What is Pay as You Drive Insurance (PAYD)
Insurance companies are always working hard to improve their products and bring advanced changes to satisfy the changing needs of customers. Due to these continuous transformations, car owners can now choose an insurance plan that fits how they use their car. If you drive less and safely, you can save a lot on your car insurance premiums.
"Pay As You Drive Insurance" is an example of a new and user-friendly car insurance plan. Under the guidelines of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), this plan allows you to pay only for how much you actually drive.
In this blog, let's learn more about the Pay As You Drive Policy to get a better understanding.
What is Pay As You Drive (PAYD)?
Pay as You Drive (PAYD) is an advanced type of car insurance cover where the policyholder can have an Own Damage premium at reduced costs. The exact premium depends on the number of kilometers the insured vehicle covers during the policy period. It is a type of Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy, but as an insured, you can save on the premium as per the usage of the vehicle during the policy period. In other simple words, you also can name it as "drive less pay less" car insurance.
The concept of PAYD cover is quite new in the market. IRDAI issued a press release on 14th January 2020. It approved ideas, as submitted by intermediaries and insurers for the Regulatory Sandbox. One such concept was that of PAYD cover or usage-based motor insurance. Thus, in India, some auto insurance companies now offer PAYD covers.
Features of Pay As You Drive Insurance Policy
Here are some amazing features that you can get with PAYD policy:
1. Lower Premium
If you drive your car occasionally, you'll pay a lower premium compared to a standard Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy, where the premium isn’t based on how much you drive.
2. Customization
The insurance policy can be customized according to the estimated use of your car by estimating the distance you are going to cover.
3. Flexibility
If you feel that you are getting close to the limit selected in terms of distance covered, you can easily add more kilometers to your policy making it very easy to extend the coverage period.
4. Policy Duration
Usually, the Pay as You Drive insurance is taken for a period of one year.
Discounts Available under PAYD Policy
Mileage Band | Benefits in Terms of Percentage |
0-2,500 kms | 25% |
2,501-5,000 kms | 17.5% |
5,001-7,500 kms | 10% |
7,501-10,000 kms | 5% |
Above 10,000 kms | 0% |
How Does Pay As You Drive Insurance Work?
Before buying PAYD Insurance online, it's important to know how it works:
1. Declare Car Usage
First, declare the amount of your car usage for a one-year policy period by estimating the total kilometers driven over the year.
2. Odometer Reading
To get the benefits, upload a video of your car's current odometer reading before the end of the insurance period.
3. Premium
After approval, you can get upto 25% discount on your own damage insurance.
4. Claim Process
Claims are normally settled up to the specified kilometer limit. If the claim exceeds this amount, you will be required to pay the extra amount or be partially liable to pay for it.
What Is Covered and Not Covered in Pay As You Drive Insurance?
What is Covered in Pay As You Drive Insurance | What is Not Covered in Pay As You Drive Insurance |
Damage to the vehicle due to road accidents | Damage while driving without a valid driving license |
Damage from natural calamities like floods, and man-made calamities like riots | Damage while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
Damage caused by fire or explosion | Damage due to electrical or mechanical failure |
Vehicle theft and total loss | Depreciation from regular wear and tear |
Who Should Buy Pay As You Drive Policy?
Now you know that PAYD (Pay As You Drive) is a smart way to save on car insurance premiums by paying based on how much you actually drive. This option works best if you:
- Don't drive often but still pay the same premium.
- Are a senior citizen or older and drive less frequently.
- Are a college students still getting used to driving.
- Have multiple cars and don't use one as much as the others.
- Rent a car and only need short-term insurance.
- Work from home or live in a remote area where you drive very little.
- Live in a small town where annual car usage is under 10,000 km.
Famous Insurance Providers of Pay As You Drive Policy
- New India Assurance
- ACKO General Insurance
- ICICI Lombard
- TATA AIG General Insurance
- Zuno General Insurance
- Reliance General Insurance
- Kotak General Insurance
- HDFC ERGO General Insurance
- Digit General Insurance
Conclusion
Pay As You Drive insurance is a great option for people who don't use their car regularly, like occasional drivers, seniors, or those working from home. It allows you to save on premiums by only paying for the distance you drive. With its flexible and user-friendly features, PAYD offers a practical solution for budget-conscious drivers looking for full protection without the high costs of traditional car insurance.
What is Pay As You Drive (PAYD) insurance?
PAYD insurance is car insurance wherein the premium for insurance depends upon how much you drive your car. The less one drives, the lesser the amount he has to pay for it, hence it is ideal for the one who drives rarely.
How is the premium calculated under the PAYD insurance policy?
The premium is set according to the number of kilometers you will cover during the policy period. When you exceed the limit, you need to pay an additional premium.
What are the benefits of PAYD insurance?
PAYD offers lower premiums for drivers who use their cars less, customizable coverage, flexibility to add more kilometers, and comprehensive protection based on car usage.
What happens if I exceed the kilometer limit in my PAYD policy?
If you exceed the limit of selected kilometers, you can top-up your policy by adding kilometers to it or have to pay a certain part of the cost of the claim.
Which insurance companies offer Pay As You Drive policies in India?
There are a number of insurance companies selling PAYD policies. Some of them are New India Assurance, ICICI Lombard, TATA AIG, ACKO General Insurance, Reliance General Insurance, HDFC ERGO.