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How Do BS6 Bikes Affect Bike Insurance Premiums and Coverage?

Nikhila PSJun 25, 2026

BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) compliant bikes can affect your insurance premium by increasing the Insured Declared Value (IDV), leading to higher Own Damage (OD) premiums. These bikes are equipped with the latest technology, and their showroom prices are also quite high. As a result, the cost of repairs or replacement would be higher. On the other hand, these bikes provide excellent protection against theft and comprehensive compensation for any damage incurred.

BS6 refers to the most recent vehicle emission norms enforced in India, aimed at curbing vehicle pollution and improving air quality.

Therefore, BS6 bikes employ sophisticated engine and emission-control features that not only result in cleaner, more fuel-efficient bikes but also generally cost more than their BS4 counterparts.

How BS6 Bikes Affect Bike Insurance Premiums & Coverage

Contents

Does a BS6 Bike Cost More to Insure Than a BS4 Bike?
Why Does a BS6 Bike Raise the Own Damage Premium?
Does BS6 Change the Third-Party Premium on Your Bike?
Which Add-Ons Matter More on a BS6 Bike?
How Can You Keep a BS6 Bike's Insurance Cost Down?
Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions

Does a BS6 Bike Cost More to Insure Than a BS4 Bike?

Yes, generally even a tiny bit more, and the major portion of this increase in cost can be attributed to one particular segment of the policy. To better understand this, it's helpful to know that a comprehensive bike insurance policy is divided into two components.

One part is Own Damage cover. Own Damage cover protects your bike repair costs if your bike gets involved in an accident, fire, or theft. The other part is third-party cover. Third-party cover is designed to cover the cost of damages or injuries that your bike causes to a third person or their vehicle. The law makes third-party cover compulsory; however, you may choose whether or not to add Own Damage cover.

A BS6 bike drives up the Own Damage part. The third-party part stays unchanged even if the bike is BS6. So when a rider complains that BS6 insurance is costly, they are almost always referring to the Own Damage part.

Why Does a BS6 Bike Raise the Own Damage Premium?

Your own damage premium will increase if your bike is BS6, as it would be worth more and more expensive to repair.

Let's take the cost, for instance. The price of a BS6 bike is generally 10 to 15 per cent higher than the price of a BS4 model. Its fuel injection system and catalytic converter are more expensive than the older parts.

When the price rises, the IDV (Insured Declared Value, the amount payable by the insurer in case of theft or total loss of the bike) also increases. Since the Own Damage premium is calculated as a minimum percentage of the IDV, a higher IDV will result in a higher Own Damage premium.

The second is because of repair charges. A BS6 engine has a fuel injection unit, various sensors, and an emission component called a catalytic converter. The repair or replacement costs for these components are higher than those for replacing the old bike's simple parts. The insurance company, being pretty sure that a claim will be higher, demands a higher premium.

Does BS6 Change the Third-Party Premium on Your Bike?

No. The third-party premium will not be different just because a bike is BS6. This premium is set by the regulator, IRDAI, and is based solely on your engine's cubic capacity (CC, the size of the engine), not on the emission standard.

The rate is the same for every insurer. Here is the yearly third-party rate by engine size:

Engine size (cubic capacity)	Third-party premium per year
Up to 75cc	₹538
75cc to 150cc	₹714
150cc to 350cc	₹1,366
Above 350cc	₹2,804

Therefore, a 125cc BS6 bike that is primarily used for commuting and a similar 125cc BS4 bike both have the same third-party insurance premium. Only when you decide to buy a motorcycle with a larger-capacity engine will your third-party premium increase, and this rise will be due to the engine size, not the fact that the bike is BS6.

Which Add-Ons Matter More on a BS6 Bike?

Among the numerous add-ons, only two are essential on a BS6 bike: Zero Depreciation and Engine Protection. These two add-ons are your safety nets to protecting yourself from higher repair bills that can come with the replacement of BS6 parts.

Zero Depreciation cover is an add-on that prevents the insurer from reducing your payout due to wear and tear. With this one, you get the entire price of the replaced part when you make a claim.

On a normal policy the insurer pays less for an older plastic or rubber part. BS6 bikes carry costlier electronic and emission parts, so this add-on saves you more when you claim.

The Engine Protection cover (an optional add-on that pays for engine damage which the standard policy does not cover) should be the second one to consider. A standard Own Damage cover typically does not cover engine failure caused by water ingress or oil leakage. Since a BS6 fuel-injected engine is quite costly to rebuild, you should definitely consider this add-on, especially if you frequently ride through flooded areas or heavy rain.

How Can You Keep a BS6 Bike's Insurance Cost Down?

You can keep your bike insurance cost down without dropping the cover you need. A few simple steps do most of the work.

You should not set the IDV very low just to save a little on the premium. In fact, a low IDV means that you will not receive a large payout when your bike is stolen or if you have a total loss.
Always try not to use your insurance for minor damage, such as scratches, and instead pay out of pocket. If you remain claim-free, you may enjoy a discount called No Claim Bonus; this can be as high as 50 per cent at the time of policy renewal.
If you don't claim very often, then you can decide to bear a part of the loss (voluntary deductible), as this will help you reduce the premium without compromising your coverage.
Install a security device recognised by ARAI. Besides helping you protect your bike, this can also fetch you a small discount.
Always compare the renewal quote with a few other insurers before making payment, rather than renewing blindly.

Key Takeaways

BS6 mainly raises the Own Damage premium, not the third-party premium. The extra cost sits in the part of the policy that pays for your own bike.
The rise comes from a higher bike price and costlier parts to repair. A higher price lifts the IDV, and BS6 engine parts cost more to fix.
The third-party premium is fixed by the government on engine size. A BS6 bike pays the same third-party rate as a BS4 bike of the same engine size.
Zero Depreciation and Engine Protection add-ons are more worthwhile on a BS6 bike. They shield you from the higher repair bills that BS6 parts can bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions on how BS6 bikes affect bike insurance Premiums & Coverage

1. Do BS6 bikes need a PUC certificate for insurance?

A PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is a separate document from your insurance, but many insurers ask to see a valid one before they renew your policy. Keep it current, since riding without it can also attract a traffic fine.

2. Is bike insurance costlier when I first buy a BS6 bike or when I renew it?

It is usually highest in the first year, when the bike's value is at its peak. As the bike ages its value drops, so the Own Damage premium tends to fall at each renewal, as long as you keep your No Claim Bonus.

3. Does adding accessories to a BS6 bike raise the premium?

Yes, if you insure the accessories. Fitted extras like alloy wheels or a music system add to the insured value, which lifts the Own Damage premium. Tell your insurer about them so a claim on those parts is not refused.

4. Should I buy comprehensive cover or just third-party for a BS6 bike?

Third-party cover is the legal minimum, but it pays nothing towards your own bike. On a costlier BS6 bike, comprehensive cover is worth considering because repairs and replacement parts are expensive to pay for yourself.

5. Will my BS6 bike's insurance premium fall as the bike gets older?

Yes, the Own Damage part usually falls each year because the bike's value drops with age. The third-party part stays fixed by engine size, so your total premium often eases over time if you avoid claims.