Recently, I met with a car accident. I am a LMV learner license holder. During accident I was driving the car. My question is whether l will get the claim as a learner license holder as no one accompanied me during my journey? 

Ans: I’m sorry to hear about the accident and hope the boy is recovering well. It’s great that you took responsibility for his medical expenses. Since you have third-party insurance, you can potentially claim the treatment expenses from your insurance company. Here’s how you can proceed:

Steps to Claim Treatment Expenses from Third-Party Insurance
1. Gather Necessary Documents
Ensure you have all the necessary documents ready, including:

Insurance Policy Details: Your third-party insurance policy
Accident Details: Date, time, and location of the accident.
Medical Bills and Receipts: Copies of all the treatment expenses you paid for the injured boy.
Medical Reports: Any medical reports or discharge summaries from the hospital.
Witness Statements: If possible, get statements from any witnesses of the accident.
2. Inform Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the details of the accident and the treatment expenses incurred. Inform them that you wish to claim these expenses under your third-party insurance.

3. Submit a Claim Form
The insurance company will provide you with a claim form. Fill out the form accurately, providing all necessary details. Attach the gathered documents, including medical bills and reports, with the claim form.

4. Cooperate with the Investigation
The insurance company may conduct an investigation to verify the details of the accident and the incurred expenses. Cooperate with their inquiries and provide any additional information or documents they may request.

5. Follow Up
Keep in regular contact with the insurance company to follow up on your claim status. This will ensure that your claim is processed promptly.

6. Payment to the Injured Person
If the insurance company agrees to cover the expenses, they may pay the amount directly to the injured person or reimburse you for the amount you have already paid. Confirm this with your insurance company and provide the injured person’s contact and bank details if needed.

Points to Remember
Document Everything: Keep copies of all communications with the insurance company, including emails, letters, and phone call records.
Legal Advice: If you face any difficulties in the claim process, consider seeking legal advice to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
Possible Outcomes
Reimbursement to You: The insurance company reimburses you for the medical expenses you have already paid.
Direct Payment: The insurance company pays the medical expenses directly to the injured person or their family.
By following these steps, you can navigate the claim process with your third-party insurance company and ensure that the medical expenses are covered. Your proactive approach in taking responsibility for the injured boy’s treatment is commendable and should help in facilitating a smooth claim process.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: No, motor vehicle accident compensation does not attract income tax in India.

Key Points to Understand:
Tax-Free Nature: Compensation received from a motor accident claim is not treated as income. Hence, it is fully exempt from income tax.

Legal Backing: This exemption is supported by various judgments from Indian courts, confirming that compensation for injury, disability, or death is not taxable.

Purpose of Compensation: The amount is given to restore financial loss or cover medical expenses, not as income or profit.

Interest on Compensation:

If the court awards interest on the compensation amount, this interest portion may be taxable as “Income from Other Sources.”
However, some courts have also ruled that interest related to delayed compensation is part of the compensation itself, making it non-taxable. This varies based on case specifics.
Final Insights:
The compensation amount itself is tax-free.
Interest earned on delayed compensation might be taxable in some cases.
For large compensation amounts with interest, consult a Chartered Accountant for accurate tax treatment.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment