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Digit Car Insurance: Cheapest Premium, 1 Million Claims Settled — But MouthShut Rates Them 1.14/5. Here Is the Full Truth.

Digit car insurance: Swift ₹8,000-10,500, Creta ₹15,000-19,000. 1M claims settled FY26. But IDV is 5-10% lower than competitors. Real claim data, not marketing.

By HonestMoney.in Editorial Team | Updated May 9, 2026

Digit Settled 1 Million Claims in FY 2026. MouthShut Users Rate Them 1.14/5. Both Statements Are True. Here Is Why.

Go Digit General Insurance is India’s fastest-growing private general insurer. It has the lowest premiums among established insurers, a fully digital claim process, and Virat Kohli as brand ambassador.

But the cheapest premium comes partly from lower IDV calculations. The digital-only model breaks when you need human help. And the 1 million claims number says nothing about how many were rejected or how long they took.

This page covers Digit’s real premiums vs competitors, the IDV gap nobody talks about, claim timelines from actual users, and whether the low price is genuinely saving you money or costing you at claim time.

Digit at a Glance

Parameter	Digit (Go Digit)
Founded	2016
IPO	May 2024 (BSE/NSE listed)
GWP	₹7,000+ crore (FY 2025-26)
Claim settlement ratio	96-98% (IRDAI aggregate)
Claims settled FY 2025-26	1 million+ across all lines
Cashless garages	8,700+
Physical branches	Minimal — digital-first
Online purchase	Yes — godigit.com + aggregators
Claim filing	App + phone (no walk-in)
Brand ambassador	Virat Kohli

The Premium Advantage — and the IDV Catch

Digit Is Genuinely Cheaper

Digit’s premiums are consistently 10-20% lower than established competitors. This is real.

Car Model (2022, Zone A)	Digit	ICICI Lombard	HDFC ERGO	Bajaj Allianz
Maruti Alto K10	₹5,500-7,500	₹6,500-8,500	₹6,000-8,000	₹6,000-7,500
Maruti Swift VXi	₹8,000-10,500	₹9,500-12,000	₹9,000-11,500	₹9,000-11,000
Hyundai i20 Sportz	₹10,000-13,000	₹11,500-14,500	₹11,000-14,000	₹10,500-13,000
Tata Nexon XZ	₹12,000-16,000	₹14,000-18,000	₹13,500-17,500	₹13,000-16,500
Hyundai Creta SX	₹15,000-19,000	₹17,000-22,000	₹16,500-21,000	₹16,000-20,000
Toyota Fortuner 4x4	₹30,000-38,000	₹35,000-45,000	₹35,000-45,000	₹33,000-42,000

Premium saving: ₹2,000-7,000 per year depending on car value.

But Part of the Saving Comes From Lower IDV

Here is what most review sites do not tell you:

Car Model (2022)	Digit IDV (typical)	ICICI Lombard IDV (typical)	Gap
Maruti Swift	₹4,80,000	₹5,10,000	-₹30,000
Hyundai Creta	₹9,50,000	₹10,20,000	-₹70,000
Tata Nexon	₹7,00,000	₹7,50,000	-₹50,000

IDV determines two things: your premium (lower IDV = lower premium) and your maximum claim payout (lower IDV = lower payout). The ₹2,000-4,000 annual premium saving could cost you ₹30,000-70,000 if you file a total loss claim.

The Right Way to Compare

Get quotes from 3-4 insurers
Compare IDV, not just premium
If Digit’s IDV is significantly lower, request IDV increase (Digit allows this — premium rises proportionally)
Compare premiums at the same IDV level

At equal IDV, Digit is still 5-10% cheaper than most competitors — a genuine saving without the hidden cost.

Add-Ons: What Digit Offers and What They Cost

Add-On	Cost Range	What It Covers	Limit	Worth It?
Zero Depreciation	₹1,500-4,000	Waives parts depreciation	Varies by plan	Yes, under 5 years
Engine Protect	₹500-1,500	Water ingression, oil leak	Per incident	Yes, in flood-prone cities
Return to Invoice	₹800-2,000	Full invoice on total loss/theft	Once	Yes, under 3 years
Roadside Assistance	₹400-800	Towing, battery, flat tyre	Per incident	Maybe — check your car brand’s free RSA
Consumables	₹400-1,000	Nuts, bolts, lubricants in repair	Per claim	Yes, for major claims
Key Replacement	₹200-400	Lost/stolen key replacement	Once/year	Only for cars with expensive keys (₹15,000+)
NCB Protection	₹500-1,500	Preserves NCB after claim	1-2 claims	Yes, if NCB is 35%+
Personal Belongings	₹200-400	Valuables stolen from car	₹10,000-20,000 cap	Rarely worth it

Digit’s Add-On Bundling

Digit offers pre-built bundles (e.g., “Protection Plus” bundling zero dep + engine protect + consumables) at a discount vs buying individually. The bundle saves 10-20% but includes add-ons you may not need. Always calculate individual add-on costs before accepting a bundle.

Claim Process: The Digital-Only Reality

How It Works

Intimate claim: Digit app or call 1800-258-5956 — within 24 hours
Upload photos: 8-10 photos of damage via app
Surveyor assessment: Photo-based (Digit’s assessor reviews uploaded photos) or physical visit
Approval: Digital approval notification
Go to garage: Network garage for cashless, any garage for reimbursement
Settlement: Cashless — insurer pays garage; Reimbursement — you pay and submit bills

Timeline Reality

Claim Type	Digit Advertises	User-Reported Median
Minor cashless (bumper, glass)	7 days	12-20 days
Major cashless (accident)	14 days	20-35 days
Reimbursement	14 days	20-30 days
Theft	Not specified	60-120 days
Total loss	Not specified	45-90 days

The Photo-Upload Problem

Digit’s DIY photo-based assessment saves time when it works. But:

Users take insufficient photos → Digit requests more → 2-5 day delay
Photo quality issues (blur, wrong angle) → rejection and redo
Damage extent disputes — photos do not capture hidden damage
For large claims, a physical surveyor visit is still required (2-5 days wait)

When Digital-Only Fails

Digit has no walk-in claims offices in most cities. When things go wrong:

App crashes during claim upload → you email, wait 24-48 hours for response
Complex claim dispute → no face-to-face option, only email/phone escalation
Document requests → back-and-forth emails stretching settlement by 1-2 weeks
Surveyor disagreement → no local office to visit and discuss

For routine claims (small dents, scratches), the digital process works fine. For anything above ₹50,000 or involving dispute, the absence of physical presence is a real disadvantage.

The Post-IPO Question: Has Claim Quality Changed?

Digit went public in May 2024. Since then:

Positive signals:

Claims settled increased from ~700,000 (FY 2024-25 est.) to 1 million+ (FY 2025-26)
Only 339 Ombudsman complaints out of 11+ lakh claims processed
Revenue continued growing

Concerning signals:

Quarterly earnings pressure creates incentive to control claim costs
MouthShut rating remains low at 1.14/5 (though this was low pre-IPO too)
Renewal premium hikes of 15-25% reported — acquiring cheap, then raising prices
Scaling fast → claim processing capacity may not match volume growth

Verdict: No conclusive evidence of post-IPO quality decline. But the business model incentives of a listed company (quarterly profit targets) are inherently different from a growth-stage startup (market share at any cost). Watch this space.

Digit vs Competitors: Honest Comparison

Feature	Digit	HDFC ERGO	ICICI Lombard	Bajaj Allianz	ACKO
Premium level	Budget	Mid-range	Mid-range	Mid-range	Budget
Cashless garages	8,700+	12,000+	10,000+	7,000+	3,000+
IDV level	Lower	Market rate	Market rate	Market rate	Lower
Physical branches	Minimal	Yes (hundreds)	Yes (hundreds)	Yes (hundreds)	None
Zero dep limit	Varies	Unlimited	Unlimited	2/year	Varies
Digital experience	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Claim TAT (user-reported)	15-25 days	10-20 days	10-18 days	12-20 days	12-20 days
Best for	Lowest premium, tech-savvy	Largest network	Fast digital + branch backup	Brand trust + agent network	Lowest premium, simple claims

Choose Digit If

Lowest premium is your top priority
You are comfortable with app/phone-only claims — no branch visits
You will verify and potentially increase IDV at purchase
Your claims are likely to be simple (minor damage, no disputes)

Choose Someone Else If

You want the widest cashless garage network (HDFC ERGO)
You want unlimited zero dep (HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard)
You value physical branch access for claim disputes (ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz)
You want consistent IDV calculations (any legacy insurer)
You have a high-value car where IDV accuracy matters most (luxury/premium segment)

Renewal Pricing: The Year 2-3 Hike

Digit acquires customers with competitive Year 1 pricing. Users report:

Year	Typical Premium Change
Year 1 (new policy)	Competitive — 10-20% below market
Year 2 (renewal)	+10-15% over Year 1
Year 3 (renewal)	+15-25% over Year 1
Year 4+	Converges with market rates

By Year 3, Digit’s premium is often comparable to HDFC ERGO or ICICI Lombard. The initial “cheap” advantage erodes. Consider switching insurers at renewal if the premium jumps significantly — NCB is portable across insurers (transfer takes 7-15 days).

How to Get the Best Deal With Digit

Compare IDV: Before buying, check IDV from Digit vs 2 other insurers. If Digit’s is significantly lower, request an increase
Buy direct at godigit.com — same price as aggregators, sometimes cheaper during promotions
Skip bundles if you do not need all add-ons — calculate individual pricing first
Check renewal price before Year 1 expires — get competing quotes to negotiate or switch
Set up strong documentation habits — Digit’s photo-based claims require good photos. Learn what angles and details are needed before you need to file a claim
Transfer NCB correctly at renewal — if switching to Digit, ensure NCB transfer is confirmed before the old policy expires

HonestMoney.in Editorial Team

Research-backed content sourced from official publications, regulatory filings, verified data, and real-world experiences. Updated May 2026.

FAQ 10

Frequently Asked Questions

Research-backed answers from verified data and published sources.

What is Digit's claim settlement ratio for car insurance?

Digit reports 99.9950% claims accuracy on its website. IRDAI data shows a claim settlement ratio in the 96-98% range. MouthShut user ratings are 1.14/5. These three numbers cannot all be fully representative. The 99.99% figure likely counts all claims processed (settled + rejected) as accurately handled. The IRDAI figure is aggregate across all lines. The MouthShut score reflects selection bias — angry claimants are more likely to post reviews. Digit settled over 1 million claims across all business lines in FY 2025-26. Only 339 complaints reached the Insurance Ombudsman. Use IRDAI aggregate data for comparison — it is the only standardized metric.

Is Digit car insurance really the cheapest?

Digit is consistently 10-20% cheaper than HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, and Bajaj Allianz for the same car and coverage. For a 2022 Hyundai Creta, Digit quotes Rs 15,000-19,000 comprehensive vs Rs 17,000-22,000 from ICICI Lombard. However, part of this saving comes from lower IDV (Insured Declared Value). Digit's IDV calculation is 5-10% lower than competitors for the same car, meaning your maximum claim payout is also 5-10% lower. A Rs 2,000 premium saving could cost you Rs 20,000-50,000 at total loss claim time.

Does Digit set IDV lower than other insurers?

Yes, based on user reports and premium comparison data. For the same car model and year, Digit's IDV is typically 5-10% lower than ICICI Lombard or HDFC ERGO. Lower IDV means lower premium (because OD premium is calculated as a percentage of IDV) but also lower maximum payout at claim time. If your car's market value is Rs 6 lakh and Digit sets IDV at Rs 5.2 lakh while ICICI Lombard sets it at Rs 5.7 lakh, your Digit premium is lower but your total loss payout is Rs 50,000 less. Always compare IDV, not just premium.

How many cashless garages does Digit have?

Digit claims 8,700+ cashless garages. In metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai), coverage is adequate with 200+ garages per city. In tier-2 cities, 30-80 garages. In tier-3 towns, coverage is sparse. User reports indicate some network garages refuse to honour cashless agreements and push for reimbursement instead. Digit's garage network is smaller than HDFC ERGO (12,000+) and ICICI Lombard (10,000+) but larger than ACKO (3,000+). Before buying, search for garages near your specific location, not just the national count.

How does Digit's self-inspection process work?

For renewals and some new policies, Digit uses a self-inspection model instead of sending a physical surveyor. You take 6-8 photos of your car (all sides, odometer, chassis number) via the Digit app. A video call with a Digit representative may follow for verification. The entire process takes 3-10 minutes. This works well for users with good smartphones and stable internet. Users in rural areas with poor connectivity report failures and delays. If the self-inspection fails, Digit may send a physical surveyor, adding 2-5 days.

What are the most common complaints about Digit car insurance?

Based on MouthShut, Trustpilot, and consumer forums: (1) Claim delays — complex claims taking 30-90 days vs the advertised 7-day promise. (2) Low IDV at claim time — payout lower than expected because IDV was set low at policy purchase. (3) No physical branches — when app/email fails, there is no human to meet. (4) Document demands — repeated requests for additional documents extending settlement. (5) Surveyor photo-based assessment — DIY photo uploads leading to disputes about damage extent. (6) Renewal price hikes — Year 2 and Year 3 premiums jumping 15-25% from initial year.

Does Digit have physical offices where I can file claims in person?

No. Digit is a digital-first insurer with minimal physical presence. Claims must be filed through the Digit app, website, or phone. There is no walk-in claims office in most cities. This works fine for routine claims but becomes a problem for complex disputes (total loss, theft, large repair disagreements) where face-to-face discussion with a claims manager would help. If you value the ability to physically visit an insurance office, consider ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, or HDFC ERGO — all have hundreds of branch offices across India.

How does Digit handle total loss and theft claims?

Total loss and theft are Digit's weakest claim categories based on user reviews. Theft claims require FIR, non-traceable certificate (30-60 days from police), and extensive documentation. Total loss claims involve IDV negotiation where Digit's already-lower IDV becomes the maximum payout. Salvage deduction (15-25% of IDV) further reduces your payout. Users report 60-120 day timelines for these claims. For a car with Rs 5 lakh IDV, after salvage deduction, the actual payout may be Rs 3.75-4.25 lakh — and this is with Digit's lower IDV baseline.

Is Digit a safe insurer — will they survive long term?

Yes. Digit (Go Digit General Insurance) is listed on BSE and NSE after its IPO in May 2024. It is regulated by IRDAI and backed by institutional investors. Gross written premium exceeded Rs 7,000 crore in FY 2025-26. IRDAI requires all general insurers to maintain minimum solvency margins. Even if Digit were to face financial trouble, IRDAI's regulatory framework protects policyholders — your policy and claims would be honoured. Financial stability is not a concern with Digit.

Should I choose Digit or HDFC ERGO for car insurance?

Choose Digit if lowest premium is your top priority and you are comfortable with a fully digital claim process. Choose HDFC ERGO if you want the largest cashless garage network (12,000+ vs 8,700+), unlimited zero dep claims (vs Digit's variable limits), physical branch access, and are willing to pay 10-20% more in premium. The Rs 2,000-4,000 annual premium difference funds HDFC ERGO's larger infrastructure. If you anticipate making a claim, HDFC ERGO's wider network and established process may save you more in claim experience than you saved in premium with Digit.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Motor insurance premiums vary by insurer, vehicle type, and claim history. Always compare quotes from multiple IRDAI-registered insurers and read policy documents carefully before purchasing.