Claim Pitfalls, Complaints and Official Sources
How to verify a car insurance policy is genuine, plus the official portals to use
How to check a motor policy is real and recorded on Vahan, spot fake-policy and agent scams, check an IRDAI-registered insurer or intermediary, and which official portals to use for what.
To check that a car or bike insurance policy is genuine, verify it on the insurer's own website or app using the policy number, check that the insurance details appear on your vehicle's record on Parivahan / Vahan (or the mParivahan app) within a few days, and make sure whoever sold it is an IRDAI-registered insurer, agent, broker or web aggregator. Fake motor policies are usually sold through a person, not a portal: a "discounted" policy paid by UPI to an individual, a PDF sent on WhatsApp, or a renewal offered by a caller who has your old policy details. A fake policy means you are uninsured, and a claim will fail completely.
This guide is part of claim rejection reasons.
Five checks for any new or renewed policy
- Insurer verification. Most insurers offer "verify policy" or "download policy" on their website or app. Enter the policy number and registration number. If the insurer cannot find it, it is not a valid policy.
- Vahan record. After a few days, check the vehicle's details on Parivahan. Insurance details reported by insurers usually appear with the insurer name and validity date. Gaps can be due to reporting delays, so if the insurer confirms the policy, ask it to update the record.
- Seller registration. Check the insurer is on IRDAI's list of registered general insurers, and that an agent, broker or web aggregator is registered. Agents carry a licence issued through the insurer; ask for the licence number.
- Payment trail. Pay to the insurer or the registered intermediary's payment gateway. The receipt should show the insurer's name. Never pay to a personal UPI ID or bank account.
- Schedule details. The policy must show your name, registration number, engine and chassis numbers, IDV, period, premium breakup with GST and the insurer's GSTIN, and the IRDAI registration number of the insurer.
Warning signs of a fake or mis-sold policy
| Sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Price far below every quote you can get online | TP premium is fixed; nobody can discount it |
| Payment to an individual | Insurers collect premium themselves or through registered intermediaries |
| PDF only, not retrievable from the insurer | Genuine policies can be verified on the insurer's system |
| Caller claims "your policy will be blocked" | Pressure tactic; insurers do not block vehicles |
| Policy shows wrong vehicle class (for example two-wheeler premium for a car) | Cheap but void for your vehicle |
| Agent asks you to declare a false NCB or no CNG kit to cut the price | Misrepresentation that defeats claims |
Worked example: why a "cheap" policy is impossible
Illustrative. A caller offers a comprehensive policy for a 1,197 cc car for ₹4,000 including GST, when your renewal notice is ₹15,500.
- The TP premium alone for 1,000–1,500 cc is ₹3,416, or ₹4,031 with 18% GST.
- ₹4,000 cannot cover even the TP part, let alone own damage, PA and add-ons.
- Conclusion: the offer is either a liability-only policy described as comprehensive, a policy for a different vehicle class, or fake.
Use the TP figure as a sanity check whenever a price looks too low; see third-party premium rates.
What to do if you suspect a fake policy
- Do not drive the vehicle on that policy.
- Contact the insurer named on the document through its official website or helpline and ask it to confirm.
- If fake, buy a genuine policy immediately.
- Report the fraud: the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the cybercrime portal for online fraud, and the local police. Inform the insurer whose name was misused.
- Register a complaint on Bima Bharosa if an intermediary was involved.
Official sources and what each is for
| Source | Use it for |
|---|---|
| IRDAI | Lists of registered insurers, brokers and web aggregators; regulations; master circulars |
| Bima Bharosa | Registering and tracking complaints against insurers |
| Council for Insurance Ombudsmen | Ombudsman offices, complaint forms and jurisdictions |
| Ministry of Road Transport and Highways | Motor Vehicles Act, TP premium notifications, cashless treatment scheme |
| Parivahan Sewa | Vehicle records, RC transfer, licence services, insurance validity |
| DigiLocker | Digital RC, driving licence and some insurance documents |
| Insurance Information Bureau of India | Industry data repository on motor policies and claims |
| e-Jagriti | Filing consumer complaints online |
| National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal | Reporting online insurance fraud |
Documents shown through DigiLocker or mParivahan are accepted as valid by traffic enforcement under the IT Act and Motor Vehicles rules; keep the insurance PDF on your phone as well.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a WhatsApp PDF without checking it with the insurer.
- Buying from a "known agent" who cannot show an IRDAI-linked licence.
- Ignoring a Vahan record that shows no insurance weeks after renewal.
- Giving OTPs or card details to callers offering renewals.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
My policy is genuine but Vahan shows the old one. What do I do?
Ask the insurer to update the data. Keep the policy PDF and the insurer's confirmation in case you are stopped.
Can I buy motor insurance from a bank?
Yes, banks can act as registered corporate agents. Check the policy is issued by an IRDAI-registered insurer.
Is an online aggregator an insurer?
No. Web aggregators registered with IRDAI compare and sell policies of insurers. The policy is issued by the insurer.
What details should never be shared on a call?
OTPs, card PINs, net banking passwords and UPI PINs. Insurers do not need them to issue or renew a policy.
Sources
- IRDAI — registered entities and consumer advisories
- Parivahan Sewa — vehicle insurance status
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — report fraud
- Bima Bharosa — complaints
