Motor Claim Settlement in 30 Days: The Document-Driven Method

By Hari Kotian, IRDAI-Certified Insurance Advisor · 2026

File FIR if needed; photograph everything immediately; collect witness details; submit within the intimation window; keep the surveyor report; track the 15-day settlement rule.

Surveyor interaction

The insurer's surveyor determines your payout. Be present, ask questions, keep copies of everything, and contest an undervalued assessment in writing - surveyor reports are recommendations, not final verdicts.

The 15-day rule

IRDAI requires settlement within 15 days of the complete surveyor report. Delays beyond that without cause trigger interest liability for the insurer - keep the clock your ally.

IDV: know your number

IDV is what the insurer pays on total loss - the vehicle's current market value, not its purchase price. IDV disputes are among the most common motor complaints that reach the Ombudsman.