Summary:
Losing your two-wheeler insurance policy can be stressful and overwhelming. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that the process of replacing it goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to know what you should do if you have lost/ misplaced your insurance policy.
Text:
As per the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, the two-wheeler insurance policy is one of the important documents that should always be carried while riding a bike on the roads of India. It contains all the necessary information regarding the insured bike. If you’re caught on the roads without valid two wheeler insurance, you can be fined INR 2000 and/or up to 3 months of imprisonment.
However, oversights like the misplacement of important documents can happen to anyone. You might have kept your policy documents in a safe place and forgotten them, or they might be lost. The important thing is to know what your next move should be. Let’s understand what to do if you lose your two wheeler insurance policy document.
Steps to follow if your bike insurance policy is lost
In case your bike insurance documents are missing, given below are some measures that you must take:
- First and foremost, thoroughly search every nook and corner of your house, vehicle, and workspace for policy documents.
- If you do not find the documents, immediately stop using the vehicle and wait until you receive a replacement or duplicate copy of the two-wheeler policy documents.
Places you can check for your e-policy
If the original documents are missing, having a soft copy of your bike policy document can also be of great help. Here are some of the places where you must look for an e-policy:
- Check your DigiLocker:
Since DigiLocker can contain all authentic digital documents, there could be a possibility to find your two-wheeler insurance policy.
- Go through your email:
Most of the time, insurance companies mail a digital copy of policies to the policyholders. Thus, there is a high probability that searching the registered email can help you find the documents.
- Look for a soft copy:
Many times, we download digital copies of policies and important documents on mobiles and laptops to keep them safe. So, do not forget to check the folders of your phone and computer.
- Contact your insurance company:
If you fail to find any digital copies of your bike insurance, you can call or mail your insurance provider and request a digital copy over your registered email address. There is a high chance that the company would agree to send over a digital copy of your bike insurance policy.
- If purchased online, visit your intermediary website:
Digital policy documents are usually available on intermediary websites if purchased through one. All you need to do is enter your policy details and verify your identity. Next, you can download, print or get a soft copy of your bike insurance policy on your registered email.
Problems you will face if you have lost your policy
If you lose your bike insurance policy, there are certain setbacks you might face. These include:
- As per the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, having bike insurance is mandatory for all. Failing to produce the documents on the road can result in fines of up to INR 2000 and can also land you in jail for three months.
- Losing your policy documents also means that you won’t be able to raise a claim if anything happens to your bike. Thus, you won’t be able to enjoy your coverage benefits.
- If you lose your bike insurance and do not request duplicate documents, it will be considered a lapsed policy, and therefore, all your No-Claim Bonus will be lost.
How to get your duplicate bike insurance documents?
- Report an FIR at your local police station:
You need to visit your local police station and file a report mentioning your missing documents. Mention important details like the policy number and bike insurance type, i.e., third-party or comprehensive insurance for two wheeler, any add-ons, etc.
- File for a duplicate copy of your two-wheeler insurance policy:
Once the FIR is lodged, it’s time to inform your two wheeler insurance company. Submit a written appeal to your insurance provider, requesting a re-issuance of your bike policy documents. In the letter, mention all the details related to the bike policy and also attach a copy of the self-attested FIR report.
- Sign an indemnity bond:
It is mandatory to sign an indemnity bond and submit it to your insurance company. It should be executed in favour of the insurance provider, signed by two witnesses, and notarized.
- Publish an advertisement in the local newspaper:
The final step is to publish an advertisement in the local newspaper mentioning that you have lost your bike policy along with other details like your name, insurance policy number, insurance company name, and registration number. The idea behind this step is to request people to return the policy documents if found. This step is also advised by the insurance companies.
Reasons why there should be continuity in your policy
If you fail to maintain continuity in your bike insurance policy, you will face the following consequences:
- Legal liabilities:
Any vehicle that travels the highways of India needs to be insured. Transport and traffic authorities may fine you up to INR 2,000 and imprison you for up to 3 months for the first offence and up to INR 4,000 and 3 months of imprisonment for the second time you are found riding a bike without a valid two wheeler insurance policy.
- No NCB:
You receive the NCB benefits, a discount for not raising a claim, and a reward for riding safely when you don’t make a claim for the first year. After spending five years without filing a claim, the discount increases to 50%. Also, you can keep the NCB for bike insurance and benefit from the discount even if you relocate your two-wheeler insurance policy to a different provider. However, if the insurance coverage is discontinued for 90 days from expiry, you can lose all of it.
- Legal liabilities:
The comprehensive insurance for two wheeler protects you against damage, loss, or theft of your bike as well as third-party liabilities, while the third-party liability insurance covers your financial obligations for damages or injuries to a third party’s vehicle or property. If you ride a bike without bike insurance and get involved in an accident, you may face legal problems. Additionally, you will be responsible for paying any medical or repair costs that the insurer would have covered if you had bike insurance.
- Loss of financial safety net:
Two-wheeler insurance provides a safety net for your finances in case of a variety of unfortunate incidents involving the bike, such as collisions, theft, etc. But by neglecting the re-issuance of a bike insurance policy after it is lost, you deprive yourself of this financial security.
Conclusion
Bike insurance coverage takes care of both the legal responsibilities as well as damages. It provides you with financial security and guards against paying a fine for breaking the law. So, it will be wise not to lose your two wheeler insurance policy in the first place. But, if it is lost, taking the above actions as soon as you can is beneficial.
Disclaimer:
The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
