Bike Insurance for Off-Road Bikes or Dirt Bikes

What Are Off-Road or Dirt Bikes?

Dirt bikes also known as off-road bikes. These motorbikes are specifically designed for rugged use on trails, unpaved paths, rocky roads, or adventure tracks. Unlike regular bike that are designed for city commuting and highway cruising, dirt bikes are lightweight, high-suspension machines built to run on rough terrain.

These bikes have special features or characteristics, such as:

• High ground clearance to run primarily on rough terrain.
• Equipped with knobby tyres to give a better grip while riding on dirt, mud, and gravel.
• For easy handling, they have a lightweight body and frame.
• To absorb shocks during any long journey, they have good suspension.
• As compared to any city commuter or street bike, they have minimal body panels.

All these features, including their special design, make these bikes expensive to maintain and repair, making the right bike insurance coverage highly beneficial.

Is Bike Insurance Mandatory for Dirt Bikes in India?

Yes, two wheeler insurance is legally required in India for all types of bikes, whether city or dirt bikes. Now the question riders ask is which bike insurance policy they should opt for.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, any two-wheeler registered with the RTO and used on public roads must have at least a third-party bike insurance policy. This rule applies to dirt bikes as well.

Whether or not it is mandatory, comprehensive bike insurance is strongly recommended for financial safety. Let's find out why it is needed.

Why Do You Need Comprehensive Insurance for Dirt Bikes?

Dirt bike riders face higher risks compared to regular commuters. Here are some reasons why a comprehensive bike insurance policy is a wise choice:

• High Repair Costs: Off-road bikes have specialised parts like heavy-duty suspensions, reinforced frames, and advanced tyres. Repairing or replacing them after an accident can be expensive, which is why, having a comprehensive bike policy is important as it covers the cost of expensive damaged bike's parts.
• Theft Protection: Dirt bikes are super costly, which makes them attractive targets for theft. Comprehensive bike insurance helps recover those losses by paying the determined IDV.
• Personal Accident Cover: Having a Personal Accident (PA) coverage ensures financial support in case of fatal injuries in a road accident of the policyholder. You must get this mandatory add-on cover with your comprehensive bike insurance policy.

Key Inclusions in Dirt Bike Insurance

Typically, a comprehensive dirt bike insurance policy protects against the following damages:

• Accidental damage repair due to collision, falls, or skids.
• Theft protection offering IDV of the bike.
• Fire damage cover.
• Natural calamities causing damage due to floods, earthquakes, or landslides are covered.
• Man-made disasters causing damage due to strikes, vandalism, etc., are covered.
• Third-party liability cover.

Key Exclusions in Dirt Bike Insurance

Here are the standard exclusions of a comprehensive dirt bike insurance policy:

• Damage sustained during professional racing, rash driving, etc.
• Wear and tear from regular use.
• Riding without a valid license, RC, PUCC, or insurance policy.
• Drunk driving or reckless riding.
• Using an unregistered dirt bike on public roads.

Add-Ons Available with Dirt Bike Insurance

A dirt bike insurance policy comes with a set of add-ons that enhance the value of the policy. Here are the popular add-ons available with dirt bike insurance:

• Zero Depreciation Cover: The most common add-on helps receive full claim settlement without factoring in depreciation.
• Roadside Assistance Cover: This essential add-on is helpful for long off-road trips with common breakdowns. It includes various services, such as towing, flat tyre fixing, emergency fuel assistance, etc.
• Engine Protection Cover: This add-on covers damages due to water ingress or engine seizure and is especially helpful during monsoons.

Cost of Dirt Bike Insurance Policy

The premium of dirt bike insurance depends on several factors, as explained below:

• Insured Declared Value (IDV): The current market value of the bike.
• Location: Theft-prone or accident-prone areas may attract higher premiums.
• Rider Profile: Age, experience, and claim history can influence premiums.
• Add-Ons Chosen: Buying add-ons as per your budget and preferences increases the policy's premium amount.

How to Buy/Renew Dirt Bike Insurance Online?

By following the steps below, you can buy or renew dirt bike insurance online from Policybazaar.com:

• Click 'Bike Insurance' or 'Two Wheeler Insurance' from the homepage.
• For bike insurance renewal, enter your dirt bike's registration number. For a new dirt bike, choose 'Buying a new bike?' and fill in the asked details.
• View bike insurance plans from multiple insurers, compare coverage, and select the one that suits your needs.
• For customisation, you can add optional or add-on covers like zero depreciation, roadside assistance, consumables cover, etc., to your base policy.
• In the next step, fill in personal details like the bike owner's details and nominee information.
• At last, make the payment online using your preferred mode, and the policy will be issued instantly.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dirt Bike Insurance

To get the best deal at the right price, follow some significant tips while buying a dirt bike insurance policy:

• Compare Premiums: Always compare various insurers online before buying at Policybazaar.com.
• Look for Add-Ons: Always choose highly recommended add-ons to enhance your policy coverage, such as zero-depreciation cover, roadside assistance cover, etc.
• Check Claim Settlement Ratio: A higher CSR of any insurer determines a smoother claim experience. Hence, you need to check it before buying.
• Evaluate IDV: Don't understate your bike's value to save on premiums; it will reduce your claim amount later, especially in the case of Total Loss (TL) or theft.