An accident or mishap can leave you in financial turmoil. That is how life is. It can just turn your day upside down in a fraction of a second. But car insurance can act as your safety net. Ever had the experience of thinking, "Oh no, the insurance claim process!" as soon as your car suffers a small bump or scratch? Recently, Ravi, a 30-year-old software engineer, experienced something similar. Unexpectedly, another car hit his new ride while he was on his way from work. Fortunately, nobody got injured! However, Ravi's vehicle had a major dent.
Ravi wondered what to do next. He remembered that his car was insured with Cholamandalam, but he dreaded the idea of dealing with claims. He thought it would be complicated and time-consuming.
Now, our question is- what would be your response if you were in Ravi’s shoes?
Would you also feel the same way about filing insurance claims? But what if we told you there was an easier way out with Cholamandalam?
Cholamandalam offers a super simple way to register car insurance claims online. No need to call and wait or fill out endless forms. Just a few clicks and you are done!
Excited to know more?
The article below will take you through all the steps you need to make filing a car insurance claim as easy as checking your email! Let’s get started-
Types Of Car Insurance Claim Settlement Process In Cholamandalam
In the case of settling Cholamandalam car insurance claims, there are two distinct processes. Let’s explore each one and see how they work -
- Cashless Claim Settlement:
As the name implies, cashless claim settlement means you don't have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses for your vehicle repairs. Here’s how it works - when you get your car repaired at one of Cholamandalam’s network garages, the insurance provider handles the payment directly with the garage. This process simplifies your experience, leaving you to cover only minor costs such as consumables, file charges, etc. It means that you can simply focus on getting your car back on the road without the stress of arranging funds for repairs.
- Reimbursement Claim Settlement:
On the other hand, if your vehicle is repaired at a non-network garage, the reimbursement claim settlement process comes into play. In this case, you will need to pay for the repairs yourself upfront. Once you have settled the bill with the garage, you will then submit the repair invoices to Cholamandalam. The company will review and verify all the submitted documents before processing your claim. If everything is clear, they will reimburse you for the covered expenses.
How To File A Car Insurance Claim In Cholamandalam?
Cashless Claim Process
Here’s how the cashless claim process works. We are breaking it down step by step.
- Initiate Your Claim:
The first thing you need to do is make a Chola claim intimation about the accident or mishap. This can be done quickly by calling 1800-208-5544. You can also choose to visit Cholamandalam’s general insurance website. Once there, head to the ‘Claims’ tab and choose the ‘Motor Claims’ option. After logging in with your credentials, provide your policy details, and hit the ‘Make a Claim’ button to kickstart the claim initiation process.
- Surveyor Inspection
Once you have initiated your claim, the team of Cholamandalam will take over. They will send a surveyor to check and assess the damage to your vehicle. This step is important for understanding the extent of the repairs needed. If you had the foresight to choose the ‘On-site Minor Repair’ add-on when purchasing your policy, you can request an on-site repair service for minor damages, making the process even more convenient.
- Arranging Towing Services:
If your car needs to be moved, you can request a towing service from the insurer. Cholamandalam offers towing within a 50 km radius of the accident location. This service is complimentary up to Rs. 3,000 if you have the ‘Transfer Cost Reimbursement’ add-on. Alternatively, with the ‘Transfer of the Covered Vehicle’ add-on, you can receive towing up to Rs. 1,500. Once arranged, the car will be towed to the nearest Cholamandalam-authorised garage, setting you up for the next steps in the repair process.
Take Ravi’s situation, for instance-
One fine evening, Ravi was driving to his friend’s house for a housewarming party. On his way, he lost control of the vehicle and hit a lamppost. The vehicle was badly damaged. Ravi immediately called his Cholamndalam insurance team and updated them. As he has a transfer cost reimbursement claim add-on in his policy, and because the location was only 20 km from the authorised garage, the insurer covered the towing charges.
- Repairing Your Vehicle:
Once your car is towed to the workshop, the repair process begins. Cholamandalam takes care of the entire repair cost directly with the garage. This ensures that you experience a smooth and hassle-free experience. All you need to do is complete the required formalities and documentation. You can even streamline this step by uploading the necessary documents online through the ‘Motor Claims’ page.
- Handling Deductibles:
Before driving away in your freshly repaired vehicle, there is one small thing you need to do. You will need to settle any deductible amounts. This includes both the compulsory deductible and any voluntary deductible if you opt for it. Once these are paid to the insurer, you can take your car home and get back on the road with peace of mind!
Reimbursement Claim Process
Let’s walk through the steps of a reimbursement claim process -
- Notify Cholamandalam:
First, let Cholamandalam know about the incident involving your insured vehicle, be it a theft, accident, or other calamity. You can make this Chola claim intimation by giving 1800-208-5544 a call, and a representative will assist you with starting the claim. Go to Cholamandalam's general insurance website if you would rather handle things online. All you have to do is click the "Claims" option, choose "Motor Claims," and enter your login information. You will then be taken to a new page where you can enter the details of your insurance and click "Submit." The insurance provider will send you a confirmation email shortly after, confirming the start of your claim.
- Assessing The Damage:
Once you have reported the incident, Cholamandalam will send a surveyor to check and evaluate the extent of damage to your vehicle. They will check if the damage is minor or major. If you had chosen the ‘On-site Minor Repair service’ add-on when you purchased your policy, the repairs would be done right at the accident site, saving you a trip to the garage.
Let’s come back to the main character of the story, Ravi!
Ravi was so happy with Cholamandalam’s insurance services that he recommended it to his friend Praveen. Praveen also bought a policy from Cholamandalam when he purchased a new Tata Nexon. One day, when he was driving the vehicle, a biker hit his vehicle from behind. Praveen called the insurance team and notified them that he had an on-site minor repair service add-on to his policy. The team immediately came to the accident spot and saw that the repairs were very minor. The vehicle was quickly repaired, and Praveen was back on the road in no time!
- Arranging For Towing:
If the damage is more significant, you will need to get your vehicle to the nearest garage. You can either arrange towing yourself or request this service through the insurer. Depending on the add-on you have, Cholamandalam will reimburse towing costs up to Rs. 1,500 or Rs. 3,000. This makes getting your car to the garage easier and more pocket-friendly so you can focus on the next steps in getting your vehicle repaired.
- Repairing Your Vehicle:
Take your car to a nearby garage or workshop for repairs. But wait! It is important to ensure you collect all original bills from the garage before driving your car home. These bills are essential for the next step in the process.
- Processing Your Claim:
To get reimbursed, you will need to submit all the original repair bills along with the necessary documents to Cholamandalam. You have the option to send these documents by post or upload them online via the ‘Motor Claims’ page on Cholamandalam’s general insurance website.
After you have completed all the formalities, Cholamandalam will process your reimbursement, factoring in any applicable deductibles (both compulsory and voluntary, if chosen). You can expect the reimbursement to be completed within 7-10 working days from when all the documents are finalised. This way, you will have your claim settled efficiently and smoothly.
Documents Required To Register Car Insurance Claim In Cholamandalam
To register a Cholamandalam car insurance claim, you will need to gather the following documents -
- Duly signed claim form
- Copy of driving licence
- Copy of RC
- Copy of insurance policy
- FIR if the claim involves death or bodily injury.
- Original repair estimate slip/repair invoice
Make sure you have all these documents ready to ensure a smooth claims process.
Reasons For Insurance Claim Rejection
Here are some common reasons to be aware of -
- If the car was driven by someone under the influence of intoxicants during the accident or mishap, this can lead to rejection.
- Accidents caused by neglecting traffic rules or engaging in careless or rash driving can result in claim denial.
- Failing to inform the insurance company about the accident promptly is a common reason for rejection.
- Starting car repairs before notifying the insurance company about the claim or accident can also be problematic.
- If the driver didn’t have the necessary documents at the time of the accident, it could lead to rejection.
- Claims made under an expired or invalid insurance policy are not accepted.
Tracking Your Car Insurance Claim In Cholamandalam
If you want to track your Chola MS Car Insurance Claim, it is very simple. Here’s how you can do it -
Step 1 - Visit the Chola MS Website:
Start by heading over to the official Chola MS website.
Step 2 - Navigate to Claims:
On the homepage, look for the "Claims" drop-down menu and select "Motor and Other Claims”. You will then be redirected to the claims page.
Step 3 - Track Your Claim:
Click on "Track Claims" under the car insurance section.
Step 4 - Log In:
Enter your credentials to log in, and voilà! You will be able to see the status of your claim.
Keep these steps in mind to easily keep track of your claim’s progress.
Wrap Up
Using Cholamandalam to file an online auto insurance claim is as seamless as a Virat Kohli cover drive. With his accurate approach, Kohli makes batting appear smooth. By following the simple instructions above, you can do the same for your Cholamandalam car insurance claim. Remember that checking your claim details makes sure everything is correct, just like Kohli does when he watches the game later on to improve. Using the digital method to your advantage can save you time and ensure that you have excellent coverage.
FAQs
To get the Chola MS claim form, simply visit the company’s website. You'll find the option to download the form right there.
Here’s a brief guide to help you through the claim registration process -
- Call 1800-208-5544 or visit the general insurance website to inform them about the incident and start your claim.
- Use the ‘Motor Claims’ section on the website to upload your policy details and initiate the claim.
- Provide all necessary documents and repair bills either online or by post.
- After submitting the required information, Cholamandalam will process your claim and reimburse the amount, factoring in any applicable deductibles.
To check your Cholamandalam claim status, follow these steps. Go to the Cholamandalam general insurance website and enter your credentials to log in. You should then navigate to the ‘Claims’ tab. Select the ‘Motor Claims’ option to view the current status of your claim.
When registering a car insurance claim with Cholamandalam, make sure to submit the following key documents -
- A duly signed claim form
- Copy of your driving licence
- Copy of the vehicle's RC (Registration Certificate)
- Copy of the insurance policy
- FIR (if there are any deaths or bodily injuries involved)
- Original repair estimate slip or repair invoice
Generally, Chola MS car insurance claims are settled within 7-10 business days, ensuring a prompt and efficient resolution.
For minor claims, such as scratches and dents, an FIR isn’t necessary. However, for major claims or if a third party is involved, an FIR report becomes mandatory.
For reimbursement claims, you will need to submit all relevant documents directly to the insurance company.