Posted on: Feb 4, 2020 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Ways to Secure Your Two Wheeler from Thieves

Ways to Secure Your Two Wheeler from Thieves

The motor vehicles act has made it mandatory for every two wheeler to have a third-party insurance coverage and rightly so, mainly because two wheelers are way more vulnerable to road accidents as compared to other vehicles. A third party bike insurance will cover your vehicle against any third-party injury or property damage caused due to an accident.

However, if you are seeking complete protection for your bike as well, it is recommended to buy a comprehensive two wheeler insurance policy. It protects your vehicles against natural and man-made calamities as well as provides coverage for situations like personal accident, theft, third party liability, and many more. And considering the number of accidents and theft two-wheelers are involved in, it is definitely worth it to spend on a comprehensive two wheeler insurance policy.

Two Wheeler Thefts are More Common than You Think

Just because it has not yet happened to your bike doesn’t mean that it will never happen. Two-wheeler theft is a very widespread problem with all kinds of bikes being stolen from everywhere. And there is no sure-shot way of preventing it. Bikes that are kept without proper precautions can be stolen easily and bikes that are well locked are towed away into the back of the van. Urban areas are more prone to bike theft as the population is high and people usually do not recognize each other, thus the chances of anybody doubting you for riding a bike is very rare.

Ways to Prevent Bike Thefts:

Lock your steering lock

You might argue that steering locks are easily defeated, but locking it is the first step towards securing your bike. If your bike’s ignition and steering locks are separate, it works in your favour as the thief will need to get through two locks in order to run away with your two-wheeler.

Anchor your bike to something heavy

A two-wheeler with multiple locks can also be taken away in a truck. To enhance the security of your bike, it is recommended to add a cable to it and anchor it to something heavy. This will prevent your bikes from getting towed away. If nothing heavy is available, try anchoring it to a nearby bike and leave your number there in case the other person wishes to move his bike.

Use more than one lock

Always use one (or two) additional locks in addition to your bike’s built-in lock. Thieves are often trained on how to break through inbuilt locks of bikes but they probably won’t be prepared to deal with different types of external locks.

Buy high-quality locks and chains

Do not settle for anything less than the best when buying security tools for your bikes. A lock made of hardened steel and of size 5/8 inch or greater is rated high. A lock which rings an alarm when attempted to break open scares the thieves away.

Park your vehicle in a well-lit location

Always select a well-lit, preferably crowded area to park your bike. The last thing a thief would want is his face visible in a CCTV camera installed around.

Be alert

Professional thieves keep an eye on bikes that are parked in the same venue every day. They notice the timings and make a plan. Therefore, it is important to be alert and park the bike at different locations even around the office or home. If possible, keep the bike covered to avoid unwanted attention

How Comprehensive Two-Wheeler Insurance Shields You from Thefts?

Even with all the precautions in the world, no measure is foolproof against determined thieves. The unfortunate reality is that thefts can still occur despite our best efforts. So, what happens when such an unfortunate event takes place? Are you left to bear the entire financial burden?

Suppose you do not have comprehensive bike insurance. This type of insurance provides a robust safeguard against vehicle theft. In the unfortunate event that your two-wheeler is stolen, a comprehensive insurance policy ensures that the insurance company compensates you based on the insured declared value of the bike.

Initiating a two wheeler insurance claim for vehicle theft involves filing a First Information Report (FIR) at the nearest police station. Following this, you'll need to submit a copy of the FIR and other required policy documents to the insurance company to facilitate the claims process and receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Conclusion

In today's times as the security system of two-wheelers is getting stronger, the thieves are also becoming smarter putting your vehicle at the risk of theft all the time. While being alert and taking precautions are key for your vehicle's safety, you need a two wheeler insurance policy to provide you coverage against theft. This is especially critical with all the high-end bikes people own these days.

By investing a little amount, you will get protection not only against theft but also for situations like personal accident, third party liability, natural calamities, and many more.

 

This blog has been written by

Mukesh Kumar | Motor Insurance Expert | 36+ years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in the insurance industry, Mukesh Kumar has the expertise of handling various functions like Business Development, Underwriting, Claims, Human Resources, Quality Management and Marketing. With rich knowledge of the industry, he loves to share his views on topics of insurance sector and takes special interest in educating people on advantages of having insurance.


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