How to Check Car Insurance Expiry Date?

Updated on - 09 Feb 2026

With car insurance, you won’t have to worry about bearing the full financial burden if something goes wrong. It is a type of coverage that protects you and your vehicle in case of accidents, theft or damage. It acts like a safety net for your vehicle. However, this safety net has an expiration date. It is important to learn about its expiration date and remain prepared to renew it. Driving with an expired policy is not only risky but also illegal, as it leaves you financially exposed in case of an accident or damage.

Here is how to check your car insurance expiry date and renew it on time.

How to check car insurance validity?

There are several ways to check the car insurance expiry date:

Policy document

The most straightforward way to find your insurance expiry date is by reviewing your policy document. This paper, provided by your insurer at the time of purchase or renewal, contains all the essential details, including the policy’s start and end dates.

Insurance provider's website or mobile app

Most insurance companies offer online services through their official websites or mobile applications. To check your policy details:

• Visit the official website or open the mobile app of your insurance provider.
• Log in using your registered credentials.
• Go to the section that contains the policy details.

Contacting customer support

If you prefer direct assistance, you can contact your insurance company's customer support:

• Call the customer service helpline: Provide your policy number or vehicle registration number to the representative, who can then inform you of your policy's expiry date.
• Visit the nearest branch: Bring your policy document or vehicle details to the branch, where staff can assist you with your query.

What is the validity of a car insurance policy?

The validity of a car insurance policy refers to the period during which your insurance coverage remains active. In India, most car insurance policies are valid for one year from the date of purchase or renewal. After this period, the policy must be renewed to continue receiving coverage for accidents, theft or damage.

For new cars, insurers also offer long-term policies with a validity of three to five years, as mandated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for third-party coverage. Comprehensive policies, however, are usually renewed annually.

Keeping an eye on the policy’s expiry date is important because once it lapses, your vehicle is left uninsured. This means any damage or loss during that period will have to be paid out of pocket.

How to check the insurance expiry of your car?

There are several ways in which you can check the expiry date of your car insurance:

On the Parivahan Sewa website

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways maintains the Parivahan Sewa website, which stores data on all registered vehicles in India. To check your car insurance status:

1. Visit the Parivahan Sewa website: Navigate to the official Parivahan Sewa portal.
2. Access vehicle details: Click on the 'Information Services' tab and select 'Know Your Vehicle Details.'
3. Enter registration number: Input your vehicle's registration number and the verification code displayed.
4. View insurance details: The portal will display your vehicle's details, including the insurance validity and expiry date.

This method provides a quick and reliable way to verify your car insurance status online.

On the mParivahan app

The mParivahan app, developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, offers a user-friendly platform to access vehicle-related information:

1. Download and install the mParivahan app. It is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
2. Open the app, select your preferred language and proceed by clicking "Continue."
3. Log in with your mobile number.
4. Enter your vehicle registration number and the app will display your vehicle's details, including insurance validity.

On the IIB portal

If you are wondering how to check your car insurance expiry date online, one method is to use the Information Bureau for Insurance. It entails visiting the bureau’s website and entering the necessary information about your vehicle.

1. Once you submit the details, you can view the policy information, including the expiry date of your insurance.
2.  If there is no active policy, you can also access any previous relevant policy details. If you cannot find the necessary information, try searching using your vehicle’s engine or chassis number.
3. Checking through the Information Bureau for Insurance provides a convenient way to stay updated on the status of your comprehensive car insurance.

On VAHAN

You can follow these steps if you need to learn how to check car insurance renewal dates using the VAHAN E-service. These steps include:

• Visit the website for VAHAN e-services.
• Look for the option “Know Your Vehicle” and click on it.
• Enter the verification code and your car registration number as prompted.
• Select “Search Vehicle” to proceed.
• It will display the insurance expiration date and other relevant information about your car.

Importance of knowing your car insurance expiry date

Knowing your car insurance expiry date is important, as it ensures you have coverage when you need it and doesn’t lead to legal or financial issues. It also saves your NCB (No Claim Bonus), which helps to reduce the premium in the coming years. For your ease, you can make a habit of checking car insurance online and stay updated.

Consequences of driving with expired car insurance

Driving with an expired car insurance policy can result in both legal and financial troubles. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every vehicle owner must have valid third-party insurance at all times. If your policy expires, it is considered a violation of the law, and you may face a fine of up to ₹2,000 for the first offence and ₹4,000 for repeat offences. In certain situations, imprisonment of up to three months may also be imposed. Traffic authorities can suspend your driving licence, and in serious or repeated cases, the police may even impound your vehicle.

How to renew car insurance before expiry?

Most insurers allow quick online renewals that take only a few minutes. Here’s how you can do it:

• Visit your insurer’s website or mobile app: Go to the official portal of your insurance provider and log in using your registered details.
• Enter your policy details: Provide your existing policy number or vehicle registration number to retrieve your current policy information.
• Review policy coverage: Check the type of coverage, add-ons and insured declared value (IDV). You can make changes or upgrade your plan if needed.
• Verify personal and vehicle details: Ensure all information, such as your name, address and vehicle details, is correct before proceeding.
• Select the renewal term: Choose the duration for which you want to renew the policy, such as one year or a long-term plan.
• Make the payment: Complete the renewal process by paying the premium online through net banking, UPI or other available payment modes.
• Download the renewed policy: Once the payment is confirmed, download and save the soft copy of your renewed insurance policy for future reference.

Common mistakes to avoid while checking insurance validity

Checking your car insurance validity seems simple, but a few common errors can lead to confusion or missed renewals. Here are some mistakes you should avoid:

1. Ignoring renewal reminders: Skipping insurer notifications can cause you to miss the expiry date.
2. Entering wrong details: Even small errors in your registration or policy number can show incorrect information.
3. Not confirming renewal status: After paying the premium, ensure your renewed policy is active.
4. Forgetting to update contact details: Outdated email or phone information may stop you from receiving important alerts.
5. Overlooking coverage type: Check the validity of both third-party and comprehensive policies to ensure complete protection.

Conclusion

Having car insurance and keeping it updated is a must for maintaining financial security and staying in compliance with the law. One must have a habit of checking the status of their car insurance online and be aware of when it expires. Insurance covers damage against theft, accidents and third-party liabilities; therefore, timely renewal guarantees continuous coverage and maintains your NCB.

You can make well-informed decisions regarding add-ons, IDV and coverage by researching information online before choosing a comprehensive policy or third party car insurance. If you need personalised guidance, fill out the form on this page to receive expert advice.

FAQs

1. How can I check my car insurance expiry online?

You can check it via your insurer’s website, mobile app, the VAHAN portal or the IIB’s V-Seva section using your vehicle registration and personal details.

2. What happens if my car insurance expires?

Driving with an expired policy is illegal and can result in fines, vehicle seizure, suspension of licence and loss of No Claim Bonus (NCB).

3. Can I renew third-party car insurance online?

Yes, you can renew both third-party car insurance and comprehensive policies easily online using your existing policy details and payment methods.

4. Why is knowing the expiry date of car insurance important?

It ensures continuous coverage, legal compliance, protection against accidents or theft and helps retain your NCB for future premium discounts.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.