Personal Accident Cover in Bike Insurance

Understanding Personal Accident Cover

Nobody wants to fall prey to any unforeseen accident that creates a hole in their pocket for paying the medical expenses. A bike insurance policy covers the bike owner from financial and personal losses. But suppose a bike owner has a personal accident cover as an add-on with their bike insurance policy. In that case, it offers compensation to them in case of accidental injury or death.

The personal accident cover is issued to the bike owner only if they have a driver's license and help pay for hospitalization and other related medical expenses. It also assists if there is a loss of income due to disability in an accident.

Importance of Personal Accident Cover

Road accidents are the most unwanted and unpredictable events in India. The primary cause of these accidents is poor road infrastructure, such as potholes, eroded roads, diversions, incomplete projects, illegal speed breakers, etc. Since two-wheelers are more prone to get involved in road accidents due to these negligence, it becomes essential to buy PA cover. It offers financial coverage up to ₹ 15 Lakh.

Is Personal Accident Cover Mandatory for Bike?

Per the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, all two-wheeler owners (bike or scooter owners) must have a third-party bike insurance policy. The insurance regulatory body made Personal Accident Coverage compulsory after seeing the boost in road accidents and policyholders' rising claims and intended to cover any loss and injury that came up in the accident.

However, in this compulsion to purchase a personal accident cover, slight changes were made in January 2019. The changes made are as follows:

• PA cover is mandatory for all bike owners. Whether you have third-party bike insurance or a comprehensive bike insurance policy, it is necessary to purchase it.
• A Personal Accident cover has a minimum coverage limit of ₹ 15 Lakh in case of permanent disability or death of the policyholder in a road accident.
• If the owner has a personal accident policy for his existing vehicle, they do not have to purchase a separate PA cover for their new bike. Their existing cover can provide coverage in case of any injuries while driving their new motorcycle.

Coverage Under Personal Accident (PA) Cover in Bike Insurance

Below is a list of inclusions and exclusions covered under PA cover in bike insurance:

Inclusions of PA Cover

• In case of the sudden demise of the policyholder in a road accident, their nominee will receive the entire sum insured determined in the policy documents.
• If the policyholder loses sight of two eyes & two limbs or sight of one eye & one limb in a road accident, they will be reimbursed 100% of the compensation amount as per the policy's terms & conditions.
• If the policyholder loses sight of one eye or one limb, they will be reimbursed 50% of the compensation amount as per the policy's terms & conditions.
• If the policyholder is permanently totally disabled in an accident, they will receive 100% of the compensation amount as per the policy's terms & conditions.

Exclusions of PA Cover

• No coverage is provided in case the policyholder suffers injuries or death due to riding under the influence of intoxicated substances, such as alcohol or drugs.
• No coverage if accidental injuries happen to the policyholders outside the geographical area mentioned in the policy documents.
• No coverage for self-harm or injuries.

Benefits of Personal Accident Cover in Bike Insurance Policy

If you are still wondering about the advantages of a Personal Accident cover, check the below pointers:

1. The policyholder's nominee will receive 100% of the sum insured in case of an unfortunate death in a road accident.
2. Suppose a policyholder suffers severe injuries in a road accident, further leading to permanent or temporary partial/total disabilities. In that case, a personal accident cover will compensate the sum insured as per the terms & conditions of the policy.
3. With the PA add-on cover in bike insurance, the policyholder will receive a daily cash allowance as hospitalization charges, up to 50 days maximum, if they get hospitalized due to severe injuries.
4. Policybazaar.com will give you 24/7 claim assistance if you have any claim-related issues. The team is ready to assist you and help you utilize the benefits of personal accident coverage in your bike insurance policy.

How Can You Buy Personal Accident Cover in Bike Insurance Online?

As mentioned, Personal Accident coverage in bike insurance is mandatory for all bike owners; you can easily buy it online.

You can follow the below procedure to purchase a PA cover with your bike insurance online:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited and click on the 'Two-Wheeler Insurance' button available on the 'Insurance Products' drop-down button.
• Step 2: Enter all the necessary details, including the two-wheeler registration number.
• Step 3: Compare and choose the suitable bike insurance plan as per your needs & budget.
• Step 4: Choose the mandatory Personal Accident cover with your primary plan. However, this will slightly increase your overall premium but give you ample coverage at times of need.
• Step 5: Enter all the details, including owner, vehicle, and nominee details.
• Step 6: Pay the displayed premium amount through debit/credit card, UPI, or Internet Banking (at your convenience).
• Step 7: The insurance provider will issue your bike insurance policy along with a PA cover and send it to your registered email ID.

How to Claim Personal Accident Cover in Bike Insurance Online?

To claim the Personal Accident cover in your bike insurance online, follow the below procedure:

• Step 1: Inform the insurance provider at the earliest about the incident without any delays.
• Step 2: File an FIR at your local police station.
• Step 3: Download the claim form, fill it out, and submit it along with the supporting documents.
• Step 4: Policybazaar.com will verify the details and settle the claims accordingly.

When you purchase a bike, make sure to buy a bike insurance policy as soon as possible so that you can avail of the benefits of that insurance policy. Although it is mandatory to have a third-party bike insurance policy, the traffic police can impose hefty fines if you get caught without it. Hence, getting your two-wheeler insured along with the mandatory Personal Accident Cover is a better and wise decision.