A pre-inspection will help you to know the condition of your vehicle before you buy car insurance. This will help you to get the best car insurance plan for your needs. Pre-inspection is a process that is used by insurers to verify the condition of the vehicle and make sure that it has no major damage or any issues that can affect its resale value. The inspection may also include an estimate of what it would cost to repair any damage found.
The Car Insurance Pre Inspection Service in India is a mandatory service for all car owners in India. It has been mandated by the Indian government to avoid any obligations related to the vehicle. The service will be helpful if you are looking forward to buying a new car or want to sell your old one. The pre-inspection will provide you with an estimate of how much your car is worth and what's its market price in comparison with other cars of that make, model, and year.
Car Inspection Service in Repair Shop Includes:-
- Complete car scanning
- Used car evaluation
- New car evaluation
- Physical car inspection
- Instant car valuation.
Why it is Important to have Car Pre Inspection Service?
It is important to know the difference between a pre-inspection service and a regular inspection service. A pre-inspection is done before the purchase of a new car, while a regular inspection is done after the arrival of the new car. If you are looking for an insurance provider, it is important to do some research before you make your decision. You should look at the price, coverage, and customer reviews.
The insurer hires a qualified surveyor to examine the purchased vehicle for defects, hidden damage, maintenance history, and safety, then typically provides a written evaluation report. The service results in factual information that the intending purchaser uses as decision support for the vehicle purchase. Unless the vehicle is unsafe to drive, the evaluator does not provide a purchase recommendation.
Parts & Features that are inspected in Vehicle:
Car inspection in a vehicle includes:-
- Structural integrity
- Safety features
- Electrical and electronic systems
- Powertrain
- Suspension
- Fuel system
- Emissions
- Steering
- Comfort system (heat/air)
- Security system
- Exhaust
- Interior
- Wheels & rims
- Crashes,
- Flood, or rough use.
For Newer Vehicles:-
- Onboard computer system
- Vehicle identification alteration
- License plates
- Salvage title
- Odometer fraud.
| Exterior |
Interior |
Engine |
- Body Pillars
- Indicators
- Head Light
- Tail Light
|
- Power Windows
- Dashboard
- Air Conditioner
- Music System
|
- Alternator Belt
- AC Compressor
- Steering System
- Radiator
|
What is Car Pre Inspection in India?
Before you purchase a car insurance policy, it is always a good idea to get a pre-inspection of the vehicle. A pre-inspection will not only help you find any hidden damages but also help you save on your car insurance premium.
In terms of Car insurance, pre inspection is the inspection of the car before the acceptance of the risk by the insurance company to check the physical condition of the car and any damages before the inception of the risk. The pre-inspection is done before the policy issuance to understand the risk that has to be taken by the insurance company against the premium paid by the customer.
Benefits that come with a Car Inspection:
- A car inspection is a process that involves examining the car for any potential issues.
- The car needs to be in good condition because if it isn’t then it can cause significant damage to the engine and other parts of the car.
- It can help you determine whether or not your vehicle needs any maintenance work done on it.
- If you have a vehicle that has been sitting idle for a long period, then an inspection will help you figure out what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost.
- Another benefit is that an inspection will tell you how well your vehicle has been maintained over time, which could potentially save you money in the future by preventing problems before they happen.
Need for Car Insurance Inspection:
The need for pre inspection for car insurance arises if there is an ownership transfer; or switch from the Third party to comprehensive, increased coverage at the time of claim. Let us understand each case where the pre inspection is required or mandated by the insurance company:-
- Policy expiry: The pre inspection is required in cases where the policy has expired and the car is running without a valid insurance policy. This case is known as an insurance break-in and the car insurance is renewed only after a satisfactory inspection report. The car is inspected for any damages and based on the inspection report, the insurance companies decide on the acceptance of the risk.
- Ownership transfer: In case of the sale of the car the insured name needs to be changed in the car insurance policy copy and for this, a pre inspection will be done by the insurance company to ascertain the No claim bonus and other things which cannot be transferred to the new owner.
- TP to Comprehensive: There might be instances where the customer has taken only third party insurance in the previous year and wishes to purchase comprehensive car insurance at the time of renewal. In such cases, the pre inspection is done by the insurance companies to understand the reason behind the switch from the third party to comprehensive cover.
- Add-ons: For instance, a customer might have not opted for the Bumper to bumper insurance cover last year but this year he might want to include it in his car insurance. This mandates a pre inspection check by the insurance company to understand the reason behind this switch by the customer.
- Claim: A pre inspection of the car is mandatory at the time of claim. The car is inspected for any loss or damages and also to ascertain the amount of loss to be paid by the insurance company. Without inspection, the insurance company will not settle the claim at any cost.
- Addition of Bi fuel kit: If a bi fuel kit is added to the car in the mid year of insurance, which was not present at the time of taking insurance, then it is mandatory for the insurance company to pre inspect the car and decide upon the acceptance of the risk due to midterm addition by the customer.
What is the Validity of Car Inspection?
The validity of inspection is at the most 48 hours from the time of inspection and the premium needs to be paid within this period for the inspection to be valid. If the premium is not received by the insurance company within the stipulated period the pre inspection report stands invalid and the insurance company demands a new pre inspection to be done on the vehicle.
The expired car insurance can be renewed only after the pre inspection by the insurance company to understand the risks associated with the car. Since the car insurance expired at midnight, it is advisable to renew your car insurance at least 2 days before the expiry date to prevent last minute issues in renewing the insurance.
Car Insurance without Inspection:
No insurance company will provide car insurance without a valid pre inspection report. It is a common practice for insurance companies to ask for an inspection report before the acceptance of the risk. Some insurance companies employ third parties to inspect while some insurance companies have in house inspection arrangements where the inspection is done with the help of online links and apps.
Car Inspection experts agree that a good inspection serves several functions:-
- Verifies the functioning of equipment, including options, on the car.
- Confirms the condition level of the car, including such things as tire wear and the condition of the brake pads.
- Reveals hidden problems with the body, frame, or engine.
- Checks trouble codes that can reveal mechanical or electrical problems.
- Builds confidence in the value of the vehicle.
How is Car Pre Inspection done manually?
Pre-inspection is a safety procedure that car owners should do before they buy a car. It is also called a pre-purchase inspection. A pre-purchase inspection helps people find out the condition of the car before they buy it. If there are any problems, people can ask the seller to fix them before they make the purchase or walk away from the deal.
A pre-inspection is an examination of a vehicle's condition and its components to determine if it meets certain standards for safe operation by law. The purpose of this inspection is to identify major defects that may affect vehicle safety and/or drivability, as well as provide information about the current mechanical condition, previous repairs and maintenance history, service needs, and other important factors that could affect the price of a used car.
- Inspect the car in for scratches or paint jobs
- Check the working of electronics thoroughly
- Check for leakages & battery problems
- Listen for any noise during the test drive
- Check the engine for any trouble
- Test the brakes
- Condition of Tyres
- Check the Odometer Reading carefully
- Car’s maintenance history
- Legal documents of the previous owner:-
- Registration Certificate (RC)
- Insurance papers
- No objection Certificate
- Original Purchase Invoice.
Conclusion:
If you own a car and have been using it for some time, it is important to perform a check-up on your car’s health. This is essential to keep the car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs.
Also, safety plays the most important role when it comes to owning or driving a car. Keeping a periodic check on all the parts of your car and repairing and maintaining them from time to time helps you keep yourself and your car safe. Car inspection should be carried out by a professional mechanic who will understand in and out of a car and will provide you with a detailed car inspection report.