Motor Insurance
Car & two-wheeler insurance, in plain words
Motor insurance pays for damage to your vehicle and for harm you cause to others. Third-party cover is required by law; own-damage cover protects your own vehicle.
Who it's for
Every vehicle owner. The legal minimum is third-party cover, but a comprehensive plan that also repairs your own vehicle is worth it for most.
The words, in plain English
- Third-party cover
- Pays for injury or damage you cause to other people or their property. Driving without it is illegal.
- Own-damage cover
- Pays to repair your own vehicle after an accident, fire or theft.
- Comprehensive
- Third-party + own-damage in one plan — the complete cover most people should take.
- IDV (vehicle value)
- The current market value of your vehicle and the most you get if it's stolen or totally damaged. A fair IDV matters — too low and you lose out on a claim.
- Zero depreciation
- An add-on so the insurer pays the full part cost at repair without cutting for wear and tear. Very useful for newer vehicles.
- No-claim bonus (NCB)
- A discount on next year's premium for every year you don't claim — can reach 50%.
- Cashless garage
- A garage where the insurer settles the repair bill directly. Check that good garages near you are on the list.
- Return to invoice
- An add-on that pays the full on-road price (not just IDV) if the vehicle is stolen or written off — great in the first few years.
Before you buy — check these
- Don't buy only third-party to save money if your vehicle is new — own-damage repairs cost far more.
- Set a fair IDV; a lower IDV gives a cheaper premium but a smaller payout if the vehicle is lost.
- For new vehicles, add zero-depreciation — it dramatically cuts what you pay at repair.
- Don't break renewal — a gap can cost you your no-claim bonus discount.
- Check the cashless garage network in your city before you buy.
Questions people ask
Third-party or comprehensive?
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Third-party is the legal minimum. Comprehensive also repairs your own vehicle — for most owners, especially of newer vehicles, it's the better value.
What is a fair IDV?
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Close to your vehicle's current market value. Too low cuts your theft/total-loss payout; too high just raises premium. The Cover Calculator checks fairness.
Which add-ons are worth it?
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Zero-depreciation and return-to-invoice are the most useful for newer vehicles; roadside assistance is handy for long drives.
Still have questions?
Pia is our AI advisor, trained by IRDAI-licensed experts. Ask anything — she'll explain it simply, then help you find the right cover if you want it.