Motor insurance is a contract between a vehicle owner and the insurance company where the insurance company compensates for the loss arising from accidents, burglary, or third party injuries/death. It can also cover any personal injury, to driver or to passengers due to a mishap.
There are two types of motor insurance:
Third Party Cover : Under this policy, in case of a motor accident , insurer has to pay compensation for death or any bodily injuries and for damage to property of third parties. The insured is treated as the first party and the insurance company as the second party, all others would be third parties. Third party insurance covers only damage caused by the vehicle to other people or property. The India Motor Vehicles Act, 1938 has made it mandatory for every owner of a vehicle to obtain a motor insurance policy, either a comprehensive or a third party insurance. As evidence, a Certificate of Insurance must be carried at all times in the vehicle.
Comprehensive Cover : A comprehensive Motor Insurance protects against any loss or damage caused to the vehicle and its insured accessories as a result of natural and man-made calamities. Natural calamities like, Fire, Explosion, Self-ignition or lightning, Flood, typhoon/ hurricane/ storm/ tempest/ inundation/ cyclone/ hailstorm/ frost, Landslide/rockslide, Fire and shock damage due to earthquakes. Man-made calamities such as Burglary, Housebreaking or theft, Riots or strikes, Accidents by external means, Malicious acts, Terrorist activity, Damage whilst in transit by road, rail, inland-waterway, lift/elevator, or air. It also covers legal liability of insured towards third party personal injury and property damage arising out of an accident involving the insured vehicle.