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How to file an insurance claim for bike damaged due to a cyclone

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

India witnesses some of the strongest cyclones during the monsoons. Natural calamities can have a devastating effect on humans and their properties. One of the casualties during cyclones is automobiles since the damages can be extensive. A cyclone can wreak havoc by damaging your two-wheeler through water ingression or flooding the bike’s engine.

A two-wheeler insurance policy shields you from financial impact due to repairs or replacements of bike parts during such times. Read on to learn how to register an insurance claim for the bike damaged due to a cyclone.

Contents

Different types of bike insurance policies
- Third-party bike insurance plan
- Comprehensive bike insurance plan
Steps to follow when your bike is damaged due to a cyclone
Steps to file an insurance claim for bike damaged due to a cyclone
Reasons why your claim for damages due to a cyclone could be rejected
- Exclusions under Comprehensive Bike Insurance plan
Use of add-on covers in case of bike damages due to cyclone
Frequently asked questions

Different types of bike insurance policies

Before understanding how you can file a claim against bike damages caused due to a cyclone, it is essential to learn about different types of two-wheeler policies that also cover you against accidental damages, theft, and total loss.

Third-party bike insurance plan

To ride a bike on Indian roads, you must insure your vehicle with the Third-party Liability plan since it is mandatory as per The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The plan covers you against third-party liabilities such as injury to the third party, death of the third party, or damages to their property (including their vehicle).

Riding a vehicle without Third-party insurance is an offence, and you will be fined accordingly. While it shields you against third-party liabilities, it does not cover damages or losses to the insured bike.

Comprehensive bike insurance plan

For wide-ranging benefits, you should secure your bike with this plan. The Comprehensive Bike Insurance plan is a combined package of Third-party Insurance and Own Damage insurance. The latter provides financial protection if your bike is damaged due to an accident, fire, or explosion, natural calamities (cyclones, earthquakes, etc.), or man-made calamities (strikes, riots, etc.).

It also provides coverage against vehicle theft and total loss (damage beyond repair). You can also include relevant add-ons that extend the coverage of the primary plan.

Steps to follow when your bike is damaged due to a cyclone

Natural calamities such as cyclones can leave a devastating effect on your bike if submerged in water. It is imperative to ensure that you do not cause consequential damages to your bike. For example, constant attempts to start your bike post-cyclone can cause further damages to your bike’s engine.

Here are a few steps to help you understand the dos and don’ts when your vehicle is submerged in water.

Don’t start the engine: If your bike is submerged in water, do not start it or attempt to start it by pushing it. The possibility of causing considerable damage to the bike’s engine increases when you try to start the bike’s engine while submerged in water.
Inform ACKO: Informing ACKO should be one of your first steps after the cyclone has caused damages to your bike. Give us a call or send an email, or submit your claim through our website or mobile app by following the due process for claims.
Gather evidence: Click pictures and possibly shoot videos of the damaged bike. These will be helpful while filing your claim.
Wait for assistance: Once you inform us, wait for assistance while our support team initiates the assessment process. Based on your policy coverage, ACKO will process and settle the claim accordingly. Please note that you need to pay for the repairs and replacements of bike parts that are not covered under the policy.
Don’t repair before informing ACKO: Your claim may be rejected for not informing ACKO before repairing the bike. Ensure that you wait for our support team to contact you and help you with the necessary claim process.

Steps to file an insurance claim for bike damaged due to a cyclone

Following is a 3-step claim registration process at ACKO. It is that simple.

Step 1: Access your ACKO account through our website or mobile app. Alternatively, you can also call or email us.
Step 2: Select the policy card against your bike and select ‘Claim.’
Step 3: Answer a few questions about the damages and upload the pictures of the damaged bike to file your claim.

If the damages are minor, ACKO will settle the claim within a few hours. As for significant damages, our support team will get in touch with you to process your claim.

Reasons why your claim for damages due to a cyclone could be rejected

You must understand the terms and conditions of your two-wheeler insurance policy so that you know what is covered and not covered. Following are the reasons why your claim can be rejected.

If late to inform ACKO
If the insurance policy has expired
Repair work without informing ACKO
Used the bike for commercial purposes

Exclusions under Comprehensive Bike Insurance plan

Here are the exclusions under the Comprehensive Two-wheeler Insurance policy.

Damages due to normal wear and tear
Damages due to mechanical or electrical problems
Lapse in the renewal of the policy
Damages incurred outside the specified geographical limits
Depreciation of bike parts being repaired or replaced
Consequential losses to your bike

Use of add-on covers in case of bike damages due to cyclone

Add-ons play an essential role in increasing the coverage of the primary plan. While the Comprehensive Insurance offers broader coverage by including third-party liabilities and damages to the insured vehicle, add-ons extend the Comprehensive Insurance Plan’s coverage. They cover liabilities that are not covered under the primary plan. Here are a few add-ons that you can consider adding to your primary coverage.

Bike Engine Protect Cover

The add-on will cover the cost of repairing or replacing parts of the engine damaged due to flooding. It also includes damages caused by not using the bike for an extended period, lubricating oil or coolant leakage, and hydrostatic lock.

Zero Depreciation Cover

Over time, the value of your bike depreciates due to the wear and tear of bike parts. However, with this add-on, ACKO will pay the cost of replacement parts without considering the depreciation value.

Consumables Cover

Consumables items such as lubricants, distilled water, engine and gearbox oil, nuts and bolts, grease, etc., that are not included in the primary plan are covered under the Consumables add-on cover.

There are a few more add-ons such as Outstation Emergency, Roadside Assistance, Key Protect and Personal Belonging - Damage/Theft to help you expand the scope of your coverage.

Also, read: Things You Didn't Know About Bike Insurance

What is Total Loss in bike insurance?

Here, the insured bike shall be treated as a total loss if the aggregate cost of retrieval and/or repair of your bike (as per policy terms) exceeds 75% of the IDV of the bike. In such a case, ACKO will cover the loss by paying the IDV (as per policy) that is inclusive of the damaged value of the damaged bike and after deducting the compulsory and voluntary (if applicable) deductibles. However, ACKO will not compensate or pay for the repair bill that is more than the IDV of the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about bike insurance for damages due to a cyclone.

Does insurance cover bike flood damage?

If you have insured your vehicle with the Comprehensive Insurance Policy, then damages to your bike due to natural calamities such as flooding due to cyclones are covered.

Does third-party insurance cover my bike damaged due to a cyclone?

No, only the third party involved in an accident caused by your vehicle is covered under Third-party Insurance. Your bike is not covered under this type of vehicle insurance plan.

Does bike insurance cover water damage to the engine?

While damages to your bike due to natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, etc., are covered under the Comprehensive Insurance plan, damage to your bike engine due to mechanical failure or regular wear and tear are not covered.

For protection against engine damage, it is suggested that you buy the Engine Protection Cover that compensates for the cost to repair or replace engine parts of your bike.

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: