Buying a car or two-wheeler is set to become expensive from September 1 as long-term third-party insurance policy has been made mandatory by the Irdai following a Supreme Court order. The three-year third-party insurance will cost Rs 5,286 for cars with engine capacity of less than 1,000 cc, Rs 9,534 (1,000 - 1,500 cc) and Rs 24,305 for cars with engine capacity of 1,500 cc and more. In case of two-wheelers, the five year-third party insurance will cost Rs 1,045 for vehicles with engine capacity below 75 cc, Rs 3,285 (75-150 cc), Rs 5,453 (150-350 cc) and Rs 13,034 (exceeding 350 cc). As per the Motor Vehicles Act, third-party insurance is mandatory.
As regards the comprehensive insurance, which covers theft and damage among others, the vehicle buyer would have the option to buy it for one year or three years in case of cars and five years in case two-wheelers. As per the court order, it is mandatory for all general insurance companies to issue a three-year third party insurance cover for new cars and five-year third party (TP) insurance cover for new two-wheelers as a separate product or as part of a comprehensive insurance product.
Irdai was directed to implement the decision on policies sold from September 1, 2018. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has issued a circular in this regard. The circular said general insurers should "offer only three-year Motor Third-Party Insurance covers for new cars and five-year motor third party insurance policies for new two-wheelers". Currently, in the motor segment, there are two types of policies -- stand-alone Motor Third-Party policy and Motor Package Insurance policy for 2-wheelers and private cars.