India has witnessed a surge in road accidents, with two-wheelers being the largest victims. In 2022 alone, more than 75,000 two-wheeler motorcyclists lost their lives, equating to 44% of all road accident fatalities.
Rash driving, traffic violations, and poor road conditions add to the statistics. This not only makes bike insurance compulsory under the Motor Vehicles Act, but also indispensable for financial security. Every rider should be aware of how to make a bike insurance claim in the event of an accident.
Keep reading!
Types of Bike Insurance Claim Processes in India
To initiate bike insurance claims, you must first notify the insurance provider about the incident. This could involve an accident, theft, or damage caused by natural or human-made disasters.
Additionally, you are required to submit all necessary documents to receive compensation for the costs incurred. Before exploring the two-wheeler insurance claim process, it is crucial to understand the types of claim settlement processes available in India:
- Reimbursement Bike Insurance Claims
For reimbursement of bike insurance claims, the policyholder must initially pay for the repair costs out of their own funds, after which the insurance company will reimburse the amount spent. To initiate the process, please provide the necessary documents for verification.
This includes the original repair bill, policy document, receipt, RC, and other relevant documents. The advantage is that the insured can choose to repair their bike at a garage of their choice. Ultimately, they will receive compensation for the expenses directly into their registered bank account.
- Cashless Bike Insurance Claims
Claims for cashless bike insurance are processed without the policyholder needing to pay the claim amount upfront. The key feature of this type of claim is that the repairs are done at a network garage.
Since your insurance company has partnerships with these garages, the expenses are settled directly with them. This will save you from having to pay the charges out of your own pocket.
How to File a Bike Insurance Claim After an Accident?
These simple steps will assist you in making a quick and smooth claim settlement for your two-wheeler:
For Own Bike Accident Claims
If there is accidental damage to your bike, follow these steps for insurance claims:
Step 1: In the event of an accident, promptly file an FIR.
Step 2: Notify the insurer within the specified timeframe to prevent claim denial.
Step 3: The insurer will assign a surveyor and loss assessor to investigate the incident and assess the damages.
Step 4: The surveyor and assessor will prepare an assessment report based on the investigation and forward it to the insurer.
Step 5: Once the assessment report is approved, the damaged bike will be sent to the authorised garage for repairs.
Step 6: If everything goes successfully, the insurance company will pay the sum insured.
Note: In a cashless process, the repair bill will be settled directly with the network garage. For reimbursement, the insurer will disburse the bill amount to you according to the terms and conditions of the policy.
For Third-Party Bike Accident Claims
If you are involved in an accident that damages another party’s bike, follow these steps:
Step 1: Promptly inform the police and your insurance provider.
Step 2: If you are the injured party, collect the other party’s insurance information and file a claim under third-party liability.
Step 3: The insurer will submit the claim to the Motor Insurance Claim Tribunal for a conclusive ruling.
Step 4: After reviewing the case, the tribunal will determine the compensation amount to be provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy.
Documents Required to File for a Bike Insurance Claim After an Accident
Here is a list of the documents you must provide to the insurer in order to file a claim on your bike insurance policy post-accident:
- A copy of the bike’s insurance policy certificate
- Proof of the policyholder’s identity
- The driving license of the individual operating the vehicle at the time of the accident
- A copy of the Police FIR
- A completed claim form
- Form 28/29/30, properly signed by the vehicle owner (in the event of total loss)
- The vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC)
- A fire brigade report, if filed (only applicable for comprehensive bike insurance plans)
- Original invoices and bills for repairs (for reimbursement claims)
- A No Objection Certificate (if the vehicle is financed)
- A cancelled cheque
- Any additional documents requested by the insurer
Reasons for Bike Insurance Claim Rejection
Before passing the bike claim request, the insurance company conducts a thorough investigation. In some cases, claims are denied if the insured has not followed the right procedure. The following are some of the common reasons for claim rejections:
- Delay in Reporting: A claim may be rejected if the policyholder has failed to inform the insurer within the stipulated time as mentioned in the policy document.
- Invalid or Expired Policy: If your two-wheeler insurance policy lapsed or was not active at the time of the accident, then the claim will be rejected.
- Incorrect or Incomplete Documents: Missing or erroneous documentation will delay or reject the claim.
- Non-Disclosure of Bike Modifications: Modifications to the bike carried out without informing the insurer may lead to rejection of the claim request.
- Driving Without a Valid DL: Claims will be rejected if the driver of the two-wheeler at the time of the accident is not holding a valid driving license.
- Drunk Driving or Violation of Law: Illegality committed during the incident or intoxication will nullify any claim.
- Repair Works Without Surveyor’s Inspection: Repairs on the two-wheeler carried out prior to the surveyor’s inspection for damages will lead to immediate claim denial.
Accidents can happen anytime, especially in a country like India, where road safety remains a concern for two-wheeler riders. Understanding the bike insurance claim process ensures you’re not caught off guard during emergencies.
A timely and accurate claim can save you from major financial losses. Stay informed, ride responsibly, and always keep your insurance documents updated—it’s the best backup you can have when the unexpected happens on the road.
