Documents needed for a motor insurance claim survey
For most motor claim surveys you need five documents: the claim form, the policy copy, the vehicle's registration certificate (RC), the driver's licence and the garage's repair estimate. Others — a police report, a permit, a fitness certificate — depend on the vehicle and on what happened.
The core documents
- Claim form — filled in and signed by the insured.
- Policy copy — so the surveyor can see the cover, the IDV and any add-ons such as zero depreciation.
- Registration certificate (RC) — to confirm the vehicle and its owner.
- Driving licence — of the person driving at the time, valid for that class of vehicle.
- Repair estimate — from the garage, listing parts and labour.
Documents that depend on the claim
- Police report / FIR and, later, the final police report — for theft, injury, third-party damage or a major accident.
- Fire brigade report — if the vehicle caught fire.
- Permit, permit authorisation, fitness certificate and road tax certificate — for commercial vehicles.
- Load challan, e-way bill, way bill or trip sheet — for goods vehicles carrying a load.
- Previous policy and break-in inspection report — if the policy was renewed after a gap.
- Repair bills — once the work is done, for the final assessment.
- KYC and payment details — such as Aadhaar, PAN, a CKYC form and a cancelled cheque, as the insurer requires for settlement.
A practical example
A delivery van is hit at a junction and the other driver is injured. Beyond the core five documents, the surveyor will need the FIR (there was an injury), the van's permit, fitness certificate and road tax certificate (it is a commercial vehicle), and the load challan for the goods on board. Sending all of them together at the start is the single most effective way to keep the claim moving — see what slows a claims survey down.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a police report (FIR)?
Not for every claim. It is generally needed where there was theft, injury, third-party damage or a serious accident. Your insurer will tell you if your claim needs one.
Why does a commercial vehicle need more documents?
Because its use is regulated: the surveyor has to check that the permit, fitness certificate and road tax were valid on the date of the accident, and, for goods vehicles, what was being carried.
Can I send photographs of documents instead of the originals?
Clear photographs or scans are usually accepted for the survey; the surveyor may ask to see an original. On Triyan they can be uploaded by the garage or through a secure link.