By Jaelyn Larry
In the year 2020 alone, India recorded about 1.5 lakh fatalities caused due to road accidents. This amounts to about 26.37% of global road accidents.[1] In the year 2019, more than 37% of those fatalities were caused due to two-wheeler accidents.[2] With such an alarming figure, it is imperative for you to get financial protection for yourself and your vehicle from such on-road mishaps. Investing in good two wheeler insurance for your bike offers that financial protection. If your bike is involved in an accident, you can claim compensation from your insurer.*
What are the steps to file a proper claim for your insurance? Keep reading to find out.
Why is filing a claim necessary?
Even though two-wheelers are affordable alternatives to a four-wheeler, the cost of getting damages repaired can be expensive. The damages caused in an accident could be pertaining to either your bike or to a third-party vehicle, person/s or their property. Having to pay out of pocket may not be possible for everyone. In such situations, your bike insurance will compensate you, and if a third party is involved, they would also be compensated, thus helping you in saving money.*
What are the types of claims?
There are two types of insurance claims that you should know about:
- Cashless claim: If your bike is damaged and you have a cashless claim facility as a part of your bike insurance, you are not required to pay anything. You are required to take your bike to a garage which is a part of the insurer’s network. Once your bike has been repaired, the insurer will directly pay the service garage.*
- Reimbursement claim: In this type of claim, you are required to pay for getting the damages on your bike fixed. Once your bike is repaired, you need to file a claim against your policy, following which they will reimburse you for the cost of repairs.*
* Standard T&C Apply
What are the steps for filing a claim?
The following are the steps for filing a claim against your policy:
- After the accident has taken place, inform your insurer about it. Make sure you do not delay informing the insurer about the accident, as a late claim could get rejected.*
- Take note of the registration number of the vehicle that caused the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the damage caused as evidence.
- Once you have informed your insurer, file a first information report (FIR) and get a copy of it.
- Submit all the required documents to your insurer.
- Your insurer will verify all the documents and information provided in the claim form.
- A surveyor will inspect your bike and the damages caused. They will also cross-verify the damages caused and the damages you mentioned in the form.
- If the surveyor is satisfied with the authenticity of your claim, they will send your bike to the nearest network garage for repair, where you can avail cashless claim.*
- If your bike is sent to a regular garage, you will be reimbursed for the expenses of getting the damages repaired.*
* Standard T&C Apply
Conclusion
These are the steps for filing a claim against your bike insurance policy. Do keep in mind that only comprehensive bike insurance covers damages caused to your own bike. If you own third party bike insurance, it will cover only third-party damages. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
*Standard T&C apply
