What Is the New 1+6 Year Bike Insurance Rule?

Earlier, a new two-wheeler was required to have 5 years of third-party bike insurance, typically bundled with 1 year of own-damage bike insurance cover. This was introduced following the Supreme Court's 2018 direction and implemented from September 1, 2018.

Under the Supreme Court's August 4, 2026, direction, the mandatory TP bike insurance period for a new two-wheeler has been increased by one year, from 5 to 6 years. The Court said the extension was intended to improve bike insurance compliance and road safety.

1+6 Year Insurance Structure for New Bikes

The below table illustrates the two-wheeler insurance policy structure for new bikes in India: 

The important point is that TP and OD are separate components. Your six-year TP bike policy continues to protect you against covered third-party liabilities, while the OD component protects your own bike against covered losses such as accidents, theft, fire and other insured events.

Why Is the Third-Party Insurance Period Being Increased?

The Supreme Court's decision is primarily aimed at improving insurance compliance.

The Court noted that a large number of vehicles continue to operate without valid two-wheeler insurance despite the mandatory requirement introduced earlier. Therefore, they directed that the mandatory upfront two-wheeler insurance period for new two-wheelers to be increased by one year.

The move is intended to reduce the chances of new vehicles becoming uninsured and strengthen financial protection for road accident victims.

How Does the 1+6 Policy Affect Your New Bike's Upfront Budget?

The biggest immediate impact is that more of the insurance cost is paid upfront. Previously, a buyer of a new bike had to account for five years of TP insurance at the time of purchase, along with the first year's OD cover where applicable. With the TP tenure increasing to six years, the upfront insurance outlay may increase because the buyer is paying for an additional year of mandatory TP coverage.

Note: The actual bike insurance premium payable will depend on the applicable IRDAI-approved TP rate, which has not yet been declared.

Does 1+6 Mean Six Years of Comprehensive Bike Insurance?

This is one of the most important points for new bike buyers. The six-year requirement applies to third-party two-wheeler insurance, which covers your legal liability to third parties if your bike causes covered injury, death, or property damage. It does not automatically provide six years of own-damage protection or comprehensive coverage for your bike.

The OD component is generally available for a shorter initial period and must be renewed to maintain protection. Standalone own-damage bike insurance can also be purchased separately, subject to the insurer's terms. Therefore, after the first year, you should not assume that your bike remains fully protected simply because the six-year TP policy is still active.

What Does the Six-Year Third-Party Bike Insurance Cover?

Third-party bike insurance primarily covers your legal and financial liability towards a third party following an accident involving your insured bike. It covers the following circumstances:

• Third-party bodily injury or death, subject to applicable law and policy terms
• Damage to third-party property, subject to applicable limits and terms
• Legal liability arising from covered third-party claims

However, TP insurance does not cover damage to your own bike. For example, if you accidentally damage your new bike while riding, the six-year TP policy will not cover repairs. An applicable OD policy or comprehensive bike insurance policy would be required to protect against such own-bike losses.

What Happens to Own-Damage Bike Insurance After the First Year?

Your first-year OD cover can expire while the six-year TP cover remains active. At that point, you can consider renewing your OD cover to continue protecting your bike against covered risks.

The OD premium may change at renewal because factors such as the bike's age, IDV, insurer, location, claims history, and selected add-ons can affect the premium.

This is also where the new structure gives buyers flexibility. Since TP and OD can be treated separately, you can review your OD coverage at renewal rather than being locked into the same insurer or plan for the entire six-year TP period.

Will the New Rule Make Buying a New Bike More Expensive?

Yes, it can increase the upfront amount you need to pay for two-wheeler insurance. The additional year of mandatory TP coverage means buyers may have to pay for six years of TP insurance upfront instead of five. However, the actual price depends upon the following components: 

• Your bike's engine capacity
• Applicable TP premium
• Add-on covers selected
• GST and other applicable charges
• Insurer-specific OD pricing

For buyers planning their budget, it is therefore important to look beyond the bike's ex-showroom price and account for the revised insurance outgo as part of the on-road cost.

What Should New Bike Buyers Budget for in 2026?

When calculating the upfront cost of a new bike, consider these components:

• Ex-showroom price
• Registration and road tax
• Six-year third-party bike insurance premium
• First-year own-damage bike insurance premium, if selected
• Secleted add-ons
• GST and other applicable charges
• Other dealer or statutory charges, where applicable

The insurance component can therefore form a meaningful part of the initial amount payable for a new bike.

1+6 Year Bike Insurance: What New Buyers Need to Remember

The 2026 change primarily affects the mandatory third-party bike insurance tenure for new two-wheelers. It should not be confused with six years of comprehensive bike insurance.

For a new bike buyer, the practical takeaway is simple and explained below:

• You may need to pay for six years of mandatory TP insurance upfront, while the OD component is generally for one year and needs separate attention at renewal.
• Therefore, when calculating your 2026 new-bike budget, include the higher upfront TP insurance outgo along with the first-year OD premium and other on-road costs.
• The longer TP tenure is intended to improve insurance compliance and road safety, but buyers should still review their own-damage protection each year to ensure their bike remains adequately insured.

FAQs - 1+6 Year Bike Insurance Policy