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Riding a bike without two-wheeler insurance? Be ready to pay the penalty

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

Bike insurance is a must in India to legally ride your two-wheeler on public roads. Apart from legal compliance, bike insurance also provides you with a financial backup in case of a mishap (accidents, natural disasters, etc.).

Motor insurance covers the legal and financial liabilities arising from damage or loss to third-party property/life and damages to your two-wheeler. If you ride your bike without bike insurance, you may be penalised by the authorities. Read ahead for more details concerning the fine for riding two-wheelers without insurance.

Before divulging the details of the penalties, let’s understand the rules for motor insurance in India. As per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a Third-party Liability Policy is compulsory for all motor vehicles (2/3/4-wheelers). However, for broad coverage, it's better to opt for Comprehensive Two-wheeler Insurance. A Comprehensive Policy covers Third-party Liabilities and also provides an Own Damage Cover.

Contents

Is riding a bike without insurance illegal?
Fine for riding a two-wheeler without insurance
What happens if caught riding a two-wheeler without insurance?
What is the process to pay the fine?
Tips to avoid getting a challan while riding your two-wheeler
Frequently asked questions

Is riding a bike without insurance illegal?

Yes. It is illegal to ride a two-wheeler on public roads without an active two-wheeler insurance policy. Your bike/scooter/moped needs to have at least a Third-party Bike Insurance Policy to comply with the legal requirements. A Third-party Policy is mandatory for all motor vehicles in India.

Fine for riding a two-wheeler without insurance

As per the new Motor Vehicle Act, 2019, the fine for riding a two-wheeler without insurance is Rs. 2,000 and/or up to 3 months of imprisonment. If you are found guilty of riding your bike/scooter without insurance for the second time, you have to shell out a fine of Rs. 4,000 and/or up to 3 months of imprisonment. Previously, the penalty for a two-wheeler without insurance was Rs. 1,000, but it has been increased with the amendment to The Motor Vehicles Act.

What happens if caught riding a two-wheeler without insurance?

If a traffic police officer stops you for vehicle inspection, slow down the two-wheeler and park the vehicle on the side of the road. The officer will ask you to produce the two-wheeler and driver-related documents.

You will not be penalised if you produce all the documents such as driving licence (DL), registration certificate (RC), PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate and insurance papers. But if your two-wheeler does not have an active bike insurance plan or if you fail to produce the driver/vehicle-related documents, you will receive a challan. You can pay for the challan either online or offline.

What is the process to pay the fine?

As mentioned earlier, you can pay the fine for an uninsured vehicle through offline or online mode. Below are the processes involved in challan payment.

Offline mode

Step 1 - Visit the nearest traffic police station.
Step 2 - Produce the challan or quote the challan number and verify the challan amount at the respective counter.
Step 3 - Pay the fine at the cash counter through cash or any other available payment modes.
Step 4 - Collect the payment receipt for future reference.

Online mode

Step 1 - Visit the state transport department’s official website.
Step 2 - Click on the e-challan payment option.
Step 3 - Enter the challan number or the vehicle number to verify the challan amount.
Step 4 - Pay the challan via online payment modes (credit/debit card, netbanking or digital wallets).
Step 5 - Download the payment receipt for future reference.

How to buy two-wheeler insurance online easily?

Purchasing bike insurance online at ACKO is easy. All you need is an internet-enabled computer or smartphone to buy two-wheeler insurance online. There is no need to visit any agent or insurer’s office, as you can complete the purchase from the comfort of your home. Follow the below steps to purchase ACKO 2-wheeler insurance online .

Step 1 - Download the mobile application or visit the website (www.acko.com).
Step 2 - Enter the two-wheeler registration number and make/model.
Step 3 - Enter the previous policy details (expired or not) and click on ‘View Prices’.
Step 4 - Select the bike insurance plan and add-ons and click ‘Buy Now’.
Step 5 - Pay online and immediately receive the policy document.

Tips to avoid getting a challan while riding your two-wheeler

Here are a few tips to avoid getting a fine while riding your two-wheeler.

Keep the hard copies of the essential documents such as DL, RC, PUC certificate and insurance document in your vehicle.
Carry soft copies of all the mentioned documents on your smartphone.
Ensure that you renew the two-wheeler insurance plan within the expiry date.
Ensure that you purchase an insurance policy for every vehicle you drive on public roads.
Along with bike insurance, it's essential to purchase the mandatory PA (Personal Accident) cover to cushion yourself against disability/death. Even if you own multiple vehicles, unlike bike insurance policy, you don’t need to purchase separate PA covers for each vehicle.
Lastly, follow the traffic rules and regulations and never ride your two-wheeler over the speed limit.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about two-wheeler insurance.

Is online two-wheeler insurance valid in India?

Yes. Online bike insurance is valid in India. You will receive a soft copy of the policy document as soon as you complete the purchase at ACKO. You can save the soft copy on your smartphone/computer or upload the documents to the DigiLocker app.

Can I buy a two-wheeler without insurance?

Yes, you can buy a two-wheeler from a dealer without a two-wheeler insurance policy. However, you have to purchase at least a Third-party 2-wheeler Insurance Policy to register the vehicle.

Is the fine same for all the vehicles for driving/riding without a valid insurance policy?

Yes, the penalty for driving/riding a vehicle without insurance is the same for all vehicles. It doesn’t matter if it’s a two-wheeler, three-wheeler, four-wheeler or a commercial vehicle. The penalty remains the same.

I have received a challan for riding my bike without insurance. Can I pay it online?

Yes, you can pay the challan by logging on to the state RTO website. Navigate to the e-challan patent option and enter the details such as challan number/vehicle registration number and pay the fine online.

Can I renew the two-wheeler insurance plan if my previous policy expires?

Yes, you can renew the bike insurance policy even if the previous policy has lapsed. While renewing the policy at ACKO, you have to mention the policy details before buying the insurance plan. However, you need to renew the 2-wheeler insurance plan before the expiry date to avoid penalties and enjoy seamless coverage for your two-wheeler.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet; and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content and before making any insurance-related decisions. Explore More: