What to do after an accident or theft in Nepal — step by step, with the document checklist
Help anyone injured first (injury treatment is covered — keep hospital bills). If it's a significant accident, leave the vehicle in place until police document the scene; photos of the position, damage, and the other party's plate protect your claim.
For accidents involving injury, another party, or theft, file a report at the nearest police office (a muchulka/police report). Insurers require it for anything beyond trivial own-damage; for theft it is mandatory and the claim clock runs on it.
The NIA Claim Payment Guideline 2081 requires notifying the insurer in writing as soon as possible — the date of your written notice becomes the official claim date. Phone or email first if you must, but follow up in writing the same day. Give the policy number, place, time, and a short description; you'll get a claim number.
The insurer must appoint a licensed surveyor in writing immediately, and the surveyor must submit the loss-assessment report within 15 days of appointment. Repairing before the survey is the single most common reason claims get cut or rejected — wait for the inspection (or the insurer's written go-ahead). For large losses you can request an advance of up to 50% of the estimated liability.
Claim form (from the insurer or its website), insurance policy copy, bluebook copy, driver's license copy, police report where applicable, damage photos, and the workshop's repair estimate/bills. For theft: FIR, both keys, and the bluebook original per the insurer's checklist.
Under the NIA Claim Payment Guideline 2081, the insurer must decide and pay generally within 21 days of receiving the surveyor's report — and small claims up to Rs 2 lakh must be settled within 15 days of minimum proofs. Payment comes by bank transfer or account-payee cheque against a signed discharge voucher. If it stalls, escalate in writing to the insurer, then complain to the Nepal Insurance Authority — delayed payment attracts about 10% interest compensation under the Insurance Act 2079.
General process under the Insurance Act 2079 and NIA motor directives — individual insurers' checklists vary slightly; always follow your insurer's claim-desk instructions.
Immediately, and in writing — the NIA Claim Payment Guideline 2081 requires written notice as soon as possible, and that written date becomes your official claim date. Oral/phone/email notice counts in an emergency but must be confirmed in writing. Late notification is a standard ground for disputing claims.
The surveyor must file the loss report within 15 days of appointment, and the insurer must generally decide and pay within 21 days of receiving that report (NIA Claim Payment Guideline 2081). Claims up to Rs 2 lakh must be settled within 15 days of minimum proofs. If payment is delayed beyond the rules, roughly 10% interest compensation applies under the Insurance Act 2079.
No — wait for the insurer's licensed surveyor to inspect the damage first (or get written permission). Repairs done before the survey routinely lead to reduced or rejected claims because the loss can no longer be verified.
Completed claim form, policy copy, bluebook copy, driving license copy, police report (for injury, third-party, or theft cases), photos of the damage, and the repair estimate or bills. Theft claims additionally need the FIR and typically both keys.
For theft and any accident involving injury or a third party, yes. For minor own-damage-only claims some insurers waive it — confirm with your insurer's claim desk before assuming.
First escalate in writing to the insurer's claims department with your claim number and document list. If unresolved, complain to the Nepal Insurance Authority (Beema Pradhikaran) — the regulator handles policyholder grievances and insurers are bound to time-bound settlement under the Insurance Act 2079.
It resets your no-claim discount on the own-damage (comprehensive) portion — up to 35% for 3+ claim-free years. For small damage close to the discount value, paying out of pocket can be cheaper over two years.
Check what your policy actually covers in third-party vs comprehensive, see the current tariff premiums, or renew your policy online before it lapses — an expired policy pays nothing.