ICICI Lombard, HDFC ERGO, Bajaj Allianz, Tata AIG and Digit Insurance — compared on garage network, add-ons, claims experience and more.
No Claim Bonus (NCB) is an IRDAI-mandated discount on your Own Damage premium for every claim-free year: 20% after 1 year, 25% after 2, 35% after 3, 45% after 4, and 50% after 5+ claim-free years. NCB is forfeited if your policy lapses for more than 90 days, but it's transferable to a new insurer with an NCB certificate from your previous one.
IDV (Insured Declared Value) is your car's current market value, calculated as the manufacturer's listed price minus age-based depreciation: 5% (up to 6 months old), 15% (6 months–1 year), 20% (1–2 years), 30% (2–3 years), 40% (3–4 years), 50% (4–5 years). Beyond 5 years, IDV is mutually agreed between you and the insurer.
Standard exclusions across all comprehensive motor policies: normal wear and tear, mechanical/electrical breakdown unrelated to an accident, driving without a valid license or under influence of alcohol/drugs, consequential loss, war/nuclear risks, and use outside the policy's permitted purpose — unless covered by a specific add-on (like Zero Depreciation for wear-and-tear on parts).
13,000+ cashless garages with "InstaSpect" live-video self-inspection for instant claim approval.
Video-based self-inspection for easy renewals, with a strong claim settlement track record.
"Motor On The Spot" claims in as little as ~20 minutes, plus telematics-based DriveSmart pricing.
Widest add-on catalogue (20+) for highly customised coverage.
Fully self-serve smartphone claims — most claims approved within 24 hours.
| Attribute | ICICI Lombard | HDFC ERGO | Bajaj Allianz | Tata AIG | Digit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Types | Comprehensive, Third-Party, Own-Damage | Comprehensive, Third-Party, Own-Damage | Comprehensive, Third-Party, Own-Damage, DriveSmart (telematics) | Comprehensive, Third-Party, Own-Damage | Comprehensive, Third-Party, Own-Damage, usage-based options |
| Cashless Garage Network | 13,000+ | 8,000+ | ~4,500+ (smallest of the five) | 5,700+ | 9,000+ (largest of the five) |
| NCB Protector Add-on | Yes — "NCB Protector" | Yes — NCB protection add-on | Referenced — confirm exact terms before quoting | Standard NCB transfer supported | Standard IRDAI slabs |
| Key Add-ons | Zero Dep, Roadside Assistance, Consumables, Return to Invoice, Engine Protect Plus, Garage Cash, Bumper-to-Bumper | Zero Dep, Engine Protection, Return to Invoice, Roadside Assistance, Consumables | Zero Dep, Engine Protection, Roadside Assistance | 20+ add-ons — widest range, incl. Zero Dep, Engine Protection, Return to Invoice | Up to 11 add-ons available (7 combinable per policy), incl. Zero Dep, Return to Invoice |
| Claims Experience | Live-video self-inspection ("InstaSpect"); cashless claims typically 5-10 working days | Video-based self-inspection for renewals; ~96% claim settlement ratio (third-party reported, verify with insurer) | App-based claims in ~20 minutes for eligible cases; ~98% claim settlement ratio (third-party reported) | Self-video-inspection for lapsed policies; settlement ratio not publicly confirmed via primary source | ~96.8% claim settlement ratio (FY24-25, verify current year); ~93% of self-inspected claims approved within 24 hrs |
| Standout Feature | Instant live-video claim assessment via app | Early mover in self-inspection renewals | Fastest claim turnaround + telematics discounts | Most customisable with 20+ add-ons | Fully self-serve digital claims, largest garage network |
| Best Suited For | Wide garage access + fast digital assessment | High claim settlement confidence + easy renewal | Tech-savvy drivers wanting fastest claims + usage-based pricing | Buyers wanting maximum coverage customisation | Digitally-native buyers wanting a fully self-serve experience |
Garage network counts and claim settlement ratios are updated frequently by insurers — figures above are indicative as of research date and should be reconfirmed on the insurer's own website before final purchase.
Car insurance jargon, explained in plain English.
Your car's current market value — the maximum amount the insurer will pay if it's stolen or damaged beyond repair. Calculated as the manufacturer's listed price minus age-based depreciation.
A discount on your Own Damage premium for every claim-free year — starting at 20% and rising to 50% after 5+ years. It belongs to you, not the car, so it's transferable when you switch insurers or vehicles.
An add-on that waives the standard deduction for wear-and-tear on plastic, metal and rubber parts during a claim — you get the full replacement cost instead of a depreciated amount.
Own Damage covers repairs to your own car; Third-Party covers injury or damage you cause to another person or their property. A Comprehensive policy bundles both.
Optional extra protections bought on top of your base policy — like Engine Protection, Roadside Assistance, or Return to Invoice — each adding a small amount to your premium for specific extra cover.
Pays for small parts consumed during repair — nuts, bolts, engine oil, brake fluid, etc. — which a standard claim usually doesn't cover on their own.