Car & Bike Insurance Claims: From Rejection to Full Settlement

By Hari Kotian, IRDAI-Certified Insurance Advisor · 2026

Police FIR where required, RC copy, a valid driving license, photos of the scene and damage from every angle, and a repair estimate from an authorized garage. Most delays trace back to one missing item.

Surveyor interaction

The insurer's surveyor determines your payout. Be present, ask questions, keep copies of everything, and contest an undervalued assessment in writing - surveyor reports are recommendations, not final verdicts.

The 15-day rule

IRDAI requires settlement within 15 days of the complete surveyor report. Delays beyond that without cause trigger interest liability for the insurer - keep the clock your ally.

IDV: know your number

IDV is what the insurer pays on total loss - the vehicle's current market value, not its purchase price. IDV disputes are among the most common motor complaints that reach the Ombudsman.

End-to-end claim handling - documentation, surveyor liaison, IDV disputes, and Ombudsman escalation - is done daily by claim recovery experts. See the motor insurance claim assistance service for free guidance.