How to Claim Compensation under Third Party Bike/Two Wheeler Insurance?

Much as you would like to you cannot control your bike from skidding or facing an accident. Especially as a youngster, when speeding on your bike is considered cool, you end up damaging someone else’s vehicle or property or, worse, a pedestrian. Blame it on your hormones or the lack of driving skills but when you damage someone else’s vehicle you are required to pay for the damages sustained. My friend Rahul learned this when his bike skidded and rammed into a parked car. The car’s bonnet was damaged and Rahul faced unimaginable financial liability. How would his meager pocket-money pay for the damages caused? If his father came to know he had to bid farewell to his beloved bike. What a dilemma!

Rahul was saved by his two-wheeler insurance policy. Do you know how?

A two-wheeler insurance policy covers any financial liability which you might incur of you damage third party vehicle. Since Rahul had one, the policy paid for the expenses incurred in getting the car repaired. What a relief!

You too can get benefits from your two-wheeler insurance policy if you damage another individual’s or third party vehicle.

Here’s how to claim third party two wheeler insurance:

Understand the nature of the third party bike insurance claim

First, you would have to assess whether your claim would be an own damage claim or a third party one. If both you and the owner of the damaged vehicle have comprehensive insurance policies on their two-wheelers you can each approach the insurance company with an ‘own damage’ claim. You would have to inform your insurer who would then advise you to take your bike to the nearest workshop for repairs. A surveyor would visit the workshop, evaluate the damages, the repairs would be completed and you would be informed to take the delivery. Simple, isn’t it?

Matters are different when one of you has only a third party cover. In case the individual whose vehicle you damaged has a third party cover only, he/she wouldn’t be able to raise an own damage claim. He/she would, then, have to make a third party claim on your policy. An FIR would be required for raising a third party claim. So, the individual whose vehicle is damaged files a FIR and raises third party claim on your insurance policy. Your insurer would then deal with the claim in the same manner as an own damage claim is settled. The individual would be asked to take his/her vehicle to the nearest tied-up garage, a survey would be arranged, repairs would be done and the vehicle would be delivered.

Try and ensure to get a FIR

In case of any third party two wheeler insurance claim being raised a FIR is mandatory. So, if the individual whose vehicle you have damaged insists on raising a third party claim on your policy, ensure that he/she files an FIR before raising the complaint. Get yourself a copy of the FIR for future reference. Yes, the police would be involved. Yes, there would be additional chores for you to do but ensuring a FIR is always advised upon.

Damaging someone’s vehicle, though not favored, can be handled if you know the process. Keep your cool, don’t run away from the accident scene (believe me you would be involved in more hassles if you do!), follow the protocol and raise a two-wheeler claim. Your two-wheeler insurance policy would pay for the expenses incurred on repairing both your bike and the damaged vehicle. Isn’t it great that a motor insurance policy is legally compulsory? Rahul definitely thought so.

Choose wisely!

Also read: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renewing Your bike Insurance Policy Online

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