
Fake car insurance cases have been rising in the past few years. Sometimes, In some cases, fraudsters sell fake or invalid car insurance policies online. In any digital transaction, we may overlook this important aspect of cross-checking the policy to avoid fraud.
A fake or invalid policy can leave you unprotected when you need it the most. That's why verifying your car insurance policy online is not just a good practice but a need. Also, it only takes a few minutes to confirm that your policy is valid and issued by an authorised insurer.
In this blog, we will discuss simple ways to detect fake insurance so that you can stay stress-free.
You can check if your car insurance policy is genuine by verifying your policy on the insurer's official website using your policy number or vehicle details. Also, confirm that the insurance company is registered on the IRDAI website. You can also use VAHAN or the mParivahan app to check basic details such as the insurer name and expiry date. Additionally, scan the QR code on your policy, if available, to confirm authenticity. Lastly, you can contact the insurer’s customer care and verify your policy directly.
How to Check if Your Car Insurance Policy is Genuine Online
If you are buying a false car insurance policy, then it is of no use. You are not going to get any coverage in case of loss or damage. No legal protection will be given while driving your car on the road. So, buying the car insurance alone is not sufficient. It is important to check its validity and reliability too.
Here are the simple steps to check fake insurance:
1 Confirm Policy on the Insurer's Website
Genuine insurers allow you to check your policy online. To detect fake insurance, you can just check on the insurer's website by using your:
- Policy number
- Vehicle registration number
- Engine or chassis number
Fake Policy Alert
In case of no available or mismatched information on the website, your policy could be fake. These can be warning signs of fraud. Be cautious if you find:
- Broken website links
- No login option
- No response from customer support
2 Check the IRDAI Registration of the Insurer
Always make sure that your insurer is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. In India, only authorised companies can sell insurance.
You can check the IRDAI registration of your insurer by following the given steps:
- Visit the official IRDAI website
- Go to the List of Registered Insurers
- Look for your insurer under general insurance
Fake Policy Alert
You can only trust your insurer if the company is listed on IRDAI. If the insurer is not listed, it may be fake insurance.
3 Match Policy Details with Your Vehicle
Start by checking if all details in your policy are correct. Some of the important details that you should not ignore to verify the reliability of your car insurance are:
- Vehicle number and model
- Engine and chassis number
- Policy dates
- Premium amount
- Name and address
Fake Policy Alert
If the details do not match the information provided, then it can be a sign of a fake policy. Even if everything works well, always match key information to avoid any issues while making claims.
4 Use Government Apps (mParivahan or VAHAN)
You can also verify your insurance using government platforms like mParivahan or VAHAN. To check if your car insurance policy is genuine through mParivahan or Vahan, follow the steps below:
By using mParivahan:
- 1. Download the mParivahan app from the Play Store or App Store.
- 2. Log in using your mobile number and OTP.
- 3. Go to the “RC” section and enter your vehicle number.
- 4. Click “Search” to view the insurer name and expiry date.
- 5. Match the details with your policy.
By using the VAHAN Portal
- 1. Visit the official website of Vahan.
- 2. Click on "Know Your Vehicle Details."
- 3. Log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- 4. Enter your vehicle registration number.
- 5. Check the insurer name and expiry date.
- 6. If details are missing, it may also be due to delayed updates in the VAHAN database. In such cases, confirm with the insurer
Fake Policy Alert
In case of missing or incorrect details, it can be fake insurance. Be attentive to avoid such fraud when you need it the most. You can check basic insurance details like insurer name and expiry, but not full policy information.
5 Check QR Code or Digital Signature
Some insurers include QR codes or digital signatures to verify authenticity.. If you want to check that your car insurance policy is genuine, then scan the QR code on your policy. It should open the insurer’s official page.
Fake Policy Alert
If it does not work or shows a suspicious link, then the policy may be fake.
6 Confirm with the Insurance Company
If you bought the policy through an agent, verify it directly with the insurer. But the question is "how to check a fake policy?" To check, follow the steps below:
- Call the insurer's official customer care
- Share your policy number
- Confirm if it exists
Fake Policy Alert
If the insurer cannot find your policy, it is likely fake.
Tips to Avoid Buying Fake Insurance
As a car insurance policyholder, you can follow the given steps to avoid buying any fake insurance policy:
- Always buy from trusted sources like Square Insurance.
- Make sure that the insurance company is registered with IRDAI
- It is advisable to pay with a cheque or through online mode to avoid any fraud.
- Avoid random calls, WhatsApp messages, and emails, if not from a trusted company.
- Cross-check the details before the premium payment, especially the car details.
What Happens If You Buy a Fake Insurance Policy?
- Your claim can be rejected.
- You may have to pay all repair costs from your own pocket.
- It can lead to legal trouble, as driving without valid insurance is not allowed.
- You will lose the premium amount.
- Your vehicle details may be misused for scams or fraud.
- You will not get any financial or legal support from the insurer in case of accidents.
Conclusion
In case of a fraudulent car insurance policy, you may have to bear all the expenses on your own. Your claim can be rejected, and the policy will not be valid in case of fake insurance. This can also lead to legal trouble and financial loss.
That's why it is always important to check your car insurance policy online, verify all details, and buy only from trusted sources. A quick check can save you from big problems later.
FAQs
You can check it by verifying your policy number on the insurer’s official website or calling customer care. You can use the IRDAI website to confirm if the insurance company is authorised. Always match your vehicle and personal details.
Fake insurance is issued by a fake insurance company or fraudulent agents. It looks real but has no value during a claim.
You can visit your insurer’s official website or app, enter your policy or vehicle number, and check all the details. You can also use the VAHAN portal for basic verification.
Always check your name, vehicle number, engine and chassis number, policy number, coverage details, and validity period to make sure everything is correct.
Contact your insurance company immediately and report the issue. Do not delay, as early action can help you fix errors or avoid bigger problems later.