A Guide To File Claim In Case Of Bike Theft
It is truly a disheartening incident if your bike is ever stolen. However, if you have availed of the correct insurance policy then you would be able to raise an insurance claim for your stolen bike.
Bikes have many advantages. They are easy to commute on and are affordable for a large majority of the population. However, one possible drawback to owning a bike is that it is very susceptible to theft due to its small size. There are some tips you should follow to prevent the theft of your bike and also you should protect it by availing of comprehensive bike insurance along with theft cover. If your bike is stolen, here are the steps to follow to claim insurance for it.
Steps to Follow to Claim Insurance for Bike Theft
Take the following steps in case your bike has been stolen and you want to file an insurance claim for it.
1. File an FIR
The first step for you to take is filing an FIR, or First Information Report at your nearest police station. You would be asked for various details of your bike by the police which you should have handy. These will include. The make and model, the colour, registration number, etc. It is important to complete this step without which the insurance claim for theft will not be processed.
2. Inform your Insurance Provider
The next step would be to inform your insurance provider about the theft and the fact that you would be filing a claim. Do this as early as possible, immediately after filing an FIR, as this will prevent any delay in the process. The insurance company has to follow certain formalities in this time so it will serve your interests to inform them as early as possible.
3. Inform the Local RTO
It is mandatory to inform the local Regional Transport Office of the theft of any vehicle. You as the owner have the responsibility not to skip this step and to make sure the local RTO is informed of the theft of your bike that has occurred.
4. Arrange the Necessary Documents
The claims process will require a variety of documents. You will have to submit these to your insurance company alongside the form provided by them which you must fill in. In general, the following documents will be required:
- Duly filled bike insurance theft claim form
- Insurance policy document
- Original keys of the bike
- Driving license photocopy (self attested)
- RC book photocopy (self attested)
- FIR (original)
- Forms 28, 29, 30, and 35 from the RTO
5. File a No-Trace Report Application
This is also referred to as an untraced vehicle report. It is given by the police after they have conducted an investigation and been unable to trace the vehicle, which will be stated in the report. The time period for this typically would be one month from the filing of the FIR. If your bike is recovered, you would not be issued compensation from the insurance company.
Takeaway
Preventing bike theft is an important responsibility of bike ownership. However, if you are ever caught with your bike stolen and you wish to initiate an insurance claim process, you are now equipped with the knowledge of the steps to follow.
Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
