Moving to a new place is always hard. In the midst of finding a new home and ensuring your furniture and household ‘samaan’ reaches safely, it is also important to take care of your bike. Shifting bases means you must shift your two-wheeler insurance to a new locale.
So, let us help you make sense of this chaotic move with these 9 important pointers you need to be aware of when you move to a new location:
- Let your insurance company know about the move
As soon as you know about the move and understand your new address, you need to update your insurance company and notify them about your new details. When you do this, you might have a few questions, like whether your two-wheeler insurance policy will apply in another state, the documents you need to update the policy details to your new location, and the entire process of shifting your bike insurance policy.
This process should not be too complicated, and if you have a good insurance provider, you can easily update these details online or via the customer support team.
- Upgrade riders if needed
If you are moving your bike via the road, then you should protect yourself and your bike against any damage that can happen on the road. For instance, the truck carrying your bike can get in an accident or end up with some scratches or damages to its parts in a long move.
Hence, ensure your insurance is upgraded to include an own-damage cover and the mandated third-party bike insurance cover. Look for comprehensive insurance covers that protect you and third parties against liabilities.
- Explore other options
Insurance policy for two-wheelers may not vary too much if you’re shifting from a tier-1 city to another metro. However, if you’re shifting from a tier-3 city to a tier-1 city, you might find that you may have to pay more for the premium. Or, if the reverse is true, you need to know if your insurance provider has a good network of garages and support systems in the smaller city.
In either case, you must ensure you get the best cover possible in your area. Hence, make sure you explore options for bike insurance online, and do not hesitate to change your insurance provider if you find a better alternative.
- Read the fine print
Two wheeler insurance premiums can change a lot depending on the location you live in. For instance, if you live in a coastal place, your premium will change because the salty air from the sea can increase the corrosion rate of vehicular parts, and hence your bike will need more protection than if you were in the plains.
So, read the fine print to understand what is covered and what is excluded based on your relocation. Also, ask your insurance expert to explain the nuances of your revamped policy.
- Add riders and add-on covers as necessary
Let’s say you are moving to a place that gets heavy rain. Then you might need extra engine protection, which you can add as a rider to your existing insurance for two wheeler. Read up on the place you are going to, and understand what environmental or local factors might affect your bike’s longevity. And add extra protection for your vehicle through riders or add-on covers so you can increase your favoured vehicle’s life.
- Re-register with the local RTO
Whether you’re moving temporarily or for the long term, it is always advisable to inform your local RTO about the change. You will need to re-register your vehicle with the local authorities, and they will give you a new vehicle registration number to use. Let your insurance company know about this vehicle registration change and update the same in your policy.
- Don’t let your policy lapse
Moving houses is a lot of hard work! And you can be forgiven for forgetting a thing or two in the middle of all that confusion. However, you must not let your policy lapse, as it can cause many issues if the bike gets damaged while relocating.
- Keep all your documents handy
Things have a habit of getting lost in a move. We’ve all been there! Hence we suggest that when you make a move, you keep all your two-wheeler insurance documents in a safe space and take backups so that processes like re-registration and update are easy for you.
- If you’re relocating and buying a new bike
If you’re planning to buy a new bike after relocating, research and get the best quotes from all possible providers. If you wish to go ahead with your current provider, ensure that your NCB (No Claim Bonus) is transferred to your new policy when you buy a new bike.
