Here's how to get a notarised affidavit of car insurance claim

We have discussed several topics related to car insurance with you, from choosing the right car insurance to thoroughly discussing Compulsory Third-Party Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance, how to claim car insurance, and many more. However, one important bit that every car insurance policyholder should know about is the Notarised Affidavit.

Yes, this piece of paper holds a lot of importance and is very crucial in making a claim for your car insurance. Here, we are talking about the same in detail.

So, whenever you head to your insurance provider to get a claim, they'll probably first ask you to submit a few documents, one of which is a notarised affidavit. Meaning there is no way it can be skipped.

Now, we are often asked, what is the need for a notarised affidavit while claiming for insurance? Will the photos wouldn’t not suffice? You’ll find the answer to all these questions in the following text. So, let’s get started and find out all there is to know about the notarised affidavit of a car insurance claim.

Also Read: Exploring essential add-ons for car insurance in the Philippines

Here, we will be discussing the meaning of Notarised Affidavit followed by its need and steps to acquire.

Notarised Affidavit meaning

The new car owners entering the car insurance territory may feel weird, as they will hear several terms that may sound alien, and a notarised affidavit is one of them. Sure, it is a legal document that is required in several legal works, including car insurance claims.

So, basically, a notarised affidavit is a written and signed statement of facts that is verified to be true. It can even be presented in court as evidence.

In the case of car insurance, when an affidavit of a car insurance claim is notarised, it indicates that the client is swearing under oath that the facts mentioned in the affidavit are correct. The affidavit is signed in front of a notary public by the client. However, it is only considered valid until a notary public signs and seals it.

In short, it is a legal document in which the client tells his version of the story (how the car got damaged). This factual narration is an alternative to the police report, which is also required to file insurance claims.

Notarised Affidavit requirement

Most types of car insurance claim, be it self-accident, Compulsory Third Party Liability, Act of God, excess bodily injury, towing reimbursement, or third-party property damage, all require notarised affidavit.

However, if you already have a police report of the incident in hand, there is no need to get a notarised affidavit.

Notarised Affidavit or Police Report: The better choice

While both a notarised affidavit and a police report are required to file an insurance claim, however, even if either of the documents is available the job will be done. But if we were to choose between the two, which one would you choose to acquire first?

We’d go with the notarised affidavit as it is far more easy and quick to acquire. So, when you file a police complaint of an accident, the report for the same will be released the next day, meaning you’d have to come back again to the police station to collect the report. Alternatively, in case of an affidavit, the required document is handed over to the client in just a few minutes.

For example, if your motor vehicle is involved in a hit-and-run case, we’d suggest rather than waiting for the police report, get an affidavit of damage to the vehicle due to hit and run. Similarly for a fender bender in a parking lot, get an affidavit of damage to the vehicle while parked.

How to acquire a notarised affidavit of car insurance claim?

Getting your hands on a notarised affidavit is not that difficult. All you need to do is head to a notary public and give all the details of the incident. Now, depending on the incident, the temple of the document changes, which the notary public already has. Alternatively, insurance companies offer templates for an affidavit.

Below, we have provided a step-by-step guide for obtaining a notarised affidavit for a car insurance claim in the Philippines.

Step 1: Get all the necessary details required in hand

In the process of preparing an affidavit, the notary public will ask you several details. So, it will be smart of you to get all the required information at the back of your hand. The list of information required includes -

• Incident details, including what, when, and where it took place
• Driver’s license number
• Driver’s license expiry date
• Name of the person driving the vehicle involved
• Name/s of passengers in the vehicle involved
• Full information of the vehicle involved, including its year, make, & model, colour, body type, engine number, chassis number, plate number, Official Receipt, Certificate of Registration
• Any witness or lack of witness during the incident in question
• Full description of the damage on the vehicle involved and to the third-party property

Step 2: Head towards the notary public

Before heading to the notary public, you have to find the nearest office. Most notaries public are located in a law office, city hall, municipal hall, or commercial building. Typically, the office is located near a government office or a bank.

Upon reaching the notary public office, you’ll be asked to verify your identity, so carry a valid ID. We’d suggest you carry a few photocopies of ID, as it may be needed later for documentation purposes.

Step 3: Time the affidavit

At the notary public office, you’d be asked for several details and questions regarding the accident. Once all is done and the notary public is finished preparing the affidavit, it is time to sign the document.

Moving forward, the notary public will record all the details of the client’s transactions in its logbook. Here, the client will also be requested to countersign the journal.

Step 4: Hand over the notary fee

The amount charged for the affidavit depends on the notary public visited by the client. The fee mostly ranges from PHP 150 to PHP 500. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire about the notarial fee as soon as you step into the office.

Step 5: Collect notarised affidavit of car insurance claim

Once all the details are shared and the payments are made, the affidavit will get a sign and stamp from the notary. Now, the client can head to the car insurance provider to initiate the car insurance provider.

Summing up

After receiving a notarised affidavit for the car insurance claim, it is time to send it in with the other documents to the car insurance provider. After that, all one has to do is just wait for the insurance company to approve your claim. Once they give the green light, you can pay your participation fee and get your car fixed.

Also Read: Choosing the right car insurance policy in the Philippines