Off-Road Bike Riding and The Need for A Bike Insurance Policy

Posted on: Jan 30, 2023 | | Written by:

Off-Road Bike Riding and The Need for A Bike Insurance Policy

Published on January 30, 2023. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

Bikers get their share of thrill from different activities. While some love to cruise for long distances, others enjoy going at high speed around circuits. A certain segment of bikers love taking their bikes off-road, and this segment is constantly growing. To ensure that you can enjoy your bikes on adventure trips, it is recommended to opt for comprehensive two wheeler insurance.

Taking your bike offroad is thrilling since you can make your roads. Overcoming obstacles and challenges on the way, off-roading on bikes can get your adrenaline gushing.

The meaning of off-road riding

Taking your bike off-road means riding it on different terrains as compared to just riding it on the road. Though you can take a normal bike for off-roading, it is not recommended to do so. Since the chassis, tyres and mechanical grip in normal bikes are not adequate for off-roading.

There are a lot of adventure bikes available in the market, which you can use for everyday use and take for off-roading when you want to. There are a lot of off-roading activities that take place in the country. Some of these include dirt bike racing, hill climbing, casual off-roading and so on.

At the end of the day, these are all bikes that are road legal. To be able to ride them, you need all the necessary documents, which include third party two wheeler insurance at the minimum.

What does bike insurance cover?

Any sort of adventure involves an inherent risk element, and it is no different in the case of off-roading as well. Since a decent chunk of the riding takes place in challenging terrain, adventure bikes are more prone to accidents and incidents than normal bikes. In some cases, they can even cause damage to third parties.

Buying bike insurance online is one of the better ways to prepare yourself for off-road riding. It is also a statutory requirement. The Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 mandates all bike owners to have the third party two wheeler insurance. This offers you protection against any damages or injuries to third parties as a result of an accident with your bike.

However, if you want to have a hassle-free bike-owning experience, it is recommended to opt for a comprehensive plan instead. Comprehensive plans allow you to secure much better coverage for your bike. Merely opting for third party two wheeler insurance for your adventure bike will leave you seeking more. Thus, a comprehensive plan with the following coverage is ideal.

1. Benefits of third-party liability policy

A big perk of choosing a comprehensive plan is that you can enjoy the benefits of a third-party liability policy. While riding your adventure bike, the policy will protect you if you encounter an accident involving another individual, property, or vehicle. The protection is both financial and legal.

2. Natural calamities

Natural calamities can cause a lot of damage to houses, properties and even vehicles. Comprehensive plans protect your bike against any damages caused by natural calamities such as cyclones, typhoons, landslides, etc.

3. Protection during an accident

If your bike is at the receiving end of an accident, the policy will cover its incurred damages. This ensures that you can repair or replace parts of your bike without having to spend from your pockets.

4. Theft protection

Theft is one of the most common crimes committed in India, and bikes are not immune to that. A lot of bikes get stolen every year. And this is one of the prime reasons to opt for comprehensive plans. If your bike is stolen and cannot be retrieved, the insurance provider will pay you the bike's IDV or insured declared value.

5. Protection against man-made calamities

When you buy bike insurance online, it protects your bike against man-made calamities as well. If there is any damage to your bike due to riots, vandalism, burglary, etc., the policy will compensate for repairs or replacement.

Add-ons you must consider for your off-roading bike

Though comprehensive plans offer adequate coverage, it might not be enough in some cases. For example, if you take off-road biking seriously, you would want to have additional coverage.

And you can opt for additional coverage with the help of comprehensive two wheeler insurance. By choosing add-ons, you only need to pay a small premium but receive more robust insurance. Though it is not mandatory to choose add-ons, they can greatly enhance a policy’s coverage.

Here are some of the most preferred add-ons for adventure bikes.

1. Engine protection cover

Since you will be doing a lot of off-roading, an engine protection cover can be quite crucial. A normal bike insurance policy might not cover any damages to the engine. With this add-on, you will ensure that any damage to your engine is well-protected. And you need not worry about the cost of repairing the engine.

2. Zero depreciation cover

It is one of the most popular add-ons when people buy bike insurance online. In normal comprehensive plans, the insurance company will deduct the depreciation amount if you file for a claim. Thus, the onus is on you to pay the difference. However, with a zero depreciation cover, you no longer need to worry about depreciation and its impacts.

3. Roadside assistance cover

This is another cover that can be quite useful for your adventure bike. If your bike breaks down due to mechanical or electrical failure or there is a flat tyre, the policy can offer roadside assistance. Insurance providers can offer minor repairs, replacement of tyres, provide fuel in an emergency, etc. It will prevent you from pushing the bike to the nearest service centre.

4. Damage or theft of personal belongings

The chances are high that you will opt for a premium helmet for your off-roading adventures. Since these helmets do not come cheap, a personal belongings rider is essential. In the event of damage or loss of personal belonging such as the helmet, the insurance provider will compensate you.

There are a few other add-ons as well, such as key protection cover, that offer coverage in the event that you lose the keys to the bike. The outstation emergency add-on offers you financial assistance if your bike meets with an accident.

Conclusion

Taking your bike for off-roading can be a lot of fun. But one must take adequate measures to ensure that you have an amazing experience without having to constantly worry about expenses. You can buy bike insurance online and secure it from all contingencies. And more importantly, never have to worry about any financial aspect of owning a bike, apart from premiums and paying for fuel. The above information will help you choose the right plan and add-ons to buy a robust policy from the onset.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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