Steer Clear of Traffic Fines: Secure Your Ride with Bike Insurance

Introduction:

On a sunny afternoon, Shreyansh found himself riding his bike when suddenly, he was flagged down by a traffic police officer. Upon inspection, it was discovered that Shreeyansh was riding without insurance coverage as his bike insurance had expired.

Consequently, he faced severe repercussions:

1. Traffic Challan: A ₹2,000 traffic challan for operating an uninsured vehicle.
2. Legal Complications: Legal complications under the Motor Vehicles Act, and potential imprisonment for up to 3 months.
3. Financial Burden: Without insurance, Shreeyansh would have been solely responsible for covering repair and medical expenses if he had an accident.

This incident served as a stark reminder to Shreeyansh of the importance of renewing bike insurance-not only to avoid traffic fines but also to ensure personal protection.

Traffic Challan and Bike Insurance

A traffic challan is a penalty or a fine levied by the traffic authorities for violating any traffic rules or regulations. It might be for high speed, not wearing a helmet, or running a red light. For example, riding without a valid driving licence may cost Rs.5000.

On the other hand, licensee insurance provides complete coverage for motorcycles or two-wheelers. It offers financial security against damages done to the bike, liability for third-party injuries, and even coverage for theft or accidents.

Consequences of Traffic Rule Violations in India

1. Fines and Penalties: If you violate any traffic rule in India, it can lead to heavy traffic fines from the traffic authorities. However, the amount may vary depending on the nature and severity of your offence. For example, if someone is found driving rashly, they may be fined up to Rs. 1000-5000 the first time and Rs 10,000 the second time.

2. Traffic Challans: If you commit any offence, it may result in the issuance of a traffic challan by the authorities, formal notices for such violation, and the penalties ahead. Sometimes, challan may be issued on the spot or sent to your address. Nowadays, people only receive information on their mobile through email or SMS. These are called the e-challans. As per 128/177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, tripling on a 2-wheeler can lead to a fine of Rs.100. 

3. Traffic Points: Sometimes, accumulating traffic violation points may result in the suspension of your driving licence. If it exceeds a limit of up to 3 months, it may lead to a licence suspension to ensure other measures by the government. However, this may vary depending on the severity and nature of the offence.

4. Legal actions: Severe violations may cause legal consequences, such as court appearances, when the act hurts someone.

5. Insurance Premium Increased: Traffic violations may also severely impact vehicle insurance. Heavy bike insurance fines for driving a wheeler are the most painful. Insurance companies may price high premiums from policyholders with a long history of traffic violations.

List of Traffic Rules, Fines, and Penalties in India as per Motor Vehicles Act, 2019

Road Safety Tips: Avoid Fines 

Here are a few tips to avoid getting fined:

1. Always renew your insurance policy before its expiry date. One can easily restore the insurance policy online from various insurers. For example, when you buy a new bike, it is mandatory to have a five-year insurance policy; after five years, you need to renew it to prevent any mishap.
2. Make sure to buy bike insurance even if you buy a secondhand vehicle. If that vehicle already has its insurance, you can transfer it to your name; if not, you can buy a new one.
3. Remember to keep a hard copy of your vehicular documents, such as your Registration Certificate (RC), Driving License (DL), etc with you. You can even store soft copies on your smartphone through apps like DigiLocker or mParivahan.
4. Always be polite to your traffic police. If you are ever stopped for vehicular inspection, provide them with all your documents and cooperate. 
5. Opt Third-party Insurance when you want to drive a car legally. TP insurance will ensure that you are not penalised by traffic police for not having a valid car insurance policy. If you drive occasionally and in a safe manner then you can consider buying only this basic plan.

Key Takeaways

Ensure your security on the road by prioritising bike insurance. Compare policies, get the right add-ons, drive safely and carry your documents to make every road trip hassle-free. 

Consider choosing platforms like PhonePe for a seamless insurance purchase experience.