Pre-delivery Inspection & Check List

You are obviously excited about the delivery of your new car, but WAIT! Many have paid a huge price for the resultant haste, and its best to take some necessary precautions before driving away in your new machine.

We enlists all that you should check for as a part of the pre-delivery inspection:

Before Registration:

We recommend visiting the dealerships stockyard and checking your car prior to registration. Once it is registered in your name, there is little you can do. Check the car manufacturing month/year, especially when buying in the first quarter of any year. Fiat India was notorious for selling cars that have been manufactured up to 18 months earlier. Ascertain that the year of manufacture is current. Best way is to ask the dealer for the "Form 22" certificate (issued by the manufacturer). You will find the engine / chassis numbers on this certificate, while the month / year of manufacture are on the "road-worthiness" certificate (part of Form 22).
If the odometer is disconnected, in all probability, the allocated car has been used as a test-drive vehicle. Also check for any repair jobs / body damage; damage to some cars is inevitable in transit and most repair work is glaringly obvious.

IMPORTANT : Check the tax calculations on the dealership invoice. Overcharging for RTO / octroi / lifetime taxes is a popular scam at many Indian dealerships. Pay only the actual charges due to the authorities and not a rupee more.

Preparations:
1. Confirm: the date of delivery with your dealership. It is best to go there only after the car has been prepared and is ready. If you have a preference for a particular day / time (for auspicious reasons), inform the sales person.
2. Daylight: We recommend accepting delivery in broad daylight, since the dark can conceal a lot. You may also not get good service in the evening since dealership personnel are in a hurry to wrap the day up.
3. Documentation: Ascertain that you carry any required documentation with you. This may include forms, receipts etc.
4. Payments: If any payment formalities are to be completed, carry along the relevant PDC’s / Cash / Credit Cards.
5. Third Person: It’s always a good idea to take a relative / friend along for suggestions, observations and comments.
6. Memories: Take a camera along.
7. Music: Carry a CD / cassette if your car is equipped with a stereo.
8. Gift: Take a token gift along for the sales guy.

At the Showroom:
1. Be Courteous: Don’t bully around. It’s a nice happy moment and the sales staff is as excited as you are. Treat them with respect, and you will get better service.
2. Get a Demo - Part of the salesperson's job is to acquaint you with your new car's features and how each one operates. Ask him to demonstrate the car fully, and top to bottom, in order to understand how everything works on the vehicle.
3. Visit the Service Department: We recommend meeting the service manager and getting familiar with the service center facilities.

Final Inspection:
1. Check the car again: A lot could have happened between the pre-registration inspection and today. It’s best to walk around the car and ascertain that the car is super clean! Look for any signs of repair work / damage such as paint difference, dents etc. Even the interiors should be squeaky clean.
2. Check that all lights and electric accessories are working fine.
3. Confirm that all the accessories you ordered are fitted on the car.
4. Check that the spare wheel is fresh. And that all related tools (spanner, jack etc.) are present. Are there wheel locks? If so, ensure that the lug key is there in the car.
5. Misc : Wipers, floor matting, first-aid kit & hazard sign.
6. What is the mileage on your car? It should not be more than a 100 km (or in the whereabouts) for most brands.
7. Ensure that there is enough fuel in the car. At least to get you to the nearest petrol pump.
8. Somehow, most new cars are delivered with over-inflated tyres by the showroom. Check the tyre pressure and make the necessary adjustments.

Documentation:
Read the paperwork! Don't take anybody's word for anything. Make sure all the blanks in the contract are filled in.
1. Invoice. (Check that the Chassis and Engine number of the car matches with the Invoice and / or Challan).
2. Sales certificate.
3. All payment receipts.
4. Registration book or temporary certificate (Some States). Is your name spelt correctly? Are the car chassis / engine number matching with the actual? Is the number plate made in accordance with the number on the registration book?
5. Insurance: Ensure that coverage is valid and active.
6. Original PUC certificate. This is valid for one year.
7. Owners Manual.
8. Duplicate Keys.
9. Original warranty with all relevant dealership stamps.
10. Extended Warranty (If opted for).
11. Warranty of third party items such as battery, tyres etc.
12. Roadside assistance Contact details.
13. Business cards of dealership and service personnel.

Say Thanks to everyone and leave!

Car Insurance Tips

When you own a car, it is legally necessary that you get it insured.

There are two kinds of Motor Vehicle Insurance:

"Motor Policy A" (Third Party Risk) the 'Act Only Policy' covers third party damages up to Rs 6000/- only. Risk from fire and theft requires an additional premium.

"Motor Policy B" (Comprehensive Insurance Policy) protects you from the following eventualities:

1. Damage due to man made or natural calamities: Natural calamities include fire, floods, hurricanes, landslides, cyclones or earthquakes. Man made calamities include, theft, riots, strikes, malicious acts of vandalism or damage occurring in transit via road, rail, waterways or air.

2. Personal accident cover: In the event of an accident, it is important that you have personal accident coverage. You may also opt for a personal accident cover for passengers traveling with you, just to be on the safe side.

3. Third party legal liability: This would cover you for legal liabilities that result in permanent injury/death or damage to property, in the event of a mishap.

The insurance policy is valid for a period of one year. If you do not make a claim during the policy period, you are eligible for a discount, which is adjusted against the renewal premium. In case your policy expires, you can still avail the no claim bonus if you renew the policy within 90 days of its expiry.

The following rates of discount apply:

* First year - 20%
* Second year - 35%
* Third year - 50%
* Fourth year onward - 65%

This insurance policy does not cover these circumstances:

* Damages arising out of mutiny, nuclear risk or war
* Depreciation and consequential loss thereof
* Mechanical/ electrical failures
* Wear and tear of car tires and tubes
* Vehicle being used other than the purpose for which it was purchased
* Damages occurring from driving without a valid license
* Damages occurring from intoxication by alcohol or drugs
* Everyday wear and tear


In case you have an accident, how do you claim your Insurance? You need the following documents to submit to the insurance company:

* Your Vehicle Insurance Policy
* Original + Copy of the Registration Book
* Original + Copy of Driving License
* FIR in case of an accident involving third party injury or damage
* Claims form + the estimated cost of repairs from your workshop

Once you submit these documents, the insurance company will inspect the damaged car and authenticate the estimated cost of repairs. Once the surveyor has completed the inspection, the car can be repaired.

Present the final bill for the repairs and a stamped receipt from the workshop to the Insurance Company for settlement of the claim. An insurance surveyor will once again certify the repaired car, after which, you can take delivery of it.

Differences between motor insurance policies

Motor Policy A: This insurance policy covers personal injury and property damage caused by your car. The parties covered under this include:

• Pedestrians, occupants of other vehicles etc. except those within your vehicle,

• Driver of the other vehicle

• The passengers with whom your vehicle is for hire. Here, the owner of the vehicle gets an insurance cover on third party property damage only in case of an accident. In other words, if you are in an accident, the affected party can claim damages from you. The premiums generally are dependent on the cubic capacity of the car.

This cover does not go to fire and theft accidents, for which you need to pay additional premiums.

Motor Policy B: The premiums of this comprehensive insurance’s are much higher than those paid for regular insurance cover. This type of policy covers both third party insurance and own damage liability. Covered under this policy are:

• Loss or damage to the vehicle caused by environment as well as other reasons. That is, accident, fire, explosion, lightning, theft and other malicious acts are covered under this policy.

• Damage to the vehicle while it is under transit.

• Risks due to natural/man-made calamities like floods, earthquake, riots, strikes and terrorism.

Damage to accessories like car stereo, car AC and other items that are not part of the original equipment.

Important clauses of auto insurance policies:

The vehicle insurance cover is not applicable if there is consequential loss, depreciation, wear and tear or mechanical and electrical breakdown. It is also not applicable in the following cases:

• Drunken driving.

• Driver does not hold a driving license.

• More people in the vehicle than the capacity permitted by the RTO.

• Damage incurred in a war zone.