Understanding Bike Insurance Deductible
Owning the bike of your dreams comes with a lot of excitement. However, you must not forget that driving a bike in India requires you to have a two-wheeler insurance policy. Choosing a bike insurance policy becomes simple when you understand all its clauses. Let’s talk about bike insurance deductibles, as they play an important part in your financial planning, as well.
Before we get into the details, know that a deductible is the amount you are supposed to pay while settling claims under a bike insurance policy. These deductibles affect how you can claim benefits, so you must understand them clearly.
Bike Insurance Deductible: Meaning and Working
A bike insurance deductible is the amount or portion of the claim that you agree to pay out of your pocket while settling claims/benefits under the insurance policy. The amount you choose to pay as deductible is fixed while opting for the bike insurance and impacts premium cost and financial planning. The expenses you agree to incur from your pocket are mentioned on the insurance policy documents.
Remember that a higher deductible often comes with lower premium costs, and a lower deductible comes with higher premium costs. Let’s take a simple example to understand the deductible under bike insurance better: Say your bike suffers damage, and the repair bill comes to ₹10,000. Now if you have opted for ₹1,000 deductible, you will have to pay ₹1,000, and the insurance company will step in with ₹9,000.
Understanding the Types of Bike Insurance Deductibles
Now that you have understood what deductibles are, let’s get into their types and how they can impact your claim settlement. There are two types of bike insurance deductibles:
- Compulsory Deductibles
As the name suggests, a compulsory deductible is the amount you have to pay to settle claims under a bike insurance policy. This amount is non-negotiable and settled by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA). Under bike insurance policies, the amount is usually set at ₹100. - Voluntary Deductibles
As opposed to a compulsory deductible, the voluntary deductible is left at your discretion. This type of deductible is optional and voluntary. You can decide the amount according to your financial plan. Choosing voluntary deductibles smartly impacts the premium you are supposed to pay every month. Remember that a lower deductible increases the monthly premium and vice versa if you agree to pay a higher amount from your pocket if there occurs a need.
Choose Bike Insurance Deductibles Smartly
Choosing bike insurance deductibles requires you to mindfully consider all aspects, including income, bike servicing costs, riding habits etc. It might sound daunting at first. So here’s a list of considerations that you must keep in mind while choosing a deductible amount:
- Your Financial Capacity
Opting for a voluntary deductible requires factoring in your financial capacity. This includes evaluating your income and expenses. Remember that a low premium and high deductible can become a financial burden when settling claims, so make sure to choose the amount smartly. - Insurance Premiums
As discussed above, the amount you agree to pay from pocket is related to the premium. So, whether you choose a high or low deductible, the premium amount you have to pay each month will automatically change.
Why Choose Jio Insurance Broking?
At Jio Insurance Broking, you are provided with a detailed list of premiums charged by reputed insurance companies, which makes it easier for you to compare and buy. - Your Bike Type
Since every bike functions differently, one insurance policy doesn’t apply to all. The type of bike you own impacts the deductibles. Many bikes need frequent services, or their repair costs are high, so it's important to know your bike type and its repair/service expenses. - General Riding Habits/Terrain
The deductible you should choose depends on whether you are a frequent rider, a city rider, or a tough terrain rider.
Tip: If you rarely ride your bike or live in a city with minimum traffic, you may consider choosing a higher deductible. However, for a daily commuter, the chances of an accident are higher, so choosing a lower deductible may be more beneficial. - Likelihood of Claim Settlement Requirements
Another factor that you must evaluate is how likely you are to raise a claim under the bike insurance policy. If you can see your bike requiring frequent services, then a lower deductible is a reliable method or vice versa if the need for claim settlements is lower.
The Bottom Line
The smart way to opt for a bike insurance policy is to evaluate its associated factors and clauses. Deductibles under bike insurance are crucial factors that affect your premium, financial planning, and ease of settling claims without any financial burden.
To understand more about bike insurance and explore reputed insurance companies, you can rely on Jio Insurance Broking.