Two Wheeler Insurance

Introduction

Two wheelers are the smartest and most convenient way to ply the congested roads of Indian cities and towns. Easy to handle, available in a wide range of models and affordable – it’s no wonder that two wheelers – gear bikes and gearless scooters are the preferred mode of transportation for crores of Indians.

With that said, two wheelers are more vulnerable to road accidents compared to cars and other modes of transportation. Two wheelers – bikes, motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds – make up the majority of the vehicles on Indian roads. Around 20 million two wheelers were sold in India in the year 2018 alone. Some of the leading two wheeler manufacturers in India include Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, KTM, TVS and more.

In India, it’s compulsory to purchase motor insurance according to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. This means you need to hold a valid two wheeler insurance to ride a bike in India.

Two-Wheeler Insurance in India is not an option but a compulsion.

Bike insurance in India is offered by general insurers. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, it’s mandatory for all riders or two wheeler owners to have at least third-party liability insurance.

Additionally, apart from the liability cover, bike owners can also choose comprehensive two wheeler insurance plans that offer extended coverage including – own damage cover, protection against loss or theft and more.

Two wheeler road accidents are one of the major causes of death in the country. This is why getting your precious two wheeler insured the right way is crucial. Here, in this guide, you can know all about two wheeler insurance – types, benefits, features, glossary, tips on choosing the best two wheeler insurance policies, smart ways to reduce the premium and more.

Importance of Two Wheeler Insurance

In India, it’s illegal to ride a bike without a valid two wheeler insurance plan. Bike insurance plans are designed to offer financial coverage to policyholders during an emergency. It protects you from damages sustained by your vehicle, bodily injuries to the rider and pillion rider, damages/injuries caused by the insured vehicle to third-party people and property.

Benefits of Two Wheeler Insurance

Here are the top benefits of availing two wheeler insurance plans:

Frees you of Financial Worries

If your vehicle sustains damage or is stolen, then you don’t have to worry about the financial costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as the insurance company takes care of it for you.

Offers you legal protection

Since it’s compulsory to have two wheeler insurance, carrying a copy of your policy document in your vehicle protects you from fines and other legal penalties.

Provides you with Personal Accident Cover

When you have two wheeler insurance, the insurer offers you a lump sum payment if you sustain any injuries due to an accident, while riding the bike. The accident cover offers you protection from permanent disabilities and death.

Features of Two Wheeler Insurance

The following are the main features of a two wheeler insurance policy:

• Two wheeler insurance is compulsory in India.
• Two wheeler insurance policies are a sub-division of motor insurance policies, which are handled by general insurance companies.
• Motor insurance provides you financial coverage to protect your vehicle against damages as well as theft/burglary of the vehicle.
• If your two wheeler insurance policy has expired and you have failed to renew it, then all the damages caused by the policy have to borne out of your pocket.
• Two wheeler insurance plans offer financial protection against
  1. Natural calamities like earthquakes, forest fires, rockslides, landslides, floods, storms, cyclones, frost, hail, etc.
  2. Man-made calamities like theft, burglary, riots, explosions, etc.
• If your vehicle is stolen or gets damaged beyond repair, then the insurer pays you with a pre-determined sum, known as the IDV (Insured Declared Value).
• While purchasing a two wheeler insurance plan, you have to pay a predetermined premium to the insurer to avail the benefits of the plan.
• Two-wheeler insurance plans are generally renewed once a year.
• You can also choose multi-year plans that reduce the hassles of renewing every year.
• Premium rates of two-wheeler insurance plans are quite affordable and can be negotiated with the insurer at the time of purchase.
• The personal accident cover offered by two wheeler insurance plans is limited to Rs. 1 lakh.
• You can avail discounts up to 70% of the premium via the NCB. This is a cumulative bonus offered to policyholders for every claim-free year.

Inclusions and Exclusions in Two Wheeler Insurance

Inclusions: What is included in your two wheeler insurance policy?

The actual list of inclusions varies from one policy to another. Make sure to go through your policy documents carefully to understand all that’s covered under your plan. Here are the general inclusions of all two wheeler plans:

Natural Calamities

Comprehensive bike insurance plans offer you coverage for own damages, i.e. damages to your own vehicle. This includes damages to your vehicles by natural calamities like earthquakes, storms, floods, cyclones, fires, hurricanes, hailstorms, rockslides, landslides, tempests, frost, self-ignitions, inundations, etc.

Man-made Disasters

A two wheeler insurance policy also offers coverage for damages caused to your bike by man-made calamities like burglaries, thefts, riots, strikes, etc. This includes coverage for other damages sustained by your vehicle while being transported from one location to another using road, water, or airways.

Legal Third-Party Liabilities

All two wheeler insurance policies offer coverage for legal losses that are incurred by third-parties by the insured vehicle. This not only covers damages sustained by third-party properties but also includes coverage for third-party injuries and death.

Personal Accident Coverage

If the owner or the driver of the two wheeler meets with an accident, the two wheeler insurance policy offers personal accident cover for disabilities and death.

Exclusions: What is not covered under your two wheeler insurance policy?

The actual list of exclusions varies from one policy to another. Here is a general list of exclusions:

• Damages caused to your vehicle due to regular wear and tear
• Damages caused to tires and tubes of the vehicle
• Damages incurred due to mechanical and electrical breakdowns
• Depreciation of the vehicle due to regular use
• Losses/damages caused to the vehicle while the vehicle is used for illegal purposes
• Damages caused to the vehicle while it is used by a person who doesn’t have a valid driving license
• Damages caused to the vehicle while a person uses it under the influence of alcohol
• Damages or losses to the vehicle due to nuclear attacks, war and other related attacks

Types of Two Wheeler Insurance Policies

There are two major classifications of bike insurance: comprehensive insurance cover and third-party liability insurance cover (also known as liability only insurance)

Key Differences between Third-Party Two Wheeler Insurance and Comprehensive Two Wheeler Insurance:

Third-Party Liability Only Two Wheeler Insurance

According to the Indian Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, it’s mandatory for all two wheeler owners to insure their bikes for third-party liabilities at least. The third-party liability only two wheeler insurance offers this coverage.

When you purchase this policy, any damages caused by the insured vehicle to third-parties or third-party properties due to an accident are covered.

Scope of Coverage:

• Bodily injury or death to third party
• Third-party property damage
• Death of the driver or the bike owner in an accident
• Permanent total disability of the bike owner or the driver in an accident
• Personal accident cover for pillion rider*

*Not all insurers offer personal accident cover for pillion riders. Make sure to refer to your policy documents to check if this cover is offered.

What is not covered?

• Personal accident cover for the driver
• Damages or losses to the insured vehicle due to theft
• Damages or losses to the insured vehicle due to natural or man-made calamities

Apart from legal requirements, third-party insurance helps you when a third-party individual or property is involved in an accident caused by your driving. In such cases, the victim of the accident can register a case to claim compensation from you.

This is where the third party insurance cover comes to your rescue. The sum assured offered by this policy is used to cover any damages or losses incurred by third parties or third-party property due to the accident.

However, the third-party liability only insurance does not offer coverage for damages or losses incurred by the insured and his/her vehicle. For that, you need a comprehensive two wheeler insurance policy. Comprehensive plans offer extensive coverage compared to the liability only insurance.

Who can buy Third-Party Liability Only Bike Insurance?

Third-party liability only insurance can be purchased for private bike owners who use their bike for personal uses and commercial bike owners who use their bike for business-related issues. For instance, let’s state that you run a food delivery business, then you can get third-party liability insurance for your food delivery bikes that you use for your business.

Third-party liability insurance for commercial-use bikes can be purchased either by the owner of the bike or the lessee (the person who purchases the bike on a lease).

Benefits of Third Party Liability-only Two Wheeler Insurance

• Legal compliance – As per the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, you may be fined if you drive a bike in India without valid insurance. Third-party liability-only insurance helps you comply with the law.
• Offers Legal and Financial Assistance – Third-party liability only insurance offers you legal and financial assistance during an accident. The insurance helps you take care of the financial needs that arise during an emergency.
• Ensures Peace of Mind – You can breathe easy knowing that you have the support of your insurer to offer you financial assistance in case of an unforeseen accident.
• Easy to Purchase – Purchasing a two wheeler insurance policy is quite easy, and today several insurers offer online purchase facility as well. Make sure to compare different models and pick the right one that works for you.
• Opt for long-term Insurance Cover – You can also choose multi-year long term insurance plan to avoid the hassles of having to renew your policy every year.

Comprehensive Two Wheeler Insurance

As the name suggests, comprehensive two wheeler insurance is a complete insurance package offering extensive coverage. Apart from providing third-party cover, it also protects the insured vehicle from damages, losses, and thefts. While opting for comprehensive cover is not mandatory, it’s highly recommended that you opt for this plan to enjoy 360-degree protection for your bike.

Scope of Coverage

• Third-party liabilities
• Losses or damages incurred by the insured vehicle due to natural and man-made calamities
• Losses or damages incurred by the insured vehicle due to theft or burglaries
• Personal accident cover for the owner/driver of the vehicle
• Coverage for death or bodily injury for the owner/driver of the vehicle

What is not covered?

• Losses or damages due to electrical or mechanical breakdown of the two wheeler
• Normal wear and tear of the vehicle due to regular use
• Coverage is not offered if the insured vehicle is driven by an underage driver who doesn’t hold a valid driver’s license
• Damages caused by drivers riding under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants

A comprehensive two wheeler insurance plan has several add-on covers that help you enhance the coverage of the policy. Some of the popular add-on covers include – zero depreciation, pillion rider personal accident cover, return to invoice, etc.

Though the premium of comprehensive two wheeler insurance costs more than a liability-only policy, the amount of coverage can help you face financial emergencies with ease.

Benefits of Comprehensive Two Wheeler Insurance Coverage

A comprehensive two wheeler insurance plan is more effective than a simple liability-only bike insurance policy. Here are the top benefits of choosing comprehensive two wheeler insurance.

Personal accident cover

All comprehensive two wheeler insurance plans come with personal accident cover of up to Rs. 1 lakh. You can avail this sum if you suffer a permanent total disability, due to an accident while riding the insured vehicle. In the unfortunate case of death of the policyholder due to an accident, the insurer pays the lump sum amount to your beneficiary (nominee).

Damages to Insured Vehicle

Restoring your bike after an accident is quite expensive. You have to replace several parts while paying huge labour fees. This could easily burn a hole in your pocket. When you have a comprehensive two wheeler insurance plan, the insurer reimburses the cost of repair. Additionally, if the bike is damaged beyond repair, the insurer provides you with the IDV (Insured Declared Value) which you can use to purchase a new vehicle.

Third-party Liability

Just like the liability-only cover, a comprehensive two wheeler insurance plan offers protection to the policyholder from third-party damages including injuries caused to third-party people and damages caused to third-party property.

Damages incurred by Own Vehicle

If the vehicle sustains any damages due to natural and man-made calamities like floods, cyclones, storms or theft, the insurer pays you the IDV to restore or repair your vehicle from these damages.

Which one should you choose? Third-party Liability Vs Comprehensive Insurance Cover

Though the premium of comprehensive insurance cover is higher than liability-only insurance, it’s highly recommended that you choose the former. This is because comprehensive cover offers you compensation, thereby helping you pay for damages/losses sustained by your vehicle during an accident. Additionally, the personal accident cover also helps you pay for the injuries sustained by the owner of the vehicle.

All bikers who ride their bike regularly can opt for comprehensive insurance cover to enjoy extensive coverage and complete peace of mind.

How to calculate two wheeler insurance premiums?

Two wheeler insurance premiums are the amount you pay the insurer for purchasing the policy. Several factors influence the premium you will have to pay. Here, in this section, you can find all about two wheeler insurance premiums and how to calculate it.

Use an Online Insurance Premium Calculator

An insurance premium calculator is an online tool that helps you find out the premium of your policy. This helps you compare various plans and choose the best one. Using an online premium calculator will help you evaluate your specific requirements and choose the right policy that meets your specific needs.

How to use an online premium calculator?

Using an online calculator to evaluate the premium of your two wheeler insurance policy is quite easy. You can choose from any one of the free premium calculators available online. You have to enter in a few key details like – the IDV of your vehicle, zone of registration, cubic capacity, and the age of the vehicle.

Here, the IDV (Insured Declared Value) refers to the sum the insurer pays you when your vehicle is stolen or sustains any damage. The IDV is calculated by deducting the depreciation value from the manufacturer’s listed selling price. While calculating the IDV do not include the cost of registration of the vehicle.

Once you enter in the key details, the calculator lists the cost of the premium you will have to pay. You can use this value to compare different two wheeler insurance policies and pick the right one.

Two Wheeler Insurance Add-on Covers

When you choose a two wheeler insurance policy, you can choose from several add-on covers to extend the coverage of your policy. These add-on covers are also known as optional riders. The number of add-on covers offered varies from one insurer to another.

The biggest benefit of add-on covers is that it’s completely optional. You can choose any number of add-on covers that you require or you can avoid choosing any add-on cover. The choice is all yours.

Some of the popular add-on covers offered by insurers include:

Personal Accident Cover for Pillion Riders

Pillion riders are the passengers who ferry a ride on the bike along with the rider. When you choose personal accident cover for pillion riders, the insurer reimburses the cost of medical expenses when the pillion rider is injured in an accident. This cover provides coverage for partial or permanent total disability and death of the pillion rider.

Accessories Cover

This add-on cover includes coverage for all the accessories of the two-wheeler – electrical and non-electrical. Let’s say, you have fitted your bike with extra accessories like musical horn, burglar alarms, etc.

If your bike sustains any damages during an accident, then the insurer will reimburse the cost of repairing or replacing these extra accessories, under the accessories cover.

Roadside Assistance Cover

As the name implies, this cover offers roadside assistance to the insured, when the bike suffers from a mechanical breakdown and is stranded on the road. When you have this cover, you can ring the insurer and they will dispatch a team to your current spot to provide immediate repair to your bike and other assistance to you.

Some of the facilities offered by roadside assistance cover include immediate repairs, free towing to the nearest garage, etc. This cover is quite handy, especially when you are travelling to a remote place and might require help on route.

Zero Depreciation Cover

Irrespective of the policy type you choose – liability-only insurance or comprehensive insurance – the insurer does not provide you with the whole claim amount. The insurer deducts the depreciation value from the claim amount and pays only the rest.

Here, depreciation refers to the loss of the value of your bike as it ages. When you choose the zero depreciation cover, the insurer pays the whole amount without deducting any amount.

Daily Cash Allowance

This add-on cover is beneficial to people who travel daily using their two wheelers. Let’s say, your bike is damaged in an accident and is undergoing major repairs at a garage. In such instances, you have to pay the cost of commute out-of-your-pocket until the time your bike is repaired.

With the daily cash allowance cover, the insurer pays you a certain amount of money every day to meet your daily commute costs.

Engine Cover

The engine is the most expensive part of your two wheeler and costs a pretty penny to replace or repair. The engine cover offers you financial coverage, if the engine of your bike and the internal circuits are damaged due to waterlogging or flooding.

Damage to your bike’s engine can run up to thousands of rupees and having the engine cover rider option helps you repair/replace your bike’s engine without having to pay out of pocket.

Consumables Cover

This add-on cover offers financial coverage to the consumables of your engine like engine oil, bolts, nuts, etc. The majority of two wheeler insurance policies do not offer coverage for consumables, hence the need for this add-on cover.

Return to Invoice Cover

Two wheeler thefts are quite common in India and most burglaries occur in plain sight while the bike is parked in a public space. The return to invoice cover helps you claim the total amount of your bike (without any depreciation costs factored in) from the insurer when your vehicle is stolen or is totally damaged due to natural calamities.

All these add-on covers are available by paying an additional fee along with the premium. As mentioned above, you can choose any many add-on covers as needed. Make sure to understand the benefits of each rider and choose only the riders that you need.

Factors That Affect Two Wheeler Insurance Premium

The premium of your two wheeler insurance depends on several factors. The primary factors are listed below:

1. Type of the Two Wheeler Insurance Policy

The type of policy you choose plays a crucial factor in determining the premium you will have to pay. Generally speaking, the premium of liability-only two wheeler insurance is lesser than the premium of comprehensive insurance plans. However, you have to keep in mind that liability-only policy offers limited coverage. So, it doesn’t make sense to opt for it, just for reducing the premiums you pay.

2. Type and Make of the Insured Vehicle

Apart from the type of policy, the type of your vehicle is another major determinant of the premium. The model of the vehicle, the cubic capacity (CC) of the engine, the area of registration – all play roles in determining the premium.

For instance, the premium for bikes with higher cc and sports bikes is usually higher than standard regular usage bikes. This is because the former types of bikes are considered risky, causing insurers to demand a higher premium.

3. Add-on Covers Chosen

While purchasing a two wheeler insurance plan, you can increase the coverage of your plan by opting for one or more add-on covers. Some popular examples of add-on covers include roadside delivery, zero depreciation cover, co-passenger accident cover, cover for accessories and more.

Generally speaking, the higher the number of add-on covers you choose, higher is the premium of your plan. So, make sure to choose only the add-on covers that you require and not everything offered by the insurer.

4. Available NCB

NCB (No Claim Bonus) is a reward given by insurers to policyholders who do not make any claims during the policy year. During the time of renewal, if you have not made any claims during the previous year, the insurer deducts a percentage of your premium based on the NCB you have accumulated over the years.

NCB is cumulative and keeps on increasing for every successive claim-free year. Most insurers offer a maximum NCB of 50%, which can reduce your premium by half. NCB is offered as an incentive to get riders to practice safe riding.

Voluntary Excess

When your vehicle incurs a damage or misfortune, when you make a claim, you must pay a certain amount from your pocket. This amount is known as voluntary excess. The higher the voluntary excess, the lower your premium.

Other Discounts offered by Insurers

With increase in the number of general insurers in the market, there is stiff competition among various insurance companies. In order to attract customers, insurers offer several discounts and other offers.

For instance, when a customer chooses a multi-year two wheeler insurance policy, the insurer offers a significant discount on the premium. Additionally, when policyholders renew an existing policy with the same insurer, the insurer may offer a discount on the premium.

Smart Tips to Decrease Two Wheeler Insurance Premiums

Now that you’ve seen the different factors that influence your premiums, let’s take a look at a few smart ways to reduce the premium costs.

Make Smart Claims

It’s recommended that you don’t make frequent claims, especially for small amounts that you can easily handle out of your pocket. If you make a claim during the policy period, then you will miss out on the NCB that you have accumulated so far.

Before you make a claim calculate the value of the claim with the NCB discount and decide whether it is worth it. Also, make sure that you renew your policy on time so as to avoid forfeiting the NCB.

Reduce Alterations to your Bike

It’s indeed nice and attractive to make alterations to your bike by adding extra accessories like fancy fibre parts and other components. However, remember that bikes with modifications cost a higher premium than standard bikes. You can reduce your premium cost by avoiding unnecessary modifications to your bike.

Choose only the add-ons that you need

Most bike insurers offer a variety of add-on covers. However, that doesn’t mean you need to opt for all these. For instance, if you mostly ride your bike alone, then you may not require pillion rider cover.

Make sure to evaluate the list of add-on covers carefully and choose only the ones that you are likely to use.

Choose a Smaller Bike

Two wheelers with high cc attract higher premium costs. You can reduce the premium by opting for a small or budget bike.

Pay the premium in full

Paying the premium in full gets you attractive discounts during subsequent renewals. The cost of your premium is likely to be higher when you pay it as monthly instalments.

Shop Around

Very often, while renewing their policy, most people go with the same insurer. This is a costly mistake. At the time of renewal compare the costs of premiums offered by different insurers. This gives you a better idea of all the options available, helping you choose the right plan that offers the best benefits at the most affordable premiums.

Keep your Vehicle Safe

Make sure to keep your bike safe and secure. Never leave it unattended without locking it. Always park your bikes at an authorized garage, instead of leaving it out in the open on the streets.

Additionally, you can reduce the premium costs by investing in the safety and security of your bike by installing security locks, burglar theft alarms and more.

Build your Loyalty with the Insurer

Most insurers offer lower premiums for loyal customers. For instance, if you already have taken a home insurance plan and car insurance plan with an insurer, the insurer is likely to offer you higher discounts, when you choose a bike insurance plans with them.

Following these smart tips will help you reduce the overall cost of your two wheeler insurance policy.

How to apply for a two wheeler insurance plan?

Applying for two wheeler insurance plan is quite easy. There are two main modes:

Offline Application

Here, you have to visit the nearest branch of your preferred insurance company. Get in touch with an insurance agent. Get the policy proposal form, fill in the details and submit it in person to the insurance agent along with the required documents.

The insurance agent assigned for you case goes through the form you have submitted, verifies the details, and processes your application. Once you have made the premium payment – via dd, cash or using a debit/credit card, your policy is issued to you.

Online Application

Today, most insurers offer you easy, hassle-free online application. You can now apply for a new policy or renew an existing two wheeler insurance policy from anywhere, anytime. All you have to do is log into the website of the insurer. Download the policy proposal form, fill in the details and upload the completed form along with the necessary documents.

You will be provided with a payment link page. Complete the premium payments and your policy document is issued within minutes. Some insurers also send a hardcopy of the policy document via courier or post to you.

How to renew a two wheeler insurance plan?

Just like purchasing a two wheeler policy, you have two modes for renewing it.

Online Renewal

Visit the website of the insurer, log into your account. Select your policy and verify if all the details are correct. Make sure to have the old policy document in hand to verify if the details provided there are correct.

Choose the renew option. You would be provided with a payment link form. Complete the premium payment using your internet banking account, debit or credit card. Once your payment is processed, you get confirmation of your policy renewal. Download a copy of the renewed policy and keep a copy of it on your bike.

Offline Policy Renewal

Another method to renew your two wheeler insurance policy is to visit the nearest branch of the insurance company. Provide the insurance agent with your policy number and make the premium payment. The insurance agent provides you with the renewed policy document immediately.

Top 10 Two Wheeler Insurance Companies in India

There are nearly two dozen general insurance companies in India offering two wheeler insurance plans. Here are the top 10 insurance companies that offer the best two wheeler insurance plans for 2019.

10 Things to Check in your Two Wheeler Insurance Document

Irrespective of whether you purchase your two wheeler insurance online or offline, you will receive a policy document, once your payment has been processed. If you purchase the policy online, the document will either be available to you as an online download or will be sent to you via regular postal mail. When you purchase the document from an insurance agent, the policy document will be sent to you via post or courier.

Once you receive the policy document, you have to check the following ten things to ensure that everything is in order.

1. Policy Number

This is the number you will have to provide during policy claims. Make sure to check if the policy number is printed legibly on top of your policy document. You will have to provide this number in all your interactions with the insurance team. All your details including your bike number and other personal details are stored via the policy number in the insurer’s central database.

2. Personal Details

Check if your name is spelt correctly. Other details include your email address, mobile number and address. Make sure to check if all these details are mentioned correctly, and if there are any discrepancies bring it to the notice of the insurer immediately.

3. Vehicle Details

Your policy document should have the right details about your bike including – the chassis number, registration number, and engine number. Make sure to verify all these details so as to avoid future hassles.

4. Validity of the Policy

This is the time frame during which the policy is active. Most bike insurance policies have a validity period of one year.

5. Premium Cost

This is the amount you have paid to the insurer. The cost of premium (inclusive of GST) is mentioned in the policy document. Check this amount with the amount you have paid, to ensure that there are no discrepancies.

6. Coverage of the Policy

Details about the policy coverage are mentioned in the policy document. Depending on the plan you have chosen the cover may include the following components – own damage cover, personal accident cover, zero depreciation cover, etc. apart from the third-party liability cover.

7. Add-on Covers

If you have chosen any add-on covers along with your two wheeler insurance plan, verify whether these are mentioned in the policy document.

8. IDV (Insured Declared Value)

Bike insurance is not a one-time activity. It’s renewed year after year. The premium cost for future renewals are based on the IDV. Make sure to verify if the IDV of your bike is mentioned correctly in the policy document.

9. NCB (No Claim Bonus)

If you don’t make any claims during the policy year, you can avail NCB as a discount on your current premium. Make sure to check if the NCB you have accumulated over the years is mentioned correctly in the policy document, so that it is applied on your future policy renewals.

10. Contact Number of the Insurer

Check whether the insurer’s contact details including toll-free number, email address are mentioned in the policy document. You may have to contact the insurer in an emergency and having these details handy is quite essential.

What do if you notice any discrepancies?

If you notice any discrepancies, you have to make an endorsement to your policy document. The act of making changes to an insurance document is known as endorsement. If you notice any discrepancies, get in touch with your insurer to have it sorted. The insurer will make the necessary changes and issue you with a revised policy document.

It’s highly recommended that you keep a photocopy of the original policy document in your bike. Also, it’s a good practice to store a soft copy of the policy document in your mobile phone or in an online cloud storage drive like Google Drive for quick access.

Long-term Two Wheeler Insurance Plans

Generally, all two wheeler insurance plans have a validity of one year. Recently, several insurers have come up with multi-year two wheeler insurance plans that offer coverage for more than a year.

Most multi-year two wheeler insurance plans are valid for three years. The total premium is three times the annual premium of regular one-year two-wheeler insurance plans. Apart from the premium, all other terms and conditions are similar for one-year and multi-year two wheeler insurance plans.

Most insurance companies offer huge discounts on premiums for customers who choose multi-year two wheeler insurance plans.

Benefits:

Saves you the hassles of renewing your two wheeler insurance policy annually

When you choose a long-term bike insurance plan, you can purchase the policy and forget all about it for the next three or two years. You don’t have to go through the tedious process of renewing your policy once every year. A long-term bike insurance plan is highly convenient for people who forget to renew their bike insurance on time.

Lower Premiums

When compared to one-year bike insurance policies, the premium of long-term insurance plans is cheaper. Most insurers offer significant discounts, up to 50% NCB for customers who opt for multi-year two wheeler insurance plans.

No change in Premium for the Entire Tenure

When you purchase a long-term bike insurance plan, you pay the entire premium before the commencement of the policy. You don’t have to pay any extra premiums after the initial payment.

Generally, all insurance plans see a hike in premium rates year-on-year due to inflation. Since, the premium rates for long-term insurance plans are locked-in, you are freed from increasing costs.

Two Wheeler Insurance Glossary – Terms to Know

Accident

An event or occurrence that is unintended and unforeseen.

Assistance Services

This is an add-on cover that provides roadside assistance services during an emergency. It can include services like on-spot repairs for minor breakdowns, relocation of the bike to the nearest garage for repairs during major breakdowns, emergency fuel, changing a punctured tyre, transport assistance to the bike riders and pillion riders to the nearest safe location in case of an emergency and more.

Comprehensive Two-Wheeler Insurance

Comprehensive insurance protects your bike not just from third-party liabilities but also includes cover for several other situations like manmade and natural calamities like floods, lightning, storms, riots, etc. All comprehensive two wheeler insurance policies also offer personal accident cover.

However, remember that comprehensive two wheeler insurance doesn’t cover the regular wear and tear, depreciation of your bike, etc.

Cover Note

This is a temporary insurance certificate issued by the insurer once the proposer has filled in the application form and paid the premium in full. The cover note acts as a substitute for the original insurance policy until it is issued by the insurer.

However, with several insurance providers issuing instant policies, the cover note has more or less become obsolete.

Coverage

This refers to the scope of protection provided by the insurance policy. Several risks to your bike are covered by the policy. The coverage offered varies from one two-wheeler insurance policy to another.

Deductible

This refers to the amount that the policyholder must pay out of pocket, every time he/she makes a claim. Most insurance providers deduct this amount from the total claim amount and pays the rest to the policyholder.

Depreciation

This refers to the reduction in the value of your bike over a period of time, due to regular wear and tear or obsolescence. Depreciation is used to determine the actual value of your bike at the time of an accident.

Endorsement

This refers to written evidence provided by your insurer, agreeing to the change in the policy. The endorsement is usually added as an attachment to the existing policy. Certain endorsements like change in address of the insurer do not impact the premium, while other endorsements like add-on covers increase the premium rates.

Hospital Cash

This is an add-on cover that provides a specific allowance to the policyholder for every day of hospitalisation, required for injuries caused due to accidents while travelling in the insured bike.

IDV (Insured Declared Vehicle)

All two wheelers are insured for a specific value. This is known as the IDV. The IDV for your bike is calculated based on the following formula:

IDV = Listed selling price of the vehicle – Depreciation each year according to the Indian Motor Tariff

Motor Policy Schedule

This includes details of the insured vehicle, the tenure of the policy, various limitations, limits of liability, premium computation table, driver’s clause and more.

NCB (No Claim Bonus)

This is the discount you can avail on the premium. If you make no claims during a policy year, then you can avail NCB discounts during the renewal of the policy.

Own Damage Claims

These are the claims by the insured for accidental damages to the vehicle.

Owner Driver

The owner of the insured vehicle who will be driving it (and holds a valid driver’s license) is known as the owner driver.

Personal Accident Claims

These are claims made by the insured for injuries or death of the policyholder.

Partial Disability Claims

If the policyholder is partially disabled due to an accident while riding the insured vehicle, he/she can avail partial disability claims based on the terms and conditions of the policy.

Proposal Form

This is the form the policyholder submits to the insurer while applying for the two wheeler insurance policy. The proposal form contains the following details – name, address, age, educational qualifications, and employment details of the proposer.

Renewal

Renewal refers to the process of continuing coverage of your policy after the completion of its original term. You can renew your policy with the same insurance company or switch to another insurer.

Sum Insured

This is the total value of the asset (in this case, your two-wheeler) that has been insured under this policy. The sum insured is the maximum amount that you can claim under the two wheeler insurance policy.

Third Party Claims

This refers to the claims the insured makes for third party losses including death, injury and property damages.

Total Theft Claims

Claims made for stolen vehicles.

Two Wheeler

For insurance purposes, a two wheeler refers to a motorized two wheeled vehicle that is used for domestic, social, professional and pleasure purposes. It does not include vehicles that are used for carrying goods.

Zero Depreciation Cover

When you choose this cover, the IDV of the vehicle is calculated without deducting the cost of depreciation on parts.

Two Wheeler Insurance: FAQs

1. What are the required documents to purchase a new two wheeler insurance policy?

Purchasing new two wheeler insurance for your vehicle is quite easy. All you have to do is provide the following documents:

• Identify proof – driving license, passport, Aadhaar card, etc.
• Registration certificate of your vehicle
• Old copy of insurance (if you have insured your vehicle prior to this)

2. What are the documents required for filing a two wheeler insurance claim?

Though the actual list of documents varies from one insurer to another, here is a list of the general documents that you would require:

• Duly-filled in claim form (you can download the claim form from the website of your insurer)
• Photocopy of the Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle
• Estimate of the losses incurred
• FIR copies if applicable
• Payment receipts, repair bills, etc.

Apart from these, you may have to provide additional documents as requested by your insurer.

3. How can I file a claim if my bike is stolen?

As soon as you find that your bike is stolen, you have to file an FIR at your local police station. While submitting the claim, you have to provide a copy of the FIR statement, along with the documents mentioned in the above question, your bike keys and a non-traceable certificate. Your insurer pays you the full IDV in case of stolen vehicles.

4. How is the premium of my two wheeler insurance determined?

The premium of your policy depends on several factors like:

• The IDV (Insured Declared Value)
• The age of the bike
• Registration zone
• Cubic Capacity (CC) of your bike
• Previous year claims and accumulated NCB

Additionally, the type of policy you choose and the add-on covers you avail also play a crucial role in determining your premium.

5. What happens if my two wheeler insurance policy expires?

In India, it is mandatory for all bike owners to hold a valid two wheeler insurance policy. Hence, it’s highly recommended that you renew it before it expires.

If you fail to renew your policy within 90 days of expiry, then you lose your No Claim Bonus. Additionally, when there is a break in policy, your bike will have to go through a new inspection, before you can purchase a new insurance policy. This inspection is chargeable.

6. What is Voluntary Compulsory Deductible (VCD)?

When you file a claim, the insurance company does not pay you the full claim amount. Instead, it deducts a specific value for all claims. This is known as voluntary compulsory deductible (VCD). In other words, the VCD is the amount you pay out of pocket when you file a claim. Higher the VCD, lower is the premium.

7. Is the pillion rider covered under the Comprehensive Two Wheeler Insurance Plan?

No. If you require coverage for the pillion rider, then you have to opt for a pillion rider add-on cover.

8. What are the benefits of purchasing a two wheeler insurance policy online?

Apart from being quick, convenient, and easy, purchasing two wheeler insurance policy online has multiple benefits like:

• Instant issuance of the policy document
• Minimal documentation
• Hassle-free premium payments via netbanking, credit/debit card
• Timely reminders to remind you to renew the policy online
• Easy accessibility to all policy related information at your fingertips
• Lower premium costs, since there are no intermediaries involved

9. Will I get a reminder from my insurance company regarding the renewal of my policy?

Most insurers send reminders to their policyholders to renew their policy before the expiry date. If your insurance company doesn’t offer this facility, you can use other reminder apps. You can renew your policy from 60 days prior to the expiry date.

10. What are cashless claims?

Generally, when you file a claim, you have to get your bike repaired at a garage and provide the bills and other purchase receipts to the insurer. The insurer verifies the details of these claims and reimburses the costs to you.

In cashless claims, you can get your bike repaired free of cost at any network garage under the insurer’s network. The insurer settles the bills directly with the garage. This means you don’t have to raise funds out of your pocket to pay for the costs temporarily. This is a huge benefit when you are short-pressed for funds.

11. What is a cover note?

This is a temporary certificate provided by the insurer before the issuance of the actual policy document. The insurer provides you with a cover note when you submit the duly-filled in claim forms and have paid the premium in total.

The cover note is valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issue. Make sure to get in touch with your insurer and get the actual policy document, before the completion of this period.

12. What happens if my bike is being driven by someone else during the time of accident? Is the insurance cover still valid?

When it comes to two wheeler insurance, the liability follows the vehicle. This means your insurance policy is still valid even if your bike is being driven by someone else, with your permission.

13. What happens if I change my bike midway through the policy period?

This depends on your insurer. Some insurers allow you to transfer the remaining of your existing policy to your new bike, while others require you to purchase a new insurance plan. Get in touch with the customer service team of your insurer to know more.

14. I am selling my bike. Can I transfer my policy to the new owner?

Yes. When you sell your bike, you can transfer the two wheeler insurance policy in the name of the new buyer. The new buyer has to pay an endorsement fee to get the policy transferred in his/her name.

15. Where can I find my policy number?

Your policy number is printed on the original certificate of insurance (policy document) you receive from the insurer. Additionally, most insurers mention your policy number in any correspondence they send you – emails, letters, etc. If you have lost your policy, get in touch with your insurer to get a duplicate copy for a nominal fee.

16. Can I cancel my two wheeler policy midway through the tenure?

Yes, you can. For cancelling the policy midway through the tenure, you have to provide the supporting documents along with the original policy document to the insurer. The insurer deducts the corresponding premium costs and other charges, and refunds your premium.

17. Can I purchase a two wheeler insurance policy without a visual inspection of my vehicle?

Yes. When you purchase a two wheeler insurance policy online, there is no need for a visual inspection.

18. Am I eligible for discounts if I am a member of a two wheeler automobile association?

Yes, when you are a member of any recognised automobile association, you can avail a discount for the OD (Own Damage) premium of your comprehensive insurance plan. These are the following automobile associations that are recognised by insurers:

• The Automobile Association of Southern India
• The Western India Automobile Association
• The Automobile Association of Eastern India
• The Automobile Association of Upper India
• The Uttar Pradesh Automobile Association

19. What does ARAI refer to in a two wheeler insurance policy?

ARAI is the acronym for Automotive Research Association of India. If you have installed an ARAI approved anti-theft device in your bike, with valid installation certification, then you can avail a discount on the OD (Own Damage) component of your premium.

20. Is the NCB still valid even when I switch from one insurer to another?

Yes. You can retain your accumulated NCB when changing/switching from one insurance company to another. However, ensure that you make the transfer within 90 days of the expiry date of the policy, so that you don’t lose out the accumulated NCB.