Why Checking Car Insurance Validity is Important?

Car insurance is more than a legal document; car insurance provides protection for your vehicle in times of need. Keeping track of your car insurance seems like a major task but it is essential for your safety and peace of mind. Insurance plays a huge role in keeping you financially and legally safe on the road. It ensures that if any unexpected events occur like an accident, you have the support you need to cover your repair costs, medical expenses, or legal claims that might arise.

Without valid insurance, you could put yourself at big risk or even legal trouble. Knowing your insurance status helps you drive confidently, knowing that your vehicle is covered, you’re finances are safe, and you are compliant with the law. In this article, we’ll explore why it is essential to keep your insurance valid, various methods to check your insurance status, and steps to take if you find that you’re has expired. 

Car Insurance terms and coverage details

Understanding car insurance terms and coverage is essential to make sure you’re getting the protection you need. Here’s some common terms you need to know

Policy Number

It is a unique identifying number used to track your insurance policy and is necessary for making claims and verifying your insurance status. 

Premium

The premium is the amount you pay to your car insurance company in exchange for your car insurance coverage. Premium is the amount you pay it on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, or yearly)

Deductible

This is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company starts covering the rest of the costs in the event of a claim. The purpose of the deductible is to share the financial responsibility between you and the insurance company. 

Coverage types

Third-party liability insurance

It is the most basic coverage which covers damage or injury to others (property or people) if you’re at fault in an accident. 

Collision coverage

This helps pay for repair for your own car if you’re involved in an accident, regardless of you’re fault.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your own vehicle even if you are not at fault. It includes things like theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or accidents with animals.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

This covers medical expenses for you and your family in case of any accident.

Using the VAHAN portal to verify insurance

Here’s how to check your vehicle insurance status on VAHAN.

1. Visit the official VAHAN website: https://vahan.nic.in.
2. On the homepage, look for the “Know your vehicle details” option or any relevant section related to vehicle information. 
3. Enter your vehicle registration number and code for verification.
4. Enter the captcha to verify 
5. After entering the captcha and vehicle registration number click on the “Submit” button.
6. Once submitted portal will show vehicle details, including insurance status.

Checking car insurance validity through the RTO 

Here’s how you can check your car insurance validity through RTO 

1. Each state in India has it’s own RTO website you need to visit the official portal of your state’s RTO. For example:
   1. For Maharashtra, it’s https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in.
   2. For Delhi, it’s https://transport.delhi.gov.in.
2. On the homepage of the RTO website click on “Know your vehicle detail”.
3. Just like the VAHAN portal, you need to provide your vehicle registration number.
4. Enter CAPTCHA for verification purposes. 
5. Click on the “Submit” button website will show your important vehicle details and including its insurance status.

Steps to check vehicle insurance policy using the IIB portal

Here’s how you can check your insurance policy through the IIB portal

1. Visit the official IIB portal: https://iib.gov.in.
2. Provide all your details name, email, phone number, and vehicle registration number. 
3. Insurance policy status including all necessary details will be displayed.

Steps to check insurance validity through the Parivahan Portal

The Parivahan Seva portal, maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH), allows you to check vehicle-related details, including insurance status. 

1. Visit the Parivahan Seva website
2. Navigate to the “Know your vehicle details” section.
3. Enter the vehicle registration number. 
4. Verify the captcha code.
5. Click on Submit
6. View the vehicle details.

Offline methods to verify car insurance details

While online platforms like the VAHAN portal and IIB portal are convenient, they are also offline methods to verify your car insurance. Here are some traditional, offline methods you can use to check your car insurance.

• Contacting your insurance provider
• Checking your insurance policy documents 
• Visiting RTO office
• Using SMS services.

Details need to be checked for your insurance validity 

• Vehicle Registration Number (RC Number)
• Engine Number
• Chasis Number (VIN)
• Insurance policy number (optional, if available)

Steps to take if your car insurance has expired

1. Check the expiry date- Confirm that your insurance has expired by verifying your documents.
2. Contact your insurance provider- Get in touch with your insurer to discuss renewal options. 
3. Get a new policy- If renewing isn’t possible look for similar plans and purchase an insurance policy.
4. Avoid driving without insurance- Until your insurance is renewed avoid driving your vehicle to stay legally compliant and financially protected.
5. Keep proof of insurance- Once you’ve renewed or purchased new insurance make sure to keep a copy of the insurance certificate in your vehicle all the time.

Conclusion

Checking your car insurance validity is important to ensure that legally you are compliant and financially protected. By verifying your insurance status regularly you can avoid fines, ensure coverage in case of accidents, and gain peace of mind while driving. Remember driving without valid insurance can lead to serious legal and financial consequences, so make sure to always be updated on your policy status.

Frequently asked questions