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Off-road bike insurance: why do we need insurance for adventure bikes

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

For some motorcycle enthusiasts, the open road is not the only adventure. The thrill of taking their adventure bike on a trail or off-road offers them that extra bit of adrenaline rush. If you are keen on taking your adventure bike off-road and want to protect your bike, it is essential to get a great value off-road (adventure) bike insurance policy.

Contents

What is adventure (dirt) bike riding?
What does dirt bike insurance cover?
Off-road adventure bikes and the role of bike insurance
- Bike insurance policies for off-road riding
Frequently asked questions

What is adventure (dirt) bike riding?

As the name suggests, taking your bike off-road and riding it on dirt terrains is known as dirt bike riding. It is a form of off-road riding, involving riding on mud, rocks, and up-and-down tracks.

Typically, dirt bikes are used for racing purposes. However, more and more people want to ride over the weekend or on holidays to find new trails and off-road terrains to satisfy their need for adventure. With the increase in adventure biking, bike manufacturers offer entry-level to sophisticated adventure bikes to cater to off-road motorcycle enthusiasts.

What does dirt bike insurance cover?

Dirt or adventure bikes can suffer damages since they are generally used on off-road terrains, and maybe more prone to crashes and can sometimes involve other riders or third parties.

Whatever happens, if you own an adventure bike, you need to secure your bike with a two-wheeler insurance policy (Comprehensive Insurance policy) that offers wide-ranging benefits. Dirt bike insurance cover is similar to the regular two-wheeler insurance plan. Here are the coverage details of off-road bike insurance for dirt or adventure bikes.

Third-party coverage: If you have caused death/injury to a third party or damaged their property while riding your bike, the insurance will cover your legal costs if another party files a case against you.
Collision coverage: The two-wheeler insurance covers damage to your bike in case of a collision with another vehicle or other object.
Vehicle theft: Suppose your dirt bike is stolen, and the police cannot trace the vehicle. In that case, the insurance will pay the Insured Declared Value (IDV) — the approximate market value of the bike — after considering the depreciation.
Natural/man-made calamities: If your bike is damaged due to a natural calamity (floods, earthquakes, etc.), the insurance will cover the vehicle’s repair costs after considering the required depreciation. The insurance plan also covers man-made disasters (riots, vandalism, strikes, etc.).
Fire/explosion: The insurance plan covers damage caused to your bike by a fire or explosion.

Off-road adventure bikes and the role of bike insurance

There is no specific insurance plan for adventure bikes in India. They are insured with the bike insurance plans that other types of bikes in the country are insured with. That being said, in terms of usage, there is a difference between adventure bikes and other bikes.

While adventure bikes are typically used for off-road adventures and long-distance travel, commuter bikes or scooters are primarily used for commuting short distances. In both cases, your bike needs to be insured with the Comprehensive Insurance Plan to protect yourself against losses arising from damages to your bike. Here is the primary role of bike insurance for adventure or dirt bikes.

Coverage against damages arising from a fall during off-roading or while taking your bike on a trail.
Coverage against third-party two-wheeler liabilities (injury or death of the third party or damages to their property).
Coverage against vehicle theft or damages due to natural or man-made calamities.

Bike insurance policies for off-road riding

Since off-road and adventure riding is still in the nascent stages in the country, insurance plans for off-road bikes are currently not available. However, you can secure your dirt or adventure bike with the Comprehensive Bike Insurance Policy and include add-ons to get an extra layer of financial protection.

The Comprehensive Insurance Plan provides coverage against damages or losses to your bike. To further strengthen the primary policy, you can include some of the below-mentioned add-ons:

Roadside Assistance Cover: If your bike breaks down or has suffered a flat tyre in the middle of the road, the Roadside Assistance Cover provides you with breakdown service, including emergency fuel fill, minor repairs, etc.
Zero Depreciation Cover: Your bike’s value depreciates due to regular wear and tear with time. Under this add-on, you will get the cost of the replacement of bike parts without considering the depreciation. Hence, if you have damaged your bike, you can claim against the total cost of parts being replaced, resulting in a higher claim settlement amount.
Engine Protection Cover: The primary Comprehensive Insurance plan has certain exclusions. It includes damage to your bike’s engine. However, you can get your bike’s engine fixed without worrying about the repair cost with this add-on cover.
Personal Belongings - Damage/Theft: The add-on covers personal belongings such as your helmet. If your helmet is damaged, you can claim the expenses to repair or replace the helmet as per the terms and conditions of the cover.

You can also choose other add-ons such as the Key Protect Cover that pays for the replacement or repair of the key and lockset. The Outstation Emergency Cover provides emergency financial assistance in case your bike meets with an accident or breaks down outside a 100km radius of your place of residence. You can also get the Consumables Cover if you need coverage for consumable items such as nuts and bolts, engine and gearbox oil, grease, etc.

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few common questions about bike insurance for adventure (off-road) bikes.

What documents are required to get my adventure bike insurance renewed?

At ACKO, there is no physical paperwork required to renew adventure bike insurance. Visit our official website or download our mobile app. Enter your bike’s registration number, year of manufacturer, model and previous policy details (expired or not expired) to renew your bike insurance instantly. There are no middlemen involved; hence, you can transact directly with us.

What is the insurance cost for adventure bikes in India?

The insurance cost for two-wheelers (commuter bikes, cruisers, adventure bikes, scooters, etc.) is primarily based on the price of the vehicle and is not based on the type of vehicle. Apart from the bike’s value, the location and the year of manufacture play a vital role in determining the insurance cost. You can check the premium through our bike insurance premium calculator for more details.

Can I buy a bike insurance policy for my brand new adventure bike from ACKO?

Yes, you can purchase two-wheeler insurance for your brand new adventure bike from ACKO. Visit our website or download our mobile app. Enter your adventure bike model and the year of manufacture. You can choose the 5-year Third-party Liability plan or bundled plan (5-year Third-party Liability plan + 1-year Own Damage cover). Once you have selected the plan, our support team will contact you to process your request.

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: