Car insurance renewal is one of the most important responsibilities for every vehicle owner. Driving with an expired insurance policy is not only risky but also illegal under Indian Motor Vehicle Act rules. Thanks to digital technology, renewing car insurance online has become extremely convenient, fast, and paperless. You can complete the entire process from your mobile or laptop in just a few minutes.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to renew car insurance online in 2025, the best platforms to use, documents needed, how to compare plans, and tips to get the lowest premium with maximum benefits.

Why Renewing Car Insurance on Time Is Important

Renewing your car insurance before the expiry date offers several benefits:

✔ Avoid Legal Penalties

Driving a car without valid insurance can result in heavy fines and legal issues.

✔ Keeps Your No Claim Bonus (NCB) Active

If you don’t renew within 90 days after expiry, your NCB (up to 50% discount) is lost forever.

✔ Protects Against Unexpected Losses

Accidents, theft, fire, natural disasters, and third-party liabilities can occur anytime.

✔ Prevents Vehicle Inspection

Late renewal may require physical inspection, increasing hassle.

Renewing your car insurance on time is always recommended.

Types of Car Insurance Policies You Can Renew

Before renewal, understand your options:

1. Third-Party Liability Insurance

Mandatory by law; covers damage to third-party property or injury to others.

2. Comprehensive Insurance

Covers third-party + own damage + theft + natural disasters.
Recommended for maximum protection.

3. Standalone Own-Damage Insurance

Covers only damage to your car; third-party must be bought separately.

4. Add-On Covers (Optional but Useful)

Zero Depreciation Cover
Engine Protection
Roadside Assistance
Return to Invoice
Consumables Cover
Tyre Protect
NCB Protector

You can add or remove add-ons at renewal time to match your needs.

Documents Required for Online Car Insurance Renewal

Good news: online renewal requires minimal paperwork.

You only need:

Car registration number
Previous policy number
Mobile number
Email ID
Make & model of your car (auto-filled in most systems)

Some insurers may auto-fetch details via your mobile/vehicle number.

How to Renew Car Insurance Online – Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Follow this simple step-by-step process to renew your policy smoothly.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website of Insurance Company or Aggregator

You can renew from:

Popular Insurance Company Websites:

HDFC ERGO
Bajaj Allianz
ICICI Lombard
SBI General
Tata AIG
Royal Sundaram
Digit Insurance
Oriental / New India / National Insurance

Popular Online Aggregators:

PolicyBazaar
Acko
Coverfox
Paytm Insurance
PhonePe Insurance

Aggregators are best for comparing premiums.

Step 2: Enter Your Car Details

You will be asked to enter:

Registration number
Previous policy expiry date
Car make/model
Fuel type
Variant (Petrol/Diesel/CNG/EV)

Many websites fetch details automatically through RTO database.

Step 3: Choose the Type of Insurance Policy

Select one:

✔ Third-Party

✔ Comprehensive

✔ Standalone Own Damage

For older cars (8–10 years), many people choose basic third-party + few add-ons.
For new cars, comprehensive + zero dep is strongly recommended

Step 4: Compare Premiums from Multiple Insurers

This is the most important step.

Compare:

Premium price
Add-on benefits
Claim settlement ratio
Garage network
Customer service rating

You can save 20–40% by simply comparing plans online.

Step 5: Select or Remove Add-On Covers

Add-ons increase premium but provide excellent protection.

Highly Recommended Add-ons:

Zero Depreciation → Essential for cars below 7 years
Engine Protect → Important for flood-prone cities
Roadside Assistance → Useful for breakdowns
NCB Protect → Keeps NCB intact even after a claim

Choose add-ons based on your needs and budget.

Step 6: Confirm Personal & Vehicle Details

Check the following before finalizing:

Name
Contact number
Keep previous policy number correct
Check car make/model/year properly
Ensure chassis/engine number auto-fills correctly

Incorrect details may cause claim issues.

Step 7: Make Payment Online

Payment methods include:

UPI
Debit/credit card
Net banking
Wallets

Once you pay, the renewed policy is instantly emailed to you.

step 8: Download Policy Copy & Keep Digital Backup

You will receive:

Policy PDF
Payment receipt
Policy schedule

Always keep a copy in:

✔ Email
✔ WhatsApp
✔ Phone Gallery
✔ Car dashboard file

Traffic police accept digital insurance copies, so physical copy is optional.

What If Your Car Insurance Has Already Expired?

If your policy has crossed the expiry date:

✔ Within 90 days → You can renew without inspection

✔ After 90 days → NCB gets cancelled

✔ After very long expiry → Car inspection may be required

Renew ASAP to avoid complications.

Benefits of Renewing Car Insurance Online

✔ No paperwork

✔ Instant policy approval

✔ No agent commission

✔ Easy premium comparison

✔ Quick payment + instant PDF

✔ Better discounts

Online renewal is always cheaper than offline renewal through agents.

How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Premium (2025 Tips)

Follow these expert tips to save money:

✔ Use your No Claim Bonus (NCB)

✔ Install anti-theft devices

✔ Choose a higher voluntary deductible

✔ Avoid unnecessary add-ons

✔ Compare prices before renewing

✔ Choose long-term policies for TP insurance

✔ Maintain safe driving record

These tips can reduce your premium by 15–40%.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Renewal

❌ Ignoring add-ons like zero depreciation
❌ Choosing lowest premium without checking features
❌ Not updating contact details
❌ Missing claim history information
❌ Not verifying car details
❌ Depending only on agents instead of comparing online

Avoid these mistakes to get better coverage at the right price.

FAQs

1. Can I renew my car insurance after expiry?

Yes, you can renew it even after expiry, but if more than 90 days have passed, you will lose your No Claim Bonus (NCB). In some cases, an inspection of your car may be required. Renewing before expiry avoids these problems.

2. Which documents are needed for online renewal?

Only your car registration number, previous policy number, and mobile number are needed. Most insurers fetch vehicle details automatically. No physical documents or photos are required unless your policy is expired for a long time.

3. Is online car insurance renewal safe?

Yes, renewing from official insurance company websites or trusted aggregators is 100% safe. Payments are encrypted and secure. You receive your new policy instantly via email and SMS. Always avoid unknown or unofficial links.

4. Should I choose Third-Party or Comprehensive policy?

If your car is new or less than 7 years old, comprehensive insurance is best because it protects against theft, damage, fire, and disasters. For older cars, third-party + essential add-ons may be enough. Choose based on car age and usage.