In India, motor insurance is broadly classified into two categories: Third-Party Liability Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance. These types serve different purposes and provide varying levels of coverage. Let’s break them down:
1. Third-Party Liability Insurance
Definition: This is the most basic and mandatory form of motor insurance as per the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Coverage: It covers any legal liability that may arise due to injury, death, or property damage to a third party in an accident involving your vehicle.
Exclusions: It does not cover damage to your own vehicle or personal injuries.
Key Features:
Covers injury or death of a third party.
Covers third-party property damage (limited up to a certain amount, generally ₹7.5 lakhs for four-wheelers).
Does not offer any coverage for the insured vehicle’s damage.
2. Comprehensive Insurance
Definition: This is an all-inclusive insurance plan that offers coverage for both third-party liabilities and own damage.
Own vehicle damage due to accidents, theft, fire, or natural calamities (like floods, earthquakes, etc.).
Personal accident cover for the owner-driver (compensation in case of death or injury).
Key Features:
Offers both third-party and own-damage protection.
Includes theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Customizable with add-ons like Zero Depreciation, Engine Protection, etc.
3. Standalone Own Damage Insurance
Definition: A relatively new type of insurance introduced following IRDAI guidelines in 2019. It covers only the damage to your own vehicle but not third-party liabilities.
Coverage: Similar to the own damage portion of a comprehensive policy but does not include third-party liability, which needs to be bought separately.
Key Features:
Provides coverage for own vehicle damages due to accidents, fire, natural calamities, theft, etc.
Needs to be paired with a third-party policy to comply with the law.