Filing a two-wheeler insurance claim is straightforward once you know the steps. This guide explains exactly what to do after an accident, theft or flood — from photographing the scene and filing an FIR to choosing cashless or reimbursement — plus the documents you need and the IRDAI timelines for settlement.
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Safety comes first — move to a safe spot and call emergency services (112) if anyone is hurt. Then document everything before moving the bike: photograph the damage, the other vehicle, and the surroundings. Call your insurer's 24-hour claims helpline, give your policy number and location, and note the claim number. Do not repair the bike before the surveyor inspects it — starting repairs early can void the claim. Never admit fault at the scene.
At a network workshop, the claim is cashless — the workshop bills the insurer directly and you pay only the compulsory deductible, any depreciation on parts (unless you hold zero depreciation), and non-covered consumables. At a non-network workshop, you pay the bill and claim reimbursement within 15–30 working days. Cashless is faster and avoids disputes over repair costs.
For theft, file an FIR immediately, inform the insurer within 24 hours, and hand over all keys, the RC and the policy copy. The police issue a Non-Traceable Report (Form 54) after about 90 days, which is required before the insurer settles for the bike's IDV. For flood damage, do not try to start a submerged engine (this causes hydrolock) — photograph the waterlogged bike and take it to a network workshop. Natural calamities are covered under a comprehensive policy's Act-of-God perils.
IRDAI requires insurers to settle or reject a claim within 30 days of receiving all documents (90 days if an investigation is needed), with interest payable for undue delay. An own-damage claim resets your NCB unless you hold NCB protection, and a compulsory deductible of ₹100 (up to 150cc) or ₹200 (above 150cc) applies. For context, see the two-wheeler insurance guide, the TP premium rates, and the long-term insurance guide.
Yes. An expired or invalid driving licence at the time of the accident is a standard ground for claim rejection, for both own-damage and third-party claims. If your DL expired very recently and you had applied for renewal, some insurers may consider it, but this is not guaranteed.
You can still claim from your own comprehensive policy for your bike's damage. Hit-and-run accidents, where the other party flees, can be claimed under the government-managed Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, which provides basic compensation for death and grievous injury.
Yes. Any own-damage claim resets your No Claim Bonus to zero at the next renewal; third-party claims do not affect NCB. With an NCB protection add-on you can make one claim per year without losing NCB. For minor repairs, weigh the cost against the NCB loss.
Under standard IRDAI rules the compulsory deductible is ₹100 per claim for bikes up to 150cc and ₹200 per claim for bikes above 150cc. This is the minimum you pay from pocket on every own-damage claim regardless of the total amount.
IRDAI requires insurers to settle or reject a claim within 30 days of receiving all documents, or within 90 days if an investigation is needed. Undue delay attracts interest at 2% above the bank rate. Delayed claims can be escalated to the IRDAI Grievance Cell or the Insurance Ombudsman.