preceding claim free years, the discount is 50%.
Once a claim is made, the NCB becomes nil. The next premium is higher and the whole process of accumulating NCB will begin from zero. Some insurance companies offer an add-on cover to protect NCB

How to Avail NCB

The insurance company automatically includes the discount in the renewal notice. If the car insurance has lapsed and you renew it within the grace period of 90 days, you can still avail the NCB. If insurance is not renewed within the grace period, NCB lapses. There are certain things to take care if you are selling the car or changing the insurance company.

If you are changing the insurance company, make sure that you take the no-claim bonus certificate. Once you present it to the new insurance company, it will be implemented. It is important to take this proof as without this the discount cannot be availed.

No-claim bonus is offered to the person and cannot be transferred to the new owner if you are selling the car. Make sure that you get the no-claim bonus certificate from the insurance company before transferring the insurance. You can avail this benefit on your new car if you buy it within 3 years of selling the old car. The discount slab will remain the same as it was at the time of selling the old car.

Make the most of being a safe driver and avail the Bonus. It is the single most effective way of reducing car insurance premium.

Buying Car Insurance Online A Smart Choice

Car is your most precious and desirable asset and needs to be handled with utmost care. Though it is mandatory to buy Third Party Insurance but your car deserves more than just a basic cover. So, go for a comprehensive insurance that covers your car and third party insurance too. Once, you have decided the comprehensive policy for your car, buying car insurance is pretty easy.

In the techno friendly world, you can buy car insurance online. Just get the insurance quotes from various service providers, compare the premiums, go through the list of inclusions and exclusions and buy the car insurance online.

Key advantages of buying car insurance online:
Immediate issuance of the online policy
Road side assistance
Cashless facility of car servicing at network garage
No Claim Bonus discounts on premium
Accidental coverage for self and co-passengers

General Exclusions of car insurance policy
Electrical/mechanical break-down
Depreciation of the car
Wear and tear of the vehicle
Damage caused while driving without licence
Damage caused if driving under influence of alcohol/drugs

Third Party Insurance Vs Comprehensive Coverage

Third Party Insurance: It is a basic insurance that covers the damage caused by you to the third-party, third-partys vehicle and third-partys co-passengers. Your car is not protected under third party insurance cover.

Comprehensive car insurance: This insurance includes third-party coverage and in addition covers the damages to your vehicle and your co-passengers. It also extends coverage to your vehicle from the damage resulting because of theft, accident, fire and natural calamities.

Both types if insurance come with the validity of one year and have to be renewed every year. The premium would vary every year depending upon several factors.

Factors affecting car insurance premium

Deductibles: The higher the deductible the lower the premium.
Type of car you drive: If you have installed safety devices in your car, it may help you avail discount on your premium. Also, if your car is highly rated for its performance and protection for driver and co-passengers then it can directly help you lower your premium.

NCB: NCBs help you avail maximum discounts on your car premium. It is simply a reward for your safe driving skills. If you have not claimed within one policy year, then you can avail NCB on renewal premium.

Your demography: The place where you live and drive also determines the premium. If living in urban city the premium would be higher as the risk of theft, accidents and collisions is more.

Explaining Car Insurance Policy And Its Premium

A comprehensive car insurance policy is a must as driving may be fun but at the same time it involves high risk in case of any eventuality. Third party insurance is a statutory obligation in our country but you can choose your preferences from collision coverage, comprehensive coverage and personal injury protection However, you must go in for a car insurance policy that provides total protection to you, your vehicle, your co-passengers and third party liability as while driving you and your associates are also at risk.

How is car insurance premium calculated?

Car insurance premium is calculated on the type of insurance and other factors as explained below:

Types of car insurance: Third Party Liability, Own Damage, Personal accidental coverage. Depending upon the insurance type you opt, your premium would be determined.
Cubic Capacity of Engine: Engine size is one of the important factors in calculating the premium. The higher the cubic capacity if engine, the higher the premium.
Car Model/Type: The new car demands more premium. As the car ages, its value is depreciated and the premium decreases.
Registration place: The city in which vehicle is registered is considered while calculating the insurance premium. If your vehicle is registered in Delhi and you use it in Chennai, then also the premium would be calculated on the basis of your registered state. The premium is higher in the metros as they are more prone to vehicle theft and accidents.
No claim bonus: If you do not make any claim during one policy year then you can avail discount on your next premium. The discount starts from 20% and can be increased progressively upto 50% on the Own Damage premium and is not extended towards Liability premium.

No Claim Bonus is portable and you can get the benefit if you purchase a new car as it is provided to the insured and not the insured car. It is basically a reward for safe driving habits of the policy holder. It is applicable, even if you want to change your insurance provider. You need to show the NCB proof from your previous vendor and can avail NCB discounts from your new provider.

The factors discussed above are the major factors that determine the insurance premium. However, apart from that there may be several other factors such as age and profession of the policy holder and the safety devices installed in the car that are used in calculating the car premiums.

Car Insurance Renewal Is Very Simple Process

With the advent of technology, car insurance renewal is just a click away. The mental stress of visiting the insurance office or following up with the insurance executive to get timely car insurance renewal has been taken care by the online vehicle renewal process.

Car Insurance Renewal process

The customer is the king today. You have the option of getting your car insurance renewed by your previous insurance company or if you are not satisfied with your existing provider, you can opt for the car insurance renewal by new insurance provider. If going for online vehicle renewal, just follow the below simple steps:

Fill in the basic information about yourself: Name, mobile number, email address, residential address and the city where vehicle is plied.
Fill in the vehicle information: Car make and model, cubic capacity, manufacturing year, registration type, type of fuel and policy expiry date.
Provide details about vehicle accessories: Helps in determining the cost of premium. The accessories increase the premium amount as the repair cost would be more if an accident is met.
Details regarding safety installation devices: You may get discount on your premium if you have installed safety devices as they mean less risk.
Co-passenger coverage: The premium would increase if co-passenger coverage is included.
Provide NCB details: If you have not made any claim in the last policy year then you would be eligible for no claim bonus discount. If you are changing you insurance provider and you have a letter from your previous insurance provider for NCB discount, you can show it to your new provider and seek benefit.

Sum Insured in online vehicle renewal

Whether you are renewing you policy or getting a new one, the maximum sum insured for self and co-passengers is limited upto Rs2 lacs. Getting cover for self and co-passengers is not mandatory but is advisable as in case of accident the amount would come handy.
The third-party insurance is mandatory as per the Motor Act of our country. This includes physical injury, death and property damage caused by the driver to the third party. There is no upper limit for third-party insurance. Many insurance providers provide the third part cover upto Rs 7 lacs.

Once you have filled the details online and paid the premium online, the policy is immediately issued and a soft copy is sent to your email address and within a weeks time the renwal document is dispatched to your postal address.

Basics Of Car Insurance

Selecting the right kind of car insurance for your driving needs is very important. Hence, it is essential that you understand the basics of car insurance.

What is car/auto insurance?
As the name indicates auto insurance provides protection to you in case you injure a third party or damage their property. This situation can be very complex as it does involve legal liability and huge financial burden.

To avail this protection, you need to take an auto insurance policy, which is a written contract between you and the car insurance provider.

As per traffic norms, the Third Party insurance is mandatoru, which means whether you wish it or not you have to take it as it is essential to take third party cover the moment you own a car. You need to pay a specified amount of money as premium to avail the coverage benefits. Your policy lists all the inclusions and exclusions. So, read your policy document carefully.

What are the various types of car insurance coverage?
Though third party coverage is essential but it is better to take a comprehensive auto insurance policy that provides cover to your vehicle, your co-passengers and physical damage to your car. You can choose among the following:

Coverage for medical payments: Covers you and your co-passengers for injuries resulting out of auto accident. The coverage is extended towards you as a pedestrian also in case some vehicle hits you.

Collision insurance: Covers your car for the physical damage if your car hits some other vehicle, object or turns turtle.
Comprehensive insurance: Covers your car if stolen or damage caused by vandalism, fire and other factors. However, it excludes the damages caused by collision.

What are the general exclusions?
Depreciation of the vehicle
Electrical or mechanical breakdown
Drunk driving events
Damage caused by a person without a valid driving license
Damage caused by war, nuclear risk, mutiny
Damage outside India

What are the various types of discounts offered in auto insurance?
The discounts are offered on the basis of No claim bonus (NCB), and your registration with Automobile Association Discount.

How is NCB calculated in car insurance?
NCB is the discount you avail in the subsequent policy ifyou do not make any insurance claim in the current policy year. The discount is given on the current year and is calculated on the Own Damage Premium Amount.

Ist year: 0%
2nd year: 20%
3rd year: 25%
4th year: 35%
5th year: 45%
6th year: 50%
The maximum limit is 50%.