Highest percentage of Ignorance About Two Wheeler Insurance

Warning: This article begins with some stark and dismal statistics that may make you uneasy.

The number of people either getting run over or who lose their lives to two-wheeler accidents every year in India contributes to more than 25% of the accidental deaths on roads. According to a survey, a majority of people are ignorant about two-wheeler insurance and the percentage is staggeringly high- about 75%.

The situation

Indians are known to be trivial risk takers and jugadus. It may be because of this that despite a lot of attempts to improve the condition, mostly people choose to ignore what is for their own good. Even if some people have done it once, they don’t renew it. The officials of the road ministry are trying their level best to take strict actions against these deemed offenders.  However, it looks like a long road out of the cave. The officials can hardly check papers of the every bike owner ever and thus the owners feel little need to renew their insurances.

The issue came to light after the IRDA flashed the news of 75% of bike owners not having any insurance papers filed against their bikes.

Spread the awareness

It’s true that not everyone has access to the Internet so there are hardly a handful of people who will be reading this right now. But the awareness can be spread by word of mouth. The need for getting one’s two-wheeler insured is indispensable, not to mention the benefits that come as an added advantage with it. Everyone should know about two wheeler insurance.

 One can’t afford to play with the lives of other people; such irresponsible people should keep off the roads. But you can always let the insurance company pay for any unfortunate accident caused by your bike to somebody else or you.

Causes behind this ignorance

It might be due to the communication between the common people and the law enforcement sections of our nation. Reportedly, the use of two-wheelers in the rural areas is on the rise. But there is nobody to tell them what to do to for their bike’s safety and of that of the passers-by too.

Privately owned vehicles constitute about 82% of the total vehicles in India. Out of that, a majority is two-wheelers. With that number going to the road without being insured, imagine the number of lives at risk.

This poses a serious risk to the pedestrians and cyclists. If the offender cannot afford to pay for the compensation, misery looms over the victims. High penalties have been set for the culprits, but no one is aware of these. This is probably why people take it a lot easier than they should.

How to inform the ignorant

While a lot of people genuinely aren’t aware of the advancements in the insurance market, many others choose to turn a blind eye to this matter. There should strict actions imposed to avoid this. This can only be possible if there is a regular check-up on the papers of the owners. People should be goaded to get their insurance done or else their vehicle would be confiscated.

Well, suggestions may keep flowing in but unless the government shakes and stirs, little progress can be expected.

Recent reports from a lot of websites show that the scene has changed in 2014 after a break-in insurance online facility had started. People outside of metropolitan cities are opting for the online insurance purchase and renewal. A bit of campaign programmes by the big fishes in the insurance market can give a little push to the slow cart.

Why one should have two-wheeler insurance

Not only will that save you thousands of money during an emergency. Accidents can happen out of the blue and you need to be equipped beforehand in whatever way you can. There could be a victim’s life depending on you. If you had no money to compensate their losses, you are likely to go to be prosecuted and consequentially jailed. To avoid that, something called the third party insurance cover saves you from going behind the bars. This cover pays for the compensation of the victim and his/her family.

Not just road accidents, a motorcycle could face damages due to earthquakes, storms, landslides (if you live in a hilly area) etc. a thief or a burglar could steal your precious possession. If you have it insured, just a phone call or probably a visit to the nearest branch with the papers, within a couple of days, you get compensated. This will lessen the pain for sure or else be ready for the sharp pangs of loss and repair.

The option comprehensive cover will ensure all of these situations are taken care of. You might have to pay a slightly higher premium than that for the third-party part, but that will cover compensation for victims as well.

Added Benefits

The policy period being yearly, the more the number of years you go without making a claim, the higher are your chances to earn a No Claim Bonus. All you have to do is provide the necessary documents and you can avail of the bonus. Regulations in the country have made it possible for the owners to get it.

If one has an anti-theft system attached to their bikes, then they can surely have a discount to their name. The rules say to keep a note of these people and give them this offer.

Now the online section of the insurance has also gained ground these recent years. The process is simpler now. Some are cheaper than the usual offline ones. You have to provide the right documents (soft copies of the same) while filling up the online form. No more running around and you will have your insurance made ready in a short period.

This also gives you the chance to even renew it online too. So you see, there are so many ways filing insurance has become easier. It’s time to be responsible about your possession and others’ lives and be a good citizen.