Generally, dents and scratches are not covered by bike insurance unless these damages happen in an accident. Dents and scratches are considered normal wear and tear. It is important to check the balance between cost of repairs and the need for a claim against minor scratches and dents, as it may be beneficial to get it repaired without making a claim for minor damages.
The straight-up answer is yes, you can claim insurance for bike dents and scratches, but under certain conditions. While dents and scratches are covered under comprehensive/own damage bike insurance, you can only make a claim for it if the damage is caused in an accident and not regular wear and tear. Let's clear up the confusion regarding bike dents & scratches through this article.
What Type of Bike Insurance Covers Dents and Scratches?
Dents and scratches on your bike are covered only under specific types of bike insurance policies.
A third-party bike insurance policy does not cover dents or scratches to your own vehicle, as it only pays for damage caused to another person, vehicle, or property.
To get coverage for your bike’s damage, you need either a comprehensive bike insurance policy or a Standalone Own Damage Cover, which covers accidental dents and scratches caused by events like collisions, falls, or external impacts.
However, it is important to note that regular wear and tear, ageing of paint, minor cosmetic fading, or scratches caused by normal usage are not covered under bike insurance.
Are Bike Scratches and Dents Considered “Own Damage”?
Yes, dents and scratches can be classified as Own Damage if they are caused by an accidental event.
Accidental Damage (Covered as Own Damage)
Collision with another vehicle or object
The bike falling, skidding, or tipping over
Vandalism or intentional damage
External impacts like falling objects or storm-related incidents
Cosmetic Ageing (Not Covered)
Paint is fading over time
Minor scratches from daily usage
Rust or surface deterioration
General wear and tear
Insurers classify dents and scratches as own damage when they occur due to sudden and accidental events. These are typically covered under a standalone own damage bike insurance policy. Common situations include:
Damage caused by gradual use or ageing is not considered own damage. This includes:
Such issues are treated as normal maintenance and are not covered by bike insurance.
Should You Claim Insurance for Minor Bike Dents and Scratches?
You should evaluate whether filing an insurance claim makes financial sense when dealing with minor dents or scratches.
Cost of Repair vs Deductible
Impact on No Claim Bonus (NCB)
Nature of the Damage
Claim Frequency Consideration
Future Premium Increase Risk
Time and Paperwork Involved
Before filing a claim, riders should compare the repair cost with the deductible amount they must pay under the policy. If the repair cost is only slightly higher than the deductible, paying out of pocket may sometimes be more practical.
Filing a claim can reduce or reset the No Claim Bonus, which is a discount earned for not making claims during the policy period. Losing this benefit may increase the next year’s premium.
Riders should also assess whether the damage is purely cosmetic or caused by a genuine accidental event, as insurance policies only cover accidental damage under own damage coverage.
Frequent claims for minor repairs may affect the long-term cost efficiency of the policy, so it is useful to consider the overall financial impact before filing a claim.
Although a single claim may not drastically raise premiums, multiple claims can influence the insurer’s risk assessment, which may lead to higher renewal premiums over time.
Filing a claim requires documentation, inspections, approvals, and repair coordination with the insurer or garage. For minor dents or scratches, the time and effort involved may sometimes outweigh the financial benefit of claiming.
How Deductibles Affect Dent & Scratch Claims?
Here’s how deductibles affect dent and scratches claims:
Mandatory Deductible
Voluntary Deductible (If Opted)
Every bike insurance claim requires the policyholder to pay a mandatory deductible, which is the fixed amount deducted from the claim before the insurer pays the remaining repair cost of dents or scratches.
Some riders choose a voluntary deductible to reduce their premium. However, this increases the amount they must pay out of pocket when filing a claim for dents and scratches.
How Claiming for Bike Dents or Scratches Affects No Claim Bonus (NCB)?
Filing a claim for minor dents or scratches under the own damage cover can lead to the loss of your accumulated No Claim Bonus (NCB) at the time of policy renewal. Since these repairs are often small, riders usually weigh the value of the NCB discount against the repair cost before making a claim.
If you have opted for an NCB Protection Add-on, you may still be able to make a limited number of claims for such damages without losing your NCB, depending on the insurer’s terms.
When Should You Avoid Claiming Insurance for Bike Scratches?
In certain situations, it may be better to avoid filing a claim for minor scratches & dents.
When the repair cost is close to or lower than the deductible amount.
If the scratch is minor cosmetic damage that does not affect the bike’s performance.
Making a claim may lead to losing your No Claim Bonus (NCB).
If you already have multiple claims in the same policy period.
When the time, inspection, and paperwork involved outweigh the claim value.
Claim Process for Bike Dents and Scratches
The claim process for dents and scratches mainly focuses on inspection and verification of accidental damage to ensure it is not caused by regular wear and tear.
Report the Incident
Damage Inspection
Repair Approval
Inform the insurer soon after the incident that caused the dent or scratch, especially if it resulted from a fall, collision, or external impact.
The insurer may arrange a surveyor inspection or ask for clear photos/videos of the damaged panels to verify that an accidental event caused the dents or scratches.
After assessment, the insurer approves repairs at a network garage or an authorised workshop, where the dent removal, repainting, or panel repair is carried out.
Documents Required for Dents and Scratches Claim
Copy of the bike insurance policy
RC (Registration Certificate) of the bike
The driving licence of the rider at the time of the incident
Claim form duly filled and signed
Photographs of the dents or scratches showing the damage clearly
Repair estimate from the garage (if requested by the insurer)
Alternatives to Insurance Claims for Minor Dents & Scratches
For small cosmetic damages, riders may consider simpler repair options instead of filing an insurance claim.
Paint touch-up services to fix light scratches without full repainting.
Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) for small dents without damaging the original paint.
Local garage repairs, which may be cheaper than authorised workshop costs.
DIY scratch repair kits for very minor surface scratches.
Detailing or polishing services to reduce the visibility of light scratches.
Conclusion - Is Claiming Insurance for Bike Dents & Scratches Worth It?
Although dents and scratches may be eligible for a claim, that does not always mean it is financially sensible to claim insurance. In many cases, riders reserve insurance for major or expensive damage, while avoiding small claims to protect their No Claim Bonus (NCB) and keep future premiums lower.
Also Read:
Disclaimer: * Savings are based on the maximum discount provided on own damage premium as offered by our two wheeler insurer partners.
FAQs on Bike Dent & Scratch Insurance Claims
Can I claim insurance for minor bike scratches?
Yes, but only if the scratches are caused by an accidental event and you have Comprehensive or Own Damage bike insurance. Minor scratches from normal usage are not covered.
Does Third-Party Bike Insurance Cover Dents or Scratches?
No, third-party bike insurance does not cover dents or scratches on your own bike. You will need own-damage protection to cover those damages. However, if the damage is done to another bike in an accident that is caused by the insured vehicle, then such damages caused to that bike will be covered (Only the third-party vehicle).
Does claiming for dents affect my No Claim Bonus?
Yes, filing a claim for dents or scratches under own damage coverage can reset your No Claim Bonus (NCB) at renewal unless you have an NCB protection add-on.
Can I claim bike insurance for scratches caused by parking damage?
Yes, scratches caused by external impact while the bike is parked, such as another vehicle hitting it, may be covered under own damage insurance if reported properly.
Is FIR required for dent and scratch insurance claims?
An FIR is usually not required for minor dents or scratches, unless the damage involves vandalism, theft attempts, or third-party disputes.
Will frequent small claims increase my bike insurance premium?
Frequent small claims can affect your claim history and insurer risk perception, which may lead to higher premiums or loss of discounts over time.
Can I claim insurance for paint scratches only?
Yes, if the paint scratches are caused by an accident or external impact, but scratches from ageing, polishing wear, or regular use are not covered.
What happens if the repair cost is less than the deductible?
If the repair cost is lower than the deductible, the insurer will not pay any amount and the entire repair cost must be borne by the policyholder.
Does zero depreciation coverage help with dent and scratch claims?
Yes, Zero Depreciation add-on can help reduce deductions on replaced parts during a claim, allowing a higher claim payout for accidental damage repairs.
Can insurers reject dent claims as normal wear and tear?
Yes, insurers may reject claims if the dents or scratches are assessed as old damage, cosmetic ageing, or regular wear and tear rather than accidental damage.
Is it better to pay for small bike repairs without using insurance?
For minor dents or scratches, some riders choose to pay out of pocket to avoid losing NCB and to keep future premiums lower.
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