As a responsible car owner, you are required to carry along vital documents with you when driving your car. Documents such as your driver’s license, your car’s RC book, and car insurance papers, need to be carried at all times. One important document that you cannot overlook is the pollution under control (PUC) certificate. It is a government-issued document.
What is this PUC certificate? What is its importance in terms of your four-wheeler? Are you required to have one when you are looking to purchase car insurance online?*
Continue reading to know more about it
What is PUC?
Cars run on an internal combustion engine (ICE), which produces certain gases when it burns fossil fuels. These gases, known as greenhouse gases, are harmful for humans and are one of the main causes of air pollution. In an effort to keep the pollution under control, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issues the PUC certificate. In this certificate, gas emission limits set by the Ministry are mentioned. Your car’s emission levels need to match those that are mentioned in the certificate. The limits of gas emission come under the purview of the Indian Motor Vehicles Act. These limits are updated based on the recommendations of Automotive Research Authority of India (ARAI). *
Why is PUC mandatory?
The PUC certificate is one of the mandatory documents that you need to carry with you when you are driving your car. The fine for not carrying the PUC is Rs.1000. This is for first-time offenders. If you are found driving your car without PUC for a second time or more than that, you will be fined Rs.2000 for each offence. Your PUC certificate is valid every six months. Once your current PUC certificate expires, you should take your car to the nearest authorised centre and get the emission levels checked. *
Apart from the list of gases and their limits, your PUC mentions the following things:
- Your car’s registration number
- Date of inspection
- Certificate number
- Readings
- Validity of the certificate
Is PUC required for car insurance?
The IRDAI, in its July 2018 circular, made it mandatory for all car owners to have a valid PUC certificate if they are looking to purchase car insurance. PUC is mandatory even if you are looking to renew your third party car insurance online. If you do not hold a valid PUC certificate for your car, the insurer will request you to either get a new PUC certificate or reject your purchase/renewal request.*
Can you file a claim without a PUC certificate?
In a circular published by the IRDAI in 2020, they have stated that the insurer does not have the right to deny your claim on the basis of not having a valid PUC certificate. If you were to file a claim when you do not hold a valid PUC certificate, the insurer will have to entertain your claim request without directly rejecting it. *
Conclusion
If you own happen to own a four-wheeler, it is better to get a PUC certificate for your car. If your existing certificate has expired, you should get it renewed. If you are looking to purchase car insurance, you can use the car insurance calculator to get quotes for your policy.
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
*Standard T&C apply