5 Reasons to Store Your Insurance and Other Important Documents Using DigiLocker

The recent floods in various states of India have taught us the importance of saving important documents like that of an insurance policy in digital forms. Apart from natural calamities, you can be a victim of theft or you can misplace or forget carrying your identity proof and in situations like these, help is right inside your smartphone.

Even on the loss of your smartphone, you can save your documents on cloud services like Google Drive and use the Indian government's DigiLocker to save all your government issued identity proofs. Here are five reasons why you should be securing your documents digitally:

Apply for PAN card or change official details using e-sign

Not entirely restricted to PAN card, but using the e-sign facility, you can digitally sign for any formal application like that of changing your name on an official document that would otherwise require you to submit proof for verification.

Using the Aadhar linked electronic sign facility, you can do it for free. The digital signature facility, however, attracts an annual fee.

Valid and true proof

DigiLocker is a cloud-based storage facility provided by the government. It was started to make issuance and verification of documents easier. For example, a CBSE student can get migration certificates and mark sheets directly issued to the DigiLocker and you can present and share the same as proof and since it was provided by the issuing authority; there is no need for verification.

You can carry your driving license, registration certificate and Aadhaar (mandatory to be linked to DigiLocker) in it and present it directly to the policemen or airport security as proof.

Safety and privacy

Storing the documents in digital form can expose you to various online risks. However, no one can have access to what you store on the DigiLocker.

Only if agencies registered with the DigiLocker, like a government body can look at your documents provided they raise a request for it to verify the person's identity and details to process an application of job or other things. Even then, you will be informed of such an activity.

Do not share your DigiLocker details and Aadhaar number with anyone.

Store insurance policies or apply for one online

You can get an Electronic Insurance Account (eIA) with any of the IRDAI-approved insurance repositories in India.

Though it is not related to DigiLocker, the advancement of holding insurance policies in electronic has enabled issuance of them on the platform.

Bajaj Allianz is one such insurance company that allows you to avail home, vehicle, health or travel insurance over DigiLocker.

Anywhere anytime access

With an internet connected device, you should be able to use your documents at any time and any place. This is especially useful when you are travelling out of town anywhere in the country.