← All guides

Car total loss claim: how IDV decides your payout

For a badly damaged or stolen vehicle, the repair estimate stops mattering — the claim is settled on the Insured's Declared Value (IDV). Understanding IDV is how you judge whether a total-loss offer is fair.

What IDV is

IDV is the fixed sum insured for your own vehicle against damage or theft. Under IMT GR.8 it's the manufacturer's listed selling price of the model, reduced by an age-based depreciation slab — ranging from 5% for a nearly new vehicle up to 50% for older ones. It's the ceiling on any own-damage or theft payout, so a too-low IDV quietly caps your cover.

Constructive Total Loss (CTL)

You don't need the vehicle to be physically destroyed. Under IMT GR.8, when the estimated cost of retrieval and repair exceeds 75% of the IDV, the insurer can declare a Constructive Total Loss and settle at IDV instead of repairing.

What you actually receive

On a total loss, the payout is the IDV less the salvage (wreck) value if you keep the wreck, and the compulsory deductible still applies. Theft is settled the same way — as a total loss at IDV — once the vehicle is untraced and the claim is documented. If the insurer disposes of the salvage, you should receive the IDV without the salvage deduction.

General guidance — verify with your policy wording and the current tariff. Source: India Motor Tariff GR.8.

Frequently asked

How is my car's IDV decided?

Under IMT GR.8, IDV is the model's listed selling price minus an age-based depreciation slab (from 5% for a nearly new vehicle up to 50% for older ones). It's the maximum any own-damage or theft claim can pay.

When is my car treated as a total loss?

Under IMT GR.8, when the estimated retrieval and repair cost exceeds 75% of the IDV, the insurer can declare a Constructive Total Loss and pay the IDV instead of repairing.

Do I get the full IDV on a total loss?

You get the IDV less the salvage value if you keep the wreck, and the compulsory deductible still applies. If the insurer takes the salvage, you should get the IDV without that deduction.

India Motor Tariff (IMT) GR.8 (IDV, depreciation slabs, constructive total loss & salvage) · As of 2026-07-02