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Convicted bike insurance: Motorbike insurance for convicted drivers

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

If you have recently been convicted of a traffic offence, you may wonder if it will impact your bike insurance. Fortunately, motorbike insurance is available for convicted drivers too provided you meet the applicable terms and conditions. So, you need not worry. Read ahead to find out how to obtain bike insurance for a convicted biker.

Contents

Bike insurance for convicted drivers
Major offences by bike riders
Minor offences by bike riders
How to get affordable motorbike insurance for convicted riders
Importance of convicted bikers buying motorbike insurance
- Fine for riding a bike without insurance
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions

Bike insurance for convicted drivers

When it comes to Comprehensive Bike Insurance Policy, minor offences usually don’t have a huge impact on your vehicle insurance profile. However, if you commit a major offence, you may encounter issues during insurance renewal or while buying new 2 wheeler insurance. Also, note that Third-party Bike Insurance is a law-mandated requirement. Make sure your bike is at least insured with this policy.

Major offences by bike riders

The following offences are considered serious in nature and may affect your bike insurance purchase, renewal, and claim processes.

1. Driving under the influence (DUI)

DUI means driving under the influence of substances that hamper critical thinking. These substances include alcohol, weed and other perception-altering drugs. As per Section 185 of The Motor Vehicles Act of 2019, it is a criminal offence to drive under the influence of intoxicating substances.

2. Hit and run

After an accident, the driver responsible for the accident is obligated to report the accident and help the injured get medical aid. Not doing so is considered an offence called “Hit and Run”. The offence is considered more serious if the victims suffer severe injury or death.

3. Driving without a valid licence

As per The Motor Vehicles Act, it is an offence to drive without a licence or with an expired or suspended licence. The current penalty for these offences is Rs. 5,000 and/or serving imprisonment for up to three months.

4. Reckless driving

Reckless driving is characterised by driving carelessly without any regard for the safety of the people or property. It is considered a serious offence and is punishable by law. As per The Motor Vehicles Act, indulging in reckless driving may incur a fine amounting to Rs. 5,000.

5. Avoiding the police

Usually, the police arrive at the scene of a major accident to investigate and find out what happened. If the driver responsible for the accident evades the police during this time, it is considered a serious offence.

6. Vehicle induced death or injury

Due to negligence, if a biker is involved in a collision that causes death or serious injury to a third party, it is considered a serious offence. Bikers committing such offences are usually booked under 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The penalty is serving two years jail time, paying a fine or both.

Minor offences by bike riders

The following offences are considered minor. Nonetheless, being convicted of these may also affect your bike insurance purchase, renewal, and claim processes as per policy terms.

Riding over or under the speed limit
Disobeying traffic rules
Riding with a noisy silencer
Riding without a functioning horn
Riding without a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Tripling on your insured two-wheeler

How to get affordable motorbike insurance for convicted riders

Depending upon the circumstances, it might be difficult to obtain bike insurance after being convicted of a road-related offence, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips you can follow to find and buy affordable bike insurance if you are a convicted biker.

1. Compare plans online

You may be able to find insurance options if you buy bike insurance online. So, if you have been convicted before, try to compare two-wheeler insurance plans online. Then, select one that is available for you and meets your requirements.

2. Contact insurers directly

If you are unable to find a suitable motor insurance plan online, another option is contacting insurers directly. Usually, bike insurance websites mention their toll-free number and an email address. So, you can contact the insurer directly, explain your situation, and find out your options.

3. Buy a low-cost bike

Bikes that are expensive (like super-bikes and sports-bikes) usually feature a higher cc engine. Their spare parts are also expensive. Thus, they attract a higher insurance premium. So, try to choose a low-cost bike with a less powerful engine to keep your premium low.

4. Upgrade the security of your two-wheeler

Upgrading your bike’s security system is something you can do to decrease the chances of your bike being stolen. So, invest in anti-theft devices approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to keep your bike secure. Knowing that you are being proactive might go well with the insurer resulting in a premium discount for a Comprehensive Policy.

Importance of convicted bikers buying motorbike insurance

As per The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, having valid Third-party Bike Insurance is a requirement to ride in India. Not possessing the same while riding will lead to legal penalties. Apart from that, accidents are unpredictable. Thus, it is important to preemptively get financial protection against accidental-damages to your two-wheeler.

Fine for riding a bike without insurance

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, the fine for riding without valid bike insurance is Rs. 2,000 and/or serving three months of imprisonment. Furthermore, a repeat offence will incur a fine of Rs. 4,000 and/or a 3-month jail sentence. Note that these penalties are subject to revisions.

In a nutshell

It may be difficult to buy bike insurance if you have been convicted for a road-related offence in the past. Nonetheless, as enumerated in this article, there are ways to increase your chances of obtaining bike insurance as a convicted biker that too in an affordable manner. So, make sure you follow these tips and keep your bike insured.

Frequently asked questions

The following are some of the most common questions asked about motorbike insurance for convicted drivers. Read ahead to get your questions answered.

Is bike insurance available for convicted drivers?

Yes, bike insurance is available for convicted drivers. If you opt for online bike insurance, you can compare plans based on their costs and benefits, and choose a suitable plan.

Will a conviction cancel my bike insurance?

A conviction might cancel your bike insurance depending upon circumstances such as the exact nature of the issue; for example, fraud, involvement in illegal activities, etc. Thus, it’s best to discuss the details with the insurer on call or via email.

In the context of bike insurance, what are the consequences of incurring a road-related offence?

Being convicted of a road-related offence can lead to penalties, have an impact on bike insurance claims and lead to an increase in insurance premium when you renew bike insurance. The exact consequences depend upon the details of the road-related offence.

Is bike insurance applicable if I have committed an offence?

The answer depends upon several issues such as what was the offence, who were the parties involved, which type of bike insurance cover did the owner have, etc. Thus, if you find yourself in such a situation, please discuss it by getting in touch with the insurer’s claim team.

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.