Keeping track of your bike insurance status is crucial for ensuring continuous coverage, avoiding legal penalties, and safeguarding yourself financially. Whether you’ve misplaced your insurance documents or want to verify the status of a secondhand bike, there are multiple ways to check your bike insurance details.
This article explains four simple and effective ways to check your bike insurance status online and offline. By the end, you’ll know how to stay updated on your policy’s status effortlessly.
Why is It Important to Check Your Bike Insurance Status?
Here’s why regularly checking your bike insurance status is essential:
Legal Compliance
Policy Renewal
Seamless Claims
Buying/Selling Bikes
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, riding without valid insurance is punishable by fines or imprisonment. An expired policy can lead to hefty fines.
Knowing your policy’s expiry date ensures timely renewal and avoids lapses.
Updated policy details are required for filing claims during accidents or theft.
When purchasing a secondhand bike, verifying the insurance status ensures a smooth ownership transfer.
4 Ways to Check Bike Insurance Status Online and Offline
Here are the most reliable methods for checking your bike insurance status:
1. Online Through the IIB (Insurance Information Bureau) Portal
The Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) is a central repository for motor insurance policies in India. Follow these steps:
- Go to the official website of IIB.
- Enter Required Details such as Vehicle registration number, registered mobile number or email address, and Chassis number and engine number (last five digits).
- Now, click the "Submit" button to view your bike insurance details.
Important Note: The IIB portal will not have policies issued within the last two months. For recent updates, contact your insurer directly. Also, IIB has information after 1st April 2020, any policies before that are not updated on the website.
2. Online Through Your Insurer's Website or App
All insurers offer online services where policyholders can check their insurance status. Here's how:
- Log in to the insurer's website or app using your registered credentials.
- Go to the "My Policies" or "Policy Status".
- View details such as policy number, expiry date and coverage type.
Pro Tip: Get instant access to your bike insurance detail and other services like renewals through your insurer's app.
3. Through VAHAN eServices
The VAHAN eServices portal, which is operated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, allows for a central repository of information related to vehicles, including bike insurance details.
- Open the official website of VAHAN at vahan.nic.in.
- Enter your bike's registration number.
- Click "Search Vehicle" to see the insurance details, including the policy validity.
- The VAHAN portal displays limited information and may not reflect updates if your policy was recently renewed.
4. Offline Methods
You can check insurance status offline in 2 ways by:
A. Contact Your Insurance Provider
- Call your insurer’s customer care and provide your policy number or registered mobile number.
- They will verify your identity and share your insurance details.
B. Visit the Nearest Branch
- Carry your bike's RC and ID proof.
- The representative of the insurer will help you retrieve your insurance status.
Pro Tip: Always save a copy of your policy documents digitally to avoid relying on offline methods.
Key Information You Can Check
Using the above methods, you can retrieve the following details about your bike insurance:
- Policy number
- Policy start and expiry dates
- Type of coverage (third party or comprehensive)
- IDV of your motorcycle
- Add-ons or riders covered in the policy
How to Verify Insurance Status of a Second Hand Bike
When buying a secondhand bike, check the two-wheeler insurance policy status. Here's how:
- Get the Policy Documents
- Use the VAHAN Portal
- Contact the Insurer
Pro Tip: Ensure the policy is transferred to your name during the bike ownership transfer process.
What to Do If Your Bike Insurance Has Expired?
If you find that your bike insurance has expired, here's what you should do:
Renew Immediately
Choose Comprehensive Insurance
Physical Inspection by the Insurer
Log in to your insurer's website or app. Enter your policy details and proceed with renewal or Visit Coverfox for instant renewals.
In case you had third party insurance earlier, consider a comprehensive policy for better security.
Some insurers may require the physical inspection of your bike before renewing a lapsed policy.
How to Stay Updated on Your Bike Insurance Status
Set Reminders
Save Digital Copies
Use Mobile Apps
Use digital calendars or apps to remind you of your policy renewal date.
Store your insurance documents in cloud storage or apps like DigiLocker.
Download your insurer's app for instant access to policy details and renewal options.
Key Takeaways
With the help of online and offline services, you can now easily check your bike insurance status. Now, from checking it at the IIB and VAHAN portals to the insurer directly, it won't take much time before you verify your policy and keep riding. Checking the status of your bike insurance periodically keeps you legally valid, and at the same time, you are always confident. Visit Coverfox Two-Wheeler Insurance to get more information and compare your two-wheeler insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my bike insurance status without the policy number?
Ans: Yes, you can use VAHAN or IIB using your vehicle's registration number.
What if my insurance details are not available on the IIB portal?
Ans: You can check with your insurer for the latest updates since the IIB portal might be delayed by 2 months.
How often should I check my insurance status?
Ans: It is always wise to check your insurance status some few months before your policy is due to expire, which will ensure timely renewal.
Is digital insurance valid in the case of traffic checks?
Ans: Yes, the legality of digital insurance policies extends to routine traffic checks and is accepted there.
