An insurance cover for your safety as well as third-party safety is essential.
Bikes are one of the most convenient ways of commuting. They fit into narrow lanes, can handle traffic better and give an adrenaline rush each time the throttle is twisted. However, they are also more prone to road accidents. Not only do such accidents cause damage to vehicles, but they also endanger lives.
So you know the need and importance of getting bike insurance online but are confused between comprehensive and third-party insurance. Here’s what you need to know to end your confusion and make the right decision.
What is Third-party Insurance?
As the name rightly suggests, third-party bike insurance covers third-party risks. It covers the damage caused to the vehicle of a third-party as well as financial and legal liabilities arising out of death or injury caused to the third-party. It’s the most basic form of bike insurance and ensures the safety of third-parties and their property.
This type of motor insurance will cover you against legal liabilities in case of road accidents. However, it will not cover you for your personal expenses, in case you damage your vehicle or get injured yourself.
What is Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive bike insurance provides cover for not only third-party risks but also provides insurance for own damage. When you suffer from an injury while using the insured bike or your bike gets damaged, the comprehensive insurance will cover the financial burden of such losses as well.
Own damage includes coverage from losses occurring due to natural calamities, man-made calamities and more. Such an insurance cover has the primary benefits of third-party insurance as well as additional benefits of financially covering your personal loss in case of road mishaps.
The Cost Factor
Third-party insurance costs less than comprehensive insurance, owing to the basic nature of its coverage. While comprehensive insurance costs more, in the long run, it can save you from shelling out a lot more in case of an accident as opposed to third-party insurance.
Add-ons
With add-ons like zero depreciation, accessories cover, pillion rider cover, you can enhance the scope of coverage that comprehensive insurance offers. However, such add-ons are not possible in third-party insurance.
Statutory Requirement
Third-party bike insurance is mandatory in India as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. As its statutory in nature, not having such an insurance will lead to penalty and could also lead to imprisonment. However, having a comprehensive bike insurance is not a statutory requirement.
Owing to its dual protection - third-party and your own - comprehensive bike insurance is definitely more helpful than third-party insurance.
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