Vehicle Depreciation Calculator for Motor Insurance Claims – India (IRDAI)

Instantly find the depreciation percentage applicable on metal, plastic/rubber, and glass parts during a motor insurance claim in India. Based on standard IRDAI depreciation rates — used by surveyors, loss assessors, insurance agents, and car owners.

IRDAI-compliant rates  •  Metal, Plastic & Glass parts  •  Instant result  •  100% Free  •  No login required

What is a Vehicle Depreciation Calculator for Insurance?

A vehicle depreciation calculator helps car owners, motor surveyors, and insurance agents instantly determine the depreciation amount that will be deducted from an insurance claim payout. When your car is damaged in an accident, the insurer does not reimburse the full cost of replaced parts — instead, a depreciation deduction is applied based on the age of the vehicle and the type of part replaced. Our free tool uses IRDAI-approved depreciation rates to calculate this deduction in seconds.

IRDAI Depreciation Chart for Motor Insurance Claims (India)

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) prescribes standard depreciation rates applicable to all private car and two-wheeler insurance claims in India. These rates apply on replaced parts only — not on labour charges. The chart below is what all insurance companies follow:

  • Up to 6 months old: 0% — No depreciation on metal parts
  • 6 months to 1 year: 5% on metal parts
  • 1 to 2 years: 10% on metal parts
  • 2 to 3 years: 15% on metal parts
  • 3 to 4 years: 25% on metal parts
  • 4 to 5 years: 35% on metal parts
  • 5 to 10 years: 40% on metal parts
  • Above 10 years: 50% on metal parts
  • Plastic / Rubber / Nylon / Fibre parts: Fixed 50% (irrespective of age)
  • Glass parts (windshield, windows): Fixed 0% — full replacement cost covered

How to Use This Car Insurance Depreciation Calculator

Using our tool is quick and requires no registration:

  • Step 1: Enter the vehicle's Date of Registration (the date shown on your RC book).
  • Step 2: Enter the Date of Accident or Claim (date the damage occurred).
  • Step 3: Click Calculate Depreciation.
  • Step 4: Instantly see depreciation for metal parts, plastic/rubber parts (50%), and glass parts (0%).

You can also click "View Full Depreciation Chart" inside the tool for a complete age-wise IRDAI depreciation table.

Zero Depreciation vs Standard Motor Insurance — What's the Difference?

Under a standard motor insurance policy, the insurer deducts depreciation on replaced parts during a claim — meaning you pay the difference out of pocket. The older your vehicle, the higher the deduction. For example, on a 4-year-old car, 35% depreciation applies on all metal parts.

A Zero Depreciation (Nil Dep) add-on cover eliminates this deduction — the insurer pays the full cost of replaced parts with no age-based reduction. This add-on is especially valuable for new vehicles or frequent claim filers. Use our calculator to see how much you'd save with zero-dep coverage before renewing your policy.

What Parts Attract Depreciation in a Motor Claim?

Depreciation in a motor insurance claim applies only on the cost of replaced parts. Repaired parts do not attract depreciation. Here is how different part types are treated:

  • Metal parts (body panels, chassis, frames) — Age-based depreciation as per IRDAI chart
  • Plastic/rubber/nylon/fibre (bumpers, dashboards, tyres, seat covers) — Fixed 50% depreciation
  • Glass (windshield, rear glass, door glass) — 0% depreciation, full cost covered
  • Batteries & airbags — Treated separately; typically depreciated at 50%
  • Labour charges — No depreciation applicable

Who Uses This Depreciation Calculator?

  • 🔍 Motor Surveyors & Loss Assessors — Quick on-the-spot depreciation calculation during surveys and claim assessment
  • 🚗 Car & Two-Wheeler Owners — Understand your insurance claim deduction before raising a claim
  • 🏢 Insurance Agents & Advisors — Explain depreciation impact to clients and help them choose nil-dep policies
  • 🎓 Students & Trainees — Learn IRDAI depreciation schedules for motor insurance exams
  • 🏭 Fleet Managers — Estimate depreciation deductions on commercial vehicle claims

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Frequently Asked Questions – Vehicle Depreciation & Insurance Claims

What is depreciation in a motor insurance claim? ⌄
Depreciation in motor insurance is the reduction in the value of vehicle parts based on their age and usage. When you raise a claim, the insurer pays for the cost of replacing damaged parts minus the applicable depreciation. So if a metal panel costs ₹10,000 and your vehicle is 4 years old (35% depreciation), you receive ₹6,500 and pay ₹3,500 yourself.
How are IRDAI depreciation rates calculated for metal parts? ⌄
Metal parts are depreciated based on the vehicle's age as per the IRDAI motor tariff: 0% for up to 6 months, 5% for 6 months–1 year, 10% for 1–2 years, 15% for 2–3 years, 25% for 3–4 years, 35% for 4–5 years, 40% for 5–10 years, and 50% for vehicles above 10 years. These rates apply to all private cars and two-wheelers in India.
Why is plastic and rubber depreciation always 50%? ⌄
As per IRDAI motor insurance regulations, plastic, rubber, nylon, and fibre parts always carry a fixed 50% depreciation regardless of the vehicle's age. This includes bumpers, dashboards, exterior trims, and similar components. The logic is that plastic degrades faster and holds lower residual value compared to metal.
Is glass depreciation really 0% in motor insurance? ⌄
Yes. Under standard motor insurance in India, glass parts — including the windshield (front glass), rear windscreen, and door windows — carry 0% depreciation. This means the full cost of glass replacement is covered, regardless of your vehicle's age. This applies to both comprehensive claims and standalone glass damage claims.
Does depreciation apply on labour charges in a motor claim? ⌄
No. Depreciation is applied only on the cost of replaced parts, not on labour charges. The labour cost for repair or replacement is reimbursed in full (subject to your policy terms). Only when a part is replaced (not repaired) does depreciation get deducted.
What is zero depreciation cover and should I buy it? ⌄
A Zero Depreciation (Nil Dep) add-on ensures no depreciation is deducted on replaced parts during a claim. Without it, you bear the depreciation cost from your own pocket. Zero dep is recommended if your car is less than 5 years old, you drive frequently, or you live in accident-prone areas. It adds to the premium but can save significant amounts in claims.
Can I use this calculator for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles? ⌄
The same IRDAI depreciation rates apply to two-wheelers as to private cars, so this calculator gives accurate results for bikes and scooters. For commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, taxis), the depreciation rates may differ — consult your policy document or surveyor for commercial vehicle claims.
How does vehicle age affect my insurance claim amount? ⌄
The older your vehicle, the higher the depreciation deducted — which means a lower claim payout and more out-of-pocket expense for you. For example, on a 6-year-old car, 40% is deducted on all metal parts. A ₹50,000 repair involving metal parts would result in ₹20,000 being deducted, with only ₹30,000 paid by the insurer (plus full labour costs).
What is IDV and how is it different from depreciation? ⌄
IDV (Insured Declared Value) is the maximum amount your insurer will pay in case of total loss or theft of your vehicle. It is calculated as the showroom price minus depreciation on the whole vehicle. Part depreciation (what this calculator shows) applies during partial loss claims on individual replaced parts. Both use age-based depreciation, but they serve different purposes in motor insurance.
Is this vehicle depreciation calculator accurate for 2024–2025? ⌄
Yes. The depreciation rates in this calculator are based on the standard IRDAI motor tariff, which has remained consistent over the years for private cars and two-wheelers. These rates are followed by all major insurance companies including National Insurance, New India Assurance, HDFC Ergo, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, and others. However, actual claim settlement may also depend on individual policy terms.