What is CC in Bikes and How It Impacts Bike Insurance
Understanding Engine Capacity & Its Role in Insurance Costs
If you’re someone who has recently bought a motorcycle or are thinking of buying one, you may have come across the term CC. CC or Cubic Capacity refers to a bike engine’s cubic capacity. A bike’s CC directly influences the bike’s throughput and performance. It also helps insurance companies determine bike insurance premiums. In this article, we discuss CC in bikes and how the engine CC influences not just the bike’s performance but also its insurance premium.
Understanding CC in Bikes
What is CC (Cubic Capacity)?
Time to get a bit technical. Those who take a natural interest in the inner workings of a bike may already be aware. This is for those who are not familiar with the same. A bike’s CC or cubic capacity denotes the volume of the engine. It has a direct impact on the air-fuel mixture and output. A bike engine’s CC greatly influences the extent of the air and fuel mixture that can be compressed and utilized in a single combustion cycle. A bike with a greater CC will have a larger engine, thus a larger cylinder that consumes more air and fuel. It also denotes the engine’s increased capacity for efficient combustion, thus enhancing the bike’s performance and power.
How CC Affects Bike Performance
Bikes with greater CC engines tend to perform better than their counterparts that come with smaller engines. It determines a bike’s performance, speed and acceleration. Bikes that come with higher CC engines have a higher top speed potential and greater torque to accelerate quickly, making them more efficient.
Categories of Bikes Based on CC
Low CC Bikes (Up to 150cc)
Bikes with smaller engine capacities create less power, making the premium for such bikes more affordable.
Mid CC Bikes (150cc to 350cc)
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Department of India has established a set of third-party motorbike insurance prices based on cubic Capacity.
High CC Bikes (Above 350cc)
Bikes with higher CC are generally more expensive due to the bigger engine being used to produce more power and torque.
Impact of CC on Bike Insurance Premiums
The cubic capacity (CC) of the two-wheeler is a crucial factor in determining the insurance premium2. The premium for third-party liability insurance depends on the category of cubic capacity your bike belongs to, and the higher the CC, the higher the premium.
Third-Party Insurance Premiums
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Department of India (IRDAI) has established a set of third-party motorbike insurance prices based on cubic capacity. Here are some examples of third-party insurance costs for different cubic capacities:
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More than 350: ₹2,804
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150-350: ₹1,366
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75-150: ₹714
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75 and below: ₹538
Comprehensive Insurance Premiums
The premium for comprehensive insurance is determined using the cubic capacity of the bike among other factors. Hence, a higher CC bike would have high premium.
Other Factors Influencing Bike Insurance Premiums
Year of Manufacture
Some of the factors that may affect your bike insurance are age, location, model of the vehicle, and claims history along with add-ons, and voluntary deductibles.
Geographical Location
Some of the factors that may affect your bike insurance are age, location, model of the vehicle, and claims history along with add-ons, and voluntary deductibles.
Modifications and Add-ons
A higher CC bike could require additional coverage, which in turn, could raise the premium for your two-wheeler insurance coverage.
Tips for Bike Owners
Choosing the Right CC
Assessing these aspects helps riders understand what is meant by CC in bikes and how it aligns with their requirements.
Balancing Performance and Insurance Costs
While it may be tempting to reduce coverages to help lower your two-wheeler insurance premium, it is essential to know that there are other factors that may affect the insurance cost.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Securing a bike policy renewal ensures you can enjoy your bike without worrying about unforeseen risks.
Conclusion
Understanding the technicalities of your vehicle comes in handy, especially when you wish to buy an insurance. Terms like CC may put you off your track, however, it plays a very important role in determining your bike insurance premium. Understanding the role of cc in bikes is important while purchasing the bike and bike insurance. Hence, it is essential to get your basics right so that you can understand and negotiate your bike insurance premium accordingly with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does a higher CC bike always mean higher insurance premiums?
Yes, bikes having a higher cubic capacity are equipped with larger cylinders that generate more power for the engine.
Can modifications to my bike's engine affect my insurance premium?
A higher CC bike could require additional coverage. This, in turn, could raise the premium for your two-wheeler insurance coverage.
Are there benefits to choosing a lower CC bike in terms of insurance?
Two-wheelers with lower engine capacity are cheaper to insure compared to higher engine capacity bikes.
