Owning a two-wheeler comes with its fair share of responsibilities. Along with looking after your bike, you also need to get insurance for your vehicle. India made third-party insurance mandatory by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. However, most people go beyond their legal obligation and get comprehensive plans covering damages to their bikes. To ensure your policy will take care of you and your finances, you must know how to file a valid bike insurance own damage claim. If you do not follow the correct process, your claim can get rejected. Let’s understand the process better.
What Are the Types of Bike Insurance Claims?
There are two main types of insurance claims:
Third-Party Claims
If you have a third-party liability-only plan, you can file claims against your policy for damages to other people or their property. After an accident, you can use a third-party insurance plan to help repair the other car or bike involved in the accident.
Own Damage Claims
Comprehensive plans cover claims to your vehicle, so they provide own damage insurance for two-wheelers. Such policies cover damage caused by an accident or natural calamities like floods or cyclones. When you have comprehensive cover for your bike, you don’t have to stress about the financial implications of repairing your vehicle after an incident.
How to Claim Bike Insurance for Own Damage
You could have to deal with some bike damage after an accident. Here’s a look at how you can easily file an own damage claim with your insurance company:
Step 1: Inform Your Insurer
If your bike gets damaged due to a natural disaster, call your insurance company and let them know you’d like to file a bike damage insurance claim. If you were involved in an accident, you must inform the police and file a First Information Report (FIR). You need the FIR to file your claim with the insurance company. Ensure you file your claim request within the given time. Most insurance companies require you to inform them about an accident within seven days.
Step 2: Inspection
The insurance company will send a surveyor to assess the two-wheeler damage after you file your claim request. Some companies complete the process online with a video upload. The company will check the damage and estimate the cost of repairs.
Step 3: Get the Vehicle Repaired
The insurance company will give you the green light to repair your bike. You can choose to get your two-wheeler fixed at a network garage or another workshop. The way the company settles the claim differs depending on your choice.
Step 4: Settle the Claim
At a Network Garage
You can enjoy cashless claims if you get your vehicle fixed at a network garage. You only have to pay for uninsured damages and the deductible when you receive
the repaired bike. The insurance company will directly settle the claim amount with the garage.
At a Non-Network Garage
You must file a reimbursement claim if you do not use a network garage. Here, you pay for all the repairs upfront. Once you settle the entire bill, you can submit
it to the insurance company and ask them to reimburse you for the covered damages. The process can be lengthy and involves money changing hands a few times.
Claims with Edelweiss General Insurance
At Edelweiss, we believe claiming insurance for bike damage should be quick and stress-free. Call the toll-free number 1 800 12000 or the landline number
022 423 12000 to intimate Edelweiss General Insurance about a claim. You have to submit a few vehicle documents and details about the accident. We’ll take care
of the claim and help you get your two-wheeler back as soon as possible. You can contact us even after you’ve given your bike to the garage. If you have any
queries about the claims process, mail us at support@edelweissinsurance.com.
We hope you never have to file an accident insurance claim. If you do, ensure you are familiar with the process. It’s a good idea to save important details about your insurance company on your phone and e-mail. Doing so enables you to quickly access contact information, even if you don’t have a hard copy of the policy documents. You must keep your policy updated and complete your own damage insurance renewal on time to avoid claim rejections.