Bike Accidents in India and Insurance Claim

India houses 1% of the global vehicle population but accounts for 6% of the world's total traffic accidents. That is a staggering amount of road accidents. To better understand the gravity of this statement, here are some numbers and statistics to give you a clearer picture –

In 2021, the number of road accidents across India amounted to 421,000[1], and about 70% of these accidents involved the younger demographic – aged[5] 25 - 35 years, more than any other age group.

The number of two-wheeler fatalities in cities like Delhi amounted to 472[2] in the same year. In cities like Chennai, over 5,000[3] road accident cases were reported, where the majority of victims were two-wheeler riders/motorcyclists.

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu also had the highest number of road accidents in 2021, reporting over 55,000 cases[4]. Followed closely by Madya Pradesh, which reported 48,000 cases.

Bike accidents are usually a result of uncontrolled traffic, poor road conditions and rash driving. Therefore, as a motorcyclist, you need to be extra cautious. Unlike a car, you do not have any extra protection while on the road.

However, we also understand you can not completely omit the possibility of an accident happening, no matter how careful you are. This is why you must know how to file a bike accident insurance claim with Tata AIG.

Generally, the overall claims process can take up to 30 days. Hence, ensure you submit all the required documents in time. You can also track your claim through our website once submitted.

Here is the step-by-step bike accident insurance claim process with Tata AIG:

Step 1: Contact Your Insurer

The first thing you must do is contact us through our helpline and inform us of the accident within 24 to 48 hours of the event. You can also visit one of our nearest branches in person.

Ensure you give us detailed information about the accident – how many people were involved, casualties, the extent of vehicle/property damage, etc.

Note down the registration number(s) of the vehicle(s) involved in the road accident. Also, note down the accident's time and date and witnesses' contact information, if any.

Do not try to withhold any information about the accident, as it may be counterproductive to your bike accident insurance claim process and can affect the final decision on our end.

Step 2: File an FIR With the Police (For Legal Liabilities)

Next, you must inform the police of the accident and file a First Information Report (FIR). This is only mandated if any legal liabilities/issues are involved between you and the third party from the accident.

You may not require one if you are filing a claim for minor dents and scratches and if there is no third-party involvement.

Step 3: Collect Evidence of the Damages

Take pictures of your bike's damages from the accident. The pictures need to be clear so we can examine the extent of damages and settle the claim accordingly.

Step 4: Start the Claims Procedure

Visit our website, navigate to our claims page, and click Initiate Claim.

Click the Bike option and log in with your registered phone number.

Fill out your claims form and upload the required documents, like copies of your bike insurance policy, FIR, driver's licence and bike RC.

Submit your claims form and documents for verification.

Step 5: Request a Surveyor

Once the claim has been submitted, we may assign an official surveyor/inspector to asses your bike's damage. They may also visit the location of the accident. This process usually takes place 2 - 3 days after submitting your claim.

Step 6: Get Your Bike Repaired

After the inspection, you can take your bike to the nearest garage to get it repaired. There are two ways the claims settlement can be done if approved:

Cashless Claim: This can be done at a Tata AIG network garage, where we pay for your repair costs and settle the bill directly with the garage.

The inspector/surveyor may even help you find the nearest network garage after the inspection.

Reimbursement Claim: This is where you get your bike repaired at a garage of your choice, pay for the repair costs yourself and we reimburse you for the repair amount spent.

Keep your bills and receipts from the garage, as you must submit them to us for a reimbursement claim.

Filled and signed claims form

• Your driving licence.

• Bike insurance policy certificate.

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

• Identity proofs (Aadhar or other KYC documents).

• Bike Registration Certificate (RC)

• First Information Report (FIR), if required.

• Fire Brigade Report, if required (only for comprehensive bike policies).

• Cancelled cheque.

• Original receipt/bills for repairs (For reimbursement claims)

• Other documents, as requested by the insurer.

Due to the high number of bike accidents, the Indian government has taken certain steps to ensure the safety of two-wheeler drivers. Here are some key amendments made to the law:

• From April 2018, all motorcycles over the capacity of 125 ccs must be fitted with anti-lock braking systems (ABS).

• All new bikes must have their headlight on, whether night or day. This makes spotting motorcycles at night or in poor weather conditions easier, preventing any road accidents and casualties.

Here are some existing bike accident laws in India you should be aware of:

For Accidents Causing No Damage: For no damage, guidelines under Section 134 of the MV Act are followed. Here, the police hand over the case to a Motor Vehicle Inspector, who examines the accident-causing vehicle under Section 136 and returns it within 24 hours.

• If the vehicle owner does not offer proper medical aid to the victim(s) or inform the police or their insurer, they will be imprisoned for 6 months or fined ₹5,000 on their first offence.

• On second and subsequent offences, they will be imprisoned for 1 year or fined ₹10,000 under Section 134 r/w Section 187 of the MV Act.

For Accidents Causing Minor Damage: The police generally lodge FIRs for offences under Sections 279 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Under Section 190(1) of the MV Act, the driver is fined ₹1,500 or imprisoned for 3 months for the first offence.

• On subsequent offences resulting in bodily harm, injury or property damage, the driver gets fined ₹10,000 or imprisoned for 6 months or both.

For Accidents Causing Major Injuries or Death: For major road accidents, police lodge FIRs for offences listed under Section 304A of the IPC, and the accused/driver is convicted accordingly.

Helmets Are Mandatory: You must own and wear a helmet to drive on public Indian roads. Not only are they legally mandated, but they also protect from serious head injuries during road accidents.

Invest in Protective Gear: If your budget allows for it, consider investing in protective riding gear, like gloves, boots, jackets, etc.

Get Bike Insurance: A good bike insurance policy will help alleviate any additional stress during an accident. Your insurer will help mitigate any legal liabilities you may face and reimburse you for repair costs.

At Tata AIG, we recommend comparing two-wheeler insurance policies before purchase to ensure you get one at a competitive rate with adequate coverage.

While investing in a motorcycle may seem like a great option, the chances of being involved in a road accident are quite high in India, especially if you live in large, high-traffic cities like Delhi or Chennai.

To be on the safer side, always adhere to traffic rules, wear protective gear and have a good bike insurance policy to cover you for any uncertainties.