On a busy Monday morning, Akash was weaving through Bangalore’s usual traffic on his KTM 250 Duke. While navigating a busy lane, a minor brush with a car left a significant dent on his dream bike. Fortunately, Akash had a comprehensive bike insurance plan to cover the repair cost of INR 8,000.
Akash’s story is not unique. India accounts for the highest number of road accidents, and uninsured vehicles are one of the major safety concerns. There are nearly 20 million bikes sold in India annually. However, only 52% of bikes are insured. Hence, it is important to understand the necessity of two-wheeler insurance and to understand the various types to help make the right choice.
In India, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates every vehicle owner to have a third-party liability insurance to ply their vehicle on the road. With the rising bike repair costs and medical inflation, it is wise to have a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy and not just a third-party liability insurance. Let us explore the various types of bike insurance policies available in India, helping you make a cost-effective and rational buying decision.
A third-party liability policy is mandatory by law in India. It covers the damages and physical injury caused to third parties by your vehicle. For example, if your bike accidentally hits a pedestrian crossing the road, resulting in a minor injury or damage to another vehicle. In this case, your third-party insurance compensates for the medical expenses of an injured pedestrian or the repair costs to the third-party vehicle as per the limits of the policy.
What does it cover?
What doesn’t it cover?
Third-party bike insurance comes with a five-year policy period. The premium for third-party bike insurance is set by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Currently, the following are the premium rates for third-party liability insurance for two-wheelers:
A comprehensive two-wheeler insurance is designed to provide extensive coverage, including coverage for third-party liability and own damage. Comprehensive policies are customisable as per your coverage needs. You can opt for optional add-ons or riders like roadside assistance, engine protector, zero depreciation cover, return to invoice cover and more.
What does it cover?
What doesn’t it cover?
Standalone own-damage policies provide coverage for you and your bike against any damage or loss arising from accidents, theft, fire, and natural disasters. However, it does not include a mandatory third-party liability cover. If you already have a five-year third-party liability cover, buying a standalone own-damage cover on an annual basis gives you flexibility to upgrade or enhance the coverage at the time of renewal every year.
What does it cover?
What doesn’t it cover?
At Jio Insurance Broking, you can explore various types of two-wheeler insurance policies offered by all the leading insurance companies. You can compare the policies that suit your needs and budget on the basis of their features, benefits and cost on a side-by-side basis. The platform helps you make an informed and cost-effective choice while buying two-wheeler insurance coverage.
Along with types of policy, consider other key factors like insured declared value, cost, add-ons, network garage, claim settlement ratio of the insurance company, etc., while choosing the bike insurance.
To conclude, two-wheeler insurance policies are available in three different variants to meet diverse insurance needs and affordability. However, upgrading to a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy with bundled coverage can give you extensive protection. Ensure to avail the necessary add-ons while customising your comprehensive two-wheeler insurance policy. Choose your bike insurance coverage wisely to enjoy a smooth journey.