GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Car insurance is a shield that protects your vehicle and your finances in case of accidents or any untoward incident involving your car. You pay a fixed sum annually, known as the insurance premium, for availing of the insurance company's services. As your policy approaches its expiry date, you must renew it by paying the premium.

There may be instances when you cannot pay the due insurance premium on time. You may be busy, unavailable, or not have the funds to renew it or simply forget to renew your policy. What happens to your policy, then? Does it expire and lapse? No. You might enjoy a special privilege known as the grace period, which prevents your policy from lapsing.

Let us know more about the grace period in car insurance.

1. Duration:
An insurance company usually provides a 15-30 days grace period from the expiry of your car insurance policy. However, it may differ from one company to another as per the policy's terms and conditions.

2. Charges:
Normally you don't have to pay any extra charges even if you renew your car insurance policy during the grace period. There may be a penalty if you do not renew your policy even within the grace period and do it after it ends.

3. Accrued bonus:
No-claim bonus (NCB) is the bonus amount accrued yearly in your policy if you do not raise a claim in that year. You get a discount on the insurance premium amount at the time of renewal of the policy, depending upon the NCB accrued to date.
Does this accrued NCB expire if you do not renew your policy in time? The answer is "NO". You can enjoy the benefit of your NCB even if you renew your car insurance policy during the grace period. However, the NCB may lapse and become inactive if you fail to renew your policy even within the grace period.

4. Claim settlement:
As we have discussed above, your car insurance policy will still be valid during the grace period. What happens if your car meets with an accident or gets stolen during the grace period? Will the insurance company entertain your claim now?
The answer is "NO" again. Your claim will be rejected simply because you did not renew your car insurance in time. Hence, it is crucial that you always renew your car insurance policy before its expiry date or as soon as possible because accidents come unannounced, even during the grace period. The entire purpose of having car insurance coverage will be defeated in such a situation.

5. Legal aspect:
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory to have a valid and active car insurance policy in India. Your car insurance is technically invalid if your insurance policy expires and you enter the grace period. Hence, legally you will be driving without a car insurance policy. The police will have the right to fine you and issue a challan if you're being stopped.

6. Inspection:
The car insurance company may again send an agent for the inspection of your car if you renew your policy after the grace period expires. In such a case, you will have to bear the inspection charges.

An active car insurance policy is essential as it safeguards you against any mishap involving your car and third-party liabilities arising from it. So why wait for the policy to expire first to renew it?

You should always renew your policy in advance, so your protection remains intact. You can easily opt to buy car insurance policy online and also renew it online later. Buying and renewing a car insurance policy online is fast, simple, secure, and 100% reliable.

Click HERE to buy car insurance policy online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Besides its legal obligations, bike insurance can help you avoid paying heavy amounts for any damage, theft, or mishaps. But if you buy two wheeler insurance online, you must look for the various coverages the insurance policy provides. What if your two-wheeler catches fire because of an accident or other disaster? Will your insurance policy cover it?

Fire can cause minor issues, such as wire or seat damage, or even the total loss of your vehicle. Repairing significant damages or even a total loss may cost you a fortune, as you have to pay a considerable amount for repair or replacement. Thus, it would help if you had a bike insurance policy that offered you financial assistance for the damages caused by the fire. This quick guide will help you know whether your bike insurance policy covers fire damage.

Which two wheeler insurance covers fire damage?
There are three main types of bike insurance, but coverage of damages depends on the type of policy you pick. However, here is a list of bike insurance policies and the range of coverage that each policy provides.

Comprehensive bike insurance:
Comprehensive bike insurance is one of the most popular types of insurance due to its wide range of coverage, and it covers both own damage and third-party damages. Besides covering fire damage, this two wheeler insurance policy covers the following damages:

● Third-party injury

● Vehicle theft

● Accidental damages

● Third-party property damage

● Death of the third party

● Natural calamities damages

● Artificial calamities damages

Standalone bike insurance:
A standalone own-damage bike insurance policy only covers the damage to your bike. Here is the list of coverage this policy allows:

● Damage caused due to fire

● Bike theft

● Natural calamities

● Accidental damages

● Artificial calamities

Third-party bike insurance:
Third-party bike insurance offers coverage for the injury or damage of a third-party vehicle. However, this insurance does not cover the damages to your bike, including fire damage. But, having this policy is mandatory by law:

● Third-party injury

● Third-party property damage

● Death of the third party

Inclusions and exclusion of fire damage in two-wheeler insurance:
When you buy two wheeler insurance online, you must know the terms & conditions and the coverage for fire damage. Here is the list of inclusions and exclusions for fire damage.

Inclusions:

● Accidental house fire

● Natural calamities

● Riots

● Motor accident

● Vandalism

Exclusions:

● Fire damage due to mechanical or electrical defect

● Damage due to the addition of extra accessories

● Damage due to deliberate acts or own negligence

● Fire damage caused outside the specific geographical area

How to claim for two-wheeler fire damage?
If your vehicle is damaged due to fire and you have your bike insurance policy which covers fire damage. Then you must follow the below process to claim for such damages:

● Contact your insurance provider and inform them about the damage and its cause within 48 hours

● Collect various evidence, such as taking videos or pictures of the incident or the damaged parts of your two-wheeler due to the fire

● Visit your nearest police station and file an FIR

● Submit multiple documents such as address proof, identity proof, etc.

● Then the insurance provider will send a surveyor for an inspection of your case

● In case of minor repair or replacement, the insurer will offer you compensation

● In case of a total loss, the insurer will give you the amount as per the policy's terms

Documents required:

● Driving licence

● Identity proof

● FIR copy

● Registration certificate for bike

● Report of the fire brigade

Various reasons can cause fire damage, and it can be pretty disturbing for you to pay for the repairs or replacement of the damaged parts. Thus, it would be best if you had bike insurance covering the fire damage and providing you with the financial assistance you need during an emergency. It is best to buy two wheeler insurance online, browse through multiple options and research the one that offers comprehensive coverage, including fire damage. This way, you can efficiently ensure the longevity of your two-wheeler and stay financially sound.

Click HERE to buy two wheeler insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Bike engine damage can be severe and adversely impact you financially. Even though it doesn't break down often, fixing the engine can be expensive. An engine protection in your two wheeler insurance helps you in case of damage caused by water getting into the engine or oil leaking and making the engine non-functional.

You always have to select it as add-on insurance, as the comprehensive coverage does not cover the engine. For a little higher premium, you may rest easy knowing that you are protected financially if the insured bike's engine suffers damage.

The bike engine protection add-on covers the cost of repairing or replacing engine and gearbox components damaged by water intrusion, lubricating oil or coolant leaks, or a hydrostatic lock of the covered bike. The engine protection add-on is essential that you should consider when buying bike insurance.

The two-wheeler engine protection cover's advantages are as follows:

• It covers the cost of the bike's most expensive component - the engine

• Protection against physical harm caused by hydraulic lock to the engine and gearbox

• Financial protection against engine oil or lubricant leaks caused by water intrusion

• Provides monetary security

• Ideal for residents of flood-prone areas

The engine protection add-on does not cover the following items:

• Any maintenance or replacement due to normal wear and tear

• Repair or replacement of an internal part of the engine or gearbox because the driver was drunk, illegally racing, or the bike was driven while the driver's licence was invalid

• Damage or losses caused by engine corrosion

• The price of lubricants or engine oil

• Any claim made following the deadline for notifying the insurer of the incident

• Any claim in which engine parts were repaired or replaced without first notifying the insurance provider

• Any claims that are beyond the manufacturer's warranty

Do you need an engine protection add-on?
When you buy insurance from 2 wheeler insurance India, the "Engine Protection" is generally not covered. It is an advantage that is provided as an add-on. You should opt for this feature if you live in a region prone to flooding. For a small additional premium, you can relax knowing that the most expensive component of your motorcycle is covered and stop worrying about unexpected repair costs resulting from engine damage.

Who should purchase the engine protection option?
With a small cost on your annual premium, the engine protection add-on cover provides additional protection. For the following reasons, it would be best if you gave some thinking to get the bike engine protection add-on:

• If you have just purchased a new bike

• If you live in a flood-prone location

• If you want financial protection against significant damage to the engine parts

Understand that any damage to the engine's internal components can be expensive. To prevent unintended damage to the engine or gearbox components, check the engine oil level frequently. The bike should be serviced regularly as per the schedule, and you should change parts like the air filter and oil periodically to keep the engine running smoothly.

Avoid over-accelerating the engine because this could cause it to overheat and harm its internal components. Also, avoid buying duplicate parts during any post-damage repair. Lastly, buy a reliable 2 wheeler insurance India with an efficient engine protection add-on to enjoy an exceptional benefit.

Click HERE to buy the best 2 wheeler insurance India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

The MV Act, or the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, regulates the legal environment surrounding motor vehicles. It states that every car owner must buy new car insurance after acquiring a new car or renew it immediately after its expiry. It is one of the three must-carry-along documents for drivers, including a PUC certificate and driver's licence. With increased regulations and growing awareness regarding the financial burden of shouldering expenses in case of an accident, the policyholder base of motor insurance has risen steadily.

Despite the importance of car insurance, it cannot be said to be a comprehensive policy. Some aspects are left out in the document's fine print and are available as add-on facilities. Therefore, while most people know the need to buy new car insurance, only some are aware of general exclusions.

A typical example is the consumables in car insurance, which is discussed in detail in this blog.

General inclusions under car insurance:

While each insurance company may offer a slightly varied version of car insurance, generally, third-party car insurance covers accidents that cause damages to other parties or their properties. Without such a policy, you will have to bear the losses and compensate the affected party.

A comprehensive policy has two aspects, a third-party car insurance policy and own damages cover. Thus, it provides enhanced protection against personal injuries and manmade and natural disasters. Since consumables are nowhere mentioned as included, it is implied that they are an exclusion from the policy.

Understanding consumables:

Consumables in accounting refer to assets used within the process and are sometimes held on standby for future use. The former part of the explanation applies to consumables in cars. These items are used in the general running of a vehicle and are subjected to continuous wear and tear.

Consumables in a car can be identified as brake oils, engine oil, lubricants, refrigerant for AC, ball bearings, nuts, screws, bolts, washers, etc. In simpler words, they aid in the efficient running of the vehicle without forming a large chunk of the cost and are put to use regularly, which is why they deteriorate faster than other car parts.

Consumables insurance:

While consumables may not appear to be a prominent aspect of the relevant cost incurred in purchasing a car, they play a crucial role in the proper functioning of the vehicle and must be noticed. It is prudent to insure your car's consumables to prevent any financial losses you may have to bear due to improper condition of consumables.

Although not included in comprehensive insurance, insurance companies provide the facility to select add-on consumables insurance by paying an additional premium for the service.
Add-on consumables insurance covers expenses incurred for replacing items like engine oil, brake oil, steering oil, coolant, AC gas, refrigerant, dust filters, air filters, engine filters, bolts, nuts, washers, screws, grease, etc. It is important to note that consumable insurance is usually provided for cars not used for more than five years.

Exclusions of consumables insurance:

It is a specific add-on insurance type that only covers relevant costs relating to consumables. The general conditions to claims are similar to any other car insurance or allied add-on facility. In the following conditions, the claim is not admissible:

● Driving without having a valid driver's licence

● Driving under the confluence of substances or liquor

● Misuse of personal vehicle for commercial use

● Prolonged delay in informing the insurer regarding the replacement of consumables

● Misuse or overuse of policy to claim the maximum benefit, as against a rational person's actions

Consumables play an essential role in a car and must be considered when you buy new car insurance. The policy is purchased by fulfilling common conditions similar to car insurance. It helps file a claim for replacement costs of consumables by informing the insurer.

Click HERE to buy new car insurance policy.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.