When the Unexpected Happens, You Can File Any of These Types of Car Insurance Claims

In July 2022, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit northern Luzon,^[1] causing about US$687 million of infrastructure damage. Some car owners took to social media to show their vehicles damaged by fallen debris after the quake.

Also, in 2020, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 65,032 road accidents. This means that there were around 178 cases per day. More than 50,000 cases were classified as damage to property.^[2]

These events and figures just show that the road is full of uncertainties. While you may be a careful motorist, factors such as natural disasters, out-of-shape roads, and kamote drivers can lead you and others to accidents. On the other hand, there’s also the possibility that you’ll be the cause of the accident. 

There should be nothing to worry about if you have a car insurance policy. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to know the types of car insurance claims so if the time comes, you’ll know what to do. Having foresight will help you fast-track the entire claim process.

What are the Common Situations Requiring You to File a Car Insurance Claim?

A lot can happen on the road, and you need to cover as many incidents as possible. Here are some of the situations that may compel you to file a claim. 

1. Car Repairs Caused by an Accident

The damage that your car sustained in an accident, whether it’s your fault or not, will definitely burn a hole in your pocket. And if you delay the repair, the more it will cost you, especially if you’re using it to make money. 

To cover the costs while also protecting your savings, tap into your car insurance. Depending on the type of coverage and the situation you’re in, you can also use your insurance to have your car towed to an accredited repair shop.

2. Physical Injury or Death

If your car hits another person and the incident results in injury or death, turn to your insurance contract to see how this will be covered. This is the first thing that you should do, especially if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy. 

Similarly, you can file a claim if your passenger gets injured or dies from the accident. In the same vein, you can file a claim if you’re injured, or your family can avail of the insurance benefits in case of your death.

3. Damage to Property

Sometimes, it’s the non-living things that get involved in an accident. These include business establishments, houses, and even cars. Avoid legal repercussions by covering the cost of repairs. You can do this with the help of your car insurance.

4. Total Loss

If your car is damaged beyond repair, have it assessed to find out if it’s a total loss. A car is usually considered total loss or total wreck when the cost of its repair is much higher than its current value. You can invoke total loss if your car insurance policy in the Philippines has this type of coverage.

5. Natural Disasters

From typhoons to earthquakes and flash floods, the Philippines is subject to different calamities. If your car gets damaged by a natural disaster, you can file a car insurance claim to cover the cost of repair and parts replacement–that is, if these situations are specifically detailed in your policy.

6. Damage Due to Events Caused by Men 

Someone might have thought that smashing the windows of your car is a good prank. Or maybe, your neighborhood’s frequented by petty criminals who vandalize people’s cars.

If your car has been damaged by a burglar or any malicious personalities, you can file a car insurance claim to keep yourself from using your own money when fixing the defilement.

What if your vehicle is carnapped? If theft is covered in your policy, you can file a claim so that the insurer will pay you the amount of your lost car’s fair market value.

7 Types of Car Insurance Claims in the Philippines

Now that you know the various situations that require you to file a claim, you can now delve into the different types of car insurance claims. After reading this section, go back to your car insurance policy to see its true extent and identify the missing coverage.

1. Acts of Nature Claim

In 2020, the country sustained damage worth ₱ 463 billion due to disasters and natural extreme events.^[2] If you acknowledge this reality, it would be wise to get an Acts of God or Acts of Nature (AON) coverage. When your vehicle gets damaged due to a natural disaster such as a flood, typhoon, volcanic eruption, or earthquake, you can file for an Acts of God car insurance claim. 

However, some car insurance policies with an AON add-on don’t cover flooding, so check your policy first before making a claim when your car is flooded.

Also, remember that the claim will only be valid if the event happened suddenly or inevitably. Car damage caused by your own negligence won’t be covered. This includes driving in a flooded or landslide-prone area even if you know that it’s dangerous. 

2. Own Damage Claim

Own damage is the type of claim for when your vehicle (with a comprehensive car insurance policy) gets damaged or lost due to any of the following:

• Damage to the car while driving: Collision with another car, the gutter, an electric post, or anything that damages your car while you’re driving under normal and legal conditions
• Fire: Catching fire due to an external explosion or self-ignition
• Carnapping or robbery: You can claim up to the stolen car’s fair market value (actual value minus depreciation value).
• Vandalism and theft of parts: Loss of a part or several parts of your car due to criminal acts. You can claim the fair market value of the lost parts.

What you can and cannot make a claim for depends on your car insurance coverage. Most comprehensive car insurance policies in the Philippines don’t allow an own damage car insurance claim for the following:

• Car damage caused by flood or any natural disaster (Unless your policy has an Acts of God coverage)
• Stolen car accessories (Some car insurance plans cover only OEM or factory-made parts.)
• Damaged or stolen items inside the car

How to Claim Insurance for a Car Accident or Scratches in the Philippines

If you'll make a car insurance claim for own damage, prepare and submit these requirements to your provider:

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident (Or a traffic-accident investigation report) only if the incident caused car damage and happened on a public road in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, or Metro Davao)
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR)

If your car is stolen, these additional documents may be required:

• Complaint Sheet, Alarm Sheet, and Certificate of Non-Recovery from the Traffic Management Group (TMG)
• Full set of vehicle keys
• Original copy of the car insurance policy
• Letter of Release from the bank (if applicable)
• Original copy of Cancellation of Chattel Mortgage (if applicable)

Read more: What Happens if I Stop Paying My Car Insurance?

3. CTPL Claim

When you make a claim under your Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL) policy, you’re requesting your car insurance provider to pay for the medical expenses (up to ₱100,000) of a third party who got injured or died following an accident caused by your car.

This doesn’t cover the driver and any passenger in your car during the incident, as well as damage or loss to the vehicle and other properties of the third party. How to claim TPL insurance in the Philippines may vary from one provider to the other, but they generally have the same requirements.

How to Claim TPL Insurance in the Philippines?

Here are the requirements you must send to your car insurance provider if you're making a CTPL claim:

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR)
• Medical certificate
• Official receipts of medicines and treatment
• Police sketch plan
• Notice of claim from the third-party claimant or insurance company

If the accident led to the death of the third party, these additional documents are required:

• Death certificate
• Photocopy of the valid ID of heirs or claimant (for third-party death claim)
• Funeral bills and receipts

4. Excess Bodily Injury Claim

If your car insurance policy has excess bodily injury coverage, you can file a claim to pay for the third party’s medical expenses exceeding the ₱100,000 limit under the CTPL coverage.

As with the CTPL, making a claim for excess bodily injury doesn’t cover the driver and any passengers of the car involved in the accident.

What are the Requirements for an Excess Bodily Injury Insurance Claim in the Philippines?

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR)
• Medical certificate and medical bills
• Official receipts of medicines and treatment
• Police sketch plan
• In case of death: Death certificate and funeral bills
• Notice of claim from the third-party claimant or insurance company

5. Third-Party Property Damage Claim

Unlike other car insurance claims, you can make this type of claim when you damage someone else’s car while driving your own normally and legally, as long as you have a comprehensive insurance policy. It also includes damage to properties such as fences, electric posts, buildings, and other structures your car may hit during an accident.

Third-Party Property Damage Insurance Claim Procedure in the Philippines

To make a claim for third-party damage, submit these documents to your car insurance company:

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license of the insured and third party
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR) of the insured and third party
• Police sketch plan
• Notice of claim from the third-party claimant or insurance company
• Certification of No Claim from the third-party insurance company
• Proof of ownership of the third-party property (for non-vehicle damage)

6. RSMD Claim

RSMD stands for riot, strike, malicious damage, and civil disturbance. In case your car gets damaged due to any of those events, you can file for an RSMD claim.

What are the Requirements for an RSMD Claim in the Philippines?

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR)

7. Towing Reimbursement Claim

You can request for a towing reimbursement from your car insurance provider if your policy has roadside assistance or towing coverage. You undergo the car insurance claims processing after you’ve availed of a tow service and paid the towing fee out of your pocket.

What are the Requirements for a Towing Reimbursement Claim in the Philippines?

• Filled out car insurance claim form
• Official receipt of the tow service
• Police report or notarized affidavit of the incident
• Photos showing the damaged portion and plate number
• Repair estimate
• Photocopy of driver’s license
• Photocopy of car registration documents (OR and CR)

Read more: Experience Hassle-Free Claims Processing at Moneymax!

Car Insurance Claim FAQs

The types of car insurance claims have a very technical nature. Check out the most common questions about it below, and you may find the answer or solution that you’re looking for.

1. Why is my car insurance claim denied?

A denied insurance claim can be frustrating, especially if you need the cash pronto. But stop for a while and reassess your case. Check out the following situations, as one of them may be the reason the insurer rejected your claim. 

• The damage to your car isn’t covered by your policy.
• Your insurance has lapsed.
• The insurer found out that you intentionally damaged your car.
• You submitted fake documents (this may be considered insurance fraud).
• Unauthorized repair is done to the car.
• The vehicle was already damaged even before the accident.
• You committed violations stipulated by your policy.

2. Is a family member, friend, or anyone who borrows and drives my car covered by the insurance, too?

Generally, yes. When you lend your car, the person who drives it gets covered by the insurance. However, you must check first the conditions of your insurer, so you’ll know how to file a claim if the case involves the borrower.

3. What is a deductible?  

While the word “deductible” is often thrown around by insurance agents, you may not have an idea of what it means. Simply put, a deductible is the amount that you’ll need to cover in case your car gets damaged or lost. You’ll need to pay this before the insurer covers the rest of the cost. This is also known as the participation fee. 

4. I’m planning to sell my car. Can the insurance be transferred to the new owner? 

Insurance policies are personal by nature, so it means that your car insurance isn’t attached to your vehicle. In case of a change of ownership, you’ll need to create an endorsement document, so the insurance policy will be transferred to the new car owner.^[3] 

To facilitate the smooth transfer, you may want to consult your insurer before selling your car. Doing so will also help you brief the new owner about the mechanics of filing a claim should they decide to continue your insurance.

5. An animal damaged my car. Will my insurance cover it? 

Yes, but there are some conditions, and it depends on the type of coverage or insurer. If your car gets damaged by a wild animal that’s beyond human control, you can file for an Acts of Nature claim. Some insurers, on the other hand, may consider damage caused by an attacking animal a third-party property claim. 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the different types of car insurance claims in the Philippines work can be quite challenging. But it’s a must that you know at least the basics, so you’ll have an idea how to get the ball rolling in case you get involved in an accident. 

Of course, you also need to be earnest to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Right after the incident, call your insurer. And if you’re physically safe, start documenting the damage.

Filing a car insurance claim doesn’t need to be difficult, though, especially if you got your policy through Moneymax. Since Moneymax offers end-to-end car insurance services, you can easily file a claim through the website. This saves you a lot of time and spares you from stress! 

Also, you can compare different policies, choose the one that suits you, and apply for a car insurance online through Moneymax. The best part about it? It's absolutely free!

Get a Free Car Insurance Quote!

Thinking of switching your car insurance to a different provider? Below is a list of top companies and their features. Compare your options through Moneymax to find cheap car insurance with the coverage you need.

Sources: 

• ^[1] 7.0-magnitude earthquake kills five, injures 130 in northern Philippines (CNN, 2022)
• ^[2] Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) Annual Report for 2020
• ^[3] Damage Due to Natural Extreme Events and Disasters Amounted to PHP 463 Billion (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2020)
• ^[4] Buyer of Secondhand Vehicle Beware: No Endorsement, No Insurance Claim (Manila Times, 2020)