Types of Car Insurance Claims You Can File

by Ronel Forbes

August 18, 2023

Let’s face it, very few people have the ability to simply pick up their car keys whenever they feel like it and drive away. With the exception of safety, which should always come first, of course, nothing comes close to the release that a car can offer while you’re driving around the highways, without a care in the world. Did you know that there were 921 fatal car accidents in the Philippines alone in 2022, resulting in 1,004 fatalities and 3,728 serious injuries?

The truth is that these incidents/accidents can and do happen, whether as a consequence of your negligence, that of another driver, or as a result of environmental circumstances, despite the absence of data on the causes of each and every one of them. This is why it’s crucial to understand what your policy covers when it comes to different kinds of auto insurance claims.

We’ve got you covered in this post if you’re unsure of what kind of claim you can make or how to go about doing it.

What are the typical circumstances that force you to submit a car insurance claim?

A lot can happen while driving. Here are a few scenarios that can force you to submit a claim.

1. Car Repairs Required Due to an Accident

Whether the accident was your fault or not, the damage your car experienced would undoubtedly drain your finances. However, the longer you put off the repair, the more it will cost, particularly if you use the car for business purposes.

Use your auto insurance to pay the expenses while preserving your money. You may also be able to utilize your insurance to have your automobile towed to an approved repair facility, depending on the sort of coverage you have and the circumstances.

2. Physical Injury or Death

Check your insurance policy to determine how this will be covered if your automobile hits someone else and the occurrence results in harm or death. The first thing you should do is this, especially if your auto insurance policy is comprehensive.

In a similar manner, you can make a claim if your passenger is hurt or loses their life in the collision. In a similar vein, if you have an injury, you may submit a claim. Your family can use the insurance benefits in the event of your death.

3. Damage to Property

Non-living objects, such as buildings, homes, and other vehicles, can occasionally be involved in accidents. By using your auto insurance to pay for the necessary repairs, you can avoid any legal ramifications.

4. Total Loss

Get your car evaluated to determine whether it is a total loss if the damage is too severe to be repaired. When the cost of repairing a car exceeds its present worth, it is typically referred to as a total loss or total wreck. If your auto insurance plan in the Philippines includes this kind of coverage, you can use total loss.

5. Damage from Men-Caused Events

It’s possible that a prankster broke your car’s windows. Alternatively, there can be small thieves who target cars in your neighborhood. You can file a car insurance claim if someone has intentionally damaged your vehicle so that you won’t have to pay to have it fixed out of pocket.

What happens if your car is taken? If your policy includes coverage for theft, you can submit a claim to have the insurer reimburse you for the fair market value of the stolen vehicle.

Types of Car Insurance Claims in the Philippines

You can explore the numerous forms of auto insurance claims now that you are aware of the various circumstances that call for you to submit a claim. Check your auto insurance policy after reading this section to determine its full scope and determine the coverage gaps you require.

1. Acts of Nature Claim

Natural disasters are nothing new to the Philippines. Get an Acts of God or Acts of Nature (AON) coverage if you accept this fact. You can submit an Acts of God car insurance claim if your vehicle sustains damage as a result of a natural calamity such as a flood, typhoon, volcanic eruption, or earthquake.

However, before filing a claim, make sure your policy covers floods. Some automobile insurance policies with an AON add-on do not.

Also, keep in mind that the claim is only legitimate if the incident occurred unexpectedly or inescapably. If you drive in a flood- or landslide-prone location despite knowing it is risky, your insurance won’t cover the resulting car damage.

2. Own Damage Claim

Own damage claims are made when a vehicle (covered by a comprehensive auto insurance policy) sustains damage as a result of a collision with another vehicle, a gutter, an electric pole, or any other object while being driven in a safe and legal manner.

Your auto insurance coverage determines what you may and cannot claim for. Unless your policy has an Acts of God coverage, the majority of comprehensive auto insurance policies in the Philippines do not permit an own damage claim for auto damage brought on by a flood or any other natural disaster.

3. TPL Claim

When you file a claim under your Compulsory Third-person Liability (or TPL) policy, you are asking your auto insurance company to cover the medical costs of a third person who was hurt or killed as a result of an accident your car caused (up to the limitations of $100,000).

The driver and any passengers in your automobile at the time of the collision, as well as any loss or damage to the third party’s vehicle or other property, are not covered by this.

4. Excess Bodily Injury Claim

If your auto insurance policy includes excess bodily injury coverage, you can submit a claim to reimburse any medical costs incurred by the third party that goes above the TPL coverage’s $100,000 cap.

Similar to the TPL, the driver and any occupants of the car involved in the collision are not covered by an excess bodily injury claim.

5. Third-Party Property Damage Claim

If you damage someone else’s vehicle while operating your own vehicle normally and legally, you may file a claim for damages as long as you have comprehensive insurance.

It also covers harm done to structures your car might collide with during an accident, such as fences, electric posts, buildings, and other structures.

6. RSMD Claim

Riot, strike, malicious damage, and civil disturbance are all abbreviations for RSMD. You can submit an RSMD claim if any of those things cause damage to your car.

What conditions must be met in the Philippines before filing an RSMD claim?

A completed auto insurance claim form
Police report or incident affidavit that has been notarized
Pictures of the harmed area and the license plate number
Repair budget
Driver’s license photocopy
Photocopies of the OR and CR for the vehicle’s registration

7. Theft Claim

Did someone kidnap you or steal parts from your priceless car? As long as it is specified in your policy, you may make a claim for the fair market value if you lose an automobile or car parts as a result of criminal activity.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to comprehend how the various vehicle insurance claims in the Philippines operate. However, you must at least be aware of the fundamentals so that, in the event of an accident, you know how to start the process.

Call your insurer as soon as possible after the incident to have the issue resolved as early as feasible. As soon as you feel comfortable enough, begin taking pictures of the devastation.

However, submitting a car insurance claim need not be challenging, especially if you purchased your coverage via MGS General Insurance. You may effortlessly submit a claim through the website because MGS Insurance provides end-to-end motor car insurance services. This helps you save a ton of time and relieves tension.