Car insurance is no longer something you can buy for your car if you like to, it is mandatory almost everywhere around the world and you are required to have a certificate of insurance that proves your car is insured and law-compliant.
This certificate comes in handy in a lot of situations, whether you need to file an auto insurance claim, renew your policy, or sell your car, so it is understandable if losing it can cause a lot of stress. However, with today’s online services, there is no need to worry. In this article from Lookinsure mag, we are going to explain to you in detail how to get car insurance copy online.
Frequently Answered Questions
1: What is a duplicate car insurance policy?
A duplicate of your certificate of insurance is a copy of your insurance policy document which you must obtain if you lose the original.
2: How to get insurance copy in UAE?
An insurance copy in the UAE can be obtained both online using your insurance company’s website and by personally visiting one of their branches. Make sure you have the required documents ready before visiting.
3: Why do I need a copy of my insurance policy?
If you lose the original version of your insurance certificate, you will need to have a copy to prove your car is insured when for instance you want to sell your car, file a claim or renew your policy.
4: What is the penalty for not having valid insurance documents?
Lacking valid insurance documents is punished by a AED 500 fine, 4 black marks added to your driving license and vehicle impoundment for 7 days.
5: Is there a fee for obtaining a duplicate car insurance policy?
Obtaining a simple copy can usually be done free of charge however getting a certified duplicate might cost up to AED 50. For more detailed information it is better to directly contact your insurance agent.
Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Duplicate Policy Online
Visit The Official Website of Your Insurance Provider
The first thing to do is search your insurance provider’s name on Google and find their website. Every decent provider has a website in which all their services are available online. If you haven’t bought your policy online, you will need to sign up for one first.
Log In with Your Policy Details
Then the next step is to log into your account using your policy details. If you don’t have access to your policy number, you can use other methods for signing in such as via phone number or email address. Moreover, if you don’t have an account, you can easily sign up for one by filling out a quick online form.
Locate The Option to Download A Duplicate Certificate Of Insurance
There is usually a specific section designated to filing a request for a duplicate insurance certificate which won’t be hard to find. After locating it just click on it and follow the instructions. In this step, you will be required to upload the needed documents which are listed below.
Save And Print the Policy For Safekeeping.
After doing all that, which will take only a few minutes, you will be provided with a digital copy of your certificate which you can save and print if necessary. This copy can be used for filing claims, police reports, buying a new policy, or selling your car.
What to Do After Losing Certificate of Insurance
Contacting The Insurance Provider
The first thing you need to do after losing your document is to let your insurance agent know about it. This can help you immensely in the future in case your lost document ends up being used by another person for fraudulent purposes.
Filing a Police Report
To document the loss, you will need to file a police report which you can then use for the next step.
Issuing Newspaper Ad for Missing Insurance Document
Although this step is just a formality, as it is not likely that someone will read the ad and return the lost document to its owner, it is just something you have to do. A certain number of days must pass after printing the ad in order for your document to be considered lost.
Fill An Indemnity Bond
To prevent future complications arising from potential misuse of lost documents, insurance companies might require you to sign a document called an indemnity bond, which in essence holds you responsible for any loss or damages that might occur due to the missing Certificate of Insurance.
Request a Duplicate Policy Via Phone Call or In Person
After completing all these steps, you can then request a duplicate of your certificate of insurance from your policy provider. You can either do this online, over the phone or by showing up to one of their branches in person. To learn how to get car insurance copy online you can check the above.
Required Information and Documentation
Since your insurance provider has access to all your information from the time you bought your policy, all you need to do to request a duplicate of your certificate of insurance is to give them your policy number or your vehicle registration information for them to be able to access your account.
However, you will need to have a certificate that proves you have printed an ad in the newspaper documenting the loss of your certificate.
Processing Time and Delivery Methods
Online Requests
Online requests are the quickest way to obtain a copy of a car insurance certificate. Everything can be done in a few minutes and you will receive a printable copy right after completing the steps. Check above for an instruction on how to get a car insurance copy online.
Requests Via Phone
You can also directly contact your insurance agent or the company’s customer service and ask for a duplicate over the phone. They will however ask you for detailed information for verification, including ID number, vehicle registration information, and policy number. In this method, they will either send a copy to your email or residence which might take longer than online requests.
In-person Request
If you prefer to do things in person, you can also just show up to one of your insurance company’s office branches and ask for a duplicate certificate of insurance. This is also a quick way to receive a copy just remember to have all the required documents before going there.
How To Download Insurance Copy by Vehicle Number
Some insurance companies allow their clients to download a copy of their certificate of insurance only by their vehicle number. However, since simply entering a vehicle number and getting a certificate can enable fraudulent activities, other information must be submitted for verification.
For more information, you can contact your insurance provider and ask them whether they have this option and how to download insurance duplicate just by vehicle number
How To Download Insurance Copy from Lookinsure
If you have purchased your policy using Lookinsure insurance policy copy download is pretty easy. All you need to do is sign in to your account, enter your policy number, and submit a request and we will give you a copy immediately you can download and print.
Conclusion
A car insurance certificate is a pretty important document that is needed when buying a new insurance policy, filing a claim, or selling your car. That’s why losing it can be quite stressful. However, it is now possible to get a duplicate online in a few easy steps.
In this article, we have tried to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to get a car insurance copy online using your insurance provider’s website or through Lookinsure’s online processing system, along with a detailed list of everything you need to do after losing a certificate of insurance.
