Is It Mandatory To Take Comprehensive Bike Insurance?

Posted on: Jun 18, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is It Mandatory To Take Comprehensive Bike Insurance?

Getting the right insurance is very important if you own a powered two-wheeler. As the costs of repairs and replacements keep increasing, it's normal to wonder if complete safety is essential.

Full coverage protects you from risk, damage, theft, and natural disasters. We will discuss bike insurance, and why it might be worth the extra money. Learn more about it by reading on!

Legal Requirements for Riders

Every rider is required by law to have at least basic liability insurance. Accident victims must be able to get paid for injuries or damage to their property because of this rule.

When your two-wheeler first enters the road, you must have two-wheeler insurance. If you don't follow the rules, you could get fines or have your pass taken away.

Mandatory vs. Optional Policies

The bare minimum of law protection only covers third-party claims. This plan pays victims back. It's also known as "third party bike insurance." However, it doesn't cover your own car or hospital bills, so if you're at fault in an accident, you could lose a lot of money.

People who ride must choose whether they want to accept this limited responsibility or pay more for a plan that covers both their losses and third parties' claims. In the following few parts, we'll talk about the pros and cons of that choice.

Benefits of Comprehensive Plans

Some coverages are necessary by law, but a full-stack insurance covers more. If you choose comprehensive bike insurance, you can:

1. Damage from an accident:

The Costs of fixing or replacing things after an accident.

2. Protect against theft:

You should get paid if your car is stolen.

3. Dangerous natural events:

Plans for floods, storms, and earthquakes.

4. Add-ons:

Options such as no loss of value, travel help, and personal accident insurance.

These perks can keep you from getting big bills out of the blue and give you peace of mind on every ride.

Premium and Cost Breakdown

Premiums depend on the size of the engine, how old the car is, and how much it is worth. Between ₹1,500 and ₹4,000 per year is the usual two-wheeler insurance fee for full coverage.

The price may increase for high-end bikes by 3-5% of their Insured Declared Value (IDV). This price is only for passenger bikes. Third-party rates set by the government start as low as ₹1,200 a year for low-cc cars and go up as the engine size increases.

Your bill could go up by ₹500 to ₹1,000 per year if you add on services like zero devaluation or consumable covers. When you make a claim, though, they often pay rewards.

Scooter Owners' Considerations

Scooter riders have the same choices. The perks and price of a scooter insurance plan will be the same as those of bike plans. But the rates for these might be a little lower.

These costs are generally between ₹1,200 and ₹3,500 for full coverage. It means that the engines are smaller and the IDVs are lower.

When accidents or theft happen, a comprehensive coverage plan can save time and money if you depend on your scooter for last-mile connections or city travel.

Claims and Renewal Process

The process of filing a claim is simple:

1. Within 24 hours of an accident, you must tell your insurance company about it.

2. Then, fill out a claim form and send it in with the necessary paperwork.

3. After that, set up an inspection.

Most decisions happen within 7 to 10 business days. You get discounts for not making a claim when you renew your insurance regularly. These can be up to 50% off your rates after years without a claim.

When you renew your insurance on time, you keep the bonus benefits you've earned and avoid coverage gaps.

Selecting the Right Policy

To find the best policy for your needs, you need to compare the features of different bike insurance plans:

1. Assess Your Vehicle Type:

Check the engine's size, age, and brand. Premiums for basic scooters and bikes with more space are very different.

2. Choose Coverage Level:

Consider your risk tolerance and budget when choosing between complete and third-party bike insurance. Policies that cover a lot of things offer more safety.

3. Compare Insurer Reliability:

Read customer reviews, claim payment rates, and an insurance company's track record. This will make sure that any possible claim goes through smoothly.

4. Verify Add‑on Options:

Consider benefits like zero depreciation, engine protection, roadside assistance, and consumables cover. These can make you safer, but they might increase your premiums.

5. Check Policy Exclusions:

You can read the terms to find out what's not included. Some standard exceptions are normal wear and tear, technical problems, and unauthorised modifications.

6. Consider No‑Claim Bonus:

Choose plans that let you keep your no-claim bonus (NCB) when you renew them. This means that if you don't make a claim every year, your future premiums will be much cheaper.

Like bike insurance, scooter insurance is all about weighing the cost of the payment against the danger that the rider might face. Pick a plan that fits your current income and how much you use it.

Conclusion

Although any bike insurance is required by law, riders can feel much safer and more secure with full coverage. You can choose an insurance that meets the law's requirements and your own risk tolerance if you know about the costs, perks, and claim processes.

In the end, spending a little more on full coverage could save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.

FAQs

1. Can I move my policy's No Claim Bonus to the new automobile when I sell my old vehicle?

Absolutely. Your insurance company will give you an NCB ticket that you can use to add the bonus to a new policy up to 90 days after the old one expires.

2. Do pillion riders instantly get personal accident benefits?

Standard plans only cover the rider. Personal accident insurance for guests usually needs to be bought separately or as an add-on for piggyback coverage.

3. What kinds of proof do I need to make a cashless repair claim?

Your policy copy, your driver's license, your FIR (if relevant), and the claim form are the things you'll need. Always check ahead of time to see what the insurance company needs.

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

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