Notarised affidavit in car insurance: Everything a car owner/policyholder needs to know

We’ll start by understanding the terms "affidavit" and "notarised".

What is an affidavit? It is a sworn statement by an individual stating that the information provided is true & accurate.

In car insurance claims, an affidavit usually includes details of the incident, such as what happened, when & where it happened, the parties involved, and the extent of damage.

What makes an affidavit notarised? An affidavit becomes legally recognised when it is notarised. It occurs when an affidavit is signed in the presence of a notary public. Here, the notary verifies your identity and confirms that it was signed voluntarily.

Why do insurance providers require a notarised affidavit?

Preventions of fraudulent claims: A notarised affidavit discourages fraud, as making false statements under oath can lead to consequences.

Establishment of a legal statement: A notarised affidavit is an official legal record. So, in case of disputes, it can be used as supporting evidence.

Let us learn more about car insurance and notarised affidavits …

Car insurance claim: Situation when you may require a notarised affidavit

Don’t worry, you don't need a notarised affidavit every time you file a claim. Insurance providers ask for it under specific circumstances. Here’s the list -

1. Vehicular accidents

This is the most common claim situation that requires an affidavit. You’ll need to submit it along with the police report, photos of damage, and your driver’s license.

Here, the affidavit will explain to the insurer how the accident happened from your perspective.

2. Hit-and-run incidents

Such cases are quite complex, as the responsible driver is unknown. In such cases, the affidavit will help the insurer determine the incident time, vehicle description, road conditions, and the witness accounts.

Overall, the affidavit will allow the insurer to fairly evaluate your claim.

3. Theft & vandalism

In cases where your car is stolen or vandalised, insurers require an affidavit detailing information such as when the vehicle was last seen, the discovery of the crime, police involvement, etc.

Note, the affidavit will support your theft claim, so do get it.

4. Third-party property damage

In cases where you accidentally hit someone’s parked vehicle, gate, or fence, the insurer will require an affidavit from both parties to get clarity on liability and damages.

Preparing a notarised affidavit: Include the following details

Personal information	Mentions accurate details, including your full name, address, contact number, and driver’s license number. *Double-check details
Details of the incident	Pay attention, this part is the heart of the affidavit. You need to include incident details such as date & time, exact location, damage sustained, event description, and weather conditions. *Be honest & specific
Witness statements	This in hand will only strengthen your claim. So, if you have witnesses, include their names, contact details, and a brief description of what they saw. *Witnesses are extremely valuable during disputes.

Getting a notarised affidavit: Step-by-step process

Step 1: Prepare the affidavit

This can be done by the car owner or with a lawyer’s assistance. Some insurance providers even provide templates you can use to get the job done.

However, when preparing an affidavit, use simple language and state factual information. Avoid emotional or aggressive tone and guessing at all costs.

Step 2: Visit a notary public

Once the first step is done, you need to head to a notary public with a valid government-issued ID, supporting documents (if required), and an unsigned affidavit. Here, the notary public will verify your identity and witness your signature.

Where to find notaries? You can find them near government offices, law offices, and other similar establishments.

Step 3: Paying notarial fees

The fee usually varies with the location and complexity of the case.

What’s the cost of notarising an affidavit?

A car owner should worry about the expenses that would fall on them after an unfortunate incident involving the vehicle, such as an accident, collision, or fire. But, thankfully, there is insurance to support car owners financially. What’s even great is a notarised affidavit that helps with the claim process and doesn't cost much (in most cases).

Factors that affect the cost of notarisation include: location (Metro Manila may cost more), lawyer assistance (drafting fees increase the cost), number of pages (longer docs mean more fees), and urgency (rushes increase fees).

Filing a car insurance claim: Here are some essential tips

Tip 1. Report the incident asap

Never delay in reporting the incident; it will help initiate the claim process, which is essential. Most insurance providers require a heads-up within the first 24 to 72 hours of the incident.

Note, sometimes late reporting leads to denied claims.

Tip 2. Take photos, videos, & collect witness statements

What is essential is to collect evidence, and the best way to do so is by clicking multiple images & videos from different angles of the damage and incident scene. Try to get witness statements along with their contact details.

All this will support your claim and help the insurer trust you & your story.

Tip 3. Keep copies of all necessary paperwork

As a car owner, you should always keep copies of the vehicle OR/CR, driver’s license, and insurance policy. At the time of the claim, add copies of the police report, affidavit, and repair estimates.

Also Read: What is legal assistance car insurance coverage? A must-read guide for car owners

Preparing an affidavit? Avoid the following mistakes

Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid -

Mistake 1. Providing inconsistent information

While preparing the affidavit, ensure the information in it matches that in the police report, photos, and witness statement. There should be similarity among all channels. Also, conflicting details may delay approval (in some cases, even leading to complete denial).

Mistake 2. Leaving important facts

Make sure to include all the details you know, even the minutest facts. You see, missing out on information can create suspicion, which’ll lead to a delay.

Mistake 3. Using aggressive or emotional language

There is no place for ranting or blaming in an affidavit. What will work for you are professional, objective statements.

Mistake 4. Signing before meeting the notary

It is important that the notary witness your signature; never sign beforehand. It is not a good idea.

Also Read: Common roadside emergencies & coverage that will be your saviour

Legal importance of a notarised affidavit

A notarised affidavit is not just paperwork; it carries legal implications. And here in the Philippines, it is treated as a public document. This means that a notarised affidavit carries great evidentiary value in court proceedings and disputes.

However, policyholders must remember that they must be truthful, as false statements may result in claim denial and legal penalties.

Also Read: Accident on the highway? What to do while towing coverage comes into play

Benefits of a properly prepared affidavit

This one is important, guys, you should know what a strong affidavit is capable of -

• It helps speed up the claim process
• Reduce disputes
• Protect policyholder’s legal rights
• Improve credibility
• Support police investigations

Often, an affidavit is the key document for insurers in the claim process.

Also Read: Common myths around total loss car insurance & the truth behind them

Car insurance claim process: What's the timeline?

The processing time for a car insurance claim file depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the availability of repair estimates, the completion of documents, and the provider’s terms & conditions.

However, a basic claim usually takes 1 to 30 days to be processed; complicated cases may take longer.

Tip: Submit complete documentation, including a notarised affidavit, to avoid delays.

Also Read: Accident on the highway? What to do while towing coverage comes into play

Affidavit & lawyer

One of the most common questions that car owners ask is 'Should a lawyer be hired each time an affidavit is required?’ The answer is no.

You see, when an affidavit is required for simple matters like a minor accident or collision, you can prepare one using templates. However, it is best to seek legal assistance when large damage is involved, injuries have occurred to the involved parties, multiple disputes are filed, or a court case may arise. Furthermore, if you aren’t comfortable drafting an affidavit yourself, don’t shy away from taking help, as it is better to get things right at once.

So, while a lawyer is not always necessary, they ensure the affidavit is legally sound and drafted properly.

Also Read: Total loss coverage: Why your car insurance plan needs it in 2026

Bottom line

Every car owner or policyholder should be familiar with a notarised affidavit. While at the surface, it may seem like another paperwork formality, this paper plays a major role in the claim you filed and is hoping to get approved quickly. You see, the notarised affidavit helps prove your side of the story, prevents fraud, and helps the insurer to process your claim efficiently.

How can you get your hands on one? Is it a whole other tedious process? Well, the good news is that getting a notarised affidavit is not a complicated process - rather, it’s affordable, quick, and simple.

So, if you want to avoid unnecessary delays and stress after an unfortunate incident involving your vehicle, it is best to practice the following -

• Be informed & provide accurate information
• Keeping complete records
• Fulfil your provider’s requirements

It doesn’t matter if you are dealing with a serious road accident, theft, or a minor collision; being informed and prepared makes a huge difference. Remember, being a responsible driver isn’t just about driving safely and following traffic rules; it is also about protecting yourself legally & financially in the event of an unfortunate incident.

Also Read: Acts of Nature coverage: What you need to know in 2026