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Ideal Two Wheeler Insurance For City Riders

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

Two-wheelers are one of the most popular modes of transport on city roads. Bikes are easier to manoeuvre in heavy traffic, but they are also exposed to high risks of accidental damages or even third-party liabilities. As per a survey by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, there is an increase in road accidents in cities such as Bengaluru in 2019 compared to 2018. Here are some of the problems bike owners face in cities.

Traffic
Accidental damages
Theft

It is important to insure your bike with the right insurance plan. However, which is the ideal bike insurance for city riders? In this article, get to explore the right two-wheeler insurance plan for city riders.

Contents

What do you mean by ideal two-wheeler insurance for city riders?
Steps to avail the ideal bike insurance for city riders
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions

What do you mean by ideal two-wheeler insurance for city riders?

The traffic density and the scope of an accident are slightly higher in cities compared to rural areas. The chances of damages, third-party liabilities and even vehicle theft are comparatively higher in urban areas. To mitigate unforeseen financial losses in case of accidental damages, you must secure your bike with an insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage.

The Third-party Two-Wheeler Liability Plan is mandatory and financially secures you against third-party liabilities, including injury or death of the third party or damages to their property. However, the downside is that it does not offer financial protection in case of damages or losses to your bike. For broader insurance coverage for your bike, it is recommended that you opt for the Comprehensive Insurance Plan.

Ideal two-wheeler insurance for city riders is the Comprehensive Insurance Plan since it covers both third-party liabilities along with coverage for damages/losses to your bike. You also have the option to boost the primary plan’s coverage by including useful add-on covers. For example, the Roadside Assistance Cover provides emergency coverage in case of a flat tyre, emergency towing, etc.

Steps to avail the ideal bike insurance for city riders

Here are the steps to buy ideal two-wheeler insurance for city riders.

1. Understand the coverage requirement

Before you begin the process of buying insurance for your bike, it is vital that you understand your requirement. There are two primary types of bike insurance depending upon the coverage — Third-party Liability Plan and Comprehensive Plan. While the former is mandatory as per law, the latter offers a wide range of benefits since it includes coverage for both third-party liabilities and own damage. It is beneficial to opt for the Comprehensive Bike Insurance Plan as it offers the ideal coverage for your bike.

2. Understand IDV (Insured Declared Value)

IDV is the approximate value of your bike/two-wheeler in the market. In case of a theft or total loss of your vehicle, the insurer will pay the IDV, after considering the deductibles. Two-wheelers depreciate due to regular wear and tear. As the depreciation increases, the IDV decreases, decreasing the premium amount year on year. The sum insured or the IDV is a crucial factor in determining the insurance cost of your vehicle. Hence, you must choose the right IDV for an ideal bike insurance policy.

3. The cubic capacity (CC) of your bike

Your bike’s engine cubic capacity is an essential factor in determining the cost of insurance. The higher the cubic capacity, the higher the bike insurance premium. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) decides the third-party insurance rates based on the vehicle’s engine cubic capacity. However, the Own Damage insurance rates are fixed by the insurer.

In both cases, knowing your bike’s engine cc will help you understand the price you need to pay for insuring your bike.

4. Consider adding add-ons to enhance the plan

For well-balanced and broader insurance coverage for your bike, consider including add-on covers that will extend the primary plan’s coverage. While the Comprehensive Insurance Plan provides coverage for third-party liabilities and damages to your bike, the plan has its exclusions. For example, it doesn’t cover theft of personal belongings such as helmets. To mitigate the shortfall, you can buy the add-ons for an extra layer of protection.

5. Choose a digital-first insurance company

Digital-first insurers such as ACKO operate through the online platform. With a direct-to-customer approach and digital infrastructure, the operating costs are lower. The savings are passed on to you in the form of low-cost insurance plans for bikes. ACKO also offers a seamless purchase, renewal and claim process.

All these transactions are online, and there is no physical paperwork involved. Whether you want to buy, renew or raise a claim, the online process is faster and efficient compared to the traditional method of form-filling exercise or depending on an agent to process your request.

6. Compare different plans

The online mode lets you compare different types of bike insurance plans for your vehicle. Check for the inclusions, exclusions, coverage, premium amount, etc., to find the ideal bike insurance plan for your vehicle. The process of comparing different plans enables you to make the right decision to secure your bike at a price that you are comfortable with.

7. Read reviews of the insurer

Read online reviews by verified customers. You can understand the pros and cons of an insurer before you finalise the insurer for your bike.

8. Lookout for discounts and multi-year plans

Scout for two-wheeler insurance plans with discounts. Select a plan that offers the highest discount without compromising the coverage, sum insured amount, services, inclusions and exclusions. Besides discounts, consider multi-year plans to save money and stay insured. This way, you get more comprehensive coverage at a lower insurance premium.

9. Opt for insurers offering instant claim settlements

In an urban city, bikes are an integral part of everyday commuting. Hence, a day without your bike can be challenging, especially if damaged and requires repairs. ACKO offers instant claim settlement for minor damages such as dents on the tank or a broken mudguard. ACKO will pay the amount through an account transfer so that you can get the vehicle repaired at a garage of your choice.

10. Choose plans with a quicker claims process

At ACKO, registering a claim can be done within a few minutes. Access your account online, answer a few questions and upload the pictures of the damaged bike to submit your claim. It is that easy.

In a nutshell

Riding in a city can be challenging due to the dense traffic and sometimes chaotic as well. The chances of accidental damages may be higher in urban areas. For ideal bike insurance for city riders, select the plan that offers wide-ranging benefits, quicker claim settlements, faster renewal and paperless transactions.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about ideal bike insurance for city riders.

What are the primary types of bike insurance plans?

The primary types of bike insurance plans are Third-party Insurance, Standalone Own Damage Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance. Third-party Insurance covers third-party liabilities. The Standalone Own Damage Insurance covers damages or losses to the insured bike, and the Comprehensive Insurance covers third-party liabilities and own damages.

Which type of two-wheeler insurance is compulsory for bikes?

The Third-party Liability Plan is mandatory to ride your bike in India. However, this plan does not cover damages to the insured bike. You need to secure your bike with the Comprehensive Insurance Plan for coverage against damages or losses incurred by your bike.

What is full insurance for bikes?

A full or a comprehensive insurance plan for bikes is a plan that provides financial coverage against third-party liabilities, damages to the insured vehicle and has access to include add-ons to enhance the primary plan’s coverage. The Comprehensive Bike Insurance Plan consists of these benefits and is considered an ideal bike insurance plan for two-wheelers.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet; and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content and before making any insurance-related decisions. Explore More: