Bike Riding to Hill Stations? Do Not Forget to Insure Your Bike

Riding bikes across hill stations is exciting. However, it is important to give safety and protection a priority. Many accidents occur at hill stations. For this, insurance cover for long bike rides comes in handy. 

Moreover, according to a report published in 2022, India had 412,432 road accidents, which resulted in 153,972 deaths and 384,448 injured people. An accident can also lead to financial strain, and they can help you manage that. Bike insurance is a formal agreement between a bike owner and an insurer to provide financial coverage for accidents, robbery, and third-party damages against the premium for the insurance plan paid by bike owners.

But the question arises: Why should you buy bike insurance coverage for long bike rides, and what riders should you consider? To get answers to these questions, read this article till the end.

Why is Insurance coverage for Long Bike Rides Essential?

Bike insurance is crucial for hill station rides due to several reasons. Some of them are:

1. Higher Chances of Accidents

Accident rates are greater in hill locations due to their twisted roads and erratic weather. A financial safety net through bike insurance can help pay for losses or damages.

2. Probable Deterioration

The challenging conditions of hilly terrain can accelerate the wear and tear of your bike. Comprehensive bike insurance is beneficial in such scenarios as it covers the costs of necessary maintenance and repairs and helps you save on these expenses.

3. Scarce and Expensive Repair Services

Roadside assistance and garage access are more expensive due to limited availability in the hill stations. You can ensure you get assistance in the event of a breakdown by adding roadside assistance coverage to your bike insurance.

Hence, it is critical that you equip your bike insurance with the right features and add-ons to ensure your rides to mountains are hassle-free. 

Which Add Ons are Important to Suit Hill Riders?

One of the factors to consider while purchasing insurance for long bike rides is the extras, as they broaden your scope of coverage. A few bike insurance add-ons that could be very helpful for mountain hikers and tourists on hills are:

• Zero Depreciation: This add-on will help you since it ensures the bike’s component depreciation won’t lower the claim amount.
• Tyre Protection: A bike’s most susceptible component is its tyres, which often require repairs after riding on the roads of hill stations.
• Roadside Assistance: This add-on offers prompt help in case of a breakdown or accident while going to or from the hill station.
• Engine Protection: This add-on covers repair or replacement of the engine on your bike. Considering how essential an engine is to a bike’s functioning, this add-on can help you avoid paying for repairs or replacement.
• NCB Protection: Suppose you have saved a lot of NCB by not claiming damages for some years. However, your bike gets damaged when going to a hill station. In that case, filing a claim can nullify your NCB. NCB protection add-on cover can prevent this.

If you are not a tourist but live at the hill station, these add-ons become even more useful to you. Here are some add-ons you should know about:

• Zero Depreciation: This cover can be valuable if your bike’s parts have been depreciated because of travelling in rough terrain.
• Tyre Protection: Hill stations’ roads make tyres vulnerable to damage, making this add-on important.
• Roadside Assistance: Garages at hill stations are very far away. This bike insurance coverage provides roadside assistance wherever you need it.
• Engine Protection: Engines of bikes that constantly remain at hill stations are more susceptible to damage due to high terrain and usually more rain.
• Consumable Covers: This add-on pays for numerous consumable materials needed throughout the repair procedure. Even if they are required in small amounts during repair, these expenses can add up to a sizable sum.
• NCB Protection: If you have an accumulated NCB amount, protect it using this add-on.
• Return to Invoice: If your bike is stolen or completely lost, this add-on is intended to give you the complete invoice price of the bike, including road tax and registration fees. This implies that you receive the full retail value of your bike, not simply the insured declared value (IDV) as of now.

Key Takeaways

Whether taking a road trip or going to hills, the right cover for long bike rides ensures you have the complete coverage and safety net you require. You should examine several plans on platforms like PhonePe before purchasing insurance and choose the one that best suits your needs.

It’s also critical to realise that changes in your lifestyle, such as regular riding in hilly areas, may influence the type of insurance you require. For worry-free travel, consider comprehensive coverage and pertinent add-ons like roadside assistance. Remember that a well-insured trip is an assured ride. Happy travels!