Two Wheeler Insurance

Coverage	Insurance Type
	Third Party Liability	Comprehensive Cover
Injury	Yes	Yes
Death	Yes	Yes
Damage to third party	Yes	Yes
Personal accident cover	No	Yes
Theft	No	Yes
Fire damage	No	Yes
Loss of vehicle	No	Yes
Natural calamities	No	Yes
Man-made calamities	No	Yes

As per the Indian law it is mandatory for all vehicles driven on Indian roads to have a valid insurance policy. This law is applicable for Two Wheelers as well. A comprehensive two wheeler insurance policy protects your two wheeler against natural and manmade calamities and also provides protection from financial liabilities and legal hassled. Apart from this any damage caused to a third party person/property by your two wheeler is also covered by the insurer under third party insurance cover.

All leading insurance companies in India provide two wheeler insurance policies for complete protection of your vehicle. There are two types of two wheeler insurance available. They have been listed below –

1. Third Party Insurance Policy  

   This is more popularly known as Liability only insurance. This policy provides protection/coverage against injury, death of a third party person or damage caused to a third party property by your insured two wheeler. This cover is mandatory by Indian Motor Act, India and every vehicle owner must have it. It protects you against the legal liabilities arising from an accident caused by your insured two wheeler which has consequently led to death, loss/damage of a third party individual or his/her property.

2. Comprehensive plan/package two wheeler insurance policy  

   This is an all-encompassing insurance plan. It offers protection to your vehicle against third party liabilities, other loss and damages and Personal Accident cover. There are other add on covers that you can choose from. Though cover for the insured two wheeler is optional, this Comprehensive insurance plan comes is ideal as it provides a wide range of coverage. No Claim Bonus can be availed under this policy.

   No Claim Bonus, also known as NCB, is the bonus which is provided to two wheeler insurance policy holders for each claim free year. This means, every year during which the policy holder has not made any claim on their two wheeler insurance policy, the insurance provider will provide them with a discount on their two-wheeler insurance premium. This discount percentage increases with each claim free year, beginning from 20% and going up to 50%, which can help you save considerably on your insurance premiums.

   The percentage of discount one can avail with No Claim Bonus:

All types of vehicles	% of discount on own damage premium
No claim made or pending during the preceding full year of insurance	20%
No claim made or pending during the preceding two consecutive years of insurance	25%
No claim made or pending during the preceding three consecutive years of insurance	35%
No claim made or pending during the preceding four consecutive years of insurance	45%
No claim made or pending during the preceding five consecutive years of insurance	50%

Policy Coverage	Two Wheeler Insurance
Personal Accident Cover	Yes
Third party liability	Yes
Damage/loss due to natural calamities	Yes
Damage/loss due to man-made reasons	Yes
Damage/loss due to driver being intoxicated	No
Damage to tyres and tubes	No
Regular wear and tear	No
Depreciation or consequential loss	No
Damage/injury caused by rider without a valid license	No
Damage/loss due to war, mutiny, nuclear energy causes	No

A good insurance policy is an effective shield against the uncertainties of life. A good two wheeler insurance is solid protection against a number of unexpected events that negatively impact your bike or scooter. What are these ‘events’ against which your vehicle holds protective coverage? The primary list is as follows-

Damage or Loss of Vehicle due to Natural Reasons- These include fire, self-ignition, lightning, flood, cyclone, landslide, earthquake, frost, inundation, etc.

Damage or Loss of Vehicle due to Man-made Reasons- These include theft, riot, strike, terrorist activity, malicious acts, damage caused when transported by road, rail, elevator, etc.

Personal Accident Cover- The applicable conditions include injuries caused when driving, travelling on, mounting and/or dismounting from the 2 wheeler. The coverage amount ranges upto Rs.1 lakh. Also, this cover is available to co-passengers as an option.

Third Party Liability- This coverage applies in cases wherein your two wheeler was involved in or caused an accident that resulted in the injury, death and/or damage to third party. This coverage isn’t applicable to you, but the unfortunate victim of an accident that involves your two wheeler.

The following conditions aren’t usually covered as per the two wheeler insurance coverage. Kindly note that this is a generalized list, and banks in their own capacity can impose additional exclusions.

Depreciation or any consequential loss.

Breakdown of the mechanical or electrical nature.

Normal wear and tear due to normal usage and ageing of the vehicle.

2 Wheeler being used in ways that violates the terms set in the limitations as to use.

Injury to driver and/or damage to vehicle when driven without a valid license.

You can buy this as an add-on cover for your two wheeler insurance policy. Please note that this ad-on cover is available at an extra premium amount. As per this cover, one the insurer compensates you for the loss/damage of your two wheeler parts, they do it without making any financial cost deductions towards the depreciation of those parts.

In the event of an accident, in case the policy holder is only filing for a claim under Total Loss (TL) or Constructive Total Loss (CTL) of the vehicle, the rate of depreciation becomes applicable. The rate of Depreciation is helpful in determining the IDV or Insured Declared Value of the Vehicle, along with considering other costs like listed selling price of the vehicle. As we can see from the table given below, the rate of depreciation will increase with every consecutive year.

Age of the Vehicle	Rate of Depreciation Applicable
Less than 6 months	No Depreciation
Above 6 months but less than 1 year	5%
Above 1 year but less than 2 years	10%
Above 2 years but less than 3 years	15%
Above 3 years but less than 4 years	25%
Above 4 years but less than 5 years	35%
Above 5 years but less than 10 year	40%
More than 10 years	50%

A ‘claim’ refers to the instance when you intimate your 2 wheeler insurer about an accident, injury caused by an accident, or any other such situation involving your vehicle, and expect the insurer to extend a financial coverage for the said accident. The process to raise such a claim is pretty straight forward, and involves the following timely steps-

Immediately After the Accident-

• Note down the numbers of the other vehicles involved in the accident. If there are witnesses, do note down their names and contact details as well.
• Contact your insurer immediately. Usually, the insurer will have a 24x7 call center that can be reached.
• The customer support executive will register your claim and provide you a tracking number. Also, he/she will provide you information about the nearest network garage where you can take your vehicle for repairs.
• If there is property damage, bodily injury and/or theft, file an FIR at the nearest police station.

In the Following Hours-

Your insurer will contact you to detail about the ensuing procedures. This call will ideally reach you within 24 hours after registering the claim.

Submit the following documents to your dealer for verification-

• Your insurer will contact you to detail about the ensuing procedures. This call will ideally reach you within 24 hours after registering the claim.
• Submit the following documents to your dealer for verification-
  • Duly filled claim form.
  • Copy of vehicles R.C Book.
  • Copy of the DL of the individual driving at the time of accident.
• For theft claims, these additional documents are required-
  • R.T.O paper that is duly verified by the local R.T.O.
  • If the car is hypothecated, a NOC letter from the finance company.
  • Letter of Indemnity & Subrogation as issued by a notary.
• For third party claims-
• Legal notice that was sent to you by the third party.
• All original documents as required for verification.
  • Your vehicle will be assessed by an expert from the insurance company and a spot approval issued.
  • Post the repairs, the insurance company settles the costs directly with the network garage.
  • If additional work was done on the 2 wheeler that isnt covered by the scope of your insurance policy, then the cost for the same will be borne by you.

Your vehicle will be assessed by an expert from the insurance company and a spot approval issued.

Post the repairs, the insurance company settles the costs directly with the network garage.

If additional work was done on the 2 wheeler that isn’t covered by the scope of your insurance policy, then the cost for the same will be borne by you.

A two wheeler insurance policy will guarantee your safety and also monetary security. But, buying a two-wheeler insurance is not easy - you will have to separate the wheat from the chaff before you can apply for the best one. With a plethora of options available in the market, one must consider many factors before selecting the right policy. This is where the third party insurance comparison sites comes into play - you can compare various two-wheeler insurance schemes and the benefits that each policy offers.

When comparing, you will be required to select your preferred insurance provider and the comparison engine will project details like special features, cashless network garages, third party cover, premium amount, exclusions and incurred claim ratio. Based on these information, you can select an insurance policy that best meets your requirements.

Here are some of the factors that you must consider when comparing a two wheeler insurance policy online. The insurance must offer you sufficient coverage for own damage and also third-party accidents. Depending on the coverage offered, you can compare policies using the premium amount. You must also compare the features that the insurance provider offers with the policy - cashless claim services, online renewal and online premium payment facilities. When comparing policies, you must also pay attention to the add-on covers offered by the insurer. Consider the policy exclusions also and then customize two-wheeler insurance policy. Many aggregator sites also offer instant premium quotes which will help you compare the two-wheeler insurance policies more efficiently.

Read more about Top Two Wheeler Insurance Companies In India

Renewing a two wheeler insurance policy is no longer a cumbersome process. With insurers offering “Online Renewal” on their web portals, the process is a cake walk. Of course, the conventional method of renewing offline, at designated offices still holds good.

To save time and money, online renewal is the most recommended/preferred method as it is convenient and quick. Before renewing online, details and documents such as existing policy document, Registration certificate, and bank/card details should be available to make sure there are no hassles during the process.

Simply log into the web portal of the insurer and use the relevant section to initiate the process. Provide the required details and ensure correctness of information provided before submission. You can use net banking/credit card to make a payment. In just under a few minutes, the new policy document is instantly available for download/print. Preserve this copy and look forward to a sealed hard copy that will be mailed by the insurer as per the timeline.

Tip: Keep a track of the two wheeler insurance cover and renew before expiry to ensure continuity in cover and also to avoid additional inspection charges.

Learn More Related Topic: Benefits of Two Wheeler Insurance Renewal

Is your two wheeler insurance about to expire and you are perplexed whether to renew it or apply for a new one? If you are like most customers, you are most likely considering to just renew the existing one simply to escape the trouble of approaching new insurance companies and going through those dreary comparisons.

For your information, two wheeler insurance firms offer attractive deals to gain customer loyalty.

Steps to Renew Lapsed Two Wheeler Insurance Online:

1. Go to their official website and download the insurance renewal form.
2. Submit the duly filled form and one of the company executives will contact you at the earliest.
3. Premium payments can be made online.
4. If you do not hear from the firm in 2 days, get in touch with their customer care service via email or phone and inform them of the same.

Read more about Renew Expired Two Wheeler Insurance Policy Online?

The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) is India’s premier authority when it comes to formulating rules and regulations concerning the conduct of Two Wheeler Insurance policies in India. The premiums applicable to these policies are reviewed and revised on a yearly basis, in line with the provisions set in the IRDA Act of 1999. These changes, if any, come into effect from the 1st of April each year.

Its not all hocus-pocus though. The inherent formula used by IRDA to calibrate such changes is a fairly straightforward equation. Fleshed out, said equation is as follows-

P(t) = C1(t) * CII (t-1) + C2(t)

Herein, ‘P’ refers to the third party premium, and ‘t’ refers to the particular year for which the premium rate is calculated.

‘CII’is short for Cost Inflation Index as furnished by C.B.D.T. (Central Board of Direct Taxation) and ‘(t-1)’ refers to the CII rate that was applicable for the preceding year.

Finally, ‘C1’and ‘C2’are varied parameters that are derived through such factors as avg. claim amount, overall frequency of claims, and expenses incurred by the insurance company in providing said services. These factors vary for differing vehicle class.

Aside from these factors, the vehicle’s IDV, registration details including the zone where registered, the vehicle's age and its overall engine cubic capacity also plays a crucial role in determining the applicable Two Wheeler Insurance premium.

Renewing Two Wheeler insurance is no longer a tedious process. With rapid progress in technology and availability of internet connectivity in various forms, processes are getting simpler. One of the most frequently searched topics on search engines is about how to pay for insurance renewals online.

Insurance companies let you renew the expiring two wheeler insurance cover online for free. In just under few minutes you can not only renew the policy, but also make a payment using your Credit/Debit card or Net banking account. Some insurers may also allow you to make a payment through other gateways. It works akin to purchasing a product on an ecommerce website.

Websites are hosted in a highly secured environment, safeguarding your bank details from fraudsters and hackers.

• Compare the available 2 wheeler insurance options before you buy. A third party comparison website like BankBazaar.com can help you here. Comparison helps you find an option that works the best for you.
• Including anti-theft devices in your vehicle do two things- a) Reduce your premium amount, b) Save your precious 2 wheeler from theft.
• Intimating an accident to your insurer is top priority. In the heat of the moment, don’t let this crucial detail slip your mind.
• Servicing your damaged vehicle at a network garage is cheaper on your pocket. Plus, a lot less documentation.
• Keep copies of all essential documents handy- you never know when any of it will be required.
• Observe traffic rules and ride safely. Nothing saves your money better than avoiding accidents.

1. Can my 2 wheeler insurance be renewed online?

   Yes. Most insurers offer this facility as one of the USP. Ideally, online renewal must be carried out within a maximum of 6 days after the lapse of the policy, or 2 months before the policy expiry.

2. Can I buy a 2 wheeler insurance policy for a vehicle that doesn’t belong to me?

   Yes. Anyone can buy a two wheeler insurance online, or from an offline source, for a vehicle that may not necessarily be their own.

3. Are modified 2 wheelers eligible for such insurance policies?

   When it comes to modified 2 wheelers, the 2 wheeler insurance only applies to vehicles that have been modified for use by handicapped individuals. In such instances, a discount of 50% is applicable on the own-damage premiums, as offered by many Indian insurers.

4. What are the factors that impact the applicable 2 wheeler insurance premium amounts?
• Type of 2 wheeler
• Age of the vehicle
• City where registered
• Coverage period (when <12 months)
• Any applicable discounts
5. When must I report an accident to the police?

   Incidents that resulted in third party property damage, bodily injury to self, bodily injury or death of third party and theft must be reported to the nearest police station and an FIR generated. This document will be crucial in the ensuing claim process.

6. If I have to take a two wheeler insurance policy, what documents will i be required to submit?

   If you wish to buy a two wheeler policy online, there is only minimum documentation which you are required to provide. You will be required to provide the details of your previous two wheeler insurance policy, the Registration Certificate details of your vehicle.

7. What do you mean by a No Claim Bonus (NCB)?

   An insurance policy holder, you are entitled to a No Claim Bonus (NCB) only at the time of renewal of your policy, after it has expired following a full 12 month period. In case you have not made any claims on your policy while it was active, you are entitled to a No Claim Bonus, which will be provided to you based on a pre-determined tariff. You can earn a No Claim Bonus on the Own Damage section of your policy which covers all classes of vehicles. NCB is not applicable on Motor Trade Policies which cover road transit risks, road risks, and internal risks. Also, it is not applicable on motor policies which only provide cover against fire or theft related risks.

8. Can I get a copy of my TWI policy online? If yes, will that soft copy of the policy serve as a valid / original insurance document?

   Many insurance providers now allow customers to apply and generate a policy online. If you have applied for your policy online, you can easily log on to the insurance provider's website and click on your profile. Here, a soft copy of your insurance policy will be available which will also serve as a valid policy document.

9. What are the various scenarios / circumstances under which I can make a Personal Accident Claim?

   A policy holder can generally make a Personal Accident Claim only if the policy is in their (policy holder's) name, making the policy holder the registered owner of the vehicle and has a paid driver / unnamed passenger / owner-driver Cover.

10. What are some of the primary factors which will affect or help reduce my Two Wheeler Insurance premium?

    Some of the common factors which canaffect or reduce your two wheeler policy premium are:

    • Add-on covers taken over the policy
    • Whether you have taken a Comprehensive Cover or Third Party Cover
    • Vehicle's Cubic Capacity (CC)
    • Vehicle Model type
    • Place of Registration (Zone A / Zone B)
    • Age of the vehicle
    • Insured Declared Value (IDV) i.e. the present market value of the vehicle.
11. What do you mean by Cashless and Non-­cashless / Reimbursement claim?

    A Cashless Claim does not involve any physical exchange of cash during claim settlement. The insurance company directly pays the garage (if it is under the insurer's garage network) for the charges involved in the repair of the vehicle.

    A Non-Cashless / Reimbursement Claim is one where the policy holder has chosen a garage which is not part of the insurer's listed network of garages. Here, the policy holder will be required to make bear the cost of repairs done to the vehicle, which will be later re-imbursed to the policy holder by the insurance provider, on submission of the original receipts or bills.

12. I have purchased accessories for my vehicle while my policy is underway. Can I get these accessories insured between the ongoing policy term?

    Yes, insurance providers usually allow policy holders to obtain additional cover for any accessories which may have been fitted later on. All you need to do is send your insurance provider a written request for the same and also share the details of the accessories which you have gotten fitted. Cover for accessories is likely to add to your existing premium cost.

13. What is meant by Total Constructive Loss in Two Wheeler Insurance?

    In case of an accident where repairs to the vehicle cost more than the present value of the vehicle itself, such an event is termed as a Constructive Total Loss.

14. Can I make a claim, for an event that has taken place during the term of the policy, after the policy has expired? Will the claim be valid?

    Yes, you will be eligible to make a claim even if your policy has expired, if the damage took place during the policy tenure.

15. What do you mean by Nil Depreciation?

    Nil Depreciation is a special component of motor insurance policies wherein the cover entitles you to a full (100%) replacement on the parts of the vehicle which have undergone depreciation at the time of settlement of the claim. This does not include tyres and tubes. Nil Depreciation cover may be provided by the insurer only on select models of vehicles, with/without an age limit.

16. Following an accident, my vehicle has not sustained any serious damage. What would I gain if I do not file for a claim in this case where the damages are not serious?

     If the damage sustained by your vehicle following an accident is minimal, it is advisable not to make a claim as it will help contribute towards obtaining a No Claim Bonus for a claim-free year. Further down the line, if you haven't made any claim on your insurance policy for a few years, it can reduce your insurance premium by half.

17. How will my Two Wheeler policy be affected if I change my job or change my location?

    If you plan to move to another location or change your job, your insurance policy remains more or less unaffected. You will need to provide your insurance provider with the updated details regarding your job, address, contact details, etc. Also, another thing which might change is your insurance premium. Insurance premiums are determined, among other factors, on the basis of the zone of the vehicle. All major metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai are categorized as Zone A cities. Rest of the cities are categorized under Zone B. So, in case you are moving from a Zone b city to a Zone A city, then your insurance premium is likely to increase.

18. In two wheeler insurance terms, what is meant by electrical and non­electrical accessories in ? How is their value calculated?

    Electrical accessories may be defined as any accessories which are powered electronically. Electrical accessories which are not part of the vehicle's standard equipment and have been fitted additionally, can be easily covered by payment of an extra premium.

    Non-electrical accessories may include accessories like seat covers, foot rests, etc., which are not factory fitted. These can also be covered on the payment of an extra premium.