Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough?

Nik2772 · 11th July 2015, 17:17

Hello everyone.

This post in on behalf of my friend. He had opted for Insurance Policy from Policy Bazaar online, when his previous insurance expired in May 2015. The vehicle in question is a Honda Aviator 110 Std.

He was too excited to get the insurance of his two wheeler done online, as it required no inspection or paperwork formalities. The premium quote was also at par, if not lower, with what the offline insurance companies provided.

The insurance policy from 'HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd.' was chosen on 13.05.2015. The payment of premium was done on 13.05.2015. He was promised a hardcopy of the insurance papers in some time. It has been almost 2 months and he hasn't received any information from either Policy Bazaar or HDFC Ergo, except some confirmation mails and a softcopy.

He has mailed to the Policy Bazaar Helpline about this and they are yet to respond. Kindly guide me (/him) as to what shall be done now.

PS. He is using a printout of the softcopy. Is it fine, and should he not insist for a hardcopy?

MODS- Please move in the right section. The 'Insurance' section was for cars, so I think it should belong here only. Please merge if similar thread exists.

vikred · 12th July 2015, 16:46

Not sure about how the things are in the NCR area. But, here in Hyderabad, a print out of the soft copy of the vehicle insurance policy suffices. I don't remember traffic cops insisting on the original policy papers anytime. Anyways, even when I had the hard copy, I used to carry only its photocopies in my bike.

Hayek · 12th July 2015, 17:45

Most insurance companies DO NOT send hard copies of insurance documents anymore. It's a waste of resources. A print out of the soft copy is more than enough - in fact, I have once managed by showing a soft copy on a mobile screen at a check naka.

Wildy · 12th July 2015, 17:56

And is this soft copy valid at the time of claiming?

I think, they should have arranged a hard copy with a local franchise if any. Whatever, it would be safe to buy the policies directly from the companies such as Bajaj Allianz etc websites rather than this so-called all in one policy site.

Hayek · 12th July 2015, 17:59

Yes, a print out (or just the policy number) is enough for making a claim. I don't know about HDFC Ergo but most companies allow you to reprint your insurance policy from their website with basic car details, and your email address / mobile number

NetfreakBombay · 12th July 2015, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik2772

PS. He is using a printout of the softcopy. Is it fine, and should he not insist for a hardcopy?

This should be fine for RTO as well as claims.

To be sure, call customer care and validate particulars (Policy #, coverage amount etc).

ani_meher · 12th July 2015, 19:23

Non issue really. A soft copy is just as good as a hard copy, and in fact I scan the hard copy in order to have it available on mail.

How come this is a 'bad experience'? I am sure the friend can get a hard copy if he wants from any HDFC insurance outlet.

Nik2772 · 12th July 2015, 21:09

Thanks everyone for the replies.

@Wildy:
He bought the insurance policy online as his previous policy had expired and inspection (or verification?) wasn't required in case of an online policy.

@ani_meher:
Bad experience because he was promised the hardcopy to be delivered at his doorstep, within 15 working days (in a confirmation mail). Now it has been almost 2 months and he hasn't got anything.

---

Now that I know that it is not a big problem, even if we have a softcopy (printout), MODS can edit the title to something better suited to the situation.

My friend has mailed to Policy Bazaar helpline and they have promised a hardcopy within 15 days.

theexperthand · 13th July 2015, 12:11

Nik, as every one have already said, it is no issue at all. No need to keep the hard copies, the printout is enough (I assume the printout clearly list out the validity and policy number). All my vehicles are insured online and I dont opt for the hard copies now a days.
Have shown the soft copies couple of times during traffic checking and have never faed any issues.

--Anoop

Eddy · 13th July 2015, 12:14

I've also always kept a printout of the soft copy, albeit a color print just to be on the safe side. Have been checked once or twice, never been a problem.

GTO · 13th July 2015, 13:18

Just one thing = Once you get your soft copy, be sure to confirm the policy's validity directly with the insurer. I'd read on the forum about bogus insurance policies doing the rounds.

ghodlur · 13th July 2015, 14:21

+1 to GTO.

Confirm whether the policy details are correct in the soft copy, take a printout of the same and keep it in the 2 wheeler. Thats what I do. The original stays in the specific 2 wheeler folder at home. Its absolutely fine driving around with a printed hard copy. In case of claim, Insurer will ask for the copy of the policy + driving licence (and PAN card if reqd).

By IRDA rule the Insurers have an obligation to send the policy in the hard copy format which many Insurers fail to do so to avoid certain costs of printing + postage.

Soumyajit9 · 13th July 2015, 14:43

Soft copy of Insurance = Black and White printout of the PDF file that you receive via email.
This is not to be confused with Proposal Note / E-COver Note.

Hard copy of Insurance = Colour printout with ads and do's and don't and a whole bunch of terms and conditions printed on a thick bundle of paper, sent by the Insurance company to your registered address.

Both work fine. As long as the Reg No. of the vehicle matches with that on the insurance policy and the insurance period is valid.

However, I would seriously ask your friend to go directly through insurance companies (online / offline), and not through dealer or 3rd party insurance websites (policy bazar, askme, etc etc).

Nik2772 · 13th July 2015, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Just one thing = Once you get your soft copy, be sure to confirm the policy's validity directly with the insurer. I'd read on the forum about bogus insurance policies doing the rounds.

How can we confirm the policy's validity? Is it by mail/offline/online process at insurer's website?

PS. The details on the insurance policy (softcopy) do match the scooter's details.

Sankar · 14th July 2015, 22:48

As long as you have the soft copy of the actual policy you are good to go. I have had a bad experience with policybazaar two years ago when i renewed the insurance of my Swift through them. They didn't give me the actual policy or policy number for more than a month and i had to do with a cover note only. Finally after lot of following up with policybazaar and the insurer they sent me the actual policy document, both soft copy and hard copy. I did not use them after that.

11th July 2015, 17:17	#1
Nik2772 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Palwal/Gurgaon Posts: 29 Thanked: 25 Times	Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Hello everyone. This post in on behalf of my friend. He had opted for Insurance Policy from Policy Bazaar online, when his previous insurance expired in May 2015. The vehicle in question is a Honda Aviator 110 Std. He was too excited to get the insurance of his two wheeler done online, as it required no inspection or paperwork formalities. The premium quote was also at par, if not lower, with what the offline insurance companies provided. The insurance policy from 'HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd.' was chosen on 13.05.2015. The payment of premium was done on 13.05.2015. He was promised a hardcopy of the insurance papers in some time. It has been almost 2 months and he hasn't received any information from either Policy Bazaar or HDFC Ergo, except some confirmation mails and a softcopy. He has mailed to the Policy Bazaar Helpline about this and they are yet to respond. Kindly guide me (/him) as to what shall be done now. PS. He is using a printout of the softcopy. Is it fine, and should he not insist for a hardcopy? MODS- Please move in the right section. The 'Insurance' section was for cars, so I think it should belong here only. Please merge if similar thread exists.
	() Thanks

12th July 2015, 16:46	#2
vikred BHPian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Francisco Posts: 122 Thanked: 159 Times	re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Not sure about how the things are in the NCR area. But, here in Hyderabad, a print out of the soft copy of the vehicle insurance policy suffices. I don't remember traffic cops insisting on the original policy papers anytime. Anyways, even when I had the hard copy, I used to carry only its photocopies in my bike.
	(3) Thanks

12th July 2015, 17:45	#3
Hayek Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,910 Thanked: 15,419 Times	Bad Experience : Insurance Policy from Policy Bazaar Most insurance companies DO NOT send hard copies of insurance documents anymore. It's a waste of resources. A print out of the soft copy is more than enough - in fact, I have once managed by showing a soft copy on a mobile screen at a check naka.
	(5) Thanks

12th July 2015, 17:56	#4
Wildy BHPian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wild Planet Posts: 232 Thanked: 983 Times View My Garage	re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? And is this soft copy valid at the time of claiming? I think, they should have arranged a hard copy with a local franchise if any. Whatever, it would be safe to buy the policies directly from the companies such as Bajaj Allianz etc websites rather than this so-called all in one policy site. Last edited by GTO : 13th July 2015 at 12:55. Reason: Language
	() Thanks $Received Infraction$

12th July 2015, 17:59	#5
Hayek Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,910 Thanked: 15,419 Times	Yes, a print out (or just the policy number) is enough for making a claim. I don't know about HDFC Ergo but most companies allow you to reprint your insurance policy from their website with basic car details, and your email address / mobile number
	(2) Thanks

12th July 2015, 19:23	#7
ani_meher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,931 Thanked: 3,825 Times	re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Non issue really. A soft copy is just as good as a hard copy, and in fact I scan the hard copy in order to have it available on mail. How come this is a 'bad experience'? I am sure the friend can get a hard copy if he wants from any HDFC insurance outlet.
	() Thanks

12th July 2015, 21:09	#8
Nik2772 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Palwal/Gurgaon Posts: 29 Thanked: 25 Times	re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Thanks everyone for the replies. @Wildy: He bought the insurance policy online as his previous policy had expired and inspection (or verification?) wasn't required in case of an online policy. @ani_meher: Bad experience because he was promised the hardcopy to be delivered at his doorstep, within 15 working days (in a confirmation mail). Now it has been almost 2 months and he hasn't got anything. --- Now that I know that it is not a big problem, even if we have a softcopy (printout), MODS can edit the title to something better suited to the situation. My friend has mailed to Policy Bazaar helpline and they have promised a hardcopy within 15 days.
	() Thanks

13th July 2015, 12:11	#9
theexperthand Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,633 Thanked: 2,448 Times View My Garage	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Nik, as every one have already said, it is no issue at all. No need to keep the hard copies, the printout is enough (I assume the printout clearly list out the validity and policy number). All my vehicles are insured online and I dont opt for the hard copies now a days. Have shown the soft copies couple of times during traffic checking and have never faed any issues. --Anoop
	(2) Thanks

13th July 2015, 12:14	#10
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,300 Times	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? I've also always kept a printout of the soft copy, albeit a color print just to be on the safe side. Have been checked once or twice, never been a problem.
	(1) Thanks

13th July 2015, 13:18	#11
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,510 Thanked: 300,657 Times View My Garage	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Just one thing = Once you get your soft copy, be sure to confirm the policy's validity directly with the insurer. I'd read on the forum about bogus insurance policies doing the rounds.
	(6) Thanks

13th July 2015, 14:21	#12
ghodlur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Thane Posts: 6,009 Thanked: 4,199 Times View My Garage	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? +1 to GTO. Confirm whether the policy details are correct in the soft copy, take a printout of the same and keep it in the 2 wheeler. Thats what I do. The original stays in the specific 2 wheeler folder at home. Its absolutely fine driving around with a printed hard copy. In case of claim, Insurer will ask for the copy of the policy + driving licence (and PAN card if reqd). By IRDA rule the Insurers have an obligation to send the policy in the hard copy format which many Insurers fail to do so to avoid certain costs of printing + postage.
	(2) Thanks

13th July 2015, 14:43	#13
Soumyajit9 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: BLR Posts: 1,543 Thanked: 1,801 Times View My Garage	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? Soft copy of Insurance = Black and White printout of the PDF file that you receive via email. This is not to be confused with Proposal Note / E-COver Note. Hard copy of Insurance = Colour printout with ads and do's and don't and a whole bunch of terms and conditions printed on a thick bundle of paper, sent by the Insurance company to your registered address. Both work fine. As long as the Reg No. of the vehicle matches with that on the insurance policy and the insurance period is valid. However, I would seriously ask your friend to go directly through insurance companies (online / offline), and not through dealer or 3rd party insurance websites (policy bazar, askme, etc etc).
	(1) Thanks

14th July 2015, 22:48	#15
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,053 Times	Re: Insurance Policy: Soft copy enough? As long as you have the soft copy of the actual policy you are good to go. I have had a bad experience with policybazaar two years ago when i renewed the insurance of my Swift through them. They didn't give me the actual policy or policy number for more than a month and i had to do with a cover note only. Finally after lot of following up with policybazaar and the insurer they sent me the actual policy document, both soft copy and hard copy. I did not use them after that.
	(1) Thanks