Bike Insurance Benefits in Case of Natural Disasters

How Do Different Types of Natural Disasters Affect You?

In recent years, India has been among the top three countries miserably hit by different natural hazards. The disasters can range from earthquakes && floods to cyclones && hurricanes.

1. Sheer Scale of Impact

   Between 2000 and 2019, India witnessed 321 natural disasters, which affected approximately 1.08 billion people and caused 79,732 deaths. This highlights the sheer frequency and human cost of such events.

2. Cyclones, Floods, and Their Tragic Toll

   From 1980 to 2011, floods claimed around 60,919 lives, affecting 1.22 billion people, while cyclones caused 20,360 deaths, impacting 56 million people. 

   In 2024, monsoon floods displaced 351,000 people with 1,878+ reported deaths and over 7.7 million affected across multiple states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, etc. 

   In early September 2024, Vijayawada alone saw at least 35 deaths and 270,000 people affected due to severe flooding from record rainfall.

3. Landslides && Cloudbursts

   The 2024 Wayanad landslides were one of Kerala's worst disasters, with 254 fatalities, 397 injuries, 118 missing individuals, and over 10,000 displaced.

   Between 2015 and 2025, Uttarakhand alone recorded more than 4,800 landslides, particularly concentrated in the Kumaon region, particularly in Pithoragarh district.

4. Yearly Extremes Amplified

   According to the Economic Times, in fiscal year 2024–25, 3,080 lives were lost to natural disasters, an 18% rise from the previous year and the highest in 11 years.

   In 2025, Himachal Pradesh && Uttarakhand endured erratic monsoon-triggered flood and landslide events and cloudbursts, causing massive destruction to the state.

   Millions of people are affected by different types of natural disasters yearly, and their effects are catastrophic. From heavy destruction of buildings && structures to destruction of the personal belongings, including their motor vehicles, the effect can be seen everywhere. A single hit can devastate an entire nation overnight. It disrupts the people's lives in densely populated urban cities as well as remote villages.

What is Covered Under Your Bike Insurance Policy?

In India, you must legally ride a bike with at least a third-party bike insurance. However, you can buy a comprehensive bike insurance policy if you want a complete package to protect your bike from several natural calamities or events. It is an optional cover that protects your bike from the damages caused by nature that are out of human control, including fires, cyclones, floods, earthquakes, hailstorms, etc.

Moreover, a bike insurance policy gives you protection in case of unforeseen events created by humans themselves. It includes the damages caused to the insured bike by vandalism, strikes, wars, terrorism activities, or riots.

Does a Bike Insurance Policy Cover Natural Disasters?

Since natural disasters are unpredictable, they can cause severe damage to your vehicles. This raises an important question: Does your two-wheeler insurance policy cover natural disasters? Let's find out:

Only if you have a comprehensive bike insurance policy will it be covered. It covers the damages caused by natural calamities included in the 'Own Damage' section.

It covers the following events:

• Floods
• Cyclones
• Earthquakes
• Storms and hurricanes
• Landslides
• Hailstorms
• Lightning

If your bike is damaged in a flood or swept away in a landslide, you can file a claim and get financial protection.

Exclusions You Should Know

Even if you have a comprehensive bike insurance coverage, there are certain situations where claims may be denied:

• If you delay informing the insurer about the incident.
• If you ride the bike in a waterlogged area against advisories.
• If damages are due to mechanical or electrical breakdown, not directly caused by the disaster
• If you were riding under the influence of alcohol or without a valid license, PUCC, or RC of the two-wheeler.

Useful Bike Insurance Add-On Covers Designed for Natural Disasters

Your bike insurance add-on plays a vital role in enhancing the standard policy's coverage. Well, your comprehensive bike insurance policy offers extensive protection by including the damages && losses caused to third parties and your damages. Still, the add-on cover works as an extension to the comprehensive plans. You must consider buying the following bike insurance add-on covers for enhanced coverage during natural disasters:

1. Engine Protection Cover- As the name suggests, this add-on benefit covers all the costs of replacing or repairing the parts of the bike's engine caused by any natural disaster, including flooding. It covers damages caused by leakages of lubricating oils, coolant or loss of engine parts, and hydrostatic lock.
2. Zero Depreciation Cover- This is commonly known as a bumper-to-bumper cover, which covers the cost of the replacement parts without considering the depreciated value of the bike.
   Over time, each bike part depreciates due to regular wear && tear. Therefore, it is an essential cover perfectly designed to save you from paying the amount out of your pocket.
3. Consumables Cover- Another important bike insurance add-on cover is consumables cover. Consumables items refer to distilled water, engine && gearbox oil, nuts && bolts, grease oil, lubricants, etc. All these items are excluded from your standard plans which is why consumable cover helps you in the tough times.

Does Your Bike Insurance Cover Total Loss in a Natural Disaster?

Yes, your bike insurance covers the total loss of the insured bike in a natural disaster. Your insured bike shall be treated as a TL (total loss) if the overall cost of the repair exceeds 75% of the Insured Declared Value (IDV). In such a scenario, your insurer will compensate for the loss by paying the IDV or as per the policy documents.

Moreover, you can easily calculate your bike's premium amount and IDV by using the bike insurance calculator available on the official website of Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited.

How to Claim Bike Insurance in Case of Natural Disasters?

From submerged engines in floods to total losses, a hit by any natural disaster can cause massive destruction. You can claim compensation for such damages if your bike is insured under a comprehensive bike insurance policy. Here's how the claim process usually works in the following way:

Step 1: Inform Your Insurer Immediately

• Call your insurance company's customer care or use their mobile app/website.
• Provide policy details and explain the nature of damage (flood, cyclone, earthquake, etc.).

Step 2: Do Not Attempt to Start or Repair the Bike

• If your bike is waterlogged or damaged, don't start it.
• Self-repairing before inspection may weaken your claim.
• Wait for the insurer's surveyor to assess the damage.

Step 3: File a Claim Request

• Submit a claim request online and ensure you mention the cause.
• Insurer will register your claim and provide a Claim Reference Number.

Step 4: Documentation Required

Keep the following documents handy:

• Bike insurance policy copy
• RC (Registration Certificate) of the bike
• Driving licence of the owner/driver
• FIR (if theft or significant loss due to disaster)
• Photographs of the damaged bike (before moving it)

Step 5: Damage Inspection && Survey

• The insurer appoints a surveyor to check your bike's physical condition.
• They prepare a damage assessment report for claim approval.

Step 6: Repair && Settlement

• Once approved, you can repair your bike at an authorised garage (cashless claim) or any garage (reimbursement claim).
• The insurer settles the bill directly (cashless) or reimburses you after you pay upfront.

Key Points to Remember: Natural Disaster Claims Under Your Bike Insurance

• Only Comprehensive Bike Insurance covers natural disasters (not just third-party insurance).
• Add-ons like Engine Protect and Zero Depreciation Cover are useful during floods.
• Always document damage with photos/videos before moving the bike.