Losing or having your prized possession stolen is unfortunate, but there is still hope if you have invested in bike insurance. Although having your bike stolen is a disheartening incident, if you raise the issue with the concerned authorities and take a few timely actions, the possibility of you getting it back is significant. Plus, you can raise an insurance claim for your stolen bike and ensure that you do not have to shell enormous sums for a new bike despite the unfortunate circumstances.
While we all take utmost care of our bikes, there is no sure-fire way to keep them safe. According to data from 2019, 125 vehicles get stolen every day in India. In 2020, 2801 vehicle theft cases were reported in the country, including 2019 cases of two-wheelers. So, anyone can find themselves in this situation, and a bike insurance policy is the best way to reduce the financial losses due to the theft.
If you ever find yourself in this picky situation and have a two-wheeler insurance policy, here’s a step-by-step guide on the necessary steps that you need to take to ensure that the claim process is effortless:
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1. File a Police Complaint
The minute you notice that your bike is missing and could be stolen, you first need to visit the police station and file a First Information Report (FIR).
Ensure you have all the details about your bike, such as the bike brand and model, the colour, registration number, licence, and other documents. This step is crucial since it establishes that your bike could indeed be stolen, and the police can also swing into action to help track the vehicle.
2. Inform Your Insurance Provider
Next, you need to contact your bike insurance provider and inform it about the situation. The earliest you can do this, the better it will be. While the insurance provider will not require documents right away, it will ask for a copy of the FIR to initiate the claim process.
Each insurance provider has to abide by specific protocols, and the entire process can take some time, so it is ideal to be quick in informing the company and be patient.
3. Inform The Regional Transport Office (RTO)
Every vehicle is registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO), and thus, as per the protocol, the vehicle owner must inform the office about the theft. This step ensures that the vehicle theft is known, and you will not have to face any issues in the future due to the vehicle being registered in your name.
4. Submit All Claim Related Documents
You have already taken all the required steps to help initiate the claim processing, so it is time to also work on the required documents. For processing the bike insurance claim, insurance providers will require you to submit all the documents mentioned below:
- The bike insurance theft claim form duly filled by the owner of the bike.
- The insurance policy.
- Original keys of the bike.
- Copy of the driving licence (self-attested).
- Copy of the Registration Certificate of the bike (self-attested).
- Original FIR.
- Form 28, 29, 30, and 35 (provided to you from the RTO).
Note: While these are the essential documents, some insurance providers may require additional documents as per updates to the protocols. It is always best to check with your two-wheeler insurance provider on the claim documents and provide it with the required details so that the claim process can be efficient and quick.
5. Get A No-Trace Report From The Police
Additionally, a no-trace report must be submitted to the insurance provider. This document essentially testifies that the police personnel have conducted a search for the vehicle and have been unable to trace your bike. Note that if the bike is traced, the police will inform you, and you will need to submit the required documents to the police station to claim your bike. In this scenario, you will not have the right to claim your bike insurance.
So, this document can be availed after a few days post the theft and is the key to getting your insurance claim. Procuring this document is crucial since your insurance claim has a high chance of getting rejected if it is not submitted. The document will help you improve your chances of getting the claim amount, and the insurance provider will even reimburse the entire amount for the bike if you have availed of the bike on loan.
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Conclusion
Bike protection and security is an important responsibility of a bike owner, and one should take adequate measures to ensure this. So make sure you lock the bike properly and park it in a safe area. In addition to these steps, getting your bike insurance policy takes off the stress and helps you relax since, in case of theft, the insurance will cover you financially.
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