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Is it compulsory to have a bike inspection for claims?

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

It is easy for you, a bike rider, to rest assured if you have a bike insurance policy in case of damage. You get more insurance benefits with a Comprehensive policy, mainly Own Damage cover, i.e. coverage against damage to your bike. At ACKO, you can raise a claim instantly, and we will inspect the bike (only for major damages). If the inspection report gets approval, we will begin with claim settlement. This would make you wonder, is bike inspection that important? Is it compulsory to inspect a bike during claims? Let’s find out.

Before we begin, let’s understand what two-wheeler inspection is in terms of bike insurance.

Contents

What does inspection mean in terms of bike insurance?
When do bike insurance companies inspect a two-wheeler?
Is two-wheeler inspection compulsory for claims?
The process of bike inspection
Why consider ACKO for bike insurance?
In a nutshell
Frequently asked questions

What does inspection mean in terms of bike insurance?

Your bike insurance company will bear the repair cost of your bike (under the terms and conditions of the policy) when you raise a claim. At ACKO, we ask for details like pictures of the damaged bike, its current location, details of the accident, etc. But if the bike has suffered major damages then it must go through a visual inspection to know the extent of the damage. This is what happens during a two-wheeler inspection after a claim.

When do bike insurance companies inspect a two-wheeler?

Usually, bike insurance companies carry out an inspection in the following situations.

During bike insurance claims

As mentioned earlier, an insurance company must understand the extent of damages on the bike. It helps in determining the claim amount as well. Thus, they can pay the repair bill by processing the claim faster.

When you opt for comprehensive insurance

If you have been buying only a Third-party Bike Insurance plan and now wish to get extensive coverage, then you must select a Comprehensive policy. Note that the former type of policy does not cover your bike with insurance benefits while the latter does. So, an insurer must take a look at the current status of the bike and rule out pre-existing damages.

If you renew the policy after the grace period

Generally, insurance companies inspect the bike when you wish to renew a lapsed policy. This means, if you decide to buy bike insurance after 30 days of expiry, your insurer may carry out a bike inspection.

Note: Bike inspection is NOT involved when you purchase two-wheeler insurance from ACKO.

Is two-wheeler inspection compulsory for claims?

The straightforward answer is yes. Without bike inspection, it will be very difficult to gauge the amount of damage on the bike after an accident. One of the reasons for bike inspection is that the insurer must cross-check the estimated repair bill of the bike with the current damages. In this manner, You can get the maximum claim amount, and the out-of-pocket expenses would decrease.

Here is an example to understand the gist of what bike inspections are.

For example

Ajay met with an accident while riding the bike. The visibility was low due to heavy rains. He accidentally banged into a tree and suffered a fracture on his right hand. After availing of treatment, he raised a bike insurance claim. The insurance company sent a surveyor to carry out the inspection and processed the claim further. They got a better idea of the damage through a physical inspection of Ajay’s two-wheeler.

The process of bike inspection

The exact process of bike inspection may differ from insurer to insurer. But the primary reason is the same, to know how much damage the bike has suffered in an accident. Here are the basic steps of inspections.

Step 1: You raise a claim against your bike insurance policy.

Step 2: The insurance company appoints a surveyor to inspect the bike.

Step 3: The surveyor inspects the bike and creates an inspection report.

Step 4: The insurance company studies the report and proceeds with claim settlement.

Usually, the claim settlement process does not take a long time after a bike inspection. The insurer will send communication of claim approval or rejection based on the bike inspection report.

Why consider ACKO for bike insurance?

Buying bike insurance from ACKO gives you the following benefits.

1. Instant claim settlement

We want you to have the smoothest claims experience possible and deliver on the promise through instant claims. Log in to your ACKO account and raise a claim when your bike suffers damage. We will assess the damage and initiate instant settlement for minor claims. You can expect the claim amount within a few hours.

2. Quick insurance with ACKO app

ACKO’s mobile app is a one-stop solution for all your bike insurance needs. You can browse through bike plans, buy insurance, and raise claims simply from your smartphone.

3. Special discounts

Buying bike insurance from ACKO means you can keep a lookout for discounts. You can get personalised discounts during festivals or special events.

4. Low premium

ACKO’s digital infrastructure and no-agent-commission model allows us to create low-priced bike plans for you. Being a digital insurer, ACKO’s operational costs are low. And, since there are no agent commissions, you get bike insurance at a discounted rate.

5. Instant bike insurance

Since we do not inspect the bike before you buy bike insurance from us, we skip a step that delays issuing insurance. Thus, bike insurance at ACKO is instant. Once you choose the plan, select the IDV (Insured Declared Value), and make payment, we will send the policy document within a few minutes to your email address.

In a nutshell

Bike inspection is absolutely necessary when you raise a major claim. Insurers do this to understand the damage on the bike so that you get the most out of your bike insurance policy. Once the monetary value of the damage is known through inspections, the repair process can begin, and you can expect to be back on the road soon.

Frequently asked questions

Here is a list of questions related to bike insurance claims. Please always get in touch with ACKO by sending an email at [email protected] if you have more questions.

What are pre-existing damages?

Pre-existing damage on a bike refers to damages that are already incurred before you buy a bike insurance policy. Some insurers do not include such damages in their current policy. Thus, the related repair costs are not covered during claims.

How long does it take to inspect a bike after claims?

The duration of inspection can range from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the extent of the damage. But the availability of the surveyor will decide how long it will take after the accident.

Is there a limit on the number of bike insurance claims I can raise during the policy period?

Usually, you can raise multiple claims during a policy period. However, you must refrain from raising minor claims as it may drop your No Claim Bonus discount to zero.

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: