Why Third-Party Bike Insurance Claims Get Rejected?
Third-party bike insurance is mandatory for all bike owners in India under the Motor Vehicles Act. While it ensures that you are financially protected against third-party injuries or property damage, many policyholders are often surprised when their claims get rejected. That is why understanding the common reasons for third-party bike insurance claim rejection is essential. This article will teach you how to stay compliant and avoid unnecessary financial losses.
What is a Third-Party Bike Insurance Claim?
A third-party bike insurance claim is a formal claim request made by the policyholder to the insurer to compensate for damages or injuries caused to a third party due to an accident involving their bike.
Unlike a comprehensive bike insurance policy, a 3-party bike insurance policy does not cover your own bike or damages, so insurers strictly follow rules before processing claims.
8 Common Reasons Why Third-Party Bike Insurance Claims Are Rejected
The following reasons describe why 3-party bike insurance claims are rejected by insurers in India:
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Invalid or Expired Bike Insurance Policy
If your bike insurance policy has expired on the accident date, the insurer is not legally obligated to settle the claim. Even a one-day lapse can lead to claim rejection. That is why you should always renew your policy before the expiry date. If you have purchased two wheeler insurance online from Policybazaar.com, you will receive online renewal reminders on time to prevent policy lapses.
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Riding Without a License or Drunk Driving Case
Other reasons for claim rejection are if the rider does not hold a valid driving license or was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is also counted as a standard exclusion in a third-party bike insurance policy.
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Delay in Informing the Insurer
Typically, bike insurance companies give a timeline of 24-48 hours for accident intimation. Any delays can complicate the investigation process and raise doubts, which may lead to outright rejection. Hence, report the accident immediately and share accurate details with your insurer.
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False, Misleading, and Incorrect Information
Providing incorrect or exaggerated information means straightforward claim rejection. Some of the examples are: wrong accident location, fabricated story, fake witness, inflated repair estimates, etc. Therefore, you must be honest while providing the information and a police FIR (if required).
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Invalid or Missing Third-Party Proof
You must provide a valid & complete third-party proof, such as a FIR or police report, evidence of injury, death, or property damage, legal documentation of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), etc. Submitting incomplete documentation becomes one of the most common reasons for claim rejection.
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Non-Compliance with Legal Procedures
Attempting to settle a claim directly with the third party without involving the insurer or MACT can result in rejection. For a successful attempt, all third-party claims must follow the legal procedure determined by Indian law.
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Using the Two-Wheeler for Uninsured Purposes
The insurer may reject the claim if the bike is used for commercial or racing purposes, carrying passengers more than the capacity, using it for any illegal purposes, etc. All these circumstances are counted as exclusions, so check them before raising claims.
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Hit-and-Run Accidents Without Reporting
Failing to report a hit-and-run accident or fleeing the scene can result in claim denial. Insurers require cooperation and proper evidence to validate such claims.
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Damages to the Own Vehicle
All types of damages caused to the own vehicle, such as accidental damage, loss due to theft, damage caused by natural or man-made calamities, etc., are not covered under a third-party bike insurance policy.
How to Avoid Third-Party Bike Insurance Claim Rejection?
Are you also afraid of getting third-party bike insurance claims rejected? Do not worry, here are a few tips that you can incorporate to avoid claim rejection:
- Keep your policy active and updated to prevent bike insurance policy lapses.
- Ride responsibly and legally by following traffic rules and avoiding riding under the influence of intoxicating substances.
- Report accidents immediately or within the given timeline by the insurer.
- Submit complete documentation, such as FIR, medical reports, repair bills, etc.
- Cooperate with the insurer by providing accurate information and assisting in investigations.
Key Takeaways from Third-Party Bike Insurance Claims Rejection
| Key Points | What It Means for Policyholders |
| Policy Validity | Always renew before expiry to avoid rejection. |
| Legal Compliance | Ensure you and your bike comply with all traffic rules. |
| Timely Intimation | Report accidents within 24-48 hours to the insurer. |
| Documentation | Submit FIR, evidence of injury/property damage, and other required documents. |
| Honest Communication | Provide truthful details and cooperate with investigations. |
| Own Damage Coverage | Either choose a comprehensive bike insurance policy or an own-damage bike insurance policy. |
FAQs – Reasons for Third-Party Bike Insurance Claim Rejection
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Q: Can an insurance company deny a third-party claim?
Ans: Yes, if the policy has expired, details are false, or the rider was unlicensed, drunk, or didn't follow claim procedures, an insurer will reject a third-party claim. -
Q: What is the limit of a third-party insurance claim?
Ans: According to the law, the amount is limited up to ₹7.5 lakh for property damage. For injury or death, there's no limit, and the court decides the amount. -
Q: Can I claim directly from third-party insurance?
Ans: No. Third-party claims are settled through the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), not directly by insurers. -
Q: How to handle rejected claims?
Ans: Check the rejection reason, submit missing details, or escalate to the insurance ombudsman if needed. -
Q: How to claim third-party insurance for a bike?
Ans: File an FIR, inform your insurer, and raise the claim through MACT with all supporting documents. -
Q: Is FIR mandatory for third-party insurance claims?
Ans: Yes. It's essential as legal proof of the accident and helps validate the claim. -
Q: What are the disadvantages of third-party insurance?
Ans: It covers only third-party losses, not your own bike’s damage, theft, or fire.
^The buying/renewal of insurance policy is subject to our operations not being impacted by a system failure or force majeure event or for reasons beyond our control. Actual time for a transaction may vary subject to additional data requirements and operational processes.
*TP price for less than 75 CC two-wheelers. All savings are provided by insurers as per IRDAI-approved insurance plan. Standard T&C apply.
*Rs 538/- per annum is the price for third party motor insurance for two wheelers of not more than 75cc (non-commercial and non-electric)
#Savings are based on the comparison between the highest and the lowest premium for own damage cover (excluding add-on covers) provided by different insurance companies for the same vehicle with the same IDV and same NCB.
*₹ 1.5 is the Comprehensive premium for a 2015 TVS XL Super 70cc, MH02(Mumbai) RTO with an IDV of ₹5,895 and NCB at 50%.
*₹457/- per annum (₹1.3/day) is the price for third-party motor insurance for private electric two-wheelers of not more than 3KW (non-commercial). Premium is payable annually. The list of insurers mentioned is arranged according to alphabetical order of the names of insurers respectively. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. The list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For the complete list of insurers in India, refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website: www.irdai.gov.in
