Documents Needed for Comprehensive Car Insurance Claim: Full List by Claim Type

A claim can move quickly when paperwork is ready, and stop when even one record is missing. In India, the document set also changes by incident type, so keeping the right proofs on hand matters as much as reporting the loss on time.

This guide explains what to keep ready for a comprehensive insurance claim, grouped by claim type, so the submission stays clean, complete, and easy for the insurer to verify.

Accident claims focus on confirming how the damage occurred and tracking the repair process from the initial estimate to the final invoice. Under comprehensive car insurance, insurers may also ask for reporting records when the incident involves a serious impact or third-party involvement.

• FIR or General Diary entry, if required, based on incident severity or local process
• Spot photographs showing damage points, if available
• Copy of the driver’s driving licence
• Workshop estimate, job card, and parts list
• Surveyor inspection note or approval to begin repairs, where applicable
• Final repair invoice, payment receipt, and supporting bills for parts and labour
• Any declaration form requested to confirm incident details, if raised during assessment

Theft and total loss cases usually require additional legal and ownership documents because settlement may involve formalities for transfer, closure, or cancellation. This is also where the difference between third-party vs comprehensive becomes clearer, since loss of the vehicle is typically handled only when own-damage cover applies.

• FIR copy for theft or incident leading to total loss
• Final police report or closure report, as applicable
• Non-traceable certificate for theft cases, if issued by the police
• Original RC and, where relevant, financier NOC if the vehicle is under loan
• All available original keys, including remote fobs if provided with the vehicle
• Consent letter and document surrender form, where requested during settlement
• RTO forms or transfer-related papers if instructed as part of total loss processing

Calamity-related claims depend heavily on visual proof and timely assessment, especially when water damage is suspected. A full coverage plan often requires an inspection before repairs begin, so the extent of the damage can be clearly evaluated.

• Photographs or a short video showing the vehicle’s condition and the extent of damage
• Intimation, acknowledgement, or reference number confirming claim registration
• Towing bill or recovery receipt, if the vehicle was moved after the incident
• Workshop estimate and job card describing affected parts and systems
• Surveyor report or inspection note, if assessment is completed before repairs
• Final invoice and receipts after repairs, as per the insurer approval process

Fire and explosion claims usually require official confirmation and repair documentation, as the cause and extent must be carefully verified. If the incident is severe, the insurer may initiate a more detailed review before approving settlement.

• Fire Brigade report, if issued
• FIR copy, if filed as per circumstances or local requirements
• Photographs showing the damaged sections and burn impact
• Workshop estimate or total loss recommendation, depending on severity
• Surveyor assessment documents, including inspection notes
• Final invoice and receipts if repairs are approved and completed
• Any additional declaration requested during verification, if raised by the insurer

Personal accident cover is assessed on medical and identity documentation rather than vehicle repair records. The paperwork supports eligibility under the cover structure and confirms the nature of injury or loss.

• Duly filled personal accident claim form
• Identity proof of the person filing the claim and relationship proof, where required
• Driving licence copy, where eligibility depends on the owner-driver terms
• Hospital papers such as admission notes, discharge summary, and doctor’s certificate
• Medical bills, pharmacy bills, and diagnostic reports as requested
• Bank details for benefit payout processing

Document readiness is one of the strongest factors that keep claim handling smooth. The safest approach is to submit the standard claim documents immediately upon intimation, then add claim-type documents such as police reports, survey notes, workshop records, or medical documents, as applicable. If any record is pending, it should be clearly flagged at submission and shared as soon as received, so verification can continue without avoidable pauses and the settlement timeline remains on track.