Understand everything about car insurance inspection

Car insurance inspection is a mandatory procedure that most vehicles must undergo when purchasing insurance. However, not everyone fully understands what it is, how it works, and why it is mandatory. If this is your case, read this article.

Whenever a person decides to take out car insurance, one of the necessary procedures is the insurance inspection.

It allows the company to analyze the vehicle's conditions and decide whether or not to accept protection.

However, most people who are negotiating with insurance companies do not fully understand how the auto insurance inspection works, how and when it should happen and what its real need is.

That's why we've prepared an article to talk exclusively about this subject and explain each detail in more detail. After all, questions about the world of auto insurance are very common.

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What is an auto insurance inspection?

The car insurance inspection is a technical analysis that the insurance company carries out on the car you intend to insure.

It is used to check the actual conditions of the vehicle before providing the protection service.

It consists of a detailed analysis of all equipment and parts, both mechanical and electrical parts, as well as the bodywork, windows, headlights, taillights and more.

The inspection aims to identify possible damage caused before taking out insurance.

It is always carried out before taking out insurance and it is common for the professional responsible for it to take photos to file evidence of possible problems already existing in the vehicle.

What types of inspections are there?

There are basically three types of inspections carried out by insurance companies, and each one has a different objective.

Learn more about each of them below:

1. Prior inspection: The prior inspection is used when taking out insurance, it assesses basic items of the vehicle, the existence of equipment and accessories, optional items, safety devices and its general condition.
2. Risk inspection: The risk inspection is used when the car has a higher risk, for example, it has already suffered some damage. It takes a little longer and will analyze the entire history of the vehicle.
3. Vehicle inspection: Inspection is only necessary in some cases, especially when the vehicle has equipment such as a vehicle gas kit.

What is evaluated during this process?

When the auto insurance inspection is carried out, it evaluates different items, this evaluation may vary depending on the type of inspection or contract and/or service being offered by the insurer.

But in general, some procedures are always the same. Here are what they are:

1. Car history analysis: the vehicle's history is considered to determine whether it came from an auction, has been in a serious collision, or whether any information about it was omitted during the insurance quote, among others;
2. Existing faults in the vehicle: damages such as small scratches, poorly maintained upholstery and others are assessed. If there is any structural damage to the car there is a high risk that the car will not pass the inspection;
3. Car model analysis: The vehicle model is another item checked during the mandatory auto insurance inspection. This item is analyzed so that the insurance company can be sure of the model that is being contracted. Normally, it is done only by checking the chassis number;
4. Vehicle documentation: it is not enough to simply present the documentation; it is necessary to analyze whether the chassis number and other items match;
5. Car modifications: modifications also need to be analyzed, such as lowered vehicles, changes to the engine, exhausts, armor and all structural or mechanical parts of the vehicle.

Who will carry out the car insurance inspection?

It is usually carried out by technicians who have the ability to assess and identify damage to the vehicle.

These professionals are linked to the insurance company and the insured is not usually charged any fee.

Where is the inspection carried out?

This will depend on each insurance company and the procedures it adopts, but there are two most common procedures.

1. Take the vehicle to an accredited service station: one of them is that the insured takes the vehicle to one of the authorized stations indicated by the insurer;
2. Schedule a visit with a technician: Another possibility is for a technician to go to the customer's home to carry out the mandatory auto insurance inspection, this is usually done on a scheduled date and time.

What is the inspection review?

When you take out vehicle insurance, there may be minor damage to the vehicle, such as scratches on the bodywork or small dents.

These must be duly indicated in the report, since pre-existing damages are not covered by insurance in the event of a claim.

However, if the insured makes the repair, he can ask the insurer to review the inspection, so that the damage that was previously recorded in the vehicle's history can be removed and these parts of the car protected.

Therefore, the inspection review is a second inspection, generally requested by the customer, so that the company can certify that one or more problems that existed in the vehicle have been resolved.

If my car is a total loss, will the damages recorded in the inspection not be compensated?

In this case, the situation is different. If there is a total loss, the insurer will pay the full amount of compensation, in accordance with the FIPE Table, or as stipulated in the policy, without discounting these amounts.

Only in the case of partial data can repairs relating to pre-existing damage be discounted.

Are there any situations in which it is not necessary to undergo an auto insurance inspection?

Yes, normally when the car is brand new or when the insurance is renewed within the period stipulated by the policy, insurers normally exempt this step.

However, this is not a rule, and an inspection may be requested even in these cases.

Therefore, if you are about to renew your insurance, or have simply just bought a new car with zero mileage, request more precise information from the insurance company you have chosen.

I changed cars and got an insurance endorsement. Do I need to do a new inspection?

It depends. If the exchange was made for a brand new vehicle, the car is exempt, however, if it is a used car, it will be necessary to carry out an auto insurance inspection.

My insurance was canceled due to non-payment. After regularizing the situation, I requested insurance again. What happens to the auto insurance inspection?

As the cancellation occurred due to non-payment, it will be necessary to undergo another mandatory auto insurance inspection for it to be carried out again.

What if the car is not approved during the inspection?

If any irregularity or serious damage to the vehicle is identified, it will not pass the inspection.

When this happens, the insurer refuses to provide the insurance, stating the reason for this decision.

The customer can try to take out insurance with a new insurer or carry out the repairs that were indicated in the inspection, however, this is not a guarantee that it will be approved later.

Now that you know how the auto insurance inspection is done, you can protect your car and understand the importance of this step.