How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Case of Theft?

Posted on: Jun 13, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Case of Theft?

Your car is probably one of your biggest investments, after your house. Now, one day, when you discover that your car has been stolen, it can be a completely overwhelming experience. One of the best things to do during this situation is to file a claim for the stolen vehicle. If your car is insured, file a claim for the settlement immediately. This increases your chances of getting at least a specific value for your stolen asset.

Understanding car insurance in India is key. Just as you’d use a safety net to reduce your risk, an insurer does the same for your health. Vehicle insurance protects you from big bills after crashes. Theft. Natural disaster. Whatever you think of. Comprehensive or third-party. You pick. All of these things change the price you pay for insurance. Your PIN code, the type of car and the size of the engine may all determine the rates you get. Young drivers often end up paying more, as statistics prove a 20-year-old might be charged double what a 35-year-old drivers pay. But by choosing the right cover and shopping around, you can land budget car insurance plans that work.

You must understand how to bring the claim settlement process smoothly. Submitting accurate documents and taking necessary action will ensure that your claim is settled immediately. In this article, you will learn how to claim insurance for a stolen car in a step-by-step procedure.

Step 1: File an FIR

One of the first things to do is file for the FIR at your nearest police station as soon as possible. You must provide details about the theft, like date, time, description of the stolen vehicle, and location. The FIR will be one of the first documents for the car theft claim process. Make sure that you get a copy of the FIR, too, since you'll have to provide that as proof.

Step 2: Inform Your Insurer

The next thing you must do is inform your insurance company about the claim and file a report for the theft. The insurance company will require a lot of information, so make sure to provide them with all the accurate details. You will have to submit the following vehicle theft claim documents:

•The vehicle policy details include the policy number.

•The FIR copy was obtained from the police station where you filed the report.

•Description of your insured vehicle, which was stolen. For this, you'll have to provide the registration number, model, and any additional features.

•Situations that led to the theft (optional).

•Contact information of the witnesses, if there is any.

You must inform your insurer about the theft as soon as possible. You may have a specific timeline or period within which you must report the theft to ensure a smooth vehicle theft insurance claim process.

Step 3: Submit Required Documents

You must fill out all the forms to complete the claim process. When filling out the claims form, you must mention all the details accurately, with supporting documents for the car theft claim. The common documents you will have to submit are as follows:

•Driving license

•Registration certificate

•Filled Claim form

•Insured's signature ID proof

•Copy of the FIR

•Car keys, if available

•If the vehicle is financed, then provide NOC/F-35

•Bank details with a cancelled cheque for claim payment

•Final Report/ un-traceable report

•Tax paid and permit for commercial vehicles

•Letter of subrogation (allows the insurer to look for the stolen vehicle if it is recovered)

The insurance company may require you to submit any additional documents, too. Before filing for the claim settlement process, it is advisable to consult your insurance agent about whether you will have to submit any extra documents apart from these.

Step 4: Non-Traceable Report

The police will issue the non-traceable report after they have completed the investigation and concluded that the vehicle can't be found. The non-traceable report is one of the most crucial documents for the car theft insurance claim process. The non-traceable report is proof that the police diligently searched for the vehicle, but we're unable to find it. This acts as proof of trust for the insurance companies and can easily speed up the insurance claim process. Therefore, settlement becomes easier. The police department usually mentions a specific period within which the vehicle can be found. If not, they will issue the non-traceable report. You must also submit this report and other documents to speed up the claim settlement process.

Claim Settlement Process & Timelines

You must provide all accurate information for the car theft claim settlement procedure. If any information is incorrect, it will only delay the process. Moreover, ensure you're not providing any mismatching or missing documents. Negligence during the claim-filing process can backfire, making it difficult to either get the settlement or reject it.

Usually, the entire car theft insurance claim process can take up to 4 months or even longer. The duration significantly depends on the police's issuance of a non-traceable certificate. Furthermore, the timeline duration also depends on whether you have submitted all the documents accurately.

For filing the stolen car claim settlement process, it is essential to consider specific factors, such as the following:

Inform your insurer about the car being stolen as soon as possible to prevent any delay or rejection of the claim.

Always ensure that you have submitted all the documents accurately within the timeline to speed up the claim settlement process.

Go through your policy terms and conditions to understand your coverage before filing for the claim.

If you have a car loan, the compensation will be paid to the financier, and you must cover the remaining amount.

After filing the claim, make sure to check the deadlines. Constantly track the claim process to get a smoother experience.

Before submitting the documents, you should take a copy of them too. Retain a copy of all vehicle theft claim documents for future reference.

Being a little mindful during the settlement process only helps in expediting the process. Also, you may need to connect with the insurance company if required, so make sure to respond to their queries as soon as possible.

What if the Car is Recovered?

Different scenarios come into play when the stolen car is recovered. These possibilities include:

•Recovery before the claim settlement process:

If the recovery was done before the vehicle theft insurance claim settlement, you will not be eligible for the amount. However, if there is any damage to the car due to theft, you will be eligible to receive the repair expenses. After informing them, you will also have to provide them with the necessary details of the recovery. After the recovery, you'll have to submit documents like the car RC (Registration Certificate) and a copy of the FIR (First Information Report). If the police had earlier declared your vehicle as non-traceable, then you would also submit the non-traceable certificate.

•Recovery after the claim settlement process:

If you have recovered the car after the claim settlement process, it is advisable to reach out to your car insurance company. You must inform the insurance company about the recovery and who will take the necessary steps.

The claim settlement will be adjusted based on the condition of the vehicle and the nature of the damages. Choosing a reliable insurance provider can significantly simplify the claim settlement process. To learn more about hassle-free motor insurance claims, check out the details car insurance details.

Conclusion

If your vehicle is stolen, it can be a stressful time. However, as long as you know how to claim insurance for the stolen car, you should be fine. Make sure to file the claim immediately with all the necessary documents for a smooth and simple claim process. Filing the claim right on time can help you receive the compensation faster, even if the vehicle is not traceable. However, once the vehicle is recovered, ensure you inform your insurance company as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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