Car Insurance in Kolkata

Known as the capital of West Bengal and cultural capital of India, Kolkata is well-known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and various cultural festivals. A huge number of tourists visit the city during the Durga Pooja festival. Kolkata is an educational and commercial hub in East India. The city features some amazing places that are very popular among the tourists, such as Victoria Memorial, Marble Palace, Belur Math, Nicco Park, Kalighat, and Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

To go to these amazing places, you will probably drive a car or get in one. Talking about cars, there is a huge car density in this city and traffic jams are the evidence of that. Having a car insurance policy in such a place is not only recommended but it is necessary. Also, it is mandatory by law to have third-party car insurance in Kolkata as per the Motor Vehicle Act 1988.

These statistics will enlighten you the need of car insurance in Kolkata:

• The city recorded 191 road deaths in 2024, a 20% increase from 159 in 2023, marking the first rise since 2016.

• There were 1,754 reported injuries from road accidents, up from 1,718 in 2022.

• Esplanade and Port areas reported the highest number of fatal accidents in 2023.

• Kolkata Police recorded 1,11,429 traffic violations, averaging over 10,000 cases daily in 2024

• With 2,448 vehicles per km of road, Kolkata has one of the highest car density among Indian cities.

There are 3 kinds of four-wheeler insurance available in Kolkata:

1. Third-Party Four-Wheeler Insurance

This type of car insurance is mandatory by law under Motor Vehicle Act 1988. It covers any liability that arises from an accident caused by the policyholder’s car. It covers third-party individual and property damage.

2. Comprehensive Four-Wheeler Insurance

This type of car insurance policy covers both own-damage and third-party damages. It gives an all-round protection to the policyholder’s car. It can be optimised and enhanced using add-ons. New cars are recommended to have comprehensive car insurance for better security and financial stability.

3. Stand-Alone Four-Wheeler Insurance

This type of four-wheeler insurance policy only covers policyholder’s vehicle’s damages. Third-party damages are excluded in this policy and have to be bought separately. This is a cost-effective type of car insurance policy, where you can buy third-party insurance from one insurer and own-damage insurance from another.

Car insurance premium in Kolkata are determined by these factors:

• Details of the Car:

The age, model, type and price of the car influence the car insurance premium prices. The higher the value of the car, higher the premium rates.

• Location:

Certain areas in Kolkata will have higher premium rates than others, depending on traffic density, urban centre or industrial zone, accident prone area, etc.

• Discounts:

NCBs, direct discounts and bundling policies can lower the premium rate of car insurance in Kolkata.

• Type of Insurance:

The coverage scope of insurance determines the premium rate of the four-wheeler insurance policy. A third-party insurance is the most basic type, costing the least, whereas a comprehensive insurance policy will have more coverage, but will cost more.

This table represents key benefits of car insurance in Kolkata:

Here are the major reasons why buying a car insurance in Kolkata is a good idea:

1. Legal Requirement

Third-party car insurance is mandatory by law under Motor Vehicle Act 1988 to drive on public roads of Kolkata.

2. Theft Risk

In 2022, Kolkata reported a theft rate of 8.5 per 100,000 people, which is actually quite low compared to other metropolitan cities in India. Still, cars do get stolen, and insurers provide compensation for your stolen car as per the IDV in your car insurance policy.

3. Natural Calamities

Kolkata is prone to flooding. Kolkata experienced significant urban flooding due to torrential rains, affecting several areas and disrupting daily life. Approximately 43% of West Bengal's geographical area is flood-prone, making Kolkata susceptible to frequent flooding events (West Bengal Disaster Management Portal). Constant flooding, heavy rainfall and waterlogging can cause car damage. This car damage can be financed by car insurance and if you have engine protection cover, it can further help you save money on repairs.

4. Saves Money

This is pretty much self explanatory. A four-wheeler insurance policy will help you save money by providing financial support during the time of need as per policy.

5. Peace of Mind

While driving on the roads of Kolkata, you do not have to worry about getting into trouble, at least financially if you have four-wheeler insurance. In case of an accident or mishap, the insurance company will make you whole.

• Collision - Damage and loss caused due to accidents or collisions.
• Theft - Coverage against losses incurred when your car is stolen.
• Fire - Loss or damage caused due to an accidental fire.
• Natural disaster - Damage and loss occurred due to natural calamities like, flood, earthquake, etc
• Personal accident - A compensation of about Rs. 15 lakhs in case the accident leads to death or disability of the owner.
• Third-party losses - Your insurer compensates for property damages and injuries caused by your car.

• Damage/loss caused due to war or similar conditions
• Damage occurred while driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Damage that arise when driving without a valid driver’s license.
• Damage occurred when the insurance policy is not active
• Regular wear & tear
• Regular servicing expense

Buy car insurance online in Kolkata through Coverfox by following these steps:

1. Visit Coverfox website, then go to Insurance > Car Insurance tab
2. Write down your registration number of the vehicle or
3. Click on “Bought a new vehicle?”
4. Select Manufacturer, then Car Model
5. Choose your powertrain
6. Choose your variant
7. Click on Get Quotes
8. Compare prices and Select appropriate Add-ons
9. Make an online payment through secure gateway
10. Your policy will be emailed to you after verification

Follow these steps to file a claim for car insurance in Kolkata:

• Inform the insurer: Inform the insurer about the incident involving the claim

• Lodge an FIR (If required): File an FIR at the nearest police station in Kolkata if required (In case of major accident or thefts).

• Fill the claims form: Fill in the claims form from your insurer (Most insurers have it on their website) and submit the required documents.

• Repair the car at a Network Garage (Cashless Claim): Visit the nearest network garage in Kolkata of your insurer, and get your car fixed there. Payment will be settled by the insurer directly.

• Repair the car at a non-networked Garage (Reimbursement Claim): If a network garage is not available, you can repair your car at a garage, pay the appropriate costs, and collect the receipt. The insurer will reimburse you of the amount as per the policy.

Submit these required documents to file a claim in Kolkata for car insurance:

• Insurance policy document

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)

• Driver’s licence

• First Information Report (FIR) – mandatory for theft or severe accidents

• Photos of the damaged vehicle or accident site

• Repair invoices and payment receipts (for reimbursement claims).

For choosing the best insurance policy in Kolkata follow these tips:

• Compare different insurers online through Coverfox

• Check coverage scope of the car insurance policy

• Check inclusions and exclusions of the insurance policy

• Choose only the required add-ons

• Check availability of NCBs for discounts

• Check network garages of the insurer

• Ensure you buy car insurance through Coverfox for best deals and excellent support

There are several cashless garages in Kolkata authorized by various Car Insurance Companies. Some of them are mentioned below:

Follow these traffic rules in Kolkata to avoid any hindrances with insurance:

• Follow all traffic rules and regulations on the road to avoid fines.

• Carry all necessary documents with you (Insurance, Licence, RC, PUC)

• Do not Drink and Drive or drive under influence.

• Do not give the car to someone who is illegal to drive.

• Do not carry expired car insurance, renew it at the earliest.

• Don’t do rash driving